Claire Delacroix's Blog

Today is the day for a huge multi-author 99cent ebook sale at major retailers, hosted by RomanceBookLovers.

You’ll find The Wolf & the Witch on the landing page, as well as my alter ego’s When Annika Met Thom, plus a lot more books on sale.

It’s a one-day sale, so don’t delay!

Visit the landing page.

The Wolf & the Witch, book one of my Blood Brothers series of medieval romances, is on sale for a limited time for just 99cents. If you haven’t started this series, this is a great chance to dive in!

Denied his rightful legacy, Maximilian de Vries devised a plan to avenge himself upon his father and see his own future secured. Allied with his two half-brothers, he descends upon ancient and mysterious Kilderrick, determined to seize the keep once promised to him, regardless of the price. A woman rumored to be a witch is the sole one bold enough to defy him but Maximilian has a solution—he will take her to wife, whether she be willing or nay, and seal his claim.

But this powerful warrior has yet to match wits with Alys Armstrong, a maiden with a thirst for vengeance and a fury that might exceed his own. Alys has no intention of capitulating to the proud and powerful rogue who stole everything from her—no matter how seductive his touch might be—and she does not share his compulsion to fight fair.

Bitter enemies from the outset, Maximilian and Alys’ match is a battle of wills. When passion flares, will either of them be able to resist temptation? And when Kilderrick itself is in peril, will they join forces to save the holding they each prize—and the unexpected love they value above all else?

Quinces have become uncommon, at least in my corner of the world, but they are an ancient fruit. It seems their last wave of popularity was in the late nineteenth century – there are old quince trees planted on farms in this area, and the quinces from those trees can sometimes be found at farmers’ markets. The first time I bought some, the farmer in question told me he didn’t usually pick them, just let them fall and rot. Thanks to my enthusiasm, he picked about half a bushel each year and brought them to the market. I bought a lot of them.

Three years ago, I planted my own quince tree. It’s a Quince de Portugal and is self-pollinating. I also planted a second quince – one taken from an old tree of unknown variety – so they can encourage each other. The first one bloomed this year and bore twelve quinces. The other one has yet to bloom.

The flowers are really pretty.

Here’s the fruit forming. This was taken in July.

I wasn’t sure when to pick the quinces. I ended up picking them in September, since the squirrels were getting busy in the garden and I didn’t want them to steal any.

They sat in a bowl in the kitchen for a few weeks, slowly ripening, and eventually I washed off the fuzz to make them look more respectable.

Finally I made quince jelly. To make jelly of any kind, you first have to make the juice. I don’t peel or core the quinces, since they’re quite hard. I take off the stem, half them, then chop each half into eight pieces or so. It all goes into the pot. I cover them with water and bring them to a boil, then turn the juice down to a simmer.

This time, I simmered the quinces for about three hours. The magical thing about quinces is that the colour of the juice changes with heat – so as it simmers, it turns pink. After about two hours, I mashed the fruit and topped up the water. It was in this last hour that it turned such a vivid pink. It also began to gel.

Next, I let the mixture cool. I lined a collander with a cloth and strained it through. I ended up with this jug and half of another one.

When I first made quince jelly, the recipes suggested sugar and juice be one-to-one. I found that jelly just tasted like sugar. This time, I found suggestions of .8 of sugar to every 1 of juice. I might try even less sugar next time, as it’s still pretty sweet – and I don’t think there’s any risk of it not setting up.

My yield was six jars of beautiful jelly. This is an older picture, because we’ve been eating up this batch.

Some fruit trees bear heavily in alternate years. Was this a low year or a high year? Will there be one quince next year or dozens? I’m curious to find out.

This also got me to thinking about medieval quinces. If you search for quince recipes now, the majority of them are for jelly. You might also find recipes for membrillo, which is quince paste. Both use a fair bit of sugar – but medieval people (and certainly ancient Greek people) didn’t have the same access to cane sugar that we do. How did they eat their quinces?

In The Medieval Kitchen: Recipes from France and Italy, I found a recipe for Cotignac or Quince Jelly Candies. The source is Le Ménagier de Paris – I had also looked there, but this recipe isn’t included in my English translation of the work (The Good Wife’s Guide). There is nothing about quinces in Pleyn Delit either. I suspect these omissions are because quinces are less common in our times – it makes sense to include recipes people can or will actually make.

This is from page 215 to 16 of The Medieval Kitchen – the recipe itself is from Le Menagier de Paris:

“To make cotignan, take quinces and peel them, then cut them into quarters and remove the core and seeds, then cook them in good red wine and then put them through a sieve; then take some honey and boil it for a long time, and skim it; then put in your quinces and stir very well, boil long enough that the honey reduces by at least a half, then add hypocras powder and stir until it is completely cold; then cut into pieces and store.”

“This is one of the first French recipes for these quince jellies, which, as pâte de coings, would later be a specialty of the town of Orléans. Hee they are made with honey, like all the “preserves and sweets” described in Le Ménagier de Paris – and this is further evidence of the bourgeois origins of that text: its author would never have dreamed of using that precious commodity, sugar. He saves it for rather fancier purposes, such as “the Duke’s Powder”, a sweetened spice mixture. Still, this recipe is not without interest, for cooking the fruit in red wine rather than in water adds a fine color and a slightly acidic, winey flavor, which balances the sweetness of the quinces and the musky undertone of the honey.

The name cotignac is related to the words for “quince”: condougn in Provençal and mela cotogna in Italian. Etymologists tell us that this refers to the city of Cydonia (now Canae) in Crete, whose Latin name was Cotonea. In his first-century A.D. Natural History, Pliny the Elder refers to Cotonea in connection with the quince trade.”

There’s a modern version of the recipe after this, and I will try it the next time I have quinces. I’ll have to make my own hypocras, which is fun, too.

The rights to the Spanish translation of The Crusader’s Bride (La novia del caballero de las Cruzadas) have reverted to me, which means there’s a new edition of this book out in the world. It also means that now all the books in the series are linked up in a row at the retail portals, which makes me happy. The new edition has no reviews, which makes me less happy, but it’s on sale for just 99cents and that might help.

The links have also changed for the other four books at KOBO, just FYI. They lost their reviews with the change, too.

Gaston luchaba por el deber y el honor, hasta que Ysmaine lo tentó a luchar por su amor… 

Cuando el caballero templario Gaston hereda inesperadamente los bienes de su familia, sabe que necesita una esposa y un heredero. Un matrimonio de conveniencia con una viuda que necesita ayuda es una solución práctica y la pareja de recién casados abandona Jerusalén, encargándose de la entrega de un paquete para los Templarios. Lejos de la vida que ha conocido durante años, Gaston rápidamente se da cuenta de que no está siguiendo su plan, especialmente su misteriosa esposa, cuya presencia despierta un fuego inesperado…

Ysmaine, que ha enviudado dos veces, duda de que se vuelva a casar otra vez, y mucho menos de tener un matrimonio por interés, hasta que se ve encantada por el rudo caballero que intenta defenderla. Ysmaine vuelve a casarse, no solo por su propia elección, sino con un guerrero cuyo honor admira. Está decidida a demostrarle a Gaston que el matrimonio tiene más que ofrecerles a ambos que un heredero, pero primero debe ganarse la confianza del hombre cauteloso con el que se ha casado impulsivamente… 

Ninguno de los dos se da cuenta de que a Gaston se le ha confiado el tesoro de los Templarios, y mucho menos de que alguien en su pequeño grupo tiene la intención de robar el premio a cualquier precio. En un grupo de extraños con secretos, ¿podrá Gaston atreverse a confiar en su nueva esposa? ¿Podrá Ysmaine convencer a Gaston de que le confíe lo que sabe? ¿Podrán resolver el misterio juntos antes de que el plan del ladrón se haga realidad y todo esté perdido?

Esta es una traducción al español neutral de América Latina.

Compre La novia del caballero de las Cruzadas ebook:

Today’s the day for a 99cent romance promotion, featuring books with fantasy elements.

You’ll find One Knight Enchanted on the landing page, on sale for just 99 pennies, along with 300 other books.

Visit the landing page.

Today’s the day for another free romance book blast. You’ll find The Beauty Bride and The Christmas Conquest on the landing page, along with many other free books.

This time, I’m trying something new. These series starters are free, but I’m discounting the next two titles in each series through November 8. The Rose Red Bride is just 99cents and The Snow White Bride is $2.99US or equivalent. The Masquerade of the Marchioness is 99cents and The Widow’s Wager is just $2.99US or equivalent.

Visit the landing page.

The first three books in my Regency romance series, The Ladies’ Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction, are on sale this week.

The Christmas Conquest is a free series starter.

The Masquerade of the Marchioness is a 99cent read.

The Widow’s Wager is discounted to $2.99US or equivalent.

The sale will last through November 8.

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?

She’s not the woman he married…



Philomena Wright, Marchioness of Arlingview, is universally admired for her intellect, good sense and charitable efforts on behalf of widows and orphans. A woman with every advantage, she also has a guilty secret: in truth, she is Philomena’s twin sister, Penelope. Dreading spinsterhood, she attends a masquerade ball in the hope of finding a suitor before admitting the truth—only to encounter a gentleman who stirs her like no other…



Garrett Wright misses the purpose—and the peril—of his work as a spy during the war and is bored with his disguise as a reckless rake. When he agrees to help unveil a jewel thief preying upon London society, he is beguiled by a beauty who awakens a dream—and becomes determined to unveil the truth, whatever the cost. 



When he finds stolen gems in her possession, Garrett fears his lady has a more dangerous secret than her identity. Forced to choose between honor and unexpected love, how will he both fulfill his duty and secure a happy future with the woman who has captured his heart forever?

She wed once for duty but will only wed again for love…

For as long as she can remember, Eliza North’s heart has been in the possession of her older brother’s friend, Nicholas Emerson. But Nicholas has always been oblivious to Eliza, and when he bought a commission and sailed to war, she wed sensibly instead. Returned to her brother’s house a widow, she meets Lieutenant Emerson again and realizes neither of their feelings have changed. She accepts his request to chaperone his younger sister, Helena, hoping she might win his attention yet, with the assistance of the mysterious Mrs. Oliver and her guide for seduction.

Nicholas Emerson could never aspire to wed the daughter of a duke, especially one so pragmatic as Eliza has always been. That she married for the whimsy love makes him wonder how well he knew Eliza after all. She is still the only woman who captures his attention, but he knows his injuries mean he can never marry. Still, he cannot resist the chance to request Eliza’s assistance with Helena’s second season, and the chance to share her company.

Neither of them anticipate Helena’s wild behavior or their necessary alliance to defend her reputation. Entrusted with the manuscript of Mrs. Oliver’s advice on the seductive arts, Eliza puts its counsel to use, much to Nicholas’ delighted astonishment. How can he refuse the woman he loves, even knowing that he can never ensure her happiness? Caught between honor and love, Nicholas must accept his legacy from the war for this pair to have a future—is Eliza the woman who can heal his wounds forever?

The first two books in my Rogues & Angels series of medieval romances are on sale this week – remember that book #4 is coming in December. Here’s your chance to catch up on the series!

One Knight Enchanted is just 99cents

One Knight’s Return is on sale for $2.99USD or equivalent.

The sale lasts until November 8.

One Knight’s Desire is also available now.

One Knight’s Bride is on pre-order for December delivery.

Cursed to take the form of the wolf by day, Rolfe de Viandin is skeptical that love can save him. All he wants is to return home from crusade by the Yule and even the pleasures of a magical palace cannot console him…until a beautiful and bold maiden arrives at his gates, seeking sanctuary, and Rolfe’s hope is restored.

Hunted in the forest, Annelise de Sayerne has to surrender her desire to wed for love, as the price of entering the only refuge is marriage to its enigmatic lord. She fears he must be a monster, but once she experiences his kindness, Annelise resolves to find love with her new husband—if she can just claim his heart.

Even as Rolfe is beguiled by his bride and Annelise unravels his secrets, a spurned suitor pursues Annelise, determined to claim her legacy at any price. If Rolfe’s curse is not broken, how can he defend his beloved wife from the villain? Will their future be lost before it is truly won—or will Rolfe be convinced of the power of love in time?

Quinn de Sayerne vowed never to return home while his wicked father drew breath. Twenty years after his departure, the knight and crusader is summoned to claim his family holding after his father’s death. But the overlord decrees that Quinn must wed Melissande, the beautiful but frosty heiress of neighboring Annossy. Quinn resolves to win the heart of his lady wife, no matter what the cost, and thence the seal of Sayerne.

Melissande cannot believe that her liege lord has ignored her betrothal and wed her to a mercenary. Worse, he has granted her beloved Annossy to her new husband against her every protest. Though Melissande finds herself the chattel of this rough knight, she is determined to fight Quinn on every front—for the sake of her betrothal, Annossy, and her own pride.

But Annossy itself is in danger with brigands raiding its borders. Quinn is charged to oust the villains, but soon fears his lady wife is in peril—or is she allied with the brigands? Can this pair come to trust each other in time to work together for the sake of the future, or will a villain’s evil scheme cost them both everything they hold dear?

When the grim Lord de Tulley bequests his legacy to his niece and decides to arrange her marriage, the maiden in question knows that no man of sense will decline such a rich prize of a bride. Her jest, undertaken to ensure her survival and ease an old man’s loneliness, has become deadly serious. To Heloise’s dismay, Tulley chooses Lothair the Viking as his successor. Lothair is unlike the other knights in his company—just as powerful and decisive as his fellows, quiet Lothair is also perceptive. His very presence makes Heloise’s heart flutter and not just because she fears he will uncover her deepest secret. A man of honor like Lothair can only reveal the truth to Tulley and Heloise dreads the result. Can she charm her taciturn betrothed for the greater good?

A warrior and a healer, Lothair is accustomed to being caught between objectives. Still, experience has not prepared him for the temptation of Lady Heloise, the beautiful niece of his overlord. The maiden’s very presence steals his wits and renders him mute, while her barest glance fills his heart with wild yearning.

When Lothair discovers that Heloise is not the maiden she pretends to be, he is once again snared—between honor and duty, his dawning love for his new wife, and the lady’s determination to keep her secret. Can he dare to trust the woman who has stolen his heart, or is he just a willing pawn to his lady? Can Heloise trust the knight who swears to defend her forever instead of fleeing—or will her past demand its due from both of them first?

Amaury de Montvieux returns home from crusade expecting change—but not that his legacy has been claimed by a neighbor, much less that the only way to regain his inheritance is to marry the intruder’s daughter. The maiden is known to be both plain and a shrew, but Amaury does not care: he must hold Montvieux, regardless of the price. He’s never believed that love should stand in the way of questions of importance. Marriage it will be.

Isabella de Marnis secretly admired the handsome knight Amaury, heir of her father’s enemy, long before he rode to crusade, and welcomes this arranged marriage. But no sooner is their betrothal announced than Isabella’s older brother dies in a mysterious hunting accident. When her father succumbs to his grief, Isabella is left alone and Marnis undefended. Fearing that Amaury is responsible, Isabella takes refuge in her ancestral home.

Not to be denied, Amaury storms the gates to claim his bride and secure his legacy. Once victorious, he hears whispers of a plot against him. Has the old enmity between their families undermined their vows? Has his clever wife been scheming to hold Marnis in her own right? Or is she a pawn, trapped in a web of another’s making, in need of Amaury’s protection? Choosing to trust his new bride is the boldest choice he has ever made, but Amaury knows that they can only triumph together. His sole hope is that their alliance is not made too late – but he has not guessed how much Isabella will surrender out of her newfound love for him.

Coming December 2025
Pre-order available at some portals:

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

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 450) romances (both ebooks and audiobooks) 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.

For this promotion, the organizer has a landing page (KOBOPlusRomanceBinge.com) and KOBO builds a landing page on their own site to support the sale. This is usually interesting as they support different categories – the KOBO site also includes the book covers, while the organizer site has a short blurb and keywords – I say ‘usually’ because this time, there’s a glitch. My books (and many others) aren’t on the promotion website due to that glitch; they’re just on the KOBO landing pages.

You’ll find the audiobook of The Beauty Bride on the KOBO website in Historical Romance and on the YOLO site in Spicy Historical Romance. You’ll also find the ebook of All’s Fair in Love & War on the KOBO website in Historical Romance and on the YOLO site in Spicy Historical Romance.

You’ll find the Just Trouble on the KOBO website in Contemporary Romance and on the YOLO site in Steamy Contemporary Romance. You’ll find the audiobook for Wyvern’s Mate on the KOBO website in the Sci-Fi & Paranormal Romance category, and on the YOLO site in the Shifter Romance category.

Visit the KOBO Plus Romance Binge website.

Visit KOBO’s landing page.

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.

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…

Buy the ebook:

Buy the new Trade Paperback: