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Conscience #1.5
Guilty Conscience
The characters you fell in love with in the modern Pride and Prejudice-inspired Denial of Conscience have charted a new course five months after the dramatic rescue of Thomas Bennet in Marrakech. This BONUS NOVELETTE: Guilty Conscience brings us six vignettes as we await the sequel to the first book in the Conscience Series. It is not a stand-alone piece and it is recommended that you read Denial of Conscience first.
Questions such as: What is married life like for newlyweds Fitzwilliam and Liz Darcy after their whirlwind romance in Denial of Conscience? Can the protective Darcy give his new wife wings to fly without holding on too tight? Can the newly freed Liz learn to compromise after being essentially imprisoned at Longbourn? You’ll also get a glimpse into what the future may bring this couple in Without a Conscience. Does danger lurk around the corner? Although Iceman has retired from Obsidian and trains polo ponies, could he be drawn back into black ops?
Never fear, Without a Conscience is just around the corner and then you will be on the ride of your life, right beside Iceman and Liz. Until then, enjoy this 11,000-word epilogue-esque glimpse into your favorite modern Austen-inspired characters’ lives.
Author note: This is an original, epilogue-esque continuance of Denial of Conscience. It is NOT a continuation or variation of Pride and Prejudice but instead borrows Jane Austen’s beloved characters to continue my tale of deep love and daring adventure.
*Be advised: This novelette contains mature sexual content
Questions such as: What is married life like for newlyweds Fitzwilliam and Liz Darcy after their whirlwind romance in Denial of Conscience? Can the protective Darcy give his new wife wings to fly without holding on too tight? Can the newly freed Liz learn to compromise after being essentially imprisoned at Longbourn? You’ll also get a glimpse into what the future may bring this couple in Without a Conscience. Does danger lurk around the corner? Although Iceman has retired from Obsidian and trains polo ponies, could he be drawn back into black ops?
Never fear, Without a Conscience is just around the corner and then you will be on the ride of your life, right beside Iceman and Liz. Until then, enjoy this 11,000-word epilogue-esque glimpse into your favorite modern Austen-inspired characters’ lives.
Author note: This is an original, epilogue-esque continuance of Denial of Conscience. It is NOT a continuation or variation of Pride and Prejudice but instead borrows Jane Austen’s beloved characters to continue my tale of deep love and daring adventure.
*Be advised: This novelette contains mature sexual content
42 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2016
7 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Cat Gardiner
20 books138 followersCat Gardiner loves romance and happy endings, history, and comedy. A member of the esteemed National League of American Pen Women, she enjoys writing across the spectrum of the romance genre from Contemporary to Chick-Lit Romantic Comedy, 20th Century Historical Fiction, and Pride and Prejudice-inspired.
Apart from her husband, her greatest passion is writing Historical Fiction, WWII-era. Her debut novel in this genre, A Moment Forever, was a 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award Romance Finalist. "Flying with the Swallows" WWII Historical Fiction Romance released on April 2, 2024 into Kindle Unlimited. Readers can find the riveting duology on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited and paperback.
Between writing and WWII home front re-enacting, Cat takes her readers on a swell 1940s journey at The 1940s Experience blog and gallery at cgardiner1940s.com
Connect with Cat here:
cgardiner1940s.com
facebook.com/cat.t.gardiner
facebook.com/DenialofConscience/
https://www.facebook.com/CatTGardiner...
amazon.com/author/catgardiner
https://payhip.com/CatGardinerBooks
Apart from her husband, her greatest passion is writing Historical Fiction, WWII-era. Her debut novel in this genre, A Moment Forever, was a 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Award Romance Finalist. "Flying with the Swallows" WWII Historical Fiction Romance released on April 2, 2024 into Kindle Unlimited. Readers can find the riveting duology on Amazon in Kindle Unlimited and paperback.
Between writing and WWII home front re-enacting, Cat takes her readers on a swell 1940s journey at The 1940s Experience blog and gallery at cgardiner1940s.com
Connect with Cat here:
cgardiner1940s.com
facebook.com/cat.t.gardiner
facebook.com/DenialofConscience/
https://www.facebook.com/CatTGardiner...
amazon.com/author/catgardiner
https://payhip.com/CatGardinerBooks
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 28, 2017
“… these vignettes I sketch for you – what are they? watercolors… yes and dreams blurred with tears…” John Geddes, A Familiar Rain
This is hard to rate because of the brevity of the 6 vignettes. It is like when you are going on a journey and someone is giving you information needed for your travels. As you go along, you try to remember what was told to you. It might be missing information not shown on your map. It could be something important pointed out that you will need to know. That is the feel of this quick read.
This is considered book 1.5 and is strategically placed between Denial of Conscience and Without A Conscience. I have already started the sequel and can see where information in book 1.5 has been helpful. I won’t fully know its importance until I am further along. Readers hate waiting for a sequel and this may have only been a nibble or light snack to assuage the appetite of the reading base anxious for the next book. I won’t hold that against the author. It also may have been setting the stage for the next adventure much like what happens when the stage goes dark and we watch black clad stagehands dress the next scene. What fun trying to figure out what will happen next.
This is hard to rate because of the brevity of the 6 vignettes. It is like when you are going on a journey and someone is giving you information needed for your travels. As you go along, you try to remember what was told to you. It might be missing information not shown on your map. It could be something important pointed out that you will need to know. That is the feel of this quick read.
This is considered book 1.5 and is strategically placed between Denial of Conscience and Without A Conscience. I have already started the sequel and can see where information in book 1.5 has been helpful. I won’t fully know its importance until I am further along. Readers hate waiting for a sequel and this may have only been a nibble or light snack to assuage the appetite of the reading base anxious for the next book. I won’t hold that against the author. It also may have been setting the stage for the next adventure much like what happens when the stage goes dark and we watch black clad stagehands dress the next scene. What fun trying to figure out what will happen next.
January 6, 2018
Dear Reader,
This is a six piece snapshot into the lives of some of the characters we met in Denial of Conscience.
We are privy to the disturbing end of Julia Bertram's date when events take an unexpected twist,Lizzy's short visit to her father who seems preoccupied with other matters,Lizzy's reunion with Darcy and John Knightley's brief spell in the jungle.
Looking forward to seeing where these threads lead in the next book.
This is a six piece snapshot into the lives of some of the characters we met in Denial of Conscience.
We are privy to the disturbing end of Julia Bertram's date when events take an unexpected twist,Lizzy's short visit to her father who seems preoccupied with other matters,Lizzy's reunion with Darcy and John Knightley's brief spell in the jungle.
Looking forward to seeing where these threads lead in the next book.
October 15, 2016
This extremely short work is the best of temptations for her upcoming work...now I can't wait. I am all drooling and anticipation. The CIA is under attack and Bertram, its head man, seems to now be compromised. But with Cat you can never fully rely on the breadcrumbs she drops in the way of clues. Iceman, Liz, her father (who may be up to something again), Rick Fitzwilliam, Caroline and Knightley make appearances in this excellent epilogue/preview jumping around the globe with Obsidian and those connected to its operations, past and/or present.
I will be reading this as soon as possible...one of my favorite authors of modern JAFF take offs, Cat Gardiner.
I will be reading this as soon as possible...one of my favorite authors of modern JAFF take offs, Cat Gardiner.
October 14, 2016
A Delicious Taste of What's to Come in Cat's Highly Anticipated Sequel!
This is a really quick read that's similar to an appetizer, for the highly anticipated sequel to Cat Gardiner's "Denial of Conscience." What a great little glimpse into Darcy and Lizzy's early marriage! Cat certainly knows how to get her readers ready for new thrills and chills between Darcy, Elizabeth, their family and friends. Thank you, Cat, for making these vignettes and your enticing excerpt for your new book available for readers! I can't wait to read the next book!
This is a really quick read that's similar to an appetizer, for the highly anticipated sequel to Cat Gardiner's "Denial of Conscience." What a great little glimpse into Darcy and Lizzy's early marriage! Cat certainly knows how to get her readers ready for new thrills and chills between Darcy, Elizabeth, their family and friends. Thank you, Cat, for making these vignettes and your enticing excerpt for your new book available for readers! I can't wait to read the next book!
November 27, 2018
On the Brink of Another Thrilling and Passionate Adventure!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Note: This novelette bridges the first book in this series – Denial of Conscience, with its sequel – Without a Conscience, and Denial of Conscience should be read prior to Guilty Conscience and Without a Conscience.
For those who haven’t read Denial of Conscience, it is an exhilarating and emotionally-charged Austenesque spy-thriller that tells the story of Fitzwilliam “Iceman” Darcy, who works as a government-sanctioned assassin, and Liz Bennet, a dutiful daughter who finds herself wrapped up in international intrigue. If you want to learn more about Denial of Conscience, check out my review!
In these six chapters, or vignettes, readers pay a visit to Pemberley to see how our favorite assassin and his “hell on wheels” wife are enjoying life retired in the peaceful sanctuary of Pemberley. But is everything as idyllic and blissful as it seems? Does the domestic and quiet lifestyle fully satisfy Darcy and Liz? Or do they want more? As you might guess, Darcy and Liz still have a lot to learn about being a couple, sharing their lives, and communicating…
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I adore this modern-day reincarnation of Darcy and Elizabeth. I love the all-consuming and combustable love they have for each other! But what I love most is how their love healed past wounds, opened hearts, and brought each such happiness. It truly is amazing to witness.
And what about Obsidian? After Operation Virginia Reel, what are Caroline, Rick, Charlie, and Knightley up to? Well, you will have to read this enticing teaser to find out! By the way, I should warn you that while these delectable little morsels are satisfying, they will leave you starving for more! So make sure you have a copy of Without a Conscience at the ready! Trust me.
Warning: Recommended for Mature Audiences due to intimate scenes and language
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Note: This novelette bridges the first book in this series – Denial of Conscience, with its sequel – Without a Conscience, and Denial of Conscience should be read prior to Guilty Conscience and Without a Conscience.
For those who haven’t read Denial of Conscience, it is an exhilarating and emotionally-charged Austenesque spy-thriller that tells the story of Fitzwilliam “Iceman” Darcy, who works as a government-sanctioned assassin, and Liz Bennet, a dutiful daughter who finds herself wrapped up in international intrigue. If you want to learn more about Denial of Conscience, check out my review!
In these six chapters, or vignettes, readers pay a visit to Pemberley to see how our favorite assassin and his “hell on wheels” wife are enjoying life retired in the peaceful sanctuary of Pemberley. But is everything as idyllic and blissful as it seems? Does the domestic and quiet lifestyle fully satisfy Darcy and Liz? Or do they want more? As you might guess, Darcy and Liz still have a lot to learn about being a couple, sharing their lives, and communicating…
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I adore this modern-day reincarnation of Darcy and Elizabeth. I love the all-consuming and combustable love they have for each other! But what I love most is how their love healed past wounds, opened hearts, and brought each such happiness. It truly is amazing to witness.
And what about Obsidian? After Operation Virginia Reel, what are Caroline, Rick, Charlie, and Knightley up to? Well, you will have to read this enticing teaser to find out! By the way, I should warn you that while these delectable little morsels are satisfying, they will leave you starving for more! So make sure you have a copy of Without a Conscience at the ready! Trust me.
Warning: Recommended for Mature Audiences due to intimate scenes and language
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November 3, 2017I breezed through these vignettes right after finishing Denial of Conscience, loving the scenes with Liz on a Harley and being able to get a glimpse of the next novel. It’s not necessary to read Guilty Conscience, but it sure was fun!
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
September 7, 2017
Loved this as well. I read it after the other two (probably not in order but it didn't really matter). Can't wait for the next installment.
October 25, 2016
I'm not really sure how to review this. It isn't as much a novella or a short story as much as it is a teaser for Cat Gardiner's upcoming book Without a Conscience.
Lizzy and The Iceman have been married for several months, and they obviously haven't lost their sexual spark. There's one highly erotic scene between the two of them that definitely is R-rated. Darcy is no longer part of Obsidian, but there is a lot of intrigue presented here with no immediate resolution. Liz goes to visit her father, who seems like perhaps he's up to something. The reader is witness to a victim who is drugged and assumedly kidnapped, and the identity of the kidnap victim is troubling in terms of US national security. John Knightly, a fairly new but highly trained Obsidian sniper, is on a mission in a miserable region of the world, but will he be discovered?
Basically, we have a few storylines introduced with none resolved at the end of this "novelette." It's well-written, as Cat's stories always are. Characters jump off the pages. Great descriptions and atmosphere. It is clearly not a stand-alone, as it's a bridge between Cat's previous book, Denial of Conscience: A Modern Darcy & Elizabeth Adventure, and the next one. I enjoyed it as such but I wouldn't recommend it for readers who have not already read the previous book and plan to read the sequel.
Lizzy and The Iceman have been married for several months, and they obviously haven't lost their sexual spark. There's one highly erotic scene between the two of them that definitely is R-rated. Darcy is no longer part of Obsidian, but there is a lot of intrigue presented here with no immediate resolution. Liz goes to visit her father, who seems like perhaps he's up to something. The reader is witness to a victim who is drugged and assumedly kidnapped, and the identity of the kidnap victim is troubling in terms of US national security. John Knightly, a fairly new but highly trained Obsidian sniper, is on a mission in a miserable region of the world, but will he be discovered?
Basically, we have a few storylines introduced with none resolved at the end of this "novelette." It's well-written, as Cat's stories always are. Characters jump off the pages. Great descriptions and atmosphere. It is clearly not a stand-alone, as it's a bridge between Cat's previous book, Denial of Conscience: A Modern Darcy & Elizabeth Adventure, and the next one. I enjoyed it as such but I wouldn't recommend it for readers who have not already read the previous book and plan to read the sequel.
November 3, 2016
Great!
I really enjoyed these; I can't wait for the full story to come out.
Now back to work for me!
I really enjoyed these; I can't wait for the full story to come out.
Now back to work for me!
March 10, 2017
A quick read of a novelette which fills in what has happended after the of of Denial of Conscience, and what I presume will be continued in the next sequel.
November 8, 2016
What a wonderful gift to fans and a nice tied-me-over! Guilty Conscience is an engaging series of vignettes that share the after the happily ever after moments for Iceman and Liz and sets things up for what is to come in the new installment to the series, Without a Conscience.
I loved the blend of passion, teasing, and yes, the discovery that marriage is work. I liked the peek-in with Liz's family at Longbourn. And those chapters building suspense of what is to come in Operation Macarena.
This is short and does not standalone or work out of order so best to read it after Denial of Conscience. I definitely recommend it for series fans.
I loved the blend of passion, teasing, and yes, the discovery that marriage is work. I liked the peek-in with Liz's family at Longbourn. And those chapters building suspense of what is to come in Operation Macarena.
This is short and does not standalone or work out of order so best to read it after Denial of Conscience. I definitely recommend it for series fans.
February 7, 2018
This is a very short peek into the hearts and mindsets of our favourite characters from Cat Gardiner's novel "Denial of Conscience". Five months of wedded bliss, but Elizabeth is wondering if her 'Iceman Darcy' is getting restless.
I enjoyed these little vignettes as they prepare us for the next book...'Without a Conscience'...sexy, steamy and oh so intriguing.
April 7, 2017
Entertaining series.
July 26, 2020
Anticipation
A quick peek into the married life of Darcy and Liz leading to the next book of the Conscience series. I am all anticipation and can’t wait to read the next book.
A quick peek into the married life of Darcy and Liz leading to the next book of the Conscience series. I am all anticipation and can’t wait to read the next book.
April 29, 2023
A little bit of fun - 3.5*
A little bit off fluff, a little bit of naughtiness and a little hint of what is to come in the next book.
A little bit off fluff, a little bit of naughtiness and a little hint of what is to come in the next book.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews