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Librarian note: alternate-cover edition of B00IV3C4F2.

An aspiring artist unwilling to accept her destiny. A cocky vampire tasked with making sure she does. A fate neither saw coming.

Sabine is an aspiring artist with big dreams for her life. When she finds out she’s the latest offering in a two-hundred-year-old pact between the small town of Willow Creek and the vampire lord watching over it, she’s determined to get as far away from the town and the vampire she’s been paired with by any means necessary.

Remy understands Sabine’s desire to run, as Willow Creek is the last place on earth he wants to be. Unfortunately, his maker has commanded him to make sure she stays put and safe, so that’s what he’s going to do. When an opportunity to get even with a former foe coincides with Sabine’s escape attempt, Remy decides to let her run… temporarily. Once the two come together, an undeniable spark ignites between them, but will they look past their contempt for one another and give in to their temptations or are they destined to hate each other forever?

Craving is the first book in a paranormal romance series. If you like sexy vampires, strong-willed heroines, and lots of steamy tension, then you’ll love the first installment of The Willow Creek Vampires Series by Stephanie Summers.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 6, 2014

506 people are currently reading
1185 people want to read

About the author

Stephanie Summers

17 books271 followers
Stephanie Summers is a paranormal and contemporary romance author. She graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in accounting, though writing is her true passion. Stephanie seemed to always have a story or two or ten running around in her mind. At the ripe old age of 30, she finally decided it was time to put aside the thought that she didn't have what it took to write a novel and began writing her first story.

She has since written her first paranormal series, The Willow Creek Vampires Series, with Craving (Book #1), Haunting (Book #2), Awakening (Book #3), and the short companion story, The Bludworth Chronicles: Origin, available now. Her short story, Love Forgotten, was chosen to be published in Stardust: A Futuristic Romance Collection, and another short story, Saved by the Bear, is available now. Her contemporary rock star romance, Take Me On, was released in 2015, with the sequel, Take Me Home, released early in 2016.

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5 stars
414 (33%)
4 stars
392 (31%)
3 stars
301 (24%)
2 stars
108 (8%)
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27 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
January 8, 2017
I've knocked this down a star because I do what I want!

2.5 Stars

This story ‘borrows’ elements from every popular vampire TV show I’ve ever seen. I’m not kidding…

Hello, my name is Sabine Crowley and I am the chosen one….



(Shhhhhhhhh, Sabine, you are so not that fucking cool.)

Every ten years, due to some two hundred year old accord with the Vampires, an 18 year old is chosen as a blood concubine for one of the resident vampires in Willow Creek. For the remainder of their life they will reside in Willow Creek Manor, well fed and cared for, as a companion of sorts for their paired blood-sucker. In exchange for this sacrifice the townspeople are protected from invading creatures of the night (or day) by these select vampires.

You see Sunnydale Willow Creek is located on the hellmouth some ambiguous supernatural draw that is never explained, so if the residents didn’t have protection they would be slaughtered by all the Big Bads drawn there.

Remy (the matched vampire) directly compares himself to Damon Salvatore from ‘The Vampire Diaries’, stating that he thinks the character may have been modelled after him. Now, given the behaviour of our immature and petulant male lead, I think that is a bit of a stretch. Though the ability to influence and erase humans memories is present.



The vampires in this story are able to walk around in the sun *cough* ‘Twilight’ *cough* however rather than sparkling like little bitches the sun weakens their superior strength, though not enough to really make any difference when it comes to a power struggle between the two species. Mind reading is present, as well, and a special skill that not all vampires have. There is also a whole kidnapped by the Big Bad element that feels very reminiscent of the first movie in the saga.

Also all the stalking without Sabine’s knowledge is a little:



*Shudders*

Now the comparability to ‘True Blood’ is less apparent (though the show is mentioned on a few occasions) other than the whole:



Part which makes me feel awkward EVERY. DAMN. TIME!

There were some original elements, I guess…. I mean NOT the founders’ relation part. Or the weird . Or the whole every vampire wants to chomp down on you because you are the hottest thing ever or whatever bit. Or the vengeful nemesis that becomes problematic part. Or the sheer idiocy of a hundreds of years old vampire falling for a teenager bit. Or the BRUTALLY annoying way that Remy broods and mopes about not wanting to fall in love because Sabine will eventually die and leave him alone.

Hmmmmm. Yeah, now that I really think about it none of this was really original AT ALL.


----PRE-REVIEW----

BIRTHDAY BUDDY-READ!!! with the amaze-tastic, Heatherdoll!! ♥ (start date tomorrow, January 4th - also know as Heatherdoll's Birthday!!)



Also it isn't on here but my cover looks like this:

Profile Image for Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~.
Author 20 books566 followers
February 25, 2017
Girl is given to vampire overlord. Girls hates vampire. Vampire hates girl. But not really, because they both have teh hotness. Bad guy does stuff. Vampire saves girl. Vampire wedding happens. The end.

I wasn't impressed by this book. It was an interesting idea, but I didn't like the writing or the characters. Normally I'm not overly critical of a character's behavior (unless they do something absolutely loathsome, like be sexist or litter), but these characters were just so immature.

"You see, I'm stuck in this shitty little town from now on until you cease to exist. So, why not mess with you when I get bored?"




So believable for a vampire who's over 400 years old.

"You didn't finish your food. Do you still want it? I'm going to throw it out if you don't. It stinks already. Can't imagine how putrid it will smell when it goes bad."


"I don't have anything for you to sleep in, but you can sleep in [my shirt]. It might not cover your ass all the way, but then I've already seen it, so..."


"What's the matter? You've never seen a real man with a real knob before?"


Charming, Remy. Really charming.

"I had to watch for signs you were planning something, and I had to make sure no outside vampires were stalking you. How else could I do that, other than watch you when you were alone in your room?"




I really just couldn't get over how immature the characters, especially Remy, acted. These were the last characters I wanted to picture in any sort of sexual situation, so I basically skimmed those parts. It seemed like this book tried so hard to be dirty, but it didn't succeed. Remy's taunts were so juvenile I was cringing.

The conflict in the book was forced, and a little ridiculous. Throw in a luxurious mansion, requisite trips to Europe, a shopping spree at a ridiculously expensive store, $600 shoes, and a weird vampire party, and you have a book that incorporates elements of every other major work of vampire fiction out there. In fact, this felt like "True Blood" fanfiction at times. The book even referenced Eric Northman and Damon Salvatore, who Remy said reminded him of himself.

This could have been interesting, but the characters ruined it for me.

Thank you for the fangtastic birthday buddy read, Karly! Yes, it was a lot better than the last birthday BR.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews133 followers
Want to read
July 15, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (7/15/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Caroline Greyling.
Author 2 books50 followers
May 20, 2017
Sabine knows that there’s a good chance she’ll be chosen as the next sacrifice to fulfill the infamous Willow creek vampire treaty. Still, she is devastated when she receives the notice on her eighteenth birthday and realizes that she will never be able to live out her dreams.
When Sabine meets the vampire she will be paired with, she is horrified. Remy may be the favorite progeny of Bastion, Lord of the Willow creek vampires, but he is arrogant, selfish, rude and uncaring. She knows that she will never be more to him that a food source, and yet she can’t help or understand the growing attraction she feels every time they are together.

Craving was a pleasant read. I’m a sucker for romance, so I enjoyed the storyline which focuses mainly on the conflict and chemistry between the two main characters, Sabine and Remy. The characters themselves are pretty standard, lacking in depth at times, but there was a nice chemistry between them, and I quite enjoyed Remy’s snarky comments. The supporting characters were few and really did not play much of a role in the story beyond some cliched scenes. I felt that the plot could have been tighter. It felt thin and rushed at times with large periods of times elapsing in the space of sentences. I personally would have preferred fewer, more intimate scenes. The witty dialogue made up for some of the novel’s shortfalls though and I still found ‘Craving’ an easy, fun read.
Profile Image for Sweets Books.
687 reviews63 followers
April 17, 2025
Sabine was an average girl in a small town, but this small town had vampires openly living in the community. On her 18th birth day Sabine was one of many born in the same year, holding their breathe. Why you ask? Because Willow Creek was a community protected by the vampires in exchange for one human every ten years, picked on their 18th birthday to be blood mates. Sabine wanted to graduate high school and explore the world while painting on the side. She had hopes and dreams and on her 18th birthday they were destroyed because she was picked. Would she ever get to see her family or friends again? Is she just dinner for this vampire or so much more? Can she still she the world and paint her way through Europe? Read it!

I absolutely loved this book. In the beginning I dreaded the ending because how Remy treated Sabine, but half way through I realized maybe I was jumping ahead way to fast. It’d be interesting to actually see a town where no fast food restaurant existed! My favorite scene was the dress closet. Every girl’s paradise! I found Sabine snobby at first because she was being forced into slavery it changed my mind.

I recommend this book to vampire lovers and paranormal romance readers. 18 + for her vivid dreams of sex and actual sex lol and of course blood, guts and gore oh my!

Reviewer for Sweets Books and Stephanie Summers.

Till next time - Sweets Books
(written by Beth - SBAH)
Profile Image for Nicole Brown.
42 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2017
Emotional roller-coaster

This book drew me in immediately, and I finished it in a few hours. I'm very curious about how the story will continue. Sabine is a great character. You get a sense of her growing and maturing as the story goes on. Her relationship with Remy is interesting. I simultaneously wanted to smack him and hug him.
The town of Willow Creek is protected by vampires from all evil. In exchange, every 10 years, an 18 year old is chosen to be a blood mate for a vampire. Sabine is chosen and is not a happy camper. Remy, the progeny of Bastian, the head vampire, is chosen as her vampire, and is called from his world wandering and life of debauchery. Forced to wait until she is 21, their relationship is volatile and ever changing. Love, lust, hate, anger, confusion, acceptance. The question is, why does the town draw all that is paranormal?
Profile Image for Maria Lynn.
337 reviews144 followers
September 14, 2014
Okay so I think Craving is definitely a good start to the Willow Creek Vampire Series and my interest was piqued enough to continue with the series, however I do have a couple issues.

~ The main character, Sabine Crowley, was extremely immature and downright annoying at times. This is one heroine that I just couldn't stand behind.
~ Remy's love for her comes out of nowhere with no build up or insight into his feelings. Sure we get some chapters from his POV but it's not enough.

I would've liked a bit more depth on the characters and maybe a little more content but otherwise I have no complaints. I did enjoy the story and thought Ms. Summer's writing style was entertaining. I think this is a promising start to what could be an amazing series.
Profile Image for Sassy Southern Book Affair.
294 reviews20 followers
October 5, 2014
3.5 Stars

Review: All I have to say is Thank Goodness I do not live in Willow Creek! Sabine and Remy are polar opposites, but I came to love them both. It was a great story of love and sacrifice. I really wish the author could have put more detail into the story; the time frames between each description were so far apart, it left me wishing I knew what was happening in the days/weeks that were skipped over. Overall it was a good book, and I look forward to reading what Remy is going to hunt for on the boarders of Willow Creek….

Candace
Profile Image for Alicia Lange.
95 reviews
February 6, 2017
2.5 rating. In the beginning this book had a YA feel about it. Sabine's attitude was immature and it was hard to believe a 400 year old vamp would fall in love with her. I like Remy in the beginning because of his assy nature but then he became all lovely dovey and lost his appeal. Regardless I was mildly intrigued through the whole story.
Profile Image for Andrea Heltsley.
Author 15 books325 followers
September 9, 2017
This was a very unique concept and it was very enjoyable. There was no insta-love and the plot was interesting. YAY, I need me a Remy of my own!
Profile Image for Donna.
278 reviews39 followers
February 7, 2017
4-4.5 stars. It was super funny & great. However, there were some glaringly obvious holes in the story. That being said, the dialogue and humor was spot on.
Profile Image for Gypsy Madden.
Author 2 books30 followers
July 14, 2021
Back in history in Willow Creek, when the first settlers came there, they were approached by a vampire who told them that he could keep their village safe from all outside monsters, for the price of one citizen (who has just turned 21) every ten years to feed him and his family of vampires. The human citizens are also not allowed to leave the village, and if they do, they forget everything about vampires while they are away. Sabine’s family knows she will reach 21 on the year the vampires select a citizen and they know she is most likely to get picked since she is the prettiest girl in town. And because of that, they have treated it like it will inevitably happen, so there’s no point in shelling out money for a new uniform for her recital, or bothering to even apply to outside colleges, and instead dote on her younger sister instead. Sabine has argued against the unfairness of the situation, and even more so when she gets the letter notifying her that she has indeed been selected, and even the vampire paired with her, though he’s not supposed to claim her until she’s 21, has begun following her around, mostly to annoy her since Remy doesn’t want to be stuck in a small town, tied down to just one girl for the rest of Sabine’s life.

Say it. Out loud. Twilight. At least Remy doesn’t sparkle. This goes through all of the Twilight stages. Sabine finds Remy stalking her at various times, even in her bedroom at night. Just like Edward, he’s old, lives the lifestyle of the fabulously wealthy, has plenty of human emotions, and doesn’t fall in love easily, though he’s painfully handsome, and she finds herself drawn to him like a magnet though she resents the idea of never being able to leave the town she was born in or be able to study at a college and pursue being an artist. I loved their antagonistic relationship (which the book centered around -honestly, the book was focused solely on just their relationship and nothing else) as they both tried to deny their feelings or convince themselves it was just a one-way thing, so they ended up annoying the other. Remy knew right where it would hurt the most each time. There really wasn’t much actual romance until near the end (unless you count all the arguing and antagonizing each other). Though where Twilight is aimed at a Teen-Young Adult audience, this book has plenty of swear words, and sexual situations, graphic sex scenes, and even a near rape, and the heroine is not virgin (even at 17). I did get a bit irritated at the constant switching POV of third person omniscient, often within a paragraph. And I really got irritated of some of the omniscient talking about future things as if they happened to the POV in the future, but haven’t happened at the moment to the POV, which takes the reader out of being in the moment. In the end though, I did love all the arguing and teasing, and getting on each other’s nerves, and the eventual romance (though I skimmed the sex scene, which felt rather trashy compared to the rest of the book), and it’s got me hooked on the two of them together enough to want to read the next book.
Profile Image for Sandy.
1,811 reviews3 followers
June 12, 2021
Craving

Holy shiznet!!! What a gr8 story. A vampire has a deal with humans in a small town. Protect them from all other supernaturals and in exchange every ten years they give a human to become ties to a vampire. I recommend this read. 5 Thumbs up
Profile Image for Sonja Schultz.
331 reviews
August 7, 2017
I'd have to say this was supper cute, the whole book is about Remy finding true love with Sabine. It was a slow romance that really took passion and fire in the end, it makes the book worth reading but it does take a little while; just when you think things are getting juicy it ends up being a dream. It was sad to know that Bastian was never giving Sabine or Remy freedom. Bastian is kind of a twist (super nice but powerful and demands his comands are met).
Profile Image for Crystal.
87 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2017
Great Beginning

Cant wait to find out more about Sabine and Remy...Im hoping they go the distance. Mrs.Summers definitely knows how to hook a reader
Profile Image for Kathy  Knuckles.
297 reviews5 followers
July 15, 2017
Interesting, Fun!, A Different Take on These Vampire!

This book has a different take on vampires. It's interesting but also a little suspicious! So the plot thickens! The characters area human and vampire with twists built into a great story! Grab this one so you can move to the next one!
Profile Image for Jac K.
2,517 reviews490 followers
August 9, 2021
This is a very YA vampire series that I read years ago. After skimming some (cleaning up shelves) I’m actually shocked that I finished the series. Maybe I was on a Vampire Diaries kick because I feel like this is a Buffy/VD mashup. The H, Remy even compares himself to Damon Salvatore stating that he may be the muse for his character. (he wishes he was as cool) He even has some broody, HS vibe Edward thrown into the mix. (they can walk in the sun, and read minds) To give you an idea of the feel…

I will tell you. I am fourteen hundred years old.
“Wow, that’s old!” She quickly covered her mouth with one hand, and her eyes widened.


I’m not going to spend much time on this as I think most of my friends have outgrown Twilight, but I’ll give the gist. The mc’s live in the town Willow Creek that much like Mystic Falls (or Sunnydale) is a hotbed for paranormal activity… specifically a vampire magnet. 100 or so years ago, the town patriarch entered into an agreement with the resident vamps. In exchange for protection, they will donate one 21-yr old female every 10 years to serve as a blood slave for the entirety of her life.

Remy is called home by his sire, and not happy to learn he must eat animals for the next three years while protecting his future blood donor. Sabine is equally depressed of her future donor status. This is a trilogy, and the first two books end in a cliffy.

Bottom Line- This one isn’t for me, but this is the most painful to get through. It’s not original, quite immature with the bickering, and OTT emotions. In a nutshell, they hate each other, but are so smoking hot they can’t resist each other…. I hate you-leave me alone… why did you leave me alone… I don’t want you… why don’t you want me. 🙄
Profile Image for Lynn's books.
617 reviews2 followers
May 28, 2017
Potential

Ok. Quick and dirty assessment. What I liked. The overall plot seemed relatively solid. There is a mystery to be solved while weaving in characters and clearly romance. It's also seems unique. Why does the town have to give up one person every 10 years or when needed to feed a vampire? What is Bastain hiding? What power draws supernaturals there? Yep.I am curious. For that I gave it a 4.
What I didn't like. The development of the plot seemed a little lacking and development of the characters was thin. There were times when the writing style went from showing you to just flat out telling you what was going on. Also interactions between characters and relationships were somewhat shallow. Sabine was annoying from time to time because her thought process lacked too much rational. I mean one minutes she loathes her life and hates vampires, Remy specifically. Then out of no where she just willingly goes along with Josh... the perfect stranger and decides to date him after he lied about being a vampire. Seriously...so unbelievable I'd be surprised if you didn't just feel my eyes roll with that last comment. Like I said, there is enough intrigue for me to rate it a 4 but without that I would have given it a 3.
Profile Image for Vampire Eater.
175 reviews
April 25, 2021
Flat characters, Dull story, with a hint of promise for both - but never quite reaches.

The Tries for humor are awkward and inappropriate. When Sabine isn't boring she's annoying and immature. When our 400 year old vampire isn't generic as bran cereal he's uncharming, perverted and laughably petulent.

The writing seems young adult in the worst way and then we have graphic depictions of violence(which were probably the better parts in this book) and very adult sex. Pick a lane. You can have all three work in one book but this felt disjointed and out of place.

I had a lot of questions as to why? Why all of this? They don't give you any answers in this book. It's a big "Just because". (Though there are more books... Perhaps they care to explain) we'll see if I pick them up.

Not the worst thing I've read but kind of a time waster. It's OK ish at best. On the low end of 2.5
Profile Image for Nitchi Shade.
156 reviews14 followers
January 13, 2017
Loved it, but they didn't set up much for the next book. This can be read alone I would say, if I was bored I might look up the other books, but nah. Very good with the romance and angst of a teenager.
I loved how they didn't like secretly fall in love early on and that their relationship had to slowly grow. It wasn't like they had this weird uncontrollable attraction to each other in the beginning, no instant puppy love. One thing is that the book skips like 3 years or something, but they magnate to pull it off.
Profile Image for Stephanie Barnes.
456 reviews12 followers
May 18, 2017
Falling in love with the master

Very well written. Well edited. Characters are well developed. I was able to feel what the characters were feeling. Sabine is young, so somewhat naive. I got angry at her when she doubted Remy & was falling for Josh. The scene where Remy is with Jackson in the basement was bloody & violent. Sabine couldn't understand why he was that way. He was a vampire, they drink blood & Kill. Enjoyed the book and have the next one in the series ready to read.
Profile Image for Julie.
427 reviews40 followers
April 16, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series. Has a very emotional side to the story. The heroine is very young making this more of a young adult romance. The plot contains a lot of mystery revolving around the setting and human characters of this story. My curiosity was only continually peaked which makes the second book a definite read on my list because none of the answers were forth coming in this book. A series with a lot of potential!
Profile Image for Mills.
1,870 reviews171 followers
February 7, 2017
Entertaining in a decidedly guilty pleasure kind of way, Craving is a fair to middling read. I may read its sequel, but it does not particularly stand out amongst the heaps of vampire fiction and has nothing much to recommend it other than being free and slightly hot. It could use editing for some minor grammatical and syntactical errors.
Profile Image for Josie.
11 reviews
May 21, 2017
If you like vampire romances, you will probably like this.

Know that there are sure few sex scenes, however. Pretty good ones. The vampires are more Lestat but modern and they even pay on popular vampire books and things. I enjoyed it pretty well and it passed the time on a long plane ride (took me about 2 1/2 hours total).
Profile Image for Rene' Hurt.
487 reviews4 followers
February 25, 2017
Cute

Sabine is a teen who is picked to be a mate to a vampire name Remy who didn't want one. Due to the arrangement made by their ancestors years ago. Will love win out ? Read this book and find out . You will like it.
Profile Image for Lyss.
34 reviews8 followers
June 15, 2017
I loved the story and Sabines personality, but I think the author could've been a little more clearer as to what character is speaking at times. some situations weren't as detailed before it skipped right to a different scene. overall I enjoyed it and I hope the rest of the series gets better.
22 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2023
Indecision.

I think it's absolutely brilliant that soo many author's are able to write and create their world's for us to appreciate and enjoy.
Remmy has been summoned by this sire and is introduced to the girl who is to be his blood mate, he didn't get a choice but is given three years to get to know her so he can marry her at age twenty one.
Beanie grows up in a town that is protected by vampire's, after an agreement was made over two hundred years ago the town has not suffered one death due to supernatural interference.
Willow Creek seems to be positioned within an area that attracts the supernatural and the vampire's that live there spend a great deal of time and effort to protect this section of the U.S. but why exactly no one seems to know but as long as everyone is safe, those in any position of power are happy enough to continue the agreement made even if they have never spoken to those men or women who are chosen to continue this tradition.
Beanie finds herself questioning everything involved with this agreement, especially when it appears as though Remmy has no desire to be joined in any way with her, but he's as bound by tradition as she is, are either of them able to come up with a strategy that could free them both.
Ms Summers has done a wonderful job of creating the perfect scenario of dislike yet curiosity between both Renny and Beanie will they ever be able to agree on anything is it possible to even gain a friendship so that the time spent together will not be so distracting or full of mistrust and latent desire.
This is a perfect example of a love hate relationship, both Remmy and Beanie find each other unbearable yet they both find that desire burns deeply beneath their skin, actually it's quite fascinating reading how often the two of them deny to themselves exactly what is going on between them.
Desire, feelings and passion can be understood as opposite of how someone truly feels and Ms Summers has written a storyline that is a perfect rendition of how deeply effected other's can be especially when determined to not look at what is lingering underneath their emotions.
If paranormal romance is something you enjoy you will find both tears and laughter from yourself as you are drawn into a world of protection, families and a deeply passionate love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews

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