The Bride Finder

Anatole St. Leger has lived a life of solitude on his haunted, gothic cliff-side estate of Castle Leger, which he likes just fine. But it is time for him to take a bride and in St. Leger tradition a Bride Finder is brought in to find the male St. Leger's perfect mate. Anatole calls in Bride Finder, Fitzleger, to make his wishes for a bride clear. Since Anatole has received visions that warn him to beware the woman of flame, he wants to make sure that the woman Fitleger finds for him is not related to the vision. So, his one demand above all is that his bride does not have red hair. All of his other wishes - a woman with sturdy limbs, ample bosom, good horsemanship, a plain face, practical mind and courage - are requested because Anatole show more is a foreboding man who lives in a formidable castle, and he wants a bride that will not be scared of him or his home.

He sends Fitzleger off to find his bride and waits for her to arrive. When she does, Anatole is outraged by what he sees. Madeline Brent is not the woman he asked for. She is a delicate woman, with a fey-like face, slight build, but above all she has flame red hair. Anatole can not believe that Fitzleger, the man that he trusted to find his perfect bride went against all of his wishes. And Anatole is not alone in his outrage. Madeline is dismayed to find that her husband by proxy is nothing like the man that Fitzleger led her to believe awaited her. Instead of the kind faced scholar that a miniature depicted him as, Anatole is rustic, imposing and brooding. She feels immediately deceived by Fitzleger, as does Anatole. But the Bride Finder is sure that his instincts did not steer him wrong and that Madeline is the perfect bride for Anatole. Both Anatole and Madeline are resigned to this marriage that they do not want and go into it with heavy hearts, neither expecting to find their perfect match or ready for the mischief and mystery coming their way.

The Bride Finder is set upon a dreary backdrop, a lone castle sitting on the bleak edge of cliffs and moors, inhabited by a harsh master, his crew of strange help, and a mischievous ghost that refuses to rest in peace. When Madeline is placed into this group of what she sees as misfits, she has to somehow find her place in a house where she feels she is not wanted. She does her best to be the wife that she thinks she should be and Castle Leger needs. At the same time, Anatole is trying to act as the perfect husband for Madeline and having a hard time at it. He is stretching himself thin trying to be someone he is not in hopes that he will be able to prolong telling Madeline the truth about himself and his past. He is afraid that Madeline will turn away from him if she knows who he really is. Anatole's worries are not unfounded, he has seen what can happen to a woman who is not prepared for what life with a St. Leger means. His own mother was frightened of him and he does not want Madeline to treat him the way his mother did.

One of my favorite things about this book is the prose, which ranges from haunting to beautiful to comical. The story was able to stir many different emotions in me from one page to another. The dialogue is also great. With every exchange between the characters I felt like I was privy to a personal conversation between them. It was easy to forget that I was reading a book and not watching something real life unfold before my eyes. The descriptive voice that Ms. Carroll has does the story great justice, bringing the characters, setting, dress, and actions to life. These three things: prose, dialogue, and description, made reading The Bride Finder a real treat. show less

In parts quite a fun paranormal read. Historical romance with a beauty and the beast flavour. The wife, Madeline Breton goes to Cornwall to meet with her new husband (they were married by proxy); Anatole St. Leger. A man who has been hiding out from his abilities and from the world. There are mysterious forces at work who want him dead and misunderstandings that keep them apart.

The paranormal in this story falls into the Psionic end of the scale and it's quite well dealt with, not only the power but also the problems. There were times however where it faltered and it didn't quite gel properly. Still quite an enjoyable read and I look forward to the others in the series.

In a bid to rescue her family from debtor’s prison, the heroine accepts the offer of marriage from the total stranger who’s exiled himself in the country. A bit torn with the indecision whether she made the right choice or not, she meets her new husband in less than stellar circumstances. First off his butler refuses her and her companion entrance to the house, than the hero stomps up to her companion, thinking she’s the new bride, and smacks a kiss on her. The hero, who’s embarrassed over his mistake sinks deeper into his shell and turns grumpier in his demeanor. He often compensated for his insecurities by lashing out at those around him. He’d always longed for his mother’s love but his powers made her hate him and as show more such, he’s always loathed his abilities. The heroine had secretly longed for the opportunity to find love or even companionship with her new husband and she’d already developed a tiny crush on him after receiving a portrait. But her hopes are dashed when the man turns out to be nothing like her dream man. Despite her initial dashed hopes, the heroine is stubborn and refuses to be cowed or bullied by the big man. Slowly she begins to break down his walls and comes to know the vulnerable sweet man inside the gruff exterior. I really loved this story as it had everything I look for in a romance. A gruff misunderstood hero and an innocent, kind yet brave heroine. There was many times when the heroine mistook the hero’s words or actions for attacks and in turn she hurt his feelings by her reaction. It took time for them to come to understand each other but their love had developed into a great tale by the end. show less

The Bride Finder by Susan Carroll is probably going to stand out in my mind for a while because it is the perfect example for not believing in the hype of random reviews. I started reading the book thinking I would get one thing, but the story was quite another. It came close to what some would call "a wall-banger."

Despite getting visions of impending doom in the form of a red-haired woman, Anatole St. Leger summons the Bride Finder--who also happens to be the local reverend and a relative--to find him a wife. Armed with St. Leger's list of wifely qualities that sound more like traits to look for when buying a horse, the reverend heads off to town and finds Madeline Breton who is in dire need of a rich husband. Her parents go through show more money like water and it would be a social disaster if they could not keep up appearances. Along with the reverend's creative embellishments on St. Leger's personality and an out-of-date portrait, Madeline agrees to the marriage. Of course, once she arrives in Cornwall, she discovers that this is all a sham. (more) show less

The bride finder is a story of a priest who has a special talent of finding brides for the Leger family males, most of whom have a special talent such as reading the future or moving objects. Villagers talk of the curse put on the family and it is shrouded in legend and mystery. There is talk of a woman of flaming hair that the Leger heir should beware of, and it is not until the last chapters that this command becomes clear.

There is tension and misunderstanding between the newest selected bride, Madeline, and Lord Anatole who lives in castle Leger who is learning to be her husband. This book is more about overcoming the castle ghost, and dealing with superstition than being a bodice ripper.

In the end you feel you have been told a good show more story around the campfire with just enough lovemaking to keep it interesting. It is a story about the details with some lovemaking thrown in, not the other way round.

This story was excellent historical romantic fiction. I wish I knew this story existed sooner. It should be at the very top of all TBR piles. show less

Anatole St. Leger who has special powers is a descendant of some interesting family members. Anatole carries some emotional scars from his childhood along with the visible scar on his forehead. He knows he needs to marry and contacts the Bride Finder, who selects all the St. Leger’s brides. If the bride is not chosen by the Bride Finder he will be cursed as his father was who did not follow tradition. He is very stern with the requirements of his bride and makes a list. Unknown to Anatole the resident ghost Prospero switches the list.

The bride, Madeline, and her cousin arrive from London and are soon greeted at the front door by Anatole, who immediately grabs the cousin and kisses her passionately. In shock the cousin flees and leaves show more Madeline alone to face her husband who in no way resembles the photo in the locket she carries around her neck given to her by the Bride Finder. Madline is left to wonder did she do the right thing should she flee as her cousin or stay and try to fall in love. Her visions of prince charming sweeping her off her feet are fading fast.

Madeline struggles to reach deep within Anatole to discover his dark past, while Anatole struggles to keep the past a secret.

The story has it all twist, mystery, suspense, interesting characters, magic and a beautiful romance. I love it when I find new authors to read, I cannot wait to read the remaining 2 in the series. show less

Very surprising book, historical romance with mystery, witchcraft (the darker arts) A troubled hero A no nonsense bride. Fine story telling.