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The Widower's Wife
When Jillian Grey answers Dalton McCullough s newspaper advertisement requesting a mail-order bride to take care of his three young children, they both agree that their marriage is one of convenience and nothing more. But when they realize their growing attraction for each other, they must decide if giving in to their feelings is worth the risk of upsetting their new family s delicate balance. This engaging debut from Prudence Bice is a wholesome love story that satisfies and uplifts while reaffirming your faith in the human spirit.
196 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2010
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619 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
January 25, 2022
I really liked this book! I was sad to have it end so quickly. Jillian (though a fictional character) has made me be a better mother these past couple of days. I’ve cherished my children and spoken to them more kindly, as if they were surprise gifts, just placed into my life unexpectedly.
Reading about Jillian and the McCullough’s has warmed my heart, such a feel good book. If you come across this book and wonder if it would be good, READ IT!
I only gave it three because I would have liked to read more depth between dalton and jillion as they grow in their relationship. It almost felt like the author was rushed at the end, it lacked there, otherwise great.
Reading about Jillian and the McCullough’s has warmed my heart, such a feel good book. If you come across this book and wonder if it would be good, READ IT!
I only gave it three because I would have liked to read more depth between dalton and jillion as they grow in their relationship. It almost felt like the author was rushed at the end, it lacked there, otherwise great.
July 14, 2010
I am just an average woman who doesn’t normally read romance/love stories. I heard about this book and thought “what could I lose by reading it.” I read this book in two days because I just couldn’t put it down. I would have had it read in one day but I am a Mom and I had to care for my children. Ha ha.
You should not condemn a book because you do not like the author or you are jealous of the author.
I found myself unable to put this book down. It pulls you into the story and truly opens your mind. The detail in the emotions, I found my heart racing, at times and cried at other times, I felt joy, pain, sadness, passion and excitement all from reading this book. I was so engrossed in the book I could feel myself there experiencing it. I think the Author did a great job of making me feel every emotion she meant for me to feel in the story. I will be purchasing this book to give as gifts to my sister’s and friends. Thank you for sharing your talent with those of use who appreciate a good book. I look forward to the next book from this Author.
Michelle Rogers, a stay at home Mom in South Carolina.
You should not condemn a book because you do not like the author or you are jealous of the author.
I found myself unable to put this book down. It pulls you into the story and truly opens your mind. The detail in the emotions, I found my heart racing, at times and cried at other times, I felt joy, pain, sadness, passion and excitement all from reading this book. I was so engrossed in the book I could feel myself there experiencing it. I think the Author did a great job of making me feel every emotion she meant for me to feel in the story. I will be purchasing this book to give as gifts to my sister’s and friends. Thank you for sharing your talent with those of use who appreciate a good book. I look forward to the next book from this Author.
Michelle Rogers, a stay at home Mom in South Carolina.
June 28, 2015
I really wanted to like this. I got about 30 pages in and had to give up. It would switch POV multiple times during the chapters, with added flashbacks and other very minor character POV thrown in as well. There wasn't enough conversation and too much inner dialogue. Some things seemed a little repeditive, something would happen from Jillian's POV and then immediately after we would experience it again through Dalton's POV. It just seemed like there was too much going on, while at the same time nothing going on.
A one star rating probably isnt fair since I only got 30 pages in. Others may read it and really like it.
A one star rating probably isnt fair since I only got 30 pages in. Others may read it and really like it.
October 21, 2010
I enjoy romance, and this was a quick and easy read. I love the mail order bride story and the little bit of mystery added to it in the form of Jillian's mysterious heartbreak. I found it fairly well written and was drawn into the story at the beginning. My only complaint, however, was the way the flashbacks were done. I felt when switching view points, Bice gave to much repetative detail. It felt redundant and was a bit distracting to the flow of the story. I would still recommend reading it though, especially if your in the mood for a snuggle under the blanket, with a hot chocolate, and a warm fuzzy ending.
January 5, 2023
I felt like the main characters didn’t talk to each other so I don’t understand how they grew to love each other. She had immediate love for the children and she didn’t appear to have any trouble suddenly caring for kids and a home full time-not believable. Too much time spent in flashbacks with his late wife.
January 11, 2013
I read another book by this author the other day, The Kissing Tree, and loved it so much I sought out if she had written anything else. The Widower's Wife is what I found. I was just as good, if not better! This time period has always fascinated me. The Wild West. What must it have been like for women in those days? The hardships they had to bare and what was life like?
I was immediately drawn to Jillian and I fell head over heels for Dalton during his first scene. All that was within the mere beginning pages of this book. I knew I was going to love it. I had the clearest picture of Dalton. His strong arms and thick chest. Handsome and young. Yum! What would it be like to be married to such a man as his mail ordered bride?! I can think of a few things....
Anyway, this was a great story. Finding love through loss. I felt for the children and I was rooting for Jillian and Dalton to finally voice their love to one another. I wasn't sure if they ever would!
If you like historical books, then this is for you. It's got a western feel to it as well as a bit of adventure! I loved it! I will be dreaming of Dalton tonight.
I was immediately drawn to Jillian and I fell head over heels for Dalton during his first scene. All that was within the mere beginning pages of this book. I knew I was going to love it. I had the clearest picture of Dalton. His strong arms and thick chest. Handsome and young. Yum! What would it be like to be married to such a man as his mail ordered bride?! I can think of a few things....
Anyway, this was a great story. Finding love through loss. I felt for the children and I was rooting for Jillian and Dalton to finally voice their love to one another. I wasn't sure if they ever would!
If you like historical books, then this is for you. It's got a western feel to it as well as a bit of adventure! I loved it! I will be dreaming of Dalton tonight.
August 13, 2010
This was a good, sweet love story that kept my interest through the entire novel. I love historical romance and I especially liked the characters in this book. I laughed, I cried, I even felt like ringing Nathan's(the ex-fiance's)neck a time or two. I have noticed in reading other reviews that a few people have compared it to the movie Sarah Plain and Tall. If they mean because she hails from the east cost and marries a widower, that's true. However, most of the women did come from the east and many married men farther west who had lost their wives, especially since the mortality rate for child bearing woman was so high. This isn't the first nor will it be the last mail-order-bride story. I thought the story line was fun, engaging and very entertaining,very different indeed that the a fore mentioned movie. I would recommend this to all my family and friends in a heartbeat.
December 7, 2017
Oh how I love a mail order bride story! This was a sweet little historical/romance that kept me entertained throughout. I think there must be a special place in heaven for second wives. The difficulties in loving someone who is still in love with someone else must be extraordinarily difficult. My least favorite parts of the book were the flashbacks to the previous wife- they made me uncomfortable with Dalton starting to love someone else. (as Dalton also felt uncomfortable- I guess that is great writing when we feel what the characters feel) I loved the characters immediately and was especially entertained by little Lisa. Both parents put the needs of the children first and I loved the way the relationship between Jillian and Dalton grew slowly even though they were so drawn to each other from the start. Great story about second chances and overcoming loss:)
October 4, 2018
I don't usually read, let alone like, romance novels. But my wife loved this story, and I'm glad she shared it with me. At first, I was slightly irritated by being able to read the minds of the mail order bride and a man with three children and what seemed to be an eternal love for their for mother who died. As with all romance novels, I wanted to scream: "Just talk. Just ask. Stop playing mind games." But then, that's what passes as romance in literature, I guess. Also, the characters were consistent in their thinking and actions, which often is missing in first novels especially. In short, I think this was more interesting than a Nicholas Sparks work, and I would recommend it as a light read. Not bad for a few hours of escape.
September 17, 2012
I have mixed feeling on this, I have read a lot of books, fiction and non about the bride trains and mail order brides in this time period, but I have to say this book was distracting in a lot of ways and felt a little disjointed. The flash backs were repetitive and there were too many. I could have done with out the ex fiance coming back.
I thought when he came in the house and kissed her I did not see that coming....in a bad way, meaning there was no real build up in my mind to have had that make sense. Also the train station seen was so predicable and should have not taken 2 chapters to write! So I have read better and this is not the first one I would recommend on this subject.
I thought when he came in the house and kissed her I did not see that coming....in a bad way, meaning there was no real build up in my mind to have had that make sense. Also the train station seen was so predicable and should have not taken 2 chapters to write! So I have read better and this is not the first one I would recommend on this subject.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2010
I really wanted to love this book. I really enjoyed the set up to this story, but I had a really hard time with how much this book jumped around between characters and between past and present day. I felt like I was reading a rough draft of what couldeventually be a really good book. I also felt like the book needed more details. The characters seemed to fall in love way to easily, and if the book had given more details/time for them to fall in love, it would have been a much better read.
July 18, 2010
This book was a quick, easy read. I enjoyed the story line a lot and loved the ending of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance novels.
May 1, 2011
What a soppy soapy book. Definitely light light reading. Not much story and was predictable to the end, but it was a feel good story for the mood I was in.
November 3, 2015
A quick read. I'm a sucker for mail order bride books. It was a clean and cute story.
February 17, 2016
A quick feel good read. Romance
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February 27, 2016this is a good book you will like it. what great thanking book
July 17, 2020
I could not put this book down. The story was so sweet!
November 9, 2016
I loved this story by Cate Holahan. Now to find and read her first book DARK TURNS.
March 2, 2023
There were parts that felt very contrived (could a 17 year old really just decide to be a mail order bride without her parents knowledge? I suppose they resigned themselves to it but didn't really seem to permit it). The characters were portrayed as older than what their ages were in my opinion (again an unaccompanied rich 17 year old, who thinks herself plain but it is made clear everyone drools over her very mature looks, travels alone to her future husband, whom she has never met, after discovering her fiancé's true nature). It switched constantly between different characters, perspectives, or thoughts. Also not clear on when it takes place.
Dalton and his family really carried the story. I especially liked that his daughters shared the name of my older sister and myself. As a whole I mostly enjoyed it though I didn't take it as a very plausible sequence of events.
Dalton and his family really carried the story. I especially liked that his daughters shared the name of my older sister and myself. As a whole I mostly enjoyed it though I didn't take it as a very plausible sequence of events.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2017
Just fluff, very predictable albeit enjoyable. Mostly I was annoyed at the timeline of events and perspectives. The narrative kept jumping around and back and forth in time. It was a struggle to keep track of it all. I feel like this could have been clarified with a firm editor.
Plot: Heartbroken rich girl signs up to be a mail-order bride for a widowed farmer with three young kids on the frontier in Wisconsin. You can see where this leads.
Plot: Heartbroken rich girl signs up to be a mail-order bride for a widowed farmer with three young kids on the frontier in Wisconsin. You can see where this leads.
March 21, 2019
3.5 stars. Such a cute story. I found myself trying to give the characters advice telepathically to “speak up” at the train station and a few other moments throughout the book. Which makes me laugh at myself with how engrossed I was in the story.
December 29, 2025
really was not rocking with the male love interest in this book, he was so flip floppy and basically allowed himself to love his new wife because of his past one ? also the fighting scene was actually insane wtf.. i liked her other book way more
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2019
Cute story, but was very choppy and jumped from person and time.
July 10, 2021
Soooo cheesy!
July 17, 2024
I tried reading this one, but I got so annoyed with the POV switches every two pages. DNFed at 5%
What would have made this one better is just doing a third-person omniscient narrator.
What would have made this one better is just doing a third-person omniscient narrator.
February 13, 2014
The beginning of this novel grabbed my attention because the story was being told from the perspective of each character (besides the children). I was impressed with the dialog tact from the perspectives, but my admiration soon fizzled after the first twenty pages...
The plot started to drag on... then pick up interest with some (some) romance... then be concerned about other things... The plot then took twists (I felt) to keep the story going by the addition of more characters and problems.
Unfortunately I have more "bugs" with this book than praise. For example, Dalton is convinced he has feelings for his mail-oder-bride and even thinks he might love her (pause for dramatic effect)... BUT! They barely say five sentences to each other before this "revelation" occurs making the chemistry forced and semi-unbelievable.
Over all, this work had potential (as most stories do) and structure in the beginning, but the plot slowly and boringly morphed into something I would not recommend reading...I would recommend the author, just not this book.
P.S. The romance part felt like chocolate fudge on a corn muffin.. 'rich' 'guilt-laced' but mismatched with the innocent plot. It made me squirm in an uncomfortable way.
The plot started to drag on... then pick up interest with some (some) romance... then be concerned about other things... The plot then took twists (I felt) to keep the story going by the addition of more characters and problems.
Unfortunately I have more "bugs" with this book than praise. For example, Dalton is convinced he has feelings for his mail-oder-bride and even thinks he might love her (pause for dramatic effect)... BUT! They barely say five sentences to each other before this "revelation" occurs making the chemistry forced and semi-unbelievable.
Over all, this work had potential (as most stories do) and structure in the beginning, but the plot slowly and boringly morphed into something I would not recommend reading...I would recommend the author, just not this book.
P.S. The romance part felt like chocolate fudge on a corn muffin.. 'rich' 'guilt-laced' but mismatched with the innocent plot. It made me squirm in an uncomfortable way.
July 13, 2010
Yea for this new author trying to write! I really liked the story idea, even if it did remind me a lot of Sarah, Plain and Tall. The arranged marriage is such a fascinating thing to me. I love seeing how strong one can be.
The weaknesses in the book I felt were repetitive information and lack of specifics. I felt like I learned everything twice. It annoyed me at first, but as I got further into the book, I got used to it. About the lack of detail...Upon purchasing the book, I was able to meet and speak with the author. She was very excited about the book - this is among her first three. She told me she wanted some places fictional and others real. I think that was okay in theory, but it was a little confusing and tad dull, because details about the places were quite vague. I think she was going more for the emotional value in the story of overcoming pain and loss. Maybe it would have been better if the reader has an experience with losing a spouse!? I for one, kept wondering where exactly things were and what time period I was looking at. I'm excited to read more reviews and see what everyone else thought...
The weaknesses in the book I felt were repetitive information and lack of specifics. I felt like I learned everything twice. It annoyed me at first, but as I got further into the book, I got used to it. About the lack of detail...Upon purchasing the book, I was able to meet and speak with the author. She was very excited about the book - this is among her first three. She told me she wanted some places fictional and others real. I think that was okay in theory, but it was a little confusing and tad dull, because details about the places were quite vague. I think she was going more for the emotional value in the story of overcoming pain and loss. Maybe it would have been better if the reader has an experience with losing a spouse!? I for one, kept wondering where exactly things were and what time period I was looking at. I'm excited to read more reviews and see what everyone else thought...
August 10, 2010
I have never read a romance novel, but I assume, after reading this book, that they contain lots of internal emotion and very little communication? If my assumption is correct, then this book is clean romance novel meets "Sarah, Plain and Tall" Dalton, a farmer in Wisconsin, loses his wife in childbirth. So, he orders a new one. Jillian, a young girl with a broken heart responds, hops on a train, and the fun begins. It really is similar in plot to "Sarah, Plain and Tall"(right down to the fire in the field) except they DON'T TALK to each other. Well, I guess they didn't much in Sarah, either. I eventually found it pointless to keep screaming at the book,"Just talk to each other!" It was ironic that Dalton talked more to Jillian's brother in the first twenty-four hours of meeting him than he had in the months of living under the same roof as Jillian. Though maybe not totally believable, it was a light, entertaining and quick read with a happy ending. The fledgling author is from my town.
September 22, 2010
an endearing story about a man, Dalton McCullough, who loved his wife, Lauralyn and thought he would love her forever, but when the birth of their son caused her to slip away he promised to find a mother for her children and a wife for him, but he didn't think he would be able to let his heart love again. He sent away for a mail order bride and Jillian responded and after 2 months of letters, she agreed to go to Wisconsin and be his wife without seeing him only going on his character and the love she had for his orphaned children. They made the marriage a platonic one, but after some obsticals they drew closer to each other. Jillian getting over her heartache of betrayal from Nathan Shaw and Dalton for his quest to not love again. They fight against other obsticals of Nathan Shaw coming back for Jillian and Jenny, Dalton's daughter's rejection of Jillian in honor of her mother. They overcome these and find the love of a happy home and life together. Even her protective brother comes to his senses and marries Beth and moves near them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2010
I discovered Prudence from Marcia Lynn McClure's facebook page. I just happen to stumble upon a post she made about her book. I am so glad I did! First I have to say I love this cover!! I wanted to buy the book right away just cause of the cover. I did buy it after I read the summary. This is such a sweet story and I am a sucker for a sweet romance. I was drawn into story and developed a connection with Jillian, Dalton and his three kids! I think the role the kids play in this book is really important. This book also contains some good kissing! That is always a plus for me!! This book was worth every penny and I will be reading it again soon! I love when I find a new author of good clean romance! I know Prudence has a couple more books that will be coming out within the next year. I look forward to reading them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews