The Crusader's Handfast

The Crusader's Handfast PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1927477832
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 457

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Book Description
Duncan loved and lost—until Radegunde convinced him to surrender his heart again. After the loss of his wife, Duncan has earned his way as a warrior-for-hire, certain he will never have a home of his own again. Merry Radegunde convinces him to celebrate the life he has and Duncan finds himself unexpectedly beguiled—though he knows the difference in their ages means any match is doomed… Radegunde has never cared for the rules of others and sees no reason to deny true love. She vows to win Duncan’s reluctant heart and convince the honorable warrior to not only love again but hope for more than mere survival—and Duncan is seduced. He takes her hand in his, vowing a match for a year and a day, hoping he can build them a future in that time… But possession of the Templar treasure imperils those they serve and love, compelling Radegunde and Duncan to choose between their own desires and the greater good. Duncan’s own legacy holds the key, but can he claim his birthright without sacrificing his dream of a future with Radegunde? * * * The Champions of St. Euphemia series follows the quest of a group of knights entrusted with a treasure in Jerusalem which they must deliver safely to Paris on their way to their respective homes. They find adventure and peril on the way, as well as romance. Since the stories overlap and build upon each other, they should be read in order. 1. The Crusader's Bride 2. The Crusader's Heart 3. The Crusader's Kiss 4. The Crusader's Vow 5. The Crusader's Handfast * * * Templar, knight, medieval, action adventure, quest, treasure, disguise, secret identity, lost heir, widow, arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, scottish, highlander, may december, warrior, jerusalem, venice, paris, scotland, england, robin hood, fish out of water

The Crusader's Vow

The Crusader's Vow PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1927477670
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 421

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Book Description
Fergus’ heart was broken forever—until Leila tempted him to love again… Returning home to Scotland triumphant and entrusted with the precious relic of the Templars, Fergus is stunned to learn that his beloved Isobel has wed another man. He knows he will never love again, so a marriage of convenience to his friend and comrade, Leila, seems a fitting compromise. At least it will give Leila the security of a home and husband, even if it offers far less than Fergus desired of marriage… Leila fears her past will pursue her, compelling to return to her former life, until Fergus offers the ideal solution. She yearns for more than a practical match with the valiant Highlander, but hopes to win his heart before revealing the love she has kept secret from him. All might end well, if Fergus’ former betrothed would just relinquish her hold upon him… When those who hunt the Templar treasure in Fergus’ possession identify its location, both Fergus and Leila could lose far more than their marriage. Will they triumph over the past and trust each other in time to find happiness together? * * * The Champions of St. Euphemia series follows the quest of a group of knights entrusted with a treasure in Jerusalem which they must deliver safely to Paris on their way to their respective homes. They find adventure and peril on the way, as well as romance. Since the stories overlap and build upon each other, they should be read in order. 1. The Crusader's Bride 2. The Crusader's Heart 3. The Crusader's Kiss 4. The Crusader's Vow 5. The Crusader's Handfast * * * Templar, knight, medieval, action adventure, quest, treasure, disguise, secret identity, lost heir, widow, arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, scottish, highlander, may december, warrior, jerusalem, venice, paris, scotland, england, robin hood, fish out of water

The Crusader's Bride

The Crusader's Bride PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1927477506
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 419

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Book Description
Gaston battled for duty and honor—until Ysmaine tempted him to fight for her love... When the Templar knight Gaston unexpectedly inherits his family estate, he knows he needs a wife and heir. A marriage of convenience to a widow in need of assistance is a practical solution and the newly-wed pair leave Jerusalem, entrusted with the delivery of a package for the Templars. Away from the life he has known for years, Gaston quickly realizes that little is following his plan—especially his mysterious wife, whose presence awakens an unexpected fire... Twice widowed, Ysmaine doubts she will ever wed again, let alone have a marriage of merit—until she is charmed by the gruff knight intent upon defending her. Ysmaine weds again, not only by her own choice but to a warrior whose honor she admires. She is determined to show Gaston that marriage has more to offer them both than an heir, but first she must win the trust of the wary man she has impulsively wed... Neither realize that Gaston has been entrusted with the treasure of the Templars—much less that someone in their small party is intent upon claiming the prize at any cost. In a company of strangers with secrets, can Gaston dare to trust his new bride? Can Ysmaine convince Gaston to confide what he knows? Can they solve the riddle together before the villain’s plan comes to fruition and all is lost? * * * The Champions of St. Euphemia series follows the quest of a group of knights entrusted with a treasure in Jerusalem which they must deliver safely to Paris on their way to their respective homes. They find adventure and peril on the way, as well as romance. Since the stories overlap and build upon each other, they should be read in order. 1. The Crusader's Bride 2. The Crusader's Heart 3. The Crusader's Kiss 4. The Crusader's Vow 5. The Crusader's Handfast * * * medieval romance, series starter, first-in-series, historical romance, Templar, knight, medieval, action adventure, quest, treasure, disguise, secret identity, lost heir, widow, arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, friends to lovers, scottish, highlander, may december, warrior, jerusalem, venice, paris, scotland, england, robin hood, fish out of water

The Scot & the Sorceress

The Scot & the Sorceress PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1990279910
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 381

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Book Description
Embittered by his losses and thwarted in his pursuit of vengeance, Murdoch is sworn to avenge his father by striking a blow against his enemy, the Silver Wolf. But the wise woman of the woods offers herself in exchange for peace, Murdoch cannot resist temptation. The mysterious beauty lights a fire in his blood, a need for more than vengeance, and Murdoch finds himself enchanted. Nyssa is blessed with visions of the future to come, but believes that she is the last of her lineage of healers. When she dreams that her sister’s daughter yet lives but is in peril, she knows she must find the child, defend her and teach her. She strikes a bargain with Murdoch, a warrior with fearsome fighting skills, to aid in her quest, never guessing that her need for his touch will be so overwhelmingly powerful—or that she has the power to heal his wounds from the past. Bound together by passion, Murdoch and Nyssa journey north to confront the shadows of her past. When Nyssa surrenders to her enemies for the sake of her sister’s child, Murdoch realizes that he must defend justice everywhere, beginning with the rescue of his beloved—no matter the cost to himself. Can Nyssa and Murdoch each relinquish the burden of the past to claim the promise of a future together? * * *

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Something Wicked This Way Comes PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1988479150
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 110

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Book Description


First Knights

First Knights PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1990279104
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 1583

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Book Description
First Knights includes four medieval romance series starters from the Queen of Medieval Romance, Claire Delacroix. Be swept away to a realm of pageantry and chivalry, where each knight competes for his lady’s favor, each lady knows her heart’s desire—and love conquers all. Included in this digital bundle are four first-in-series medieval romances: One Knight Enchanted, The Princess, The Beauty Bride and The Crusader’s Bride. In One Knight Enchanted—book #1 of the Rogues & Angels series—Annelise seeks refuge at a keep when she is separated from her party and pursued by hungry wolves. The price of admission is marriage to its mysterious lord, and she agrees—only to find herself in a luxurious palace, and seduced by her secretive spouse. Her new husband believes he is doomed, but Annelise knows that love can conquer all. Can she save her husband from the curse placed upon him, or will breaking her promise to him cost any chance to win his wary heart? In The Princess—book #1 of the Bride Quest series—Brianna is obliged to choose one of three brothers as her husband. Instead, she challenges them, vowing to wed the one who brings her a gift that makes her laugh. She has no intention of laughing at all, but one brother, Luc, declines to follow her whim. Sparks fly between the willful princess and the disillusioned knight after his brothers depart, and from this battle of wills, an unexpected love dawns. When the other knights return, will Luc take up his sword again to defend the maiden who has claimed his heart, or will Brianna be compelled to wed another? In The Beauty Bride—book #1 of the Jewels of Kinfairlie series—Madeline flees her arranged marriage to the notorious outlaw Rhys FitzHenry, only to be pursued and seduced by her stubborn betrothed. Is she just a possession to this man who wants a son above all else, or can she capture his love for her own? Why does Rhys tell her so many stories, and what do they reveal about her enigmatic husband’s hidden heart? In The Crusader’s Bride—book #1 of the Champions of St. Euphemia series—the widow Ysmaine makes a marriage of convenience, accepting the offer of a Templar knight in Jerusalem who is leaving the order to return to France. When their party is attacked, Ysmaine learns that Gaston carries a secret treasure in trust for the Templars, Ysmaine knows that her new husband’s survival may depend upon her assistance—and that this man of honor has stolen her heart. Can she persuade him of the merit of love and trust before it’s too late? The First Knights digital boxed set includes four thrilling series starters by Claire Delacroix, bursting with medieval romance, adventure, suspense, and love everlasting. Be swept away to Claire’s medieval world in this introduction to four of her medieval romance series today! *** beauty and the beast, medieval romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, first in series, series starters, knight, protector, Templar, guardian, arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love unexpected, widow, maiden, action adventure, band of brothers, outlaw, renegade, hidden heir, mistaken identity

The Beauty

The Beauty PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1927477107
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 398

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Book Description
Certain she will never wed for love, sworn to let no man possess her for her beauty alone, Jacqueline de Crevy has vowed to become a bride of God. But en route to the convent of Inveresbeinn, her party is ambushed by a knight, who snatches Jacqueline from her saddle and spirits her away with him. His is Angus MacGillivray—not the blackhearted ravisher she fears but a valiant man of honour who has returned to Scotland seeking justice…and revenge. Angus has come home from the Crusades to find his family murdered and his birthright seized. Sworn to reclaim his rightful lands, he has kidnapped the stepdaughter of Duncan, chieftain of Clan MacQuarrie—Angus's avowed enemy. But his lovely captive refuses to be the chattel—or the ransom—of any man…until Jacqueline senses the yearning heart beneath Angus's embittered facade. In spite of himself, Angus has let this defiant beauty touch his very soul. And as desire flames between them, a lady fair and her battle-scarred knight will fight for a love that could banish all the sorrows of the past... scottish romance, medieval romance, fairy tale romance, stolen bride, abduction, stolen legacy, wounded hero, knight, scotland, beauty and the beast

The Heiress

The Heiress PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1988479223
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 406

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Book Description
No woman can resist the charms of Rowan de Montvieux. But the dashing rogue is in no hurry to marry—until his family dares him to find a bride…or risk losing his inheritance. So Rowan sets out on a Bride Quest, vowing to wed only The Heiress. But his journey is interrupted when a slave merchant offers to sell him a ragged peasant girl who carries herself like a queen. Intrigued and never imagining she is the sought-after Bronwyn of Ballyroyal, an heiress in disguise, Rowan buys her, offering her his protection if she will lead him to the bride he seeks. Never has he met a woman so proud, so beautiful, so defiant. He suspects she is no commoner and vows to uncover her secrets and melt her fiery resolve. But the perilous voyage to Ireland kindles passions that risk both their lives, as the slave girl who would not be mastered slowly takes possession of his wary heart. medieval romance, irish romance, action adventure, disguise, marriage of convenience, class war, hidden heiress, bad boy hero

The Runaway Bride

The Runaway Bride PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1988479576
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 371

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Book Description
Aoife MacNeill is a beauty and a prize, a former heiress who wants to marry for love, but her father has arranged her marriage to Nigel Armstrong, the oldest son and heir of the Hawk of Inverfyre. One look confirms that Nigel will never possess her heart—although his cousin, Ross of Kinfairlie, is another matter. Aoife knows she cannot escape her fate, but yearns for one last adventure: she will flee Inverfyre and hope that Ross will be sent in pursuit. She tells herself that one kiss will be sufficient… Ross of Kinfairlie is a mercenary with a blade for hire; a knight without the coin to claim a bride. When his cousin’s betrothed flees, he lends chase, for the Hawk of Inverfyre trained him. Ross suspects that Aiofe plays a game, but her ploy is dangerous—the treacherous MacLaren clan, always seeking to undermine Inverfyre, take her captive. In the course of rescuing Aoife and ensuring her safety, Ross finds himself captivated by the fierce and beautiful maiden. How much will Ross surrender to guarantee Aoife’s safety? And how much will Aoife offer to protect the man who has captured her heart? ***** I’ve written many series set in my fictional medieval Scottish world of Ravensmuir, Kinfairlie and Inverfyre. This is the order in which the stories take place, although you can start with any series. I recommend you read each series in order. There’s a tab on my website for ALL books in this world: http://delacroix.net/ravensmuir/ I. The Rogues of Ravensmuir This is the first series to take place in this world. These three books are a bit more gothic in tone and less tightly linked to each other than the books in subsequent series. 1. The Rogue Merlyn and Ysabella’s story is a second chance romance with a bit of intrigue and suspense. Their relationship is a class war - he’s the laird and she’s a village girl - but there’s an immediate attraction between them. Can Merlyn trust in love at first sight? Can Ysabella trust her rogue of a husband when he returns five years after their parting to ask for her help? This is the first book featuring Ravensmuir and in it, we learn the story of its sister holding, Kinfairlie. 2. The Scoundrel Can a notorious bad boy like Merlyn’s brother Gawain be redeemed by love? In this story, Gawain meets his match, the enticing Eglantine, who is not just as adept a thief as he is but is prepared to seduce him to regain the prize she desires. This is cat-and-mouse story of action, adventure and intrigue takes us from York to the highlands of Scotland, to Eglantine’s home at Inverfyre. 3. The Warrior At the end of The Scoundrel, Inverfyre is lost to the notorious MacLaren clan, but years later, Eglantine and Gawain’s son Michael - the Hawk of Inverfyre - returns to reclaim his legacy. He has need of an heir so he abducts Aileen to be his bride, never guessing that these two have shared a great passion in their past lives. At Inverfyre, Aileen is plagued by visions and fears she is going mad, while the Hawk is uncertain whether his beguiling new bride can be trusted—or whether she has let the MacLarens in the gate. This medieval Scottish romance has some fantasy elements as it’s a reincarnation story. II. The Jewels of Kinfairlie At the end of The Warrior, there is a family gathering at Inverfyre. We briefly meet Merlyn and Ysabella’s son Roland, his wife Catherine, and their eight children. This series begins several years later, after Roland and Catherine’s tragic death, when their oldest son Alexander suddenly becomes laird. The treasury is empty. The harvest will be poor. Alexander needs to see his sisters married as quickly as possible, but they wish to wed for love. 1. The Beauty Bride Alexander arranges an auction for the hand of his defiant sister, intending to manage the list of bidders - but a notorious mercenary, Rhys fitzHenry, pays the highest price. This arranged marriage doesn’t begin well, as Madeline is a runaway bride, but Rhys pursues her, saves her, and tries to court her. I love that Rhys tells Madeline stories to win her heart, and that she quickly figures out that each choice of story reveals one of her husband’s secrets. 2. The Rose Red Bride Alexander thinks he’s learned his lesson and is thrilled when Vivienne’s former suitor, Nicholas Sinclair, wants to claim her hand. It’s a little uncommon that Nicholas wants to abduct his bride, but Alexander is sure that Vivienne will think that a romantic gesture, and when the wedding is held in the morning, all will be well. But the highlander seeking Alexander’s agreement isn’t Nicholas - it’s his brother Erik in disguise, a man who needs a wife only because he needs a son to claim his legacy. He’s not counting on Vivienne stealing his heart, too. 3. The Snow White Bride It’s Christmas at Kinfairlie and a mysterious noblewoman seeks refuge in the chapel. When the sisters learn that she’s a widow in need of protection, they decide to play a trick on Alexander and arrange his marriage. Eleanor thinks husbands are all the same, so is agreeable, although she isn’t counting on Alexander’s youth, charm, and desire to claim her heart. When her past catches up to her and Kinfairlie is at risk, how much will Eleanor sacrifice to see her new husband safe? What price will Alexander pay to defend his bride? 4. The Ballad of Rosamunde Rosamunde, the pirate queen and aunt of the siblings at Kinfairlie, was adopted by Gawain in The Scoundrel and trapped in the realm of the Fae in The Rose Red Bride. In this short story, a friends-to-lovers story, Padraig rescues Rosamunde, his valor making her realize that she loves him, too. III. The True Love Brides At the end of The Snow White Bride, Alexander decrees that his remaining sisters will marry for love. The portal to the realm of the Fae has been opened, though, and the Fae king Finvarra desires Elizabeth. Finvarra agrees that he will abandon his suit if four of the siblings marry their true loves, although Elizabeth knows that the portal to the Fae realm has to be closed as well. 1. The Renegade’s Heart Isabella is smitten with a rogue knight, come to Kinfairlie to demand the return of his family’s stolen treasure. She takes Murdoch’s cause against that of her brother, then learns that Murdoch has been claimed by the Fae queen - who holds his heart still. Can a mortal maiden defeat an immortal queen by winning Murdoch’s love for her own? 2. The Highlander’s Curse Garrett is cursed to hear the thoughts of others as clearly as his own, a spell intended to make him an outcast so his legacy could be stolen. He finds solace in the company and the touch of gentle Annelise. Can Annelise’s love heal him so he can recover his stolen legacy and give her the home - and the husband - she deserves? 3. The Frost Maiden’s Kiss Malcolm returns to Ravensmuir after years as a mercenary with a hoard large enough to finance the rebuilding of his legacy and his soul due to the Fae. When pregnant Catriona arrives at Ravensmuir, Malcolm knows he can give her a future with a marriage of convenience that makes her child heir to Ravensmuir. Catriona expects nothing of men, but Malcolm’s kindness and strength earns her love - and makes her determined to save his soul, regardless of the price. 4. The Warrior’s Prize The mercenary Rafael thinks his companion’s sister, Elizabeth, could be an angel come to earth, and one who will hold him accountable for his sins. Challenged by her and enticed by her, Rafael offers himself instead of his comrade Malcolm and begins to change his life with his choices. Can he save Elizabeth from Finvarra? He’s determined to try, no matter what the risk to himself - and Elizabeth cannot resist a man who chooses nobly, just for her. IV. The Brides of Inverfyre There is one sibling left unmarried (Ross) and we follow him to Inverfyre, where the children of the Hawk and Aileen also need to be married. 1. The Mercenary’s Bride This Scottish medieval romance is a Christmas novella, the story of a knight returning to Inverfyre to keep his promise to the laird’s daughter. Having been attacked and left for dead, Quentin is no longer the man he was and he blames the Hawk for the change in his fortunes. But his bitterness melts before the admiration of Mhairi, for the maiden he admired has become a beauty he would die to serve. 2. The Runaway Bride Even though Aiofe is a beauty and an heiress, she wants to marry for love. Her marriage is arranged to the oldest son of the Hawk of Inverfyre, but she chooses to flee instead, hoping that his cousin, Ross, will be sent after her. Aiofe intends to claim Ross’s heart, no matter the price, for she knows with one glimpse that he’s the man for her. Ross is caught between his duty and his heart - and the wicked MacLarens who would use Aiofe as a pawn in their own plan to possess Inverfyre. There will be more stories in this series, too. There are Family Trees for Inverfyre, Ravensmuir and Kinfairlie available as free downloads in my online store. The links are on my website, right here: http://delacroix.net/ravensmuir/family-trees/ ***** medieval romance, Scottish romance, historical romance, arranged marriage, marriage of convenience, romantic suspense, secrets, hidden identity, heiress, Highlands, mercenary, feisty heroine

The Countess

The Countess PDF Author: Claire Delacroix
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
ISBN: 1927477115
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 402

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Book Description
Driven from her late husband's estate, Countess Eglantine de Crevy fled to wildest Scotland to claim a castle, only to find a ruin—and a clan chieftain standing guard. Kinbeath was hers, she declared, vowing to rebuild the manor and launch a bride quest so her daughters could marry for love. But Duncan MacLaren had devised a bride quest of his own, swearing to win the land—and the fiery countess—in a war of sweet seduction… Eglantine vowed she would never be captured by this barbarian. Yet Duncan awakened passions she had never known before. She promised to fight him with every weapon at her command, even as he vowed to woo her for a year and a day—and make her his pagan bride. Each thought Kinbeath the prize most desired, a prize to be won at any price. Until passion turned to love, and the chieftain found himself fighting for the heart and the hand of the woman he was born to possess. * * * The 6-book Bride Quest series is two linked trilogies. Begin with book #1 or book #4. 1. The Princess 2. The Damsel 3. The Heiress 4. The Countess 5. The Beauty 6. The Temptress There are also two boxed sets available, The Bride Quest I Boxed Set with books 1-3 and The Bride Quest II Boxed Set with books 4 - 6. * * * scottish medieval romance, medieval romance, widow, second chance at love, highlander, sexy romance, class war, enemies to lovers, scotland, protector, highlander, later in life