An Interview with Medieval Scottish Romance Author Claire Delacroix

Why Scotland? or What drew you to write Scottish Romance novels?

I've written medieval romances set all over Europe, but after I traveled to Scotland, I knew I had to use it as a setting. I loved visiting all the castles, both ruined and maintained. The land is also very beautiful and the rich history is inspiring, too. I love to include folk tales in my books, as well as fantasy elements, and Scotland has a wonderful history of stories about the Fae. 

When writing Scottish Romance novels, besides the story, what is it you want to convey about Scotland and that time in history to your readers?

Throughout the medieval era, all over Europe, there's a persistent notion that more is going on in the world than what we mortals notice. Many cultures tell stories of otherworldly beings, of gods walking amongst us or even of the intervention of the divine in our world. I love that sense that so much is possible, and also that much of what's happening is hidden. The idea of worlds parallel to our own is fascinating. In my most recent Scottish-set medieval romance series - The True Love Brides - the family at Kinfairlie was caught up in events in the realm of the Fae, because their holding of Kinfairlie is said to be a portal between the worlds. I finished that series with The Warrior's Prize, which was published in December. http://deborahcooke.com/claire-delacroix-books/the-true-love-brides/

What about research? Do you love it or is it a necessary evil?

I have a degree in medieval history, so you can probably guess the answer to that! I'm at my happiest with piles of research books on and around my desk, and maps spread across the floor of my office.

What can we expect on the book shelves in 2015?

This year, I'm starting a new medieval romance series called The Champions of St. Euphemia. A group of Templar knights set out together from Jerusalem, entrusted with a parcel to deliver to the Temple in Paris. They very soon discover that the parcel is sufficiently valuable that someone will kill for it, and realize that they know very little about each other, and the women who have joined their small party. There are four stories in this series, following their journey across Europe to end with a wedding in Scotland. The Crusader's Bride is the first book and it will be out in June. http://deborahcooke.com/claire-delacroix-books/champions-of-st-euphemia/the-crusaders-bride/

You can read an excerpt on my site or download the first chapter from my online store, right here. https://deborahcooke.selz.com/

I also have a new Scottish medieval romance boxed set publishing on February 24. Kinfairlie Knights includes three full length Scottish medieval romances, each of which is first in a series. The Rogue, The Beauty Bride and The Renegade's Heart are all included, and it's specially priced at just 99 cents through March 18. http://deborahcooke.com/claire-delacroix-books/boxed-sets/kinfairlie-knights/

I'm planning to write the story of the last sibling from Kinfairlie (that's Ross) and launch a new series set at Inverfyre in the Highlands, after the Templar series is done. That might just squeak into the 2015 release schedule, so stay tuned!

Tell us a little about your writing process for example are you an inveterate plotter, a write-by-the-seat-of-your-pants author, organic, or some mix of them all.

I'm naturally a pantser but 20 years of working with publishers has convinced me of the merit of a synopsis. I now write the first sketch of the synopsis (maybe a paragraph) then the first chapter of the book. That gives the characters a chance to speak up and interact, and gives me a sense of the story's strengths and weaknesses. Then I finish the synopsis (8 - 10 pages double spaced) and then I dive into the writing of the book itself. One thing I do that is apparently unusual is that I revise continuously - whatever is behind me in the book manuscript has to be clean for me to envision what's next. In that way, by the time I write the last scene of the book, the rest has been edited and revised multiple times. I usually write the last scene, read it once, then spell check and send it to my editor. From what I understand, not many authors write that way, but it works for me.

Claire Delacroix is a pseudonym used by bestselling and award-winning author Deborah Cooke. Deborah Cooke, as Claire Delacroix, and has written as Claire Cross. She is nationally bestselling, #1 Kindle Bestselling, KOBO Bestselling, as well as a USA Today and New York Times’ Bestselling Author. Her Claire Delacroix medieval romance, The Beauty, was her first book to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books.

Deborah has published over fifty novels and novellas, including historical romances, fantasy romances, fantasy novels with romantic elements, paranormal romances, contemporary romances, urban fantasy romances, time travel romances and paranormal young adult novels. She writes as herself,

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 a member of Romance Writers of America and of Novelists Inc. She is an avid knitter, and lives in Canada with her husband.

To learn more:

website http://deborahcooke.com

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorClaireDelacroix

Twitter @Cooke_Delacroix

Tsu https://www.tsu.co/DeborahCooke

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12694.Claire_Delacroix

Scottish Romance Author Amanda Forester

Thank you or inviting me to chat today about my upcoming book, THE HIGHLANDER'S  BRIDE. Here is the grand unveiling of my new cover.  Ta da!  What do you think?

I began writing Scottish medievals and then took a bit of a foray into English Regency, but now have returned to my first love, the Highland hero!

Besides, in my last Highland novel, I left poor young Gavin Patrick alone in France to seek his fortune. He and his step-father, Sir Chaumont, had been recruited to take a valuable relic out of dangerous hands to the safety of France. This mission being completed, they were supposed to return to Scotland, but Gavin had other ideas.

I wrote the following epilogue for the end of TRUE HIGHLAND SPIRIT about Gavin's beginning of his adventure, but it was cut from the book.

So here is a never before published deleted scene!

1356, Somewhere in France…

Gavin rode down the road in the early morn alongside his step-father, Chaumont, 

admiring the French countryside. They approached a fork in the road and Chaumont began down 

the right path, but Gavin came to a stop.

“This way back to Scotland,” said Chaumont.

“I know but… I was thinking the path to the left looked like a nice way,” Gavin gave him 

a slight shrug and a smile. He was not sure how to tell him what he had been thinking to do.

Chaumont gave him an appraising glance. “You are thinking of going adventuring.”

“Aye,” said Gavin with a widening smile. Chaumont knew him too well.

“I must return. My heart, my wife, and my children they are all in Scotland. You ought to 

be there too. At least, that is what your mother would say.”

“I dinna ask ye to stay. In truth, I dinna wish ye to.” This siren call of adventure was 

something Gavin needed to face alone.

“And what will I say to your mother? Mary will most distressed if I return without you.”

“Tell my mother I love her and I will return.” 

“Gavin…” Chaumont shook his head. “She will not like it.”

“I know, but it is time. How old were ye when ye ventured out to seek yer fortune?”

“Younger than you, but I had not the benefit of family.”

Gavin smiled. “I will always have that. This way looks a pleasant road, and I ken ye are 

about to tell me it isna so nice, but I think I must find it out for myself.”

Chaumont gave him a begrudging smile. "Oui, it is the truth you speak. But I do not 

relish trying to convince your mother." Chaumont rode closer and grasped his hand. “Goodbye, 

my lad. Take good care and return home soon.” 

“Fare thee well!” Gavin turned his head toward the rising sun and the promise of 

adventure.

Amanda Forester

THE HIGHLANDER'S BRIDE, picks up three years later after Sir Gavin's adventure turned into
years of defending the French against the English in what will later be known as the Hundred Years War. Having enough of the fighting and he decides he will quietly return home to Scotland.

He thinks his life will be easier off the battlefield, until he is saddled with a passel of orphans, a massive treasure to transport, and a sharp-tongued French heiress,

Lady Marie Colette, whom he is honor bound to escort to her Highland fiancé.

The situation gets worse when they are forced to pose as a married couple to sneak out of France.

Stuck in a small cabin on a long voyage, Gavin and Colette fight against their forbidden attraction while pretending to be a happy couple... yet they both want to do so much more than pretend.


THE HIGHLANDER'S BRIDE will be released fall of 2015.

In order to read the full story surrounding Gavin Patrick (and see how he tries to kill Chaumont when they first meet) be sure
to check out THE HIGHLANDER'S SWORD, THE HIGHLANDER'S HEART, and TRUE
HIGHLAND SPIRIT.

Be sure to also check out my medieval novellas, with THE HIGHLAND BRIDE'S CHOICE now offered free!

I enjoy connecting with readers so come find me on my website, facebook, or twitter!

I really enjoyed finally writing Gavin's story since I watched him grow up in my Highlander
series.

What makes the best Highlander hero to you?