Embellish: Brave Little Tailor Retold

Romance a Medieval Fairytale #7

by Demelza Carlton

A maiden dying for adventure. A prince on a perilous quest. Monsters that must be slain.

Once upon a time…

After losing a battle with a dragon, George is desperate to salvage his reputation.

Only he can’t do it alone – he needs an assistant.

Royal tailor Melitta longs for adventure, so when she hears of a job opening for an apprentice hero, she jumps at the chance. Slaying monsters must be more exciting than sewing.

Can the unlikely pair still succeed at their quest – or will they fall for each other instead?


Romance a Medieval Fairytale series:
Each book is a standalone, so they can be read in any order:
(#1) Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
(#2) Dance: Cinderella Retold
(#3) Fly: Goose Girl Retold
(#4) Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold
(#5) Silence: Little Mermaid Retold
(#6) Awaken: Sleeping Beauty Retold
(#7) Embellish: Brave Little Tailor Retold
(#8) Appease: Princess and the Pea Retold
(#9) Blow: Three Little Pigs Retold
(#10) Return: Hansel and Gretel Retold
(#11) Wish: Aladdin Retold
(#12) Melt: Snow Queen Retold
(#13) Spin: Rumpelstiltskin Retold
(#14) Kiss: Frog Prince Retold
(#15) Hunt: Red Riding Hood Retold
(#16) Reflect: Snow White Retold
(#17) Roar: Goldilocks Retold

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Audiobook, Ebooks, Adult

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2017

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.

Reviews

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I enjoy a good fairytale retelling as much as anyone and this story is an interesting one. Well written with somewhat amusing characters

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/5/2020)! 🎁

[*❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really sweet and enjoyable novel. I have to admit I've never read Brave Little Tailor story as a child, but I did do a wiki summary search about what it was about and I loved the idea.

The story itself is about a young man named George, who sadly becomes famous because he ran away from a Dragon that has been terrorising the people. Determined to swipe his name clean from being a coward, he seeks help from anyone who can help slain the dragon and become a hero like him.
We then meet Melitta, a young lady who was raised in the court house, yet before marriage and family she wants freedom and adventure, and hearing about an opening to become a hero's Apprentice she signs up and is surprised to be chosen. Together they face many challenges in their journey, but the greatest discovery is how they use trickery and shortcuts to defend and defeat their foes.

What I loved most of this was that the brave little Tailor is not one of them, but both. Each of the challenges are split between the two and I found that awesome. We get a shy and fearful man, but who is fast, and a feisty woman but who can be fearful at times too. I loved how these two characters were portrayed, they had their pros, and they had their flaws but that made them more human, more relatable to us readers.

They were both very witty and sarcastic, the humour definitely made this novel more lively, especially since Melitta can read minds and hears the thoughts of George. Those were definitely my favourite moments

A wonderful retelling, Carlton has definitely become a top author of mine for these retellings, and I can't wait to read more of this series.

Received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the author herself, thank you!

[Maria Grace]

Fun light fairy tale based romp. Light romance and fun characters. Just the sort of thing I like for wind-down reading.

I think my favorite bit was the resolution with the unicorn. I was very afraid they were going to kill the unicorn, which would have been a massive turn off for me.

[Connie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairytale retold, a tale of a Brave Little Tailor Retold, not just for babies anymore.
By Connie Lee on September 29, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This is a very fun tale to read, a very easy read. I would recommend this book to everyone. It is really well written, is well thought out, and pretty much covered all of my emotions. There were "fairytale parts" that you know could never really happen except in a book of fiction, but there are also parts that really can happen to anyone anywhere. Falling in love and trying not to tell the other person for fear that they may not feel the same way, and finally knowing they have feelings too. But having doubts about yourself, "why would anyone want me when they could have : the prettier one, the smarter one, or the one with a higher station in life or one who is in a higher "class ", or has more money. To so doubt yourself, or their love for you, so much that someone can just come into the picture and just easily take your love away from you. And doubting yourself so much that you just knew this would happen, and leaving..... instead of standing up for yourself.
I got that knot in the pit of my stomach, and I wanted to scream at the pc, do not make it easier for this person to do you wrong! You deserve better than to be treated bad!
SO, I almost cried in the middle of conflict. Hurry up and get this book before I give away the story, or more of the story.
I was given the chance to read this book free, and in exchange, I am giving you an honest review of what I think of the story. So here it is: I LOVED THIS STORY. And if you love fairytales, and wish they were written for adults, then read this author's fairytales for adults, No tasteless pornography, not bedtime stories only for babies, but still with a happily ever after ending. Feel good stories for adults, too.

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

EMBELLISH is the seventh book in the Romance a Medieval Fairytale. While each stands on its own, there is character interaction that makes it best to read them all and in the order of release.

Yes, I read APPEASE before EMBELLISH. No, it doesn’t matter to the storyline, but it did make me want to read this story to know the rest of George and Melitta’s coming together.

I like that neither George nor Melitta is willing to accept the lot that life has given them. They each could have taken the legacy of their parents and lived comfortable enough lives, but they wanted more…. And that more led them to each other.

This was one of those stories that I call a soft and comfortable read. I smiled through most of it, though there were a few points of anxiety and more than a few giggles.

I have a few in this series to backlist read and I’m looking forward to reading more in the future. I love these fairytales retold!

Note: while I was given this book as an ARC gifted copy, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: EMBELLISH: BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR RETOLD
Series: Romance a Medieval Fairytale #7
Category /Genre: Adult Fairytales; Paranormal Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: B – a few small errors
Received from: Demelza Carlton (as an ARC gifted copy)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a retelling of the Brave Little Tailor fairytale, and is brilliantly written. Featuring the scaredy-cat "hero" shoemaker George who goes in search of an apprentice hero to help him fight monsters and ultimately kill the dragon terrorising his home city - and who chooses the court dressmaker Melitta over all the more experienced squires, pages and Knights! Sadly it has more to do with him fancying her - and thinking that if all else fails she'll make a good distraction as a virgin sacrifice! - than her potential abilities, but she soon proves him wrong!
I liked this retelling of the story as you can still follow it clearly and see all the original events in the new story - until the end anyway! Too often 'retellings' can go so far off track that you don't even recognise the original, but this one is true to the original whilst being different too - the best kind of story! So if you like fairytale reimaginings, I'd definitely recommend this book, especially as it's not too soppy (my pet fairytale hate!!)!
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions

[David Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairytale rmomance

The son of a shoemaker and the daughter of the Royal dress maker both crave a life of adventure. Together, they set out to become heroes and eventually face a fearsome dragon.

This is a reworking of the Brave Little Tailor fairytale. I have to admit that I didn't remember that particular fairytale too well. So I did a little checking online and refreshed my memory which actually helped me enjoy this story a little more. I liked how the author divides the role of hero between the couple. It helps to bring them together more naturally.

It is pretty easy to guess what will happen as you read but that should be expected since it is a retelling of an old story anyway. It is still fresh enough to be thoroughly enjoyable and is a fun read.

This is part of a series of tales that are all interconnected and are based on fairytales. There are references to earlier stories but you can read this as a stand alone tale.

There is one sex scene that I would probably rate as PG or maybe PG-13.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

George lost a battle with a dragon and can't do it alone so advertises for an assistant. Melitta works as a royal tailor with her mother and longs for excitement and adventure and when she hears of the job opening jumps at the chance. Can they succeed at killing dangerous creatures or is the danger in their attraction for each other?

This was a charming story of a girls determination to have adventure and be taken seriously, and a shoemaker who had the ambition and will to make so much more of himself. It was well written and there was plenty of danger and drama as they worked their way through various dangerous situations whilst also trying hard to ignore the feelings that were developing. The ending was pleasant and there was a HEA even though the road wasn't always as smooth as the characters wanted.

[Lynsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a very forgetable book...
I found George's uselessness frustrating. He fails to develope any skills. One feels like a character should make SOME progress at a job he has done for a while. I also got really annoyed that George kept taking public credit for Melitta's work and that, even after it was established George knew nothing, he didn't step down and let Melitta lead. I'm even more annoyed at Melitta for not insisting that he did. I also didn't appreciate how Georger sexualised Melitta. Even putting all that aside, this book was kinda boring.

[Kimberly Newman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is enjoyable, and the characters are easy to get to know. The story moves along well, clear of foul language and other offensive material until the soft-porn sex at the end. Though the two have just been married, I am not a voyeur and don't want to be in bed with them. A warning would grant better reviews because only people who don't mind would read it.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's ok

At times, it felt rushed. The characters felt more like cardboard cut outs than people. It isn't bad...it just a!so isn't that great.

[M. K. French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melitta is the royal tailor’s daughter who longs for adventure, and ignores the boys mocking her when she practices archery. George wants to be a knight instead of a shoemaker, but failed at slaying a dragon. Alone, neither can get ahead, but together they just might win.

While this is book seven of the “Romance a Medieval Fairytale” series, each one is standalone. Mary Sarah has a soothing voice that changes intonation for the different characters. She gives life to them, so that it’s easy to dive into the story via audiobook as it would be for reading. George is intelligent enough to know that he can’t beat a dragon on his own, and that trying to draw help from another fairy godmother wouldn’t work. Setting up a competition for an adventuring apprentice is a great idea, and allows him to meet Melitta. She boasts a lot, much like the tailor in the original story, which most of the other characters point out won’t equal skill. She has her own brand of cleverness, though, and that takes her through a lot of the bumps in her road to adventure.

I wasn't super impressed with the beginning, because it felt like there was so much setup that it was repetitive. Once George and Melitta met and were traveling together, the pacing definitely picked up. Neither are fully knight material, but each have the skills the other lack. I like how together they work well, even before anything romantic happens. Brains are just as important as brawn here, and a great lesson to learn.

[Daniel Thorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked the book. The author is a decent wordsmith, and the editing was superb. The story was well thought out and had a storybook quality I enjoyed.

That said, some of the characters' escapades seemed a bit contrived and there were a few scenes that broke my immersion in the tale. I didn't like when the characters would 'fire' a crossbow, for example, such a term having only entered the vernacular after the advent of gunpowder. I also grimaced when a serving maid brought them their armor in a small-seeming 'box' she handed to them after dropping a curtsy while holding it. Two full suits of armor (even leather) should at least have merited a 'crate' and some nod to the weight inherent in such a burden.

The obligatory sex scene near the end struck me as perfunctory. To be fair, the slow, smouldering sizzle that led up to it throughout the novel was quite well done. It had 'forbidden fruit' overtones that were readily relatable. I say read it if your tastes run to folklore and you enjoy a spirited romance that is not too sappy.

[Lokdyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a retelling of the “Brave Little Tailor.” I really liked the two main characters—George, a shoemaker’s son and Melitta, a royal seamstress’s daughter. Melitta wants adventure. George thinks he’s a coward because he ran from a dragon near his home, so he advertises for a hero apprentice and gives the position to Melitta. Through the challenges they face by both humans and non-humans on their way to slay the dragon, you see George is not the coward he thinks he is. Only by using their wits and working together are they able to overcome all the obstacles in their way. I liked the way they appreciated each other’s knowledge and talents, regardless of their different stations in life. I liked seeing them fall in love. There is some violence, and one sex scene, but overall I really enjoyed this story. I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this book. I have freely expressed my opinions on the story.

[Elizabeth Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read another one of Demelza Carlton's reimagined fairy tales, I think this is the best one yet. I don't remember the original Brave Little Tailor very well, but I'm fairly certain that the tailor was not a girl. ;) And that's one of the things that makes this story so fun. The author manages to take a well-known (for most people) story and turn it into something completely different, to turn it on its head and make it almost unrecognizable. What a gift!

I was given an ARC of this book, and I freely admit that I am a big fan of this author. I'm a lover of fairy tales and I love the way that she reinterprets these old familiar stories, turning them into something new, different, and exciting. This one features her usual well-written prose as well as some very intriguing characters and situations. To be honest, it was difficult to put this one down. I loved this book and I highly recommended.

[Jacky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying reading the Medieval Fairytales by Demelza Carlton. She does such a wonderful job of remaking old classics to make these stories her own. With all the aspects of a medieval story, monsters, heroes and the classic maiden (ok maybe not the classic) but a maiden nevertheless.

A maiden dying for adventure! A prince on a perilous quest. Monsters that must be slain.

Once upon a time…

After losing a battle with a dragon, George is desperate to salvage his reputation. Only he can’t do it alone – he needs an assistant.
Royal tailor Melitta longs for adventure, so when she hears of a job opening for an apprentice hero, she jumps at the chance. Slaying monsters must be more exciting than sewing.

Can the unlikely pair still succeed at their quest – or will they fall for each other instead?

[LuAnn Rodriquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

George and Melitta are an interesting pair in Demelza Carlton’s book, EMBELLISH. It took me half the book to really get into the story but once I did, I enjoyed it. The two of them wanting to be heroes when neither has any successful experience at so doing is very real, and a bit of what made their progress and my initial reading of it, slow. The pleasure of the book is not only how they recognize the great way they operate together but also how they want to keep functioning that way after some ingenuous success has been achieved. Ms. Carlton has the ability to make these characters seem real, even with magical aspects to them and their story. I recommend this book and all others I have read by this author to everyone who enjoys a retold fairy tale.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review of this book.

[Alex L Criddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embellish is now one of my favorites of this series. Melitta is a strong, independent heroine who knows how to kick butt. George was real and sweet and did what needed to be done when it was needed. They worked well together and took on obstacles with intellect and know-how, demonstrating that heroes aren't only their swords or brawn. They really are perfect for each other. The writing flowed and the story was unique and intriguing. Demelza Carlton takes fairytales and reinvents them with such creativity and originality that one can't help but love her stories. I'm excited there are more stories to come and can't wait to read them! As a caution, there was an intimate scene at the end of the novel.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dangerous World with a Load of Humor

A dash of mind-reading, a pinch of native cunning, humor, growing affection and facing fears...er, monsters, and mix it into an unexpected love story, and you have a winner.

It’s not exactly a tale of courtship or a romance, but of a slow-growing attraction when you realize you’ve met your match in an unexpected person. And along the way, the reader gets to tour an entertaining, funny, yet also dangerous world (bandits who rape, torture and sell their victims into slavery, if they survive) mix well in this story. It’s a fairy-tale land with hard edges that poke out through the entertaining voices of the two leads.

Worth reading - and there’s a whole world of other books behind it!

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Slaying monsters must be more exciting than sewing."

Oh Melitta, you've no idea what you are in for, but don't worry, you and George will handle things. I've really enjoyed all five of the prior books in Demelza Carlton's Romance A Medieval Fairytale series, bit this one might just be the best yet. It's based on the Brave Little Tailor story, probably my favorite of all the Grimm's Tales. I loved it because the tailor overcame his opponents, be they giant, unicorn, King's Guard or any other, by outsmarting them. The team of Melitta and George basically achieve things the same way, and it's a real pleasure to follow along.

Highly recommended.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fifth read from author Demelza Carlton was an interesting re-telling of The Brave Little Tailor fairy tale. The thought of reading a “fairy tale” doesn’t particularly appeal to me but I’m glad I did. Extremely well written, the characters, well developed. I’m a character reader, I get into the characters. Who and what they are. Why they do the things they do. The things that make a reader get invested into the characters and thereby the book. By the end of this book, I couldn't turn pages fast enough to see how Carleton's carefully crafted tale would unveil. I’ll be reading more from this author!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demelza Carlton has re-imagined an old fairytale and creatively produced a delightful Medieval story incorporating monsters and a dragon. The more exposure that I get to Demelza Carlton's work, the deeper appreciation I develop. I have not read each fairytale in the given order, but it is nice recognizing characters from some of the other stories. I enjoyed this story immensely, but please note that it is an adult fairytale and there is some references of a more intimate nature, though nothing too overt. Mary Sarah's narration is engaging. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embellish by Demelza Carlton – The Brave Little Tailor meets up the an ancestor of George the Dragon slayer who used to be a shoemaker. Together they can make an outsift, but they would rather go on adventures. Though this George is a renowned coward, he is determined to slay the dragon that made him a laughingstock of the kingdom. When he advertises for a hero’s assistant, he meets Melitta. Brave to a fault, Melitta can read minds and heal quickly. Together they have the drive to take on any foe with wit and honor as long as George doesn’t end up married to some princess by mistake! Lol! Happy Reading!

[Amanda Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was part of the audiobook set that I got recently. The accent was very strong on some words but the story itself was entertaining.

I liked George and Melitta. I thought they were good characters, and by that I mean they were sometimes they were awful people and they had their issues, but they were relatable in their own way and they had a good slow burn that was enjoyable.

I like the take they had on being heroes. They went about things in ways that would make actual heroes scoff but it worked and it reminded the reader that it is the results that count not how you have to go about it.

I am enjoying these stories.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amusing, interesting and entertainning retold of the Brave Little Taylor. With a witty, gifted and brave girl hungry for adventures and a boy trying to overcome his misfortune and become a hero the story, the story was very imaginative. Liked the descriptions and how the author entwined two so different protagonists. Action, suspense, magic, fantasy, romance and a sort of creatures endangering the lives of the protagonist that sometimes times made me chuckled. Liked the entertaining plot development that kept my interest all the time.

[Auburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

I have been a fan of the fairy tale retelling by Carlton for awhile. This one was just meh for me. I like the plot but it just seemed flat to me. The godmother's were mentioned once or twice as a big thing but nothing really came of it.

To me it was just a lot of maybes that turned into a simple plot that was easy and quick to read. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the story immensly but it was not my favorite.

If you need a quick fantasy that has a happy ending this is perfect.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a bit of a prequel to Appease and ends just after the meeting of our heroine Melitta and Princess Sativa. A charming retelling of the Brave Little Tailor, it tells the story of an aspiring dragonslayer who finds an apprentice/virgin bait to help him kill the beast. Their adventure have a true, storybook feel combined with a bit of romance and heat as the pair take on a wild boar, giants and unicorns before getting around to the main course.
Well written with a smart, sassy heroine and a bumbling but sincere hero. A pleasure to read.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprised by how much i liked it

I have never seen all of the Brave Little Toaster, so I was not entirely sure what to expect. Melitta and George are very similar to each other -- I like Melitta from the beginning; George took me a little longer but I have grown quit fond of him. George knew his feelings from day one, which I commend him for. Melitta was very brave and clever and gave George a chance to prove himself to her, and to himself.
Another success for Demelza Carlton. I look forward to reading her next book in this series xoxo ❤️

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Twist on a Classic

This was a very enjoyable story to read. Mellita, our protagonist, builds her persona by killing a dozen flies and it goes from there. George is not the brave knight of fable but a fleet footed survivor who takes Mellita as his apprentice. The story of their rise to fame and fortune along with a growing romance is well told.

The character development is well done and the story familiar enough to let you clearly see the twists in this retelling. Fairytales are full of lessons on life and this is no exception.