Duchess by Night (Thorndike Romance) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Eloisa James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2009 | ISBN-10: 1410416364 | ISBN-13: 978-1410416360 | Edition: Lrg

A Mischievous Charade . . .

Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, is tired of her title and the responsibilities that come along with it. Enough with proper tea parties and elegant balls; what Harriet really wants is to attend an outrageous soiree where she can unleash her wildest whims and desires. But to attend such an event—especially if the event in question is Lord Justinian Strange's rollicking fete, filled with noble rogues and rotters, risqué ladies and illicit lovers—would be certain scandal. That's why she must disguise herself . . .

Looking forward to a night of uninhibited pleasure, Lord Strange is shocked to discover that beneath the clothes of a no-good rake is the most beautiful woman in the room. Why is a woman like her risking her reputation at his notorious affair? And can he possibly entice her to stay . . . forever?

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eloisa James is the author of twenty award-winning romances. She’s also a professor of English literature, teaching in New York City, where she lives with her family. With two jobs, two cats, two children, and only one husband, she spends most of her time making lists of things to do—letters from readers are a great escape!

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 519 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (October 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410416364
• ISBN-13: 978-1410416360
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,992,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa's very first book that she "found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar"; later People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better than this." Eloisa wrote her first novel after graduating from Harvard, but alas, it was rejected by every possible publisher. After she got an M.Phil. from Oxford, a Ph.D. from Yale, and a job as a Shakespeare professor, she tried again, with much greater success. Currently she teaches Shakespeare in the English Department at Fordham University in New York City. She's also the mother of two children and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars from a loyal Eloisa James reader - not my favorite, August 25, 2008

By 

Brianna (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Duchess By Night (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read all of Ms. James' books, starting with Potent Pleasures, as soon as each was published. I made the switch to the very different Duchess series and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I did not love Duchess By Night, and I think this would have to be the first James book that I would not recommend - particularly to someone who has never read the author before. I did appreciate the lessened focus on chess, and readers who complained will also appreciate that this book pretty much just focuses on the two main characters (though I'm biding my time for Jemma's book!), but I found this book lacking in the spark I've come to expect from Ms. James. The plot was on the side of contrived, even for a historical romance (where contrived plots don't bother me as much), the first several chapters were boring, and the romance didn't--and couldn't, as the hero thought the heroine was male!--pick up until over halfway into the book. I'll keep it, because it goes with my collection, but unless you're a die-hard fan of the author, skip this for one of her better novels.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Duchess by Night- A Joyfully Recommended Title, July 1, 2008

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Duchess By Night (Mass Market Paperback)

Harriet, the Duchess of Berrow, is to accompany the Duke of Villiers and the Duchess of Cosway to Lord Strange's notorious estate. But unlike the others, Harriet isn't traveling as herself; she is traveling as the Duke's nephew!

Lord Strange is uncomfortable with the odd attraction he has for the Duke of Villier's nephew, Harry Cope. If he hadn't promised the Duke to protect young Harry, Lord Strange would avoid the almost beautiful man.

I am an enormous Eloisa James fan. I have loved every installment in the Desperate Duchesses series. Duchess By Night is my favorite so far. Full of laughter, tears and heart thumping lust, Duchess By Night is Joyfully Recommended!

Annmarie

reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique plot and characters!, July 2, 2008

By 

Holly Lewis "Free-Range Librarian" (Stow, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Duchess By Night (Mass Market Paperback)

After awhile most regency romances become a blur, all of them having much the same structure, plot devices and wilting women. Eloisa James's most recent contirbution is of a different mold and keeps the romance reader's attention. The characters here are well drawn and not carbon copies of every other period romance. The Duchess of Berrow, Harriet, has real despair while Lord Strange enjoys a complexity of character we rarely see in summer novels. I liked this book quite a lot and intend to pass it on to another romance reader.