I’m really thrilled to have my good friend and acclaimed historical romance author Claire Delacroix visiting the blog today. Claire – who also writes paranormal romance as Deborah Cooke – has published more than forty-five romance novels and a whole slew of novellas. The Beauty, part of her successful Bride Quest series, was the first book to land her on the New York Times bestseller list.
I’m going to turn the blog over to Claire, so she can tell us all about her new series.
Galloping Back to Medieval Scotland
One of the most exciting things to happen in my writing life this year has been the opportunity to return to medieval Scotland. I’ve missed the Middle Ages and I’ve missed that family at Kinfairlie, so it was wonderful to review all of their stories in order to continue writing the series.
The story at Kinfairlie begins with my book THE ROGUE which is the first book in my Rogues of Ravensmuir trilogy. This trilogy of medieval romances are a bit more gothic in tone than the rest of my work – they remind me of those wonderful gothic romances I gobbled up when I was a teenager. The heroes are enigmatic and more than a little bit of trouble, and each heroine needs to get to the bottom of some mystery in order to be happy forever with the man she loves. That series begins at Ravensmuir on the east coast of Scotland and continues at Inverfyre in the Highlands, but we also encounter Ravensmuir’s neighboring estate of Kinfairlie.
The Jewels of Kinfairlie is a linked trilogy of medieval romances. These three books are more tightly linked – they star three of the eight siblings at Kinfairlie and their respective quests for an HEA. Madeline found her match in THE BEAUTY BRIDE; Vivienne fell head over heels in THE ROSE RED BRIDE; and Alexander married the love of his life in THE SNOW WHITE BRIDE.
These books are reminiscent of fairy tales to me, although they have lots of realistic medieval elements, too. There are battles and feuds, injustices to correct, and the camaraderie of a large family in a large household. There are the magnificent black warhorses bred at Kinfairlie’s sister-estate of Ravensmuir, the mysterious ravens that live at Ravensmuir, and some troublemaking faeries underfoot. That series ends with the oldest brother – Alexander – promising to let his unwed younger sisters marry for true love. Their aunt, Rosamunde, subsequently found her HEA in the short story “The Ballad of Rosamunde”, now also available in a digital edition. (It’s included in the new print edition of THE SNOW WHITE BRIDE, too.)
Over the past few years, I’ve had a lot of mail from readers who wanted to hear the stories of the other siblings at Kinfairlie. I always intended to write those stories, and now I am, in a new series called The True Love Brides.
THE RENEGADE’S HEART is the first book in this series and is Isabella’s story. Isabella – which you’ll know if you’ve read the series so far – is the outspoken sister, the one who is always ready to take a chance and the one most determined to set wrongs to right. She’s not the next oldest, but her character is such that she’d jump line! (And her older sister, Annelise, would let her.) I’ve always wanted to write a Robin Hood hero, and I knew that Isabella would be the kind of heroine who would see right through to such a man’s hidden truth – no matter what he insisted was his plan.
In THE RENEGADE’S HEART, we meet Murdoch, a man who is determined to see an injustice against his family corrected, and a man who believes the Laird of Kinfairlie is the villain responsible for the trouble. When Alexander denies any knowledge of this crime, Murdoch knows he is lying and sets to persuading Alexander to tell the truth – no matter what he has to do to convince him. Little does he expect that the curious sister of the laird (the one who tempts him to kiss her) will become his most stalwart ally inside Kinfairlie’s walls. The two work together to solve the crime and name the villain, even as Alexander becomes more vexed with the renegade occupying his forest. Of course, Isabella has no idea that Murdoch has been cursed by the Fae, and that even if she wins his heart, she will have to fight the Elphine Queen for Murdoch’s very soul.
It was great to travel back to Kinfairlie, to dig out my maps and notes and family trees. My office floor was covered! Of course, spending time away from even a fictional realm means that you see it differently when you return. I was struck by how Kinfairlie has always been rumored to be a portal between the realm of the Fae and that of mortals. There were lots of stories of the Fae meddling in the lives of those who lived at Kinfairlie – I chose to make some of those stories happen to the siblings. I love having paranormal elements in medieval romances, because I think the sense of magic works perfectly with a tone that is evocative of fairy tales. As a result, in THE RENEGADE’S HEART (and in the rest of The True Love Brides series) that portal to Fae is kicked wide open. I’m having a wonderful time with these books.
So, now my question to you is this: do you like to read historical romances with paranormal elements or not? Do you only like paranormal elements in certain time periods of history – like medieval or Regency? Tell me what you like and why.
One person who comments today will win a signed copy of the trade paperback edition of THE RENEGADE’S HEART. Good luck!
And thanks to Vanessa for inviting me to visit!
Thanks for being with us today, Claire! Your new series sounds awesome and I can’t wait to read it. Readers, be sure to visit Claire’s website to read the blurb and an excerpt from THE RENEGADE’S HEART. And don’t forget to visit Claire’s blog and her Deborah Cooke website!
I love historical romances with the paranormal even more than contemporary paranormal romances. I think it’s easier to fall into the story with the mystery of the past intertwined with the mystery of the paranormal. Believing in one helps blend my belief in the other. I find that historical romances also have more leverage to work with the exciting elements of paranormal romance than contemporary. I love all time periods of paranormal historical romance, so anything works for me. This book looks really great, can’t wait to read it!
Whitney, it’s odd how few historical paranormal romances there are, given how you can play around with the conventions.
Well, the conventional wisdom is that there’s no market for paranormal historicals, which I think is just weird. Not only is it an obvious combo to me, but my historicals with fantasy and paranormal elements have always done quite well.
(?) Who can explain the assumptions of publishers?
Well, the conventional wisdom is that there’s no market for paranormal historicals, which I think is just weird. Not only is it an obvious combo to me, but my historicals with fantasy and paranormal elements have always done quite well.
I do enjoy Paranormal History reads. I always think that the medieval period in history lends itself well to Paranormal. It was a such a time of magic & myth.
Totally agree, Mary!
Absolutely, Mary1
For some reason or another I’ve always preferred a historical setting for the books i read; that or a fantasy setting. I’ve not read or come across that many historical romances with PNR elements other than Kristen Callihan’s Firelight & that was one awesome book! Happy to read more historical PNRs!
Didn’t know that Claire writes as Deborah Cooke. I really liked Kiss of Fire!
Thanks Linda – Glad you enjoyed KISS OF FIRE! I have a bit of a soft spot for Quinn.
I love historical romance, I don’t think I have read any with paranormal but do love the historical.
I love historicals, too, Linda, no matter what story elements they have.
Hi everyone! Thanks for inviting me to visit, Vanessa.
Mary, I agree – there’s something that makes a perfect fit between the medieval era and paranormal elements. I think maybe because the medievals had a conviction that magic was everywhere – maybe it was!
Looking forward to the discussion today. 🙂
Claire, very happy to have you on today! Thanks for the great post and the giveaway.
I have always been partial to medieval settings and loved the addition of the paranormal… I’ve always enjoyed Claire’s books..! Thanks for having her and giving us the opportunity to win something!
Claire’s books are great, aren’t they?
Thanks Cate!
I love paranormal historicals. Its so easy to imagine magical or unexplained occurances when in a different time period. The “rules” don’t seem to apply as compared to a contemporary.
Very true, Betty!
Yes, Betty, I agree. I had an editor who used to say that “suspension of disbelief” was easier with historicals, which was why she preferred them.
I kind of like reading alot of different books. Cuz it keeps a person intrest in reading books. It’s just like in real life. You need to do things different.
Robin, I certainly agree with that, too!
Absolutely, Robin. I think of myself as a reading omnivore. This week, it’s been mysteries set in Venice. (I’m a huge Donna Leon fan.) Next week, who knows?
I love reading historical novels. Sometimes I like reading them with paranormal elements. I don’t mind having paranormal element in different eras. Just as long as it is written well I don’t mind.
Melody, historicals will always be my first love.
Setting matters less to me, too, Melody, than how well the story is told. I’ll read anything that’s beautifully written.
I love historicals with paranormal elements. I am not picky about the time period as long as the story is good and I like the couple in the story!
May, it’s so true that engaging characters are really the most important elements in a romance.
LOL May – Well I hope you like Murdoch and Isabella! I had a lot of fun with them.
I really like historical romances with paranormal elements, no matter the era. A touch of magic, shape shifters, or vampires can add lots of excitement to a story.
I agree, Jennifer!
It mixes it up a bit, doesn’t it, Jennifer? I like that too. And I really liked describing the Fae Queen, too.
Ooo, looks like I’m in good company here. (But then, it’s always that way when I visit Vanessa.) Lots of you like historicals with paranormal elements.
Anyone other than Linda Thum have a favourite? (I’m going to have to check out those books, Linda. Thanks for the suggestion.)
My critique partner, Debbie Mazzuca, writes wonderful paranormal Highland historicals. Lots of fun!
I can read paranormal in any genre and since medieval Scotland is my favorite, the combination sounds wonderful. Love the covers too!!
Aren’t Claire’s covers fabulous? Love them!
There is definitely something magical about medieval Scotland and Ireland. My artist is Irish, so maybe that’s why she does such a good job with these covers.
I like paranormal– in any kind of book! Actually, I’m kind of a paranormal hog 😉 I’ve not read a lot of paranormal with historical, but I do with there were more!
Claire/Deb is a good place to start, Chelsea!
I think there’s less of it out there, Chelsea, in historical. Let’s start a trend!
Hi Vanessa and Claire!
I hope you’re both having a lovely Summer. The sun didn’t make an appearance until a week ago so I’ve definitely been putting in a lot of reading time.
Speaking of reading, I am a fan of both historical and paranormal. It’s a nice change to see a historical with paranormal elements. Though, thinking back I don’t think I’ve come across many books but those I have have been memorable. A Knight in Shining Armor has a bit of paranormal and it’s a time-travel story that I really enjoyed.
I like all kinds of eras from Medieval to Victorian and more.
Hi, Na! You’re on the West Coast, right? It’s been NO rain and tons of sun beating down on us here in Ottawa.
Na – It’s been hot and dry here, until the last couple of days. What a relief to have a break in the heat.
That’s funny that you mention AKISA. I love that book, too, but I always think of it as a contemporary. Similarly, I can never decide what category to choose for my time travels. Historical? Contemporary? I choose both, but they should have a tt category.
These books sound good. I don’t mind the mix of genres as long as the story sounds good.
Me too!
Absolutely.
I love paranormal romance in any time period. I really Like it in Historical.
This sounds like a really good series.
Lori, trust me – Claire’s books are fantastic!
Lori – we just might be kindred spirits. 🙂
I love the nmedieval romances.I find that they take you right into the time period and you soak up the atmosphere and lets face it there is no place on earth like medieval Scotland
Elizabeth, it’s a very evocative period, isn’t it?
So, Elizabeth, it sounds like you understand perfectly why I had to go back there again! I love medieval Scotland.
I enjoy a little paranormal in my historicals though I do tend to prefer the elements to be more ghosts/psychic/mystic/magic in nature to the shifter/vampire & such. Not sure why that is.
Hmm. That’s a good point, Donna Ann. I instinctively go for magic in my historicals, not shifters and vampires. Never thought about it, though, until you said that. Hmm!
I remember reading “The Rogue” back in 8th grade or high school, but was the cover red with a necklace or something on it? I could be mistaken but I saved all of my books until I got married and treated them like gold!
Love the historicals and Claire’s an excellent writer!