In Good Conscience...Cat Gardiner

Imagine my surprise when my request to interview the elusive Fitzwilliam Darcy was granted months after I had sent my June email to his new wife, Liz. I was expecting to be on the next flight to their estate in Virginia, but the ex-polo player, former Navy SEAL, and heir to the massive Darcy estate had other plans.  Of course, this is all on the q.t. and only this blog mistress was given his exclusive. How could I not grant his wish? As his secretary (a very hunky man named Higgins) later explained, Darcy was recuperating after a deadly summer and preferred to video chat from an undisclosed location.

Let me just state, dear readers, that the man was nothing that I expected and soooo handsome! His wife is one lucky lady! I have it on good authority that the blog mistress at Savvy Verse & Wit was summoned for an exclusive interview with Mrs. Darcy and that will post tomorrow.

Our Skype began at the precise minute scheduled and I was met with a smiling, clean-cut and shaved face. He wore a light blue T-shirt and … um … I could see his tribal band tattoo circling quite a bicep. Oh my!

Thank you, Mr. Darcy for taking the time to answer a few questions after what was described as an exhausting trip.

You’re welcome – and I appreciate your flexibility in doing a video chat versus an in-person interview. I’m sorry about all the mystery, but I’m sure you understand our need for secrecy and my obvious paranoia after what my wife and I survived. Once we settle in, we’ll relax, but for now …

It was no problem, really! And I didn’t mind signing the non-disclosure. Word is that you’re quite the protector. So I understand that you’d go to extraordinary lengths to insulate those you love.

*Half-smile twitches on his lips* I guess I am, but don’t mistake Liz for needing my protection all the time. She’s fierce in her own right, quite brave in fact and has a mean south paw hook. *rubs his jaw*.

Oh? Is that among the things you’ve taught her since meeting her? I heard that you met under very dangerous circumstances, which haven’t let up over the last eighteen months.

You’re right. I did teach her a few things when she finally let me, but she’s mostly self-taught particularly in knife fighting. She’s an excellent student and a quick learner, and really, much more proficient with blades than I am. Like I said, she could be fierce when needed—or when mad as hell.

At you?

*Rubs jaw again.” Yeah. *Chuckles.*

I am sure you must have done something to deserve it, though. *Laughs lightly.*

Depends on your perspective. In her opinion, I deserved it … maybe I did, but I had the best intentions.

I’ve given some consideration to questions that my readers would particularly like answers to within the parameters of the NDA, of course. I thought, for starters, I’d just rapid fire a few and you can give me a one word answer if that’s okay.

Sure. That suits me fine.

What do you think of marriage to Mrs. Darcy?

A miracle

One word to describe how you feel about her?

It would take more than one, but at the moment, I’d say: Awestruck

Is there one word to describe your relationship?

Again, so many deep feelings there … I’d say: Perfect

How does she make you feel in the morning?

Renewed

In the afternoon?

Challenged

In the evening?

Lucky

At night?

*Laughs*  Exhausted

How many children would you like?

*Breaks into wide grin* Five

*Fans self* Oh dear! You will be exhausted!

Will you be returning to horse riding and breeding when you settle in?

Definitely

How about motorcycle riding? What kind of rider is Mrs. Darcy?

That’s two questions … Yes, we’ll continue riding … and she is quite the proficient biker.

And lastly, what is the plan for your future?

Serenity

No international travel, no wild edge of your seat adventures? Won’t that be hard for you?

Not at all. I have everything I need or want here and I’ve already seen the world – the good and the bad. I’ll leave those kind of adventures to someone else. This is a big, beautiful country; it’ll keep us busy for the rest of our lives.

And what country is that?

*Raises eyebrow* If I tell you … I’ll have to kill you. *Bursts out laughing.*

I must say, I’m surprised. Please don’t take offense, but I’ve heard so many reports about your severity, your chilly demeanor —and … and they’re quite wrong.

No, they were right, but I’m not that man anymore, and I’m definitely not that man around my wife. I’m just a guy filled with gratitude and optimism.  At my heart I’m just a simple man, in love with an amazing woman and have a beautiful—peaceful—tomorrow ahead of us.

And what has she done that makes her so amazing?

It’s not any one special thing, but a million seemingly small things that when put together make her such an amazing wife, friend, lover, and the perfect partner for me. She saved my soul and that, alone, was an amazing feat.

Okay, so one last question and then I’ll let you get back to your leading lady.  Will the world ever see Mr. Darcy again? What if your country needs you?

Lord! You make me sound like Batman. There won’t be any bat signal in the sky calling me out of retirement, but what I can tell you is that if my family needs me – I’ll sneak in like the night and do what I have to do. Once a protector … always a protector. I’ll leave the country-saving to the next generation of guys, and in time, the only thing I hope to be remembered for is being a loving husband, a great father, and a honorable friend, brother, uncle – even son-in-law. In fact, after this interview—and my wife’s tomorrow—we hope the name “Darcy” is never uttered again.

It sounds like a good plan.

It’s the only plan worth making.

Wow! What do you think of that interview, folks? *Fans self* I must admit to being a bit awe-struck! Darcy is quite a man! I'm betting he will be a great father. We already know he is a loving husband, loyal, and all the other attributes he wants to be remembered by. I think you will be, sir!

Amazon book link:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GWG6919/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0

Revised Bio:

Cat Gardiner loves romance and happy endings, history, comedy, and Jane Austen. A member of the National League of American Pen Women and a PAN member of Romance Writers of America, she enjoys writing across the spectrum of Pride and Prejudice inspired romance novels. From the comedic Christmas, Chick Lits Lucky 13 and Villa Fortuna, to the bad boy biker Darcy in the sultry adventures Denial of Conscience, Guilty Conscience, and Without a Conscience, these contemporary novels will appeal to many Mr. Darcy lovers.

Cat's love of 20th Century Historical fiction merges in her first Pride & Prejudice "alternate era," set in a 1952 Noir, Undercover. Her most recent publications are the time-travel WWII P&P novelettes: A Vintage Valentine, A Vintage Victory, and A Vintage Halloween as part of the Memories of Old Antique Shop Series.

Her greatest love is writing Historical Fiction, WWII-era Romance. Her debut novel, A Moment Forever was the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award Romance Finalist. She is currently working on her second novel in the Liberty Victory Series.

Connect with Cat here:
* facebook.com/cat.t.gardiner
* cgardiner1940s.com
* cattgardiner.wixsite.com/homefrontpodcast
* twitter.com/40sExperience
* twitter.com/VPPressNovels

BOOK BLURB:

The third and final romantic adventure in The Conscience Series

No man has loved a woman as much as Fitzwilliam “Iceman” Darcy loves his wife Elizabeth. His love is indestructible, insatiable, and his Achilles’ heel.

Since the whirlwind and dangerous adventure in Paris and Moscow in Without a Conscience, life at Pemberley has been a combination of idyllic repose and focused preparation and defense. Darcy’s enemy is still out there—a hair’s breadth from delivering revenge for his father’s assassination.

When the enemy strikes first, Iceman’s world comes crashing down kick starting a firestorm. How far will the gelid warrior go to protect all his loved ones? Just how much is the former Navy SEAL willing to sacrifice? Is his attritional warfare blind rage?—or are his extreme actions in good conscience?

This emotional, wild ride will take you on a breathless, white-knuckle international journey from heartbreak and revenge to survival and enduring bliss because …

No woman has loved a man like Elizabeth Darcy loves her husband Fitzwilliam. Her love is invulnerable, unyielding, and her strength.

Author Note: Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell wrote such wonderful characters, I borrowed their names and some of their characteristics for inspiration to tell my own tale of contemporary love. In Good Conscience - The Final Adventure is a sequel, and I recommend reading Book 1 (Denial of Conscience,) and Book 2 (Without a Conscience) beforehand. Further, it is an original story that follows the lives of the characters of the aforementioned books and therefore, not meant to be a Pride and Prejudice variation. This novel contains explicit sexual content and occasionally salty language. So if you are looking for a clean, canon read, this book is not for you.

IN GOOD CONSCIENCE GIVEAWAY

2 e-books (int'l and/or USA), Swag (USA Only) - Paperback, exclusive series mug, bookmark, and travel journal 

Thank you, Cat Gardiner, for helping set up this interview! I have been so excited about it and it was everything and more than I ever dreamed it would be. Looking forward to the interview tomorrow with Mrs. Darcy over at Savvy Verse & Wit. By the way, it was pretty neat talking to Higgins, the secretary! I like that man, too.

I'm thrilled to be part of your blog tour, Cat. Thank you for including me. I can't wait to start reading In Good Conscience. I have loved these books and hate to see them come to an end. From what I am seeing, this one is every bit as good as the rest, if not better! Thank you for sharing this story with us. You are an amazingly talented writer!

Readers, be sure and leave your contact info, and if you are US or not, in the comments below. This is an awesome giveaway and I would hate for anyone to lose out because I couldn't reach them. Good luck to everyone. The giveaway will end at 11:59 P.M. on the 18th of September.