The Duke’s Cursed Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Book (Deals of Marriage 6)
Amelia never feared the dark… until she married a man who lived in it.
Forced into marriage with the fearsome Duke of Blackthorn, Amelia Hawthorne steps into a world of scandal, secrets, and a husband who refuses to let anyone close. But beneath his beastly reputation lies a man haunted by his past, a man she refuses to fear.
Graham Randall has spent years convinced he’s cursed to destroy those he loves. Yet Amelia’s quiet strength and unwavering kindness begin to unravel the walls he’s built. As danger lurks in the shadows and whispers of betrayal grow louder, they must decide—will love be their salvation or their undoing?
In a world where appearances can be deceiving and enemies hide behind friendly smiles, can Amelia and Graham overcome the obstacles in their path to find real love?
*If you like powerful Dukes, loving Duchesses, and a marvelous depiction of the majestic Regency and Victorian era, then ”The Duke’s Cursed Heart” suits you. A captivating regency romance novel of around 70,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.
Pick up your copy today to discover this amazing story!
Also free with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
g******l
The Duke is nuts.
Currently reading this. It is sort of good, but I wish I was reading it with a psychiatrist who would review it as I read. The Duke of Blackthorn needs a psychiatric diagnosis. This story is hard to plow through because he is certifiable. I guess he will heal himself before the book is finished, but in real life, anyone this screwed up might need to be committed.April 24, 2025
B****e
Great Story
A wonderful story of overcoming trauma and grief and embracing love and finding family and happiness and joy and laughterApril 11, 2025
L********y
Plot was okay
The plot was an interesting one but I had a hard time with the style of writing. Some of the wording seems a little off, as though the writer was trying to sound period but not quite succeeding, sometimes saying something that was almost opposite to what she intended. In addition, there are some problems with titles. A woman would be called either by her husband’s title or her own, not both, as has been done in this book with the hero’s aunt, as well as another book by this author. There were several other period inaccuracies (ladies’ maids and valets were called by their last names, not their first, that kind of thing, there would likely have only been one steward not several. A lady wouldn’t wear a dress to ride, it would be a riding habit. Where exactly near London would they be able to ride on the cliffs? ). Not trying to put the author down, I know it is hard work, but it felt like there should have been a lot more polishing and research.April 3, 2025
P******e
Duke’s Cursed Heart by Martha Barwood
Excellent book! Loved the characters, very believable hero and heroine. I was NOT able to access the Extended Epilogue, however. This is the SECOND time I have NOT been able to access one of Maetha Barwood’s Extended Epilogues. It’s frustrating! (That’s the only reason I rated it 4 stars. Otherwise, I would’ve rated it 5 stars.)March 23, 2025
S**************z
the wallflower for nd lov
Amila has had two seasons and no suitors. She is on her way to The terrace when she is bumped by he Duke of blackthorn. She is taken by surprise and he asked her to dance. She is thrilled. She is promading and runs into him but just says hello. She goes to a garden party and she goes of to a maze to be alone and the duke is there and the talk and then they are accused of being There anyway they marry.March 21, 2025
E****n
An awesome book!
Martha has done it again she is an amazing writer and the story kept me spellbound. I read through the whole book in one day.March 21, 2025
T***********n
Well Written
Another lovely book from Martha. Beautiful descriptions of the places and events of the time. Well written love story about a duke who believes he is cursed and a wall flower in her 3rd season. Perfect amount of suspense to keep me from wanting to put it down!March 16, 2025
B********a
Great novel
I really enjoyed reading this book it is a great novel to read the author did a great job writing this story I really enjoyed this bookMarch 15, 2025
J***************y
Always look for the best in someone!
Amelia Hawthorne, designated wall flower of the ball… Of all men to notice her, it was the man rumored to be beastly. So why did he look at her so kindly?. The Duke’s Cursed Heart is a great read! Thank you Martha Barwood!March 15, 2025
P*t
Martha Barwood Excellent Story AGAIN !!
The Duke’s Cursed Heart by Martha Barwood Once again, a very well written book with beautiful descriptions which bring the Social Situations and Homes so clearly depicted so imagining the Ballrooms and Society Functions is superb. The characters are very real, and the self-serving and selfish manipulators fortunately are dealt their rewards without the Heroine and Hero suffering. The Duke (Graham) is just right and it is easy to feel empathy for him and his life and the hope for things to pan out properly for him. Amelia is such a lady and really does not have over inflated views of her importance, in fact she underestimates just what a Gem she really is! The story unfolds so beautifully and it’s easy to become involved with them all and I found it impossible to put the book down – I simply had to read until I had finished it, so my curiosity regarding their happiness or not was satisfied .. I loved it!! Can’t wait for the next well-constructed story to be released and offer my Escapism from my normal life pressures!!! Thank You!! Keep doing this it is Superb!!March 15, 2025
C***********g
A Story of Love, Hope and Redemption
A Wonderfully written story of love, hope and redemption! Get as carried away by the story as the two lovers are carried away by their first waltz! Such an amazingly detailed tale that carries you away to another time.March 12, 2025
L*********d
Delightful and compelling story!
Miss Amelia Hawthorn is beginning her 3rd season labeld by the ton as plain faced and was called The ton’s wallflower. She collides with Graham Randall, Duke of Blackthorn, who has a long scar on his left check and is still tormented by the death of his best friend 5 years earlier. The Duke has been hiding from society and for the first time in 5 years felt compelled to ask Amelia for a dance. Throw in a few villains like Lady Cassandra Kensington, her best friend Lady Beatrice Ashworth and the Duke’s own cousin Lord Percival Randall and you have a fun and sad adventure as Amelia and the Duke struggle to find each other.March 12, 2025
W***********r
Wallflower blossoms helping her husband heal
Another good book from Martha. I enjoyed this story about a gentleman who struggled with a past death of a friend from a duel. His wallflower of a wife blossoms in her attempts to help him heal. Captivating ending to bring them closer.March 12, 2025
G**.
breaking free
Amelia and Graham’s lives are ruled by different kinds of fear. I was so happy for them, when they joined forces and were able to defeat the enemy, leave their fears behind and live the happy life they both deserve so much.March 11, 2025
R*********e
A Brooding Duke and his Wallflower Duchess
From the moment Graham and Amelia met, there was a spark between them. However, a rival’s wicked scheme backfires, ending with Graham marrying Amelia to save her reputation. Being unable to court Amelia and get to know her properly throws Graham’s emotions into turmoil. Scandal sheets make everything worse, causing Graham to doubt Amelia. Along with his painful past, it all becomes too much for him to handle so he pushes his wife away. Then, a more sinister scheme unfolds, forcing Graham to confront his own feelings and the walls around his heart come crashing down. This story concluded with a beautiful happily ever after.March 11, 2025
D******h
Two wounded souls
“The Duke’s Cursed Heart” by Martha Barwood -A captivating historical romance about two wounded souls finding love despite society’s judgment. The Duke, plagued by rumors and a supposed curse, meets Amelia, a shy wallflower who sees beyond his scars. Their journey is filled with intrigue, scandal, and deep emotion.March 11, 2025
J*d
Good read!
Lady Cassandra wanted to marry the Duke of Blackthorn but there was an obstacle and her name was Amelia. In order to get rid of her she planned a scandal with a known rake. The only problem was Amelia was with the Duke at that time and they ended up married. This is a very good love story filled with scandal, suspense, a curse and murder. Definitely worth reading.March 11, 2025
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.March 10, 2025
D******n
Who Can You Trust
The Duke of Blackthorn, Graham Randall coerced into getting back into society stumbled into Amelia Hawthorne and caught her as she was to fall. Looking at her he seen something else in her eyes than the cold calculating ladies of the ton and for the first time in five years asked for a dance. They both seemed to be attracted to one another and continued to talk at various events until at one they were caught in a scandal. Now this scandal was not to trap them but to trap Amelia and another gentleman that was being orchestrated by one that wanted the duke for herself. Once they were married, they not only had underlying misgivings of each other, but still put up with scandal and gossip. And there was one such plot that was more treacherous than all. ARC ReviewMarch 10, 2025
D*********i
Beast and a wallflower
A wonderful story of two damaged individuals treated deplorably by society. And the worst, they second guessed each other. The gossip the elite society lived by hurt so many but as is today, people just spread gossip not knowing if it is tangible or not. I love Martha’s extended epilogues. Each book ties all the loose ends completely.March 9, 2025
M**V
A Misunderstanding/Justice/Love..
A meeting of sorts leads to a dance & the rest is history with lots of interference from rumors… by those unknown. A swift marriage in meeting the Duke & Iove begins to creep inside their hearts; but at times the Duke has dark thoughts. Then a change of circumstances leads him to stay by his wife & he realizes she is his forever. A beautiful story.March 9, 2025
M********r
Cursed
This story brings together a duke who thinks he is cursed and a lady who is in her third season with no husband in sight. Amelia tends to be shy and a wallflower. The Duke was involved in a duel when younger. He received a wound to the face from a stray bullet which caused a “terrible” scar. The Duke’s mother wants him to socialize and find a wife so the estates would not go out of the family. The book covers the meeting, scandal, and marriage of these two who are drawn to each of other. This book draws you in and I couldn’t put it down. Please give it a try and you will also be drawn to this couple and their friendsMarch 9, 2025
