Cissy Fussell can't leave her home fast enough after her father's death. Looking ahead to years as her sister-in- law's Cinderella-type slave makes her desperate for any way out. Thankfully, she learns that her father gave her that way out when he left her a castle in the Black Forest that she didn't even know he owned. Even the stipulation attached -- that she marry the son of his old friend who lives there -- doesn't scare her off. Anything is better than dealing with Dorinda.

Well, almost. Fenris von Wolfenbach isn't exactly a bachelor who makes girls swoon. Since his return from the war, he's isolated himself in the castle and not until Cissy's arrival does he know it no longer belongs to his family. The only answer is to scare the young lady away. Rats are an option, certainly. But there's a slight possibility that Cissy may just tame her beast.

Another thoroughly enjoyable tale from Ms. Schwab. I'm a fan of the good old fairytales being rewritten because their storylines are golden. Excellent characterization and dialogue dominate this well-done historical romance.