The Beauty: The Bride Quest #4

This book is one of my favorites so far. Delacroix recounts the classic story "Beauty & the Beast", setting it in Scotland. Both characters went through ordeals in their young lives but fate brought them together. The story is about Jacqueline DeCrevy who has given up the possibility of marriage, for she knows men only want to possess her for her beauty. Jacqueline decides to become a bride of god, but on the way to the covenent, she is snatched from her saddle by a handsome knight. This Crusader is Angus MacGillivray, a scarred tall, dark and handsome man with a vengeful passion. Jacqueline is to be his ransom. Angus believes her father is responsible for the murder of his family and the seizure of his home. Jacqueline is a defiant captive, and soon realizes that beneath Angus' hard exterior is a yearning for love and a life in peace. Can she break through the armor that shelters his heart? Beautiful not only on the outside, but on the inside, Jacqueline embodies conviction, class and spunk--worthwhile qualities of a heroine in any age. Angus' character, although at first selfish and focused on revenge, reveals enough heart on the inside to heal the scars on the outside. Perhaps if he can love Jacqueline for what inside her, she will see past the hardened man that Angus portrays and they will enjoy the most beautiful thing of all--love. I recommend this book to any female reader who loves Scottish knights.

THE BEAUTY is Jacqueline's story, but unlike many historical romances that are told from only the point of view of one of thefeatured couple, this story showcases a very special couple: each with a unique voice. The BEAUTY is a sort of medieval Beauty and the Beast tale, but it is so much more.This second installment in the Scottish trilogy of the Bride Quest series by Claire Delacroix is sure to delight readers with its unique blend of both humor and deep emotions. Jacqueline, Eglantine's first born daughter had barely escaped a betrothal that had ended in disaster when she was almost raped . She of all the daughters of Eglantine is the quiet soul with an inner beauty that out distances her outer beauty; at least that is how she believes others see her. But despite her many gifts she possess she is terribly frightened of men and is seeking a life as a Bride of Christ.Angus MaGillivary is a battle weary Crusader who in the darkest days at Outremer held onto the dream of home. Yet, upon his arrival at Ardfinnan in the Scottish Highlands all was for naught when he learns his home has been taken and his family are all dead. In an act of vengeance he and his often times funny side kick, Rodney decide to capture Mhairi, daughter of the man who he believes has destroyed his family. Blinded by the vengeance(no pun intended as our hero is blind in one eye) he captures the wrong maid with the resulting effect his heart and life will never be the same.Although freightened of Angus, she learns despite his barbarian methods he is not a man to fear and begins to let down the barriers she has erected to keep men at bay. As they travel they experience a number of events that help develop a tenuous friendship, especially when she meets the mysterious Edanna who helps her to see Angus and what he could become when past wrongs are corrected. With the knowledge he will let her go back to her family when all is said and done, she begins to fall in love with this tortured hero, and in the process becomes more whole herself. But will they come far enough to have a life together?As in the case of her other books Ms Delacroix effectively uses secondary characters (Rodney for humor, Edanna for mystery and Father Michael for gentle spirituality) to move the couple toward their satisfying end, even if they don't have a clue they deserve to be together. She even has a few surprisesthat caught me off guard but none were red herrings and will delight the readers. THE BEAUTY is a wonderful adaptation of the fairytale Beauty and the Beast sure to provide readers with many satisfying sighs of satisfaction. As in the case of the other two books in this trilogy, Ms Delacroix's greatest strength is creating brilliantly formidable heroes who in the company of their soul mates are gentle and loving, if a bit slow to realize they deserve the gifts bestowed on them. Although it could have been set anywhere outside of Scotland, it should be read for the plot and characters who seem to

I have read all the books in the Bride Quest and this author once again has used my favourite time period and made magic with it. Her characters really come to life and she really follows her plot line well. Her books always hold me in rapt attention and I love to read them over and over again.

One of my guilty pleasures is reading the mind candy of medieval romances. Of the romantic genre it is often difficult to find medieval books. When I find one I buy it and read it. Never mind that it is the fifth book of a series as is The Beauty by Claire Delacroix. Angus Mac Gillivray mistakenly abducts Jacqueline de Crevy who is en route to the convent to become a novice. This has many of the elements that I look for when I read a novel of this genre: there is the necessary tension between the hero and heroine, the heroine is not completely ineffectual and lacking in intellect, the love scenes are sufficiently heated, but do not over do it and the side characters add a certain dimension and entertainment. While I appreciate a book which goes into a little more historic background and detail and which one is called to suspend belief for given periods - it is a romance and candy after all, so sometimes I just sit back and enjoy.For those who appreciate this genre as I do I would recommend this book. I intend to read others of this series

In 1183 Ceinn-beithe, Jacqueline decides to take the vows of a nun, disappointing her mother who does not feel the calling is right for her beautiful daughter. Along the so-called safe road, four men, none soldiers, accompany Jacqueline. However, neither her nor her parents reckoned with Angus wanting vengeance on her father for betraying his family. Angus abducts Jacqueline as a pawn in the long-term clan feud.As Jacqueline becomes acquainted with her kidnapper, she realizes that his obsession comes from the real murder of his kin. However, she believes her stepfather is innocent of any wrongdoing, but will do whatever she can to help Angus regain his birthright as she now loves him.THE BEAUTY is a typical medieval romance except for the depth Claire Delacroix imbues in her lead characters. The duel of words between Jacqueline and Angus seems real and is THE BEAUTY of the tale. The secondary cast and the feel for the twelfth century augments the tension between the prime duo. In her fifth "BrideQuest" novel (see PRINCESS, DAMSEL, HEIRESS, AND COUNTESS), Clair Delacroix keeps her story fresh as if this was the opening gambit in the series.Harriet Klausner