In 1895, American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt married England's Duke of Marlborough in a lavish wedding that made international headlines. It was not a love match: Consuelo was forced into the marriage by her indomitable mother, Alva, while the duke sought the Vanderbilt fortune to prop up his extravagant lifestyle. Yes, American Duchess is a novel, but it's one based on extensive research into Consuelo's remarkable life as an heiress, wife, mother, duchess…and later as a social reformer and a woman determined to finally take command of her own life and happiness.