The Crusader’s Bride is FR33

The Crusader’s Bride, book one of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances is a free read through the end of November. Book two in the series, The Crusader’s Heart, is discounted to $2.99US for the same period.

If Gaston and Ysmaine’s story is not free at Amazon in your geo, you can get your free copy from my online store.

The Crusader's Bride, book one of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix

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?


Buy The Crusader’s Bride ebook:

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The Crusader's Bride tropes, shown with 2025 special hardcover edition

Champions Kickstarter Campaign Rewards

One of the fun things about setting up a Kickstarter campaign is deciding on other goodies to make available to backers. Let’s talk about those today.

Digital Rewards

Digital rewards are available to all backers, regardless of whether they back tiers with physical or digital products.

The map for the Champions of St. Euphemia is something I’ve wanted to have drawn for quite a while, and I’m excited about it. As mentioned yesterday, the map will be included in each of the new special editions, as a black and white double-page spread in the print books and as an image in the ebooks. It will also be offered as a two-page PDF digital reward to backers. That means you’ll be able to print it out on two 8.5″ x 11″ sheets, then tape those together to have a larger reference map. I’ll be able to show this to you by the end of the month.

The Reader Companion to the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, available only during the Kickstarter campaign for the new special editions

I’ve also compiled a Readers’ Companion for the series, which will be a digital reward for backers. This ebook includes:
• an overview of the series
• a character list of the company
• a synopsis for each book
• a character list for each book
• two family trees for each book (ten in total)
• a brief history of the Knights Templar
• a list of historical figures mentioned in the series with a short bio for each one
• a brief history of the crusades.
It started out as a character list and kept growing!

The ten family trees will also be available as a digital reward, sized for 8.5 x 11″ paper, so that you can print them out as a larger reference if you choose.

There are also five colouring pages, one of each illustration of the couples, which are a digital reward for all backers. Download them, print them out, and colour away!

Physical Rewards

We talked yesterday about the signed bookplates that will be mailed to backers of print books. There’s a different one for each book.

Five Bookplates for the special editions of the Champions of St. Euphemia

There is also a bookmark for backers of the sets of five print books. This is a larger format bookmark, showing all five of the new editions, and it has gold foil accents on both sides.

Just for fun, I’ve added a set of round stickers, each featuring one of the couples framed like a jewelled brooch. Backers will get the sticker for the print book they buy – one or all five.

five stickers of the Champions covers

Early Bird Rewards

I always offer an early bird reward, and this time, it’s a set of five vellum inserts along with the set of five hardcovers. Each vellum insert will feature one of the illustrations of the couple. I haven’t decided yet whether to limit this by time or quantity, but it will be for early birds.

Why Buy at Kickstarter

The simple answer is that you’ll be getting something special, unavailable elsewhere.

These special editions aren’t going into retail distribution, which means you can only buy them directly from me, either at Kickstarter or at Hazel & Honeysuckle Press after the campaign is over. They will also be offered in future historical romance Kickstarter campaigns BUT all of the additional rewards – the bookplates, the stickers, the reader companion, the colouring pages, the downloads of the map and family trees, the vellum inserts – will only be available from this Kickstarter campaign. You have this one chance to add all those goodies to your books.

The Champions of St. Euphemia special editions are coming to Kickstarter in July 2025

We launch July 8. Follow the campaign to be notified at launch!

The Champions on Sale for October

This month, my Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances is on sale.

The ebook of The Crusader’s Kiss is discounted to 99cents through the 27th of October. This is the first time Bartholomew and Anna’s book has been on sale.


The Crusader's Kiss, book three of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix

Bartholomew burns to avenge the past—until Anna gives him a future…

Bartholomew returns to England to avenge his parents and reclaim his stolen legacy, only to be challenged by a band of thieves in the woods of the estate that was once his home. He captures the bold leader, only to discover that she is a maiden in disguise, with the wit and audacity that seizes his attention. He suggests a mock marriage to gain access to the keep, never guessing the union will tempt them both to desire more—but can Bartholomew trust a woman who survives by deception?

Anna wants only justice for the people of Haynesdale, no matter what the price, and does not welcome the interference of a foreign knight, however handsome he might be. Bartholomew could be a useful ally, if only she could be certain of his goals. Is this maddening and charming knight just using her to learn all she knows of the holding’s history for some mysterious cause?

When Bartholomew’s identity as the lost heir of Haynesdale is revealed, he becomes the prey of those who destroyed his family. Can he and Anna forget their distrust and work together for the future of Haynesdale—and their dawning love? 

Buy The Crusader’s Kiss ebook:


Buy The Crusader’s Kiss in trade paperback:


The Crusader's Kiss, book three of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix

The Crusader's Bride, book one of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix

Along with this, the ebook of The Crusader’s Bride is discounted to 99cents.

Also, the Champions of St. Euphemia Boxed Set, where available, is discounted to $12.99. This bundle is available at Apple, KOBO, Nook and GooglePlay.

You can also buy the bundle directly from me at a 55% discount in my online store this month. That takes the US price to a little bit less than the price at the portals. You don’t need a code for this sale – the price is available to everyone who visits Deborah Cooke’s Books through the end of October. As always, when you buy an ebook in my store, your ebook will be delivered from BookFunnel.