Title: 
Series: Accidental Enchantments
Author(s): Tia Nevitt
Genre: Romance, Fairy Tale Redone
Publisher/Year: Carina Press/2010
-Webpage: Tia Nevitt Homepage
-Blog: Debuts and Reviews

Synopsis:  Have you ever wondered what happens to the other people in the fairy tale?

Things look grim for Talia and her mother. By royal proclamation, the constables and those annoying "good" fairies have taken away their livelihood by confiscating their spinning wheel. Something to do with a curse on the princess, they said.

Not every young lady has a fairy godmother rushing to her rescue.

Without the promise of an income from spinning, Talia's prospects for marriage disappear, and she and her mother face destitution. Past caring about breaking an arbitrary and cruel law, rebellious Talia determines to build a new spinning wheel, the only one in the nation--which plays right into the evil fairy's diabolical plan. Talia discovers that finding a happy ending requires sacrifice. But is it a sacrifice she's willing to make?

Review:  I admit this up front, the cover to this novella is gorgeous.  I'll also admit that the raciness of the novella had me fighting a blush while I read it.  I wouldn't say this is an explicit story, but Talia definitely is an experienced woman by the end of it.

I think the important part is that Nevitt didn't exploit or judge Talia's actions.  Her first time is with the only guy who has ever shown an interest in her, who enjoys her company and if not because of an awful father, would have been her husband.  There is obvious affection between the two, but like any other young girl Talia doesn't recognize the difference between real love and fairy tale love.

She continues because a) it helps save her and her mother from starving to death, b) she carefully chooses men who can help 'better' her (teach her usable skills) and c) she gives a certain amount of confidence and companionship to men who would otherwise be overlooked.  Oh and she enjoys it too of course.

I thought the way it weaved into the plot of Sleeping Beauty was gracefully done.  The resolution was also tastefully done and had a certain ring of Talia thumbing her nose at those people who had treated her so cruelly.  Talia was a strong character, resourceful and pragmatic.  What use was her virginity if the only man she wanted to marry was to become a monk?  Why be the mistress to wealthy men who leave you cold and dry, instead of men who can teach you skills to survive?

By the end I was rooting for Talia to have her happy ending.  She had a lot of disappointments in her life, made a lot of sacrifices, but any regrets she had were mostly centered around not marrying Willard and not having children.  Its what she wanted most and had been denied it for a stupid reason of a petty man.

This is the first in Nevitt's planned 'Accidental Enchantments' series of retold fairy tales.  I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment!