Monday, November 19, 2012

Guest Post and Giveaway with Claire Delacroix

United By Book is glad to have Claire Delacroix some of you may also know as Deborah Cooke is taking over the blog today......


The Power of Love
by Claire Delacroix (http://www.delacroix.net)

What would you do for love?

Romance novels almost always have the theme “love conquers all”, and love does conquer a great deal in real life, too. Love can dissolve boundaries between people, and make the differences between them seem manageable instead of insurmountable. Love allows characters to listen and to understand, sometimes even to hear things they’d rather not hear. Love is optimistic and there’s power in that - the message that love can triumph is at the core of the entire romance genre.

But when a person takes a risk for love, that’s an even more powerful choice - in a way, taking a chance because of love is putting our money where our mouth is. Instead of just saying “I love you”, the person does something about it, and is prepared to accept the consequences of that choice, whatever they might be. Because that person is potentially sacrificing something important for the sake of love, the stakes are higher. It’s a noble and powerful choice. We admire people who do this.

We all do this in real life on a small scale. It’s common for most of us to make choices because of love - we take care of people we love when they’re ill, for example, even if they are sick with something contagious. We can also be braver because of love. We might take chances that we wouldn’t risk otherwise - or for ourselves - when the safety or welfare of someone we love is at stake. We’ve all seen a mother step into danger to save her child, without regard for her own safety. It’s the selflessness of love that we find very compelling.

When people sacrifice their own interests for love, in books and in real life, we find their stories inspiring, or even transforming. We love to read about love conquering all, about peoples taking big risks that pay off even bigger. We like to see the noble and heroic people win the day. In books, the stakes are often higher than in real life. Most of us don’t risk our lives for love, but I love characters who do - as a writer, I make sure that character gets rewarded, instead of having to pay a high price.  

In my new medieval romance, THE RENEGADE’S HEART, Isabella falls hard and fast for Murdoch. Isabella is the impetuous one of her siblings, but she also has grown up in a large and loving family. Part of the reason she has such confidence is that she has always been loved. She knows her family will always be there for her. Murdoch appears to be a renegade and a troublemaker - even worse, he seems to be one determined to make Isabella’s older brother pay for a crime against Murdoch’s family. Isabella is so sure of Murdoch and his noble character that she defies her brother. She’s so sure that Murdoch is good and noble, that she risks her reputation to be in his company. She’s so confident that there must be a misunderstanding, that she doesn’t care how far she has to go to discover the truth. And ultimately, she’s so confident that her love is reciprocated by Murdoch, that she puts her own life in jeopardy to save his.

That’s powerful stuff. Isabella believes in the power of love because of her upbringing. Murdoch is a little more skeptical, because of his upbringing, but Isabella shows him the truth. In fact, Isabella’s decision to risk so much is (of course!) the reason that love does indeed conquer all in this story. It’s not a spoiler to tell you that everything works out in the end, but Murdoch’s predicament does test the limits of Isabella’s devotion to him.

In the end, though, Isabella’s choices have left me wondering how far would I go for love? How much would I risk? I’d like to think that I’d risk as much as Isabella!

Today, you can win a signed trade paperback copy of THE RENEGADE’S HEART just for commenting on this post. Tell me how much you would risk for love, or tell me what you have risked for love in the past.

You can also grab a free copy of my medieval romance THE BEAUTY BRIDE right now at most portals. (The links are on my site, right here: http://www.delacroix.net/tbbX.html) THE BEAUTY BRIDE is the first book in my Jewels of Kinfairlie series, which introduces Isabella and her siblings. Madeline, Vivienne and Alexander have their stories told in that trilogy, then my new series, The True Love Brides, takes us back to Kinfairlie to hear the stories of the other siblings. Isabella skipped queue to go ahead of Annelise (I told you she was impetuous!) with THE RENEGADE’S HEART. Annelise’s story, THE HIGHLANDER’S CURSE, will be published next.

 Bestselling author Claire Delacroix sold her first romance, a medieval called THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE, in 1992. Since then, she has published more than forty-five romance novels and numerous novellas. She has also written under the names Claire Cross and Deborah Cooke. THE BEAUTY, part of her successful Bride Quest series, was her first book to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books.

She has an honours degree in history, with a focus on medieval studies, and is an avid reader of medieval vernacular literature, fairy tales and fantasy novels. She makes her home in Canada with her husband and family. When she isn't writing, she can be found knitting, sewing or hunting for vintage patterns.

For all promotional opportunities and requests, please email Carla, who is Claire's virtual assistant. You can also email Claire.


And my newsletter signup is at http://eepurl.com/reIuD

********* GIVEAWAY *********

Claire has generously offered up a paperback copy of  THE RENEGADE’S HEART to one lucky person.This is open to all so INTERNATIONAL people can enter as well. All you need to do is fill out the rafflecopter below to be entered.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

26 comments:

Linda said...

I have several of your Dragonfire books but didn't realize you write historical romance too which is funny since HR is my fav genre. Congrats on the release of THE RENEGADE’S HEART; I have to go check out all Claire Delacroix books now!

Victoria said...

Congratulations. Sounds like a winner. Thank you.

Cheryl S. said...

I have already read The Beauty Bride and I can't wait to read The True Love Brides series. Thank you so much for this amazing giveaway!!! sandersknc@yahoo.com

Eva's Flowers said...

I have read so many of Claire's books when I was younger, haven't read any recent ones, but I would certainly love to :)

Eva
evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

nice to know you claire..
i hope your book published in my country (indonesia)..
wish i win,,cant wait to reading your book..

thanks a lot..

icha09 at gmail dot com

Claire Delacroix said...

Hi everyone! A big THANK YOU to Lindsey for having me visit today!

@Linda - no matter how many times I out my alter-egos, someone is always surprised. Glad to meet another fan of HR!

Thanks @Cheryl!

Thanks @Victoria and @Eva!

@Dian - most of my books are now published in digital editions, and those are available internationally.

Claire

Elizabeth H. said...

Just finished your first Dragonfire book and I LOVED IT!!! I didn't realize you had another pen name. This book sounds great! Love the cover!! Thanks for the chance to win!

EternalsBlissy said...

Hello Again Claire! You write in so many different subjects and they all tick the right boxes for me! I have seen the cover of Renegade's Heart on my FB and thought how much it reminds me of the movie Ironclad (with the scrumptious James Purefoy).
I have taken the biggest gamble of all for love. I married my best friend, ONLINE! We were friends for several years, then met in Nov 2005, and married in Feb 2006. My family was horrified that I had not only married someone they did not know...but that in Oct I moved my then 8 year old daughter and myself from Florida to England. I have no regrets! I am glad I married my best friend and we are very much in love, 6½ years on! And my daughter absolutely loves it here as much as I do! It was a huge gamble but one that worked very well!!!

The Reading Frenzy said...

Claire, what a wonderful, insightful article about the power of love. It was a very wow moment for me, because as you know I love romance, especially your romances either, historical or contemporary and it never occurred to me what these characters give up for love, not that I don't read and understand the context of the novel but I just never really thought about the sacrifices they make to make their love work. You can be sure that I'll be looking at the novels I read with more depth. I always enjoy your blog articles whether on your blog or while you visit others.
Thanks for making me a better reader.
Deb

Fedora said...

What a lovely post, Claire! Love is sometimes about taking a big risk and making yourself vulnerable--trusting that the other person will still be loving is a scary thing! I think being willing to reveal yourself can be so intimidating, but to know after that the other person still loves and accepts you is tremendously powerful.

I'm so looking forward to Renegade's Heart!

f dot chen at comcast dot net

erin said...

Congrats on the new release! It sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing and for the awesome giveaway!

Chrisbails said...

Congrats on the release. You are a new author for me. I love to read and always looking for new authors to check out.
My question for you are: What is your favorite genre to read? To write?
Thanks for the giveaway.
christinebails at yahoo dot com

Claire Delacroix said...

@Elizabeth - Thank you! You have lots more Dragonfire books ahead of you before you catch up with me. I hope you continue to enjoy them (I have so much fun with that series.)

@EternalsBlissy - Wow! You did take a big chance on love! Kudos to you for being brave, and much congrats for everything working out so well.

@Deb - Just because you don't think it consciously, that doesn't mean you aren't responding to the idea, Deb. I find it hard to believe that I could make you a better reader - you're such an insightful one already! Thanks for following the links and commenting.

@Fedora - yes, we're definitely thinking the same way. :-)

@erin - Thanks!

@Chrisbails - aha! There's usually one person who turns everyone around and asks a question. I am an omnivorous reader. I will read anything, in any genre, by any author. Some things I love and others, um, not so much, but you never know until you try. I'm working on updating my Goodreads page with my fave books, actually. It's just a case of getting through them all, but the result does look pretty eclectic. As for writing, I like stories, and I like stories about characters that seem real to me. I don't think so much about genre until after the book is done and I have to figure out how to market it. All of my books feature romantic elements, and frequently magical or paranormal elements. They have happy endings, too. Otherwise, I don't worry too much about "rules" or "expectations", but just follow the characters through their respective stories. It makes publishing a bit of a challenge sometimes, but I have more fun this way.

Good luck everyone!
Claire

Binichen90 said...

Unfortunately, I haven't read any of your books so far but they do sound very interesting. Congrats on the new release and thanks for offering one of your books.

sabine(dot)wag1(at)freenet(dot)de

Carol L. said...

Congrats Claire on your new release. I love Historical Romance and I'm definitely looking forward to reading The Renegrade's Heart.

Unknown said...

Very interesting description of the book story. Already want to read it.
Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad i stopped by to see what was new today, and i found a new to me author! Congrats on your new release!

Ileana A. said...

I always love to read about love xD I enjoy it! I think is one of the most beautiful feelings we have the chance to express, feel or give. I'm really looking forward to read The Renegade's Hearte! Hopefully I win :D Thank you so much for the giveaway!

Aline Tobing said...

Congrats on the release of THE RENEGADE’S HEART, Claire! The blurb sounds intriguing and I love the cover :)

I just wondering, what inspires you to write your books, especially historical romance? Is it the movies you watch, books you read or just what happens in your lives every day?

Thanks for the awesome giveaway! ^^

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway... your books sounds great. I'll be sure to get them. :)

Mary Preston said...

Love is everything & I practically swoon at noble & heroic deeds. THE RENEGADE'S HEART is a must read.

Claire Delacroix said...

Interesting question, @Aline. I'm not sure where my ideas come from. In this particular series, I know all of the characters at least a little bit, so the story - or the challenge that must be faced - by the next one always becomes clear to me, right about the time I need to know. Usually I dream book ideas, and wake up with some part of the story completely vivid in my thoughts. It's almost like magic, so I don't want to think about it too much - that might mess it up!

jmcgaugh said...

The Renegade's Heart sounds like a very appealing story

Eli Yanti said...

Congrats on the release. Always love reading hisrom and Renegade;s heart sounds great book :)

Linda said...

Love this and can´t wait for my chance to read more, =) Happy Release and Thanks for the giveaway!
//Linda

Maureen said...

I think you risky everything for love when you get married because you whole life changes.