Desperate Duchesses

DESPERATE DUCHESSES is the beginning of a new series by Ms. James. As the title states, it will be about duchesses who have assorted difficulties in their lives. In this book, we are introduced to Jemma and Elijah, Duke and Duchess of Beaumont and their acquaintances and relatives.

The focus of DESPERATE DUCHESSES is supposed to be on Damon, Earl of Gryffyn and Lady Roberta St. Giles’ romance. Damon is Jemma’s brother. He is a rakehell who has an illegitimate son living with him. He doesn’t plan on marrying but Roberta changes his mind. Roberta believes herself in love with the Duke of Villiers and she heads to London to win her prey. She presents herself at the door of Jemma and is taken under her wing thus begins a complex story with many storylines. Damon and Roberta enjoy a flirtation as they are thrown in close proximity to each other. Damon finds himself wanting Roberta and the same is true for her. Damon and Roberta are nicely developed and the reader does get to know them well. They make a nice couple, as Roberta is able to accept Damon even with his little foibles.

However, it is Jemma and Elijah that steals the spotlight in this book. Their relationship is filled with tension and angst. This reader was mesmerized by them and couldn’t wait to read more about them. We could feel the underlying emotions they still had for one another. Jemma and Elijah have been estranged for years. She moved to Paris when as a newlywed she found her husband with his mistress. Jemma returns to England to fulfill her duty: to provide him an heir, as Elijah fears he will die early like his father. Jemma is a terrific character. She is a woman of experienced and is not afraid to say what she thinks. Her intelligence is apparent as she duels with men in via the chessboard. Elijah is not so fully developed but there is obviously something more lurking underneath than the staid Duke who doesn’t want scandal to overwhelm his government position. We are also introduced to the Duke of Villiers, Harriet and a whole host of others. We get glimpses of these characters and they whet the appetite for more. With such a rich cast of characters, Ms. James has written another sparkling romance that will pull the reader in and have them panting for the next book.

August 2007