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  • Desperate Duchesses

  • Written by: Eloisa James
  • Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
  • Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (7 ratings)

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Desperate Duchesses

Written by: Eloisa James
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor
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Publisher's Summary

Welcome to a world of reckless sensuality and glittering sophistication, of dangerously handsome gentlemen and young ladies longing to gain a title, of games played for high stakes, including - on occasion - a lady's virtue.

A marquess's sheltered only daughter, Lady Roberta St. Giles, falls in love with a man she glimpses across a crowded ballroom: a duke, a game player of consummate skill, a notorious rakehell who shows no interest in marriage, until he lays eyes on Roberta.

Yet the Earl of Gryffyn knows too well that the price required to gain a coronet is often too high. Damon Reeve, the earl, is determined to protect the exquisite Roberta from chasing after the wrong destiny. Can Damon entice her into a high-stakes game of his own, even if his heart is likely to be lost in the venture?

©2007 Eloisa James (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

What the critics say

"The first in a sparkling new series set in the scandalously fun Georgian era by best-selling and award-winning James, this is a gracefully written, lusciously sensual, delectably witty, and exquisitely romantic historical romance." ( Booklist)
"If Shakespeare had written an 18th-century romantic comedy, it might look something like this novel." ( Publishers Weekly)

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Eloisa James has my sense of humour

First before I start this I have to be upfront. I've read this book 3 maybe 4 times. In fact I have read the whole Desperate Duchesses series (same amount of times) This is the first Eloisa James book I have listened to. Well frankly it opened up a whole new world. To hear the words come to life in this book made me think of many of the characters in a whole new light.
This book is an introduction to a number of characters that then appear in their own books as part of the series. In this book we meet Lady Roberta St. James (who is the heroine of this particular story), her father Marquess of Wharton & Malmesbury (otherwise known as the Mad Marquess), Mrs. Grope (the Mad Marquess' paramour), the Duke of of Villiers (who will be a central character is the entire 6 books), the Duchess of Beaumont - Jemma, the Duke of Beaumont - Elijah and the Earl of Gryffyn - Damon Reeve....who appears to have a carefree attitude, but you keep your eyes and ears on what the Earl says and does. He is a in modern language - a Player...and he plays for keeps. Minor players are Teddy (read or listen to the series and you will find out who Teddy's mother is, and Harriet the Duchess of Berrow (Harriet is Book 3's heroine)

Lady Roberta decides she is in love with the Duke of Villiers having met him at a country ball, now is the time to warn you...Villiers is a Rake, brilliant and also a Player!

I don't want to give away anything, but the characters are just that characters! You feel badly when something goes wrong, you laugh (I mean really laugh) when a versifying Mermaid makes an appearance and you find out that even Rakes can fall in love and become reformed rakes.

Dear reader/listener....if you like historical (and sometimes hysterical) romance do not walk over to pick up an Eloisa James book......RUN! I can't recommend her enough!

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