USA Today best-selling author of The Bride Finder, Susan Carroll, continues her saga of the St. Leger family with The Night Drifter.
Sheltered young widow Rosalind Carlyon’s fascination with the tales of King Arthur lures her to Cornwall, searching for legends. She finds adventure and romance beyond her wildest dreams when she encounters the ghost of Sir Lancelot du Lac and falls in love with his lonely, wandering spirit. Or so she believes...
Rosalind knows nothing of the lore surrounding the family living in the castle high atop the sea-lashed cliffs. The St Legers have a legacy of mysterious powers. No power is stranger than that of Lance St. Leger, the eldest son and heir. Lance calls it ‘night drifting’, the dangerous ability to separate his soul from flesh, to soar phantom-like through the night, leaving his body behind.
Tormented by the secrets of his past, Lance has become the black sheep of the St. Leger family, his jaded heart rejecting the idea of love, even when he learns that according to the family legends, Rosalind is destined to be his bride. When Rosalind’s life and reputation are at stake, Lance is forced to woo her. But how is a man to compete with the ghostly rival he created himself? Lance tempts Rosalind with desires that her phantom knight cannot satisfy. But even as Rosalind begins to surrender her heart to the real Lance St. Leger, a murderous enemy returns to threaten their future.
“Carroll’s mystical world will ensnare you with knightly deeds of honor and ladies fair as Lance and Rosalind seek their destiny while risking a deadly fate.” —Book Page
“(A) wonderfully atmospheric and well-crafted paranormal romance.” Library Journal “The Night Drifter is a classic. . .Carroll has topped herself and proved her genius by creating a romantic situation without equal.” —Rendezvous
Born Susan Carol Cute in 1952, Susan Coppula obtained a Degree in English with complementary studies in History in the University of Indiana. Since 1986, Susan has published books under three different pseudonyms: Susan Carroll, Susan Coppula, and Serena Richards
3'5 Estrellitas. Continúo con la trilogía de los St. Leger y el libro ha estado muy a la par que con el primero, me ha gustado, pero ciertas partes se me han hecho algo densas. Aún así el resultado ha sido satisfactorio.
Han pasado casi treinta años respecto al primer libro, y esta vez continúa la historia de los St. Leger con los hijos gemelos de Anatole y Madeline, Lancelot y Valentine. Lance es el protagonista de la historia y siempre ha sido el hermano más alocado y temerario, mientras que Val es más calmado y reflexivo.
Cuando el libro empieza, Lance vuelve de una fiesta en el pueblo que simulaba combates medievales, él va vestido de caballero y bastante bebido y no está prestando atención cuando alguien lo asalta y le roba la espada, la famosa espada de los St. Leger, que es la reliquia familiar. Así que, mientras sus padres y hermanas están de viaje por el continente, Lance hará lo imposible por recuperar la espada.
Rosalind es una joven viuda que llega a Torrecombe buscando a un viejo clérigo que una vez la visitó de niña. Lady Rosalind es una mujer romántica, enamorada de las leyendas artúricas, a las que su padre y marido eran muy aficcionados.
Una noche en la posada donde se aloja, a Rosalind se le aparece un fantasma, vestido de caballero medieval, que dice ser Sir Lancelot, y su amabilidad junto con las fantasías que adora la joven, harán que se enamore de él, y le ayude a recuperar su espada (Excalibur) perdida.
Lance la ha liado bien gorda, no solo ha perdido la espada, si no que una hermosa joven lo ha descubierto cuando estaba en su forma de merodeador nocturno, el poder de nacimiento que posee, como St. Leger, y que consiste en separar su alma de su cuerpo mortal cuando este duerme, mientras que su alma es intocable como la de un fantasma.
El lío más gordo llegará cuando Effie Fitzleger, la actual Buscador de Novias, vea que Rosalind es la novia destinada de Lance. Tarea harto imposible, porque Rosalind parece odiar a Lance, mientras que está enamorada de Sir Lancelot, el fantasma.
Todo este embrollo irá unido a la historia de trasfondo cuando veamos que los protagonistas también están en peligro, pues alguien robó la espada, y cuando esta aparece, falta un trozo de cristal, además, parece que alguien quiere hacer daño a los St. Leger, y esto puede ser un problema, cuando el objetivo sea Rosalind.
Pues sí, algunas partes han sido algo densas, pero otras han tenido ese tono de comedia que hace la historia más llevadera. Lo que no me ha convencido ha sido ese toque trágico que la autora ha querido darle al protaginista, creo que Lance no lo necesitaba, y siempre se hace raro ver que algún protagonista tiene problemas, cuando has conocido a los padres en obras anteriores, y no cabe en ti que ellos hayan podido fallar como padres.
Pese a ello el libro es entretenido, y aunque la protagonista con sus ensoñaciones pueda parecer algo pava, la autora ha sabido que hacer de ella con su candidez e inocencia.
El romance ha estado bien, pero es verdad que Rosalind se encuentra dividida, ama al fantasma de Sir Lancelot, por otro lado, aborrece a Lance, y aunque oye muchos disparates en el pueblo, una serie de circunstancias llegan a convertilos en marido y mujer, aunque ella hace oídos sordos a la historia del Buscador de Novias, lo que le espera por ser una novia St. Leger, y lo peor, los poderes psíquicos de los que los St. Leger son poseedores.
Más o menos esto ha sido "El merodeador nocturno" y no quiero desvelar mucho más. Un libro que me ha convencido pero no me ha llegado tanto como el primero. Aún así, me han dado muchas ganas de la historia de Val y de descubir sus poderes, así que no tardaré en ponerme con "Novia de medianoche"
Our Heroine: Rosalind couldn't figure out what type of character she wanted to be. Is she the pragmatic woman who calms her weeping maid? Is she an air-headed girl who dreams of legendary romances? Or is she just a weirdo who fancies herself in love with the ghost of Sir Lancelot, after only a handful of conversations with the spirit? (hint: it's the last)
Our Hero: Did this guy brood. And brood. And then brood some more. I respect his loyalty to his childhood friend (Rafe), and I guess I can sort of see how his guilt over Val's injuries could drive a wedge between the brothers. But man, was he a morose, mopey, hero.
The Romance: There is zero chemistry between the characters. He doesn't believe in the bride finder legend. She thinks she's in love with a ghost. He takes a sudden about-face and decides she may very well be his intended bride. About 2 seconds later he concludes that he's desperately in love with her. We're not given any reason how this could have possibly happened. Is it because she's pretty? Or smart? Funny? They get-on well together? Nada.
Meanwhile, she's still having midnight rendezvous with a "ghost". We get a montage of flash-backs where he takes her on day trips. She starts having feelings for him. They do-it. She finds out he's her ghost. Misunderstandings, hurt feelings, blah, blah, blah.... They live happily ever after in wedded bliss.
I just summed up the chemistry between the two characters.
The Supposed "supernaturalness": Weak. Basically, each member of the family has some power, but by the end of the book you realize it's more of a liability and that none of them should ever use it. Superpowers should be fun - and these were boring.
This is the second book in the St. Leger series. I didn’t like this one as much as I liked The Bride Finder. This is the story of Lance St. Leger, son of Anatole and Madeline, who were the main characters in The Bride Finder. As with all St. Leger’s, Lance has a special magical kind of ability. He can “night drift” out of his body to wherever he wants to be.
Lance, the eldest twin son and heir has returned from battle while his parents are away. The story begins with Lance losing the St. Leger Sword, a priceless family heirloom. He decides to drift to the area of where he thinks it may be and runs into Rosalind, a naïve young widow who believes him to be the ghost of Sir Lancelot.
While visiting Effie Fitzleger, granddaughter of the original Bride Finder, Rosalind is told she is meant to be Lance’s bride. Well, Rosalind is not too happy about that. She does not recognize Lance as her “Lancelot” and wants no part of him. In order to woo her, Lance has to continue as Sir Lancelot at night in order to convince her to give Lance St. Leger a chance to redeem himself during the day.
Underneath all that rake-ish-ness, Lance was a good guy, and I especially enjoyed his relationships with his brother, Valentine, and his friend, Rafe. What I didn't like about this book was Rosalind's character. She irritated me with her absolute devotion to loving a ghost. It seemed a little too much. I wanted her to get over it, like, soon.
Anyway, it is definitely a book worth reading and I would recommend it.
In this second book of the St. Leger series, Lance St. Leger is presented with his destined bride, a fanciful lover of Arthurian legends who first meets Lance while he's night drifting -- leaving his body behind at night to wander the earth. She mistakes him for Sir Lancelot and his lost sword for Excalibur.
This premise was awkward. Rosaline falls in love with Sir Lancelot, but dislikes Lance on sight. I had trouble buying this. And when I did manage to suspend disbelief I found Rosalind to be hopelessly silly. I wasn't even sure I understood why she took such a dislike to Lance. She heard some rumors... didn't even try to get to know him.
Moreover, Lance's reasons for being angsty were thin. He did something stupid when he was 18 and has been beating himself up about it ever since. If all 18-year-olds who did stupid things responded that way... well...
I am still interested in this series. And this book was okay.
Such a magic story. I love Lance and Rosalind but I think the other characters make the story so special too. Effie and her crazy ways, the sweet Val, the bad but so hard to hate Rafe and, most of all, the eternal Rake Prospero. Lance is that kind of hero that seem so real because he is so flawed. He makes bad decisions, he is not always in the right side. Rosalind is always day dreaming and so trustful. She is simple adorable. Loving this series so very much... can’t wait to see what HEA is waiting for our beloved Valentine.
Ha sido una historia que me ha sorprendido. No decae el interés en ningún momento y tiene una historia original a la par que se hacen referencias al famoso mito de Arturo y la espada de Excálibur. Otra cosa que me ha gustado ha sido el romance, que pese a los inconvenientes que surgen al principio, se va formando un amor sólido con una relación sana entre los dos.
The Night Drifter is a gem of an escapist book! The second in a trilogy, this book was an enjoyable read even though I hadn't (yet!) read the others. Susan Carroll builds a believable world in which a nineteenth-century family is rumored to have magical abilities--rightly so! The naive heroine hides from the bleakness of her life by pursuing an interest in legends. When she meets the hero in his magical form and mistakes him for the ghost of Sir Lancelot du Lac, she thinks she has fallen in love. No way, then, will she accept the Bride Finder's pronouncement that the hero is her One True Love. The hero's dilemma, in which his rival is HIMSELF, is priceless. Plot twists and turns add spice throughout, right through to a surprise ending. Please excuse me while I go purchase the other two books in the series, The Bride Finder and Midnight Bride: A Novel.
Rosalind was just TOO silly and all over the place, characterization-wise. 21, a widow (who married her guardian who was TWENTY YEARS HER SENIOR– fucking gag), and she's still like "I have to return this sword to a lake so this ghost I met one time can find his rest!!!"
Like, sorry!!!! I don't care. Anatole and Madeline worked despite the huge amount of ~*~drama~*~ at the beginning of their relationship because they were both adults who ACTED LIKE adults most of the time and admitted they had to learn how to have a good marriage.
I found the storyline with the heroine refusing to acknowledge the man who loves her and wants to marry her because she is in love with a ghost really silly and, as that plot continues through the book, very annoying. Even when she accepts her love for Lance the plot twists remain too unbelievable to interest me.
Such an interesting concept - night drifting. But really inventive. I love the Camolot subplot to this story. She is so dazzled by the ghost of Lancelot that it makes this book fun to read. (Again, you'll have to skip a couple pages.)
The first book in the series is much better. I read this one to see what had happened to the characters from the first one. I thought that Rosalind loved the ghost a bit too much. Read the first one.
Just finished this one and, romantic old lady that I am, my face is a mess! I loved this one, a definite 5 star read! I have to admit that for a few pages, early on in the book, I thought perhaps the heroine was a bit too unsure of herself....but then I gave my head a shake, realizing that I myself could have been that woman. This was Georgian England, and she had led a very sheltered life, which was often the case in that era....I was raised in the 60s by a VERY Victorian mother, my best friend a dog-eared book of fairytales for much of my youth, so Rosalind's outlook on life was not at all out of character as far as I was concerned. I loved Lance...he was an intricate and wonderful character, and the secondary characters did nothing but add to this wonderful story that I read years ago and so enjoyed revisiting. Highly recommend this book, and this trilogy to anyone who loves Paranomal romance....a definite keeper!
Wat te zeggen over dit boek. Een luchtige roman. Dat is eigenlijk wel de beste omschrijving. Geen hoogvlieger, verre van dat zelfs, maar gewoon een boek in de categorie niet denken maar lezen en zwijmelen. Dat zwijmelen lukte mij niet echt, omdat ik het vaak op mijn heupen kreeg van zowel Lance als Rosalind. Het karakter van Val(entine) St. Leger was er eentje meer naar mijn aard, maar zelfs hij werkte af en toe op mijn zenuwen. Waar dit boek wel in slaagde was het me soms hardop in de lach laten schieten. Misschien precies door de overdreven karakters en gedragingen van de hoofdpersonen. In plaats van het zwijmelen - wat volgens mij toch het beoogde doel is van zo'n roman - heb ik dus af en toe de lachstuip gekregen, maar dat zegt misschien meer over mijzelf dan over het boek.
I was gifted a copy of this book Slightly better than the first book, not by much. There are many mistakes with homonyms such as "lung ago". Predictable, to the way Rosalind spilled secrets, to Val being right all the time. Val and Lance are Anatole's sons from the first book. They also have special SPN stuff and I thought it really cool the way it was explained for Lance. Val is a complete surprise up until the end. I never understood why Lance never went back to the inn to spend time with Rosalind. I'm really confused as to how Lance did not recognize Rafe's horse. Rosalind is crazy, stupid, and ridiculous; at 46% I had quite enough of her. Madeline did not get smarter in the 20 years that passed since the first book. Val is the most faithful man I've ever encountered. Too bad no one listens to him. I'm hoping "Kate" will be the same Kate in the 3rd book; Val needs someone like her. I really enjoyed having Prospero finding Lance.
Lance St. Leger is the oldest son of Anatole (Bride Finder) and a twin. While searching for a family sword lost in an attack he "drifts" into widow Rosalind's home. When the Bride Finder declares Rosalind to be his bride all heck breaks loose. Neither want to be attached and the old Mortemain rivalry re-occurs. Eventually works out. Good, clean read.
Set in Cornwall, after being attacked, Lance St.Leger realizes that the family sword is missing. Rosalind Carlton is a young widow who arrives in Cornwall to explore the areas associated with the legend of King Arthur. When Rosalind is “visited “ by a ghostly apparition she thinks is the legendary Lancelot.
Me encanto, claro tiene sus defectos es un libro escrito ya hace tiempo y ambientado en otra época, pero me gusto recordé porque me gusta tanto esta saga.
Rosalind has always held a love for fables and in particular the stories of King Arthur and his court. It was her loveless marriage that birthed her passion for true love. One night, in her travels to find a old friend, she encounters the ghostly figure of none other than Sir Lancelot himself! In the dead of night, the spirit is in the kitchens of her inn and he's looking for his sword. At first, she was afraid, but very soon after Rosalind fell in love. With Lancelot and his charming personality, with his stories of lost love and regret for deeds done when he had a body. It is with true sadness, that Rosalind must say her goodbyes to her Knight with the hopes that she will see him again.
Lancelot may hold the namesake of a Gentleman Knight but he is far from a gentleman. Lance has the reputation of a rake and a man who takes nothing seriously. As an unlikeable man for the most part, when he accidently got caught drifting he pretended to be the fabled Sir Lancelot as that's who the beautiful woman thought he was. He never thought to see her again but as fate would have it, this beautiful woman was destined to be his bride.
At first, he fights the idea of marriage. Knowing that he is not worthy of such a gift, being too torn apart spiritually in the war. Plus, his fated bride is love with another man. Sir Lancelot. He may have beaten the curse by convincing her to marry him but getting her to love him may prove impossible.
I loved this book from start to end. Rosalind was a charming woman who may have her head in the clouds but she is loyal and brave. She gave Lance a chance to prove himself (granted, only after she had no choice but to marry him) but she gave him a chance to show his true self. See, Lance is definitely suffering from PTSD. With guilt over his brother’s injury, guilt over the deaths of his soldiers and so he has buried himself deep under the cover of selfish asshole. When we first meet him, I too would have hated the man and loved a ghost.
The first half was a bit slow, but it definitely picked up about half way and what follows was a scene of just heartbreak. I cried. Over all, I was emotionally invested in all characters, good and bad and found the story to be engaging.
I could not wait to read the 2nd book of The Bride Finder series this book begins with the two of the children from our main characters in book one, Lancelot the eldest twin son and heir has returned from the war and his parents are away and he is left in charge. Lance would rather not have these responsibilities, but oldest son it is his responsibility. The story begins with the loss of the St. Leger Bride Sword - a priceless family heirloom that gets passed on to the brides found for St. Leger men by the Bride Finder.[return][return]Lance, like most St Leger family he also has a power which is to separate his soul from his mortal body and night drift. Thinking this a great way to search for the stolen sword he happens upon a young widow Rosalind, who believes him to be Sir Lancelot de Luc of King Arthur's Round Table. Rather than let her know the truth he plays along with her and tells her he is looking for a missing sword, which is part truth.[return][return]Rosalind visits Effie Fitzleger, granddaughter of the original Bride Finder Lance shows up with his brother Val to seek her assistance in finding a bride for Val. Effie is hit with a feeling for a bride not for Val, but for Lance, who happens to be Rosalind. She does not recognize Lance as her nightly apparition and wants no part of this reputed St. Leger rakehell. [return][return]Lance decides to continue as Sir Lancelot at night in order to convince her to give Lance St. Leger a chance to redeem himself during the day.[return][return]Susan Carroll develops another mystery, and explores into the ghost Prospero, I believe his the remainder of his story will come out in the last book. Carroll has given us a new plot with interesting characterizations, but the book was enjoyable and I liked the characters, but somewhat slower then the first book. Eager to story book three.
Lance St Leger, the oldest son and heir to Castle Leger has always been restless. He's drifted away from his family to join the army and had his heart broken and his illusions shattered. Now, he's back at Castle Leger to oversee things while his parents are away. Dressed in old chainmail one night at a fair, Lance is set upon by a theif and the family sword is stolen. Lance has an ununusal power, even for a St Leger, he's able to separate from his body and go "drifting" like a ghost. It's this power that leads him to Rosalind, a young widow who mistakes him for a ghost.
Always enamored by the legends of old, especially those of King Arthur and his Knights, Rosalind thinks she's stumbled upon Sir Lancelot from Camelot. Already half in love after one meeting, Rosalind finds the sword and vows to somehow free her knight from his cursed drifting.
But, when Rosalind meets Lance at the home of the current Bride Finder, she's shocked into a faint by the warning that she's Lance's destined bride. Torn between her love for a ghost and her desire for the man, Rosalind has no idea that her two loves are actually the same person.
When a murderous plot threatens the St Leger family, Rosalind has to accept the magic of this mysterious family and attempt it herself to save her love from damnation.
Lance St Leger is the eldest son and heir to Castle Leger and he's restless. He can allow his spirit/soul/consciousness/whatever to drift around in the night while his body remains behind (he/the author refer to it as "Night Drifting", most others call it Astral Travel). When he loses the family sword he decides to go hunting in this way, seeing as he had been at a fancy dress party as Lancelot the Knight this is what he appears to be when he's travelling and how he appears to the young widow Rosalind when he drifts into the inn she's staying in.
Rosalind falls for Lancelot and he falls for her, but she's in love with Lancelot the ghost rather than Lance the person, will he win her over?
It's a fun historical romance, technically the second in the sequence but the first in the next generation, the first book being about the parents. There are some very funny moments where Lance is trying to put himself forward as being a nice guy really but Rosalind is clinging to some very romantic notions about love and also trying not to be forced into another loveless marriage.
This book was the first one that belongs to this genre that I have read and by far, it had set my ratings high. The story Miss Carroll had weaved brought me into a world that I wish I have lived in.The tales of knights, magic, and true love as well as the elegance of the era had really caught my attention that willed me to hunt down the third book for I am unable to move on from the story. I wanted to be part of the legend, see what's the next chapter for the St. Legers. And now I also wish to go back to the beginning of it all.
This story is a rather beautiful piece of novel and so I highly recommend that you be part of it all.
"Tu eri una damigella in ambasce, avevi bisogno di un eroe, di quel genere di eroe che io ho sempre desiderato essere, un cavaliere in armatura scintillante, e mi vedevi proprio come se lo fossi stato... per qualche tempo ho potuto fingere di esserlo."
Non sentendosi "degno" della donna che ama il protagonista di questo romanzo sceglie di essere ciò che lei desidera per essere ricambiato, ma quando l'inganno si svela dovrà faticare non poco per riconquistare la fiducia di Rosalind... un romanzo dolce, ma anche (secondo me) abbastanza malinconico...
I found this second book in the St. Leger trilogy to be a little silly. I don't read books like this expecting literary masterpieces, but it just seemed silly and contrived to me. The magical talent of Lance St. Leger is that his soul can leave his body and drift through the night. And then when he does this and is caught by a Rosalind, a lovely young widow, he pretends to be the ghost of Sir Lancelot of the Arthurian legend. Really, is that the best Carroll could come up with? I'm hoping that the third book in the trilogy, Midnight Bride, is a bit better writen than this!