Paper Widow

When a pampered socialite in post civil war Boston seeks adventure and romance, she finds peril, heartache, and tragedy along with it.
Answering an ad in The Matrimonial News, she secretly marries by proxy, but is widowed before she gets to meet her husband. The fact that she's naive and unskilled in the ways of love when she finally encounters the man of her dreams only adds to her situation.

From the 5 Star award reviews by Reader's Favorite:
Paper Widow is a work of fiction in the interpersonal drama, Western romance, and suspense subgenres. It is best suited to mature readers owing to its adult content and themes. Penned by author Ailene Frances, this gripping historical romance takes readers on a journey through post-Civil War Boston and the untamed West. The story revolves around Elise, a sheltered socialite seeking adventure and romance, who finds herself in a perilous and heart-wrenching situation. After secretly marrying by proxy, Elise is widowed before she even meets her husband. Her naivety in the matters of love adds to her predicament.

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 created dramatic plot twists that will definitely keep readers glued to the pages. This novel does not shy away from steamy scenes, peril, action, and tragedies. It skillfully captures the intensity and heartbreak of a love that sweeps you off your feet and clouds your judgment. It also perfectly captures the prejudices women endured after the Civil War. Every hardship Elise faced left me wanting to know more about her life. Fans of historical romance will find Paper Widow a riveting and intense read.