Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway - - A Lady's Code of Misconduct


A Lady’s Code of Misconduct
By Meredith Duran
Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: February 28, 2017
Reviewed by: Janga




For six years, orphan Jane Mason has endured immuration in the country while her paternal uncle and guardian embezzled from her inheritance and controlled her every move. She has watched as he played his corrupt political games and planned to marry her to his son, who is as loathsome as his father, albeit less powerful. Her only hope lies in somehow finding a husband before she is forced to marry her cousin. Her father’s will gives her control of her fortune upon her marriage and therein lies her chance for freedom. When her uncle discovers and successfully thwarts her first effort, Jane strikes an uneasy bargain with Crispin Burke, a political associate of her uncle, one who is his equal in ruthlessness and even more powerful. She will spy on her uncle for Crispin, and he will provide her with marriage papers signed by an avaricious archbishop that will stand up under any examination so long as her “husband” makes no objections.

The mysterious and ferociously ambitious Crispin is determined to become prime minister of England. He has crafted a plan that will bring down the current government and set the scene for his ascendancy, but before his plan reaches fruition, Crispin is brutally assaulted. He is not expected to survive the attack. Jane seizes the opportunity and claims Crispin as her husband. Her expectation is that he will die, she will have control of her fortune and she will be free to use her money in improving the lot of the poor and downtrodden. Things do not go as Jane expected, beginning with Crispin’s survival.

When Crispin regains consciousness, he has lost his memory of the immediate past five years. He has no memory of the attack upon him, of his political machinations, or of his bargain with Jane. Jane is terrified that his memory will return and he will expose her lie. Her fear is soon complicated by her growing feelings for the kinder, gentler Crispin who emerges as he recovers. For his part, Crispin is discovering that the young woman of whom he has no memory is exactly what he needs, an intelligent, accomplished political wife who balances his harshness. Can love flourish when a lie is its foundation?

In this fifth book in her Rules for the Reckless series, Meredith Duran takes some common tropes in historical romance—fake marriage, amnesia, and the redeemed hero among them—gives them a fresh twist, adds Victorian political intrigue and a touch of suspense, and gifts her readers with a novel that is as close to perfect as any historical romance in my memory. The characters are compelling. Subverted power employed by intelligent women who are denied legitimate power has long been a theme identified in literary fiction, but I have seldom seen it employed more deftly than in Duran’s talented hands in this book. Jane has depth, complexity, and believability as a woman of her time. The redemption of Crispin Burke is not a simplistic uncovering of a man’s better self. He begins as an embittered, single-minded man who sees power as revenge and validation and who has few reservations about what he is willing to do to achieve his goals. Even with the amnesia, his transformation is neither saccharine nor magical. Something of the essential Crispin remains. The villains are selfish, greedy, small-minded, and lacking in compassion and human decency. In other words, they are believable because readers know their contemporary counterparts.

Some writers are gifted storytellers, some are brilliant wordsmiths, and some few are both. Duran falls in the last group. A Lady’s Code of Misconduct engaged my mind and touched my heart—my criteria for a best book. The conflict (internal and external) demanded my attention from beginning to end, and I found the pacing superb. Duran’s prose is one of her strengths. It is lucid always and lyrical often, and the dialogue in this one is impeccable. The love scenes are sensual enough to please those who demand a high sizzle factor, but they are never mere titillation.

I have been a Duran fan since I read her first book, Duke of Shadows, upon PJ’s recommendation. All of her books are on my keeper shelves. I rank this new book with her very best. If you are a historical romance reader looking for a novel that will captivate with its craft and complexity, command your investment in substantive, unforgettable characters, and delight with its flawless prose, A Lady’s Code of Misconduct may be just the book you have been longing to read. I give it my highest recommendation. If I could add a few stars to the five above to emphasize how much I loved this book, I would do so.


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As noted in her bio below, Meredith Duran enjoys collecting old etiquette manuals, guidebooks to nineteenth-century London, and travelogues by intrepid Victorian women. 

Readers, what do you enjoy collecting? One randomly chosen person leaving a comment will receive a Reckless Reward: autographed copies of Fool Me Twice, Lady Be Good, and Luck Be A Lady. (U.S. only) Deadline to enter giveaway is 11:59 PM (PST) today.



Meredith Duran is the author of ten previous novels, including The Duke of Shadows (winner of the Gather.com First Chapters Romance Writing Competition); Wicked Becomes You (included on the Woman’s World List of Best Beach Reads for Summer 2010), and the USA TODAY bestseller and RITA Award Winner Fool Me Twice. She blames Anne Boleyn for sparking her lifelong obsession with British history, and for convincing her that princely love is no prize if it doesn’t come with a happily-ever-after. She enjoys collecting old etiquette manuals, guidebooks to nineteenth-century London, and travelogues by intrepid Victorian women. Visit her at MeredithDuran.com, on Twitter @meredithduran and FacebookAuthorMeredithDuran.




More Opportunities to Win! 
The twenty starred blogs (*) below will give away one set (Reckless Reward!) of three autographed copies in the Rules for the Reckless series: Fool Me TwiceLady Be Good, and Luck Be A Lady. You can enter on all participating sites, but you can only win once. To celebrate the fifth in the series, there will be five Reckless Reward giveaways per day beginning publication day, Tuesday, February 28th – Friday, March 3rd. U.S. only.

 Blog Tour:

Bookaholics Romance Book Club INTERVIEW WITH MEREDITH DURAN and  GIVEAWAY

Sunday, February 26th

Monday, February 27th

Tuesday, February 28th
Toot’s Book Reviews – Feature

Wednesday, March 1st

Thursday, March 2nd
Dirty Girl Romance - Spotlight
Bookhounds – Q&A

Friday, March 3rd
Night Owl Reviews – Author Guest Post

Saturday, March 4th

Sunday, March 5th

Monday, March 6th
Reading Frenzy – Spotlight
Bookish - Giveaway

Tuesday, March 7th
Bookworm2bookworm – Spotlight, Excerpt, and Review
Celtic Lady’s Reviews – Spotlight

Wednesday, March 8th

33 comments:

  1. This one is not-so-patiently waiting on my tbr. Janga knows how much I adore Meredith Duran's books. In my opinion, she's one of the best authors writing today.

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  2. I've read all of Meredith's previous books, so there's no need to enter me into the contest. I am, however, looking forward to reading "A Lady's Code of Misconduct". I used to collect Beanie babies.

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    1. I used to collect them too, Diane. I gave them all away when I moved to my condo.

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    2. P.J. I gave over 300 of them to Goodwill, but kept a lot of the special bears for myself. When I thinkk of the times I spent in line...in freezing weather and snow when I lived in Ohio. LOL

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  3. Meredith's novels are captivating. I collect teas.

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  4. This book would be greatly enjoyed. I collect journals.

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    1. Journals that you write in or other people's journals?

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  5. I love Meredith Duran's books, and this one sounds so intriguing. I like amnesia/fresh start plots.

    I collect teapots and BOOKS. :-)

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    1. How many teapots do you have, cheryl? I think we all could probably fall into the book collector category. ;-)

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  6. I hope all of you who read A Lady's Code of Misconduct enjoy it as much as I did. PJ, I feel confident that you will love it.

    Thanks in large part to PJ's thoughtfulness and generosity, I have a growing collection of books signed by the author. I also collect angels.

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    1. I love that you collect angels, Janga. It seems so perfect for you.

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  7. I've only read one of hers but really enjoyed it - I need to catch up!

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  8. Meredith is a new author for me, so haven't read any of her books yet.

    I collect books.

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  9. I always enjoy Meredith's books. I'm not a big collector, except for books.

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    1. Glad to hear you enjoy Meredith's books too, Kim!

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  10. I have a nice collection of kaleidoscopes. And books. Can't forget books. I'm looking forward to reading Meredith's newest. Thanks for the post and giveaway.

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    1. What a cool collection! I love kaleidoscopes but I've never met anyone who collects them. How many do you have? Are any of them antiques?

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    2. No antiques, but I do have several that are hand made. Those are my favorites. I have almost 40 of them.

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  11. I love Meredith's books. Thanks for the awesome review. I collect Depression Glass and vintage compacts.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. Depression glass is so beautiful. How did you start collecting vintage compacts?

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  12. I love the idea that a writer has created an historic world where women have brains and ability. Thank you! This review has created another book I "Must" get. I am a collector of vintage tins and some flower arranging items, like old frogs, and books,,,,,tons of books. It is an addiction. Thanks.

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    1. So many different and interesting things you all collect! Hope you enjoy Duran's books, Annette!

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  13. I'm boring :) I just "collect" books although it's closer to hoarding. This sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. I SO have to get caught up with her books! Obviously, I collect books. I also collect boots.

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  15. books! ha! I've slowly been downsizing my collections. I do like little heart-shaped items.

    denise

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  16. I have always found excellent recommendations on the Romance Dish and this sounds like an excellent one. I look forward to reading A Lady’s Code of Misconduct. I will have to check my TBR mountain to see what books by Meredith Duran may be hidden there.
    I collect books. I have several different groupings: religion, romance, mystery & thrillers, science, history, general fiction, children's books, cookbooks, regional, and travel. I enjoy old books and have some dating to the early to mid-1800's. The non-fiction books deal with social behavior and rules, children, and historical events. Our family bible is a beautiful 1865 version. I enjoy reading novels written in the time period in which they are set. They give you an interesting insight into "current" ways of thinking, language use, and how "current" events are viewed. I have a collection of bookmarks to go along with the books.

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  17. I enjoy collecting books by my favorite authors.

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  18. Yes, I admit that I collect books. (also, depression era glassware)
    rosesareblue at outlook dot com

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