Romance Reviews: The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

Emmaline Martin didn't know what to expect when she entered Anglo-Indian Society to marry her betrothed. It certainly wasn't to find her reputation already in tatters because she'd had the nerve to survive a terrible incident that drowned her mother and father, and everyone else on board ship. For a day she clung to debris, and was rescued by a freighter filled with Irish sailors kind enough to deliver her to Bombay. And she certainly didn't expect to find her once kind and honorable betrothed, Colonel Lindley, disgusted with not only the fact she survived in such a scandalous manner, but everything about her: from her forthright speaking to her vibrant and bold art and sketches of unladylike subjects. It seems the Colonel also has a penchant for the ladies and carries on his affairs right beneath her nose. But she most certainly did not expect anything from him...Julian Sinclair, Lord Holdensmoor and the future Duke of Auburn—not kindness, not kisses, and certainly not saving her life.

Julian Sinclair doesn't know what he's doing at the party. Because of his mixed heritage, one quarter Indian and three quarters English, he's not wanted on either side. The British consider him a traitor, and the Indians a shame, and neither one are willing listen. Something is very wrong in the humid Delhi air. Rumors are circulating amongst the Indian peoples—in a nearby city, handful of the Indo-solders rebelled against their English commanders. The very streets of Delhi rumble with unease, and yet the stubborn English refuse to listen to reason. He might as well leave...until he spots her. Miss Emmaline Martin who has the misfortune of being betrothed Julian's boorish cousin, Colonel Lindley. An odd sort of beauty, she's nothing like any lady he's met. She's spirited and speaks her mind, and there is something dark and sweet in her that tugs at something deep inside himself. He shouldn't want her, but he does.

The day Emma intends on leaving the brutish Lindley with the help of Julian, is the day all hell breaks loose in Delhi. The dire warnings Julian spouted have come true, the Indian troops are rebelling and their killing the English—men, women, and children. It is only by chance that Emma is rescued by Julian, and as they try to escape the bloodshed, they save each other from certain death. Escaping into the desert, they make their way to safety, avoiding the Indians soldiers at all costs. But somewhere along the way, Emma falls in love with Julian—with his quiet strength, his gentle touch, and his fierce gaze. Then Julian leaves her with friends—he must return to Delhi to see to his mother's family, and promises he will return to her, and together they will leave for England. Emma wants to beg him not to go, for deep in her heart, she fears she will never see him again...Julian never returns.

Four years have passed since the fateful day Julian learned of Emma's death. Four long and dreadful years spent in England's autocratic Society as the Duke of Auburn. And still he cannot forget, cannot stop the guilt from overwhelming him. He should have never left her, should have stayed with her and taken to England himself. When his fiance takes him to art showing, Julian is shocked when he is faced with paintings depicting the mutiny in India. So terrible in their reality, the paintings speak to him deeply. But no less shocking when he turns to find his beloved Emmaline is alive. Alive! He cannot believe it. Yet by the pain in her eyes, she knew all along where he was, knew he was in England but never came to him. She thought he had abandoned her when it is the farthest from the truth. But when Emma's life his threatened, Julian swears to protect her at all cost...not only protect her, but prove to her that he never forgot her, and never stopped loving her.


The Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran is a richly woven tapestry of love, passion, and tragedy. Beautifully written, Ms. Duran's eloquent prose pulls you into the story until you find yourself standing along side Julian and Emma in the humid heat of India. It is a wonder to watch as Emma blossoms from a awkward flower to a beautiful woman under Julian's care. And Julian, freed to be the man he truly is deep inside in Emma's arms. Even the sadness which follows their tragic departure and return four years later is a wonder to behold. Emma, now scarred by the horrors of the mutiny, and Julian rendered an empty shell of a man, tugs at the heart. Colourful and darkly gritty, The Duke of Shadows is one of the best debut novels I have read in a long time, and I look forward to devouring more romances by Meredith Duran. Highly Recommended.

Ask an Author Week #3 Prizes!

Congrats to last week's Winner: lastnerve!

This week (April 27 to May 3) we're giving away:

The Rancher’s Runaway Princess by Donna Alward (print)	A Train Through Time by Bess McBride (ebook)	Kentucky Green by Terry Irene Blain (print or ebbok - winner's choice)

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on anyone of the Ask An Author posts. The more comments you leave, the more chances to win! This week we ask our authors: If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why? Don't forget to leave a comment...or two...or three to increase your chances to win...

Ask An Author Week #2 Prizes!

Ask an Author Week #1 Prize Winner: Babyblue22!  Congratulations.  To recieve your books, please email me at: author@ingelahyatt.com (copy  & past into your email program) ASAP to confirm who you are. (I will be asking a question to identitfy you.)  You have 72 hours to respond, if you do not email me by that time, another winner will be chosen.

This week (April 20 to 26) we're giving away:

Twins for the Teacher by Michele Dunaway (print)	A Knight of Passion by Ingela F. Hyatt (ebook)
Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues by Jacquie Rogers (print or ARC in pdf - author's choice)

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on anyone of the Ask An Author posts. The more comments you leave, the more chances to win! This week we ask our authors: If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why? Is there a question you'd like to ask the authors? Leave it in your comment, and you just might see the answer in future Ask An Author segments. (Don't forget to leave a comment...or two...or three...)

Ask an Author Week #1 Prizes!

This week (April 13 to 19) we're giving away:

Mango Summer by Phoebe Conn, NY Times Bestselling Author (print)	The Captain's Wench by Patti Shenberger (ebook)
Marshall in Petticoats by Paty Jager (print)	White Rose of Avalon by Kelley Heckart (ebook)

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on anyone of the Ask An Author posts. The more comments you leave, the more chances to win! Is there a question you'd like to ask the authors? Leave it in your comment, and you just might see the answer in future Ask An Author segments. This week we ask our 22 authors: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have three books with which to read for five years, which three books would you take and why? (Don't forget to leave a comment...or two...or three...)

Book Review: Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

Clayton was a six year old human boy when he became a werewolf. It wasn't an accident-he asked for the bite which would fling him into a new and deadly world. Now alone, and struggling to understand his new abilities, Clayton becomes more animal than human, surviving by his wolf instincts in the wilds of the bayou outside Baton Rouge. Unable to remember his former life or family, he hides away from humanity, barely able to feed the gnawing hunger in his belly. 

Clayton is brutally attacked by a strange man who turns out to be a werewolf. After tainting his den, the werewolf leaves an injured Clayton to die. But the boy is stronger than even he imagined, and after many weeks, is healed and life continues... Until another werewolf appears. Though similar in appearance to Clayton's attacker, this one was does not do him harm, but simply watches him with kind eyes. The next day, he brings food, and over the course of many weeks, begins to build Clayton's trust. Eventually, Clayton becomes domesticated, wearing clothing, and re-learning language. And with it, he learns the werewolf's name is Jeremy. 

When Jeremy finally takes Clayton to his home in upstate New York, the boy begins to learn exactly who and what he is. And that his attacker is none other than Jeremy's father-Malcolm, a brutish werewolf who despises his son and happens to be the enforcer for the Pack. If not for Jeremy's grandfather leaving everything to him, Malcolm would have killed his son long ago. Clayton begins to realize that Malcolm is the source of most of Jeremy's problems-like making his life a living hell-and one way or another he'll eventually have to be dealt with. 

After nearly a year with Jeremy, it is time for Clayton to meet the Pack. Little does he know that his behaviour could mean his life or death. When Jeremy had proposed to the Alpha he take in the stray werewolf child, he was given a year to see if that child could be a "normal" and productive part of Human and Pack society. When some of his "abnormal" behaviour is revealed to the Alpha, he must await the Pack leader's decision-will Clayton continue to live with Jeremy, or be put down like a rabid wolf? 

Having never read anything from Kelly Armstrong before, I was simply perusing Men of the Otherworld-wondering if I should review it-when I became completely hooked on page one. I love Ms. Armstrong's gritty writing style which sucks you in and makes you part of the novel. Told in the first person (except for Malcolm's story which surrounds Jeremy's birth), it was a real thrill to watch Clayton grow from a frightened werewolf child to a cocky adult werewolf. Clayton's youth is kind of like a werewolf version of the Helen Keller story: he doesn't want to talk, not seeing the logic behind it when grunting and pointing gets the message across; and he has a temper which causes him to throw things around-I'm talking end tables which he smashes against the wall because Jeremy won't let him go outside until Clayton says his request in a full sentence (and Jeremy has the patience of a saint, I might add). Though we discover that Clayton does find his werewolf mate much later on, and we do get to meet Jeremy's mate, this is not a paranormal romance-more like a paranormal novel with a sprinkling of romantic elements. I found Men of the Otherworld utterly fascinating and certainly look forward to reading any future books by Kelley Armstrong.