The Warrior Poet

by Kathryn Le Veque

1266 A.D.

A family feud has existed between the House of de Gare and the House of St. John for over seventy years. The feud has seen Eden Castle, home to the St. John’s, grow stronger while Castle Winding Cross, lair of the de Gare clan, suffers. Furthermore, the House of St. John has bred the most fearsome warrior in the north of England, a powerful knight known throughout the land as the Demon of Eden. Christian St. John is the culmination of decades of fine breeding and training, a master of the knighthood. When Christian launches what he hopes will be the final attack against Winding Cross to end the long-running feud once and for all, the de Gares are cunning enough to avoid complete destruction. Furious, Christian’s father orders his son to breach the sanctity of the convent where the de Gare heiress has been hiding. The Demon is able to violate the convent and capture his quarry, but not without a fight.

The Lady Gaithlin de Gare does not go easily with the Demon. A big woman with long legs and long blond hair, she too has long been taught to hate the House of St. John. Christian escapes to the north with his combative captive and it is a long-running battle that takes them well into Scotland where Christian will hold the woman, demanding the complete surrender of her family’s home in exchange for her life.

Gaithlin doesn't make Christian’s life easy at first; she fights him furiously, unwilling to be a submissive prisoner. But the more times that passes, the more she comes to ease her combative stance and realize that Christian St. John is no ordinary knight; beneath the terrible reputation lurks the heart and soul of a poet. The more she comes to know that side to him, and his secret desire for peace, the more her defenses go down. The Demon is not at all what she had been told; he is a man of intelligence and wit, with a beautiful gift for prose. The warrior is indeed a true warrior-poet in every sense of the word. A man of peace lurks beyond the fearsome façade.

Join Christian and Gaithlin as they succumb to searing passion, torn between loyalties and long-standing hatred. As their families turn against them and Christian must face his warring family and answer for his crime of falling in love with the enemy, help and understanding come from the most unexpected of places. From the green forests of Cumbria to the wilds of Galloway, share Christian and Gaithlin’s adventures of murder, betrayal, love, understanding, and of new beginnings.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Medieval, Historical, Medieval Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction

452 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2013

About the author

Juggernaut Indie author Kathryn Le Veque is a 'tour de force' in publishing.

Kathryn is a critically acclaimed 21-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, an Indie Reader top seller, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels.

Among her many accomplishments, she is the CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 Historical Romance e-book publisher on Amazon. In 2020, Kathryn collaborated with Sourcebooks publishing for a Medieval Fight Club series set in Scotland.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read: 7/14/25
Setting: England and Scotland, King Henry III
Trope: enemies to lovers, kidnapping

Another great KLV! I had to go back to her older books, but I finally found another hidden gem. Well, maybe more like a synthetic stone. It's still good! 😉

The plot centers around a 70 year old feud between two families. Christian's father has a mad fever when it comes to destroying the De Clares. He sends his eldest son home so he can finally conquer his enemies. When a plan fails, Christian is ordered to kidnap his enemy's daughter, Gaithlin, from an abbey. Hoping for an end to the violence, Christian obeys. He doesn't soften until later, once he finally sees Gaithlin's face. This is the face of the beautiful woman he spied bathing in a lake a month ago. The woman he fell in love with on the spot. Still, Christian must resist. Unfortunately for him, Gaithlin is as cunning as she is stunning. 😉. These two can't resist each other. While they are spending their time in the splendor of Scotland, the feud wages on. Another threat comes from Christian's cast off betrothed. That woman has some scorn, and she's going ignite this feud further.

Liked:
1. I love a good feud! What started it was so petty and dumb that I thought I was in Scotland. They're in Northern England, so close enough. ;)
2. Gaithlin was wonderful! She had spirit but caution. She thought out her plans. Gaithlin had a good, kind heart as well.
3. Lovely couple. They just worked! I especially love how Christian trusts her judgment in the end.
4. Gaithlin's mother has been secretly fighting her late husband's battles for 10 years. This was a pleasant surprise!
5. The secondary characters were crazy! ●Christian's father and cousin are mad. They can't see past their hate.
●One of my favorite characters was the 7 year old boy that the couple found in their cabin. They later adopt him. He won my heart right way🥰
●Christian's cast off betrothed. He catches her with his friend and dumps her. Well, she was an unapologetic slut, I'll give her that!
●Then there was the dog couple. No, they didn't own dogs! They were feral , growled, and acted like dogs. I can't make this up 😅

Conclusion: This was not this author's best, but it was still entertaining.

[Oshun · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave it two stars because I finished it, skimming here and there. First, I liked the idea that she used an early Medieval chronicle for inspiration. Her editor, however, should be locked up or at very least fined a very large amount of money for allowing a book to go out with so many typos. Everyone makes typos and everyone needs an editor. But the condition of this text was unconscionable. There were mistakes on every page. The author has sold 42 books--I am surprised she does not type better. I was shocked. Anyway, the storyline also was too close to the traditional bodice ripper for my taste. The handsome hero has hands the size of dinner plates! Good grief--a monster! I would run like hell in the other direction instead of thinking that was hot. Poor guy! Honestly, I resent the highly discounted price I paid for it. Cannot recommend it, except as an example of how low the craft of copy checking has sunk.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Kathryn Le Veque. She writes such a wonderful story and brilliant characters each time. This one is no exception.

[Liloshadow (ReNee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Old School Le Veque! Medieval Romeo and Juliet...

Romeo and Juliet have nothing on the Demon and Lady de Gare! Christian St. John aka the Demon of Eden is a man of great strength and honor; he also has the soul of a poet and secretly longs for peace. His enemy Gaithlin turns out to be his key for peace and the woman that makes his heart complete. He comes to find she is a woman of great intelligence and is a fighter to her very core. She too longs for peace, and to be able to break away from the chains that have kept her a virtual prisoner in her home for her whole life. But their families hold them back especially Christians father. Regardless, Christian and Gay find more honor in peace than a 70 year old feud. They will fight for each other even if it means there deaths.

One of the things I love about this author is her character descriptions. I have read so many stories lately that hardly even tell you what a character looks like. I WANT to know how tall the H/h is. Does she come up to his shoulders or his chin? Is he broad of shoulder and slim of frame or more stocky and compact? I could go on and on...but I think you get it. ; ) To me those things give you a better visual of the characters; and especially a more complete vision of when they (the characters) interact together. You never have to worry about that with this author. She not only develops the main characters but the secondary ones as well.

If you are a lover of Kathryn Le Veque's earlier stories than you will love this one. If you have never read one of her stories, this is a GREAT place to start. Honor, love, battles, betrayals, death, an orphan, and dog people (did I just say dog people...yes, yes I did...lol) What more could you ask for. Join Christian and Gaithlin on the journey to finding love and ultimately peace together.

Enjoy!!

[Lost in Romance Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read a number of Kathryn’s Medieval novels, I had high expectations for The Warrior Poet. I was not disappointed! The Warrior Poet is Christian St. John and his lady love is Gaithlin, the enemy of his family. The story has an element of Romeo and Juliet in that their families had been feuding for generations and they started out hating each other. He quickly grew to respect her and then began to realize that his feelings were love. She felt the need to fight him initially, but also grew to have deep feelings. I love how Kathryn has the ability to weave a beautiful story in a period of time when a family’s honor can take precedence over an individual’s desires and yet her stories are of love. Love that grows over time; love that can conquer feuds; love that can encompass everything. Christian and Gaithlin were two of my most favorite of Kathryn’s couples.

[Lori Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Kathryn Le Veque has written a great book.

[BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done! 👍 An excellent historical romance novel.

It's not often (nearly never) I give five stars to an historical romance novel, but this one deserves it.

[Lynne Shear · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment you start this passionate adventure, you become swept up in the love story of Christian St. John and Gaithlin de Gare. This is a romantic tale that will stay with you for quite some time.
Christian is an herioc, giant of a man, a very handsome feerless warrior known as the Demon of Eden. He is a man ensconsed in a seventy year old family feud, which has been driven by his mad father, and having known nothing but killing since he was a young knight, he comes to realise that he has had enough of bloodshed and warring, he is finding it tiresome and this is compounded when he kidnaps the extremely beautiful woman of his dreams, the young Lady Gaithlin de Gare. Compassionate, intelligent, she has been sheltered all her life, living in poverty due to this exhaustive family feud.
They come together against all odds in this wonderfully passionate and romantic love story, set in the wilds of Scotland, with great additional characters who will have you turning the pages, as their story unfolds.
As usual Kathryn Le Veque conjours up this vivid story, with her magical conversations, descriptions and plots, that twist and turn at every chapter. This lovely book is slightly different from Kathryn's usual adventures, but that to me, is what makes it so very special.

[Dennis Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Masterstroke

Kathryn, I haven't an inkling whether anyone close to you reads my reviews. I am a singer & guitarist nearing 60 years young. Something amazing happened while I read this book. I composed music . I heard a melody line and varying accompanying instruments. There are strings, trombones, trumpets, piano, kettle drums & woodwinds. I've never composed before and don't even know how to write it down but I do have a talent for hearing the, what I call, "missing notes". So if a song already has harmony I instantly intuit what notes to sing to enrich the music -- think of it as having a choir always standing by inside your head.
While reading Christian's actual writing's I was moved to tears and by the end of the book this (his) music played on and on as if I were in an Orchestra Pit sitting in on a working rehearsal.
I thought you might want to know that you inspired music! I wish you could hear it as well so, THANK YOU....
Annemarie aka Vacherona

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I have read (and/or listened to) many of Kathryn Le Veque medieval novels, and I have loved every book from the many different series. The Warrior Poet is a truly beautiful love story. The addition of the beautiful quotes from the Chronicles of Christian St. John, and the story of the real Warrior Poet in the beginning of the book anchored the story with a sense of reality and truth. Warrior Poet is a very emotional and moving story. Love like that is truly eternal.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Kathryn is by far the best medieval romance writer I have read. each and every one of her books pull you in as if you are actually there. I highly recommend reading all of her books!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feud between two families started years ago when sides were taken for King Richard or Prince John. Kidnapping the daughter of de Gare, Christopher St. John, The Demon, discovers that love outweighs revenge. A powerful love story with a hero who will make you swoon.*****

[Marcia Oziah Neudauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different spin from most of her books. Includes a real live person who wrote prose. One of my favorites of hers and I have read almost all of her books. Good read for sure

[Anthony Jarosz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The warrior Poet

As always, the author weaves a story around a historical event or person. I have read most of her novels and no doubt will read them again.
Lots of research goes into writing as it does in genealogical research of ones family. It all pulls one into a story of how our families lived in the 13th century.

[Katd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great love story

Although an enemy to lovers book, it is so much more. I became quickly enamored of both of them. I would love to see more of them. Maybe Malcolm or Quinton's story.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/13/2022)! 🎁

[Lauralee Wiltsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept want to find out but what's going to happen next. When I finished this book, first thing that I thought of is the pen is mightier than the sword because of the way Jean St. John died. I won't spoil the ending but suffice it to say that Christian's father could not see the forest for the trees. There is a lesson to be learned from this story and that is you have to stand up for what you believe in regardless of what other people think and then what is more important love or Honor. I was sad when I read that Christian's father would not accept a peace Accord between the De Gare and St John families. It took a numerous deaths in order to finally have peace. The story was part of a boxed set called Borderland Brides and although I am not finished with the stories, so far the Warrior Poet has been my favorite one because there is a lot going on in the story so you never get bored & I really liked the fact that theirs was a deep abiding love.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it was Somerset Maugham who wrote that once a couple unites the interest passes to the next generation. Interest certainly lags here as the hero and heroine get busy playing house. They adopt a stray Scot and there are those 'dog people' [I didn't get this either] but it's s-l-o-w going until the troops arrive - three sets: his, hers and the Douglas clan. There's a bit of a brouhaha a couple of bit players bite the dust, and it's a wrap. Good enough without being in any way exceptional.

[Patty Perrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable love story

I have loved all of the books I've read from Ms Le Veque and I have to say that the love stories are all great. Not only that they are a great value, you can read many free with kindle unlimited and if you buy them the prices are very affordable. For the price of one book from one of my other favorite authors I can but 3-7 of her novels.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous Medieval tale. I would describe this book as feuding families who will do anything to have the other surrender. I don't necessarily see it as a Romeo and Juliet. As always with Le Veque's books, her characters were well written. The story is a page turner. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true love story

Another great tale from one of my favorite authors! This one has a moral to the story, love conquers all. Even feuds and hatred, and these guys make the Hatfields and the McCoys look warm and fuzzy! Couldn't put it down!

[MaryD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stockholm Syndrome? Not sure I can buy the HEA, but the writing was good and the plot was intriguing.

I read this in the "bundle" Brides of the North

*****************
Re-read 8/31/2022 in the volume Brides of Scotland

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a 2,5 Star. I usually really like Ms Le Veques books but these one just didn't it to me!!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less than 25% into this audio book, I'm DNFing it. I am getting tired of shallow "love at first sight" books.

The narrator, Kiff VandenHeavel, was very good however.

[MLOW · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+

[James Autrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I liked the story line and the setting. Was first book of hers that I read and will read the rest..

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only KLV novel that I do not have a stand-alone copy! Read this book in her multi-novel collection called Knight's of Power Collection.