FREE:
The Renegade's Heart (The True Love Brides Book 1) - Claire Delacroix (she's also: Deborah Cooke & Claire Cross)
Amazon US---
Amazon UK---
Amazon Canada---
Kobo US
-Medieval Romance w/Paranormal Elements
-She has published with Berkley, Dell/Random House, Jove, Harlequin, Grand Central, Tor, etc
-It's her "first indie-published original title"; see "From the author" (below) for more info. and how it relates to her other books
-LINK to Goodreads
Spoiler:
Released from the captivity of the Fae, Murdoch Seton wants nothing more than to forget his lost years. Undertaking a quest to recover treasure stolen from his family seems the perfect solution - but Murdoch is not counting upon a curious maiden who holds both the secret to the theft and his sole redemption.
Isabella is outraged to find her brother’s keep besieged by a renegade knight - especially one who is too handsome for his own good or hers. After a single encounter, she becomes convinced that his cause is just and decides to unveil the true thief, never imagining that their single shared kiss has launched a battle for Murdoch’s very soul.
As the treacherous Fae move to claim Murdoch forever, Isabella seeks to heal the knight who has stolen her heart. But will Murdoch allow her to take a risk and endanger herself? Or will he sacrifice himself to ensure Isabella’s future?
This edition includes excerpts from THE HIGHLANDER'S CURSE and KISS OF FIRE.
From the Author:
Dear Reader;
The Renegade's Heart was a milestone for me because it was my first indie-published original title.
I created the fictional holdings of Ravensmuir and Kinfairlie in my medieval romance The Rogue, which was the first book in my Rogues of Ravensmuir trilogy. The Scoundrel (book #2 in that series) further explored the history of those two sites, and also added the highland keep of Inverfyre to my fictional version of Scotland. The Warrior, book #3, was set primarily at Inverfyre, and at the end of that book, the family from Kinfairlie comes to Inverfyre at midsummer to celebrate the wedding of Aileen and the Hawk. There is one line in The Warrior about Roland and Catherine having eight children, which gave me the idea to write a linked series of eight books, each one telling the story of one of those children.
I published the first three stories of these siblings in my Jewels of Kinfairlie trilogy (The Beauty Bride, The Rose Red Bride, and The Snow White Bride) but could not place the others with publishers. There was a conviction in 2005 that readers only wanted to read Regency-set historicals, not medievals. I knew otherwise from my reader mail, but until portals like KDP opened, there were few options for authors.
I was (and am) very excited to have the chance to finish what was begun. Not only was I able to continue the series and tell Isabella and Murdoch's story, but I could include the paranormal elements I love. The True Love Brides series begins after Alexander has decided to let his younger siblings marry for true love. These stories also occur when the portal to the realm of the Fae is wide open, and the Fae are prepared to make trouble for mortals in their vicinity. In The Renegade's Heart, Isabella must save Murdoch from the Elphine Queen, who has no intention of surrendering him.
The True Love Brides series continues with The Highlander's Curse, which is Annelise's story. Next up will be Malcolm's story in The Frost Maiden's Kiss. I hope you will return to Kinfairlie and Ravensmuir with me, and read about true love conquering all obstacles.
All my best -
Claire