Recently finished a book published in August from Jaye Peaches, an author that many of you know. I wanted to share some of my thoughts in my little book report format. I was one of those few children who loved book reports. This gives me the same opportunity to talk about what I like to read. This was my first time reading a story by Jaye, and it was a wonderful tale with lots of loving spankings, and delicious sex.
Title: Sophia and the Duke
Author: Jaye Peaches
Number of Pages: 141
Themes: Transformation, Discovery, Obedience, and Fulfillment
Setting: Takes place in England, but Sophia's family are French and fled the Revolution.
Main Characters:
- Sophia - the 22 year old dowager duchess of Brockenhurst. This beautiful young widow is a bit of an aristocratic snob. Her first marriage was not for love, but for the title and prestige that came with the elderly duke. She has never known the love of a young, authoritative man.
- Nathanial Hartwell - is the handsome but scruffy next-in-line for the title of Duke of Brockenhurst. He is recalled from the wilds of Canada where he has made his living as a trapper. He knows his duty to the title, but is unimpressed with the superficial airs of high society.
- Maria, Comtesse d'Orbec - Sophia's domineering grandmother. Maria pushes her granddaughter to encourage Nathanial as a suitor to retain Sophia's status as duchess as well as the family's standing in society.
All the Other Book Report Stuff -
Sophia and the Duke is definitely a period piece, but well
researched. The history and details of that era in England give a richness to the story of these 2 people. It adds interest that Sophia's people came to England to avoid the turmoil of the French Revolution.
When we first meet Sophia, we come to know fairly quickly that she is rich and spoiled. She is likeable, though, and her aristocratic airs are soon understood when the author describes Sophia's grandmother. When, at last, the mourning period for her first husband comes to an end, I couldn't help smiling when the author describes Sophia's joy. "Sophia spun on her tiptoes, her arms
outstretched. She felt glorious like a bird released from a tiny cage." An excellent simile, and one used by many revered English authors. This quote is also a foretelling of her relationship with Nathanial.
Since her first husband, the Duke of Brockenhurst died without an heir, the title is passed down to a distant cousin that has to be located in the wilderness of Canada. Enter Nathanial Hartwell - young, handsome, and masterful. When the two first meet, I really liked that they didn't fall in love the moment they saw each other. Although they do acknowledge the beauty and presence of the other. It was also refreshing to have the hero and heroine both pleasure themselves while just thinking of the other. I haven't run
across that very often in spanking fiction. My favorite scene early on was when they parried back and forth over breakfast like a little fencing match. Touche'
We soon see each of them trying to remake the other to suit themselves, and it makes for some fiery exchanges. Sophia tries to teach Nathanial the acceptable behavior for a duke. And Nathanial tries to teach her to show him kindness and acceptance without the sarcasm and pettiness to which she so easily reverts.
There is a central theme of transformation in this book. Sort of a "Spanking Pygmalion" story, except both the characters are playing the mentor and the student. However, we all know which one we want to emerge as the dominant one! And boy, does he.
When Sophia mocks him at the ball because he cannot yet dance well, she gets her comeuppance in a mighty big way. Before he spanks her Nathanial says, "I may have improved my manners; now
it is your turn. Your drawers, Sophia, remove them." Oh, be still my beating heart!
Be ready for a 2 chapter wedding night with the most titillating descriptions. Sophia may have been married before, but it is Nathanial that teaches her to make love and take love. The "honeymoon" is a complete surprise to both Sophia and the reader. Some very innovative spanking implements are employed as Nathanial trains his new bride to be obedient, humble, and kind. She really does learn that being submissive will bring her happiness and fulfillment.
Enjoyed this book enough to read it twice. I usually love cowboy spanking books the best, but I am truly making an exception for this Duke. Thanks, JP!
Have you ever, ever, ever in your long-legged life.
1 Stood on top of a very high mountain or cliff, looking down at countryside, or out to sea?
Yes, I have. It felt like God was tapping on my shoulder.
2
Lay on your back on a hot summer's night, listening to the crickets
chirping, and watching the satellites as they chase each other across
the heavens?
I
loved to do that as a child. I have also done it up in the mountains
far away from the city lights. It is incredible to see that many stars.
3 Skinny-dipped at midnight?
Unfortunately, no. I have always wanted to, though.
4 Intentionally or inadvertently swum with sharks?
Yikes, no! I did swim among a huge invasion of jellyfish. I was too young to realize there could have been any danger.
5 Broken a bone in your body?
I
have never broken my own bone, but one of my students broke my little
toe. I was walking in back of his chair, and he jerked it up and back
to get up. He did not do this on purpose. A really sweet kid.
6 Driven a car at speeds in excess of 120 mph? (yes, I know it's illegal, but the motorway was very quiet at the time)
No
way! I am such a chicken about driving fast. If Sam is driving faster
than I like, he gets annoyed when I start gripping my seat.
7 Played "Pooh Sticks"?
Yes,
on a camping trip to Arkansas. However, I also fished from the same
bridge. I loved letting my worm and hook drift out the other side.
8 Run in a "Pancake" race?
Had
to look that up online, Ami. Sounds silly and fun! Have never done
that, though. Kind of like Guy Fawkes Day. Just not a North American
tradition.
9 Had your eyelashes dyed?
Tried
to do this myself back in high school. I got the dye in my eye and
almost had to go to the hospital. My dad threw the bottle and brush
in the trash.
10 Ridden a horse naked?
No, but I definitely want to hear about when you did, Little Ami!
11 Punted down the River Cam? (or any other river)
Did some rowing on a gentle stream in Wisconsin, but only put the oar down to the bottom to get on and off the shore.
12 Played tennis in a short white tennis skirt whilst wearing minimal knickers?
Tennis
is not my game, but I know Sam would be interested in any sport in
which a woman was bending over wearing minimal knickers.
13 Helped an inebriated husband up the stairs at 2 in the morning?
Not
up the stairs, but I once found him drunk and sleeping in the hammock
in the backyard at 3:00 am in the morning. He finished his MBA and
celebrated with the people in his study group. The dog barked to be let
in, but I could not find Sam anywhere. When I finally located him in
the dark, I decided to just leave him there.
14
Been too scared to get out of a swimming pool whilst on holiday, due
to a very large Doberman sitting on the edge watching you? (no-one was
around at the time)
The only time I remember being scared to get out of the pool was when the top of my bikini came off.
15 Sat in a deckchair snoozing happily whilst the sound of leather on willow echoes distantly in your ears?
Had
to look that one up, too! Cricket, right? Once I read "leather" and
"willow" I thought maybe it had to do with spanking outdoors. See where
my mind runs.
16 Taken a ride on the Maid of the Mist under the Niagara Falls?
No, but we did drive by on our honeymoon. We were headed from Canada toward Watkins Glen, NY, for racing.
17
Climbed up something - rockface, climbing wall, rope in a sports hall,
long ladder, tree - and been too scared witless to climb back down?
Yes, the ladder to the high dive at an Olympic pool. I was then too scared to dive.
18
Been too liberal with the "Eau de Cologne" which then ran down where
it shouldn't, which in turn caused you to hop madly around and rip your
knickers off and throw them as far from you as you could?
Not
in the knicker area. However, I did pick up the wrong tube on my
dresser once and sprayed perfume in my mouth. God, it was awful.
19 Made snow angels?
Yes, of course. We made whole families of angels. And forts and snowmen and one time an igloo.
20 Lost a shoe in a ploughed field on a moonlight walk home after a party?
Nope, but lost a boot in a muddy ditch.
21
Shrieked loudly, due to being spanked hard, and frightened away a
visitor/s who turned and ran back down your drive - and now you never
will know who was about to knock on your door. And you are desperately
hoping they will never ask...
No,
and this story sends chills up my spine! I am too noisy. If the dogs
see Sam take my hand and say, "Come along," they find someplace to hide.
No one can deny that good spanking leads to good sex. And if sex is great, then it's lots of fun to have pretty lingerie. I think it was Meredith who had a post once that talked about how it was strange to spend so much on something that was just going to end up on the floor. That is true and when fingering the tag, it really makes you think. But then you also think about how it will feel to slip into them/it/whatever and the look on his face when he sees you. That is a very worthwhile way to spend some dollars once in a while.
Let me start this story again and take you back a few years with Sam and I. When we were first making the big decisions about dd and ttwd, we knew we did not want lots of rules or intricate systems to determine what sort of spanking was needed. There were several discussion that led to some changes about what was and was not acceptable about my temper. I specifically asked for the help I needed to eat in a healthy way and maintain my weight. The other big change came with regard to my spending on clothes or shoes.
I have already admitted to a shoe addiction in an earlier post. That is now much more controlled and in line with what Sam sees as a healthy number of shoes. I sort of view it as a 12 stepper
 |
| These are very cute. |
approach. "I am powerless when it comes to shoe shopping and the number of shoes has become unmanageable." It was really pretty simple. I now have a cash only policy for clothes and shoes. For anything else we may need, I am free to use credit.
 |
| So are these. |
This has been in effect for close to 2 years, and I am finding I am much more discriminating about my purchases. In fact for the last 4 months, I have been banking most of my cash towards a huge vacation we are planning. I feel very sensible and happy with myself. There have been trips out of state where I may spend a bit more, but we always talk about it first. If I need a pair of black pants for work, Sam will tell me to get any basics needed.
And if I do get an itch to shop, there is one type of purchase at Sam and Ella's that is always in the budget-free zone. And, as you can guess by the title of the post, that would be lingerie. Lovely filmy little things that slide up and barely cover anything anyway. In fact if you are not accustomed to those tiny little thongs, you definitely need to get used to having the string that is supposed to be the back right between your cheeks.
I have much more fun with brassieres. I like the ones with no lining of course. Ugh, I really hate any kind of foam. Lots of muted colors, too. Lilac and red wine and soft greens and blues and pinks. Can't go wrong with black lace, of course. Lace is always nice, but there are also some beautiful ones that have supportive strips reminiscent of corsets.
Oh, let's do talk corsets.
Sam truly loves those! I do, too, but I must admit that not only do they end up on the floor, but it takes forever to get them hooked. I swear a lot during the getting them on part. Sam taking them off is lots more fun. Stockings, too. Sometimes he never does take those off.
I love easy little chemise type slips, and these are much easier than corsets by a mile. It is an easy 20 second bedroom outfit, and we are ready to play. Again, see-through lace is always a favorite. Many are from a brand called "In Bloom by Jonquil." I found the first one at Nordstrom. Since then I have found the same brand much cheaper at TJ Maxx. Also like "Betsey Johnson." Some simple and slinky, and others that float over you.
Anyway, Victoria's Secret is a budget-free zone, and it is fun to try things on. There can be many a "No" before you find that "Yes!" Then, too, one of Sam's favorites is just me in one of his white shirts and nothing else.
Jan had a very serious post this week that really touched my heart, but gave me so much to think about, too. Although the reader response did not really surprise me, there was such a surge of thoughtful comments and support from the rank and file. Everyone was quick to offer "tea and sympathy," but each comment was unique and individual. The grand total of wisdom and emotion that was shared was immense!
I am not going to repeat what our English Rose wrote, but I urge you to visit her if you have not read her post. She is reaching out
and trying to sort through so many feelings. I think she understands how much we do care.
Just Wednesday night at a nearby hospital, I participated in a focus group that was assembled to discuss our recent surgeries. The group was all women, and we sat around a large table. Even though we were all strangers, it was amazing how personal and honest the stories were when responding to the discussion starters. There was a sense of community, because we all shared a common experience.
Then early Thursday morning when I was drinking coffee and visiting blogfriends, I came across Jan's post. As I read, the tears started and my heart went out to her. She was so shattered, and yet trying to say it wasn't that important. The comments from her friends were just as moving and revealing as her post. I felt again like I was part of a circle of women. We were from many different places on the map, but we were all sitting around the same table listening and sharing. Again I sensed that feeling of community, because of our common experience.
When I think of all that it took for me to finally tell Sam about what I needed, the merest hint that it was a game would be enough to cut me to ribbons. And that has happened to some degree twice that I remember. Perhaps we think or at least hope that our men can eventually see things through our eyes, but I don't think they can. The need for him to be the leader and the protector doesn't fit into any nice, neat box. In our minds and hearts, there is not always the separation of "real life" and "ttwd." This need of ours crosses back and forth over that line a hundred times a day.
Jan's words reflected her anguish and mistrust. I think she felt betrayed and so many of the comments acknowledged that. In my mind I made a comparison; I thought about being naked and having my husband laugh at me. I would be devastated by something like that. But trusting our men with this special need of ours is essentially being naked.
I do not remember which one of you once said that we are "wired this way." But it is true, I think. And Sam is not wired that way. He has become my HOH out of love and caring. He makes mistakes. Every time we talk about this ttwd he understands a little bit better. I used to tell my students that I could not unscrew the tops of their heads and pour in all the knowledge. They had to meet me half way. As long as Sam will meet me half way, I think we will continue to grow with ttwd. He will never be perfect and neither will I. I have to be willing to bare my soul and forgive.
What a wonderful circle of women I have come to know.
Sam sometimes takes over the kitchen on Sunday afternoons Frequently, he is the "Grillmaster" which means he is running back and forth inside to outside. Besides preparing a special Sunday dinner, we often grill, roast, or smoke other meats that sustain us through the busy work week. Then just a vegetable or salad is all that is needed to create, say, a Tuesday dinner.
Anyway, on Sundays, I often become the sous chef. Last Sunday I was reminded of my lowly status when Sam totally surprised me with a stinging whack across my bottom with a large wooden
spoon. "Too bossy," he said in a low voice. I whirled around and looked at him with my mouth hanging open. We had family gathered around the dining room table just a few feet away! As I passed in back of Sam toward the pantry, I was just out of their view. However, I am sure they could hear; Sam told me later he was confident no one would notice just one loud sound. And they didn't.
This incident and my recent spanking implement poll got me thinking of all the kitchen utensils that become "weapons of ass destruction." From reading blogs from far and wide, Sam is not the only HOH skilled at grabbing something handy from the kitchen canister or drawer. I suppose from his point of view, it's just plain efficient. If he decides to address a problem and we are in the front of the house, it's just a few steps to the counter.
Later that evening I got comfy on the couch and ended up watching Food Network. Then a revelation struck. Sam could have his own show. Instead of "Chopped," Sam could compete in "Spanked." Each HOH could have a basket with 4 spanking implements. When the host says, "Chefs, open your baskets," all hell breaks loose. Being judged on "creativity" sends chills down my spine and redness below that!
Although usually reserved for our new happy spankings, I will attest to Sam's prowess with a pancake flipper. That show could be named, "Flipper Over Your Knee for Breakfast." OMG! Then there could be "Iron Hand America." Ouch! Think of all the shows
with Bobby Flay. I can just imagine those evolving into, "Flaying with Spoons and Spatulas." Yikes! Finally, I thought back to the Grillmaster and a whole passel of words and phrases came to mind: roasted, grill marks, heat rising, steaming high temperatures, burned, and sizzling hot.
I turned off the TV, kissed the chef, and took my Kindle to bed to enjoy a nice, safe spanking novel.
Now it's your turn. I know I've heard of various and sundry kitchen items gone over to the dark side. Cheeseboards and Rice Paddles, and Slotted Turners! Oh, my! Let's hear about a show starring an HOH you know. Name that Show!
