The Desperate Duchesses Series by Eloisa James
Enjoyable Historical Romances set in 18th Century England
With a background in Shakespearean literature and degrees from Harvard, Oxford and Yale, it might surprise some to discover that Mary Bly, associate professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the English Department at Fordham University in New York City, is also a very successful author of romantic historical fiction.
Eloisa James, Bly’s pseudonym, has published several series of historical fiction and continues to expand her influence with the fourth title in the Desperate Duchesses series, When the Duke Returns (Avon Historical Romance, 2008) released in the United States in November while the second title, An Affair Before Christmas (Hodder & Stoughton, 2008) was re-released in Australia in early December.
Desperate Housewives set in Georgian England
James reveals on her website that the inspiration for The Desperate Duchesses series came from the popular television series Desperate Housewives. She has placed a group of quirky, fun, intelligent women in Georgian England, surrounded them with a mixture of handsome, charming men and disapproving society matrons and allowed them to find their own way through the complex network of social restrictions and requirements.
The current titles in the series (published by Avon Historical Romance) include:
- Desperate Duchesses (2007)
- An Affair Before Christmas (2007)
- Duchess by Night (2008)
- When the Duke Returns (2008)
Two additional titles, This Duchess of Mine (May 2009) and A Duke of Her Own (July 2009) will complete the series.
Each book can be read as a stand-alone novel. For those wishing to follow the series, the continuity of the story is provided by a social gathering which concludes one novel and provides the opening scene for the next. Central characters from one novel appear as secondary characters in others. Even in a secondary role, characters are interesting and offer more entertainment than simply providing a backdrop to the action for the central couple.
While the physically intimate scenes are not explicit, the novels do explore the social mores and confusion of the period, with communication about intimate matters often not openly discussed. The flirting innuendo is amusing and well-written, as is the general dialogue.
James’ does not resort to endless descriptions of gowns and furnishings to create her setting, choosing instead to describe more quirky characteristics of the time. In An Affair Before Christmas, she reveals the tallow, glue, tangles and powder used to create the elaborate towering hairstyles and the curiosity cabinets assembled by those interested in natural history.
Eloisa James/Mary Bly
The daughter of poet Robert Bly and short story writer Carol Bly, Mary Bly is a graduate of Harvard University, obtaining an M. Phil from Oxford University and a Ph.D from Yale before eventually becoming a Shakespearean professor. She is currently an associate professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the English Department at Fordham University in New York City.
Eloisa James’ novels have regularly appeared on bestsellers lists in the United States, France, Spain, Japan, Poland, Holland, Italy, Germany Portugal and Russia. Her previous series include The Essex Sisters, The Duchess Quartet and The Pleasures Trilogy. Further information about James and her numerous novels, including excerpts, previews of coming titles and signed copies available for purchase, can be found at her website.
Entertaining Romantic Historical Fiction
With interesting historical detail and well-meshed stories intertwining the lives of engaging characters, The Desperate Duchesses series will appeal to those looking for an enjoyable holiday or beach read with the added interest of an historical setting.
An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James
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Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James
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