title: The Crusader's Bride: The Champions of Saint Euphemia Book 1
author:  Claire Delacroix 
description: Bestselling author Claire Delacroix published her first romance novel - a medieval romance called THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE - in 1993. Since then, she has published over forty romance novels and numerous novellas, including time travel romances, contemporary romances and paranormal romances. THE BEAUTY, part of her successful Bride Quest series, was her first book to land on the <i>New York Times</i> list of bestselling books. Claire has written under the name Claire Cross and continues to write as Deborah Cooke as well as Claire Delacroix. Claire makes her home in Canada with her family, a large undisciplined garden and a growing number of incomplete knitting projects.
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  The Crusader’s Bride
  
  The Champions of Saint Euphemia Book #1
  
  by
  
  Claire Delacroix
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A company of knights chosen to deliver a sealed trunk from the Templar
  treasury in Jerusalem to safekeeping in Paris. A group of pilgrims seeking the
  protection of the Templars to return home as the Saracens prepare to besiege
  the city. A mysterious treasure that someone will even kill to possess…
  
  When the Templar knight Gaston learns that he has inherited his father’s
  estate in France, he accepts one last quest for the order and agrees to
  deliver a package to Paris on his way home. A practical man, Gaston knows he
  has need of a wife and an heir, so when a lovely widowed noblewoman on
  pilgrimage snares his gaze, he believes he can see matters solved to their
  mutual convenience.
  
  But Ysmaine is more than a pilgrim enduring bad luck. She has buried two
  husbands in rapid succession, both of whom died on her nuptial night, and
  believes herself cursed. Accepting this gruff knight s