Thoroughly enjoyed this one...This book came to me highly rated by my Goodreads friends. I’m not usually a historical romance reader. Occasionally I do like a break from the paranormal world. What better place than 19th century India and England?It’s hard for me to imagine life in the late 19th century. The formality, the need for chaperones, the sequestered life of women, not to mention the restrictive layers upon layers of clothing – just don’t do it for me. Corsets? No thanks. Yet there is something in this world that catches my imagination. Duke of Shadows is the story of Emmaline Martin. Emma is betrothed to Marcus Lindley who is stationed in India. After surviving a harrowing journey to make it to her betrothed, losing both her parents in the process, she makes it to India to find that her intended is not what she expected.Marcus Lindley is a boor. He is standoffish and just plain nasty. He does not like the fact that Emma is educated. Marcus only has plans for Emma’s money. Enter the incredibly handsome, incredibly suave, and swoonworthy Julian Sinclair, the Duke of Auburn. Let the sparks fly…I loved India as the backdrop for Emma and Julian’s romance. The book was well researched and captured the colonial mentality and the confusion of the revolt nicely. I think I enjoyed the first part of the novel because of the exotic settings. The descriptions, the sounds, and the scents came alive for me.The second part of the novel takes place in England. I enjoyed this part as well. It almost felt like a different book. My only criticism is that I felt that Julian did not do as much as he could to find Emma. I’m looking forward to reading more of Meredith Duran’s books.
