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)

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!

Excellent Debut Novel. Perfect Narration.

What a stroke of luck! I gave this book a chance because of Susan Ericksen, and what a shockingly wicked treat I received!

This is such a funny, meaningful, passionate, and unique story. I think it's much better as an audiobook, as Susan Ericksen is flawless in her performance. I stongly recommend this book. I have already purchased the next one and will keep my eye out for Cecilia Grant. She is an amazing new author with a new perspective. I listened to this in one sitting, stayed up till 5am.

This is probably my favorite historical this year!

Very hot

Thought it would be boring... But turn out very sexy enjoy the story and how they developed Susan Ericksen is very good at that one of the reason I purchased it, would not haven't gotten book 2 if I knew it would start off with other characters

Very Unique Storyline

Ovr 500+ bks listener, so not my 1st romance story audible rodeo....that said, I don't review as often as I should, especially if others hav already shared similar views, but the author REALLY took a very unique perspective &then twisted it a little more making the story even more engaging &didn't take the expected conclusion wrap up 4a happy ending, which I appreciated.
I do the monthly credit membership & audible escape package, so it's absolutely a worthy listen but I try 2sav credits 4bks I or family members will listen2 ovr &ovr. I absolutely enjoyed the story &plan 2get the others n series, but not sure I'd re-listen2 em like I do w/other authors. But definitely worth listening2, especially if u enjoy originality. Gr8 job by narrator as well.

Different

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

Good but slow.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Theo. He so so patient, smart, kind, loving, funny and persistent.

What about Susan Ericksen’s performance did you like?

Everything. She did a good job with the different characters and voices

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The reluctant lover

Any additional comments?

This book is slow but it is good. Unpredictable and different. The ending is sort of abrupt but it does not take away from the story. The plot is weird, but so is Martha. Our heroine is emotionally perturbed/damaged. The healing process is sloooww. The love scenes (eventually) are pretty good. It is worth a credit.

Her hibernation was not short in duration

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

no it was not what I expect in a romance it seemed that the writer was more interested in the daily lives of the poor then the connection of the main characters

Would you recommend A Lady Awakened to your friends? Why or why not?

no for the above reason

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

yes it did in that the story was slow so it made sense that the narration was slow also I lessoned to it on my iPhone at the speed of 1.25

Was A Lady Awakened worth the listening time?

I do not think so

Any additional comments?

I purchased this book on the recommendation of someone I follow, it did not live up to her five stars. The author was more passionate about the tragedy and suffering of the everyday poor then the connection of the two main characters. I probably would not have mined the intrusion so much it the other was just as passionate. If I want to read doom and gloom I would read the newspaper.

Lady to much

sometimes slow. Not much storyline. Story weak. Relies on sex to much to keep it going. explanations long and drawn out.

Enjoyable, Racy Regency Tale

I enjoyed this novel. The narrator did not differentiate between the voices very well, so you had to figure out who was speaking based on context. Still, it was a fun steamy novel, and a good listen.

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.