"Wonderful sequel, with well developed characters."

TAME MY HEART is a wonderful sequel to Ms. Fox's THE RELUCTANT DUKE. This story continues with Briella, the young independent sister of Antonio, as the half-Spanish young lady tries to find love in English Society.

Lady Briella Thorndyke has agreed to stay in England instead of returning with her brother Antonio and his new bride Caroline. Realizing that her dream of going to the Spanish Riding School was not going to happen, Briella decides that she might as well look at a few gentlemen just in case she did want to get married. Out on ride with her Grandmamma, she hears someone beating a horse. She rescues the horse and hires an Irish former jockey at the same time.

Lord Terence Kilburn, the Earl of Landoon, had many interests - horse breeding, racing, women, and the welfare of Ireland. He had arrived in London to convince the British Parliament that the Irish are starving due to the great potato famine.

Briella, disguised as a jockey, rides her new stallion in St. James Park. When Terry and his friends give chase they are unable to catch the stallion. Terry offers to buy the stallion, but is told the horse is owned by Lady Briella and is not for sale. Later at a ball, Terry is convinced that the jockey riding the stallion was really Lady Briella. He is instantly attracted to her Spanish beauty as well as her streak of wildness.

Every time the two meet, their tempers flare. He wants her for his own. She refuses to share any man with a mistress. Even with thinking about Terry all the time, she reluctantly agrees to a one-year engagement with Hal.

Briella is injured when she races her horse against Terry's. Terry takes her home to care for her and try to keep her reputation intact and avoid scandal. He can't avoid her and shows her the first touches of passion without taking her virginity. But when she tells him she is engaged to Hal, he feels he has been tricked, and his chances are gone.

TAME MY HEART has well developed characters. Ms Fox obviously did a lot of research into this period. The story really comes alive. It was interesting reading about the struggles of Irish during the famine. A great second novel, I would highly recommend this for anyone who likes history.

Sensuality Guide: Explicit sex, oral sex.

Reviewed by Patricia McGrew
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted May 30, 2003

Also available in e-book format.

Summary

Sequel to THE RELUCTANT DUKE.