In some ways Cassandra’s Chateaufollows the oft-told erotic story of a manipulative antagonist, a sexually voracious heroine, and a background of counts, castles and huge, entertaining balls. (The type of balls where people dance; not the other sort, although it’s conceded that they can also be huge and entertaining).

Baron Dieter von Ritter is the manipulative antagonist in charge of Cassandra and the story begins by showing that he has grown bored with the sexual excesses that were provided at his last soiree. Cassandra notices the symptoms and fears that it’s an omen that Dieter is going to replace her with a younger and more flexible model. Her fears are compounded when Dieter is offered the opportunity to oversee the sexual development of young Nicola.

I have to admit, my first reaction to this novel was far from enthusiastic. I thought the idea was tired and I was a little confused by the author’s style which offers a multiple-perspective third person point of view, yet never seems to slip completely into omniscient narration. However, as I read further, Fredrica Alleyn’s blatant eroticism won me over. Furthermore, the ingenious twists of the plot transformed this erstwhile hackneyed scenario into something new and innovative.

Cassandra’s Chateau is the follow-up adventure to Cassandra’s Conflict: one of the first four titles to be released by Black Lace when the imprint was originally launched. Cassandra’s Chateau takes up the protagonist’s adventure and expands on an engaging central character who may take her pleasure from being controlled by others, but isn’t beyond exerting a little control herself.

As always, I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. I don’t even want to talk about clever twists because that sort of knowing wink from a reviewer can invariably invest a reader with preparedness for what might happen. Instead, I’ll simply say that Cassandra’s Chateau is a hugely enjoyable read and incredibly well-written. Fredrica Alleyn does use the conventions of conforming to a tried and tested erotic formula, but she does this with a style and panache that make this story unique, exciting, unpredictable and appealing.

And who could ask for more than that in their erotic fiction?

Cassandra’s Chateau by Fredrica Alleyn
(Black Lace; April, 2009); ISBN-10: 0352345233)
Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

© 2009 Ashley Lister. All rights reserved.