New Editions of my Magical Romance, Love Potion #9, Today!

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Deborah Cooke

The new editions of my time travel romances are available today, in both ebook and trade paperback. These editions have the pretty new covers by Elizabeth Mackey. Today, let’s have a look at Love Potion #9.

Love Potion #9, a time travel romance by Claire Delacroix writing as Claire Cross, new cover

Italy, August 1420: A gypsy named Lilith sees her lover hanged for a crime he didn’t commit. On the gallows, he swears to return to her. Convinced that one day he’ll be reborn, she searched for a fabled elixir—rumored to grant immortality…

Toronto, August 1999: Waiting has taken its toll on Lilith, now a fortune-teller with a gift for matchmaking. So she concocts her strongest love potion ever. She is certain her magic has worked when the spitting image of her one true love moves in next door.

A very practical—and skeptical—single father, Mitch Davison is intrigued by Lilith’s passionate welcome, yet suspicious of her motives. After all, he’s never believed in magic—and hasn’t believed in love since his wife left him. But when Lilith doubts her own intuition, it’s Mitch who must convince her that the greatest gift of all is the talent to follow your own heart…

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New Editions of my Time Travel Romance, The Moonstone, Today!

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Deborah Cooke

The new editions of my time travel romances are available this week, in both ebook and trade paperback. These editions have the pretty new covers by Elizabeth Mackey. Here’s The Moonstone.

The Moonstone, a time travel romance by Claire Delacroix writing as Claire Cross, new cover — 2025 New Edition

North England, 1390: Falsely accused of witchcraft, ever-optimistic Viviane is sure the truth will set her free. But when her execution is imminent, only a wish on an unusual moonstone pendant bequeathed by her father offers any solace. Thinking it harmless, and sympathetic to her plight, the knight escorting her to her execution grants her request—and is shocked when Viviane vanishes…

Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, 1999: Suddenly, Viviane finds herself in a wondrous realm she believes is the legendary Avalon. Befriended by some rather eccentric locals, she quickly finds the warmhearted island community happily compatible with her sunny disposition. But the hand of justice soon reaches across time and space to bring her back. The hand, however, belongs to the same handsome knight responsible for her freedom. And soon this powerful man, devoted to upholding the law, finds himself caught between duty and a far more powerful emotion…

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New Editions of my Magical Romance, Once Upon a Kiss, Today!

Posted on October 13, 2025 by Deborah Cooke

The new editions of my time travel romances are available this week, in both ebook and trade paperback. These editions have the pretty new covers by Elizabeth Mackey. First up is Once Upon a Kiss.

Once Upon a Kiss, a time travel romance by Claire Delacroix writing as Claire Cross, new cover — New 2025 Edition

For over a thousand years—so legend has it—the brambles have grown wild over the ruins of Dunhelm Castle. Many believed that the thorns were a sign that the castle was cursed, so no one dared to trespass, and the secrets that they protected and concealed have remained hidden—until now…

Armed with a pair of gardening shears, Baird Beauforte is determined to clear away the brambles that hinder the development of his resort, and he won’t let local superstition deter him. Dunhelm Castle is supposed to be the latest jewel in the Beauforte Resort chain, but the renovations can’t be finished if the workmen are frightened of a so-called curse. To dispel any lingering fears, Baird decides to vanquish the briars himself. What he never expects is to find a mysterious slumbering beauty…

Aurelia is like no one he has ever met before. Upon awakening, she demands to know his identity and why he is in her father’s castle! Bemused by he claim of being a king’s daughter, he is certain he has never met this “princess” before, although something about her rouses a haunting sense of familiarity. Soon, dreams plague this by-the-book businessman… dreams that feel more like memories. And Baird begins to wonder if he can claim his heart’s princess—now and forever—with a kiss.

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Digital vs. Print

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Deborah Cooke

One of the fun things about creating new editions is learning more about the printing process, now just what is possible but how different designs print. There’s often a variation in appearance between the digital image and the final printed product, and I enjoy the challenge of figuring out why – then fixing it.

The new covers for the Champions of St. Euphemia special editions are a good example. They are gorgeous covers, created by Dar Albert. Here are all five of them, plus the new Reader Companion cover:

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

The Crusader's Heart, book two of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, special edition

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

The Crusader's Vow, book four of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, special edition

The Crusader's Handfast, book five of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, special edition

The Reader Companion for the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix

When the first copies of the books arrived, I thought they looked a bit dark. This would be because there’s very high ink coverage on this image (the colours are saturated) and the ink would expand slightly on the paper used for the cover. I chose a matte stock which is velvety but slightly more absorbent than a coated glossy paper. Each bit of ink spreads a little bit, and when there’s a lot of ink coverage, the image ends up looking darker. This is called dot gain.

I sent a set of books to Dar to see what she thought and she agreed. She adjusted the files, I uploaded them again, and ordered a new set of books. They arrived yesterday, so I photographed them outside in the shade. The original version is on the left and the updated cover on the right.

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

I mostly see the difference in the type, but they are brighter overall.

The Crusader's Heart, book two of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, special edition trade paperback

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

The difference also seems greater to me in the two green covers.

The Crusader's Vos, book four of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, special edition trade paperback

The Crusader's Handfast, book five of the Champions of St. Euphemia series of medieval romances by Claire Delacroix, special edition trade paperback

These are the trade paperbacks but the dust jackets on the hard covers are printed on the same paper.

Also, my proof copy of the new Reader Companion arrived. It’s the same trim size as the books, so it’s not that thick, but it looks great. I like the big gem on the back. 🙂

These books were available in my July Kickstarter campaign, which is open for late pledges through August 7. Visit the campaign here.

After that, you can order the books from my online store, right here, for delivery after February 2026. Shop the Champions at Hazel & Honeysuckle Press here.

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

The Stolen Bride Cover Reveal

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Deborah Cooke

The Stolen Bride, book three of the Brides of Inverfyre series of medieval Scottish romances by Claire Delacroix

The Stolen Bride is Evangeline and Ramsay’s book, book three of the Brides of Inverfyre series of medieval Scottish romances. This pair met in The Runaway Bride and there’s a lot of energy between them. Evangeline, of course, will be expected to make a strategic marriage but won’t be pleased about it. I’m thinking Ramsay will offer the perfect temptation for her to defy her father, the Hawk, and to evade her arranged marriage. Hmm. But why does Ramsay want to marry her? Evangeline may think she’s jumped from the fat to the fire…

This one will be published in December 🙂

She will be no man’s prize….

Evangeline Armstrong is resolved to evade the strategic marriage arranged for her by her father, the Hawk of Inverfyre. She feigns compliance, intending to flee to the king’s court for protection once her party is away from Inverfyre. Instead, she is seized by Ramsay MacLaren, an outlaw and her father’s sworn enemy, and compelled to wed him.

Ramsay MacLaren owes a debt to the eldest daughter of the Hawk of Inverfyre, one he will never forget‚ just as he cannot forget the beguiling beauty who helped him escape her father’s dungeon. He has learned that no other woman can satisfy him, though he knows the Hawk would never allow their match. When Ramsay witnesses Evangeline’s departure with only a small party, he sees his chance and claims her for his own.

In morning’s light, Evangeline fears that Ramsay’s sweet words were solely to earn her capitulation—and support his claim to Inverfyre. All the same, she cannot regret the marvel of his touch. Does she dare to trust the warrior whose kiss ignites her very soul? For his part, Ramsay finds himself captivate by the woman he has taken to wife—even at the expense of his own plan for vengeance. Can he truly destroy all of import to her to avenge the past? When Ramsay is challenged by Evangeline’s wealthy betrothed, how can he choose between his vow to his family and the lady who holds his heart in thrall?

Evangeline and Ramsay’s story is coming December 26, 2024.

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