The Bride Hunt

This was my first book by Margo Maguire and it definitely won't be my last. I think having a hero that's not so perfect makes for an interesting read because you get to see the main characters get beyond what's just on the surface. Anvrai may not be the most handsome after suffering an eye injury as a child, but he's definitely strong, seems to be able to adapt to any situation and knows what it takes to survive. He's a "take me as I am" kind of person (which is why for years he never wore an eye patch) and was willing to speak up for what he wanted or didn't want, which is one of the reasons he believed he hadn't been rewarded like other followers of William the Conqueror. Anvrai is also a bit of a loner, having lost all his family and his home in a raid. As the story grows, you begin to understand why he's a bit standoffish, doesn't want to form attachments, and feels like he's unworthy of having his own family, especially having someone like Lady Isabel. Isabel isn't the typical simpering miss either. Like most women, she thought she knew what she wanted/didn't want in a man. Once she got her father to agree that she could make her own selection, she though Robert was perfect. He wasn't harsh or rough, overly tall or overbearing....just gentle enough for her. Realistically, she forgot she was living in a hostile world and you needed someone who could provide and protect your home, which Robert definitely could not. But before she could make a selection and tell her father who she would marry, their family home was raided by the Scots and she and Robert were taken. Anvrai was there helping with training of knights, setting up defenses along a hostile border, realized that most of the people had been injured, killed or taken away in the raid, he put together a small force to try to bring Isabel back. Unfortunately, his group was ambushed and he also became a prisoner. It was nice to see that Isabel wasn't completely helpless and made attempts on her own to get herself out of a bad situation instead of just waiting around to be saved by a prince charming. Anvrai realized early on that Isabel was more than a mindless beauty; she was able to provide details about how they got to where they were, had a sense of direction and knew where and how they needed to go to get back to England...she had the foresight to gather food and supplies when they escaped the Scots. I thought Tilly and Belle were a sweet addition to the book, and it allowed Isabel to see that Anvrai was so much more than a skilled knight...he was a protector, a hunter, he could cook and he had some medical skills. Their circumstances allowed her to see past Roberts outer beauty to see he was no more than an empty shell...and so not the man for her. In the end Anvrai, with Isabel's insistence, realized he deserved and was worthy of loving and being loved; and Isabel showing that she was willing to take a stand with her father to have Anvrai, whether or not he was a landed knight. I just wish the author would've ended it better...at least let us see them get married. I look forward to finishing the series because the third book tells us what happened to Isabel's sister (Kathryn) and I hope it revisits Anvrai and Isabel so we can see a little bit of their future.

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)

This book reminded me of Julie Garwood's THE PRIZE. It is charming and captivating, definitely worthwhile.

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.

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!

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