Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you like conflicted, tortured heros, this is for you!, September 25, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Tempting (Paperback)
I had just finished reading Patricia Cabot's wonderful "Educating Caroline" when I began "Tempting" - another story about a self-made man from the slums of London. But whereas (Caroline's) Braden's poor upbringing helped to mold his character, Simon's has made him bitter, ruthless, ambitious. But in Simon's defense, he has a lot to be bitter about. He has never recovered from his inability to provide for his family after the death of his father or to protect his sister from being gang-raped before his eyes at the age of 15. When Simon's mother remarries and the family's fortunes improve slightly, he takes off, determined to no longer be that helpless, pathetic boy and sets about becoming a man and accumulating wealth. Years later, now wealthy and hungry for political power, he has taken on the role of Vice Commissioner in Victoria's London. One night he raids a brothel and in the attic, finds a young girl locked in. For some reason, she affects him and rather than toss her in jail, takes her home then enrolls her in a finishing school in order to tranform her into a lady and better her lot in life. Simon took some time to warm up to. He's cool, aloof, self-contained and alone. He is focused on running for a seat in Parliament and needs no distractions or scandal. But Christine's beauty and background threaten just that. The last thing he needs is for it to come out that the girl he is passing off as his cousin was found in a brothel! But Simon can't seem to do without her presence no matter how inapropriate. He needs and wants her around and pulls her out of finishing school to teach her himself (!). She's fresh, open, sweet and she makes him smile. Though he is attracted to her, there can be nothing between them. He needs a biddable, political wife not a free spirit like Christine, unashamed of her humble dairymaid background. And Christine has skeletons of her own and when her past comes back to haunt her, real trouble arises. Simon was so conflicted and, deep down, so full of self-doubt, so unable to recognize his need for love and companionship that you just wanted to cry. And Christine was willing to give him all that he needed if only he would ask. If only he would accept her for herself - who she really is and not what he tries to turn her into. A great read!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Good Read, May 16, 2003
This review is from: Tempting (Paperback)
TEMPTING starts off strong with a tragic and violent prologue that sets that stage and make-up of the main character, Simon Belleville. As a young boy he witnesses a violent act upon his sister, and feeling helpless and the cause for the tragedy, closes him off to others. His pursuits turn to making himself a self-made man in English society. As the newly appointed head of Queen Victoria's Morality & Vice Commission, Simon Belleville finds himself breaking up a brothel where he discovers Christine in an attic. Not sure why, he takes the lovely young "prostitute" to his home instead of to Newgate Gaol. As an aspiring Member of Parliament, the very last thing Simon needs is a scandal so he introduces her as his cousin. However, he has anything but cousinly feelings towards the intriguing young girl. Christine is also no stranger to hardship and tragedy. Bullied by her cousin who she believes she has killed, she finds herself alone, hungry, and in a brothel. Simon changes all that, as her "dark angel" and places in his old mistress's school to develop a refined woman. Hope Tarr weaves a tale of two people searching for themselves and for each other. The mixture of violence, which is not graphically portrayed, and the nature of the gentle tale are an unusual mix. It could almost be characterized as an innocent and sweet romance without these dark undercurrents running throughout the book. I would have liked to see Ms. Tarr develop these dark themes more, and not hesitate to show the reader the brutalism endured by the main characters. I believe it would have helped strengthen the storyline of the book. TEMPTING is an original and enjoyable read from the talented Ms. Tarr. There is an earthy realism to her writing style; her characters are portrayed as real people with flaws, both physical and mental. Don't miss this special read!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Four and a half stars!, October 31, 2002
This review is from: Tempting (Paperback)
Simon Belleville, head of Her Majesty's Morality and Vice Commission, is supposed to be taking prostitutes to prison, not to finishing school. Yet one look at Christine Tremayne and Simon's entire world tilts on its axis. Desperate to escape the brothel in which Simon finds her, Christine grabs at the chance to improve her station, thereby enabling her to support her family back home. But will Simon's feelings for Christine destroy his dream of holding a seat in Parliament? Will Christine's past ruin her one chance at true love? Hope Tarr writes a Pygmalion tale layered with a fast plot, multi-faceted characters and charming wit. The full gamut of emotions-from guilt and rage, to joy and love-will be found between the pages of this book. Christine will surprise you, and Simon torment you. You'll laugh, you'll cheer, you'll cry. Truly an enjoyable read. -- Kris at Author, Author!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
