The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James

The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James is released today, the latest entry in her fairy tale inspired romance series. This one's fairy tale inspiration is easy to guess from the title. (Yes, The Ugly Duckling!)

Book description:

How can she dare to imagine he loves her . . . when all London calls her The Ugly Duchess?

Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke's passion.

Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.

Theo would have given it a lifetime . . . until she discovers that James desired not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry.

Society was shocked by their wedding . . . and is scandalized by their separation.

Now James faces the battle of his life, convincing Theo that he loves the duckling who blossomed into the swan.

And Theo will quickly find that, for a man with the soul of a pirate, All's Fair in Love—and War.

If you are unfamiliar with Eloisa James, she is a fascinating author. Under her real name of Mary Bly, she is a professor of Shakespeare. She is also the daughter of Robert Bly, who himself is most famous for his work, Iron John: A Book About Men, a book at least all those interested in fairy tale and myth should be aware of if not more familiar with. So one may assume Mary was raised with a healthy dose of fairy tales and folkore in her own upbringing.

Here are the previous titles in the series: