AMERICAN DUCHESS tells the fictional story of Consuelo Vanderbilt. In 1895 Consuelo wed the Duke of Marlborough. This was not a love match; she was already in love with another man. She only went to the altar after being bullied relentlessly by her mother, Alva. The marriage was a business deal— the Vanderbilt money for a title and the prestige that comes with the title. And, it could have all ended there. She could have stayed subdued like many other women in her class. However, Consuelo finds her inner strength, fights for the things she believes in and perhaps she will even find true love?

Consuelo Vanderbilt like her mother Alva, is a very colorful woman. At the beginning of the book she isvery subdued. She's just a girl, forced into a marriage she doesn't want. Married to a man that is just interested in her money. But, she grows, finds the courage and in the end, she is unstoppable. She also decided to follow her heart. Karen Harper has woven together a truly fascinating tale about a woman that dared to rebel against society's rules. The writing is superb and I found myself engrossed in the story. I had previously read THE ROYAL NANNY by Karen Harper and I'm glad to say that this book was just as good as that one.

AMERICAN DUCHESS is well researched, well written and definitely, a must read if you love historical fiction!