Customer Reviews

Untamed (Men of Roxbury House, Book 3)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Be aware, this is the third book in a trilogy. I didn't realize that until after I'd purchased it. For the most part, it seemed to stand on its own, but there were a few elements that seemed odd, such as the street-orphan-suddenly-turned-millionaire-railroad-tycoon. I'm wondering if that was explored in more detail in one of the earlier books? Because it sure came out of nowhere and didn't make a whole lot of sense. It felt as though the author wanted a character with an "interesting" background, but it had to be acceptable for him to marry the well-off socialite, so she just invented a story about him winning some contest and investing his money well, and wham! Instant millionaire husband for the socialite.

The basic story is how this railroad tycoon with a spotty past courts an old maid who cares for her younger sister and her drunken, gambling-addicted father. The story draws some parallels with Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" as well as Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series. I suspect the author is a big fan of the latter. For one, the main male character is Scottish. (The accent was hit and miss, however. At times it was non-existent, while at other times it sounded more Irish than Scottish.) For another, there was a scene where the Scottish character felt the need to punish his wife by spanking her, and he obviously enjoyed the process, which is right out of "Outlander". Only in this case it led directly into an erotic scene that was a bit TMI. Most of the sexual content was too vulgar for my taste, honestly. There was another scene where the female character rescues the male character from certain death, which was also reminiscent of "Outlander", but seemed to come out of nowhere, with no connection to the rest of the story.

Overall, the book (like the Scottish accent) was hit and miss. I really enjoyed some parts of it. Other parts, not so much.

The biggest complaint I had was the fact that this book takes place in 1890, yet on two separate occasions the main character is wearing panties. As a historic costumer, I must point out that panties did NOT exist in the Victorian era! During this period, drawers would have been worn, or a combination (Union suit). And no, those aren't merely synonyms for panties. They're very different garments. There's nothing worse than being entrenched in the Victorian era, only to have a blatant anachronism throw you out of the story.

I'll give this book three stars, because while I did find some parts of it enjoyable, other parts were either too cliched, or too copycat, or too vulgar for my tastes. And the "panties" issue really ruined it as a historic novel for me.

As an impoverished child, Patrick "Rourke" O'Rourke successfully picked pockets until he was caught in 1875 by his latest intended target, Prime Minister Gladstone. At Rourke's trial the PM arranged for the lad to be given over to him for custody. He sent Rourke to Roxbury House, a Quaker orphanage in which Gladstone serves on the Board of Directors.

Katherine's father was a drunken gambler, but she did not know how bad his vices were until she turned eleven years old. He used her pony Princess as a stake; so that she lost her precious last gift her late mother gave her before dying. Over the next decade and a half Katherine raised and spoiled her younger sister Bea selling herself as a model for pictures to bring in food money for them. No one cares for Kate until in 1890 she meets Rourke.

The third "The Men of Roxbury House" tale (see ENSLAVED and VANQUISHED) is a terrific historical romance that returns the stars of the previous novels in support roles. However the story line belongs to the lead couple who share in common two feelings: love and a belief they are undeserving of love. Readers will appreciate UNTAMED a fine entry in a strong Victorian series.

Harriet Klausner

UNTAMED
HOPE TARR
Historical Romance
Medallion Press, Inc.

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Patrick O'Rourke lived his younger days as a pickpocket. Until one day he picked the wrong pocket which turned out to be the right pocket. Instead of being sent to jail he was sent to an orphanage. That is where he changed his life.

Lady Katherine Lindsey learned at a young age that when you love something they end up losing you. So she vowed to never love again. She was known by many as being a shrew. Those closest to her called her Capable Kate, which she hated. Taking care of her younger sister and making sure their father didn't drink or gamble their money away was a full time job for Katherine, one she seemed to be tiring of.

Rourke, as everyone calls him, has one goal... to marry Kate. Only she doesn't know it yet but soon she will. Little does he know but Kate has no intentions of marrying anyone. So Rourke does the unthinkable and tricks Kate's father into wagering her in a gambling bet. Kate has no choice but to marry Rourke but that doesn't mean she has to make it easy on him. But Rourke has different plans. He plans to tame this shrew.

I don't know if I can say enough about this book. I loved every aspect of it. It was beautifully written. I couldn't stop reading; I had to know what happened next between Rourke and Kate. Passion and revenge make for a very enthralling story. Just when you thought they were going to work it out someone happens to change all they had gained. This is the first time I have read a book written by Hope Tarr and I have to say she just got another fan.

Hope Tarr's other passion besides writing is animals. She hopes to make an impact on the overpopulation of animals by advocating spaying and neutering. Everyone who is interested in find out more about what Hope Tarr is writing or has done with her life should visit her website. [..]


Fallon Cole
ENCHANTING REVIEWS
January 2009

I just didn't like this book. I threw it out after a few days. Not worth keeping on my bookcase shelf.