Lawson’s review of Vanquished by Hope Tarr
Historical romance released by Medallion Press 1 Jul 06
If you’re looking for a different sort of story, setting and characters, this book is for you. Set in late Victorian London, the story follows a leader of the suffragist movement, Caledonia Rivers. She’s a spinster whose whole life is the movement for women’s rights in England. She meets Hadrian St. Claire, a photographer, who has been asked to take her picture for a series of photographs to go along with the passage of a woman’s suffrage bill in Parliament. What, oh what, could happen? Probably anything and everything.
Hadrian has been blackmailed to take incriminating pictures of Callie by a high ranking Member of Parliament who wants to see her not only ruined, but vanquished. Hadrian has some gambling debts he needs to repay and has to accept the deal even though he doesn’t know Callie. However, Hadrian’s objectivity toward Callie falters when he sees she’s vulnerable as well as a well spoken leader of the suffragist movement.
Both Hadrian and Callie are very likable characters. Callie is a tall, voluptous woman, who was degraded when she was younger by her fiance. She has given up the rest of her life for the women’s vote because she doesn’t have the idea that she can be worthwhile to a man. Hadrian shows her through his attention and camera lens that she’s a beautiful woman and he also gives her the means to come out of her shell.
Hadrian is a different story. He’s had a harder upbringing, finally when he was 15 making it to an orphanage by the good graces of the prime minister William Gladstone. Before that Hadrian had been Harry Stone, son of a prostitute with a shady past. With Callie Hadrian sees that just surviving isn’t enough, that she is someone worth spending his life with.
Of course the whole sordid story of the payment for the photography comes out in the end, but what Hadrian does for the woman he loves helps to bring the MP to justice in a satisfying ending to the story. The fact that someone would go to such lengths is true, but done in an over the top sort of way. Also, the ties between the pasts of Hadrian and Callie seem sort of a stretch, but again, could have happened. The lives of the characters haven’t been easy and the societal hardships aren’t glossed over, whether Hadrian’s past or the treatment of the poor women of London.
The style and characters are well done as well as the setting, even if some of the plot devices are a little overdone. The next two books in the series follow fellow orphans of Hadrian’s, Gavin and Patrick, who are briefly introduced and help with some of Hadrian’s views that there’s more to life than just survival.
Grade: B
Blurb:
Known as The Maid of Mayfair for her unassailable virtue, unwavering resolve, and quiet dignity, suffragette leader, Caledonia —Callie — Rivers is the perfect counter for detractors’ portrayal of the women as rabble rousers, lunatics, even whores. But a high-ranking enemy within the government will stop at nothing to ensure that the Parliamentary bill to grant the vote to females dies in the Commons — including ruining the reputation of the Movement’s chief spokeswoman.
After a streak of disastrous luck at the gaming tables threatens to land him at the bottom of the Thames, photographer Hadrian St. Claire reluctantly agrees to seduce the beautiful suffragist leader and then use his camera to capture her fall from grace. Posing as the photographer commissioned to make her portrait for the upcoming march on Parliament, Hadrian infiltrates Callie’s inner circle. But lovely, soft-spoken Callie hardly fits his mental image of a dowdy, man-hating spinster. And as the passion between them flares from spark to full-on flame, Hadrian is the one in danger of being vanquished.
Read an excerpt (scroll down).
CONTEST! Comment here by noon CST [central standard time] according to the blog timestamp with what you like more: Hope Tarr’s historicals or her Harlequin Blaze’s. The prize is one of three copies of this book, all SIGNED by Hope Tarr!
Well, I like both, but if I had to choose, I’d say her historicals. So, of course, I’m *really* looking forward to her Harlequin Blaze historical in July!
I have never read anything by Ms Tarr, but this book seems very intriguing.
I like her historicals, but I am looking forward to read her Blaze release.
Not read anything by Hope before, which would you recommend – historical or her Blazes?
I’ve only read her historicals, so I would have to go with her historicals. But she does have a historical Blaze coming out, so that could be interesting.
I’ve been looking forward to this one!! Hmm..a historical Blaze huh??!! God my husband’s going to kill me….I won’t be suprised if he calls Embarq and tells them to shut off the internet service!
Haven’t tried a Blaze by this author, but have enjoyed one of her historicals.
Hmmm…must learn to check time converter before replying on these contests. :/
I know it is after twelve.. but I enjoy her Blazes.. never read any of her historicals.
I haven’t read Hope’s books either. But I’m looking forward to trying her books.
Oh, now this one sounds excellent. Like I need another book on my TBR pile!
Yanno, there really should be a place called Reader’s Island. A sunny island where you can preship a container of books, and where, upon their arrival, they are immediately put in alphbetical order by author and set aside to await your pleasure. When you arrive on the island, you are met by two men, one a world class chef, the other a servant poet (or maybe masseuse?). For two weeks, while you bask in balmy breezes and eat great food (and drink fabulous wine!), they cater to your every need while you read, and read, and read . . .
Oh Edna! I want to go with you to that island! I honestly think you could make MILLIONS starting a resort just like that! Ot a program at a resort just like that!
Hm-m, Gwen, maybe we should talk to a creative travel agency, or cruise ship line. I can see it now, A READING RETREAT VACATION–for the book lover in you! …sigh…
Think about it a holiday where no one expects you to golf, socialize–unless you want to–get on a freakin’ exercise bike, or forage for meals. Word heaven!
STOP! You’re making me daydream too much!
Manicures with technicians who don’t expect you to chat – you can just read.
Reading at the dinner table – IN FRONT OF PEOPLE – and they don’t look at you like “WHAT are you DOING?!”
oh my word – heaven!
And a gathering–should we choose!–after a fine meal where the talk is books, recs and DNFs including the good the bad and the unread; this just before going to bed and reading until the small hours. Ah, the simplicity of it.
And definitely reading at the dinner table! Most likely Hope Tarr’s VANQUISHED . . .
I think I’m too late but I’ve been thinking of trying a Tarr book, so just in case you want to get a new reader….
I am a Harlequin Blaze Fan.
I got introduced to Hope when
I read,”It’s a wonderfully Sexy Life”.
Her stories are so real. I knew the area very well in the book. And My Uncle worked for the Baltimore Police.
So it was like she was talking to me…..
Looking forward to her Blaze book in July.
I need to award these don’t I… sorry! I have been sick. And good to get anything done.
I have never read Hope Tarr so thiswould be a new experience for me.