The Duke of Shadows | 
| Author: Meredith Duran
Publisher: Pocket Star
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
Buy New: $3.32
You Save: $3.67 (53%)
New (18) Used (9) from $3.32
Avg. Customer Rating:  25 reviews
Sales Rank: 7743
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 1416567038
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9781416567035
ASIN: 1416567038
Publication Date: March 25, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: GREAT BUY!Brand New From US Distributor! WE ARE A 5 STAR SELLER with OVER 3,500,000 BOOKS SOLD!!! OVER ~ 600,000 FEEDBACKS ~ POSTED!!!
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Product Description
In a debut romance as passionate and sweeping as the British Empire, Meredith Duran paints a powerful picture of an aristocrat torn between two worlds, an heiress who dares to risk everything...and the love born in fire and darkness that nearly destroys them. From exotic sandstone palaces... Sick of tragedy, done with rebellion, Emmaline Martin vows to settle quietly into British Indian society. But when the pillars of privilege topple, her fiance's betrayal leaves Emma no choice. She must turn for help to the one man whom she should not trust, but cannot resist: Julian Sinclair, the dangerous and dazzling heir to the Duke of Auburn. To the marble halls of London... In London, they toast Sinclair with champagne. In India, they call him a traitor. Cynical and impatient with both worlds, Julian has never imagined that the place he might belong is in the embrace of a woman with a reluctant laugh and haunted eyes. But in a time of terrible darkness, he and Emma will discover that love itself can be perilous -- and that a single decision can alter one's life forever. Destiny follows wherever you run. A lifetime of grief later, in a cold London spring, Emma and Julian must finally confront the truth: no matter how hard one tries to deny it, some pasts cannot be disowned...and some passions never die.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 Beautiful Book July 14, 2008
This is one of the best historical romances I've read, period. Staying within the conventions of the genre, it explores post traumatic stress, survivor's guilt, and the healing power of art and love.
The Raj India setting in the first half of the book is also a welcome change from the many books that are set in England. A small strand of sadness about England's over-reaching into all parts of the globe is woven into the book without ever detracting from the essential story.
I was so impressed with the book that I went to Meredith Duran's web site and left her a note. A few days later I received a witty and sincere reply, and she mentioned that there are two upcoming books set in the 1880's. She also promised to eventually tell Lockwood's story. I'm ready to read anything she writes.
A beautiful and original debut... June 28, 2008
Everyone has already said it but I will too. This book held me hypnotized. The characters were flawed but real and felt so deeply for each other, it was quite moving. Please, write more books, Ms. Duran. Your originality and talent are a breath of fresh air in the romance genre.
Excellent read June 25, 2008
I won't go over the plot, as so many reviewers already have. However, I will say that the author delivers an excellent story: full of wonderful imagery and interesting characters. The author allows the reader into the minds of the characters to understand the emotions behind their behaviors. I enjoyed this book tremendously and look forward to Duran's next book.
 3.5 Stars June 23, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book was too disjointed in the first half. The narratives and conversations were too short and cut off and the scenes were not well described. I also needed to know more of the emotions the characters were feeling during these conversations and in these scenes, especially in the beginning. I got bored in the first part when it seemed to progress too slowly as well. The idea for the story was good and the book got better, much better, as it progressed. I think this writer is talented and that her writing will improve and mature with experience. Great cover...hot! Extra points for originality - this story is memorable - and for being a debut.
 New author shows promise June 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a debut book, this book deserves 4 stars; otherwise, I would have given it three. I won't go over the plot again but offer a few observations:
The author dances around the edge of the politics of the Mutiny and makes some oblique references to the issues at hand but if fleshed out a bit more, there would have been a more substantial feel to the setting. I think she fails to capture the essence of India under the Raj and therefore deprives her characters of a real stage upon which to act out the story.
I felt that the hero, Julian, was rather two dimensional. We never really learn what makes him tick. We know he has a mixed racial heritage but we never fully understand the implications for him and how it impacts on his world view, his social standing, etc. And Emma was also a little strange. I found her stiff and lacking in emotion although I accept that she was traumatised by the events in the novel, she still seemed not to be warm and loving; indeed, she comes to life only when she is having sexual relations with Julian.
I love books set in India and the Mutiny is a poignant episode that many authors have used. When I compare this with Valerie Fitzgerald's Zemindar, or some of Emma Drummond's work, I think this book comes up far short.
I think this author clearly has talent but she needs to create characters more rounded that the reader can truly emphathise with. She needs to exploit her settings if she is going to use those that are exotic and unfamiliar. Although I can't say I would rate this a keeper, it was a good effort and the author can clearly go a long way.
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