Claire Delacroix Books in Order

Where to Begin: The Grand Medieval Scottish Sagas

If you are looking for the absolute heart of Claire Delacroix’s catalog, you need to dive into her sprawling, interconnected medieval Scottish universe. Spanning multiple generations, this massive saga connects four distinct series through family lineages, shared holdings, and recurring characters. While each romance works as a standalone love story, reading them in chronological order allows you to watch the family tree of Ravensmuir, Kinfairlie, and Inverfyre grow over the decades.

1. The Rogues of Ravensmuir Trilogy

This is the foundation of Delacroix's medieval universe. Leaning into a slightly darker, gothic tone with strong mysteries, this trilogy introduces the ancestral patriarchs and matriarchs of the family. The best order is the publication order:

• The Rogue (2002) – The story of Merlyn and Ysabella, which initiates the family lineage.
• The Scoundrel (2003) – Follows Kaelen and Vivienne.
• The Warrior (2004) – The story of Gawain and Evangeline, which introduces the holding of Inverfyre.

2. The Jewels of Kinfairlie Series

Set a generation later, this series shifts to a lighter, fairy-tale-influenced tone. It follows the grandchildren of Merlyn and Ysabella (specifically the eldest siblings of Kinfairlie). Alexander, the Laird of Kinfairlie, must find honorable matches for his sisters to lift a family curse:

• The Beauty Bride (2005) – Madeline's story.
• The Rose Red Bride (2005) – Vivienne's story.
• The Snow White Bride (2005) – Eleanor's story.
• The Ballad of Rosamunde (2010) – A companion short story featuring Rosamunde.

3. The True Love Brides Series

This series continues directly from Kinfairlie, focusing on the next set of Kinfairlie siblings. It weaves in more mystical, paranormal, and Fae-influenced elements:

• The Renegade's Heart (2012) – Isabella's story.
• The Highlander's Curse (2013) – Mairi's story.
• The Frost Maiden's Kiss (2014) – Malcolm's story.
• The Warrior's Prize (2014) – Elizabeth's story.

4. The Brides of Inverfyre Series

This series links the Kinfairlie siblings to their Inverfyre cousins. It follows Ross, the youngest Kinfairlie sibling, as he travels to serve under his uncle (the Hawk of Inverfyre, from The Warrior), followed by the stories of the younger Inverfyre cousins:

• The Mercenary's Bride (2019) – Mhairi's story.
• The Runaway Bride (2019) – Aileen's story.
• The Stolen Bride (2024) – Fiona's story.

The Bride Quest: The Perfect Standalone Entry Point

If you want a highly acclaimed, self-contained medieval romance saga that doesn't tie into the Kinfairlie universe, start with the Bride Quest series. Structurally, it is divided into two distinct trilogies. The first three books follow the adventures of three brothers, while the latter three focus on a widow and her daughters. Because characters make frequent guest appearances, you should read them in order:

1. The Princess (1998)
2. The Damsel (1999)
3. The Heiress (1999)
4. The Countess (2000)
5. The Beauty (2001)
6. The Temptress (2002)

To round out the series, Delacroix has recently released holiday companion novellas set in the same world, including Easter at Airdfinnan (2023) and Christmas at Tullymullagh (2023).

The Regency Romances

In addition to her iconic medieval sagas, Delacroix has written delightful, witty Regency romances. These are divided into two primary series that share a common stylistic spirit:

The Brides of North Barrows

A series of Regency novellas focusing on the romance and societal hurdles of two orphaned sisters, Daphne and Eurydice:

• Something Wicked This Way Comes (2017)
• A Duke by Any Other Name (2019)
• A Baron for All Seasons (2021)
• A Most Inconvenient Earl (2022)

The Ladies’ Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction

Delacroix's newer Regency series focuses on high-society courtships, scandal, and strategic marriages. Read them in this order:

• The Christmas Conquest (2022)
• The Masquerade of the Marchioness (2022)
• The Widow's Wager (2023)
• The Hellion's Heart (2024)

Rebranding, Revisions, and Time Travel Romances

When exploring Delacroix's older work, readers often run into confusing title changes due to revisions and publisher re-releases. Here is what you need to know to avoid buying the same book twice:

The Sayerne / Rogues & Angels Connection

The original Sayerne trilogy consisted of My Lady's Champion (1996), Enchanted (1997), and My Lady's Desire (1998). Later, the author revised and rebranded these books under the Rogues & Angels banner, expanding the universe with new additions. For the modern reading experience, follow the revised path:

• One Knight Enchanted (originally published as Enchanted)
• One Knight's Return (originally published as My Lady's Champion)
• One Knight's Desire (2023)

The Rose Trilogy and The Moorish Books

The Rose Trilogy is another early medieval set consisting of Romance of the Rose (1993, since revised and retitled as For His Lady's Kiss), The Sorceress (1994), and Roarke's Folly (1994). The Moorish Books are a quick two-book series featuring Honeyed Lies (1994) and The Magician's Quest (1995).

Time Travel Standalones

Originally published under the pen name Claire Cross, these time travel romances have since been re-released under Claire Delacroix. They are completely standalone and can be read in any order, though their chronological writing order is: Once Upon a Kiss (2012), The Last Highlander (2012), The Moonstone (2012), and Love Potion #9 (2012).

Dystopian Sci-Fi: The Prometheus Project

For something completely different, Delacroix wrote a dystopian sci-fi romance series about fallen angels fighting to save humanity. Originally published by Tor under the name Claire Delacroix, she later reclaimed the rights, finished the series under her real name/contemporary pseudonym Deborah Cooke, and added a final volume. The sequence is:

1. Fallen (2008)
2. Guardian (2009)
3. Rebel (2010)
4. Abyss (2014, published as Deborah Cooke)