Customer Reviews

The Bride Hunt

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's taken quite a good historical to really grab my attention lately, and I eagerly anticipated the reading of "The Bride Hunt" because the story sounded so interesting. Classic damsel in distress meets tortured and honorable knight in shining armor...aaahhh, pure historical romantic bliss, if you ask me. I was so pleased to pick up a book that brought me back to my first love of reading - the true classic historical novel.

Anvrai d'Arques is a knight in service to King William in the year 1072. A loyal knight and servant to his country, he plods on in his duties despite not receiving rewards to justify all his many deeds. Still without land to call his own, he feels unjustified in seeking the hand of any maiden. Not only that, but he knows that is scarred visage will win him no favors in that arena either. At the tender age of eight, he earned horrible scars on his face as well as the loss of an eye, resulting in the revulsion of every woman he's ever encountered. Never expecting any woman not being paid to show him any notice, he struggles to accept the fact that he might never marry and have a family. Certainly he knows never to expect the attentions of the beautiful and noble Lady Isabel Louvet. Recently returned to her family, along with her younger sister Kathryn, from an abby, she is to be bethrothed that very night to a worthy man of her choosing. Unbenownst to her family or the meager defenses around them, Scotsmen lie in wait to attack. when the unspeakable occurs, and Isabel and Kathryn are abducted, Anvrai persues her in hopes of prividing rescue. When he too is captured, both enbark on a journey frought with danger, survival of the fittest and ultimately love.

Anvrai and Isabel were the perfect pair. Her gentle upbringing was the perfect match for his tragic and rough past. Anvrai's reasoning's for keeping his distance from her were reasonable and heartbreaking at the same time. Isabel was a strong woman in a time of typically subserviant women, but not so overpowering as to emasculate Anvrai. She simply took what their misadventures handed them with courage and fortitude, clearly marking her as the perfect mate to Anvrai's hardened attitude from his war experiences.

The details that author Maguire provides of Medieval England and Scotland were fascinating and clearly well thought out. There's enough romance as well as adventure packed into this read to insure enjoyment for all fans of the historical genre. Bravo and two exuberant thumbs up for this wonderfully classic Medieval tale. Without giving too much away, I hope, I simply cannot wait to find out what happens the Isabel's sister, Kathryn. Let's all cross our fingers that she gets her own story soon!

THE BRIDE HUNT was my first book by Margo Maguire. And I was not disappointed.

Lady Isobel has returned to her father's home to choose a husband. Although she wishes for a life in the convent where she grew up, her father wants heirs to pass on his legacy through his two daughters. She has decided to wed a gentle man who will be compassionate of her tender sensibilities. She believes she has found that man in Sir Roger.

Sir Anvari is a landless knight, yet to be rewarded by King William I for his loyalty. Anvari also carries gross disfigurement from an incident which occurred as a child.

When Isobel is stolen by Scots from her father's home, Anvari goes after her, only to be eventually captured himself. Through Isobel's bravery, they, along with Sir Roger who was also captured, to escape. As they make their way back to England, Isobel begins to see the beauty inside Sir Anvari.

THE BRIDE HUNT is fast paced and a very enjoyable read. I greatly enjoyed reading Anvrai and Isobel fall in love. It was emotional and moving. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to a (hopefully) follow up on the other sister, who was also kidnapped.

Ms. Maguire's "The Bride Hunt" is an enjoyable historical read with a less then perfect hero who falls in love the Lady who will see his value his heart.

Sir Anvrai d'Arques is scared of countenance but bold and brave. When Scottish brigands storm the holding of Lady Isabel's father and capture Lady Isabel and her beau Roger he gives chase in hopes of freeing them but is instead injured and captured...for a short time that is. It's not long before Anvrai manages to escape with Roger and Isabel and with a country on the brink of war they manage to survive. But, Anvrai is not expecting the attraction that burns bright between him and Isabel. He is a war harden man with little dreams of such folly. But, how can such emotion be ignored? Can he have his Isabel?

Isabel is stolen by the Scottish and has no idea she has been followed by the hard knight Anvrai d'Arques. When she realizes he has come to save her she is surprised by the pull of attraction between them. Anvrai may be scared but he is fierce and speaks to a part of her she didn't know existed. Will she be able to keep her knight or will war and circumstances get in the way of a happy ending for them both.

This was very enjoyable read. It was pleasant to read a hero that is not perfect in every particular way. As a result this added depth to the romance between Anvrai and Isabel. This is the first time I've ever read Ms. Maguire but it won't be the last. This story will enthrall the reader from the start...holding him/her captive until the final page. Well done Ms. Maguire.

In 1072 Northumberland, Sir Anvrai d'Arques worries that Castle Kettwyck is not completed and the knights seem out of shape for fighting. Still the gala goes on as everyone celebrates the return of the sisters Lady Isabel and Kathryn. Isabel will choose one of her suitors as her spouse. His fears prove correct when barbaric Scotsmen invade the keep and escape with Isabel as their ransom hostage.

Anvrai pursues them until he catches up and frees Isabel. As they race back to Castle Kettwyck, the Scots trail them with plans to kill her champion before he can inform his liege that an invasion seems imminent. On their perilous journey home, she falls in love with him, but he insists she could never cherish a warrior like him; at all she feels is gratitude. Isabel knows this is for real and plans to persuade her reluctant hero.

THE BRIDE HUNT is an action-packed Conqueror era historical romance that starts at a blistering pace and never slows down as the lead couple lands in one adventure after another trying to stay alive. The story line is filled with escapes and capers as the Scots never give up nor does Anvrai or especially Isabel (on two fronts). Margo Maguire writes an exhilarating medieval romance that stars two likable heroes in trouble from start to finish.

Harriet Klausner

This was my first book by this author and it WILL NOT be the last. It was fantastic. I was very very pleased. I don't usually read medievals but this one was great....nice storyline and plot..developed characters..never a dull moment for me. It was different than many other historicals I have read but in a good way. Margo Maguire writes very well and I am now reading her current book The Perfect Seduction which is also excellent so far. Try her you'll like her. I would rather give it 4 and 1/2 stars but Amazon won't allow it so it's 4 stars.

This book is consistently engaging and entertaining, except for the hero's determination to keep the heroine at arm's length due to his feelings of unworthiness, and his fear of losing her if he admits he loves her (as he lost his mother & sister in the past). This is a little overdone. The heroine is a good strong one - a thinker, nicely determined to get under the hero's skin, and not afraid to tell him she loves him (and to be the one to initiate action on their attraction. Original!)

The conflict between the characters is believeable, there are no stupid misunderstandings. The hurly-burly, dangerous atmosphere of William the Conqueror's England is brought to life. I was little annoyed, however, toward the story's end, by the author's inserting several hints of a sequel about Isabel's sister. Still, this story was well-written enough to make me want to read such a sequel, or indeed, more books by this author. Not a perfect romance novel for me, but a solid, enjoyable read.

I highly recommend this story. The two lead characters are great, Sir Anvrai is a wonderful hero, and Lady Isabel is very interesting and not the usual helpless female. I'd like to read more of them and was sorry when the book ended! I will definitely get the next book about what happened to Isabel's sister.
The Bride Hunt (the title is a bit strange for the story) is fast reading (I read it in a couple hours-very rare for me!) and full of adventure, romance, and is highly entertaining! I'll be reading more of Ms. Maguires' stories! Great book!

(As it turns out, this was the best of Ms Maguires books that I read, I read 4 more and none of them could hold hold a candle to this book)

I was a little intimidated by the hero's appearance at the beginning of this story, but the author does a nice job of making him worthy of winning the heroine's heart. The other characters are a little flat, but I found myself turning pages just to find out what happened next with this interesting couple.

Starring a superb bold hero, The Bride Hunt is an exciting medieval tale. Margo Maguire has created an adventure which shows her characters in their best light.

Lady Isabel's father is hosting a party at his castle to celebrate his daughters' return from the convent and also it is a gathering of eligible nobles for his daughters' choosing. Unlike many medieval parents, Isabel's father is allowing her to pick her mate. Isabel believes she has chosen the right man for her, Sir Roger, a handsome charming knight.

That evening both Isabel and her sister are kidnapped and taken to differing locations in Scotland. Sir Roger is also snatched and he finds himself with Isabel in the company of dangerous ruffians. Coming to the rescue of Isabel and Roger is Sir Anvari.

Anvari is the hero of this story and he is heroic in every way. He is a scarred man missing an eye and he believes no woman would ever want him with his disfigured visage. He is landless but still acquainted with the king. He also falls into the hands of the Scotts and is beaten but not helpless.

Ms. Maguire sets up this trio's escape beautifully and through the struggles of Roger, Anvari and Isabel the reader glimpses their true characters. Isabel looks beyond Anvari's scars to the gentle honorable man that he has become. He is not bitter and he is not unkind. Roger is lackluster and quite honestly a whiner, he pales significantly in light of Anvari's bravery.

Isabel is not a typical woman if her time. She expects equality in marriage and she matures quite a lot in this novel. Her attitude toward Anvari and Sir Roger goes through quite a transformation.

This novel is a quick read because Ms. Maguire never slows the action. There is a fine tension throughout this novel and the couple's romance unfolds in a very believable manner. The Bride Hunt feels like a medieval novel too because Ms. Maguire has woven a sense of time and place throughout the story.

I kind of liked this story in the beginning. I didn't think it was 5 star material, but I didn't think it was too bad. But, then came one particular scene that completely offended me and pretty much ruined the book in my opinion.

One of the main characters was injured. It wasn't a scratch, bump or bruise we're talking about here. It was a Life-threatening injury. The one that was injured wasn't healed or anywhere near being healed, but they were thinking they needed sex and so they did it. I find that offensive for a couple of reasons.

1- There's nothing you can say that would make me believe they would even be thinking about sex so soon after being hurt like that. It couldn't have been more than a day or two after the injury had occurred.

2- The injury caused a lot of pain and the explanation given to readers as a justification for them having sex at that moment was that the pain all of a sudden lessened to a dull ache for no real good reason. The person that had attended to the wound, apparently was a miracle worker or maybe just used a powerful drug, because the wound didn't cause any discomfort during the sex act.

There's not that many sex scenes in this book, but I see no reason for the author to have put one at that moment in the story. The rest of the book after that annoyed me, probably because my view had been clouded by that one offensive scene.

I really don't like it when authors don't care enough about their own characters to put some kind of common sense into them. The desire for sex doesn't override other more important things like health issues. I don't find that romantic nor do I find it sexy, it's just plain offensive.