American Duchess: A Novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt

Before there was Meghan Markle, there was Consuelo Vanderbilt, the original American Duchess. Perfect for readers of Jennifer Robson and lovers of Downton Abbey.

In this compelling work of biographical fiction, Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt, her "The Wedding of the Century" to the Duke of Marlborough, and her quest to find meaning behind "the glitter and the gold."

On a cold November day in 1895, a carriage approaches St Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward, awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just 18, the beautiful bride has not only arrived late, but in tears, yet her marriage to the aloof Duke of Marlborough proceeds. Bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother, Alva, Consuelo loves another. But a deal was made, trading some of the vast Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige, and Consuelo, bred to obey, realizes she must make the best of things.

At Blenheim Palace, the site of her arranged marriage, Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties, including producing an "heir and a spare," but her relationship with the duke quickly disintegrates. Consuelo finds an inner strength, charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats including Winston Churchill, as she fights for women’s suffrage. And when she takes a scandalous leap, can she hope to attain love at last…?

From the dawning of the opulent Gilded Age, to the battles of the Second World War, this sweeping historical romance, American Duchess is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest to attain independence—at any price.

|

On a cold November day in 1895, a carriage approaches St. Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward, awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just eighteen, the beautiful bride has arrived not only late but in tears, yet her marriage to the aloof 9th Duke of Marlborough proceeds. Consuelo—bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother, Alva—loves another, but a deal was made, trading Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige, and Consuelo was bred to obey.

At Blenheim Palace, Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties, including producing an “heir and a spare,” but her marriage is a sham. Consuelo finds an inner strength, charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats, including Winston Churchill, as she fights for women’s rights. From the dawning of the Gilded Age to the battles of the Second World War, American Duchess is a riveting tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt’s quest to gain independence at last. |

“Harper’s latest immerses readers in British high society, with intrigue and gossip around every corner...this tender, well researched novel lets readers see the economic, social, and political highlights of the nineteenth-century Gilded Age brought to life through Consuelo Vanderbilt’s eyes.” - Booklist

“Harper (The It Girls) entices readers with this lively novel about wealthy American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt...This immersive novel believably puts the reader in Consuelo’s shoes.” - Publishers Weekly

“This is a fascinating story about an extraordinary woman.” - Gill Paul, bestselling author of The Secret Wife

“This absorbing and evocative tale is an excellent reminder of what women have long sacrificed over the centuries for family honor and duty, and how they navigated their circumstances and influence to change the world for the better.”  - Heather Webb, international bestselling author of Last Christmas in Paris

“The Royal Nanny is a gem, revealing that those forgotten in history are often the true treasures.” - Erika Robuck, national bestselling author of Hemingway's Girl

“Fans of Downton Abbey will devour this vivid tale of one nanny’s unwavering love and sacrifices endured for the sake of the royal children in her care. Full of emotion and heart, Lala redefines the meaning of motherhood while Harper gives us a behind-the-scenes look into the Royals.” - Renée Rosen, author of While Collar Girl

Praise for The Royal Nanny: “A compulsive, page-turning read that fearlessly reveals both the gilt and the tarnish of the British Royal Crown.” - Sandra Byrd, author of Mist of Midnight

Praise for The It Girls: “The It Girls is a glorious romp through the lives and loves of the scintillating Sutherland sisters.... Readers who enjoy historical fiction are in for a treat!”   - Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author of The Cottingley Secret and The Girl Who Came Home

“In this fictionalized biography, Harper defines “it” as the charm and charisma that defined the Sutherland sisters. Not only is this a fabulous portrait of the time, but it is also a deftly crafted portrait of the complexity of sisterhood.” - RT Book Reviews (starred)