derring-do, and tugging on the heartstrings!"
- Grace Burrowes, NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author
"Locke seamlessly blends hints from classics like The Count of Monte Cristo, Pride and Prejudice, and Arthurian legend into an utterly enjoyable Regency romance."
- Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize
From RITA® Finalist and USA Today Bestselling Author Margaret Locke comes The Legendary Duke, the second in her Put Up Your Dukes Regency historical romance series.
For a Knight to win the Princess, he first must slay his dragons…
A tragic event in his youth led Gavin Knight’s mother to whisk him to Rome, where he lived a simple but secluded life—until, on her deathbed, she revealed who he truly was: the Duke of Cortleon.
Now twenty-nine, Gavin has returned to England, determined to learn what happened all those years ago. Despite charming his fellow lords and ladies alike, the new Duke disregards any notion of nuptials, as his honor first demands resolution--and retribution.
Then he meets Lady Elinor Greene.
For seven years, renowned beauty Elinor has refused all proposals, fearing marriage would curb her freedom. But when her family falls on hard times, Nelle must sacrifice herself to save them by marrying a man of means.
A wealthy widower seems the logical choice, a passionless union perfect. Until she meets the Duke of Cortleon, and learns one Knight can be legendary.
Soon Gavin and Elinor must each decide which quest is worth more: that for honor, or that for love...
___________________
While second in the series, The Legendary Duke can easily be read as a standalone novel - especially because this story turned out to take place before that of The Demon Duke (oops).
Loosely based on the Arthurian legend Gawain and the Green Knight, The Legendary Duke provides adventure, mystery, desire, and betrayal in this satisfying blend of Regency historical romance with a hint of medieval flavor...and Arthurian Easter eggs pop up throughout!
____________________
Category: Regency Historical romance (and my editor Tessa says, historical romantic suspense!)
Length: 110,000 words
____________________
2019 Library of Virginia Literary Awards Finalist
2019 New England Reader’s Choice Awards Winner in Historical Romance
2018 Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Finalist in Romance
Margaret Locke, 2018 RITA® Finalist and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Magic of Love and Put Up Your Dukes series, writes binge-worthy romance that keeps you up past your bedtime. She delights in making readers laugh, cry, and think. Because love matters.
You can usually find her in front of some sort of screen (electronic or window); she's come to terms with the fact she's not an outdoors person. Newly obsessed with coffee, she also fangirls over Jane Austen, history, cats, books, and Colin Morgan.