Genre: Historical Erotica
Author: Zaide Bishop
Publication Date: July 23, 2012
Format: eBook Amazon
Blurb: It is the eve of the Longest Night. Eliza Baker and the rest of Lord Jayden's servants excitedly prepare for the lavish festival as their masters enjoy a head start on the debauchery that awaits. Eliza's madly in love with Kell, a sweet, deliciously sexy guard. Kell returns her feelings, but is striving to make himself a worthy man before he asks Eliza's father for permission to court her.
To keep the Demon of Winter at bay, an offering must be made during the festival. As the event begins, Lord Kempsly informs Kell that he's offering a special sacrifice this year, and Kell must escort the girl who will offer up her maidenhood for the enjoyment of the crowd. Another guest will select the maiden, and Kell realizes to his dismay the guest is Lord Rakin, a rich and handsome rogue who has his eye on Eliza. But little do any of the men suspect the burgeoning desire the ceremony is awakening in Eliza...
The blurb explains exactly what occurs in this book - however I'm going to give you a bit of the nitty to prepare you if you so choose to read it. Eliza's Awakening is most definitely erotic - and even with its issues, it stayed pretty darn steamy throughout. If you are uncomfortable with menagé and damn-near rape scenes you may not want to read any further.
When I saw this book on NetGalley, I was interested right away. It looked like a quick steamy read with some historical elements and I loved the change in POV to that of a servant in this era. Knowing that, it makes a little bit more sense why this book progresses as it does.
Eliza is in love with Kell and him with her but they don't know that each is in love with the other. Surprise! -_-
They both work for the amorous Lord and Lady Jayden, who display their love often and thoroughly throughout their keep. Thus, it makes sense then that their sacrifice would include nefarious activity. I'm not going to be as poetic as Bishop, but there is most definitely some heat building moments in here.
Eliza is a beautiful virgin who catches the eye of the rogue Lord Rakin who offers her up as a sacrifice to the Demon of Winter. Not knowing what to expect, the knowledge of both Kell and her losing their job if she doesn't cooperate keeps her strong.
Then, she is "deflowered" in front of a group of masked men and women, who approve in the form of random copulation. But she is orally prepared by a well-known Lady while being egged on by Lord Rakin and held down by Kell...who is aroused and wary during the sacrifice. After returning the pleasure to Lord Rakin, Eliza is taken by Kell, a moment that she has dreamed about for as long as she's known him.
After the evening is through, Eliza and Kell are each given something for their sacrifice...but of course it is sexist and annoying as Kell is given much more than Eliza.
The sex scenes in this book were well-written and super smokin'. And most of the sexist nonsense can be hocked up to this being a historical erotica book...but I really like my heroines with a bit of bite or sass and Eliza was the perfectly perfect historical servant, doing as she was told when she was told. Which reminds me how I could never ever be a servant in that time no matter how glamourous it seems.
I did, however, take issue with Eliza's "gift" given for her sacrifice...but more than that I hated how Kell played a part in the sacrifice. I prefer my heros to stand up for what they want, or at least show more aggression when they simply can't protect their lady. *sigh*
I won't tell you how this story ends and if none of the above offends you, I would most definitely suggest giving Eliza's Awakening a quick read...however, wait until it's discounted. At $2.99 for a 30 minute read it is overpriced and for the lack of connection between the characters and the reader even $1.99 would be too rich for this gals blood. Overall, a mediocre outcome to a promising expectation.
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