It was only a photograph, a captivating image, yet one the handsome and burly Patrick O'Rourke could not get out of his mind or his heart. He was going to win this beautiful woman in marriage - no matter the cost! It was not usual for Rourke, the wealthy Scottish baron of the railway business, to be so reflective and so committed. He was a man of action and a fighter, especially after a fortunate twist of fate allowed him a fortuitous escape from the gallows and going slow was not his style.

With the support of Hadrian, Gavin and Daisy, his best friends from childhood, he had fought and clawed his way up from a life of destitution to the top of the success ladder. The four of them, the founding and only members of the "Roxbury House Orphan Club" had a lifelong bond and were closer than family, especially as Rourke's only memories of family were of a mean and abusive alcoholic father. Fortunately, the photograph was in the shop of his friend, Hadrian St. Claire, and it was easy enough to put the pressure on Hadrian to allow him to meet the woman of his dreams, the lovely Lady Katherine Lindsey.

Rourke, this gallant man who wanted to play the knight and rescue her from some boring nobles while stepping on her toes, bemused Kate and he caught her fancy. But, before she could ever think about romance, she had to rescue her father again. Ever since he had gambled away her beloved pony, "Princess", she had to be the capable and dependable one to keep the family going, squeeze the farthings, and hold unto enough semblance of respectability to get her baby sister, Bea, married off in good form.

Sometimes photographs don't always capture the essence of the person, yet Hadrian had and when Rourke met his Kate, the attraction was real, very real. But how to win her heart? Was Ralph, his friend and manservant's advice really sound when he recommended Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" as a potential marriage manual?

Hope Tarr has done an outstanding job in letting us see into the heart of the feisty, yet vulnerable alpha male! Patrick O'Rourke is a real heart winner as a strong hero who follows his own rules while Kate, for her part, gives him the battle royale he deserves. This captivating and suspenseful romance is a real page turner as these two fighters would rather draw blood than let their pride, the protective shield they both use as armour against the world, give way to love.

This is a fun read that is wonderful on its own, but now that I have read it, I also want to read the other stories in this trilogy: "Enslaved" and "Vanquished". As an author, Hope Tarr has a wonderful sense of knowing just how to pull her readers into the historical past, yet with a delightfully sly way of making her characters sassy enough to seem contemporary. Now, for my part, I still want to know how Ralph makes his move on his heart's desire. I do hope there is another one coming after this!