Denied his rightful legacy, Maximilian de Vries devised a plan to avenge himself upon his father and see his own future secured. Allied with his two half-brothers, he descends upon ancient and mysterious Kilderrick, determined to seize the keep once promised to him, regardless of the price. A woman rumored to be a witch is the sole one bold enough to defy him but Maximilian has a solution—he will take her to wife, whether she be willing or nay, and seal his claim.
But this powerful warrior has yet to match wits with Alys Armstrong, a maiden with a thirst for vengeance and a fury that might exceed his own. Alys has no intention of capitulating to the proud and powerful rogue who stole everything from her—no matter how seductive his touch might be—and she does not share his compulsion to fight fair.
Bitter enemies from the outset, Maximilian and Alys’ match is a battle of wills. When passion flares, will either of them be able to resist temptation? And when Kilderrick itself is in peril, will they join forces to save the holding they each prize—and the unexpected love they value above all else?
Genre: FICTION / Romance / Historical / MedievalThis is the first book in a new series of medieval Scottish romances - there will be four books in total. As Claire Delacroix, I am NYT bestselling and USAT bestselling. This book is selling consistently well in English.
The keep was finer than Murdoch anticipated, but then, it was said to have been the prize Jean le Beau esteemed above all others. It only made sense that the old villain had seen it lavishly maintained after seizing it, even if he seldom crossed its moat himself. Murdoch would never have guessed that the holding was funded by the spoils of war, for all was gracious and elegant, even the châtelain who betrayed neither surprise nor relief that his lord and master arrived in a rough sack, tossed on a cart driven by a lone Scotsman.
As Murdoch had intended, his burden gained him access not only to the keep but a welcome befitting an honored guest. He stood in the chapel, a mere day after his arrival, marveling against his will at the richness surrounding him. He wanted to despise this place, just as he had despised Jean le Beau. That mercenary had stolen all from Murdoch and Murdoch had finally exacted his price. This holding, though, was magnificent.
Jean’s widow, Mathilde de Vries, had to have seen fifty summers, but she was as slender as a maiden, her face as pale as alabaster, her golden hair barely touched with strands of silver. She might have been wrought of ice, this noblewoman, her eyes the palest hue of silver blue that Murdoch had ever seen. He tried to suppress his urge to shiver each time her gaze landed upon him.
Perhaps the noblewoman and the mercenary had shared some qualities, after all.
The lady’s brother, Gaston de Vries, a lord in his own right, stood beside her at the altar before the stone sarcophagus where her dead husband now reposed. Gaston was accompanied by his oldest son, Amaury de Vries. Father and son were richly dressed, the son’s manner revealing that he was much indulged. Gaston shared the fair silvery coloring of his sister, but his son had dark blond hair and eyes of deeper blue. Each of them could have been carved of stone for all the emotion they betrayed.
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Italian
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Already translated.
Translated by Paola Sambruna and Alessandra Elisa Paganin
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Portuguese
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Already translated.
Translated by Evelyn T M Martins
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by Eva María Medina Cabanelas and Adelina Garrido Mendoza
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