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Mirrors and Monsters
Mirror, mirror on the wall…who’s the hottest monster lover of all?
Six steamy monster romance tales, from a Beauty and the Beast retelling, enemies to lovers, hot Scottish gargoyle protectors, a genie who wants to grant all your wishes, a sexy demon who will do anything (and I do mean anything) for the lady he loves, right up to the devil himself falling at your feet.
Which one will be your favourite monster?
Includes:
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
Melt: Snow Queen Retold
Broken Chains
The Gargoyle and the Archaeologist
The Devil’s Work
Heart of Steel
Six steamy monster romance tales, from a Beauty and the Beast retelling, enemies to lovers, hot Scottish gargoyle protectors, a genie who wants to grant all your wishes, a sexy demon who will do anything (and I do mean anything) for the lady he loves, right up to the devil himself falling at your feet.
Which one will be your favourite monster?
Includes:
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
Melt: Snow Queen Retold
Broken Chains
The Gargoyle and the Archaeologist
The Devil’s Work
Heart of Steel
631 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2022
728 people are currently reading
1188 people want to read
About the author
Demelza Carlton
935 books3,879 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
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 7, 2023
A collection of monster romance for free? I was interested.
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold (2.5/5 stars) read on 18 - 22 Apr
TW: rape (not graphic)
I liked that the heroine is a sorceress and a person of colour but her getting raped by the king in the early part of the story was shocking. The twist was good!
Melt: Snow Queen Retold (2.5/5 stars) read from 30 Apr to 2 May
This does not follow the original tale as Briska is the Snow Queen cursed to serve her master after she cheats on her husband the Sultan. Her task is to matchmake witches to ensure their lines continue and she casts seduction spells to make it happen. I thought it was unique that her spells can bring out all types of passion not just sexual. The reader learns that this is a loosely connected world as she pairs Zuleika and Vardan together. I was sad to learn of why the king rapes Zuleika.
Broken Chains (3/5 stars) read from 2 - 6 May
This felt refreshing as it is set in modern day Australia. Catena awakens the guardian gargoyle, Tor of her godmother's apartment and his mission is to do as she says as well as protect her. A budding archeologist, she needs to make up her mind on a project to complete her thesis. For someone who wanted others to pick for her, she sure had her own views. This could have been better if some parts didn't feel like throwaways like the argument between her brother and father is not explained, her family's dynamics are not clear. Why bring it up?
I did want to try a gargoyle romance.
The Archeologist and the Gargoyle: A Paranormal Protector Tale (3/5 stars) read 6 May
Strangely, this is Catena's godmother's story of when Maria finds the gargoyle, Dunstan. It could have been placed before Broken Chains and was really short at 20 pages. But I can see why the author places it after Catina's story as Tor's brother being a gargoyle too isn't revealed till near the end.
The Devil's Work (3/5 stars) read on 6 May
This ones follows Lucifer "Luce", the devil and king of Hell as he attempts to rule over Earth to get back at Heaven for casting him out. He relies on his very capable assistant Mephistopheles "Mephi" and near the end of the story falls for Mel, a newbie angel. I thought this was okay.
Heart of Steel (3.5/5 stars) read 6 May
Carline is a witch and works with her brother to protect the mill in their colony. This is an early settlers story in Australia. She summons a demon who she names Sean and he becomes her protector and paramour. I thought this was interesting and had the question of whether he really cares for her because she summoned him and he has to obey her.
Fenrir (2.5/5 stars) read from 6 - 7 May
Fenrir and Astrid live in the time of the vikings and when women are treated like objects. She isn't allowed to leave while her father is welcoming another tribe's warriors but Fenrir sneaks her out for a walk. Tragedy strikes as an enemy attacks and Fenrir is punished because her father believes he has compromised her.
He becomes a stone protector after Mistress Kun (she appears again!) curses him and Astrid takes his heart. He takes her into his prison because he doesn't want her to marry the half brother who betrayed his family. They wake up in the 21 century and the story ends. I guess it was fine, it was nice to see some Easter eggs from previous stories. But it felt wrong when he starts having sex with her after thinking she has died.
Generally, I thought the stories had good elements but they were hard to get through and I could not connect with the characters. I liked how there are little connections between all the stories and reading them in the sequence of the collection while not chronological was satisfying.
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold (2.5/5 stars) read on 18 - 22 Apr
TW: rape (not graphic)
I liked that the heroine is a sorceress and a person of colour but her getting raped by the king in the early part of the story was shocking. The twist was good!
Melt: Snow Queen Retold (2.5/5 stars) read from 30 Apr to 2 May
This does not follow the original tale as Briska is the Snow Queen cursed to serve her master after she cheats on her husband the Sultan. Her task is to matchmake witches to ensure their lines continue and she casts seduction spells to make it happen. I thought it was unique that her spells can bring out all types of passion not just sexual. The reader learns that this is a loosely connected world as she pairs Zuleika and Vardan together. I was sad to learn of why the king rapes Zuleika.
Broken Chains (3/5 stars) read from 2 - 6 May
This felt refreshing as it is set in modern day Australia. Catena awakens the guardian gargoyle, Tor of her godmother's apartment and his mission is to do as she says as well as protect her. A budding archeologist, she needs to make up her mind on a project to complete her thesis. For someone who wanted others to pick for her, she sure had her own views. This could have been better if some parts didn't feel like throwaways like the argument between her brother and father is not explained, her family's dynamics are not clear. Why bring it up?
I did want to try a gargoyle romance.
The Archeologist and the Gargoyle: A Paranormal Protector Tale (3/5 stars) read 6 May
Strangely, this is Catena's godmother's story of when Maria finds the gargoyle, Dunstan. It could have been placed before Broken Chains and was really short at 20 pages. But I can see why the author places it after Catina's story as Tor's brother being a gargoyle too isn't revealed till near the end.
The Devil's Work (3/5 stars) read on 6 May
This ones follows Lucifer "Luce", the devil and king of Hell as he attempts to rule over Earth to get back at Heaven for casting him out. He relies on his very capable assistant Mephistopheles "Mephi" and near the end of the story falls for Mel, a newbie angel. I thought this was okay.
Heart of Steel (3.5/5 stars) read 6 May
Carline is a witch and works with her brother to protect the mill in their colony. This is an early settlers story in Australia. She summons a demon who she names Sean and he becomes her protector and paramour. I thought this was interesting and had the question of whether he really cares for her because she summoned him and he has to obey her.
Fenrir (2.5/5 stars) read from 6 - 7 May
Fenrir and Astrid live in the time of the vikings and when women are treated like objects. She isn't allowed to leave while her father is welcoming another tribe's warriors but Fenrir sneaks her out for a walk. Tragedy strikes as an enemy attacks and Fenrir is punished because her father believes he has compromised her.
He becomes a stone protector after Mistress Kun (she appears again!) curses him and Astrid takes his heart. He takes her into his prison because he doesn't want her to marry the half brother who betrayed his family. They wake up in the 21 century and the story ends. I guess it was fine, it was nice to see some Easter eggs from previous stories. But it felt wrong when he starts having sex with her after thinking she has died.
Generally, I thought the stories had good elements but they were hard to get through and I could not connect with the characters. I liked how there are little connections between all the stories and reading them in the sequence of the collection while not chronological was satisfying.
June 11, 2023
This was an interesting but frustrating collection of stories. On Amazon, they are described as "seven steamy monster romance tales" which I think is misleading. Only one of the seven was really steamy!
Some I enjoyed but others seemed to be written to "ensnare" you into buying a book to find out how a particular tale worked out which was frustrating. There was also a cross-over between stories with characters appearing in "The Snow Queen" that were in "Beauty and the Beast", which was slightly confusing if you knew the original fairy tales. Zuleika, who is Beauty, is also a character who seems slightly thick in that I was forever wondering how long it would take her to join up in the dots in what had happened.
"Broken Chains" was the most enjoyable story despite its tag into another book. "The Gargoyle and the Archaeologist" was the most frustrating in that it had no sooner got into the story and it ended with the tag inviting the reader to buy another book to find out what happens. "The Devil's Work" was an interesting story, as was "Heart of Steel" and with the latter, you can get a free epilogue that does at least give some degree of closure on the story.
Some I enjoyed but others seemed to be written to "ensnare" you into buying a book to find out how a particular tale worked out which was frustrating. There was also a cross-over between stories with characters appearing in "The Snow Queen" that were in "Beauty and the Beast", which was slightly confusing if you knew the original fairy tales. Zuleika, who is Beauty, is also a character who seems slightly thick in that I was forever wondering how long it would take her to join up in the dots in what had happened.
"Broken Chains" was the most enjoyable story despite its tag into another book. "The Gargoyle and the Archaeologist" was the most frustrating in that it had no sooner got into the story and it ended with the tag inviting the reader to buy another book to find out what happens. "The Devil's Work" was an interesting story, as was "Heart of Steel" and with the latter, you can get a free epilogue that does at least give some degree of closure on the story.
March 7, 2024
Stories 1 & 2 - Rushed and all over the place but they are supposed to be fairytale-like, so whatever...
Story 3 - The one I liked best. It wasn't terribly interesting, but I liked the female lead. In the beginning, she came across as a bit whiny, but as the story progressed that first impression faded and I liked her interactions with the gargoyle loverboy.
Story 4 - Short story about a character from the previous story.
Story 5 - Gave it a go, though the description didn't get me excited. Stop reading about 15 chapters in, at a very uncomfortable office scene. Just no.
Story 6 - Other than the first 2 stories, all of them take place in the same universe. This one is set in the early days of Australia's colonization. Again, an OK story, mainly because it wasn't too long.
Story 3 - The one I liked best. It wasn't terribly interesting, but I liked the female lead. In the beginning, she came across as a bit whiny, but as the story progressed that first impression faded and I liked her interactions with the gargoyle loverboy.
Story 4 - Short story about a character from the previous story.
Story 5 - Gave it a go, though the description didn't get me excited. Stop reading about 15 chapters in, at a very uncomfortable office scene. Just no.
Story 6 - Other than the first 2 stories, all of them take place in the same universe. This one is set in the early days of Australia's colonization. Again, an OK story, mainly because it wasn't too long.
March 12, 2023
The first book in a long time I just couldn't finish for risk of throwing up all over ny phone. I made it as far as 7% in before giving up. It seemed like a version of beauty and the beast. But seriously; if you're gonna write about that, don't, just do not nickname the FMC Belle! Can't really say what it was about the book that put me off but just the first page had me cringing.
March 31, 2023
As a firm follower and fan of this author, I have a collection of over 40 of her books. I was lucky to be a a member of her ARC team and thus got to enjoy this book with a collection of stories. If you are a fan then you will enjoy this collection. A great Sunday read for me, on a cool Autumn day here in the Southern Hemisphere. Do grab yourself a copy and enjoy these stories. :)
December 24, 2022
I enjoy this author’s writing and I like having a boxset for ease of binging. Whilst these stories are not part of the same series, they give a good overview of the author’s style. A great introductory sampler.
February 28, 2023
Overall: 4 stars
Beauty and the Beast: 5 stars
Snow Queen: 4 stars
Broken Chains: 4 stars
The Gargoyle and the Archaeologist: 4 stars
The Devil's Work: 4 stars
Heart of Steel: 4 stars
This is a delightful collection of some of Demelza Carlton's wonderful stories. Well worth reading.
Beauty and the Beast: 5 stars
Snow Queen: 4 stars
Broken Chains: 4 stars
The Gargoyle and the Archaeologist: 4 stars
The Devil's Work: 4 stars
Heart of Steel: 4 stars
This is a delightful collection of some of Demelza Carlton's wonderful stories. Well worth reading.
March 23, 2023
Some are great. Some are not worth your reading time. It’s a real mixed bag, but maybe one could say it has something for everyone as a result. For me, the bad paled so much in comparison to the good that I couldn’t give it an average 3.
June 14, 2023
DNF. While the first story was an interesting retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the 2nd was a confusing mish-mosh of Aladdin, Hansel and Gretel, and kept mentioning aspects of B and the B. After that struggle, the urge to continue with the other 5 stories was not tbere.
Read
December 23, 2022FREE today (December 23, 2022) on Amazon.
January 27, 2023
This was a multi-story book. Gargoyles, demons and djinn, oh my! Supernatural lovers all with different spice levels. All but one story held me spellbound.
February 25, 2023
Fantasy
A collection of fantasy tales to tickle your fancy. Entertaining reads the each with their own twist. My first time reading this author.
A collection of fantasy tales to tickle your fancy. Entertaining reads the each with their own twist. My first time reading this author.
March 1, 2023
No warnings for triggers
Only read one of the stories, trigger warning for rape. Didn't bother reading the others in the book .. .
Only read one of the stories, trigger warning for rape. Didn't bother reading the others in the book .. .
June 4, 2023
Excellent
Absolutely loved the stories. This is a great start to finding out about her works. I highly recommend them. Thanks for writing.
Absolutely loved the stories. This is a great start to finding out about her works. I highly recommend them. Thanks for writing.
June 23, 2023
Trigger warning - rape
Only a few pages in, a 16 year old girl is raped. Not something I can stomach. Kindle needs to have a warning.
Only a few pages in, a 16 year old girl is raped. Not something I can stomach. Kindle needs to have a warning.
September 26, 2023
Nice collection of stories to introduce readers to a fabulous writer.
February 22, 2024
I had to DNF. None of the stories were captivating enough for me to continue reading.
May 6, 2024
Not bad, won't read a second time.
November 15, 2024
Good book
You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel. I really enjoyed reading this novel very much. Shelley Ma
You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel. I really enjoyed reading this novel very much. Shelley Ma
August 24, 2025
Not terrible
The stories are fine but,essentially, this collection is just advertising for the authors books. I don’t really have a problem with that but it is a little unusual
The stories are fine but,essentially, this collection is just advertising for the authors books. I don’t really have a problem with that but it is a little unusual
February 2, 2024
Very interesting reads
Gargoyles, archeologists, demons, angels, witches, Vikings.
Demelza Carlton has an imagination bringing fictional characters to life.
Spoiler: these all end in cliffhangers with links to the rest of the story/series
Gargoyles, archeologists, demons, angels, witches, Vikings.
Demelza Carlton has an imagination bringing fictional characters to life.
Spoiler: these all end in cliffhangers with links to the rest of the story/series
December 28, 2022
Remarkable retold tales from one of the best that really knows how to put a spin on them. Always ready to remake tales you have heard all your life but the author really goes all out with this book that includes 6 great stories. Great reading!
April 11, 2025
The first stories were definitely better than the later ones. Fairy tale retellings were great, but the girl getting with the gargoyle just didn't hit as well for me. Also, I'm not really sure what the common thread was that made all of these stories make sense in one collection together.
Want to read
June 14, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/21/2022)! 🎁
October 3, 2024
This collection just wasn’t for me. I could not get into any of the stories. DNF :-(
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews