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The Crusader's Bride: A Medieval Romance (The Champions of Saint Euphemia Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Claire Delacroix (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 1,583 ratings

Book 1 of 5: The Champions of Saint Euphemia

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Gaston battled for duty and honor—until Ysmaine tempted him to fight for her love...
When the Templar knight Gaston unexpectedly inherits his family estate, he knows he needs a wife and heir. A marriage of convenience to a widow in need of assistance is a practical solution and the newly-wed pair leave Jerusalem, entrusted with the delivery of a package for the Templars. Away from the life he has known for years, Gaston quickly realizes that little is following his plan—especially his mysterious wife, whose presence awakens an unexpected fire...
Twice widowed, Ysmaine doubts she will ever wed again, let alone have a marriage of merit—until she is charmed by the gruff knight intent upon defending her. Ysmaine weds again, not only by her own choice but to a warrior whose honor she admires. She is determined to show Gaston that marriage has more to offer them both than an heir, but first she must win the trust of the wary man she has impulsively wed...
Neither realize that Gaston has been entrusted with the treasure of the Templars—much less that someone in their small party is intent upon claiming the prize at any cost. In a company of strangers with secrets, can Gaston dare to trust his new bride? Can Ysmaine convince Gaston to confide what he knows? Can they solve the riddle together before the villain’s plan comes to fruition and all is lost?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bestselling and award-winning author Claire Delacroix has published over seventy novels and novellas. Her first book, Romance of the Rose was published in 1993. She is USA Today and nationally bestselling, and her medieval romance, The Beauty, was her first book to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books. Claire Delacroix is a pseudonym used by Deborah Cooke for her historical and fantasy romances. Deborah also publishes contemporary and paranormal romances as Deborah Cooke and has written as Claire Cross. Deborah was the writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library in 2009, the first time TPL hosted a residency focused on the romance genre, and she was honored to receive the Romance Writers of America PRO Mentor of the Year Award in 2012. She's also on the RWA Honor Roll. She lives in Canada with her family and is an avid knitter.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01101SK6I
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Deborah A. Cooke; 3rd edition (July 28, 2015)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 28, 2015
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2404 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 351 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #350,949 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #801 in Ancient World Historical Romance (Kindle Store)
- #929 in Ancient World Historical Romance (Books)
- #1,655 in Medieval Historical Romance (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 1,583 ratings

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Claire Delacroix

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Sign up for my monthly medieval romance newsletter, Knights & Rogues:

https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622ca9849b7136a9e313df83

NYT bestselling author Claire Delacroix always loved stories, both telling them and hearing them. She sold her first romance novel in 1992 and has published over eighty romance novels since. She writes in a variety of subgenres, including time travel romance, historical romance, medieval romance, fantasy romance and fantasy with romantic elements. She has also written under the names Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. She makes her home with her family, a number of incomplete knitting projects and a lot of overgrown houseplants. Claire loves to travel, to cook, to ride her bike and to read.

I loves writing linked books - most of my series are currently enrolled in Kindle Unlimited:

Blood Brothers is a series of Scottish medieval romances, in progress:

1. The Wolf & the Witch

2. The Hunter & the Heiress

3. The Dragon & the Damsel (2022)

4. The Scot & the Sorceress (2023)

The Brides of North Barrows is a series of Regency romances, some with paranormal elements:

1. Something Wicked This Way Comes

2. A Duke by Any Other Name

3. A Baron for All Seasons

4. A Most Inconvenient Earl

The Champions of St. Euphemia is a medieval romance series that has no connection to Ravensmuir, Kinfairlie or Inverfyre. It follows a group of knights from Jerusalem to Scotland and should be read in order:

1. The Crusader's Bride

2. The Crusader's Heart

3. The Crusader's Kiss

4. The Crusader's Vow

5. The Crusader's Handfast

Many of my books are set at Ravensmuir, Kinfairlie or Inverfyre and feature the families there. The Rogues of Ravensmuir trilogy of medieval Scottish romances introduces the family:

1. The Rogue

2. The Scoundrel

3. The Warrior

The Jewels of Kinfairlie series of medieval Scottish romances tells the stories of the next generation after the Rogues of Ravensmuir:

1. The Beauty Bride

2. The Rose Red Bride

3. The Snow White Bride

4. The Ballad of Rosamunde

The True Love Brides series continues with the family introduced in the Jewels of Kinfairlie. There are eight siblings all together, and these are the next four:

1. The Renegade's Heart

2. The Highlander's Curse

3. The Frost Maiden's Kiss

4. The Warrior's Prize

The Brides of Inverfyre series includes the story of the last sibling from Kinfairlie (Ross) as well as those of the children of the Hawk and Aileen (from The Warrior):

1. The Mercenary's Bride

2. The Runaway Bride

The Bride Quest series of medieval romances:

1. The Princess - her first USAToday bestseller

2. The Damsel - a USAToday bestseller

3. The Heiress - a USAToday bestseller

4. The Countess - a USAToday bestseller

5. The Beauty - a USAToday and New York Times bestseller

6. The Temptress

I also wrote four stand-alone time travel or paranormal romances which were first published under the pseudonym Claire Cross. These have been republished as Claire Delacroix titles:

1. Once Upon a Kiss

2. The Last Highlander

3. The Moonstone

4. Love Potion #9

I've been revising and republishing some of my older works, including these books to date:

One Knight Enchanted

One Knight's Return

Unicorn Bride

Pearl Beyond Price

I also write contemporary romance and paranormal romance as Deborah Cooke.

Visit my websites at:

http://delacroix.net

http://deborahcooke.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

1,583 global ratings

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Gabrielle Schmidt

Romance & mystery

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024

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I've read several of Ms. Delacroix's books, which I enjoyed, thus I bought The Crusaders Bride. GREAT CHOICE!!! I liked the plot and characters. What I really enjoyed is the mystery that made me try to figure out who the thief was. I found myself thinking about the story when I had put it down. That tells me that is a good story.

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LilMissMolly

Compelling Romantic Mystery Set During the Crusades

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016

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The Crusader's Bride is a compelling tale by Claire Delacroix that travels from Jerusalem to Venice and then to Paris. What I love most about Claire's writing is the character development. The Crusader at the center of this story is Gaston who is not only a strong and loyal warrior for the Church, but he is also a compassionate and fair master to those who serve under him. The Bride in the story is Ysmaine, who is determined, selfless, and every inch Gaston's equal.

The story begins with Gaston learning of his brother's death. He has inherited his father's estate in France and must now head home after spending the last 15 years serving the Templars in the Holy Land. Gaston wastes no time in finding Ysmaine at the Church (a down on her luck noblewoman who traveled to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage) and he takes her to be his wife before journeying home to France. Thankfully Gaston's new wife Ysmaine is no simpering young maiden and she doesn't hesitate to speak up and let Gaston know her mind during the trip.

This is the first book in The Champions of Saint Euphemia saga, which involves a company of Knights Templar who are chosen to deliver the most prized possessions in the Templar treasury for safekeeping. As part of the Templars releasing Gaston of his vow to serve them, he must deliver one of the treasures to Paris. However, there is a traitor among the traveling party who doesn't hesitate to kill in an attempt to steal this treasure. Ysmaine and Gaston must not only protect the treasure but also keep each other safe from the traitor's clutches. It was fun trying to figure out who the traitor was!

Tim Gerard Reynolds narrated this Audible version of the story and he did a great job. He clearly differentiated between male and female voices and changed the tempo in the performance when warranted. I definitely enjoyed listening to this audiobook and highly recommend it. I can't wait for the next narrated book in the series!

One person found this helpful

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Freddy Walsh

Great book !!!

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024

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I love this book !! Have found a new favourite author .Am looking forward to finding more of these good books.

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Sharyn McQuaid

Interesting start to a series

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024

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Delacroix has taken an interesting approach to this series, with overlapping stories. Gaston and Ysmaine's story ends with many open questions (although the important issue of the heir is answered). There is enough revealed about Wulf (and Christine) to draw the reader further into the series. While this episode leaves no doubt more happiness is ahead for Gaston and Ysmaine, it is also clear there is more intrigue and conflict in their future.

Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2020

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In the Crusader’s Bride: A Medieval Romance by Claire Delacroix we meet two strong and dynamic protagonists. Ysmaine de Valroy is a healer and two times widow. Each of her husbands were aged and frail and unfortunately died on their wedding nights without consummation. Hence those around Ysmaine, and she herself, belief that she is cursed. To rid herself of this curse and seek God’s forgiveness, Ysmaine goes a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. There, along with her maid, Radegande, Ysmaine falls on hard times. She finds herself stranded and penniless.

Meanwhile, the male protagonist a twenty-year veteran Templar knight named Gaston de Chaumont. Gaston receives word that he is the sole heir to the family estate and the title of baron. Retiring as a Templar, Gaston must return home, but he needs a wife and decides to look for one in Jerusalem. Enamored with Ysmaine Gaston seeks her out with his proposal of marriage. Prior to leaving Jerusalem, Gaston is given one last quest to be a courier and take a parcel back to France as part of a small caravan. Caravans face many dangers, and Gaston’s caravan is no exception. As rumors spread that the caravan maybe transporting Templar treasure Gaston’s caravan is in peril. Sabotage exists in the caravan. Will they make it back to France safely? Will they be able to deliver the parcel? How will Ysmaine and Gaston fair in their new marriage? Will they learn to trust each other?

Ms. Delacroix has written an intriguing romance filled with mystery. I appreciate the amount of research she’s done to paint this medieval setting. I also like the way she incorporated dialog between her characters. Her descriptive language pulls the reader into each scene. If you want to know who is responsible for sabotage and how Ysmaine and Gaston fare, then you must pick up this book.

2 people found this helpful

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NavyWave62

AN AMAZING H AND h!!

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2016

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Sometimes you may like one of the main character's better than another, but not in this story. I enjoyed how they each discovered lovemaking together. Which is a rarity, because usually the man has so much experience and brings the lady along on the journey of discovery. In this story, they both were innocent and I enjoyed our h confusion as the say goes IS THIS ALL THERE IS (after lovemaking)???

I read the books out of order with book 2 then 3 because I was gifted those by the publisher and already left an honest review on those stories. I didn't realize I already owned book 1, so it was somewhat confusing in that I knew the outcome because I read book 2. Please read them in order, because most of the character's are in each book.

There is mild lovemaking, great suspense, intriguing secondary character's, twists, surprises, and romance that builds until we reach our HEA. I really enjoy this series and highly recommend it. (ljb)

7 people found this helpful

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Sandee L

Delightful romantic adventure

Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2018

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Engaging, interesting and romantic. I loved all of the characters in this book including the grumpy ones. Lots of perspectives of life at that time. By the end of the book I was so engaged in the all characters histories and challenges I am going to have to read the other books.

Uttara

Superb. That's the only word that comes to my mind.

Reviewed in India on April 3, 2018

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Excellent characters, history stands out glaring at us at every turn. Fabulous detailing, just loved it. Claire, u r superb. Keep up the good work.

Evelyn Tidman - historical fiction author

Unexpectedly good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

This was an unexpectedly good read, excellent story, readable and intriguing. A sort of medieval who-dunnit. In fact it kept me guessing right up to the end, but then I realised there were little pointers on the way which did hint at the villain. Ysmaine and Gaston made a really believable couple falling in love, while at the same time learning to trust each other in an atmosphere full of distrust. And when Ysmaine's plans to help her husband threatened to scupper their love, I found myself mentally telling her off!

Historically, the background seemed to me to be well-researched. I knew very little about the crusades, what it was like in the Holy Land when Saladin conquered, or even before he conquered. I knew nothing about the Templars, for example, I did not realise they were celibate, like monks. The author paints a very believable picture of the last quarter of the 12th century. The dialogue too was sufficiently historical to give a flavour of the period without being over the top. I have to say I loved it and I have already ordered the other two books in the series for my Kindle.

4 people found this helpful

lisa

Inept Templar bridegroom

Reviewed in Australia on October 7, 2016

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I love this tale of a French knight who marries in Jerusalem then travels home with his new bride. There is a sweet romance, a gripping adventure and some hilarious moments in the bedroom.

Templar knight Gaston decides to marry. In Jerusalem he meets attractive Ysmaine who has fallen on hard times. Ysmaine is grateful for Gaston's offer of marriage and the security that comes with it. The couple make the perilous journey to France with a group of fellow travellers, one of them carrying a religious treasure that must be protected at all costs.

Gaston isn’t a great lover. Ysmaine wants more than a quick poke but inexperienced Gaston doesn't know what goes where. I found this pretty funny, while being tempted to send this book to my ex. So this is a satisfying book and great value for the price. It's not up there with great medieval HR authors like Kathryn Le Veque and Lynsay Sands, but it's a close runner up.

4 people found this helpful

Ritasarvpriya

Good one

Reviewed in India on April 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

Great story and romance hand in hand with history. Takes the readers to the twelfth century and the crusaders. Absorbing story and has the readers engaged in it.

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The Crusader's Bride: A Medieval Romance (The Champions of Saint Euphemia Book 1) Kindle Edition

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Claire Delacroix

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