Claudia Dain
Personal Information
Description
It was while writing a descriptive essay in seventh grade English (that was the assignment, to write a 'descriptive essay') that Claudia first fell in love. With descriptive essays. Boys being what they are in seventh grade, there was hardly much choice. By her ninth grade year, Claudia was spending hours each week in her bedroom writing descriptive essays that heavily featured older boys (eleventh grade). She also practiced her kissing technique on a pole lamp next to her bed. It was less than satisfactory, but the writing was fun. She attended the University of Southern California as an English major. She'd mastered kissing by this time and writing, strangely enough, was still fun. 'Strangely' because while it had become obvious to her that almost everyone enjoyed kissing, it was equally obvious that very few people enjoyed writing. This was as peculiar to her as, well, not enjoying kissing. Clearly, something had to be done. The idea of combining kissing and writing seemed the obvious course of action. While Claudia does not claim to have invented the romance novel, she certainly has a lot of fun describing kisses and inventing men to bestow them upon. And not a one of her heroes looks remotely like a pole lamp. (And don't act like one either.) Claudia was first published in 2000, is a two-time Rita finalist, and a USA Today Bestselling author. Which just goes to prove that you can make a career out of kissing and writing about it.
Books
The Fall
Silent Night
When her husband was diagnosed with leukemia, Catherine Dornan and their two young sons accompanied him to New York, during the Christmas season, for a life-saving operation. Hoping to divert the boys from worry about their father, and to temper her own near despair, on Christmas Eve Catherine takes the boys to see Rockefeller Center's famous Christmas tree. When they stop to listen to a street musician, Brian, the younger boy, sees a woman take his mother's wallet, which holds a precious memento his grandmother has just given them, a St. Christopher medal that saved her husband's life in World War II, and which she and Brian believe will save his father's life now. Unable to get his mother's attention, Brian impulsively follows the woman who has taken the wallet into the city's subways, thereby beginning a journey that will threaten his life and change that of his mother and of the thief, as well.
The Marriage Bed
Everyone in society knows that the marriage of 35 year old Lord and 26 year old Lady Hammond is an unhappy one. Everyone knows they have barely spoken to one another in over nine years. But what no-one in society knows are the reasons why ... Lady Viola Courtland was a romantic and impulsive young girl when she fell instantly in love with the handsome and dashing Viscount Hammond. Unbeknownst to Viola, John Hammond had already given his heart to the only woman he would ever love - his cousin's wife - but he was in dire financial straits and desperately needed to marry a wealthy heiress. In Viola, he thought he had found the perfect woman - beautiful and rich with a sweet nature. But Viola was neither practical nor sensible when it came to marriage, for she fully expected her husband to love her and was determined to settle for nothing less. Soon, however, John's secret was unwittingly revealed, but by then they were married and it was too late. Until one day, John finally came to his senses and prayed it wasn't too late to win back the love of his very own wife.
A kiss to die for
Sullivan Turner does not see a hero when he looks in the mirror--he sees only a hollow shell of the man he used to be. But redemption comes when he rescues a woman with a dark secret. Teenage-runaway-turned-social-worker Haley Barnes knows firsthand how savage Baltimore's streets can be. Years ago, Haley witnessed an event that changed her life. Now, when teenagers she guards are targeted, she seeks protection from a cynical army veteran. It is not not long before passions ignite between Haley and "Sully." Can he be the hero Haley needs, the hero who will protect her when a ruthless murderer comes calling?
The willing wife
Medieval Knights #3 She was a wife most willing -- Four previous arranged marriages had taught Nicolaa the necessity of allowing a strange man access to her bed, her body. Now King Henry had gifted her with yet another new husband. Would he be overeager, undersized or just plain underfoot, as she had found the males before him? She was a bride most eager -- Anxious even to get the bedding over and done with. Rowland had expected a timid girl in need of gentle wooing. What he found was an experienced lover whose obvious indifference to his romantic legend challenged him to wring a response--any response--out of her disturbingly tempting body. She was a woman most unready--Nothing had prepared Nicolaa for a mate who actually meant to stay, a companion who really wanted to know her thoughts, a bed partner who shockingly sought to bring her pleasure. Could it be that she had finally found a man capable of love? Medieval Knights: The Holding (Medieval Knights, #1) The Marriage Bed (The Medieval Knight Series #2) The Willing Wife (Medieval Knights, #3) The Temptation (The Medieval Knight Series #4) The Fall (The Medieval Knight Series #5)
The courtesan's wager
Award-winning author Claudia Dain brings back her deliciously improper ex-courtesan for another delightful matchmaking scheme.If Lady Amelia is to marry before another Season passes, she'll need help from infamous courtesan-turned- matchmaker Sophia Dalby. But Amelia is shocked when Lady Dalby informs her that they'll hold interviews for the post of husband—and only dukes need apply.The plan may ruffle some feathers, but that doesn't keep the men from lining up, especially once the hopeful bride-to-be rejects one eligible duke after another. Only Lord Cranleigh shuns the proceedings, setting his own course of action. But convincing the lady to pursue different interests leads to even more outrageous behavior. Lady Dalby is delighted—and the ton is abuzz: Will Amelia become a duchess, or will other desires consume her?
The Courtesan's Daughter
Young Lady Caroline's prospects for a suitable match are severely limited by her mother's infamous past. Before Lady Sophia Dalby entered London society, she was a highly desired courtesan. What man of title, position, and wealth would marry a courtesan's daughter? Sophia's solution is to purchase a husband for Caroline-the Earl of Ashdon-agreeing to settle his gambling debts if he will take her daughter's hand. Insulted, Caroline refuses to have a husband who was bought for her. But after meeting the fiery Lord Ashdon, she wonders if it wouldn't be satisfying to have him pay for her, perhaps with a priceless pearl necklace? With Sophia pulling the strings, Lord Ashdon may get more than he bargained for and Caroline may get just what she wants.
Private Places
USA Today bestselling author Robin Schone sharesa tale of a man and a woman in a notorious club,who learn how very dangerous desires of the fleshcan be. Claudia Dain heats up this collection withthe story of two voyeuristic young courtesans whomight just take part in a very public seduction at thetheatre. Allyson James has a card-playing, cunningwidower and a desperate young widow learn thatpassion is the ultimate wild card. And finally, ShilohWalker introduces a short story of a woman savedby a shapeshifter. Now, if only she could think of away to repay him…Rarely does such blush-worthy, heated eroticaexist—and almost never all in one book.
Tell me lies
They are pirates, lawless, merciless, hungry. Only one way offers hope of escaping death, and worse, at their hands. Their captain must claim her for his own, risk his command, his ship, his very life, to take her. And so she puts her soul into a seduction like no other?a virgin, playing the whore in a desperate bid for survival. As the blazing sun descends into the wide blue sea, she is alone, gazing into the eyes of the man who must lay his heart at her feet. . . .
How to dazzle a duke
Miss Penelope Prestwick wants a duke for a husband, and clearly the dashing Duke of Edenham is the best choice. Just as Lady Dalby is clearly the best person to arrange the match. But how exactly should Penelope go about dazzling a duke? Surely a show of cleavage never hurt. Perhaps a kiss? And a bit of competition might do nicely. To that end, Penelope approaches the Marquis of Iveston requesting that he kindly appear interested in her so that the Duke will take note. When he does, the game begins as all of Society tries to determine who will actually marry Penelope
Daring a duke
American Jane Elliot, who is determined to have an adventure while in London--especially after she catches the eye of the Duke of Edenham--asks Sophia Dalby to help her escape the watchful eyes of her overprotective brothers.
To Burn
Bound by honor and driven by vengeance, a fierce Saxon warrior raids a secluded Roman villa in Britannia and takes a stunning Roman woman, who embodies everything Rome stands for, as his captive, but the tables turn when forbidden desire flares between them, forcing him to choose between love and duty.
The courtesan's secret
On the night of her debut two years ago, Lady Louisa Kirkland fell for the devilish Marquis of Dutton. It's high time, she's decided, that he realized he loves her. Also, there is the matter ofLouisa's family pearls, which are in his possession. For both problems, Louisa will need the help of Lady Sophia, an ex-courtesan more clever than all the other ton matrons combined…
The holding
Medieval Knights, #1 Cathryn and Greneforde are as one; to possess the woman is to possess the land. William, a knight under King Henry, has been gifted Greneforde Tower as a reward for his service to the king. Medieval Knights: The Holding (Medieval Knights, #1) The Marriage Bed (The Medieval Knight Series #2) The Willing Wife (Medieval Knights, #3) The Temptation (The Medieval Knight Series #4) The Fall (The Medieval Knight Series #5)
The temptation
The Medieval Knight Series #4 Temptation wrestles with restraint throughout Claudia Dain's historical romance set in mid-12th-century England. Meet Elsbeth of Sunnandune, a young noblewoman who is determined to live a life of prayer in the convent. It seems to be the only alternative to dying in childbirth, like her mother and, later, her stepmother. When her father marries her off to the handsome and noble Hugh of Jerusalem, the cloister seems far away, unless she can avoid his touch -- but Hugh is equally determined to awake passion within his new bride. Fans of medieval romances will enjoy the war of wills that ensues between these two fiery characters. Medieval Knights: The Holding (Medieval Knights, #1) The Marriage Bed (The Medieval Knight Series #2) The Willing Wife (Medieval Knights, #3) The Temptation (The Medieval Knight Series #4) The Fall (The Medieval Knight Series #5)