I write romance novels, including medieval romances as Claire Delacroix, and contemporary and paranormal romances as Deborah Cooke. I also am an avid knitter and sewist.
I have put up the pre-orders for the special editions of The Champions of St. Euphemia, and the new Reader Companion, at my online store, Hazel & Honeysuckle Press.
These books begin to deliver from the store in February 2026.
You can pre-order them for pick up at the Pages & Pleasures event in Kitchener next spring, as well.
Of course, if you’d like them sooner (even to pick up at Ignited by Books Author Event in the fall) you can order them through the Kickstarter campaign that will run through the end of July – and you’ll get extra goodies through the campaign, too.
The first set of special edition trade paperbacks for the Champions of St. Euphemia have arrived, so today we’ll have a look at them.
As well as the new covers, these editions feature a duplexed cover with the illustration from the current retail editions printed on the inside of the cover. They also include the new series map and background images on the chapters.
These trade paperbacks are available through my current Kickstarter campaign, which runs until the end of the month. After that, you’ll be able to order them in my online store for delivery after February 2026 or for pick-up at in-person events after February. They live on the Champions page in my online store.
Backers of the Kickstarter campaign get a lot of bonus goodies along with their books. First, there’s the digital download of the new Reader Companion for all backers, as well as the downloadable map, ten downloadable family trees and five downloadable colouring pages.
Backers of the print editions will get a signed bookplate for each book ordered, as well as a luxe foil bookmark and a set of stickers featuring the illustrations.
I’ve also added a tier to get just the print goodies – the stickers and the bookmark – along with the trade paperback version of the Reader Companion. It’s available as a reward, or as an add-on, if you choose a single book.
The printer sent me a notification that the hard covers shipped at the end of last week, so I should be able to show them to you soon. 🙂
The Kickstarter campaign runs through July 31 and has funded. Don’t miss out on the extra goodies for backers!
The Christmas Conquest, book one of the Ladies’ Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances, is free through the end of this year.
Although I added the epilogue, Upon a Midnight Clear, into the book file a year and a half ago, it appears that Amazon is still delivering the original file. (People are still downloading the epilogue.) So, if you’d like both book and epilogue in one file, get the copy for your Kindle from my online store.
Love was not part of the plan when this marriage was arranged…
Rhys Bettencourt, Baron Trevelaine, had every intention of avoiding his family’s curse. An arranged marriage to a plain bluestocking of fortune should have ensured the provision of at least one heir. After all, it was beloved Bettencourt wives who always died in childbirth. But practical Catherine undermined her husband’s scheme by stealing his heart. The only way for Rhys to protect her is to deny them both physical satisfaction, against his own desires.
Catherine Carruthers was content to wed for practical considerations and accept an arranged marriage to please her family. Two years later, though, Catherine is certain that her dashing aristocrat of a husband regrets his choice and that her marriage will never be more. She accepts an invitation to Rockmorton Manor for Christmas to decide whether to leave Rhys and return to her father’s house. Upon arrival, though, Catherine discovers pages of sensual advice left in her room—as well as Rhys determined to convince her to stay. Can their marriage be saved?
Armed with information and with little to lose, Catherine embarks upon a campaign of seduction that Rhys is powerless to resist—even as he fears for Catherine’s fate if he surrenders to temptation. Caught between love and the wretched curse, can Rhys find a way to keep his cherished wife safely by his side?
Rhys and Catherine’s story has a bonus epilogue, which was originally available to my newsletter subscribers, called Upon a Midnight Clear. On September 28, 2023, the bonus epilogue was added into the ebook of The Christmas Conquest.
If you bought The Christmas Conquest after that date, you’ll get both.
If you bought The Christmas Conquest before that date, your portal of choice might offer an updated version, or you can download if from BookFunnel using the link below.
This week, I’ve added three of my Regency romances to KOBO Plus, which means you can read them free if you’re a subscriber. Those three books are The Hellion’s Heart, The Bluestocking’s Bargain and The Duke’s Desire.
The Hellion’s Heart
Helena Emerson yearns for romance and adventure, and dreams of wedding a duke for love. She knows she would never be able to endure a marriage with the serious Viscount of Addersley, no matter how handsome he might be. Consumed with logic and good sense, the man might as well be a statue. He does not even dance! She declines his offer, much to the outrage of her family, determined to wed happily or not at all.
But Joshua Hargood, Seventh Viscount of Addersley, is not the man Helena assumes him to be. He put aside his rakehell ways a decade before, blaming himself for the accident that claimed his intended. He has, however, never been able to resist a dare if the reward was worthy, and the challenge of undermining Helena’s assumptions is tempting beyond all. He takes a disguise, planning to be a rogue only for the lady he desires to wed, convinced that this is the merit of his scandalous past. Helena is captivated by her mysterious suitor and soon pierces his disguise, only to learn that the viscount lost his betrothed years before—is his heart even available to claim?
No sooner is Joshua convinced of success in his suit than his notorious brother, believed dead at Waterloo, returns to demand his due. Joshua knows that his embittered brother will only be satisfied when Addersley itself is destroyed, along with Joshua’s own happiness and prospects. Is he doomed to watch past tragedy repeat itself, or can Joshua save both his legacy and his beloved Helena?
Patience Carruthers is a bluestocking with no interest in the fleeting uncertainty of love. Her passion is for books, knowledge, and the improvement of the world. When she learns of Mrs. Oliver’s work, instructing ladies in intimate matters to better their marriages, she is resolved to see that volume published for the public good—and will even accept an agreement to wed a notorious rake to accomplish her goal.
Thanks to his uncle’s reckless wager, Arthur Beckham has immediate need of a wife. Insisting he has an understanding with Miss Carruthers, a lady of good sense and practicality, may provide an escape from his predicament—assuming the lady in question can be persuaded to agree. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Miss Carruthers, vowing he will do whatever she desires in exchange for one son—even ensure the publication of such an uncommon volume.
Arthur is intrigued by this lady and her ability to surprise him. Her commitment to honesty tempts him to abandon the disguise that has defined his life for decades—though Arthur fears that admitting his deception might turn Patience against him forever. Can the book help him to capture the heart of his pragmatic bride before his secret is revealed?
Esmeralda Ballantyne is the most successful courtesan in London, a woman envied by many and a mystery to all. When her past threatens the future of her younger sister, she finds an unexpected champion in the Duke of Haynesdale, a gentleman driven by his honor to intervene on her behalf, despite his disapproval of her trade. Does she dare to trust her newfound protector with her truth, or is the duke – like so many men of her acquaintance – interested in only one kind of compensation from her? As much as she refuses to surrender to any man, Esmeralda fears her impulse will lead her astray…will the price of capitulation be her fiercely defended independence or her heart?
Damien DeVries, the Duke of Haynesdale, abandoned his rakehell ways when his father bought his commission. The youngest of three sons, he never expected to inherit the duchy, and finds himself discontent, burdened by responsibilities and – according to his mother – past due to wed and provide an heir. The difficulty is that the only woman of interest is the forbidden beauty, Miss Ballantyne. There could not be a less appropriate choice for his duchess, but no other woman tempts him…
Drawn together by an irresistible desire, duke and courtesan agree to a short affair. But their mutual need proves insatiable, growing stronger with each night together. The duke becomes convinced that they must marry – but can Esmeralda ever trust a man fully? Her one last secret will either draw them together or drive them apart forever – when she finally shares it, can they put the betrayals of the past behind and forge a future on their own terms?
The Kickstarter campaign for the new special editions of The Champions of St. Euphemia series is live now! Don’t miss this chance to order the new editions (in ebook, trade paperback or hardcover), complete with the new map, for your collection.
The new Reader Companion is a digital reward for all backers, as is a digital download of the new map by Sarah Waites, the set of ten family trees and five colouring pages.
The books will be drop-shipped directly from the printer to save postage, but if you prefer signed copies, there are tiers with signed books, too. If you order drop-shipped copies, I’ll mail you signed bookplates and a foiled bookmark separately.
Here’s my video showing the proof copies of The Crusader’s Bride.
And here’s my video showing two of the extra rewards that come with one of the signed book tiers.
The books won’t be coming to retailers, but they are listed for pre-order in my online store to deliver in February 2026. You can find them and the Reader Companion on this page. you can pick up print books at any reader event after February 1.
If you’re attending Ignited by Books Author Event this fall and would like to pick up your books there, please order them through the Kickstarter campaign. Send me a message there and I’ll refund the shipping cost to you at the end of the campaign.
Claire Delacroix 