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MacDonald #2
The French Bride
Their marriage shocked the most corrupt court in Europe
Anne de Bernard, was the richest heiress in France in 1745, and a beautiful bride to be given into a marriage of convenience. Charles Macdonald, an impoverished Scottish nobleman, was the most handsome and notorious young rake in the royal entrouage - no woman was immune to his charms, no man safe from his sword. The wealthy and sheltered Anne was a young woman whose angelic beauty was matched by her spotless innocence. When Anne enters an arranged marriage to Charles, with a reputation for having no morals, and discovers that she is falling in love with her husband. Neither could imagine that their marriage of convenience could defied the power of the king himself....
Anne de Bernard, was the richest heiress in France in 1745, and a beautiful bride to be given into a marriage of convenience. Charles Macdonald, an impoverished Scottish nobleman, was the most handsome and notorious young rake in the royal entrouage - no woman was immune to his charms, no man safe from his sword. The wealthy and sheltered Anne was a young woman whose angelic beauty was matched by her spotless innocence. When Anne enters an arranged marriage to Charles, with a reputation for having no morals, and discovers that she is falling in love with her husband. Neither could imagine that their marriage of convenience could defied the power of the king himself....
313 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
19 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Evelyn Anthony
115 books96 followersEvelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.
She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.
They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.
In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.
In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.
In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.
She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.
NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.
Additional information added from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 30, 2017
This book sucked as a romance. The slime swiller, sewer delving, coprophagic male character that is supposed to be the H lies, cheats and eventually gets his wife, the h, killed when his equally coprophagic, snot licking and absolutely disgusting mistress gets her thrown into prison on false charges.
The end of this is they finally rescue the h and she is preggers, the baby lives, the h dies and the nematode parasite blobfish pustule runs home to mommy and daddy vowing to be a distant better father while he enjoys his wife's money. He needed to get dragged behind wild horses and then dragged through a cactus patch. Slow evisceration on the head of an inserted pike wouldn't be amiss either.
Historically, this book is EXCELLENT, romantically - I would rather eat worms. This has got to be one of the WORST romances of all time, mainly cause there isn't any romance, just misery, grief and pain. But it is well written, hence the two stars.
The end of this is they finally rescue the h and she is preggers, the baby lives, the h dies and the nematode parasite blobfish pustule runs home to mommy and daddy vowing to be a distant better father while he enjoys his wife's money. He needed to get dragged behind wild horses and then dragged through a cactus patch. Slow evisceration on the head of an inserted pike wouldn't be amiss either.
Historically, this book is EXCELLENT, romantically - I would rather eat worms. This has got to be one of the WORST romances of all time, mainly cause there isn't any romance, just misery, grief and pain. But it is well written, hence the two stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2019
Well, I'm not sure how to express my feelings about this particular book. It was about 24 years ago when I read "the french bride", I was just a teenager full of dream and hope and this novel kinda crushed my world, and honestly, it still bothers me. Well, I don't wanna spoil the story, all I can say is that if u like novels where bad guys (and here I mean a non charismatic, pigheaded and officially first class jerk male) win, and good hearted heroes die without any cause or even any achievement, then this book is for u, though I don't believe any one would enjoy this kind of disappointing nonesense, so If u care about your feelings, spare this one.
October 2, 2020
رفتیم سراغ کتاب عاشقانه کلاسیک حالمون خوب شه انقدر غمناک بود بدتر افسرده شدیم😑
June 13, 2010
This is a book I read years ago and finally found it again. *******************************************************SPOILER: this is the only book I have ever read that did not have an hea and I hope it's the only one that I ever do as I like my hea's. I really read this again for nostalgia's sake as it was one of the first romances that I read.
July 13, 2024
This was the most frustrating book I've read in a long time. I gave it three stars but that's really not reflective of the writing, which is top notch. Evelyn Anthony is one of my favorite writers and I have read thousands of books. Her writing as usual is excellent, and in this, the book doesn't disappoint. Her naturally flowing prose and sense of timing, the pace, plot and intrigue was as always, exceptional. However, the few really good things, did not outweigh the many things that was soooo wrong with this book! I will start with the fact that this is supposed to be a sequel to Clandara (a book in my top 5 all time favorite books). However, The French Bride is really a stand alone book, with very infrequent references to Clandara. That being said; here are my complaints. (At least the ones I can think of at the moment). 1. The two main characters from Clandara (Katherine and James) are so removed in this book from who their characters were in Clandara, that they seem like two totally different people. That was a real bummer for me. Both James and Katherine, whose personalities were at least in part, the reason Clandara was such a great success, were completely bland and boringly nondescript. I don't know; maybe Ms. Anthony didn't want their bigger than life personalities to over-shadow the main characters. Personally I think this was a dumb decision. 2. Charles MacDonald was the worse Hero of ANY Romance novel EVER in the history of romance novels! And this is coming from a woman who really loves the old style bodice Rippers and dominate heroes! By the time he started to (very reluctantly) soften, (at the very end), I hated him and wished him dead. I'm sorry, but I like my Hero's to be strong, confident, proud, sexy, irresistible. I mean (I) want to fall in love with them. Charles was just a disgusting a-hole. 3. Charles's mistress, Louise de Vatale was a carbon copy of Jame's Mistress in Clandara... right down to their style of dress, wealth and worldliness, and all the begging and disgusting lack of pride and self-esteem. It was sickening and boring at the same time. 4. And this issue bothered me a lot... When Charles went to Scotland, I really expected Ms. Anthony to devote more time and details, maybe to go back and fill in a little of what happened in those intervening years and write about Charles's experiences when going to his ancestral estates for the first time. . Like what became of James brother David, and his father. But we got none of that. She didn't even devote a whole page to his time in Scotland and Charles was supposedly there for three months. I was very disappointed. Really was looking forward to a bit of nostalgia. 5. The King was a sick old mean ass pervert. I hated him too. 6. There was absolutely NO romance in this book. Charles spent the whole book sleeping with his slutty mistress and treating the heroine like a piece of crap. 7. And that whole thing with the virgin mistress being bought at a slave/whorehouse for the King... I mean if the Du-berry (or whatever her name was) could entice the King back with her sexual tricks then why didn't she do that in the first place? That didn't make any sense at all. 8. And worst of all: What a horrible HORRIBLE thing to have happen to the heroine! As spineless and just plain stupid as she was. And Ms. Anthony just stretched out this poor woman's torture like she enjoyed it. I hated that too. Page after page of total despair. YUCK! And finally 9: SPOILER ALERT! There was no happy ending! I mean seriously Ms. Anthony... what in hell kind of romance is this? Smh... I read it til the end though and I'm writing about it now so that really is saying something. :-/
November 9, 2020
This is a fast paced historical novel that tells the story of a kind, innocent heiress who weds a selfish, indifferent playboy in King Louis’ court. I enjoyed the detail of the court and characters, but the plot moved way too swiftly to fully round out the characters. And characters changed miraculously without any time to grow.
Although a quick, interesting read, the story could have been much improved by adding detail and slowing the pace to let events unfold more naturally. The book is an old one and the hero would have not gotten away with his horrific treatment of the heroine with modern readers.
Still, I enjoyed the book and gave it a solid 3 stars. The history was good. The romance was really lacking.
Available through the hoopla app @DuncanPublicLibrary
Although a quick, interesting read, the story could have been much improved by adding detail and slowing the pace to let events unfold more naturally. The book is an old one and the hero would have not gotten away with his horrific treatment of the heroine with modern readers.
Still, I enjoyed the book and gave it a solid 3 stars. The history was good. The romance was really lacking.
Available through the hoopla app @DuncanPublicLibrary
February 26, 2022
نویسنده ها کی می خوان از این سناریوی تکراری "زنی که از هر نظر قویه و تیرم بهش کارگر نیست ولی یهویی تبدیل به یه آدم ضعیف و بدبخت و خاک بر سر میشه " دست بردارن؟ ...آخه با عقل جور درمیاد؟!
August 18, 2020
I put this one in the category of good "beach read." Fast moving plot with some romance. Awarded three stars on Goodreads.
The setting is Versailles in the later years of the rule of French King Louis XV and his mistress, Madame du Barry. The son of Scottish emigres living off the largesse of the lavish court, Charles is a wastrel. Young and handsome, he is also self-absorbed, cruel, a womanizer and a gambler. But when he approaches his parents, again, to pay off his latest debts, this time they insist that they will help ONLY if he marries his wealthy cousin Anne and reclaims their lost ancestral holdings in Scotland. Charles agrees, resentfully, much to the distress of his current mistress Louise.
I chose this book because I have read and enjoyed many of the historical novels by Evelyn Anthony (Victoria and Albert, Anne Boleyn, the Romanov Trilogy). This one however disappointed. Written in 1964, it's difficult to read in an era of #MeToo. It's one of those stories where women like being treated badly. Multiple women fall madly in love with a man who abuses them, insults them publicly, and tramples on their feelings -- ostensibly because he's good in bed. It just does not sit well with this feminist.
The setting is Versailles in the later years of the rule of French King Louis XV and his mistress, Madame du Barry. The son of Scottish emigres living off the largesse of the lavish court, Charles is a wastrel. Young and handsome, he is also self-absorbed, cruel, a womanizer and a gambler. But when he approaches his parents, again, to pay off his latest debts, this time they insist that they will help ONLY if he marries his wealthy cousin Anne and reclaims their lost ancestral holdings in Scotland. Charles agrees, resentfully, much to the distress of his current mistress Louise.
I chose this book because I have read and enjoyed many of the historical novels by Evelyn Anthony (Victoria and Albert, Anne Boleyn, the Romanov Trilogy). This one however disappointed. Written in 1964, it's difficult to read in an era of #MeToo. It's one of those stories where women like being treated badly. Multiple women fall madly in love with a man who abuses them, insults them publicly, and tramples on their feelings -- ostensibly because he's good in bed. It just does not sit well with this feminist.
March 18, 2025
3.5 stars Lots to object to in this book, but I liked it anyway. For starters, why the FMC loved the MMC is never clear, she just did. Likewise, after hating her, he loved her, he just did. And the way the wedding night rape was regarded as not much out of the ordinary is difficult for modern sensibilities. There's even some antisemitism: a Jewish jeweler who looks "like a monkey" to the French aristos. Nevertheless, I found the book compelling, with lots of the detail and texture I used to enjoy in the Angelique books.
August 27, 2024
I love the way Evelyn Anthony crafts and writes her stories. I read almost all her “spy novels” and not one is the same as the last one. Now I’m on to her historical novels and the same applies. Good, solid stories that make sense from beginning to end with real characters you can feel for and identify with.
March 2, 2023
I don't call this Romance😏
It's basically a tragedy.
Wouldn't really recommend to HEA fans
I am not sure why I gave this book a chance maybe because the first book in the series (the parents of the H) ended so abruptly and I wasn't happy with it
Regret the whole thing now
It's basically a tragedy.
Wouldn't really recommend to HEA fans
I am not sure why I gave this book a chance maybe because the first book in the series (the parents of the H) ended so abruptly and I wasn't happy with it
Regret the whole thing now
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2019
Fun, but no more. Okay writing. Great plot idea. Characters are flat.
Read
October 31, 2019I'm sorry. What?
July 20, 2020
Just don't.
March 30, 2022
I think Ms. Anthony had a bit of a mean streak when it came to her readers, who (like me) were hoping for a HEA with a H who learned his lesson, groveled, begged forgiveness, and after he won it vowed to be a better man and a devoted husband/father from then on. Or at the very least, a GWTW ending, where this time it's the h who says, "My Dear, I don't give a damn", and exits the story. I'm sure no one expected the h to die, after all the pain and heartache she went through, especially months of suffering, while pregnant, in prison, because of her husband's vengeful bitch of a mistress. This was just plain AWFUL!!!
Had the story been just a bit different, it would have been a 4 star winner, since the historical info was good and so was the writing. What should have happened - at least if I had written it - was for Anne to leave with her devoted captain in an attempt to make a new life, then decide, since she was pregnant with Charles's baby, that she couldn't go through with it and parted from her suitor but tried to make a new start on her own. After a time, Charles would find her and then have to work hard to win her back. Or maybe have Anne fall ill (childbed fever?) and when her life's in danger he helps nurse her back to health and proves his devotion. Whatever the case, it should NOT have ended the way it did. So he's a better man and will be a good father; without Anne, who cares?
I also didn't care for the drawn out prison suffering scenes, and torture doesn't thrill me. either, even if Louise did deserve it. And why should the good captain have to get killed, just as a plot device for Anne to stay missing while everyone thinks she's with him, why couldn't the message have gotten lost instead, or whatever?
Another thing that bugged me: crummy as Charles was, his sister should have remembered her glass house before she hurled those stones. She opened her legs for another man and passed his kid off as her hubby's, so she's hardly a paragon of virtue. Then again, her husband was almost twice her age and a real wimp, so she probably wasn't getting much fun in the boudoir. Ironically, Charles goes berserk when he only thinks Anne's been unfaithful, whereas his brother-in-law takes it in stride when he knows his wife has made a fool of him. An out of control alpha and a weak beta; if that's what was available back then, I pity the women!
It seems that Anne gets punished for just thinking about being unfaithful to her adulterous husband (all she and the captain did was kiss once or twice), while her slutty sister-in-law is rewarded for infidelity to a husband who's devoted to her. Go figure!
That rescue from jail would have been the ultimate in romantic suspense, with the hero/villain turning into the devoted white knight, if he hadn't lost his fair damsel to the grim reaper. This is not the way an HR novel (even an atypical one like this) should end, with a tragedy.
Or did it??? I got the distinct impression from the last few pages that maybe things weren't what they appeared to be???? Perhaps a certain couple and their baby daughter are going to start a new life, with new identities? After all, once a person's imprisoned by order of the King (even though it was a mistake) there's no turning back, no pardon, no reprieve, and a rescue would be futile if everyone involved were to end up guillotined. So if somehow......
After all, a grave can contain an empty coffin!
Had the story been just a bit different, it would have been a 4 star winner, since the historical info was good and so was the writing. What should have happened - at least if I had written it - was for Anne to leave with her devoted captain in an attempt to make a new life, then decide, since she was pregnant with Charles's baby, that she couldn't go through with it and parted from her suitor but tried to make a new start on her own. After a time, Charles would find her and then have to work hard to win her back. Or maybe have Anne fall ill (childbed fever?) and when her life's in danger he helps nurse her back to health and proves his devotion. Whatever the case, it should NOT have ended the way it did. So he's a better man and will be a good father; without Anne, who cares?
I also didn't care for the drawn out prison suffering scenes, and torture doesn't thrill me. either, even if Louise did deserve it. And why should the good captain have to get killed, just as a plot device for Anne to stay missing while everyone thinks she's with him, why couldn't the message have gotten lost instead, or whatever?
Another thing that bugged me: crummy as Charles was, his sister should have remembered her glass house before she hurled those stones. She opened her legs for another man and passed his kid off as her hubby's, so she's hardly a paragon of virtue. Then again, her husband was almost twice her age and a real wimp, so she probably wasn't getting much fun in the boudoir. Ironically, Charles goes berserk when he only thinks Anne's been unfaithful, whereas his brother-in-law takes it in stride when he knows his wife has made a fool of him. An out of control alpha and a weak beta; if that's what was available back then, I pity the women!
It seems that Anne gets punished for just thinking about being unfaithful to her adulterous husband (all she and the captain did was kiss once or twice), while her slutty sister-in-law is rewarded for infidelity to a husband who's devoted to her. Go figure!
That rescue from jail would have been the ultimate in romantic suspense, with the hero/villain turning into the devoted white knight, if he hadn't lost his fair damsel to the grim reaper. This is not the way an HR novel (even an atypical one like this) should end, with a tragedy.
Or did it??? I got the distinct impression from the last few pages that maybe things weren't what they appeared to be???? Perhaps a certain couple and their baby daughter are going to start a new life, with new identities? After all, once a person's imprisoned by order of the King (even though it was a mistake) there's no turning back, no pardon, no reprieve, and a rescue would be futile if everyone involved were to end up guillotined. So if somehow......
After all, a grave can contain an empty coffin!
October 26, 2010
I picked this up in the large print section at the library several times and read bits of it; finally I thought, this is bugging me. I need to finish it and then I can put it down!
It's a romance, not particularly uplifting nor bad; the most useful parts for me were the historical atmosphere and events. I had not known much about the court of Louis the XV in his later years. It was worse than I thought and I'm not surprised that the French revolted.
It's a romance, not particularly uplifting nor bad; the most useful parts for me were the historical atmosphere and events. I had not known much about the court of Louis the XV in his later years. It was worse than I thought and I'm not surprised that the French revolted.
January 14, 2015
It was okay, not much into romance books. But if you read this one
you will want to feel like slapping the book a few times, after
reading how mean the husband was! That is all I am saying. I don't
give info on the book. It was well written. Especially about
the character's personality. Very good!
you will want to feel like slapping the book a few times, after
reading how mean the husband was! That is all I am saying. I don't
give info on the book. It was well written. Especially about
the character's personality. Very good!
November 3, 2016
Not bad, except that the Charles character changed his personality and feelings towards his wife a bit too quickly for no discernible reason. If it had not been for the historical context, I would probably have rated it two stars, but I think that's true of all her historical romances.
September 24, 2024
Pity that Evelyn is died. I really wanted to ask her what she liked when she created Charles and held him like a jerk until the very last minute. I like the book, as it’s nostalgic for my teenage years, but every time it's heartbreaking.
April 1, 2007
i bought it without moms permission and my aunt throw it away but it was so sad and lovely
June 3, 2010
The sequel of Clandara.
July 21, 2011
nice story but too tragic for my taste
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 5, 2012Didn't sleep till I finished the book!
October 9, 2013
really nice and attractive novel that i'm sure i will suggest to all of my friends
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews