A Lady Awakened

Blackshear Family Series # 1

By: Cecilia Grant

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Newly widowed and desperate to protect her estate and beloved servants from her malevolent brother-in-law, Martha Russell conceives a daring plan. Or rather, a daring plan to conceive. After all, if she has an heir on the way, her future will be secured. Forsaking all she knows of propriety, Martha approaches her neighbor, a London exile with a wicked reputation, and offers a strictly business proposition: a month of illicit interludes... for a fee.

Theophilus Mirkwood ought to be insulted. Should be appalled. But how can he resist this siren in widow's weeds, whose offer is simply too outrageously tempting to decline? Determined she'll get her money's worth, Theo endeavors to awaken this shamefully neglected beauty to the pleasures of the flesh-only to find her dead set against taking any enjoyment in the scandalous bargain. Surely she can't resist him forever. But could a lady's sweet surrender open their hearts to the most unexpected arrival of all... love?

©2011 Cecilia Grant (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Tantalizingly sexy, heartwarming, and oh-so funny, this romance is unforgettable; a stunning debut." ( Library Journal)

Good - Hard to like Heroine

Widowed after only ten months of marriage, Martha Russell was hearing from the lawyer that unless she had some reason (pregnancy) she would have to vacate her estate and leave her beloved servants to the mercy at the hands of her malevolent brother-in-law. Only if an heir were on the way could she forestall him from taking over the estate and thrusting all the female servants into his despicable hands. Gathering all her strength and determination to not let that happen, Martha approaches her neighbor, the rakish exiled son of a baron from London. The strictly business proposition; one month of sexual attention to which she would pay him a hefty fee!

*** Theophilus Mirkwood couldn’t decide if he should have been insulted or flattered by Martha’s proposition. Knowing he should be on his best behavior if he ever wanted to return to London, Theo thought long and hard but seeing as how she was so very lovely decided to succumb. However, when push came to shove so to speak when Theo arrived to do the “deed” he was the one that felt quite outraged. Martha really was going to treat this as a total ‘business’ pursuit and there was no such thing as making ‘love’ to a woman who simply submitted while she most probably thought of other things than what was happening to her body.

The author created Martha as a woman who never experienced any type of loving relationship from her deceased husband; she knew no better and expected all men to behave the same. However, cold she acted towards Theo, she was caring and loving towards the people she felt were her responsibility, otherwise she never would have considered faking a pregnancy simply to feather her own nest, so to speak. Martha convinced herself she was truly doing this to save her female staff from a man whose despicable behavior simply could not and should not be brought down on the female staff she now cared for.

What was really very well done though was the change that came over both leads. Martha learned to feel for the man who did his best to befriend her and Theo was taught crucial points of not just land management from his land steward, but to realize that the people whose lives he ultimately controlled were under his care as well. In fact, Theo came to enjoy the challenge of what he could accomplish once he put his mind to it; as well as having Martha’s good opinion.

Bottom line: I found it hard to like Martha because of her rigidity in how she was going about getting herself pregnant, even though, I always knew she was doing this for the greater good. I loved the slow build-up of the love that developed between the two. This was definitely an interesting read and as I listened to this as an audio, the performance by Susan Erickson was well done. Martha was a tough heroine to like but in the end - I was very happy in how all turned out!

Refreshing take

A refreshing departure from the typical bedroom cliches you expect in a romance. Solid character development and growth.

The best romance novel I've read in AGES!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud!

Any additional comments?

Smart, funny, and so worth the money! Can't wait to listen to it again!

Wake up Lady

Actually the story is a good one but a long one. I think Ms Grant could have shorten the book in some areas especially the beginning.So that by the time you get to the meat of the story, you are not yelling for them to get on with it.There seems to be a lot that goes on towards the end of the book is timed better than the slow beginning. I am sure we are to take into account the youth of woman in question and her inexperience. But where she shows hints of intelligence in some areas, you'd think she carry them through to others. I personally am a huge Susan Ericksen fan so it is the narration that got me through the slower parts. I tend to like the paranormal romance stories, which include vamps,werewolves,fairies,fey,druids and even the highlanders. So this was a bit of different. It is a romantic historical based period love story. Best I can say for this type of book was it was okay.

Of note...

Although I thought the story is generally good, the lead female character is rather preachy and annoying.

If you love prickly FMCs…

If you love prickly FMCs, you’ll love this romance! One of my favorite comfort reads, this story has so much to say about sex and love, connection and disconnection, head and heart. Truly unique, and a gift to be treasured.

Brilliantly written- and so much humor!

I’ve only gotten through chapter two and needed to review immediately!

The writing style is so thoroughly Austen,
The scenes are so vividly descriptive and varied,
But most surprisingly, the dry humor of these characters’ during their interactions and unto themselves is absolutely brutal!

I would listen to this story simply for the colorful, prim - meets - tongue in cheek, narratives.

Finally, the narrator was a 100% perfect choice. She brings the story/characters to life in a way I would not likely have developed in reading it myself. She voices male and female characters without causing any grimace or acceptance necessary from the listener. And best of all, she’s great at conveying Martha’s severe, straight-backed attitude as well as Theo’s lackadaisical, sarcastic, and confused reactions … and I’m hearing a smooth glowing tone that sounds like loving observations…

I won’t be sleeping until this one is done.

I love all of it.

I liked it!!

No one reads historical romances for the plot. So this author turned the tables and made the basis of the storyline sex. I liked the characters and I adore Susan Ericksen so this was a great choice for me.

Not the same old, same old & very good!

A woman of conscience embarks on an affair to protect the future of the women and children of her estate. She refuses to take any pleasure in the sex, to the frustration of the hero. The novel depicts the inner workings of her mind and heart with clarity and humor. Her lover, accustomed to only being valued for his ability to please in bed, comes to respect her and to become involved with the place her has been forced to live by his father. Be warned, this book is a long and well written seduction, conveyed without cliches or coyness. Highly recommended.

Nothing special

I have mixed emotions about this book. I found my mind wandering a bit while listening to it. I think the story dragged a bit in places. One of the potential steps Martha was contemplating bothered me and I didn't want to see her go down that road. I enjoyed Martha and Theo getting to know each other and both developing into stronger characters. A good first book. I'll read the next one.