New York Times bestselling author Claire Delacroix sold her first book in 1992, an historical romance called ROMANCE OF THE ROSE. Since then, she has published over sixty romance novels and novellas, and has also been published under the names Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. She has an honours degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies. She is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels.
In October and November 2009, she was the writer in residence for the Toronto Public Library, the first time that the library has hosted a residency focused on the romance genre.
Interesting "paranormal" type of story placed in the late 1300's
The first book is about Merlyn and Ysabelle. They were married for two weeks then sperated because she found out about his side business from his brother Gawain. The business was started by his father. It dealt with selling religious artifacts. The only problem was that the artifacts they sold were either stolen by them to start with or a fake was made to look like the original. Isabelle wanted nothing to do with a list so she left while Merlyn was away. Now he needs her help to find out who is trying to kill him and why. She doesn't want to do he takes his death so she has to go back to their original keep. She finds out he lied again about his death but she helps him so she can retain hold on the keep and it's holdings. She does it so that her younger brother and sister won't starve and can live with some luxuries. Turns out everyone either wants a hidden artifact or the keep property. There are deceptions aplenty in this story. Keeps you reading from the start. The second is about Gawain. He was the brother most involved with the thefts with his father. He of course takes off with the artifact from the first book. The rightful owners family wants it back. Evangeline is the only one left of her family. She seduces Gawain and steals the artifact back from him. Most of this story takes place in Iverfyre. While these two take turns stealing the artifact back and forth there is an opposing side who wants to take over Iverfyre keep. There are also strange happenings going on. Gawain trusts no one. He feels nothing for anyone, or does he? Evangeline may change his heart with her love but she needs some changes too. There is a war started at Iverfyre which leads us to twenty years later where Gawain and Evangeline's son the rightful heir to Iverfyre goes back to try to claim it. Supposedly he is the founder of the Iverfyre keeps first load reincarnated. He needs to find his true love again. She was supposedly turned into a peregrean falcon somehow and they were cursed. The only way to break the curse was with the seventh son of the line, who happens to be Michael "Hawk" . He needs to find the reincarnation of Malcolm's previous love.
These are interesting stories that can be a little "out there" but for those of us who read paranormal stories also, they are pretty good. Read on KU. Glad I gave them a chance.
I have read this collection twice and have greatly enjoyed them. These are stories that you want to see what happens next. This is the saga of the Lammergeier family. Merlyn, The Rogue, is the oldest brother. He lets his wife Ysabella leave him for five years before seeking her help in uncovering who is trying to take Ravenmuir. Left Ysabella left Merlyn because she thought he was a thief.
Merlyn’s brother Gawain, The Scoundrel, is a thief. His adventure with Evangeline begins when she seduces him to retrieve a relic stolen from her family many years ago. Another family is also trying to invade Evangeline’s holding and Gawain helps uncover who and why.
Evangeline and Gawain’s relationship creates Michael, The Warrior. Michael was born and raised in Italy, but was taught that is legacy was in Scotland. His story begins with him returning to his mother’s holding and rebuilding that estate. He also learns the lineage of his mother’s side of the family and searches for the woman who will help him defeat his foes and make him complete as a man. Aileen is the one to fulfill that prophecy.
What I like the best about this series is that each is connected to another, not only by family, but by birds. The lammergeirer is a sheep vulture. Merlyn’s bird is the raven, while Evangeline’s is the falcon. Michael is known as the Hawk.
This trilogy, set in medieval Scotland, was very well-written and enjoyable. Each book mixed intrigue, adventure and romance. The heroines were strong and admirable and the heroes were their perfect matches. In the Rogue, Ysabella and Merlyn met and married very quickly, then split up, then re-entered each other's lives. Their journey to trusting each other and solving the mysteries around them was fun to read about. In The Scoundrel, Lady Evangeline and Merlyn's brother, Gawain, are both seeking the same religious artifact. There are some surprising twists and turns in this story and the passion, communication and fireworks between these two were amazing. The Warrior introduces the Lady Aileen to Lady Evangeline's son, Michael. He meets her and feels instinctively that she is the one for him. Their path to love is not easy but they persevere and resolve the mysteries surrounding them as well. I am looking forward to reading two related series, The Jewels of Kinfairlie, and the True Love Brides, as well! Copy gifted by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This series got better as it went along. Book 3 was better than book 2, which was better than book 1.
In Book 1, The Rogue, I absolutely loved Merlyn. Ysabella drove me nuts with her not trusting him. That went on far too long for me.
In Book 2, The Scoundrel, I was driven nuts again by a heroine sticking to a decision even when it didn't make sense. I wanted to ask her who made her the seventh son.
Book 3, The Warrior, was by far the best book. The hero and heroine were just right in the way they felt each other out and learned to trust one another.
I would give 4 stars to The Rogue and The Scoundrel and 5 stars to The Warrior. If you like medieval romance you'll enjoy this set. The heroines are just as full of fight as the heroes. The heroes are smart, valiant, and caring.
The author weaves a good tale, her language is appropriately medieval with words like wanton and ardor. The first is a good love story that pulls u in, I enjoyed the first person perspective. The second one has an adorably flawed hero, and a feminist style hell bent woman, I enjoyed how both of them had to compromise to come together at the end. The third one I haven't read yet, since it's more of the same.
Three wonderfully written books filled with real, colorful characters. All of the stories are convincing in their portrayal of the times, with acts of betrayal, redemption, desire and love. The stories have you at times holding your breath with suspense, puzzling at the turn of events and ultimately falling in love with the characters.
Hawk and Aileen what can be said destined to be forever one. Claire Delacroix has given this reader pure enjoyment with these two lovers and the histories of their fates. I have read also the next two series of this enchanting family and looking forward in reading The Truly Brides. Thank you to this talented and mystical author!
If I had only read The Warrior five stars would have been given. But the first two books we not as good and I didn't care for the telling in the first person. I'm moving on to the Bride stories hoping they are much like The Warrior.
This family of thieves need to be taught a lesson by the law. Instead they are taught by love. Each story is well worth reading! I was given an ARC for an honest review.
The stories of the three men and their families beginning of this great family. All have had to hard and ruthless. Yet all are rogues with a sense of humor. Loved these stories so much.