Fairy Tale Retellings – Kav's Best Reads

Arise From Dark Places + Giveaway

A modern-day retelling of Sleeping Beauty

Finally free of the ten-year revolving hidden world in which she lived, Ari wants one thing before her life transforms for the final and most critical time—to see the young man who first brought her love. But he no longer lives in the beaten-down shack he’d once shared with his abusive, alcoholic father. Where could he be? Will Ari find him in time, or will those who want her dead find her first? She’d search to the ends of the earth, if only …

~Run, run, as through a maze. A spinning wheel will end your days.~

… her mother’s premonition hadn’t just come true.

Trying to absolve himself of his greatest sin, Manny seeks to help those in need, even if one of them is his very wealthy employer. But the memories still assault Manny with blows more powerful than his father’s fists.

Until he meets the woman who will change his life.

My Review:

published in 2017

What a stunning Sleeping Beauty retelling! So full of emotion and faith and even allegorical elements I found so inspiring!

As in Almony’s first ‘Dark Forest’ novel, this contemporary story is gritty in places. She deals with some tough issues, but does so with compassion and grace. And so much hope.

And the way she wrapped the classic fairy tale into her own uniquely imaginative retelling is quite brilliant. The sleeping spell part of this tale is particularly ingenuous. And the whole thing is written with such an air of mystery that sometimes I wasn’t sure if I actually understood what was happening. I pressed on though, slightly befuddled but eagerly snatching up every cleverly planted hint until I had enough pieces to send me into a gobsmacked tizzy of exciting revelations! Even some goosebumping ones!

‘Arise from Dark Places’ is the very definition of unputdownable!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and available to any reader anywhere so – yay- another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Arise From Dark Places, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 7 2026.

Soot and Slipper + Giveaway

random retro read

Eugenie lives in isolation on her father’s estate, with only her elegant stepmother and two stepsisters for company. When the crown of Jacondria announces a series of royal masquerades, she yearns to go. However, her stepsisters’ fortunes hinge on them finding wealthy husbands, and Eugenie doesn’t want to interfere with their odds.

Enter a mischievous fairy who has other plans.

A scant few hours of light-hearted revelry seems harmless enough. By the fairy’s own rules, Eugenie can’t stay the whole night, and with everyone in costume, her stepfamily will never know she was there.

Really, how much trouble can result from attending a masquerade or two?

This novella is based on Charles Perrault’s “Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper”

My Review:

published in 2019

Delightfully familiar but also intriguingly unique. I really enjoyed this reimagining of one of my favourite fairy tales. I had so much fun spotting the similarities from the Cinderella of my childhood while marvelling at the author’s ingenuity as she brought fresh twists to the story. A short, sweet, captivating novella that utterly charmed me!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy and available to any reader anywhere so – yay- another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Soot and Slippers, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 28 2026.

A Beautiful Love + Giveaway

random retro read

Preston Blake had it all—wealth, a picturesque estate, and a growing affection with his childhood best friend Caroline Avery—until an unfortunate accident leaves him badly scarred in more ways than one. Isolated by the cruel eyes of society, Preston’s only wish is to find where he now belongs.

Caroline Avery is recently out in society, and thanks to Preston Blake’s broken promises, finds herself being chased by a determined earl instead of courted by her best friend. When, after a year’s absence, Preston finally accepts an invitation to visit her family’s estate, Caroline is determined to feign indifference to his company.

But being back together proves more challenging than either friend conceived. Caroline longs to return to the past, but Preston cannot let go of his fears. How could they possibly have a future together?

My Review:

published in 2019

Who can resist something so rare as a Regency Ugly Duckling retelling? This sweet little novella has all the draws of the era along with some gentle nudges from the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale. Plus the second chance, enemies to more tropes add to the drama. Eeeep! So much fun!

A year ago Preston and Caroline were on the cusp of an understanding until tragedy struck. Now, after months of no contact, Preston is back, but under duress. He is carrying the weight of society’s scorn (argh — I wanted to bash heads together in parts of this story) and still trying to find his place in his new reality.

Of course, sparks fly, tempers snap as emotions run high before this hero and heroine find their way back to friendship with the hope of something much more fulfilling.

Short but so so sweet. A great addition to the multi-authored Forever After series. I have two more to read before I complete this six book series, both written by Arlem Hawks and I’m really forward to the catch up!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy available to any reader anywhere so, yay, another International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Beautiful Love leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 24 2026.

The Golden Braid + Giveaway

random retro reread

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel in turn rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to this knight than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

My Review:

published in 2015

I can’t begin to convey how much I love Melanie Dickerson’s fairy tale retellings. She can’t write them fast enough for me! The Golden Braid is a fantastic addition to her impressive collection. Rapunzel was one of my favourite fairy tales as a kid and I have read a number of fairy tale retellings, but never one with Rapunzel as the theme. So there I was — squealing in delight all the way through! Kinda embarrassing, but at least I read it at home so no one witnessed my fan-girling moments, except maybe the mice lurking in the walls. 🙂

Dickerson keeps her reader riveted while weaving a familiar but not-so-familiar tale. She’s done a marvellous job with the key points of this particular fairy tale, Cleverly twisting classic elements into her own gripping tale of love and betrayal and that all important happily ever after. She kept me on my toes right to the end though.

Oh — and about that ending. There’s a point where this book meshes with scenes from The Princess Spy. It took me a page or two to adjust. I was like, “Wait, I’ve read this before…no I haven’t…um, yeah…but not exactly.” So much fun — the author has added additional layers to the original scenes from a whole new perspective. That was one of my major fan-girling moments. Loved the crisscross connection. No worries if you haven’t read The Princess Spy (though why ever not, I ask with a scowl aimed directly at you) those scenes will make total sense to a new reader. Dickerson veterans will just get an extra kick of book-happy while reading them.

Also loved the way the inspirational thread is seamlessly woven into the very fibre of this tale. The Golden Braid checks all the boxes: Adventure. Romance. Inspirational. Angst. Humour. A lovely mix that’s sure to leave you basking in the glow of a stellar happily ever after.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read print copy of The Golden Braid. Available to any reader anywhere so — woohoo — International giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Golden Braid, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 17 2026.

The Maid of Ballymacool + Giveaway

Random Retro ReRead

Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.

When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.

Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.

My Review:

published in 2023

I didn’t know this was a fairy tale retelling when I started reading/listening, but I immediately thought of Cinderella as the story progressed and, lo and behold, it actually is a retelling of that classic tale! And incredibly well done. There are definitely departures from the original, but all the important elements are here and told in an exquisite storytelling style. Jennifer Deibel’s best ever (to date.)

Have to say right up front that I was beguiled by Caroline Lennon’s narration. She breathed a whole other dimension into this story — especially when it came to Irish words and names. And there’s something magical about listening to a seanchai (Gaelic storyteller) and that’s what this read felt like. I’m still basking in all the bookish glee. 🙂

And this story!!! Beautifully written, expertly paced — you know, that feeling where you are so immersed in the story that you want to stay there forever? And, though you’re dying to find all the answers and get to the happily very after, you’re also not in any rush to do so? That’s the kind of read this is.

And these characters!!! I might have a huge crush on Michael. Be still my heart. Tender and kind. Not afraid to stand up for what’s right. He doesn’t take his advantageous position in life for granted. Plus, he’s a reader. With an Irish accent! Does it get any better than that? I think not!

Brianna’s smitten as well, though she’s wary because how could a scullery maid make a match with an aristocrat? But Deibel has all kinds of surprises in store for this couple (and her readers) that flow together like, well, a fairy tale!

The perfect uplifting escape read with tons of charm.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Maid of Ballymacool, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 13 2025

Under the Scottish Sky : a Beauty and the Beast Retelling + Giveaway

In the rolling lowlands of eighteenth-century Scotland, Isabel Nicol is known for her fiery spirit, hot temper, and striking beauty. But when her father is accused of trespassing and theft by the occupant of a mysterious castle, Isabel’s fortitude is tested as never before. Desperate to save her father from debtors’ prison and her sisters from certain ruin, she strikes a daring her freedom for her father’s release.

Luke Maxwell has fled his home in England in a hasty bid to outrun the dark magic that has made his life a misery. Confined within the ancient walls of Caerlaverock Castle, his only hope is to marry a woman who has made a sacrifice of love—a requirement that Isabel has now fulfilled. Convincing her to accept his hand should be an easy task for an English gentleman with means. Unfortunately, Luke’s resolve to break the curse can be rivaled only by Isabel’s determination never to marry. As they navigate their complicated arrangement, an unexpected friendship grows, but opening their hearts to a future they never thought possible will require that they first put their trust in God and heal from the shadows of their pasts.

My Review:

Whoa! What an amazing debut novel! I’m left a little addlepated after reading Crawford’s reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. Sheer brilliance about sums it up and I am an avid retelling fan so I don’t take these reinterpretations lightly. I’m always amazed at the way an author can blend folklore traditions with their own unique plotting and this author has meshed the two into an amazing historical romance with emotional depth and light (but significant) touches of faith.

Setting the tale in the Scottish lowlands adds an extra thrill and the way Isobel winds up prisoner at Caerlaverock Castle is cleverly crafted. And oh my, but Luke is definitely type-cast for the role of Beast! I wasn’t sure what to make of him at first. Luckily Isobel’s fiery temper helps her match wits with Luke despite having spent the last few years striving to honour her mother’s memory by living up to the admonishment to strive to ‘be kind.’

There’s such a delicious push/pull between Luke and Isobel. Mostly because Luke keeps getting everything wrong! Sometimes it’s laugh out loud funny, while other times I found myself cringing. Silly man! But there are tender moments too. And awkwardly sweet ones. The kind of romance that tugs at a reader’s heartstrings.

And the whole story plays out in an unhurried manner, with captivating secondary characters to add to the heartwarming ambience of a classic fairy tale. Crawford’s exquisite storytelling invites a reader to settle in and savour every artfully crafted scene. In fact, I stopped listening several times just because I didn’t want my time with these characters to be over!

And yes, that means this is another audible ‘read’ for me, narrated by the fabulous Noah Wall. She always delivers an exceptional listening experience.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

US – ebook

Canada – ebook or audible — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Under the Scottish Sky, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 13 2025

At the Edge of a Dark Forest + Giveaway

Random Retro Read

Cole Harrison, a war veteran, wears his disfigurement like a barrier to those who might love him, shielding them from the ugliness inside. He agrees to try and potentially invest in, a prototype prosthetic with the goal of saving a hopeless man’s dreams.

Carly Rose contracts to live with Cole and train him to use his new limbs, only to discover the darkness that wars against the man he could become.
At the Edge of a Dark Forest is a modern-day retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Only it is not her love that will make him whole.

My Review:

A unique contemporary reimagining of Beauty and the Beast that’s saturated in emotion and faith.

There are some darker elements to this story which had me a bit wary at first. I was worried that Cole’s issues would be dealt with superficially (this is a novella, after all) and the seriousness of the situation warranted so much more. Almony proved my concerns were baseless though, and after finishing ‘At the Edge of a Dark Forest’, I wasn’t surprised to discover that she has a background in Christian counselling. What a powerful overcoming faith journey!

Loved the way the author wove classic fairy tale elements into this modern day retelling. Sometimes obvious, other times more subtle and genuinely unique to this particular story. This is my first Connie Almony reading experience but I’ll definitely be reading more of her books after finishing this compelling fairy tale retelling.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy available to anyone, anywhere in the world so…woohoo…International Giveaway!

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the At the Edge of a Dark Forest, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 13 2025.

To Love a Beast

Beauty & the Beast in 1800 Texas

Once known among New York’s elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.

When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family’s book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin’s staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor’s remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.

My Review:

I am beyond thrilled that Karen Witemeyer has elected to continue her Texan fairy tale retellings independently. I love the way she mixes classic tales with ‘Wild West’ culture. Praying this series goes on for as long as there are fairy tales to retell!

What a remarkable reimagining of Beauty and the Beast! I enjoyed the subtle twists to the classic tale and the way the author added those elements to create a truly unique love story.

And Witemeyer is brilliant at developing characters into real-life relatable folks a reader can’t wait to spend time with. Even Everett who is so beastly during their meet-cute! We see his heart right away through his affection for his big lumbering ox of a dog, so we know he can’t be all bad. And Callista’s determination to save the family bookbinding business (a perfect occupation for a Beauty and the Beast heroine!) is the perfect excuse to bring them together. A true enemies to more trope that morphs into friends to more and I loved every second of their romance!

Of course, it isn’t all smooth sailing. There’s evil lurking near by, waiting to strike at the unlikeliest of moments. Eeeeppp!

I listened to the audible edition of ‘To Love a Beast’ and thoroughly enjoyed Cara Firestone’s storytelling style.

Cloaked in Beauty + Giveaway

Trust no one in the shadows of the piney woods . . .

Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty’s resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to her survival grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping Letty out of harm’s way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.

My Review:

I do so love a good fairy tale retelling and this one is excellent! An intriguing mash up of Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. Loved spotting the nods to both classic tales – only with such clever twists. I’m thinking of the wolf. And the role the hunter plays and…well…it was so much fun reaching these little ‘aha’ moments as the story unfolded.

‘Cloaked in Beauty’ (fabulous title – eye catching cover!) is also very much a classic Western tale too. The Texas setting brings a unique ambience to this fairy tale retelling and Letty and Philip’s journey across the state was peppered with action and danger along with some good old fashioned neighbourliness in unexpected places.

I enjoyed the way the romance unfolds at a gentle pace. It’s very much a forbidden love trope – she’s soon to claim her spot in Houston’s high society and he’s from a totally different class. Of course, Letty has grown up knowing she’s an heiress but living a simple, homespun country life which makes it hard for Philip to rein in his feelings since a romance seems so plausible. That’s once they shift from wary strangers to tentative friends! Some nice tension there, especially after Letty, who has lived a very solitary life with her Grandmother, becomes aware of Philip as more than a friend.

A captivating reimagining of two classic tales with lots of action and adventure to keep things interesting until the hard-won happily ever after!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Cloaked in Beauty, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 22 2025

The Silent Night + Giveaway

INDIE!

Twas the hour after midnight and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for the owls. And Holly.

Holly is no stranger to the night. Her unique position means that the still hours in the darkest parts of the night are when most of her work gets done. It’s not completely silent—she has Parliament to thank for that—but it does get a bit lonely. Not even the letters from her faithful correspondent can completely fill the empty space, and it’s only a matter of time before she loses even those.

Dominic Klause has watched as, year after year, the winters in Weihnacht grow longer and colder. The nights are dark, food is scarce, and his fellow countrymen are desperate for a miracle, but too proud to accept charity, leaving Dominic no choice but to hide his attempts at helping them under the cover of darkness. But his resources are limited, and not even the brilliant suggestions of his friend Joy can change the fact that it will require the riches of a king to continue his charitable efforts.

As Deus Natus Eve approaches, Dominic turns his attention towards the one place that could solve all his problems—the abandoned castle of the former king. But all is not as it seems behind the towering holly hedges that surround the castle, and Dominic encounters more than he bargained for. When the unexpected gift of love is dropped into his lap, will Dominic find the treasure he seeks? Or will it be lost to the silence of the night?

This book is a part of The Christmas Chronicles, a collection of festive novellas filled with clean romance, chilly weather, and cozy adventures.

My Review:

Sqqquuueeaaaalll! Eeeeeepppp!!!Squeeeeeeep!!!!!

This is me in a discombobulated state of dithery biblio-phoria because I’ve just discovered a new-to-me fave author who writes fairy tale retellings!!!!! And this one is beyond clever. A mix of Sleeping Beauty and The Legend of St. Nicholas and it is BRILLIANT!!!! There are some one liners in here that had me laughing out loud and more then a few ‘aha’ moments as I discovered fairy tale connections. So. Much. Fun.

Beran has a lovely storytelling ‘voice’ that suits this specialty genre to perfection. I don’t think I can find the words to explain just how much I loved ‘The Silent Night’. The author is. an absolute genius at creating a unique story using familiar fairy tale ‘prompts’. I’m astounded and gobsmacked and eager to read more Sarah Beran very soon.

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition of this book. Tawnya Rollingson charms with her heartfelt narration which added to my overall appreciation for these characters and their story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of the The Silent Night, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 7 2024.