Paper Widow
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Immerse yourself in an epic tale of a socialite's quest for love and adventure in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Follow her journey as she naively seeks a happily ever after, only to be met with danger, heartache, and tragedy at every turn.
Will she overcome the obstacles in her path and find true happiness? Read on to discover the twists and turns of this gripping story.
NOTE: Ailene Frances is the pen name of Eileen Sheehan for genre clarity
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS SIZZLING HISTORICAL ROMANCE
"When reading a historical romance novel, I look forward to the historical plot line as much as the romance. With that in mind, I love when the author takes the time to make the historical facts as accurate as possible for a fiction piece. Ms. Frances doesn't disappoint with this wonderful novel. Set in the post-civil war west and northeast, the author paints a vivid picture of the hardships and prejudices of the time, while at the same time weaving factual data about the wave of crime during the period that was a direct result of the war and the detective agency, known as the Pinkertons that was formed to fight the crime. As a lover of history as well as romance, I enjoyed the way the author intertwined the love story of Elise and Nate in a realistic way into the backdrop of these perilous times.... I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a realistic, romantic historical novel."
"This was such a great book! It is a Historical romance that starts out Western and moves to the northeast as the characters do.... This story does have a happily ever after. ... If you're a fan of historical romances like Jane Austen or some like her you'll love this book. Its perfect, clean, happy love though it takes work to get there."
"The setting of the beginning of this story really makes me stop and think about how horrible the conditions of her arranged marriage to someone in Boston must have been to her to walk away from a well-off family to nothing. The trials and tribulations that Elise has to endure throughout the book when she goes west, to meet her husband by proxy, is nothing short of things that made me want to weep for her. Watching Elise grow and blossom in front of my eyes was fascinating.... How does Elise handle so many tragic things so stoically? I am in complete awe of this woman. This is definitely a book filled with twists, turns, curves, tunnels, and unsolvable mazes in spots. You need to read it. This is my first book by Eileen Sheehan writing as Ailene Frances and I look forward to more of her works."
"I don’t read many historical romances much anymore, but I can tell you that I’m really glad I decided to read this one. The blurb grabbed my attention, and the story stole my heart. ...This was a real heartfelt story that has been written very well and so different from what I had expected. This is a great read of the old west and just how primitive it was back then and how families of wealth wouldn’t take a chance on their reputations even when things happen that are out of someone’s control. Elise and Nate’s journey is one that must be read to fully understand the depth of their journey to love. This is a true old fashion love story, written to make the reader fall in love and she completely accomplished that."
From Reader's Favorite 5-star award:
Author Ailene Frances has crafted a captivating story that blends historical accuracy with a romance plot, painting a vivid picture of the hardships and prejudices of the era whilst offering high drama and lots of entertainment value. What makes this historical romance stand out amongst other Westerns is the well-researched historical context and the author’s commitment to realistic character development. Elise's transformation from a sheltered woman to a resilient survivor is captivating, and the challenges she faces are both moving and inspiring but also realistic to the time period and attitudes of those around her. Whether you're a fan of historical romance or simply enjoy a well-crafted story with well-drawn characters, there’s a special quality to this novel that brings everyone in it to life as though they were your neighbors, keeping you immersed from cover to cover. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend Paper Widow as a satisfying and emotionally resonant read for fans of high drama, realistic historical fiction, and powerfully emotive stories everywhere.
Ailene Frances does not hold back in putting Elise through one misfortune after another in Paper Widow, and as a result, her character is thoroughly developed and quickly. Frances has a skill for fleshing out all of her characters and is able to match this even with ancillary characters. The standout and most vibrant was actually a crude, halitosis-afflicted, and deeply arrogant woman named Peggy, who, without a doubt, has the literary chops to lead a novella of her own. Sometimes it's the most foul who are the most fascinating, a credit to Frances' characterizations. The writing reflects the grittiness of the storyline, and readers who are accustomed to more polished prose and period-appropriate dialogue may struggle. That said, the landscape is depicted in near cinematic detail, and, emotionally, there is a genuine connection to Elise that makes her trauma feel personal to a reader. Nate's drive, his Pinkerton team, and the story as a whole make this a good read.