Demelza Carlton Books in Order

Where Should You Start Reading Demelza Carlton?

With over 90 novels spanning fairytale retellings, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and psychological thrillers, finding the right starting point in Demelza Carlton’s bibliography can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, her work is organized into distinct series that cater to different reader preferences. Here are the three best entry points depending on what you like to read:

• For Fairytale Lovers: Start with Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold, the first book in the massive Romance a Medieval Fairytale series. These are standalone stories, but starting here introduces you to her signature blend of magic, romance, and mythology.
• For Mermaid and Mythology Fans: Start with Ocean's Justice (the first book of the historical Siren of War series) or Water and Fire (the prequel novella to the modern-day Ocean's Gift series).
• For Romantic Suspense and Thriller Readers: Start with Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer, the dark and gripping opening to the Nightmares Trilogy.

Romance a Medieval Fairytale Series

This is Demelza Carlton's most famous and expansive project. Each book reimagines a classic fairytale with a medieval setting, fantasy worldbuilding, and romance. Although these books are standalones and can technically be read in any order, reading them in publication order is recommended to catch subtle easter eggs and character crossovers.

Publication Order of Medieval Fairytales

1. Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold (2017)
2. Awaken: Sleeping Beauty Retold (2017)
3. Dance: Cinderella Retold (2017)
4. Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold (2017)
5. Silence: Little Mermaid Retold (2017)
6. Embellish: Brave Little Tailor Retold (2017)
7. Fly: Goose Girl Retold (2017)
8. Appease: Princess and the Pea Retold (2017)
9. Blow: Three Little Pigs Retold (2017)
10. Wish: Aladdin Retold (2018)
11. Melt: Snow Queen Retold (2018)
12. Spin: Rumpelstiltskin Retold (2018)
13. Kiss: Frog Prince Retold (2018)
14. Hunt: Red Riding Hood Retold (2018)
15. Reflect: Snow White Retold (2018)
16. Return: Hansel and Gretel Retold (2018)
17. Roar: Goldilocks Retold (2019)
18. Cobble: Elves and the Shoemaker Retold (2019)
19. Float: Enchanted Horse Retold (2019)
20. Call: Pied Piper Retold (2020)
21. Steal: Forty Thieves Retold (2020)
22. Fall: Scheherazade Retold (2020)
23. Feather: Swan Maidens Retold (2021)
24. Curse: Rose Red Retold (2021)
25. Cross: Three Billy Goats Gruff Retold (2022)
26. Once Upon a Viking (2022)
27. Weave: Rapunzel Retold (2022)
28. Once Upon A Crown (2023)
29. Claim: Puss in Boots Retold (2023)

The Mermaid Universe: Siren of War vs. Ocean's Gift

Demelza Carlton has written several series centered on mermaids and sirens. They fall into two main groups: the historical/war-focused stories and the modern-day urban fantasies. While they are set in different eras, they share themes of oceanic mystery and myth.

Siren of War Series (Historical Prequels)

Set during the era of World War I, this series introduces readers to a dark, historical fantasy world of sirens and soldiers. Follow this order:

1. Ocean's Justice (2014)
2. Ocean's Widow (2014)
3. How To Catch Crabs (2015)
4. Ocean's Bride (2021)
5. Ocean's Rise (2021)
6. Ocean's War (2021)

Ocean's Gift Series (Modern Day)

This series takes place in contemporary times, set against the backdrop of the Australian coast. It features mermaids, secrecy, and romance.

1. Water and Fire (2013 - Prequel Novella)
2. Ocean's Gift (2012)
3. Ocean's Infiltrator (2013)
4. Ocean's Secret (2018)

Paranormal Protectors: Gargoyles and Norse Gods

For readers who love monster romance and shifter fantasy, Carlton's companion series under the "Paranormal Protectors" banner offer connected stories centered on gargoyles waking in the modern world and Norse deities.

Heart of Stone Series

1. Heart of Stone (2021)
2. Broken Chains (2022)
3. Broken Bonds (2022)
4. Broken Dreams (2022)

Heart of Steel Series

1. Heart of Steel (2022)
2. Stone Guardian (2022)
3. Stone Champion (2022)
4. Stone Sentinel (2023)
5. Stone Shadow (2023)

Heart of Ice Series

1. Thor (2023)
2. Loki (2023)
3. Odin (2023)

Other Popular Series

Mel Goes to Hell

An urban fantasy series that blends humor, romance, and demonic corporate ladder-climbing. It is best read in chronological order:

1. Welcome to Hell (2014)
2. See You in Hell (2014)
3. Mel Goes to Hell (2014)
4. To Hell and Back (2015)
5. Melody Angel's Guide to Heaven and Hell (2015)
6. The Holiday From Hell (2015)

The Colony Series

Carlton's science fiction romance universe contains several distinct subseries focusing on colonization, holiday settings, and alien matchmaking. While subseries can be read independently, the groups are structured as follows:

• Colony Prequels: Chaos (2020)
• Colony: Aqua: Halcyon (2016), Poseidon (2018)
• Colony: Holiday: Cowboys and Aliens (2020), Ghost (2020), Vulcan (2020), Cupid (2021), Valentine (2021), Prometheus (2021)
• Colony: Nyx / Intergalactic Dating Agency: Fang (2022), Talon (2022), Claw (2022), Horns (2023), Shade (2023), Dark: Colony: Nyx #7 (2023)

Nightmares Trilogy

A gripping, dark romantic suspense trilogy that deals with trauma, justice, and survival. These must be read in order:

1. Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer (2013)
2. Necessary Evil of Nathan Miller (2013)
3. Afterlife of Alanna Miller (2015)

Romance Island Resort Series

A contemporary, steamy romance series featuring billionaires, rock stars, and island resort settings. Read in this order:

1. Maid for the Rock Star (2015)
2. The Rock Star's Email Order Bride (2015)
3. The Rock Star's Virginity (2015)
4. The Rock Star and the Billionaire (2016)
5. The Rock Star Wants A Wife (2016)
6. The Rock Star's Wedding (2016)
7. Maid for the South Pole (2016)

What to Know Before You Start

Demelza Carlton is known for her extreme versatility. A reader looking for a sweet, lighthearted fairytale might be surprised by the gritty, intense psychological themes in the Nightmares Trilogy, or the steamy sci-fi romance in the Colony series. It is highly recommended to check content warnings for the Nightmares books, as they contain heavy themes of trauma, abduction, and violence. Conversely, her Mel Goes to Hell books are light, comedic, and full of paranormal fun, making them perfect for readers who enjoy humor with their fantasy.