Claire Delacroix

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.

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 knights escorting her to he 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...

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...

Maximilan de Vries, um sein rechtm iges Erbe betrogen, plant, sich an seinem Vater zu r chen und sich eine eigene Zukunft aufzubauen. Im Bunde mit seinen beiden Halbbr dern macht er sich auf den Weg in das alte, geheimnisvolle Kilderrick, entschlossen, die Burg in Besitz zu nehmen, die ihm einst versprochen wurde, ganz gleich zu welchem Preis. Eine Frau, von der es hei t, sie sei eine Hexe, ist die Einzige, die k hn genug ist, ihn herauszufordern - aber Maximilian hat eine L sung zur Hand. Er wird sie zur Frau nehmen, ob sie das will oder nicht, und so seinen Anspruch untermauern.Aber erst einmal muss der m chtige Krieger sich mit Alys Armstrong messen - einer jungen Frau mit einem Rachdurst und einer Wut, die die seine vielleicht noch bersteigt. Alys hat nicht die Absicht, vor diesem stolzen, kraftvollen K mpfer zu kapitulieren, der ihr alles genommen hat - ganz gleich, wie verf hrerisch seine Ber hrung sein mag. Und im Gegensatz zu ihm f hlt sich nicht verpflichtet, den Kampf mit fairen Mitteln zu f hren.Von Beginn an erbitterte Feinde, liefern sich Maximilian und Alys einen Kampf, der zu einem Willensduell wird. K nnen sie der Versuchung wiederstehen k nnen, als unerwartet die Leidenschaft zwischen ihnen entflammt? K nnen sie, als Kilderrick in Gefahr ger t, mit vereinten Kr ften den Ort retten, den sie beide besch tzen wollen- und vielleicht auch die unerwartete Liebe, die mehr wert ist als alles andere?

Helena Emerson yearns for romance and adventure, and dreams of wedding a duke for love. She knows she would never be able to endure a marriage with the serious Viscount of Addersley, no matter how handsome he might be. Consumed with logic and good sense, the man might as well be a statue. He does not even dance She declines his offer, much to the outrage of her family, determined to wed happily or not at all.But Joshua Hargood, Seventh Viscount of Addersley, is not the man Helena assumes him to be. He put aside his rakehell ways a decade before, blaming himself for the accident that claimed his intended. He has, however, never been able to resist a dare if the reward was worthy, and the challenge of undermining Helena's assumptions is tempting beyond all. He takes a disguise, planning to be a rogue only for the lady he desires to wed, convinced that this is the merit of his scandalous past. Helena is captivated by her mysterious suitor and soon pierces his disguise, only to learn that the viscount lost his betrothed years before-is his heart even available to claim?No sooner is Joshua convinced of success in his suit than his notorious brother, believed dead at Waterloo, returns to demand his due. Joshua knows that his embittered brother will only be satisfied when Addersley itself is destroyed, along with Joshua's own happiness and prospects. Is he doomed to watch past tragedy repeat itself, or can Joshua save both his legacy and his beloved Helena?

H hergesch tzt als Gold sind die Juwelen von Kinfairlie und nur die W rdigsten d rfen um ihre Liebe k mpfen ... Der Laird von Kinfairlie hat f nf unverheiratete Schwestern - jede f r sich ein Kleinod. Und er hat keine andere Wahl, als sie in aller Eile zu verheiraten.Lady Madelines Herz ist nicht k uflich zu erwerben ... vor allem nicht durch einen verrufenen Ge chteten wie Rhys FitzHenry. Und doch wurde Madelines Hand verkauft, an keinen anderen als an diesen kampfesm den Krieger, auf den ein Kopfgeld ausgesetzt ist. Eine pflichtgetreuere Maid w rde dem Befehl des Lairds vielleicht Folge leisten und ihr Schicksal widerspruchslos annehmen, doch Madeline war noch nie gehorsam. Sie beschlie t, fortzulaufen, und denkt nicht im Traum daran, dass Rhys sie verfolgen k nnte.Sie erwartet nicht, dass dieser wortkarge Mann ihr den Hof macht, indem er ihr fantasievolle Geschichten erz hlt, und noch viel weniger, dass jeder seiner packenden Berichte eine Narbe auf seiner Seele enth llt, die er hinter einem Schutzschild verborgen h lt. Es ist f r sie unvorstellbar, dass ein Mann wie Rhys ihr Herz in Gefahr bringen k nnte, w hrend er selbst so wenig von seinen eigenen Gef hlen verr t. Als Rhys' Vergangenheit seine Zukunft bedroht, fasst Madeline den Entschluss, ihm blind zu vertrauen. Sie geht das Wagnis ein, zu glauben, dass er unschuldig ist - und riskiert ihr Leben f r eine Leidenschaft, die wertvoller ist als das kostbarste Juwel."Ein gef hlvoller historischer Liebesroman, der im Mittelalter spielt."-Publishers Weekly

Certain she will never wed for love, sworn to let no man possess her for her beauty alone, Jacqueline de Crevy has vowed to become a bride of God. But en route to the convent of Inveresbeinn, her party is ambushed by a knight, who snatches Jacqueline from her saddle and spirits her away with him.He is Angus MacGillivray-not the black-hearted ravisher she fears but a valiant man of honor who has returned to Scotland seeking justice...and revenge. Angus has come home from the Crusades to find his family murdered and his birthright seized. Sworn to reclaim his rightful lands, he has kidnapped the stepdaughter of Duncan, chieftain of Clan MacQuarrie-Angus's avowed enemy.But his lovely captive refuses to be the chattel-or ransom-of any man...until Jacqueline senses the yearning heart beneath Angus's embittered facade. In spite of himself, Angus has let this defiant beauty touch his very soul. And as desire flames between them, a lady fair and her battle-scarred knight will fight for a love that could banish all the sorrows of the past..."With its well-drawn background and escalating sexual tension, The Beauty is a tale to warm a winter's night."-Romantic TimesCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with these commemorative editions of The Bride Quest, including a new letter from Claire.

Driven from her late husband's estate, Countess Eglantine de Crevy fled to wildest Scotland to claim a castle, only to find a ruin-and a clan chieftain standing guard. Kinbeath was hers, she declared, vowing to rebuild the manor and launch a bride quest so her daughters could marry for love. But Duncan MacLaren had devised a bride quest of his own, swearing to win the land-and the fiery countess-in a war of sweet seduction...Eglantine declared she would never be captured by this barbarian. Yet Duncan awakened passions she had never known before. She promised to fight him with every weapon at her command even as he vowed to woo her for a year and a day-and make her his pagan bride.Each thought Kinbeath the prize the most desired, a prize to be won at any price. Until passion turned to love, and the chieftain found himself fighting for the heart and hand of the woman he was born to possess."Master storyteller Claire Delacroix has done it again with this marvelous medieval romance. The setting is realistic, and her beautifully written prose is sexy, funny, charming and totally satisfying. The Countess is a keeper "-Old Book Barn GazetteCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with these commemorative editions of The Bride Quest, including a new letter from Claire.

No woman can resist the charms of Rowan de Montvieux. But the dashing rogue is in no hurry to marry-until his family dares him to find a bride...or risk losing his inheritance. So Rowan sets out on a Bride Quest, vowing to wed only The Heiress.But his journey is interrupted when a slave merchant offers to sell him a ragged peasant girl who carries herself like a queen. Intrigued and never imagining she is the sought-after Bronwyn of Ballyroyal, an heiress in disguise, Rowan buys her, offering her his protection if she will lead him to the bride he seeks.Never has he met a woman so proud, so beautiful, so defiant. He suspects she is no commoner and vows to uncover her secrets and melt her fiery resolve. But the perilous voyage to Ireland kindles passions that risk both their lives, as the slave girl who would not be mastered slowly takes possession of his wary heart."This twelfth century romance is as good as they come "-The Dallas Morning NewsCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with commemorative editions of The Bride Quest. The family trees for both Bride Quest trilogies are also included in this edition, plus there's a new bonus epilogue to the trilogy, Christmas at Tullymullagh, included in this new edition of The Heiress.

No woman can resist the charms of Rowan de Montvieux. But the dashing rogue is in no hurry to marry-until his family dares him to find a bride...or risk losing his inheritance. So Rowan sets out on a Bride Quest, vowing to wed only The Heiress.But his journey is interrupted when a slave merchant offers to sell him a ragged peasant girl who carries herself like a queen. Intrigued and never imagining she is the sought-after Bronwyn of Ballyroyal, an heiress in disguise, Rowan buys her, offering her his protection if she will lead him to the bride he seeks.Never has he met a woman so proud, so beautiful, so defiant. He suspects she is no commoner and vows to uncover her secrets and melt her fiery resolve. But the perilous voyage to Ireland kindles passions that risk both their lives, as the slave girl who would not be mastered slowly takes possession of his wary heart."This twelfth century romance is as good as they come "-The Dallas Morning NewsCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with commemorative editions of The Bride Quest. The family trees for both Bride Quest trilogies are also included in this edition, plus there's a new bonus epilogue to the trilogy, Christmas at Tullymullagh, included in this new edition of The Heiress.

Princess Brianna of Tullymullagh is determined to marry only for love-until her father's holding is conquered and the king decrees that she must wed one of the victor's sons. Thinking she can outwit this condition, Brianna issues a challenge: the son who brings her a gift that makes her laugh will win her hand.Thus begins the Bride Quest of the three brothers Fitzgavin.Burke and Rowan, knights both, ride out on Brianna's quest, each intent upon triumph. Only Luc refuses to participate, for he knows that a princess had no place in the life of a battle-weary warrior like himself. Brianna is not inclined to accept his refusal-she tempts him and awakens his slumbering senses with her alluring beauty and her sweet kisses. Luc has sworn to lay down his sword forever-until he is the sole one who can defend the fair maiden who has claimed his shielded heart."The essence of fairy tale, fable and legend "-Romantic TimesCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with these commemorative editions of The Bride Quest, including a new letter from Claire. There's also a new bonus epilogue to the trilogy, Christmas at Tullymullagh, included in the new edition of The Heiress.

Esmeraude of Ceinn-beithe knows that she alone can name the winner of her heart. To the knights gallant who ride from afar to do her bidding, she issues a challenge: a riddle that is both quest and test. And then she flees, daring her suitor to follow. Thus begins the Bride Quest of Bayard of Villonne, to compete for the hand of a woman he has never seen...Newly returned from the Crusades, Bayard has warned his family of a pending attack upon their estate. When they pay no heed to his message, he swears to protect the family holding himself...even if its price is a marriage of convenience. It seems a simple matter to win the hand of a rural maid in a barbarian contest-until the chase begins. Esmeraude's challenge makes her far more intriguing than Bayard had dared to hope.But when he follows her across the waters and rescues a tattered, ravishing damsel in disguise, he knows he has found her. Recklessly, she offers herself to the handsome stranger. But not even a passion that touches both their souls can win her hand. For Esmeraude will settle for nothing less than total surrender of the crusader's worn and weary heart...a treasure Bayard is determined to keep shielded forever."A magical tale...brims with rich, historical detail, entertaining banter and romantic tension "-Publishers WeeklyCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with this commemorative edition, including a new letter from Claire. This edition of The Temptress also includes the new Bride Quest novella, Easter at Airdfinnan.

Esmeraude of Ceinn-beithe knows that she alone can name the winner of her heart. To the knights gallant who ride from afar to do her bidding, she issues a challenge: a riddle that is both quest and test. And then she flees, daring her suitor to follow. Thus begins the Bride Quest of Bayard of Villonne, to compete for the hand of a woman he has never seen...Newly returned from the Crusades, Bayard has warned his family of a pending attack upon their estate. When they pay no heed to his message, he swears to protect the family holding himself...even if its price is a marriage of convenience. It seems a simple matter to win the hand of a rural maid in a barbarian contest-until the chase begins. Esmeraude's challenge makes her far more intriguing than Bayard had dared to hope.But when he follows her across the waters and rescues a tattered, ravishing damsel in disguise, he knows he has found her. Recklessly, she offers herself to the handsome stranger. But not even a passion that touches both their souls can win her hand. For Esmeraude will settle for nothing less than total surrender of the crusader's worn and weary heart...a treasure Bayard is determined to keep shielded forever."A magical tale...brims with rich, historical detail, entertaining banter and romantic tension "-Publishers WeeklyCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with this commemorative edition, including a new letter from Claire. This edition of The Temptress also includes the new Bride Quest novella, Easter at Airdfinnan, as well as the family trees for both Bride Quest trilogies.

Certain she will never wed for love, sworn to let no man possess her for her beauty alone, Jacqueline de Crevy has vowed to become a bride of God. But en route to the convent of Inveresbeinn, her party is ambushed by a knight, who snatches Jacqueline from her saddle and spirits her away with him.He is Angus MacGillivray-not the black-hearted ravisher she fears but a valiant man of honor who has returned to Scotland seeking justice...and revenge. Angus has come home from the Crusades to find his family murdered and his birthright seized. Sworn to reclaim his rightful lands, he has kidnapped the stepdaughter of Duncan, chieftain of Clan MacQuarrie-Angus's avowed enemy.But his lovely captive refuses to be the chattel-or ransom-of any man...until Jacqueline senses the yearning heart beneath Angus's embittered facade. In spite of himself, Angus has let this defiant beauty touch his very soul. And as desire flames between them, a lady fair and her battle-scarred knight will fight for a love that could banish all the sorrows of the past..."With its well-drawn background and escalating sexual tension, The Beauty is a tale to warm a winter's night."-Romantic TimesCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with this commemorative edition, including a new letter from Claire. The family trees for both Bride Quest trilogies are also included in this edition.

Driven from her late husband's estate, Countess Eglantine de Crevy fled to wildest Scotland to claim a castle, only to find a ruin-and a clan chieftain standing guard. Kinbeath was hers, she declared, vowing to rebuild the manor and launch a bride quest so her daughters could marry for love. But Duncan MacLaren had devised a bride quest of his own, swearing to win the land-and the fiery countess-in a war of sweet seduction...Eglantine declared she would never be captured by this barbarian. Yet Duncan awakened passions she had never known before. She promised to fight him with every weapon at her command even as he vowed to woo her for a year and a day-and make her his pagan bride.Each thought Kinbeath the prize the most desired, a prize to be won at any price. Until passion turned to love, and the chieftain found himself fighting for the heart and hand of the woman he was born to possess."Readers are treated to another wonderfully delightful story that will keep them highly entertained, riveted to the pages, and eager for whatever the clever and talented Ms. Delacroix will write next."-Romantic TimesCelebrate 25 years since the original publication of The Princess with this commemorative edition, including a new letter from Claire. The family trees for both Bride Quest trilogies are also included in this edition.