The Champions of St. Euphemia series features five medieval romances, as well as an over-arching quest to deliver a secret Templar treasure to Paris.
The Crusader’s Bride, the first book in the series. features a marriage of convenience between a former Templar knight (now in need of a son and heir) and a widowed pilgrim down on her luck. Gaston and Ysmaine know very little about each other when they join their lives together, but quickly learn to admire the other and fall in love.
Book two, The Crusader’s Heart, is a fling to forever romance of reluctant allies – who prove to be perfectly suited for each other. Christina is a reluctant courtesan, seeking some way to return home to her former life. Wulfe is a Templar knight with no interest in bonds beyond his obligation to the order itself. But when they’re attacked in the night, Christina realizes she’s found the protector she needs – all she has to do is convince Wulfe that he should take her along when his party leaves Venice behind.
Book three, The Crusader’s Kiss, features another pair of reluctant allies who pretend to be married to gain their objectives – but find so much more as they unravel each other’s secrets. Bartholomew and Anna’s story is a tale of disguises and a hidden heir, of family lost and found, along with a lot of action, adventure and fun.
Book four, The Crusader’s Vow, features another marriage of convenience, this time between friends of different backgrounds. When Fergus reaches home to learn that his betrothed has married another, he decides the best choice is to protect his friend Leila from unwanted suitors. Their match soon becomes more than a friendship, though each are convinced the other’s heart is unavailable. I love how they both learned to take a chance and share their feelings, thus earning their HEA.
Book five, The Crusader’s Handfast, does more than tie up all the loose ends of the adventure. It’s a May-December romance between two characters who step up and solve issues as they arise – and who captivate each other. Radegunde sees the kind of principled warrior she admires most in Duncan, while Duncan is persuaded to take a chance on love again with the cheerful and persistent maid (who won’t take no for an answer). I love these two together!
Get your copies of the new special editions of all five of these medieval romances, along with the Reader Companion, the family trees, the map and more, in my Kickstarter campaign – running through July 31.
Claire Delacroix 