Tuesday, November 10, 2015

My share in the conversation...Denial of Conscience

Denial of Conscience by Cat Gardiner

Oh. My. Goodness! This book was awesome! Cat Gardiner is an excellent author and writes a story that is fast-paced, entertaining and sizzling! She has done her research and it shows. The flow is perfect and the plot never skips a beat. I couldn’t put the book down but I didn’t want to finish it either.

This is a modern day story and the characters are altered a bit in personality from canon but I did not find that to be problematic.  Jane is probably the most changed in personality. She is not the quiet gentle Jane of the 1800’s. The variations in characters were plausible for the time and circumstances involved. Darcy is an assassin and is like steel in resolve and demeanor but still has a moral sense of rightness. There is only one who can melt the heart of this ‘Ice Man’.  Elizabeth is living at Longbourn and even willing to sacrifice her own happiness to help Mr. Bennet. I think she is an accurate version of her Regency counterpart. Then there are Caroline and Charlie Bingley. What interesting roles they play in this drama. Of course, ‘Rick’ Fitzwilliam must play a part too. He does and is quite likable. Cat Gardiner’s characters were all well developed in their respective roles and literally came alive on the page.

Everything about this book was so skillfully ‘executed’ that it was difficult to choose things I liked most. Besides the characters and the intricate plot, I thoroughly enjoyed the dance studio and the part it portrayed for Obsidian. The names for the ops as dances were brilliantly done and often brought a smile. The orchid and its role was a nice touch and a meaningful one. I liked the connection. Then there was the adventure, drama and tense action as we followed the hero and heroine across the globe. There was also some passionate and ‘intense’ action along the way, including a few ‘mature’ passages. These scenes were written in a way that made them blend perfectly within the storyline, adding to the tension and drama, without detouring or taking away from the plot.


After hearing so much about this book before it was released, I was fascinated with the concept and couldn’t wait to read it. I was not disappointed. Everything was believable and well-done. I am extremely impressed with the writing ability of this author and the study involved for the background of her plot. This book is a black op thriller that has James Bond meet Pride & Prejudice in the present. It has something for everyone, whether a fan of just one or both. I got caught up in the adventure and lived it with Darcy and Lizzy. Their chemistry was explosive! When they danced the tango, you could almost feel the electricity. Denial of Conscience is a book well worth reading and I recommend it highly. Very good, Cat Gardiner. I cannot wait to see what you write next!

What do you think? I would like to hear your thoughts on this heart-pounding tale of love and intrigue. Did any of you participate in the 'Hog Tour'? I did and it was such fun! Share your thoughts and you might just win a surprise! That's all I will say for now! Secrets and more secrets. :) You have until 11:59 PM on the 16th of November to comment. If I do not already have your contact info, I cannot contact you if you win! Please be sure and leave me a way to reach you, should you be the randomly selected winner of this surprise giveaway! 

22 comments:

  1. I enjoyed reading this book and I was the North Carolina stop of the hog tour. I still have everything he came with too. I intrigued about the giveaway as well. carterkristina2@gmail.com

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    1. I still have everything that came with my stop too. I was a Texas stop...the Hill Country. Wasn't that fun! I keep changing my mind on what my giveaway will be so guess it's still partly a secret to me too. ☺️

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  2. I had a blast reading this one, too, Janet. It was fun to see Darcy as a James Bond and then the exciting suspense and action. The exotic locales were great, but the home setting was creative for a modern P&P. The extras on her webpage was fun just like with her first story.

    I'm intrigued by your secret, secret!
    sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

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    1. I agree completely, Sophia Rose. Everyghing about it was exiting and fun. Very different and creative. I'm still undecided on my 'secret' so guess we will all have to wait and see! 😀 I have it narrowed down to a couple of things tho. lol

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  3. Loved this modern version but I'd say it was more P&P meets Jason Bourne than James Bond. I don't think I'm giving away too much in the way of spoilers by saying that Darcy falling in love with Elizabeth through the scope of a sniper rifle is definitely a unique twist!

    And you're adding your own intrigue too, Janet.

    angmardee ( at ) hotmail ( dot ) com

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    1. Anji, I think you are correct on all accounts. Why didn't I think of Jason Bourne. Yes, the way DARCY fell in love was definitely a unique twist and fixed the course of the novel. Don't think you are giving away too much! 😊

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  4. Thank you so much Janet for this wonderful review. I adore that you see some canon traits in our Lizzy in DoC. With only two sisters, and Jane bailing on her, to me it seemed a logical decision for her to do anything to keep Longbourn for her father. Especially, since she doesn't quite believe in romantic love. ;) I had such a blast on the Hog Tour and thank you for participating with all my other VPP friends! Darcy went to some exciting places, even Israel! I, too, am intrigued what giveaway surprise you have for one lucky lady visiting MAE. Thank you, again!!! See you for Villa Fortuna.

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    1. Cat, I thought Lizzy much like she would have been had she lived in modern times. I feel we always have to allow for how the world in which the characters live at the time of a book's plot, would actually affect or change them from their original counterparts. I think Darcy, in his being or essence, is very much like canon too. I should have said so in my review shouldn't I! I liked how you portrayed the characters and developed their personalities. It was very well done.

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    2. How did I miss your reply? I'm so sorry, Janet! You feel as I do with allowing modern times to alter that character of our hero and heroine. The world and it's influences can easily change us. I try to write as realistically as possible - but remembering - that this is still a romance novel. So while some may say "Love at first sight? Impossible!" I say "That's why I read and write romance." It's a delicate balance. Thank you so much and Merry Christmas, girlfriend!

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  5. I loved this book (won it this past summer) and I also loved Lucky 13. Cat is a very intense, well paced writer. I missed the opportunity to use the very clever links on the latter to hear the webcasts, but plan to re read it at Christmas when I am back in RI.

    rcmsilvia@gmail.com

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    1. Lucky you for winning it! I plan to read Lucky 13 around Christmas myself! Good luck in the giveaway.

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  6. I took part in the hog tour too. Darcy had a blast visiting some of the sights that I frequent in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I enjoyed the review and can't wait to find out what the surprise is.

    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I remember your posts in the Hog Tour, Sylvia. It was a good time, wasn't it. Glad you enjoyed the review. I will be revealing the surprise soon! (now that the giveaway is over, I better, hadn't I! :) )

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  7. I laughed out loud at how you used the word "executed"! :) I adore Denial of Conscience! This Darcy is my book boyfriend, as Cat already knows, and I am head-over-heels in love with him! <3 I also love surprises, and can't help but wonder about the one you have. Perhaps my wonderful book boyfriend will show up to give me a foot rub? ;) LOL My email is zoeburtonauthor(at)outlook(dot)com.

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    1. I"m glad you noticed that, Zoe! I chuckled myself as I wrote it! I can certainly see why you are head over heals in love with this Darcy! My, he is such an intense character and has such depth. Oh, I do wish he could give you a foot rub but I might have to have him give me one first! That would be quite the surprise wouldn't it! haha!

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  8. I loved the story. It was an exciting and original one!

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  9. Mi cat clicked publish before I finished... O.o

    I also took part on the Hog Tour, it was so much fun!

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    1. Your cat was ready for you to post, huh! Too cute! Glad to hear your thoughts on this delicious book. I thought the Hog Tour was great fun! I enjoyed seeing all the places he traveled and the neat comments left about his travels.

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  10. I love this book, it is such a unique plot. I highly recommend this book to anybody who loves action-packed book.

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    1. I think this is one of the most original plots I have read. Your assessment is spot-on!

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  11. I had fun with book as well. New twist and quite the Darcy!

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