A Lady Awakened

A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant Summary: 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? Angie's Comments: This is the first book in the Blackshear Family series. Widows without heirs in the early 1800s could be placed in a precarious situation, but Martha overcomes that issue. I liked how the relationship slowly developed between Martha and Theo. It seemed more real than other relationships! Nothing falls right into place for these people, which makes it more real. Eventually things go right with everyone helping each other and by practice. The characters have their flaws, but that only makes them more real. I found this to be a sweet romance with characters who seem real. Recommended for readers of historical romance.  Request this item