Claire Delacroix

The Scoundrel by Claire Delacroix is a 2014 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a clever and unique story!

Gawain steals a priceless relic, only to have it stolen from him after a night of passion. The woman who so enchanted him, boldly leaves a clue behind, daring Gawain to find her.

Find her he does, but when he learns the lady's true identity and the history behind the relic, he is stunned.

Lady Evangeline of Iverfyre desperately needs the show more relic to restore her father’s keep, which has fallen on very hard times. But, although she seduces Gawain, she must fulfill her duty, while wishing for just one more night with Gawain.

But, when Gawain finally tracks her down, the two engage in a battle of wits, each determined to own the relic, but unable to satisfy the deepest hunger they have for each other.

But, the situation grows very serious, when Evangeline is accused of murder and must fight for her freedom and fulfil her destiny, which will mean marriage to someone other than Gawain.

Medieval is one of my very favorite historical romance sub-genres, and I have been in the right mood to immerse myself in ancient times that are filled with danger and intrigue.

Although this story is fraught with intrigue and danger, there was a slightly comical tone mixed in, especially with Gawain and Evangeline, who engage in some delightful banter, while attempting to outwit each other.

It was like a medieval style caper, which was a lot of fun. There is loads of action and adventure, and the love story is quite unique, with Gawain and Evangeline always at odds, but unable to imagine living without each other, even if they don’t want to admit it.

Gawain is a very tough nut to crack and I did wonder about his character, as he did a pretty good job of convincing me he was a rogue all the way to the core. But, of course, it’s plain to see that Evangeline holds his heart in her hands, right from the very beginning.

Overall, this one felt like a slight departure from most medieval tales, since it had a much lighter tone, and was devoid of graphic battle scenes, and other heavier elements common in this era of time. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

4 stars show less

Charmed at Christmas is the first in the continuing series of Castle Keyvnor Christmas books. I love the way that 12 authors have come together to create 4 fun books with overlapping characters and locations all focusing on falling in love at Christmas. In this book, 3 of my favorite authors do the holiday justice.
Deb Marlowe continues her theme of pixies and fairies that she started in the first series with Lord Locryn and the Pixie’s Kiss. Not even an accidental curse by a pixie’s kiss show more or a meddling Cornish chough can keep Locryn and Gwen from finding each other after meeting 8 years earlier. This story works in both the human story and the pixie story and both find the Happily Ever After that they deserve.
Erica Monroe presents a much darker and sadder story in The Determined Duchess. Felicity Fields has lost the one person who she loved and who loved her unconditionally when her aunt dies. She feels alone in the world and thinks that her only solution is to try to create a Philosopher’s Stone to bring her aunt back to life. When her cousin Nicholas (now a Duke) shows up offering/ threatening to bring her to London for a season, she is terrified. They had spent summers together as children but she hadn’t seen him in 6 years. Nicholas’s attraction to her helps him understand her solitary life and instead of chiding her for her experiments he attempts to understand and help her. This story was filled with so much sadness that it makes the ending even happier.
The final story in this collection is A Duke By Any Other Name by Claire Delacroix. In this story, Claire tells the delightful tale of a handsome Scottish Duke who disguises himself as a fop to find a jewel thief who had ruined his sister’s reputation. Alexander, the Duke of Inverfyre travels to the Castle Keyvnor area with a plan to catch a thief. Little did he know that he would meet a woman who would see through his disguise and help him catch the thief. She also managed to catch a husband. The descriptions of the Duke and his outfits and padded belly were hilarious. The attraction between Alexander and Daphne was immediate and the Happily Ever After was well worth the read.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review. show less

Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cook

First in the Dragonfire series. 3.5 stars.
Quinn is a Blacksmith and several hundred year old dragon. Sara is an accountant recently taken over her late aunt’s mystical bookstore (that doesn’t seem to get any customers). Sara is proclaimed to be a Seer. The Smith and Seer are destined to save the dragon world.

The dragons are the colors of gem stones, each unique. There are human protective dragons and dragons that believe they are superior to humans and want show more to destroy the human race. So the two sides battle each other, in this book rather graphically.

I found the loss of a dragon scale because of love that then made the dragon vulnerable was rather sad. A couple of questions kept me unfocused like where the bookstore customers were as there rarely seemed to be any and if she’s an accountant, why is that part of the store business never mentioned? There are also open ended questions because of the series arc.
The secondary dragon characters were intriguing and I want to read the next books for their stories. I’ve heard good things about this dragon series and expect the next books to be more compelling and charismatic. I hope. show less

Unforgettable Quotes:

A man who lives without risk does not truly live at all.
…that blood who offer naught deserve naught in return.
The reward is well worth the journey.
Little of merit is won on the first try.

I never am disappointed with the glorious stories Deborah Cooke/Claire Delacroix pens. Her stories reach deep into the emotions of her characters enfolding the reader into a world of greed, jealousy and love in its purity.

This series has a fairytale quality, and I particularly love show more the way the author phrases the dialogue. I began this series with The Princess which, if you haven’t read, would be a good starting point because it gives detail about the three brothers and his father. He is part of marriage wrought with little love – both his mother and father unable to love each other and express their love to Burke.

Three knights, brothers all, sent on a quest by Brianna (book one), to find something which would make her laugh. Whichever brother makes her laugh the longest and hardest, she would marry. She didn’t want to marry, and knew she wouldn’t laugh at anything they would return with. The brothers left reluctantly to do her bidding. Luc didn’t leave at all, he was her choice. As book one ends, Brianna orders, by punishment, Burke to seek his lady fair as a new quest. By not marrying Brianna, he lost his inheritance and his home. We know Brianna, so happy with her love, wants Burke to find his.

By Chapter 10, I was in love with Burke. He is a man of rare feeling and sensitivity.

Burke’s heart has been someone else’s for many years. He had asked for her hand. She refused and wouldn’t see him. Devastated he was, but then tried again a year later. The same results. She had even left Kiltorren castle, as was told by her aunt.

Sent on this quest, he looks for her again, starting at the castle he first met her. He finds no longer the same young girl, but a woman of rare beauty, compassion, loyalty and fortitude. Her love for her mother’s old maid, Heloise, is very touching. Heloise is the only link left of her mother who died shortly after her birth.

Her two cousins are not as desirable as some lassies are and have need to marry. Their mother, who’s Alys’s aunt, is delighted to see Burke grace their castle walls. He comes to say he is on a quest to seek marriage. This woman isn’t very nice, falls over herself to please Burke and place her daughters before him. Alys worries she will fall into her mother’s error of trusting too readily, giving her heart where it serves her false.

Alys is incredibly stubborn which frustrates Burke, however determined he is. Burke rarely loses his temper, always a smile and humor on his lips.

Alys is also a woman who is an unpaid servant to her aunt’s family. Burke’s heart, even more engaged, cries for her. Burke has never failed when he wants something. He wants her. He tries to woo the lass, reason with her. She’ll have none of it. She is also very confused because she can’t understand what Burke wants of her, if he wants her at all. There are lies, told them both, ferreted out.

One of her daughters, Malvina, doesn’t fall far from the tree. She’s conniving and self-centered. (I like what happens to her!)

This is a story about jealousy. Jealousy of long standing, between two sisters. The jealousy has eaten into an old woman’s heart and mind. It’s also a story of love which endures, even when not nurtured by the nearness of the one you love. It’s a story about giving everything up for love. Amazingly beautiful, thoroughly charming, a must-read for those who love Medieval romance of tender feelings and heroes who will not give up on love. show less