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The Christmas Widow
From the author of The Winter Wish comes another Christmas tale of love and redemption that will delight and enchant this holiday season...
Known as “Mad Lady Bea” by the townspeople of Blooming Glen, Lady Beatrice Tumbley has not left her estate since the tragic death of her husband on Christmas Eve. Terrified of the outside world she lives in complete seclusion, determined never to fall in love again. Until one cold, snowy night a stranger comes knocking at her door…
One look at Jack Emerson and Beatrice knows the handsome rogue is nothing but trouble. But she can’t turn him away – not when he’s bleeding from a bullet wound and barely conscious. Against her better judgment she decides to help him, and he promptly repays the favor…by kissing her!
As Christmas nears, Beatrice’s frozen heart finally begins to thaw…but Jack has no intention of competing with a ghost. If Beatrice cannot find a way to let go of her past, she risks ruining her future…and losing her true love all over again.
Known as “Mad Lady Bea” by the townspeople of Blooming Glen, Lady Beatrice Tumbley has not left her estate since the tragic death of her husband on Christmas Eve. Terrified of the outside world she lives in complete seclusion, determined never to fall in love again. Until one cold, snowy night a stranger comes knocking at her door…
One look at Jack Emerson and Beatrice knows the handsome rogue is nothing but trouble. But she can’t turn him away – not when he’s bleeding from a bullet wound and barely conscious. Against her better judgment she decides to help him, and he promptly repays the favor…by kissing her!
As Christmas nears, Beatrice’s frozen heart finally begins to thaw…but Jack has no intention of competing with a ghost. If Beatrice cannot find a way to let go of her past, she risks ruining her future…and losing her true love all over again.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2014
About the author
Jillian Eaton
90 books494 followersJillian Eaton has written over forty historical romances and is known for finding the perfect balance between "intense emotions, sizzling chemistry, and light-hearted humor" (Swept Away by Romance). She grew up in Maine and now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three boys on a 17-acre farm where they rescue and rehabilitate senior horses.
When she isn't writing, working at the barn, or playing a cutthroat game of Harry Potter Monopoly with her family, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, and being an adjunct professor at her Alma mater, Delaware Valley University.
If readers are new to her books, she always suggests the following:
Sweet and Swoony Romance: Duke at First Sight
Spicy and Mysterious: A Dangerous Seduction
All Around: Bewitched by the Bluestocking
Bit Darker: The Duchess Takes a Lover
When she isn't writing, working at the barn, or playing a cutthroat game of Harry Potter Monopoly with her family, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, and being an adjunct professor at her Alma mater, Delaware Valley University.
If readers are new to her books, she always suggests the following:
Sweet and Swoony Romance: Duke at First Sight
Spicy and Mysterious: A Dangerous Seduction
All Around: Bewitched by the Bluestocking
Bit Darker: The Duchess Takes a Lover
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 2, 2018
Great premise, but poorly executed.
December 8, 2017
Odd story
Just a very odd story. I wanted more. At first bit was like he knew her and then he didn't. I got the part of the mystical fox and I actually liked it. I felt her grief too but I wish we had more information and background. She mourned her husband for two years. And then boom she was free because of a fox and an injured rake??? Hope she expands this one day and writes a whole book worthy of the story. I think it could be awesome.
Just a very odd story. I wanted more. At first bit was like he knew her and then he didn't. I got the part of the mystical fox and I actually liked it. I felt her grief too but I wish we had more information and background. She mourned her husband for two years. And then boom she was free because of a fox and an injured rake??? Hope she expands this one day and writes a whole book worthy of the story. I think it could be awesome.
November 22, 2018
Dear Author,
Please give me back the time I spent on this"Regency."
The "hero" Jack approached the widowed heroine Lady
Beatrice's home with a gunshot wound after midnight.
She did not send for a doctor & she stemmed his bleeding.
Who was this guy?
Bea's 2 maids & the hero/ stranger all spoke to the h with
too much familiarity. Readers learned irritating Jack had
dalliances with married women. He didn't act the gentle-
man, he said to Bea,"Well bugger me sideways." &"bloody
hell." She should have kicked him out!
Bea's dreading the 2nd anniversary of her late spouse's
death seemed more like drama than grief. Sorry but the
words and actions did not 'fit' a Regency story. Please
discuss w/ your local RITA chapter how to put more
Regency in your Regency era stories.
Sincerely, Cheryl
PS I liked the beautiful book cover.
Please give me back the time I spent on this"Regency."
The "hero" Jack approached the widowed heroine Lady
Beatrice's home with a gunshot wound after midnight.
She did not send for a doctor & she stemmed his bleeding.
Who was this guy?
Bea's 2 maids & the hero/ stranger all spoke to the h with
too much familiarity. Readers learned irritating Jack had
dalliances with married women. He didn't act the gentle-
man, he said to Bea,"Well bugger me sideways." &"bloody
hell." She should have kicked him out!
Bea's dreading the 2nd anniversary of her late spouse's
death seemed more like drama than grief. Sorry but the
words and actions did not 'fit' a Regency story. Please
discuss w/ your local RITA chapter how to put more
Regency in your Regency era stories.
Sincerely, Cheryl
PS I liked the beautiful book cover.
Did Not Finish
December 21, 2017DNF at 57%
The heroine doesn’t like to see snow because it triggers memories of her husband’s death.
The hero decides it’s wrong for her to keep the curtains shut all winter, so he tears them all down and burns them.
Wtf. He is an uninvited guest in someone else’s house, and he thinks it’s okay to destroy her property because he knows better? Even if what the heroine was doing was unhealthy, it’s her home.
Disrespect of boundaries is a huge NOPE from me.
The heroine doesn’t like to see snow because it triggers memories of her husband’s death.
The hero decides it’s wrong for her to keep the curtains shut all winter, so he tears them all down and burns them.
Wtf. He is an uninvited guest in someone else’s house, and he thinks it’s okay to destroy her property because he knows better? Even if what the heroine was doing was unhealthy, it’s her home.
Disrespect of boundaries is a huge NOPE from me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
I think the story is too short, the beginning is nice, but then everything seems so fake.
February 17, 2018
The Hero is bleeding out one night and running around the next day? Two days later they are in love. Just a little short a story timeline
November 5, 2018
Beautiful read.
March 16, 2015
Full review is on my blog
I want that dress. It is so pretty that I don’t even care that I have absolutely no where to wear it. I could dance around the house and pretend I was a princess from the olden days... Anyway enough with my insanity and on with the actual review for The Christmas Widow by Jillian Eaton.
I liked this book. It was a light, easy, quick read that I finished within a day. Bea or Lady Beatric Tumbley at the start of the book is still clearly grief-stricken over the unexpected death of her husband Jeffrey. Arguably it has sent her a little insane as she now doesn’t leave the house, closes all the curtains for the whole winter period and just generally appears to have stopped living.
After his abrupt passing she clung to her grief as one might a child, using it to anchor herself to the memories of a man she would never see again... Memories of their life together, so perfect and blissful, until one snowy night when everything was torn asunder.
When the hero enters, a Mr. Jack Emerson, he immediately starts to shake up our young closed-off widow’s ordered existence...
I want that dress. It is so pretty that I don’t even care that I have absolutely no where to wear it. I could dance around the house and pretend I was a princess from the olden days... Anyway enough with my insanity and on with the actual review for The Christmas Widow by Jillian Eaton.
I liked this book. It was a light, easy, quick read that I finished within a day. Bea or Lady Beatric Tumbley at the start of the book is still clearly grief-stricken over the unexpected death of her husband Jeffrey. Arguably it has sent her a little insane as she now doesn’t leave the house, closes all the curtains for the whole winter period and just generally appears to have stopped living.
After his abrupt passing she clung to her grief as one might a child, using it to anchor herself to the memories of a man she would never see again... Memories of their life together, so perfect and blissful, until one snowy night when everything was torn asunder.
When the hero enters, a Mr. Jack Emerson, he immediately starts to shake up our young closed-off widow’s ordered existence...
July 29, 2016
A short story about a woman learning to live after being widowed. Not bad but not terribly good either. Jack, our hero, is very flat, ie we don't learn much about him however Bea is a little more developed.
from-the-author
February 10, 2015I am excited to announce The Christmas Widow is now available in paperback!
May 17, 2019
After reading no less than 5 works written by JE, I should have learned my lesson and followed my instincts not to read this novella. I wonder why this e-book was in my library. Perhaps it was free when I downloaded it.
There were too many things in this story that annoyed me and gave me a headache. Most of the time they were super mega idiotic. After reading 2 chapters, I felt like not continuing it, however, pursued it for it was only a short read. Alas, I should had followed my gut feeling and closed it.
1. Bea was overdramatic and overreacting.
2. Bea wanted to go back to her old self before marrying her husband but how can she move on and find love again when she never left the estate for 2 years since her husband's death? It's not as if a man will come falling down from heaven.
3. When Jack stumbled onto Bea's doorstep, he was a bleeding stranger who demanded like it was his own home. FYI, a person who needs help make pleas, not make demands.
4. In a later chapter, it was recounted that Jack seemed very weak when he arrived at Bea's home but if you read that scene, Jack looked like he was energetic because the two of them still had the time to converse when Jack needed tending.
5. Jack was an effin' rude jackanapes. He had the bleeding gall to enter Bea's chamber, touch her and order her around her own house. He said Bea saved his life and he was indebted to her. But look at how he repayed her? By being a ill-mannered a-hoe. Jack's name suits him because he was an effin' jackass.
6. It was because of pride that prevented Beatrice from asking for allowance increase from her in-laws. Now, look at what pride brought her? Near impoverishment. Pride won't feed you, you know.
7. It was narrated that in the past Beatrice had always been drawn to men exactly like her husband, with manners as impeccable as their bloodlines. The sort of men who were the exact opposite of Jack, which was why she could not understand the flare of attraction nor the temptation towards Jack. It was because she was like a bird caged too long, hence, she became starved for affection and desire once set free.
8. How can Jack see Bea had strength and passion when she believed she’d lost her future, her innocence, her hopes and her dreams simply because she lost her husband?
9. The manner that Jack fell in love was tooooo shallow; no concrete process. The explanation was unconvincing.
10. What was the point of employing a livery boy who takes care of the horses when Beatrice never venture out nor have visitors in the past 2 years?
11. Even if you ate several meals in one day, it won't fill your hips and thighs the next day. Like muscles, fats take time to build, you know? This knowledge is basic and the author didn't know that??
There were too many things in this story that annoyed me and gave me a headache. Most of the time they were super mega idiotic. After reading 2 chapters, I felt like not continuing it, however, pursued it for it was only a short read. Alas, I should had followed my gut feeling and closed it.
1. Bea was overdramatic and overreacting.
2. Bea wanted to go back to her old self before marrying her husband but how can she move on and find love again when she never left the estate for 2 years since her husband's death? It's not as if a man will come falling down from heaven.
3. When Jack stumbled onto Bea's doorstep, he was a bleeding stranger who demanded like it was his own home. FYI, a person who needs help make pleas, not make demands.
4. In a later chapter, it was recounted that Jack seemed very weak when he arrived at Bea's home but if you read that scene, Jack looked like he was energetic because the two of them still had the time to converse when Jack needed tending.
5. Jack was an effin' rude jackanapes. He had the bleeding gall to enter Bea's chamber, touch her and order her around her own house. He said Bea saved his life and he was indebted to her. But look at how he repayed her? By being a ill-mannered a-hoe. Jack's name suits him because he was an effin' jackass.
6. It was because of pride that prevented Beatrice from asking for allowance increase from her in-laws. Now, look at what pride brought her? Near impoverishment. Pride won't feed you, you know.
7. It was narrated that in the past Beatrice had always been drawn to men exactly like her husband, with manners as impeccable as their bloodlines. The sort of men who were the exact opposite of Jack, which was why she could not understand the flare of attraction nor the temptation towards Jack. It was because she was like a bird caged too long, hence, she became starved for affection and desire once set free.
8. How can Jack see Bea had strength and passion when she believed she’d lost her future, her innocence, her hopes and her dreams simply because she lost her husband?
9. The manner that Jack fell in love was tooooo shallow; no concrete process. The explanation was unconvincing.
10. What was the point of employing a livery boy who takes care of the horses when Beatrice never venture out nor have visitors in the past 2 years?
11. Even if you ate several meals in one day, it won't fill your hips and thighs the next day. Like muscles, fats take time to build, you know? This knowledge is basic and the author didn't know that??
March 9, 2022
The Christmas Widow, a short but sweet novella, was about lady Beatrice "Bea" Tumbley, widow of Lord Jeffrey Tumbley, and Lord Jack Emerson, Baron Emerson.
Bea, who had lost her husband two years earlier on Christmas Eve in a carriage accident, had closed herself off to the rest of the world. She didn't leave her home, even to go into the garden, she shut out all family, friends, and even the people who lived in her small town. She refused to have the curtains open during the winter months, hating the sight of the snow.
Late one night while still mourning her late husband, a loud knock sounded on the front door. After having a short, but terse conversation with the man on the other side, she finally opened it to see a stranger who had been shot. She allowed him in, attended to his wound...and for some reason, he refused to leave. Instead, he kept making inappropriate advances towards her, the kind that stirred her blood and began cracking the walls surrounding her heart.
At first, the story only gave Beatrice's POV, which was normally more introspective than anything else. However, the author included a short chapter that finally revealed just how and why Jack had been shot. (I won't reveal it here though.) Suffice it to say, it was an interesting story of his injury. Jack had almost immediately become enamored with Bea when she first opened the door to him. His first impression of her was that of an angel, which scared him into thinking he had died...except his injury still throbbed and convinced him he had not.
The book does not state how long he had continued to stay with Bea after healing, but it was long enough for him to do everything he could to bring her out of her misery.
The author didn't expound on her two main characters. She revealed more about Bea than she did Jack, sad to say. While they were both portrayed as mature adults, it was difficult to get any other impression about them...except that the chemistry between them was quite in evidence. The emotions of the story were subtle, except for the heartache and despair that was felt so thoroughly by Bea.
This was a cute story...worthy of a five-star rating and to be added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection.
Bea, who had lost her husband two years earlier on Christmas Eve in a carriage accident, had closed herself off to the rest of the world. She didn't leave her home, even to go into the garden, she shut out all family, friends, and even the people who lived in her small town. She refused to have the curtains open during the winter months, hating the sight of the snow.
Late one night while still mourning her late husband, a loud knock sounded on the front door. After having a short, but terse conversation with the man on the other side, she finally opened it to see a stranger who had been shot. She allowed him in, attended to his wound...and for some reason, he refused to leave. Instead, he kept making inappropriate advances towards her, the kind that stirred her blood and began cracking the walls surrounding her heart.
At first, the story only gave Beatrice's POV, which was normally more introspective than anything else. However, the author included a short chapter that finally revealed just how and why Jack had been shot. (I won't reveal it here though.) Suffice it to say, it was an interesting story of his injury. Jack had almost immediately become enamored with Bea when she first opened the door to him. His first impression of her was that of an angel, which scared him into thinking he had died...except his injury still throbbed and convinced him he had not.
The book does not state how long he had continued to stay with Bea after healing, but it was long enough for him to do everything he could to bring her out of her misery.
The author didn't expound on her two main characters. She revealed more about Bea than she did Jack, sad to say. While they were both portrayed as mature adults, it was difficult to get any other impression about them...except that the chemistry between them was quite in evidence. The emotions of the story were subtle, except for the heartache and despair that was felt so thoroughly by Bea.
This was a cute story...worthy of a five-star rating and to be added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection.
December 11, 2017
Despite being a short read, The Christmas Widow jerks at the heartstrings and pushes all the right buttons. She is known far and wide as Mad Lady Bea because she withdrew from the world to mourn her dead husband, reminding one of Miss Havisham in Great Expectations. When Jack falls into one of the oldest traps, he finds himself on Lady Bea's doorstep on the verge of passing out after being shot. Reluctantly Bea allows him into her home and tends to his wound. After years of closing herself off from the world, this one act starts a chain of events that challenge Lady Bea at every turn. Jack Emerson is the worst kind of rogue, but in Bea he sees a kindred spirit, one he is determined to reach out to and to deliver from her self-imposed prison. The story is sweet and clean, but heart-breaking at the same time. Bea is stuck in her cycle of grief and it takes the brash and unconventional Jack make her face up to her responsibilities both to herself and her household. I really enjoyed this book.
May 20, 2018
This is a poignant novelette about a handsome stranger falling unconscious in the hallway of a widow. Lady Beatrice is grieving deeply, having not left her home since the death of her husband two years ago. She sits in the dark wearing unflattering outfits until wounded Jack Emerson knocks on her door.
While getting his bullet hole patched up, Jack hits on Beatrice like a Hollywood mogul. He’s a strange mix of sleaze and therapist. Despite Jack’s physical ‘hotness’, I found him unsavoury. This novelette is written by a master story teller, but it left me as cold as the snow surrounding Lady Beatrice’s home.
While getting his bullet hole patched up, Jack hits on Beatrice like a Hollywood mogul. He’s a strange mix of sleaze and therapist. Despite Jack’s physical ‘hotness’, I found him unsavoury. This novelette is written by a master story teller, but it left me as cold as the snow surrounding Lady Beatrice’s home.
July 27, 2018
The first 20% of the book is the heroine and the Hero trading flirtatious barbs with each other while he bleeds out from a gunshot wound in his chest and she tries to decide whether or not it would be proper to help him. By the time he finally collapsed and she and her staff muscled him into a bed I gave up. Rarely have I been so frustrated with the main characters before. In the words of Monty Python, GET ON WITH IT!
December 29, 2017
Quick read
An enjoyable romantic story, lots of good narrative that creates good imagery. The hero Jack was fun, a bit unbelievable but satisfying for anyone who enjoys historical romance.
An enjoyable romantic story, lots of good narrative that creates good imagery. The hero Jack was fun, a bit unbelievable but satisfying for anyone who enjoys historical romance.
January 9, 2018
This is the second short story I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed the story but it seems a bit rushed. The plot, which is good, could have been developed over a few more pages. A good short story though.
October 19, 2018
Short but excellent read!
I really love this author. This is a very good book with such a strong story of a woman who has lost her way to depression and sorrow. A man who sees a way to help and falls in love. Very good book!
I really love this author. This is a very good book with such a strong story of a woman who has lost her way to depression and sorrow. A man who sees a way to help and falls in love. Very good book!
November 22, 2018
Not the same old same old
The summary intrigued me as it sounded somewhat different from the usual Recency novel. It was and I enjoyed it. If you like that type of romance novels try this one for a bit of difference.
The summary intrigued me as it sounded somewhat different from the usual Recency novel. It was and I enjoyed it. If you like that type of romance novels try this one for a bit of difference.
February 19, 2021
La historia de fondo es muy linda y romántica. Que un nuevo amor te devuelva a la vida después de sufrir tanto, hermoso, pero me faltaron capítulos para hacer la historia coherente.
A pesar de ello ame el final.
A pesar de ello ame el final.
January 11, 2018
The Christmas Widow
A quick dad love story set at Winter. Reminiscent of an Harlequient romance. A very fast read without much substance.
A quick dad love story set at Winter. Reminiscent of an Harlequient romance. A very fast read without much substance.
January 13, 2018
Romance novels
Thank you for this book. Please write more books. Love reading your books. Thank you very much for these books.
Thank you for this book. Please write more books. Love reading your books. Thank you very much for these books.
January 14, 2018
I can identify
Very well written and kept me intrigued. Love to read books like this. Hope to continue to have stories such as this one.
Very well written and kept me intrigued. Love to read books like this. Hope to continue to have stories such as this one.
January 15, 2018
The Christmas Widow
I love you books they are so full of love ,excitement and so thrilling I love all the characters and can hardly wait for the next book.
I love you books they are so full of love ,excitement and so thrilling I love all the characters and can hardly wait for the next book.
January 17, 2018
Fairytale
Fun to read. Not difficult to solve the misery of B,s future. Very light reading but enjoyable; need this sometime.
Fun to read. Not difficult to solve the misery of B,s future. Very light reading but enjoyable; need this sometime.
January 23, 2018
Awesome
Absolutely loved this book but way too short! Would have loved to see them come together slower and then fall in love while Jake stated longer at the house.
Absolutely loved this book but way too short! Would have loved to see them come together slower and then fall in love while Jake stated longer at the house.
February 21, 2018
2.5 stars
February 19, 2018
VERY AMUSING!
Even though it started out sad I really enjoyed Bea realizing that she needed someone and Jack rogue that he was, would fit the bill!
Even though it started out sad I really enjoyed Bea realizing that she needed someone and Jack rogue that he was, would fit the bill!
March 7, 2018
The Christmas Widow.... great
That was a really great story. It was fun and enlightening. I enjoy a story with some Christmas spirit involved. The fox was awesome.
That was a really great story. It was fun and enlightening. I enjoy a story with some Christmas spirit involved. The fox was awesome.
November 16, 2018
Charming sweet tale
It was a lovely story. Just a great way to spend an evening. I thoroughly enjoyed this telling and will look forward to more.
It was a lovely story. Just a great way to spend an evening. I thoroughly enjoyed this telling and will look forward to more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews