An American Duchess

by Caroline Fyffe

Overview

A woman’s heart dares to defy the rules of Victorian society in USA Today bestselling author Caroline Fyffe’s novel of romance, royalty, and a little revenge.

In Kent, England, the arrival of Beranger Northcott, Duke of Brightshire, causes a stir. Because with the duke comes his new American bride, who isn’t quite what anyone expects. By accepting the hand of her beloved, Emma Brinkman went from hardworking Colorado rancher to duchess. Now she’s expected to comport herself as nobility. Overnight. For Emma—stifled, homesick, and unable to shake the feeling she’s being watched—the metamorphosis is a challenge. And if Emma’s suspicions are correct, perhaps even a dangerous one.

Fortunately, Emma has found a trusted friend in the orphaned Charlotte, Brightshire’s scullery maid. Charlotte longs to experience—if only for a moment—the luxuries and gentry romance that come with a titled life. When one of the duke’s handsome cousins takes notice of Charlotte, the castle kitchen is set abuzz with speculation.

In navigating their two different stations, both servant and duchess alike will discover all they have in common—from secret fantasies to daring hearts to upending the rules of society. And that finding their places in the world—and love—is a dream that can come true—no matter the risks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781542091671
Publisher:	Montlake Romance
Publication date:	06/25/2019
Pages:	348
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Caroline Fyffe was born in Waco, Texas, the first of many towns she would call home during her father’s career with the US Air Force. A horse aficionado from an early age, she earned a bachelor of arts in communications from California State University, Chico, before launching what would become a twenty-year career as an equine photographer. She began writing fiction to pass the time during long days in the show arena, channeling her love of horses and the Old West into a series of Western historicals. Her debut novel, Where the Wind Blows, won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award as well as the Wisconsin RWA’s Write Touch Readers’ Award. The author of the Prairie Hearts series, the McCutcheon Family novels, and Heart of Mine in the Colorado Hearts series, Caroline lives with her husband in the Pacific Northwest and has two grown sons, two daughters-in-law, and two darling grandchildren. For more information, visit the author at www.CarolineFyffe.com.

Editorial Reviews

04/29/2019

Western novelist Fyffe (the Prairie Hearts series) flings her focus across the Atlantic for a simplistic culture-clashing drama set among the gentry of Kent, England, but fails to understand Victorian aesthetics, and the story’s events feel more like rehashed moralistic fairy tale than romance plot. Rancher Emma Brinkman Northcott and businessman Beranger Northcott, protagonists of Heart of Mine, depart Colorado for Beranger’s childhood home after he learns that he’s the new Duke of Brightshire, much to the distress of relatives who hoped to inherit and do not appreciate their new duchess’s uncultured American egalitarian ways. Emma would rather hang out with the help; she befriends Charlotte Aldridge, on leave from her mean aunt’s bakeshop to fill in for her cousin in the castle scullery, and the shy, kind gamekeeper’s nephew, Tristen Llewellyn. Tristan hopes to get Charlotte’s attention away from Beranger’s flirtatious cousin, but fears her response to learning about his past. Fyffe’s fans may appreciate seeing established characters in a new context but will be disappointed by the split romantic focus, and Victorian romance fans will be thoroughly unimpressed. (July)

Publishers Weekly

2019-04-28
Cultural and societal differences challenge two women and their romantic interests in Victorian England.

Emma Brinkman Northcott never thought she'd leave her ranch in Colorado. When her new husband, Beranger Northcott, learns he's the new Duke of Brightshire, he agrees to return to England with his American wife in tow. Charlotte Aldridge is a scullery maid at the Brightshire estate. Orphaned at a young age, she's never had a chance to enjoy the finer things in life. As Emma settles into English life, she takes the young woman under her wing, oblivious to the rules of propriety. While Emma attempts to acclimate to British society as an outsider, Charlotte begins to fall in love with a man above her station. The two women form a lovely friendship. Charlotte helps Emma navigate the unspoken rules of being a duchess, and Emma encourages Charlotte's growth into a confident young woman. There's an intense focus on gossip and personal politics, so much so that neither romance is very strong. Fans of more traditional historical romances will find this straddles the line between historical fiction and romance given the lack of standard genre conventions. Though Emma's and Charlotte's individual storylines are given equal time, they aren't equally as enjoyable. Charlotte is an admirable heroine; she wants to establish her own identity beyond being a maid. Emma's sudden unconventional circumstance—an American who now holds the title of duchess—has potential but never becomes interesting enough to compete with Charlotte's more tender storyline. Simply put, it's fine. The lack of exciting romantic entanglements and engaging scenarios makes this a forgettable read, especially when compared with other historical romances.

A half-baked plot with two lukewarm romances.

Kirkus Reviews

An American Duchess is a gorgeous novel featuring a delightful cast of upstairs and downstairs characters, rich historical detail, and an absorbing tale that will keep the pages turning until the very end.” —Mary Ellen Taylor, author of Amazon Charts bestseller Winter Cottage

“Caroline Fyffe weaves a masterful tale…so vivid in its prose and storytelling, readers will be left breathless. A stunning romance about the world of Victorian high society along with a fresh look at the lives and loves of those born outside of it. An American Duchess is not to be missed!” —Christi Caldwell, USA Today bestselling author

From the Publisher