The Duchess

In the first in-depth biography of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall{u2014}the infamous other woman who made the marriage of ... (more)

In the first in-depth biography of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall{u2014}the infamous other woman who made the marriage of Britain{u2019}s Prince Charles and Princess Diana "a bit crowded"{u2014}esteemed royal biographer Penny Junor tells the unlikely and extraordinary story of the woman reviled as a pariah who, thanks to numerous twists of fate, became the popular princess consort. Few know the Windsor family as well as veteran royal biographer and journalist Penny Junor. In The Duchess, she casts her insightful, sensitive eye on the intriguing, once widely despised, and little-known Camilla Parker Bowles, revealing in full, for the first time, the remarkable rise of a woman who was the most notorious mistress in the world. As Camilla{u2019}s marriage to Charles approached in 2005, the British public were upset at the prospect that this woman, universally reviled for wrecking the royal marriage, would one day become queen. Sensitive to public opinion, the palace announced that this would never happen; when Charles eventually acceded to the throne, Camilla would be known as the princess consort. Yet a decade later British public sentiment had changed, with a majority believing that Camilla should become queen. Junor argues that although Camilla played a central role in the darkest days of the modern monarchy{u2014}Charles and Diana{u2019}s acrimonious and scandalous split{u2014}she also played a central role in restoring the royal family{u2019}s reputation, especially that of Prince Charles. A woman with no ambition to be a princess, a duchess, or a queen, Camilla simply wanted to be with, and support, the man who has always been the love of her life. Junor contends that their marriage has reinvigorated Charles, allowing him to finally become comfortable as the heir to the British throne. (less)

"In the first in-depth biography of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall--the infamous other woman who made the marriage of Brit... (more)

"In the first in-depth biography of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall--the infamous other woman who made the marriage of Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana 'a bit crowded'--royal biographer Penny Junor tells the story of a woman reviled as a pariah who became the popular princess consort. Junor argues that although Camilla played a central role in the darkest days of the modern monarchy, she also played a central role in restoring the royal family's reputation, especially that of Princes Charles, the man who has always been the love of her life"--Back cover. (less)

"It was a love so strong a king renounced his kingdom-all for that woman. Or was she just an escape route for a king who... (more)

"It was a love so strong a king renounced his kingdom-all for that woman. Or was she just an escape route for a king who never wanted to rule? Bestselling author Wendy Holden takes an intimate look at one of the most notorious scandals of the twentieth century. 1928. A middle-aged foreigner comes to London with average looks, no money, and no connections. Wallis's first months in the city are lonely, dull, and depressing. With no friends of her own, she follows the glamorous set on the pages of magazines and goes to watch society weddings. Her stuffy husband Ernest's idea of fun, meanwhile, is touring historic monuments. When an unexpected encounter leads to a house party with the Prince of Wales, Wallis's star begins to rise. Her secret weapon is her American pep and honesty. For the prince, she is a breath of fresh air. As her friendship with him grows, their relationship deepens into love. Wallis is plunged into a world of unimaginable luxury and privilege, enjoying weekends together at his private palace on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Wallis knows the fun and excitement can't last. The prince will have to marry, and she will return to Ernest. The sudden death of George V seems to make this inevitable; the Prince of Wales is now King Edward VIII. When, to her shock and amazement, he refuses to give her up-or recognize they are facing impossible odds-her fairy tale becomes a nightmare. The royal family closes ranks to shut her out, and Ernest gives an ultimatum. Wallis finds herself trapped when Edward insists on abdicating his throne. She can't escape the overwhelming public outrage, and, villainized, she becomes the woman everyone blames-the face of the most dramatic royal scandal of the twentieth century"-- (less)

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From the New York Times bestselling author of "Mountain Laurel" ... Jude Deveraux has captivated her listeners with her ... (more)

From the New York Times bestselling author of "Mountain Laurel" ... Jude Deveraux has captivated her listeners with her irresistibly romantic love stories. Now she creates an absorbing tale set in the verdant hills of late nineteenth century Scotland, where nobility and time-honored customs rule supreme, the majesty of love flourishes, and one beautiful American heiress hopes to become ... The Duchess ... What is an acceptable man? Claire Willoughby had good reason to wonder, she had to marry one in order to inherit her grandfather's millions. While in London, Claire thinks she finds the perfect candidate: Harry Montgomery, the blond, handsome eleventh Duke of MacArran. Their engagement quickly announced, Claire travels to Bramley, the Montgomery estate in Scotland, to meet the Duke's eccentric family. What she doesn't count on, however, is meeting Trevelyan, an exasperating, mysterious, arrogant, know-it-all of a man who lives in secret in the most ancient part of Bramley. Undeniably attracted to Trevelyan, Claire is reluctantly drawn into his hidden world, where she discovers the truth about the Montgomery family, shocking secrets that could rock the very foundations of Bramley, and bring Claire and Trevelyan even closer. (less)

In the first in-depth biography of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall{u2014}the infamous other woman who made the marriage of ... (more)

In the first in-depth biography of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall{u2014}the infamous other woman who made the marriage of Britain{u2019}s Prince Charles and Princess Diana "a bit crowded"{u2014}esteemed royal biographer Penny Junor tells the unlikely and extraordinary story of the woman reviled as a pariah who, thanks to numerous twists of fate, became the popular princess consort. Few know the Windsor family as well as veteran royal biographer and journalist Penny Junor. In The Duchess, she casts her insightful, sensitive eye on the intriguing, once widely despised, and little-known Camilla Parker Bowles, revealing in full, for the first time, the remarkable rise of a woman who was the most notorious mistress in the world. As Camilla{u2019}s marriage to Charles approached in 2005, the British public were upset at the prospect that this woman, universally reviled for wrecking the royal marriage, would one day become queen. Sensitive to public opinion, the palace announced that this would never happen; when Charles eventually acceded to the throne, Camilla would be known as the princess consort. Yet a decade later British public sentiment had changed, with a majority believing that Camilla should become queen. Junor argues that although Camilla played a central role in the darkest days of the modern monarchy{u2014}Charles and Diana{u2019}s acrimonious and scandalous split{u2014}she also played a central role in restoring the royal family{u2019}s reputation, especially that of Prince Charles. A woman with no ambition to be a princess, a duchess, or a queen, Camilla simply wanted to be with, and support, the man who has always been the love of her life. Junor contends that their marriage has reinvigorated Charles, allowing him to finally become comfortable as the heir to the British throne. (less)

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Chronicles the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. She was reviled for her extravagant pol... (more)

Chronicles the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. She was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life. She was a vibrant beauty and celebrity of her time. Georgiana is trapped in an unhappy marrital triangle with her husband and his live-in mistress. She falls passionately in love with Earl Grey, an ambitious young politician, and the affair causes a bitter conflict with her husband and threatens to erupt into a scandal. Now she must face an agonizing choice between her hopeless but passionate love affair or her responsibilities as a duchess. (less)

Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes star in The Duchess: the compelling true story of a lavish world filled with smolderin... (more)

Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes star in The Duchess: the compelling true story of a lavish world filled with smoldering passion, heartbreaking deception and stifling demands. Beloved by a nation but betrayed by her husband, Georgiana Spencer -- the Duchess of Devonshire and "Empress of Fashion"-- faced an agonizing choice between responsibility and love. This gripping portrayal of England's "It Girl" has won acclaim from audiences and critics alike. She was vivacious. She was heroic. She was The Duchess. (less)