Tempting by Hope Tarr

Temptingby Anonymous

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September 20, 2002: Haunted for decades because he failed to prevent the tragic rape of his younger sister, Rebecca, Simon Belleville has spent his career trying to atone for that by serving on Her Majesty's Morality and Vice Commission. Therefore, it would seem totally out of character for him to send a prostitute to charm school and bring her into his home; yet, that is exactly what he does when he finds Christine Tremayne hidden in a whorehouse attic.

As the months pass and Christine and Simon come to know one another, they are drawn together despite themselves, with a nudge here and there from Christine's teacher, Margot. Christine may have been an urchin, but she is very beautiful and has the soul of a lady, even if her manners and speech need refinement. Yet, giving in to his desire for her would risk losing his chances at a higher position politically, a thought that Simon can not stand. Even more though, he can not abide the thought of Christine in the arms of another, and when he does admit his love, he gets a surprise.

***** Everyone who has loved Cinderella, Pretty Woman, or My Fair Lady will be charmed by this endearing story. Though some of the scenes are too racy to call this a fairy talel, it still has a charming innocence, not unlike that captured by the heroine herself. Simon is a more romantic version of Henry Higgins, a combination of Rex Harrison's crusty, chauvanist and power driven, charming Richard Gere in their respective roles. Even if one does not usually read historicals, you will be missing out if you bypass this one. *****

strong early Victorian romanceby harstan

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August 08, 2002: Simon Bellville knows poverty first hand having grown up in the worst possible place. Though almost two decades have passed, Simon remains haunted by his failure to protect his sister from the rape that destroyed her mental state and eradicated her smile. By 1867, Simon had become legendary in London for making a fortune, but remains obsessed with that crime that changed his life. He now runs Her Majesty?s Morality and Vice Commission as his means of attaining atonement for his one defeat of failing to keep his sibling safe.

Simon invades a brothel only to find the seemingly innocent Christine Tremain incarcerated in the attic. Instead of sending her to Newgate as he knows he should, Simon enrolls her in school. Soon Simon finds he must choose between his growing attraction and apparent love for Christine and his efforts to join Parliament. She is just the type of scandal that could end his political career before it begins.

Though in many ways TEMPTING is a typical early Victorian romance, what makes this novel stand out among the ton of historicals is the underlying morality theme. The story line cleverly provides an ethics message that ?to thine own self be true? as the values the characters contain make the key cast members seem genuine. The era with the changing of Parliament and the prime cast feel real so that the audience will have quite a good time with this tale and hope that Ms. Tarr rapidly provides another strong story such as this one.

Harriet Klausner