What do you think?
Rate this book
Romance a Medieval Fairytale #Short Story
Fall : Scheherazade Retold
A tale in the Romance a Medieval Fairy Tale series
When young fairy godmother Zoraida finds herself fighting a losing battle with a dragon to save her godson, she's forced to use her magic to flee.
Only to find herself in the middle of a freezing blizzard.
Rescued by a traveller, she faces a new challenge: can they survive the storm to see Christmas morning?
When young fairy godmother Zoraida finds herself fighting a losing battle with a dragon to save her godson, she's forced to use her magic to flee.
Only to find herself in the middle of a freezing blizzard.
Rescued by a traveller, she faces a new challenge: can they survive the storm to see Christmas morning?
44 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2020
98 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Demelza Carlton
934 books3,877 followersUSA 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
December 28, 2017
This was very sweet and quick read, sort of like a prequel to this series. Zoriada we've met in previous books. She is the fairy godmother to George, the MC with quick feet in the 7th book. She is able to travel through portals to go to one place to another in an instant. So when she helps George flee his dragon chase, she flees herself only to land on a snowy mountain and eventually the feet of a Baron, Hans
Hans has been travelling through the snowy mountains to return home. Back to his home and try to rebuild the towers that his beloved father didn't finish
And while on the search for dry wood in a blizzard, he sees a ball of fire scatter across the sky and land on the mountain.
Unintentionally he makes a wish, a wish he had always dreamed but never seems to come true. But will this one wish be granted true ?
I really liked this little novella, although I wish it was a little longer and fleshed out in certain aspects that happens and will happen in the future. I do hope there is a part 2 to this story.
Received a copy from the author herself. Although it's not to be reviewed I still gave my honest opinion on it. Thank you!
Hans has been travelling through the snowy mountains to return home. Back to his home and try to rebuild the towers that his beloved father didn't finish
And while on the search for dry wood in a blizzard, he sees a ball of fire scatter across the sky and land on the mountain.
Unintentionally he makes a wish, a wish he had always dreamed but never seems to come true. But will this one wish be granted true ?
I really liked this little novella, although I wish it was a little longer and fleshed out in certain aspects that happens and will happen in the future. I do hope there is a part 2 to this story.
Received a copy from the author herself. Although it's not to be reviewed I still gave my honest opinion on it. Thank you!
January 7, 2018
This very short story, started out great. I found myself wanting to find out what was going to happen with Hans and Zuleika's relationship, does she continue being a fairy Godmother, what happened to the boy that ran off when fighting a dragon, do all their dreams come true, how many children do they have, how did he ask her to marry him, etc? However, I am sad to say I felt like the story just stops. I have read quite a few books by Author Demelza Carlton and she is a great Author, this was just not a favorite of mine. I loved books that tell the whole story, in detail. I don't like to have things left for me too come to my own conclusions.
February 21, 2023
I do like a good fairytale. This one was ok.
August 27, 2020
This is a sweet, romantic Christmas tale where both characters have to overcome their awkwardness. I loved the moment mentioned of Zoraida’s time as a fairy godmother and the misadventure of helping her godson George, the wannabe dragon slayer at the beginning of the story (linking nicely to Embellish, which I really do need to read since I have it on my kindle). Though honestly, I didn’t see anything in this short tale that related to the Scheherazade tale. If anything, it borrowed from Neil Gaiman’s Stardust. Though I’ve liked other books in this series, this one didn’t really capture my attention. It was a cute, sweet, short read, and I liked the fairy godmother, but I wasn’t enthused by the baron, and I didn’t really buy their romance which felt mainly based on one kiss and the idea that both of them wanted someone else in their lives, making it feel more like a convenience than a romance.
August 3, 2024
As a story. this was not bad. The characters were interesting, there was a supernatural element and there was a satisfying romantic element for those who were looking for that. There was even a rather neat connection to one of Ms. Carlton's other stories which I read previously.
But I think that to call this a retelling of the frame story of the Thousand and One Nights is a slight misnomer. There's a nodding acquaintance between the two, which seems worked in almost after the fact to satisfy some sort of minimum requirement, but that's about it.
But I think that to call this a retelling of the frame story of the Thousand and One Nights is a slight misnomer. There's a nodding acquaintance between the two, which seems worked in almost after the fact to satisfy some sort of minimum requirement, but that's about it.
July 29, 2021
This was a sweet read. I loved how a grizzly man gets a woman an enchantress no less!! Beautifully written book about a love I thought I would never see in a book. This story reminds me of me and my boyfriend of 13 years. He is the grizzly teddy bear and I am the special girl. Beautiful love story from beginning to end.
December 29, 2021
Fun, quick read, the story line was clever, but it is so short that the character development was thin. The writing style was smooth and engaging, I will definitely check out one of the author's longer works.
Want to read
March 2, 2021🎁FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (3/2/2021)! 🎁
September 26, 2023
This was a cute little Yule/Christmas short story. There's not a lot to it. But it's sweet, and it was nice to read about a man who wasn't all alpha-y, as is all the rage at the moment.
February 15, 2024
4.5 / 5
Demelza knows what she's doing!
Demelza knows what she's doing!
March 12, 2025
It was ok. A bit too short to be much of anything.
December 24, 2017
This retelling of Scheherazade is a truly beautiful fairytale that kept me spellbound from beginning to end. Wonderful storytelling and imagination.
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
December 22, 2017
3 1/2 stars for a nice little Yuletide-y, fantasy romance from author Demelza Carlton. This novelette was offered up free to subscribers of her newsletter, and despite its brevity, it quickly pulls the reader into the story and transports them to another world. As a retelling of the tale of Scheherazade, the storyteller in the 1,001 Nights, I couldn't find where the similarities met, except that there was one night involved here. Regardless, it's a cute, sweet, clean tale, and nicely done.
December 23, 2017
This story started off great, but it was just too short. I was left wanting more of their story. I believe Hans and Zoraida deserve a more complete tale.
December 20, 2023
Sooo Ms. Demelza when are you going to turn this shirt novella into a full length novel? 😁
I did not expect to like this as much as I did, granted it was only 40mins but Hans and Zoraida were so cute that I wanted more of them. He was so in awe of her and knew what they could have and took the chance. What more could you want in a MMC?
The setting was great, the narrator 100% added to the vibe and feel of the book, she did amazing, and this just felt like a cozy fairytale. 10/10. Excellent. Show stopping. Never done before. Or whatever Lady Gaga said.
“I have only one wish,” he said, “that you stay under my roof for another night, and tell me more tales of what you have seen.”
She began to laugh, “But that would only place me more in debt of your hospitality. Tomorrow morning, I will ask you to make another wish.”
Hans took a deep breath. “And it will be for another night, and another, and another. Until one morning I work up the courage to ask for your hand so that you will stay. Last night was the happiest night of my life. I wish for a lifetime more.”
…“Then I’ll shall stay…” AHHH 🫨❤️😩🥰
Loved this and will read the other books in the series.
I did not expect to like this as much as I did, granted it was only 40mins but Hans and Zoraida were so cute that I wanted more of them. He was so in awe of her and knew what they could have and took the chance. What more could you want in a MMC?
The setting was great, the narrator 100% added to the vibe and feel of the book, she did amazing, and this just felt like a cozy fairytale. 10/10. Excellent. Show stopping. Never done before. Or whatever Lady Gaga said.
“I have only one wish,” he said, “that you stay under my roof for another night, and tell me more tales of what you have seen.”
She began to laugh, “But that would only place me more in debt of your hospitality. Tomorrow morning, I will ask you to make another wish.”
Hans took a deep breath. “And it will be for another night, and another, and another. Until one morning I work up the courage to ask for your hand so that you will stay. Last night was the happiest night of my life. I wish for a lifetime more.”
…“Then I’ll shall stay…” AHHH 🫨❤️😩🥰
Loved this and will read the other books in the series.
April 16, 2022
If you’re looking for a fairytale retelling with a twist and no disney involved, then this series is for you.
I love the authors writing style and the way she chooses to bring the characters to their purpose. These are not sweet and coddled princesses anymore. They’re introduced to a world of men who covet, take and destroy. They rise up to their current challenges and try to make their little corner of the world better.
The author doesn’t shy away from the atrocities that happen at the hands of powerful men. If you are triggered by r@pe or abu$e, read the series with caution because it’s either witnessed or happens to the MC. It’s not fully detailed, just used to tell the story and show the depravity the MC fight against.
If you have a favorite character, you might get to see them again, because the author intertwines all the stories together making it worth reading them in order, but not necessary.
I recommend grabbing the box sets if you want to binge read a few at a time.
I love the authors writing style and the way she chooses to bring the characters to their purpose. These are not sweet and coddled princesses anymore. They’re introduced to a world of men who covet, take and destroy. They rise up to their current challenges and try to make their little corner of the world better.
The author doesn’t shy away from the atrocities that happen at the hands of powerful men. If you are triggered by r@pe or abu$e, read the series with caution because it’s either witnessed or happens to the MC. It’s not fully detailed, just used to tell the story and show the depravity the MC fight against.
If you have a favorite character, you might get to see them again, because the author intertwines all the stories together making it worth reading them in order, but not necessary.
I recommend grabbing the box sets if you want to binge read a few at a time.
February 3, 2018
This is a companion book in the Romance a Medieval Fairytale series. It is only available as a gift to newsletter subscribers.
A sweet, quick, holiday read - this was just what I needed to fill my literary sweet tooth. I fell in love with Zoraida and why shouldn’t a fairy Godmother also get her HEA? I do wonder what happens to them.
Title: FALL: SCHEHERAZADE RETOLD
Series: Romance a Medieval Fairytale
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Demelza Carlton (as an ARC gifted copy)
A sweet, quick, holiday read - this was just what I needed to fill my literary sweet tooth. I fell in love with Zoraida and why shouldn’t a fairy Godmother also get her HEA? I do wonder what happens to them.
Title: FALL: SCHEHERAZADE RETOLD
Series: Romance a Medieval Fairytale
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Demelza Carlton (as an ARC gifted copy)
December 17, 2021
This review is for the audio book. One of my favorite beginnings ever. The mention of a dragon is what caught my attention when looking at this book. Though it doesn't play a huge role, the dragon scene is hilarious and sets up the whole story. While the idea that this is a reimagining of Scheherazade is a stretch, it is still very sweet and entertaining. Great little Christmas story.
The narrator's voice and rhythms were very unusual. It wasn't off putting, though. It made me like the FMC even more. It have her an air if being totally done with her godson's crap but still trying to maintain a positive attitude.
The narrator's voice and rhythms were very unusual. It wasn't off putting, though. It made me like the FMC even more. It have her an air if being totally done with her godson's crap but still trying to maintain a positive attitude.
October 5, 2022
Clean & sweet Sheherezade retelling for a change, humorous to boot, loved it!
Aww, I think this is my favourite in these fairytale book series! Hans’ & Lady Zoraida’s story starts like a mashup of Sleeping Beauty (or Shrek, depends) and Neil Gaiman’s Stardust - with a fairy godmother falling from the skies. I loved the humour, loved Hans and his simple life & wishes and loved Zoraida’s no-nonsense attitude and opportunism. Loved, loved, loved. The Sheherezade twist was nice and quite different from the traditional tale (hint: sweet, no gore). Recommended for lovers of sweet & clean fairytale retellngs.
Aww, I think this is my favourite in these fairytale book series! Hans’ & Lady Zoraida’s story starts like a mashup of Sleeping Beauty (or Shrek, depends) and Neil Gaiman’s Stardust - with a fairy godmother falling from the skies. I loved the humour, loved Hans and his simple life & wishes and loved Zoraida’s no-nonsense attitude and opportunism. Loved, loved, loved. The Sheherezade twist was nice and quite different from the traditional tale (hint: sweet, no gore). Recommended for lovers of sweet & clean fairytale retellngs.
July 20, 2024
I listened to this audiobook on the Kobo App.
This was my first listen in Demelza Carlton's retold fairy tale series. If the rest are like this I will likely keep reading. I'm not sure that I would have said this was Scheherazade, but that is the author's prerogative. The story was short but well written. The characters and settings were described well. The action was well underway at the start of the story, but it made sense.
I just have to wonder, if I or anyone in my household met someone calling themselves a fairy godmother, would our responses be so blasé? For an area with little magic, they don't seem shocked with her feats. Everyone just seems to take it in stride.
This was my first listen in Demelza Carlton's retold fairy tale series. If the rest are like this I will likely keep reading. I'm not sure that I would have said this was Scheherazade, but that is the author's prerogative. The story was short but well written. The characters and settings were described well. The action was well underway at the start of the story, but it made sense.
I just have to wonder, if I or anyone in my household met someone calling themselves a fairy godmother, would our responses be so blasé? For an area with little magic, they don't seem shocked with her feats. Everyone just seems to take it in stride.
February 1, 2021
A tale in the Romance a Medieval Fairy Tale series
When young fairy godmother Zoraida finds herself fighting a losing battle with a dragon to save her godson, she's forced to use her magic to flee.
Only to find herself in the middle of a freezing blizzard.
Rescued by a traveller, she faces a new challenge: can they survive the storm to see Christmas morning?
Heather's Notes
This is suppose to be a retelling but I have no idea of what. Still the story was cute, sweet, and short. It probably would have been better if a little longer, but I still liked it for what it was.
When young fairy godmother Zoraida finds herself fighting a losing battle with a dragon to save her godson, she's forced to use her magic to flee.
Only to find herself in the middle of a freezing blizzard.
Rescued by a traveller, she faces a new challenge: can they survive the storm to see Christmas morning?
Heather's Notes
This is suppose to be a retelling but I have no idea of what. Still the story was cute, sweet, and short. It probably would have been better if a little longer, but I still liked it for what it was.
March 13, 2021
This was a great retake on the old fairy tale, though to be honest I have never read the older tale for this one, but I know it would be something different since all the other tales by this author that are in the same genre are nothing like the original tales.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the book and am very glad I was able to listen to the audio book via the author allowing me to preview it. I have even bought the book to it since I enjoyed it so much.
This review is a little later than I had wanted to post it cause I have been busy with things.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the book and am very glad I was able to listen to the audio book via the author allowing me to preview it. I have even bought the book to it since I enjoyed it so much.
This review is a little later than I had wanted to post it cause I have been busy with things.
August 16, 2022
This was hilarious. Zoraide is the godmother to George the wanna be dragon slayer. She has agreed to be "dragon bait" and now is fuming at her dolt of a godson who is attempting to run away from the dragon. Who chooses to try and kill the largest dragon in the world for their first dragon? Why not start with something smaller? Well, why not? It's not like he was an expert dragon slayer .... I loved her... Zaraida is a sassy heroine.
...and then Zoraida is off to her own adventure.....
I received a free copy of this book and opted to leave a review.
...and then Zoraida is off to her own adventure.....
I received a free copy of this book and opted to leave a review.
March 17, 2023
A short-but-sweet fairy tale with a HEA ending.
Zoraida falls from the sky into the snow to escape a fire-breathing dragon and snuff out the flames of her burning dress. Fortunately, she is a fairy godmother and is not seriously burned or injured, though knocked unconscious. She is found by Hans, a kindly, humble baron. They find a deep attraction to each other. The baron wishes to have her stay at his castle and she is glad to oblige. Object: matrimony, a family, and a happily ever after. It's a short story, but a very enjoyable read.
Zoraida falls from the sky into the snow to escape a fire-breathing dragon and snuff out the flames of her burning dress. Fortunately, she is a fairy godmother and is not seriously burned or injured, though knocked unconscious. She is found by Hans, a kindly, humble baron. They find a deep attraction to each other. The baron wishes to have her stay at his castle and she is glad to oblige. Object: matrimony, a family, and a happily ever after. It's a short story, but a very enjoyable read.
January 1, 2026
Format - eBook Story -⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
Tags/Genres - Fiction / Fantasy / Romance / Fairy Tales / Retellings / Magic / Holidays / Novella
Used for Challenge or Prompts
-ABC Title: F
-ABC Author Last name: C
-Read Retellings: One Thousand and One Nights
-Fairy Tale Retellings, Variations, and Adaptations: One Thousand and One Nights
-Could be used for The 52 Book Club’s Prompts: 28 or 39
A short and sweet retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, also known as Scheherazade. This was nice. It had a little bit of the Christmas feel and made me happy.
Tags/Genres - Fiction / Fantasy / Romance / Fairy Tales / Retellings / Magic / Holidays / Novella
Used for Challenge or Prompts
-ABC Title: F
-ABC Author Last name: C
-Read Retellings: One Thousand and One Nights
-Fairy Tale Retellings, Variations, and Adaptations: One Thousand and One Nights
-Could be used for The 52 Book Club’s Prompts: 28 or 39
A short and sweet retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, also known as Scheherazade. This was nice. It had a little bit of the Christmas feel and made me happy.
Read
February 21, 2022I had been curious about these books for awhile since I like fairytale retellings, but I feel like this one fell flat for me a bit. For starters, the narrator has a lovely voice but the way she narrated this book, it was all very "wispy" and really distracting. I'm familiar with the tale of Scheherazade, but the storytelling part, I feel came in WAY too late in the story.
I did like the "Stardust" twist.
I did like the "Stardust" twist.
February 3, 2018
My latest read from prolific author Demelza Carlton. The thought of reading a “fairy tale” doesn’t normally appeal to me but I’m glad I did read it, Carlton does a wonderful job with this genre and her spin on this fairy tale makes for can’t put down reading. Extremely well written, the characters well developed. I’ll be reading more from this author!
September 27, 2020
I really did not see the resemblance between this story and the story of Scheherazade. The only common point was that Zoraida told a lot of stories. Still, I enjoyed the accidental courtship between Zoraida and Hans. What shouldn't a fairy godmother have a happy ending of her own?
I received a copy of this from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 23, 2021
The last job as a fairy godmother hadn't been easy for Zoraida. Much risk involved but it seems that that was going to change and for the better. A short but lovely, amusing, interesting and entertaining story. Kept me chuckling with Zoraida's funny comments and liked Hans character with his longings and commitment that felt real and had made him strong.
January 27, 2021
Love this short, quick addition to this series. It's like wishing and catching a shooting star with all the brilliance you would expect. Short and fast paced but still heartwarming and sweet. Narration is perfect as always...I could listen for hours!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
* this review is based on the audio version of this
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
* this review is based on the audio version of this
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews