Having just finished Hope Tarr's Enslaved, the second in the Men of Roxbury House series, I wanted to finish it up with the third installment – Untamed. Upon meeting Rourke, the last of the Roxbury men to find happiness, I discovered that Ms. Tarr has saved the best for last.

Patrick O'Rourke hasn't had an easy life, but he's certainly made the best of his bad situation. After making a few lucrative business deals, he finds himself among the wealthy bachelors in London searching for the perfect wife. A castle in Scotland, his own railroad and more money that he could imagine make Patrick, or Rourke as his friends call him, a prime catch for a husband.

It's too bad that he can't seem to find a suitable wife among the women in Scotland or London. Drawn to women with a fire and strength, none of the simpering idiots at the ball will do as his wife or the mother of his children. There is one woman he finds amazingly attractive – too bad she's known to be a shrew and a spinster at that. Then again, perhaps a woman who stirs his passions as much as this one does is worth taking a chance on.

The reputation of Lady Katherine Lindsey precedes her into every ball and every party. Kate knows they call her a shrew and perhaps they are correct. Her life has gone badly enough to make her strong willed and even a bit stubborn. Not one to mince words either; she really couldn't care less what other people think. Perhaps that is why when Mr. O'Rourke asked her to dance she ignored her promised partner and allowed him to lead her in a waltz.

Oh, what a mistake she had made. Desire of the most unseemly kind flowed through her at the touch of his fingers and it was as if she couldn’t find a kind word to say to him. Why, he seemed to know exactly the things to say to make her respond in her most shrewish manner. Of all the men to bring out the worst in her, it would have to be the only man she had ever felt attracted to. Whatever would she do?

After the ball, Ms. Tarr leads Rourke and Kate on a most enjoyable adventure that takes them through the worst and best of each other's personalities. Taking hints from Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, Untamed is a constant battle of wits and words which is most enjoyable for the reader.

Though I was slightly disappointed with her previous book, Enslaved, Ms. Tarr has more than made up for it with Untamed. It was a delightful read from beginning to end and I highly recommend you give it a try. 
 
Reviewed By Sabine Maurier
© January 2008