
Format: ARC
A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant
Date Read: December 2011
Genre: Historical, Romance

More Information:In Cecilia Grant’s emotionally rich and deeply passionate Regency romance debut, a deal with a rumored rogue turns a proper young woman into . . . A Lady Awakened.
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?
Publisher: Bantam
Series: Blackshear Family #1

Won from Library Thing Early Reviewers (Nov)
Overall Rating 3.50
Story Rating 3.75
Character Rating 3.25
NOTE: This was a very quick read–I did it all in one setting. The pacing and storytelling were done excellently.
What I Loved: Martha Russell was a strong leading lady with a lot of backbone. She knew what had to be done in order to help other people and was willing to do it. How her story played out and the ultimate ending were perfectly within her character’s characteristics. I was very impressed with that.
What I Liked: While not as enduring as Martha, I felt that Theo Mirkwood was a dashing leading man. While I knew it would all work out in the end, it took awhile for me to warm up to him.
Complaints: I would have liked a little more romance–especially towards the end. It seemed to wrap up a little too quickly
Overall Rating | |
Story Rating | |
Character Rating | |
Overall: |
- #BookAdvent Day 3: Books on Tape - December 3, 2021
- #BookAdvent Day 2: The Stand by Stephen King - December 2, 2021
- #BookAdvent Day 1: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - December 1, 2021
Maya Bank’s historicals = Win. Love them!
Poor guy in the first book, that is one ugly name. Lol, I can't help it!
The Maya Banks books are hiding somewhere in my computer, but I will read them next year …