The Ladies’ Essential Guide at Kickstarter

I’ve been thinking about creating pretty new hardcover editions of my Regency romance series, The Ladies’ Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction. The plan is that this campaign will run next spring, and that book seven in the series, The Daughter’s Disguise, will be available first to backers of the campaign. There will also be additional rewards for backers that are exclusive to the campaign, and the books won’t be available at retailers.

I’ve put up a landing page at Kickstarter, so you can follow the campaign now to be notified at launch. That’s the best way to make sure you don’t miss out on any early bird specials!

The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction special editions at Kickstarter

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

The Crusader’s Bride is 99¢

My medieval romance and series starter, The Crusader’s Bride, is on sale for just 99 pennies for the month of May. If you haven’t fallen for Gaston yet, here’s your chance!

The Crusader's Bride, book one of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, is just 99cents for a limited time
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:

The Beauty Bride in Italian is a FR33 Series Starter!

There are new editions of the Jewels of Kinfairlie available in Italian, and the Italian edition of The Beauty Bride (Un amore da favola) is now a free series starter. Right now, the first three books in the series are available in their new editions – the Italian edition of The Ballad of Rosamunde and of The Renegade’s Heart will be published in new editions in May. The reviews from the previous editions aren’t showing up on these new ones so far, so if you reviewed any of these books in the past, it would be lovely if you could post your review again. 🙂

Un amore da Favola, the Italian translation of The Beauty Bride, a medieval romance by Claire Delacroix

Più preziosi dell’oro sono i Gioielli di Kinfairlie, e solo l’uomo più degno può combattere per ottenere il loro amore…Il Laird di Kinfairlie ha cinque sorelle nubili, ognuna a suo modo una gemma. E lui non ha altra scelta se non quella di trovare loro un marito il più presto possibile.

Il cuore di lady Madeline non è in vendita… Soprattutto per un famigerato fuorilegge come Rhys FitzHenry. Eppure, la sua mano è stata venduta esattamente a quest’uomo, un guerriero stanco di combattere e con una taglia sulla testa. Una fanciulla più docile avrebbe obbedito alla volontà del Laird e accettato in silenzio il proprio destino. Solo che Madeline, che non è mai stata obbediente, decide di scappare, senza neanche immaginare che Rhys possa inseguirla.

Lei non si aspetta che quell’uomo taciturno la corteggi raccontandole storie stravaganti, ognuna delle quali rivelerà le cicatrici che circondano la sua anima. E nemmeno si aspetta che Rhys, pur celando gelosamente i propri sentimenti, possa mettere in pericolo il suo cuore.

Quando il passato di Rhys arriva a minacciare il suo futuro, Madeline decide di credere alla sua innocenza, rischiando la sua stessa vita per abbandonarsi ad una passione più preziosa persino della gemma più rara.

“Un entusiasmante romanzo medievale!”Publishers Weekly

Un amore da favola è un romance storico con una buona dose di avventura, ricco di storie e leggende, un viaggio di una coppia frizzante e appassionata che inizia a conoscersi.”—Maika Medici

Delizioso ed avvincente, questo romanzo scorre facilmente e ci appassiona con tutti i protagonisti, che per non spoilerare troppo ho preferito non nominare. Ognuno di loro gioca un bel ruolo, come dinanzi ad una scacchiera, e vengono mossi i fili giusti per una romantica e magica storia  che porta la firma di una delle più brave scrittrici di romanzi storici e fantasy. Rhys, comunque, resta il mio preferito: come racconta le storie lui… nessuno!“—Il Libro Sel Como’ du Meg