The American Duke

Crossed Lines, Twisted Fate

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Pub Date 27 Apr 2020 | Archive Date 07 Jul 2023

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Description

A romance with a twist, the British ton turned topsy turvy mostly with disdain, murder, and a principle of international law which made it all possible.

In the former colonies, three of England’s top operatives appear on the Roxburys’ doorstep with life changing truths that puts them in danger. On a cold windy night, they furtively escape America.

On the docks of Southampton, the dance between life and death begins. There is a spy among them.

Thomas Berkley, head of the Home Office, is the expert strategist who is responsible for keeping the Roxburys safe. All hell will break loose when the ‘pure’ le bon ton discovers that the new Duke of Westmoure is a Negro. That hell includes murder.

Welcome to the world of the Roxburys – the unwanted and newest aristocrats. The Roxburys fled America to prevent being lynched only to discover they are not safe for the same reason in England – their skin color and stepped into international intrigue as targets of sinister plots.

Ah, but there is passion. Can they survive long enough for love to blossom?

A romance with a twist, the British ton turned topsy turvy mostly with disdain, murder, and a principle of international law which made it all possible.

In the former colonies, three of England’s...


A Note From the Publisher

About the Author:
August Jade Sterling is allowed to live with her cat Sir Prince Charming in Minnesota. She holds a graduate degree from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. When not vacationing with her sister, she sings jazz. This is her first book in the American Duke series.

"After reading and falling in love with the characters of many historical romance novels, I continuously felt something wasn't right. Why were all of the heroes and ladies white or blonde-haired with blue eyes? Simply put, there was a void and inaccurate betrayal of characters or a lack of diversity in historical romance novels. The world is a place where culture and the human race blends; books pave the way."

About the Author:
August Jade Sterling is allowed to live with her cat Sir Prince Charming in Minnesota. She holds a graduate degree from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. When not...


Advance Praise

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.

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...


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ISBN 9781948858281
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Featured Reviews

This book grabbed me from the start, so much going on and so much intrigue. The characters are so realistic that I could feel their emotions while reading. This was much different than what I was expecting.

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The American Duke Crossed Lines, Twisted Fate by August Jade Sterling. BooksGoSocial, 2020.

Of several subplots that make up the complex story of The American Duke, one is the romance between Meredith and Julian. Meredith (Mer), the American duke’s intelligent and lovely sister, is twenty-two when she first meets Julian, heir to a Marquess and a British government operative. Each grew up with loving parents to become a relatively stable, reasonable adult. Their story is complicated by the social conflict of racism embedded pragmatically through the story - no preaching- and by a cast of supporting characters, a ghost, a rotten uncle, a quirky character who listens at doors and coaches others in the same, two street orphans taken in, illegitimate first cousins, an ailing duke on the run, and a number of shadowy, unsavoury and hostile individuals in cameo appearances that don’t quite explain themselves until the end

On every front – the complex, engaging plot; the intelligent, industrious characters;, the steamy bedroom scenes; the three-part mystery; the writing; this strangely wonderful Regency Romance outshines just about every other piece of historical fiction about the era that I’ve read, including titles on the “must read” lists.

When compared with others, The American Duke Crossed Lines, Twisted Fate is slightly ahead of its time. It should be a movie, or perhaps a Netflix series.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of The American Duke Crossed Lines, Twisted Fate for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheAmericanDuke #NetGalley

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A lot of action & romance maybe too much romance to my taste. A swashbuckling Regency romp with some punch & fun, finely drawn characters and good historical research. It wasn't quite my cup of tea but many readers might actually really enjoy the ride.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel.

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Sar who has become the Duke after the death of his uncle and the murder of his father. The children find that their mother is part negro. Their parents married at sea to make their marriage legal. Now the Ton has to think about whether they can welcome a mixed heritage duke.
There are a number of things going on from before they leave America to their time in England. The oldest daughter falls in love. Their shipping company is shipping government information out of the country. Men are being killed before they can find out who or what is behind it. Just so many things going on from the beginning to the end. Keeps you on your toes trying to keep up with it all.

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This Regency Romance set in America is perfect for our times and for fans of Bridgerton. There is lots of action and romance and the novel deals with issues of interracial marriage and racism.

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There is a lot going on in tis book. Which at times I found confusing trying to keep track of who was saying what, and what was going on. While description is Historical fiction, Romance. I would say it is very heavy in the romance and a lot of thinking about sex from 2 of the characters. My preference is more Historical fiction so was a little overboard for me. That being said, I did enjoy the book. I am hoping there is at least a second book to wrap up more of the loose ends.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I found this to be a captivating read, I had difficulty putting it down. I liked the family that came from America very much, they had no pretence about them and were caring for the less fortunate. No everyone welcomed them to England, some were concerned about people of mixed race being in the aristocracy. There are a number of layers to this story and not all have been solved. I’m assuming that there will be a second book in the series, which I will be looking forward to reading. There is also the romance between Mer and Julien, at times I wanted to shake Julien. Why does it take an intelligent man so long to realise his true feelings? I loved the way the women were all strong characters and were well able to defend themselves. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The American Duke- A Regency-Era Novel By August Jade Sterling Is An Interesting Tale That Held My Interest…It Was Well Written …Engaging & Impossible To Put Down…It Is The Tale Of The Roxburys…& Regency England …& How Difficult It Can Often Be To Be Accepted By The British Ton ….
Read and See. Much Enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I Voluntarily Reviewed An Advanced Copy Of This Book.

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