The American Duke

Reviewed by Diane Donovan for MidWest Book Review

The American Duke: Crossed Lines, Twisted Faith isset in the 1800s just after a British decision to exert diplomatic pressures onAmerican slavery dovetails with the reunion of two brothers separated bydistance and estrangement. 

  Because the Sixth Duke of Westmoure's future and fate istied with his transplanted American brother Avery, he makes efforts toinfluence the abolishment of slavery in America, a move which will favorablyaffect his brother and his unusual chosen wife. 

  The Duke is successful at passing a British legacy to hisAmerican brother, but this is just the introduction to the challenges thefamily faces when a British-American lord who has inherited his brother's titlealso has a wife of another color and a son from that union. 

  A murder spree challenges everything when this mixed-bloodson inherits a role previously reserved for the lords and ladies of Britishsociety. On the surface, Britain has refuted American slavery and prejudices;but underneath, its own social and class wars remain prevalent. The notion of amixed-blood duke defies many traditions and perceptions of nobility and setsoff a chain reaction that tranforms ideals and reality alike. 

  The American Duke does an outstanding job ofconsidering the motivations, perceptions, and special dilemmas of all involved.As its subject expands from Avery, his brother, and their legacy to otheroutcasts of society who face their own prejudices ("Joycellyn wascurious about these people. They were warm and eager for them to become a partof the family. Did they mean it? Didn't they know what she was? Of course theydid. They didn't seem to care. As a child of an unwed woman, she was theoutcast and was labeled all that was unholy. But the Duke and his family wereNegroes. The old duke had told her how Negroes were treated in America. Werethe indignities Negroes endured like that of being a bastard? The question hungin the back of her mind."), The American Duke introduces across-cultural dialogue. This leads readers to more closely examine their ownconcepts of history, social connections, and the roots of prejudice anddecorum, on many levels. 

  Fueled by the reports of Society News, events move frommurder to social propriety as the characters embark on their personal voyagesof discovery: "Before now, she'd never realized how abnormal life wasfor those who were mixed blood. For those in America, it meant you didn't havechoices to do what white Americans did. You didn't count. Here in England, noone cared what you were, unless you were an aristocrat. Bloodlines, purity oflineage, antecedents, that's what counted." 

  The American Duke contrasts reports and perceptions,crimes evolving from dangerous games, issues of social acceptance, andquestions revolving around the "sanctity of the aristocracy." 

  Vivid in its twists and turns of plot, which toe the linebetween historical novel, comparisons of American and British social prejudicesand perceptions, and struggles to fit into changing worlds, The AmericanDuke offers a warm study of 1800s society on both sides of the pond. Thisfocus is fueled by characters who skirt some major questions about thearistocracy as they search for romance, meaning, and acceptance. 

  Fans of historical novels, British romances, and storiesof slavery will relish the depth and events that make The American Dukea compelling read. 

Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite 

  The American Duke: Crossed Lines...Twisted Fate bringsan exceptional variation to historical romance. August Jade Sterling not onlyhas one of England's aristocrats born in North America, but he is also of mixedblood with a slave. When the British elite learns of Sar Roxbury's claim as theDuke of Westmoure, there are more than a few distraught over the thought ofmixed blood polluting their pure bloodline. They commissioned three specialoperatives to bring this family to England and protect them. The ton was soonto learn of the integrity, bravery, and grit of this family. Her Grace, Anne,is a pistol-packing woman who is devoted to her family. She is a stronghold forthe unfortunate and abused. His Grace, Sar, steps into his role as a duke as ifborn for this position. The hardest part is protecting his family from the fewwho wish them dead and to find the mole within his shipping company. This novelfocuses much on the developing love between Sar's sister, Meredith, and herprotector, Lord Julien. A steamy romance with one of the most eligible bachelorsmakes Mer another target to ensure there isn't a child within this family.Beth's main interest is the business she is starting as she keeps in thebackground. 

  August Jade Sterling does not disappoint as she blends theraces within The American Duke. As in life, there are many who fightagainst blending cultures and miss the benefits. This novel is just thebeginning of the Roxbury family as they uncover espionage within high places,murder attempts on their lives, and love when they least expect it. The authorkeeps the pace moving as the story focuses on different characters, andepisodes of the murders and spies are also featured, though the plot leavestheir identity a mystery. The characters are well-developed and realistic.Their doubts and fears come to life as they face difficult situations. Overall,I loved the twists within the plot and the love this family showed to others.It was predicted they would shake up the elite, and they did not disappoint! 

The American Duke: Crossed Lines, Twisted Fate is a brilliantly original synthesis of spy-thriller meets historical novel meets magical realism. Using the Regency Period as its backdrop, the book deftly explores the politics, social mores, and historical cataclysms of the time while, simultaneously, shedding strange light on the parallels today-- from crime to barbarism to racism to nationalism. Reminiscent of Burroughs, Calvino, and Chabon, The American Duke employs a bizarre cast of compelling characters pitted against the intrigue and drama of a wild, arresting narrative artfully plotted and evocatively realized by author August Jade Sterling. Leaping from the hilarious to the poetic to the moving, The American Duke bends both genre and emotion, creating a unique reading experience that reflects the varied locations and intertwining stories it presents. The novel truly blazes new literary trails, blending fact and fiction, or, more accurately, using history as a launching off point for an imaginative dive into human nature, idiosyncratic social structures, and an adventure through the jointly brutal and beautiful forces driving the world. I highly recommend this book. 

--Charles Asher, Phi Beta Kappa Review

--This text refers to the paperback edition.