Title: Misconduct
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Organized by: As the Pages Turn
Synopsis
Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…
Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.
Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…
(*STANDALONE, NO CLIFFHANGER*)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U5L7TP8/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01063XPUM
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/misconduct-penelope-douglas/1121318405
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/misconduct-2
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/misconduct/id972530324
BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Misconduct/Penelope-Douglas/Q309835618
Review
Misconduct is an amazing story that is about so much more than a forbidden love affair between a teacher and a student’s parent. It’s about deciding between wants versus needs; it’s about struggling for control in an environment that can suck you in and spit you out. It’s about putting the important people/things first and ensuring that they stay there regardless of the different directions you’re pulled. It’s about feeling safe; it’s about speaking your mind and fighting for yourself.
There are so many layers to the story line and the characters that I couldn’t read fast enough; I needed to understand Easton and Tyler’s state of mind and the reasons they were so driven, sacrificing quite a bit to achieve their goals, especially Tyler. As the story continues and builds, Easton and Tyler grow as individuals and begin to question many things, ultimately not finding the answers until they dig deep and realize what they need to be happy.
Both characters have dual identities – one used in public and one used in private and while in order for their liaisons to stay private, they need to watch their actions and body language, the pull that they feel towards each other is not easily hidden because it’s more than their bodies that they crave – it’s how they make each other feel and what they offer to one another outside of the bedroom as well.
Regardless of their age difference and the forbidden aspect of their relationship, Easton and Tyler risk their careers, their ambitions, and those they love in order to continue their relationship and even though it’s a matter of when not if their misconduct is made public, they need to decide what’s most important to them and what they’re willing to lose to remain together.
Penelope Douglas continues to mesmerize readers with her versatility as a storyteller and her creation of multifaceted characters. Despite knowing the difference between right and wrong, Douglas makes us question why a relationship like the one Easton and Tyler share is inappropriate when it seems to be one that frees them more than confines them. Why can’t they be both Easton and Ms. Bradbury and Tyler and Mr. Marek? Who does it hurt? What do they gain except each other? In terms of the black and white of life, I understand the misconduct at play but because life is messy and mostly grey, it would seem there are more dangerous relationships.
A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
5 Poison Apples
Excerpt
“Good morning. Tyler Marek’s office,” a woman’s pleasant voice chirped. “How can I help you?”
My heart pounded in my ears, and I could feel the pulse in my neck throb. I held back, almost wishing he wasn’t in his office after all.
I needed time to calm down.
But I swallowed and pushed forward anyway. “Yes, hello,” I rushed out.
“Easton, keep your cool,” I heard my brother warn from my side.
I bit my lip to keep the anger out of my voice. “I’m Easton Bradbury calling for Mr. Marek,” I told her. “I’m sure he’s not in today, but—”
“Just a moment, please,” she interrupted, and disappeared.
I sucked in a breath, realizing that he was in after all.
“Marek?” my brother asked. “Tyler Marek?”
I glanced at him, arching an eyebrow in annoyance.
“Easton, get off the call,” Jack ordered.
His arm shot out, trying to grab the phone, but I slapped his hand away.
“Watch the road!” I barked, pointing at the street ahead.
“Easton, I’m serious,” he growled. “Tyler Marek has a workforce of more than ten thousand people. He may be a senator, for crying out loud. It isn’t your place to argue with him.”
I shot him a look. My place?
My brother was worried about his career, but I didn’t care who Marek was. He was still a man.
Nothing but a man.
“Ms. Bradbury.”
I turned my head away from my brother, suddenly hearing Marek’s voice in my ear.
Thick anticipation filled my chest, and I dropped my eyes, disappointed that I was actually excited.
“Mr. Marek,” I replied curtly, remembering why I had called. “I received your e-mail, and I’d love to . . .” I trailed off, wiping the sweat off my hairline. “I’d love to schedule a meeting to sit down and work out a plan for Christian.”
“We’ve already met,” he pointed out, his voice clipped. “And it was not a productive use of my time, Ms. Bradbury.”
I tried reasoning. “Mr. Marek, we both want what’s best for your son. If we work together—”
“Ms. Bradbury.” He cut me off, and I could hear people talking in the background. “Apparently I wasn’t clear enough in my e-mail, so let me save us both some time. My son has no problems with any other teacher, so it goes without saying that you’re the problem.” His stern voice cut me, and I felt like shrinking. “You suffer from an overindulged sense of entitlement, and you forget that your job is on a yearly contract.”
My eyes widened, taking in his threat that my job this year could belong to someone else next year. I fisted the hem of the skirt at my thigh.
“Now, I’m a busy man,” he continued, sounding condescending, “and I don’t have time for silly young women who don’t know their place.”
My skin stung from where my fingernail dug in. His son didn’t have problems with me. Perhaps I graded harder than other teachers, and I might have had unorthodox methods, but most of the students enjoyed my class, including Christian. When he participated. If he ever challenged me, it was because his father wouldn’t allow him the freedom to have the tools to participate like all the other students.
“Now, can I get on with my day and consider this issue settled?” he sniped.
Heat spread over my skin, and I bared my teeth. “You can go to hell,” I shot back, raging. “No wonder he can’t stand you.”
“Easton!” Jack burst out next me.
But it was too late. My eyes widened, and my hand tingled, nearly losing grip on the phone.
What the hell did I just say?
About the Author
Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.
She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream. Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or…
You know what? It doesn’t matter. She loves Coke. Now you know.
She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter.
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GIVEAWAY
(5) Signed copy of Misconduct (Intl)
(3) $20 Amazon or B&N gift card, winner’s choice (Intl)
Fairest Of All Book Reviews 
Just finished CORRUPT , and for the looks of it MISCONDUCT won´t disappont me (^.^)/