WIP: Work in progress. WIP it up Wednesday is a hop where writers share portions of the project they're working on with readers. I really like the idea because it allows me to share something that's still in the creative stage as well as work behind the scenes as a prompt to keep me writing.
However, today, I've decided to take a break from my WIP in order to share an excerpt from my first book in the Corbin's Bend series, A Simple Misunderstanding, where I tackle the problem of recognizing and addressing spousal abuse in a liberal spanking community. The community's residents right to privacy is paramount, and sometimes rough play can produce bruises that appear similar to abuse. So, as long as both partners deny any problems exist, the community can't take action. To do so would jeopardize the very foundation of what they've struggled so hard to build.
He came to her rescue when she needed him most, almost to lose her when she disobeyed him.
In this scene, which occurs in Chapter 3, Gerald Douglas (Jerry, who is the Corbin's Bend veterinarian) suspects Eleanor Benson (Elly) is being abused. So, he's asked her mentor, Kelli Stevens, to check on her. Both submissives and dominants are assigned mentors in Corbin's Bend to help them with any issues or questions they might have about the domestic discipline dynamic. Though Elly likes Kelli, she blames herself for any problems she and Arthur may be experiencing, so she's not been entirely honest with her mentor. Kelli suspects this and asks if Elly would prefer to have a younger mentor. Elly is surprised by the question, so Kelli points to the bruises on Elly's wrists. Bruises left by the handcuffs Arthur had put on her the night before. Elly promptly covers the marks, insisting they were caused by her struggling and that Arthur had never intended to hurt her. So, Kelli asks if Elly's bruises were an accident.
Nodding, Elly
added, “I need to be more accepting of his discipline. He only wants what is
best for me.”
“And does he
take care of you afterward?”
Elly
hesitated for a moment, then nodded again. Arthur often had sex with her after
a discipline session, though he didn’t always remove the cuffs and her gag
until he was through.
“Do you enjoy
your DD relationship with your husband?”
Blinking,
Elly wondered what part about domestic discipline she was supposed to enjoy. Did
anyone actually enjoy getting spanked? Not in her opinion, they didn’t. She
certainly didn’t enjoy Arthur’s punishments. Did she deserve his discipline? Most
times, yes. Did she love him? She tried to, but his strict inflexibility
angered her sometimes. He’d changed once they’d moved to Corbin’s Bend, but he’d
said she’d become lazy and disorganized and needed a firmer hand now. Where was
the enjoyment in that? “I think the discipline is what I need to be a better
person,” she answered carefully.
“But you can’t
say you enjoy it. I don’t mean the punishments, but the rest.”
What rest? What
else was there? “I’m still learning, Kelli. It’s not easy.”
Kelli patted
her arm. “No, it isn’t. But if you two love each other, you’ll work things out.”
Relieved,
Elly nodded more vigorously this time. “I’m sure we will.”
Though a part of her knows she's not being entirely truthful with Kelli, Elly blames herself for her husband's firm discipline. She's convinced if she just tries a little harder things will be better between them.
M/F Domestic Discipline in Colorado.
Blurb:
Though Arthur and Eleanor Benson have been practicing domestic discipline for three months since their wedding, he insists moving to Corbin's Bend, where domestic discipline is the norm rather than the exception, will revitalize their marriage. Elly has doubts, but since Arthur is the undisputed head of their household, they move. However, once Arthur becomes immersed in a community where spanking is not only permitted, but encouraged, his personality undergoes a dramatic change. Accusing his submissive wife of being lazy, disorganized and disobedient, he employs creative methods of pain and humiliation to mold Elly from the imperfect woman he married into the perfect woman he desires. And Elly finds herself a virtual prisoner in her own home, accountable only to the man who rules her life with a cane.
In his years as a vet, Jerry Douglas has seen what abuse does to animals, and he recognizes those same signs in Elly Benson during her daily escape to the dog park with her tiny poodle. Jerry steadfastly supports the tenets of domestic discipline and enjoys the freedom Corbin's Bend offers its residents, but he remains fiercely protective of anyone in need of a champion. And when he witnesses evidence of harsh handling, his instinct is to rush in and rescue. Problem is Elly Benson is a married and consenting adult who insists all her bruises and welts are nothing more than a simple misunderstanding between her and her husband, until the day Arthur Benson takes his authority and discipline one-step too far, endangering Elly's life.
A Simple Misunderstanding is available at the following locations.
 |
| Muffin. How can you say "no" to this face? |
I also have a page on my web site where I am offering a sample of the first three chapters. If you're interested, visit either the Spanking Romance or A Simple Misunderstanding page in the Over 18 section of my website.
Hope you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for visiting. Now go visit the other authors and see what they're sharing by either clicking one of the links below, or visiting WIP it up Wednesday.
Hope you enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for visiting. Now go visit the other authors and see what they're sharing by either clicking one of the links below, or visiting WIP it up Wednesday.
I really enjoyed this book Kathryn, and this was a powerful scene, the contradictions between Kelly's thoughts and what she says.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
Aww! Poor Elly. She needs to get away from Arthur. Stat! Great snippet, Kathryn!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my fave CB books. It's one of those subjects that more clearly defines the discipline vs abuse area most refuse to touch on.
ReplyDelete