The Duke in Question

Amalie Howard writes regency romance with adventure threads woven in, and The Duke in Question pushes the formula a little further than most. The heroine is sharp, capable, and traveling on her own initiative when she crosses paths with the duke whose interests run perpendicular to hers.

The regency period detail is solid. Howard handles the dialogue without falling into either overly modern phrasing or impenetrable period mannerism.

The romance and the mystery share roughly equal weight. The heroine has her own competence that the book respects rather than undercutting for the sake of letting the duke save her.

For readers who like Sarah MacLean’s smarter regencies or Joanna Shupe’s gilded-age work, Howard fits the same shelf with a slightly more adventurous flavor. The series is worth following if this entry lands. Heat level is moderate to high depending on which scene.