A Lady Awakened

Blackshear Family Series # 1

By: Cecilia Grant

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Loootttsss of sex

I gave this book a shot because of Susan Ericksen and because it was on a great sale. The plot was great and it definitely was a unique storyline. The secondary characters are an enjoyable part of the story. The ending kind of resolved with too much rapidity for my liking, especially after having sat through the entire book.
There was a lot of sex, which because of the plot, isn't a surprise. It was, however, about as unpleasant to read about as it was for Martha to engage in it! But, it did eventually progress to 'not so bad' and for Martha at least, even more. ha

All in all, I paid $4.20 for this and enjoyed it enough to not return it. In fact I do want to read the next two in the series. I don't know that it warrants all the extremely high accolades that I've read. Susan Erickson, as usual, did fabulous. She could read the label off a vitamin container and it would sound magnificent!!

Good story but bad narration..

Any additional comments?

This really was a terrific story. Loved Martha and Mirkwood but I didn't see it as a romance novel until about 67%. It was a screwing book. They screwed like minks trying to get her pregnant because of an inheritance and that was ok except it took her waaaaay to long to come around and even kiss him.
As to the narrator? I kept losing track of who was saying what because all the males and females sounded alike. All she did was read the book. No deepening the voices of males, no emotions. Read the book, don't listen.

Beautiful

What did you love best about A Lady Awakened?

The language was so beautiful, English as it should be spoken. Though the language was old fashioned and quaint, it did not at all detract from the sizzle in the sex scenes

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene when she finally enjoys the sexual encounter was stunning, I loved it. I would recommend this book to my friends without any hesitation.

I was a nice story BUT

Would you consider the audio edition of A Lady Awakened to be better than the print version?

The whole story dragged out. It would have been a nice easy read/listen if it was not 12.5hrs long

What did you like best about this story?

The hero and the maid

What about Susan Ericksen’s performance did you like?

Yes I thought she fitted the era very well

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

I feel to sleep so many times, I had to keep going back

Any additional comments?

As I said I think the story was different and nice. Martha was very hard to like and it was all too long

Loved it!

This was a beautiful and witty story of a woman finding her way to allowing herself to enjoy passion. Beautiful and enjoyable!

Perfection….

I read 3 to 8 books per week now that I am retired; hundreds in the years I have had Audible. It is rare that I find a story that feels tailor made for me but this was one of those rare gems. I also think the narrator did a great job!

great listen

After I read "fifty shades" I was reading the reviews. Someone suggested this book was a much more interesting read, better story development and much more sexy.

It is totally different than Fifty Shades, more grown up, less in your face but completely tantalizing and riveting. The writing is wonderful, perfect narrating from Susan Ericksen and wonderful old style language that is so entertaining and clever. I highly recommend it.

Most excellent

What a wonderful story , funny, wrenching, tender and courageous. Where are you Cecilia Grant? We want more, more, more.

Delightful

If you could sum up A Lady Awakened in three words, what would they be?

Hard to put down.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved both characters and how they developed together throughout the book.

Susan Erickson is always a good listen

Love this narrator! She brings the story to life! It's refreshing to read a good romance that is not cramed full of villains. it was a beleavable story.