New Bride Quest Audiobooks

Amazon introduced a new auto-narrated audiobook feature recently, and I decided to try it out for The Bride Quest series. These audiobooks are available at Amazon and Audible, on their US sites only. This is a new feature so it may perk out to other geos later.

I have mixed feelings about auto-narrated, or AI-narrated audiobooks. As much as I love hiring a human narrator to perform the audio edition of any of my books, the production costs are very high. I don’t think I’ve earned back that investment on any of my audiobooks. On the other hand, these editions are more economical to produce, though they lack the perfomance aspect offered by a human narrator. It is said that some people prefer them for that reason.

The other nice thing (for consumers) is that Amz offers the audiobooks created this way as a bundle with the ebook – it’s only $1.99 more to get the audio as well as the ebook. There are pricing restrictions, and the lowest price I can set is $3.99, which is high for the novella and short story at the end of the series.

I have used the auto-narrate option at Google for audiobooks and several of my Dragonfire Novels are available that way. Unlike the auto-narrated at Google, these ones can’t be downloaded and published elsewhere – they end up being Amz exclusives. Like the Google ones, the script for the audio is generated from the ebook – unlike the interface at Google, the text can’t be edited at Amazon. Pronunciations can be adjusted and pauses can be inserted. I really like being able to edit the text at Google, but there you go. Each portal has their rules. 🙂

If you are an audiobook fan, have a listen and let me know what you think.

The audiobook covers, in this case, are the same as the ebook covers.

New Portuguese Editions

The Portuguese ediitons of all four books in the Jewels of Kinfairlie series of medieval Scottish romances have reverted to me and been republished in new editions.

The Beauty Bride in Portuguese (A Mais Bela das Noivas) is a free series starter in some territories at some portals.

The Beauty Bride, book one of the Jewels of Kinfairlie series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, Portuguese edition

As Joias de Kinfairlie são mais apreciadas do que ouro, e apenas os mais dignos podem disputar seu amor… O laird de Kinfairlie tem irmãs solteiras, cada uma delas uma joia por mérito próprio. E ele não tem escolha a não ser tratar de casá-las urgentemente.

O coração de lady Madeline não está à venda… muito menos para um notório proscrito como Rhys FitzHenry. No entanto, a mão de Madeline foi vendida a ninguém menos que este guerreiro cansado de lutar e com um preço por sua cabeça. Uma donzela mais obediente poderia ceder às determinações do laird e aceitar passivamente o seu destino, mas Madeline nunca foi obediente. Ela decide fugir, embora não lhe passe pela cabeça que Rhys a perseguirá.

Ela não espera que esse homem taciturno a corteje com histórias fascinantes, muito menos que cada um de seus cativantes contos revele uma cicatriz em sua alma impenetrável. Ela nunca imaginaria que um homem como Rhys pudesse colocar em perigo o seu próprio coração, mesmo revelando tão pouco sobre seus sentimentos. Quando o passado de Rhys ameaça o futuro dele, Madeline lhe dá um voto de confiança. Ela ousa acreditar que ele é inocente — e arrisca a própria vida para ir ao encalço de uma paixão mais inestimável do que a joia mais rara.


“Um lirico romance da era medieval!”

Publishers Weekly

The Rose Red Bride, book two of the Jewels of Kinfairlie series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, Portuguese edition

Mais desejadas do que ouro são as Joias de Kinfairlie, e apenas os mais dignos podem lutar por seu amor… O laird de Kinfairlie tem irmãs solteiras, cada uma delas é uma joia por conta própria. E ele não tem escolha a não ser vê-las todos casadas, e logo.

Como uma heroína em uma antiga lenda, Vivienne esperou por seu amante predestinado no quarto mais alto da torre de Kinfairlie. Na escuridão, ele chegou e se aproximou dela, envolto por capuz e manto para que ela não visse seu rosto. Ele a amou com doçura e entrega… e Vivienne sabia que havia encontrado seu destino.

Mas na luz da manhã, seu sonho é destruído. Erik Sinclair de Blackleith não é um herói romântico, mas um guerreiro deserdado, que organizou seu sequestro para recuperar o próprio legado. Indignada com a insistência de Erik de que precisa dela apenas para gerar um filho, mas envolvida pela paixão que ele desperta, Vivienne percebe que há mais valor em seu taciturno esposo do que ele admitiria. Erik está cético quanto à crescente fé que ela deposita em sua honra e no seu desejo de reconquistar o direito de primogenitura roubado…

Mal ele suspeita que sua rara joia de noiva pretende também capturar seu coração, que se encontra protegido por uma fortaleza intransponível.


“Uma linda história, comovente e profundamente emocionante. Nota máxima!” — The Romance Studio


Uma Noiva Branca Como a Neve is the Portuguese edition of The Snow White Bride, book three of the Jewels of Kinfairlie series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix

O lorde of Kinfairlie ajudou suas irmãs, cada uma delas uma joia por si só, a encontrar maridos. Agora, o próprio lorde procura se casar e deposita suas esperanças em uma Noiva Branca Como a Neve.

Lady Eleanor sabe que não deve sonhar com romance e amor. Casada duas vezes para garantir as alianças do pai, ela aprendeu que é desejável apenas por sua fortuna. Quando as irmãs do lorde of Kinfairlie pedem que ela se case com o irmão, Alexander, Eleanor concorda, esperando apenas se salvar do perigo.

Mas Alexander não é como nenhum homem que ela conheceu antes, um homem mais interessado em cortejar seu sorriso do que sua obediência, um homem que valoriza seus conselhos tanto quanto sua recém-despertada paixão… e um homem que não sabe que Eleanor é a chave para uma fortuna que poderá garantir o futuro de tudo o que lhe é mais caro.

Porém, inimigos implacáveis ​​não vão parar por nada para garantir a captura de Eleanor. Ela ousará confiar em seu marido antes que seja tarde demais para ela, para Alexander e para Kinfairlie?


“Delacroix apresenta um final fantastico para uma série extremamente cativante.”

Booklist

The Ballad of Rosamunde, book four of the Jewels of Kinfairlie series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix. Portuguese edition

Presa no reino das fadas, Rosamunde só pode ser libertada pelo amor verdadeiro — mas o homem que ela amava está morto. Padraig deseja ser mais do que um amigo… poderá ele conquistar o coração dela para sempre?

The Duke’s Desire in Print

The romance between the Duke of Haynesdale and Esmeralda Ballantyne was planned to be a sub-plot that carried through the entire series. By book four, it became clear to me that these two needed their own book as they were not inclined to stay in the background. The Duke’s Desire begins at roughly the same time as The Hellion’s Heart.

FIVE star review for The Duke's Desire, book 6 of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances by Claire Delacroix

This book stands alone, and includes references to earlier scenes between these two. If you would like to read all the detail, please start at the beginning of the series. The duke meets Mrs. Oliver at Rockmorton in The Christmas Conquest, and spars with Miss Ballantyne at the soirée in The Masquerade of the Marchioness. In The Widow’s Wager, Esmeralda is charged with Jacques’ crime and Damien decides to make matters right – and also when he visits her in prison to present his plan. (I love that scene!) In The Hellion’s Heart, Damien retrieves Sylvie from France. The Bluestocking’s Bargain has few scenes with this pair, but it does follow Patience and Arthur’s quest to publish Esmeralda’s book.

Tropes for The Duke's Desire, book 6 of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances by Claire Delacroix

The Duke's Desire, book six in The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction Regency romance series by Claire Delacroix

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?

FIVE star review for The Duke's Desire, book 6 of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances by Claire Delacroix

Buy the ebook:

Buy directly from the author at Hazel & Honeysuckle Press and have your ebook delivered via BookFunnel
FIVE star review for The Duke's Desire, book 6 of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances by Claire Delacroix

Buy The Duke’s Desire in paperback:

The Duke’s Desire – Today!

The Duke’s Desire is available today!

FIVE star review for The Duke's Desire, book 6 of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances by Claire Delacroix

The romance between the Duke of Haynesdale and Esmeralda Ballantyne was planned to be a sub-plot that carried through the entire series. By book four, it became clear to me that these two needed their own book as they were not inclined to stay in the background. The Duke’s Desire begins at roughly the same time as The Hellion’s Heart.

This book stands alone, and includes references to earlier scenes between these two. If you would like to read all the detail, please start at the beginning of the series. The duke meets Mrs. Oliver at Rockmorton in The Christmas Conquest, and spars with Miss Ballantyne at the soirée in The Masquerade of the Marchioness. In The Widow’s Wager, Esmeralda is charged with Jacques’ crime and Damien decides to make matters right – and also when he visits her in prison to present his plan. (I love that scene!) In The Hellion’s Heart, Damien retrieves Sylvie from France. The Bluestocking’s Bargain has few scenes with this pair, but it does follow Patience and Arthur’s quest to publish Esmeralda’s book.

Tropes for The Duke's Desire, book 6 of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances by Claire Delacroix

The Duke's Desire, book six in The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction Regency romance series by Claire Delacroix

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?

FIVE star review for The Duke's Desire, book 6 of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances by Claire Delacroix

Buy the ebook:

Buy directly from the author at Hazel & Honeysuckle Press and have your ebook delivered via BookFunnel
FIVE star review for The Duke's Desire, book 6 of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances by Claire Delacroix

The Duke’s Desire – Today!

The Duke’s Desire is available today from my online store, Hazel & Honeysuckle Press! You can also pre-order it at the portals for delivery next week.

The Duke's Desire, book six in The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction Regency romance series by Claire Delacroix

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?

Buy the ebook:

Buy directly from the author at Hazel & Honeysuckle Press and have your ebook delivered via BookFunnel