Date published June 2008
ISBN 978-0-06-137607-8
Contemporary Erotic Romance
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Lil
CRAVE is quite the adult visit into the land of “Once Upon A Time…” Even as a child, Snow White seemed more complicated than other fairytales. There is jealousy, seething hate, and someone ordering the death of the heroine. This darker side of the story has been explored before but Ms Yardley gives a refreshingly contemporary spin to the whole story.
Beautiful and pure, Goodmaid Beth has made a life among the Penitents for ten years. Their strictures of living simply, hard work, separation of the sexes and guarding against lust have been a small price to pay in exchange for safety. Her eyes have just been opened to secret transgressions by members of apparent good standing. That revelation and the handsome man newly joining the commune work to weaken Beth’s resolve and leave her somewhat ripe for the plucking.
Stephen Trent’s stay is part investigative reporting on this strange cult-like group and much rap on the knuckles for outspending his budget on a previous assignment. There doesn’t seem to be much of a story for him to sniff out. But the hauntingly beautiful woman teases at his senses and at a wisp of memory.
He can’t seem to keep his hands to himself and she doesn’t really want him to do so. Unfortunately, not all is as innocent as one would wish in this community of repression, and the twisted view of the Founders.
The author made good use of many points of the fairytale as we have heard it in our youth. It is fun to match the details of that telling and this one. The romance between hero and heroine was given some time to develop even though the physical relationship was established quite early in the book. Sex scenes are explicit and not particularly controversial in style. There are times when the amorous sections appear less than well placed.
The evil step-mother is not as well drawn as our two main characters and her part in the story was too pat. However, it is difficult to be disappointed in the kind of happy ending that we want.
This is for those of you who are curious about life away from the castle and about the thorough seduction of Snow White.
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