Thursday, June 20, 2013

A Woman Entangled (Blackshear Family #3) by Cecilia Grant


Historical Romance

From Goodreads:

"An ambitious beauty seeking a spot among the elite is thwarted by a most disruptive gentleman in Cecilia Grant’s witty, elegant, and exquisitely sensual novel.

Kate Westbrook has dreams far bigger than romance. Love won’t get her into London’s most consequential parties, nor prevent her sisters from being snubbed and looked down upon—all because their besotted father unadvisedly married an actress. But a noble husband for Kate would deliver a future most suited to the granddaughter of an earl. Armed with ingenuity, breathtaking beauty, and the help of an idle aunt with connections, Kate is poised to make her dreams come true. Unfortunately, a familiar face—albeit a maddeningly handsome one—appears bent on upsetting her scheme.

Implored by Kate’s worried father to fend off the rogues eager to exploit his daughter’s charms, Nick Blackshear has set aside the torch he’s carried for Kate in order to do right by his friend. Anyway, she made quite clear that his feelings were not returned—though policing her won’t abate Nick’s desire. Reckless passion leads to love’s awakening, but time is running out. Kate must see for herself that the charms of high society are nothing compared to the infinite sweet pleasures demanded by the heart."

A Woman Entangled tells the story of Nick Blackshear the brother of Martha from A Lady Awakened and Will of AGentleman Undone.  Both make an appearance in A Woman Entangled.  (Follow the links to read my reviews of the first two books.)

Nick is a barrister and he has lost many of his clients because of the scandal that surrounded his brother Will’s marriage.  The one place he is always welcome is at the Westbrook’s where scandal is an old friend.  Mrs. Westbrook was an actress before her marriage and the Mr. Westbrook’s family cut them out of their lives when they married.  The oldest daughter Kate wants to make them socially acceptable again and A barrister who has scandal in his family just will not do.
It was fun to watch Nick and Kate interact.  They have become friends and even though Nick is in love with Kate he does not let it show.  Kate thinks love should come at first sight and does not realize that it can grow from friendship.  Their journey is more low key than many romances.  Family and scandal play a big part in the story. 

A Woman Entangled has a different flavor from the previous two stories.  There was less tension and more emphasis on family and forgiveness.  It was an enjoyable read but for me not as gripping as the two previous books.  Even so the Blackshear series is one that I will keep reading.  I do like the fact that each book is different and each story matches the characters it features.  Once again Grant's characters and story are unlike other romance books set in this time period.  Grant's writing  continues to occupy a unique place in historical fiction.

Bantam published A Woman Entangled by Cecilia Grant in 2013.

I received an ARC of A Woman Entangled from Netgalley.

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