The Christmas Conquest is Free!

For a limited time – and for the first time! – The Christmas Conquest, book one of the Ladies’ Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction Regency romance series, is a free series starter.

The Christmas Conquest, book one of Claire Delacroix's Regency romance series the Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction, is a free read for a limited time
The Christmas Conquest, a Regency romance novella by Claire Delacroix

Love was not part of the plan when this marriage was arranged…

Rhys Bettencourt, Baron Trevelaine, had every intention of avoiding his family’s curse. An arranged marriage to a plain bluestocking of fortune should have ensured the provision of at least one heir. After all, it was beloved Bettencourt wives who always died in childbirth. But practical Catherine undermined her husband’s scheme by stealing his heart. The only way for Rhys to protect her is to deny them both physical satisfaction, against his own desires.


Catherine Carruthers was content to wed for practical considerations and accept an arranged marriage to please her family. Two years later, though, Catherine is certain that her dashing aristocrat of a husband regrets his choice and that her marriage will never be more. She accepts an invitation to Rockmorton Manor for Christmas to decide whether to leave Rhys and return to her father’s house. Upon arrival, though, Catherine discovers pages of sensual advice left in her room—as well as Rhys determined to convince her to stay. Can their marriage be saved?


Armed with information and with little to lose, Catherine embarks upon a campaign of seduction that Rhys is powerless to resist—even as he fears for Catherine’s fate if he surrenders to temptation. Caught between love and the wretched curse, can Rhys find a way to keep his cherished wife safely by his side?

Buy the ebook:

Buy at Deborah Cooke's Books

Upon a Midnight Clear, bonus epilogue to The Christmas Conquest, book one of The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction book one, by Claire Delacroix

Rhys and Catherine’s story has a bonus epilogue, which was originally available to my newsletter subscribers, called Upon a Midnight Clear. On September 28, 2023, the bonus epilogue was added into the ebook of The Christmas Conquest.

If you bought The Christmas Conquest after that date, you’ll get both.

If you bought The Christmas Conquest before that date, your portal of choice might offer an updated version, or you can download if from BookFunnel using the link below.

If you have the older version or the newsletter signup version, that link should still work.


Buy The Christmas Conquest in mass market paperback.

This edition includes Upon a Midnight Clear.

Pre-Order the Bluestocking’s Bargain in my Store

I put up the pre-order for The Bluestocking’s Bargain in my online store, so you can buy your ebook directly from me. 🙂

When you buy a pre-order in the store, the store charges you immediately. Your ebook will be delivered on the on-sale date by BookFunnel. In this case, your ebook will be delivered on October 21.

The Bluestocking's Bargain, book five in The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction Regency romance series by Claire Delacroix

Patience Carruthers is a bluestocking with no interest in marriage, much less the fleeting uncertainty of love. Her passion is for books, knowledge, and the improvement of the world. When she learns of Mrs. Oliver’s work, instructing ladies in intimate matters to better their marriages, she is resolved to see that volume published—and will even accept an agreement to wed a notorious rake to see that accomplished.

Thanks to his uncle’s reckless wager, Arthur Beckham has immediate need of a wife. Insisting he has an understanding with Miss Carruthers, a lady of good sense and practicality, may provide an escape the unfortunate match his uncle has tried to arrange–assuming the lady in question is agreeable. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Miss Carruthers, vowing he will do whatever she desires in exchange for one son.

Arthur does not anticipate the lady’s scheme to publish a book, much less his bride’s apparent need to verify every detail of the remarkable volume’s amorous advice. He does not anticipate that he will be seduced and enchanted by his new wife—much less that he will lose his heart completely. Can Arthur convince Patience of the merit of love and convince her to make their marriage more than an arrangement?

Coming in October 2024

Buy at Deborah Cooke's Books

An Excerpt From The Bluestocking’s Bargain

I’ve added an excerpt from The Bluestocking’s Bargain to the website. Just click through to the book’s product page to read Arthur and Patience’s first meet.

The Bluestocking's Bargain, book five in The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction Regency romance series by Claire Delacroix

Patience Carruthers is a bluestocking with no interest in marriage, much less the fleeting uncertainty of love. Her passion is for books, knowledge, and the improvement of the world. When she learns of Mrs. Oliver’s work, instructing ladies in intimate matters to better their marriages, she is resolved to see that volume published—and will even accept an agreement to wed a notorious rake to see that accomplished.

Thanks to his uncle’s reckless wager, Arthur Beckham has immediate need of a wife. Insisting he has an understanding with Miss Carruthers, a lady of good sense and practicality, may provide an escape the unfortunate match his uncle has tried to arrange–assuming the lady in question is agreeable. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Miss Carruthers, vowing he will do whatever she desires in exchange for one son.

Arthur does not anticipate the lady’s scheme to publish a book, much less his bride’s apparent need to verify every detail of the remarkable volume’s amorous advice. He does not anticipate that he will be seduced and enchanted by his new wife—much less that he will lose his heart completely. Can Arthur convince Patience of the merit of love and convince her to make their marriage more than an arrangement?

Coming in October 2024

Multi-Author Kobo Plus Promotion Today!

Today’s the day for the YOLO with KOBO Plus romance binge multi-author promotion!

YOLO with KOBO romance binge August 2, 2024

KOBO Plus is a subscription program, much like Kindle Unlimited – you pay a flat monthly fee when you subscribe and can read as much as you want. The big difference on my end is that books don’t have to be exclusive to KOBO to be enrolled in the program, which makes it win-win.

This promotion features a lot (over 625) romances that are enrolled in KOBO Plus right now. Although the promotion is inspired by the BookWorms promo, in this case, the books are enrolled in KOBO Plus for more than one day. That said, it’s a great way for you to discover new authors, new series and new reads, and KOBO has their own landing page in support of that.

You’ll find The Brides of North Barrows bundle on the historical romance landing page, as well as the audiobook for The Frost Maiden’s Kiss and the Spanish edition of The Jewels of Kinfairlie.

Visit KOBO’s YOLO Romance Binge landing page.

Pre-Order The Bluestocking’s Bargain

The next book in the Ladies’ Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series of Regency romances is coming in October. Patience and Arthur’s story is one of a marriage of convenience between a bluestocking and a rakehell, and a tale of unexpected love. Pre-order your copy today!

The Bluestocking's Bargain, book five in The Ladies' Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction Regency romance series by Claire Delacroix

Patience Carruthers is a bluestocking with no interest in marriage, much less the fleeting uncertainty of love. Her passion is for books, knowledge, and the improvement of the world. When she learns of Mrs. Oliver’s work, instructing ladies in intimate matters to better their marriages, she is resolved to see that volume published—and will even accept an agreement to wed a notorious rake to see that accomplished.

Thanks to his uncle’s reckless wager, Arthur Beckham has immediate need of a wife. Insisting he has an understanding with Miss Carruthers, a lady of good sense and practicality, may provide an escape the unfortunate match his uncle has tried to arrange–assuming the lady in question is agreeable. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Miss Carruthers, vowing he will do whatever she desires in exchange for one son.

Arthur does not anticipate the lady’s scheme to publish a book, much less his bride’s apparent need to verify every detail of the remarkable volume’s amorous advice. He does not anticipate that he will be seduced and enchanted by his new wife—much less that he will lose his heart completely. Can Arthur convince Patience of the merit of love and convince her to make their marriage more than an arrangement?

Coming in October 2024