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A Virtuous Widow

"a wonderful, warm, emotionally stirring Christmas story of love found, wishes fulfilled and promises kept." Susan Mobley of Romantic Times

Jean Mason of The Romance Reader gave it a rating of 92% and said "My favorite of the three novellas is Anne Gracie’s “The Virtuous Widow.”... a sweet and enjoyable romance....
"Gracie manages to convince the reader that Ellie and her guest have found their soul mate. She also provides a reason for their separation. And she offers a most satisfying happily ever after."
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Cheryl Jeffries of Heartstrings Reviews said" An overly familiar plotline is transformed into something new and beautiful by virtue of Ms. Gracie's talents. Tender and sweet and subtly sensual, this novella is truly a gift to readers: "
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Finalist - National Readers Choice Award 2002
(RWAmerica)
Best Novella

UK release by Harlequin Mills and Boon in October 2002 in the Regency Brides anthology.

USA release Christmas 2002 by Harlequin Historicals in the Gifts of the Season anthology.

A Virtuous Widow

It is almost Christmas, 1816, but there will be no feasting and family celebration for Ellie Carmichael, an isolated young widow, left destitute when her husband committed suicide to avoid his debts. All she has is her beloved small daughter, four year old Amy, who has never accepted her father's death, and puts a candle in the window "to guide my papa home".

One bitterly cold night, a stranger collapses on Ellie's doorstep, a man with no boots, no memories and no name, a man who swiftly enchants Ellie and her daughter alike.

Now Ellie must protect her daughter, her virtue and her heart from the stranger, for who knows what his secrets may be...

Read an extract

Read about how I came to write this book and see a photo of the real cottage I used as Ellie's Cottage.

The other two authors featured in the UK Regency Brides anthology are Nicola Cornick and Gayle Wilson.

In the USA, Harlequin Historical Christmas Anthology, Gifts of the Season, the other two authors featured are Miranda Jarrett and Lyn Stone.
Following are the back blurbs for each book. It's interesting how they differ, I think.

Regency Brides (UK)	Gifts of the Season (USA)
The Virtuous Widow by Anne Gracie The injured Stranger Ellie Carmichael had nursed in her home --her bed -- awoke with no memory, believing her to be his devoted wife. Such temptation -- to surrender her virtue for some stolen nights in his arms...	Gift Most Rare by Miranda Jarrett Sara had never thought to see her precious Rev ever again. Yet here he was, come to stay for the holidays in the very home where she was a governess... and bringing up the painful memories of their shared past.
My Darling Echo by Gayle Wilson Theirs was an unconventional union. Where he was the wealthy Earl of Huntingdon, she had merely been in his employ. Arabella Simmons was under no illusion -- this proud and war-scarred man was desirous of a marriage in name only.	Christmas Charade by Lyn Stone Beth didn't want a husband. But when she agreed to marry handsome Jack as part of a scheme, she didn't expect to be playing with her heart.
The Rake's Bride by Nicola Cornick Theodosia Shaw flew out of the church, unable to marry where there was no passion, straight into the arms of the Marquis of Merlin. Intrigued, knowing her family to be badly in debt, this jaded nobleman made a surprising offer of his own -- as much money as she needed if she would become his mistress...	The Virtuous Widow by Anne Gracie Ellie was afraid she had no future. Left to her own devices now that her husband had passed away, she worried for her daughter's welfare as well as her own. But her world changed when a stranger landed on her doorstep.