The Duke and the Poet

They fenced with foils and words, and the inevitable happened; they fell in love. He might have been quite grumpy, but she found his lovable side under all that gruffness. He might have resisted her in the beginning, but in the end, the mighty duke happily fell. Would Montague return to France despite his injury? Would Sarah finish the poem that long eluded her? I enjoyed this entertaining historical romance.

This is the third book of the Dukes in Danger series. I have enjoyed the previous two books and this one also did not disappoint! Montague, the Duke of Caefall, is back from the war, hiding out in London and biding his time until he is able to go back to the battlefield, which his doctor has advised against. But before he can do that, his ducal responsibilities are keeping him plenty occupied. He has financial concerns, which he cannot have anyone finding out about and must keep a secret. Sarah loves poetry and she is writing her own poem, but she needs some help. She goes in search of a professor for assistance and encounters Montague, who ends up teaching her how to fence. Sarah gives as good as she gets and she in turn cracks his grumpy exterior and helps his inner pain and wounds to heal. Their constant back and forth banter and sparring was entertaining and the chemistry was undeniable.
This was a well-written and entertaining story and a lovely addition to the series. The characters were well-developed and endearing and I couldn't help but fall in love with them. This is such a great series and I am looking forward to reading the next one!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook, and this is my freely given opinion.

This is book 3 of the Dukes in Danger series. Montegue Lancaster, the Duke of Caelfall, seems to have a lot to be miserable about. He is hiding out in a room at Oxford brought low by various circumstances and now taking commissions to teach fencing. His estate is near ruined, and he has been forced to rent out his property to bring in coin to take him out of the debt left to him by his father. Add onto that the fact that he is painfully injured in France going to war, as was his duty. He is eager to return, except his leg injury has not healed and he has limited ability to walk, forcing him to use a cane and suffer great pain. He does not want others to know how far the duchy of Caelfall has fallen.

Sarah Lockwood is a shy bluestocking wallflower, and a commoner. She is far more interested in her poetry than in socializing as her mother wishes her to. She has been working on an epic poem, and seeking experience and help with it. Despite her shyness, she was able to get beyond the threshold of Oxford, normally verboten to women, to meet a great poet. Except she ends up confronting the quick tempered, cantankerous Duke in his lair instead.

When she finds out that the Duke is teaching fencing, she decides to enroll in the lessons to gain knowledge she can use to expand the battle scenes in her poem, forcing the two to spend more time together. Montague finds that he is beguiled by the beautiful poet, and cannot resist.

This is a cute romance with grumpy-sunshine, MCs from different social backgrounds, and opposites attracting. It touches on things such as what sounds like battle fatigue/PTSD, war wounds, dyslexia, social expectations/facades quite lightly, but no real depth for many of them. It is sweet, and pleasant read, but nothing that really grabbed me. At times it was a bit slow going and the Duke's lightening quick bursts of impulsive anger and maltreatment of others did not sit well with me, and made him difficult to like. He externalized his anger and ill feelings too much, though perhaps to was to emphasize that being with Sarah was good for him and brought out a better man?

2.75 stars out of 5

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

Being injured while fighting the French, Montague Lancaster, Duke of Caefall, is hiding in Oxford, ignoring all advice and pretending nothing is wrong. He has family matters to concern himself with, and knows he will be heading back once he's healed, right? However, nothing he does seems to help, but he won't stop himself from trying. So when Sarah Lockwood mistakenly knocks on his door, expecting a poetry professor and finding someone decidedly not, it's almost like a dream come true. Sarah is sick of people not believing in her poetry simply because she is a woman. She wants to improve her writing though, and she needs to learn how to fight with a sword. Montague agrees to teach her how to fence, but the close proximity between them may just prove too much for their burgeoning feelings to handle.

I think this is my favourite of the series so far! Montague and Sarah had the perfect grumpy/sunshine romance, and they brought out the best in each other. Montague's growth throughout the course of the book was wonderful, and we saw how he dealt with his demons in a positive way, to make himself a better man, for both himself and for Sarah. A lovely addition to the Dukes in Danger series, I look forward to the next!

Montague is all cooped up at Oxford after his war injury. All he wants is to be able to walk without his cane and return to France, well, until he accidentally meets Sarah. Sarah rushes in mistaking him for a poetry professor and fate has it that he becomes her fencing instructor to help her learn to more accurately write her poem.

I liked how brazen Sarah's character is. She would rather take fencing lessons than attend tea parties. And gulp, the lessons are just Sarah and Montague alone. Definitely a recipe for them to get really close, and try not to make a habit of kissing. Sarah was definitely the answer for the healing of Montague's leg, no matter what the doctor recommended.

This was a nice quick romance once it finally got going. I don't "need", but definitely "want" to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to Dragonblade and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

It was interesting to see that a woman was allowed even on campus. To show up at a private room of an instructor was even more so. I found this book to be full of wonderful surprises and I REALLY enjoyed the ending. Just a touch here and there to tie this book to others in the series but not enough so the book didn't seem to be stand alone. I cant wait to see what she has in store for next installment. These book have been so good.

The captivating poet & her wounded fencer!

A new favourite of mine by Murdoch, and a first - though it won't be my last - in this series for me!
I just loved the fluidity of the story and the colourfully evocative way the pair sprang, with clear focus, in my mind's eye. I thoroughly enjoyed how the tale remained magnified on our leads throughout, allowing you to become attuned to their frustrations, hopes and desires on an intimate level, as they slowly, came to know and understand each other.
Sarah was this wonderful blend of bold meets shyness, that radiated an integral lightness and kindness. Contradicting the gruff grumpiness of Montague as he started to doubt his worth and purpose... after a debilitating war injury strips him of his identity and from someone so historically physically vital and active, now being torn apart by his limitations, is not just heartachingly touching, as you witness it eating him up inside, but thoroughly invested me in their happiness as I willed them to succeed in unmasking his facades and helping him to heal.
Sarah, his perfect foil, had this sweetly charming way of putting him in his place, cutting through the snappiness of the entitled duke to the intense pain and fear of the man beneath, by not once judging him for his outbursts of frustration fueled anger but slowly breaking down his guarded walls as she tempts him, so profoundly, not just on an intellectual level but to submit to his heady attraction and their mutually growing love. As a result, the chemistry tingled with a desire to impress the other, as they sparred with wit, disarming banter and subtle humour that sparked this uplifting warmth in Montague - as well as me - as he in turn inspired Sarah to bloom with bursts of confidence as she pushed herself to grasp for what she wanted. A beguilling ability that thrills, touches deeply, fascinates and draws our hero in so acutely.
A fun read that I enjoyed escaping into immensely. I will definitely be hunting out the others, that came before and will after, thanks to this uniquely different, heartwarmingly uplifting romance!

The Duke is Mightier Than the Sword by Emily EK Murdoch is a touching romance with a plot that is a little out of the ordinary. Montague Lancaster, Duke of Caelfall is not your normal duke. He has come home from the war in France shot in the leg: he is weak and it is painful. He had anticipated being recovered and back in France by now and the situation has put him in a worse humor than ever. He also has money problems. His father ran the duchy into the ground, so he has rented out his home in Mayfair, servants and all, and is living in one room at Oxford while teaching a few classes. This sacrifice is enabling him to put the duchy on firmer financial ground. His next class is a fencing class, although how he will demonstrate fencing in his condition he has no idea. It turns out his only student is Miss Sarah Lockwood. She wants to learn to fence so she can write an authentic epic poem which includes a duel. Few guesses as to where it goes from here.

This was a delightful novel, full of twists and turns, at least as far as personalities were concerned. Caelfall is grumpy and feels sorry for himself. Sarah does not put up with it but encourages him and supports him, all the while being a bit of a minx. Her mother nearly loses her mind when a duke calls on her bookish daughter. It was a pretty funny sequence. Caelfall tells himself he doesn’t want a wife, he wants to be a soldier. Plus, Sarah is not his social equal. That never works out. The more her tells himself, the more he thinks about it. But, he ruins it all with his wicked mouth and leaves for London. She can’t believe he didn’t even say good-bye. They are a mismatched pair, to be sure. She is sweet and kind and determined never to marry. He cannot communicate his feelings and nearly loses her. It is an entertaining story.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Duke is Mightier Than the Sword by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #EmilyEKMurdoch #TheDukeIsMightierThanTheSword

What a delightful story! I absolutely adored Sarah, an introvert who detested ton activities and wanted nothing more than to be a poet. It was refreshing to see her become more emboldened in her desires. Montague is a young “old grumpy duke” who is so disgusted with what life has given him, he can’t enjoy the his life! To see Sarah change his heart and Montague change her shyness is such a delightful thing to read! I was a bit confused about Mom’s sudden change of heart, but I guess every woman can change her mind! This was a very original storyline and can’t wait for the next book!

I received this ARC copy for free and these are my own opinions.

Another easy to read romance from Emily EK Murdoch. Montague, Duke of Caefall, is living at Oxford while trying to recover from a bullet wound in his thigh and inheriting a debt-ridden duchy. Montague is angry at everyone - all he wants to do is return to France and battle, but his leg will seemingly not allow him to do so. He can still somewhat indulge in his love for fencing and agrees to teach to earn some extra coin. His only current student is the lovely and shy Sarah Lockwood, who wants to learn fencing to help her in writing her epic poem. Sarah and Montague had a previous meet cute when she mistakenly went to his room thinking it was the room of an esteemed poetry professor.

Sarah and Montague have a lovely connection. They each see the other in a way that no one has before. There is physical chemistry yes, but also so much emotional chemistry. There is no third-party villain in this book, just a duke trying to overcome and accept the new and weakened physical condition of his body. I loved Montague's easy acceptance of Sarah even as he struggled to accept himself. I also liked how the book tracked the passage of time, so the reader didn't get that total insta-love impression.

A solid 4 stars. Thank you to Dragonblade and NetGalley for a complementary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

Montague Ĺancaster, Duke of Caefall is getting grumpier than ever. He is hiding in Oxford to heal from his wound and so that others don't find out all his troubles. Teaching fencing is his limit for now.
Miss Sarah Lockwood is a frustrated poet. How can she get the details for her latest work correct if women are not permitted to study.
Our lovely characters greatest battles are still to be fought, even the ones with themselves.
This is an amusing, and emotional historical romance. Part of a series of stand alone stories. Although you might meet some characters from the other books. There were times in this tale that I got quite cross with the characters, but that's what makes it fun to read. I think I know who is the next hero in the series, and look forward to reading that as well.
Good fun.

Montague Ĺancaster is the Duke of Caefall, a wounded soldier anxious to get back to France, and a fencing master. He is hiding in Oxford to heal from his wound and to earn funds to help financially strapped duchy. Sarah Lockwood desperately wishes to be a poet. A case of mistaken identity results in Montague agreeing to give Sarah lessons in fencing. She hopes to use what she learns to help with part of the poem she is currently composing. Fencing lessons open the door to friendship, and maybe more. Montague and Sarah have a wonderful story filled with emotion and humor. He is disgruntled and grumpy. She is the sunshine that he needs. They are opposites, and they do attract. A quick entertaining read.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

This was a sweet story. It was low-angst and fairly low steam (one full scene). It does have a slightly shorter page count, making it perfect for an afternoon read. I thought Emily did a particularly good job with the MMC and his lack of acceptance of his new physical limitations.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Montague Lancaster, Duke of Caefall, is in hiding in Oxford after a wartime injury, trying to ignore his doctor’s advice, because he’ll definitely be going back to France to fight but Montague has financial concerns to keep him occupied. The Duchy is bankrupt. He’s got to keep it a secret and keep his presence in England quiet. Fencing is his only refuge, his passion, and Montague agrees to teach students to pass the time. Sarah Lockwood is tired of having her poetry diminished merely because she’s a woman. Society holds no interest, and she’s in search of a poetry professor in one of the prestigious Oxford colleges to help her finish it instead she ends up discovering a hidden duke who fences like a soldier and kisses like the devil.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own, a well written entertaining read, I loved both Montague & Sarah & felt we really got to know them as they were central to the story & there were few secondary characters - it was a nice change not to have to remember numerous other characters but could concentrate on the to main ones. I liked the chemistry between the couple & thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a HEA even though I did want to shale them a couple of times for not communicating
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Another fun fun read by this author. In this book we follow a duke who going through some stuff and he meets a woman looking to add some realism to her poetry. We get to watch as their relationship and attraction grows. The only thing I missed in this book was a conclusion to his financial woes. Thank you NetGally for the ARC.

Sarah Lockwood loves poetry and is diligently writing her own poem. Seeking help from a professor at Oxford noted for his book of poetry, she accidentally meets Montague Lancaster, the Duke of Caelfall instead. She's still in luck when this wounded soldier agrees to teach her fencing. Much like fencing, it's one step forward and one backwards in their blooming relationship.
The third book in the series continues with
a love story between a grumpy duke and a sweet young lady who is just a miss.
Open bedroom door.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Strike While the Duke is Hot was one of my favorite romances this year and I knew I had to continue with the author's fantastic writing. After reading two of her novels, I certainly noticed some common themes popping up in her writing: unique hobbies, headstrong heroines, and burly heroes willing to grovel on their knees after seeing the errors of their ways. Sounds like a winning combination, does it not? The Duke is Mightier had such a unique premise and I had never encountered that type of plotline before. The heroine needs to take fencing lessons to aid her writing because she is a struggling poetess who hopes to share her work. The hero was injured in France and teaches fencing at the local university while he recovers in order to hopefully refill the nearly empty duchy account. I can't say I've come across this particular story often, but major points for originality.

The Duke is Mightier had a rocky start, but eventually we started to pick up steam. The hero was really crabby and it took a while for him to warm up to the heroine. It was a textbook case of Grumpy/ Sunshine 101. I liked the inclusion of him being injured in battle and showcasing his reluctance to ask for help. He highlighted his anxiety over letting down his fellow soldiers and hiding his leg pain until Sarah coaxed it out of him. They had great chemistry and were well-suited. My favorite part of Strike While the Duke is Hot was how the heroine shut down miscommunication and followed through in an argument, yet we didn't quite reach that level in The Duke is Mightier. We nearly had a complete conversation where the heroine called out the hero's misunderstanding, but she didn't bother pushing through to the end. I was disappointed and I think that original standout moment may have just been a blip. I guess fiery female blacksmiths are more likely to bite back than a genteel poetess.

The Duke is Mightier Than the Sword was a sweet historical romance and reiterated why I was eager to return to this author. Her characters were intelligent, tender, and willing to fight for their relationship. I hope to read more of Murdoch's catalog and explore all the unique stories I've previously missed. I'm thankful for this advanced copy and it's always swell to discover new authors through NetGalley. Hopefully the next book will feature a name less formal than Montague. Sarah couldn't have called him Monty just once? It was so rigid, yet it did fit his austere personality. It was a hefty name to wield and it proves the author's point that The Duke is Mightier Than the Sword.

Hiding away at Oxford’s Wessex College with war wounds to his thigh and his honour, Montague Lancaster, Duke of Caelfall, is astonished when he finds himself in the company of the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen not once, but twice in only a few days. He’s determined to return to the battlefield as soon as possible. She can only be a distraction, nothing more. A tempting, challenging, tenacious distraction…

Expecting to find a poetry professor, Miss Sarah Lockwood, accidentally stumbles into a grumpy duke’s rooms. Shy and rather reserved, she astounds herself when she brazenly talks him into teaching her to fence when no one else shows up for his class. She needs his passion to finish her poem, but she wants… what was it again?

An unexpected friendship soon turns into a discovery of the differences between words and foils, duty and heart, need and want.

📚 A captivating page turner. Well written and funny. Very hard to put down. I love the way it’s really focused on the main characters – very few side characters and in a compact setting - and the way their relationship evolves. Steady with endless witty banter. Their chemistry leaps of the page. She cares for the man, not the title. He learns there’s more to life than honour.
📚 Grumpy/sunshine, wounded hero, student/teacher, steamy, open door, fast paced, page turner

Thank you to Emily E.K. Murdoch, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Overall, a great romance and story with a strong connection coming through between Montague Lancaster, Duke of Caefall and Sarah. Poetry, fencing and war are the background as they make their way towards a wonderful happy ending.

I've read several books by this author and this one was my favorite by far. This is a fairly light-hearted grumpy/sunshine romance. Originally meeting by accident, Montague ends up giving Sarah fencing lessons. Both of them became better versions of themselves due to their acquaintanceship. Sarah gained self-confidence and Montague became more easy-going. The couple was constantly engaged in witty conversation and the sparks were flying. This book was a pleasure to read.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.