Question of the Week…
What do you all think of Spanking in Romances?
I remember a romance I read decades ago where the hero slapped the heroine and I wanted to kill the man then and there. He was huge and hit her hard enough to knock her to the ground. THAT IS NOT A HERO to me. I can’t remember the title of the book, I probably stopped reading it then and there. That is not sexy, fun or even excusable. It was a historical romance and I realize that “discipline” was more acceptable then, but I don’t want to read in a romance.
But, a couple months back, I read KISS OF A DEMON KING By Kresley Cole (love, love, LOVE her books!) You can click on the link to read an excerpt from the book.
The book had a spanking scene in it that totally worked. I think the reason it worked was the heroine had tormented the hero and he was paying her back. It didn’t come across as abusive but as sexy retribution. This heroine was strong in her own right, and the hero and heroine were evenly matched. Yes, the hero was physically stronger, but her heroine had her strengths that evened things out.
Besides, the hero quickly found out the heroine ENJOYED it.
In this book, I think the spanking scene totally worked!
So what do you think? Is Spanking Romantic?
April 7th, 2009 at 7:00 am · Link
It’s been awhile since I’ve read a spanking scene. I think many current authors would do it well–even in a historical. They realize women readers want a scene like that ONLY if the heroine can turn the tables on the hero or if it turns into ‘foreplay’. Humiliating her is one thing, hurting her is another.
April 7th, 2009 at 7:46 am · Link
When I read this, two movies came to mind–both starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Both involved her goading him to the point of “I’ve had enough, woman!” Which was her intent, to be honest. Both involved him chasing her down.
In The Quiet Man, he marched her to her brother’s and threatened to “give her back” if not given her dowry. When the Duke got the money, the two of them tossed it in the furnace and parted as equals.
In McClintock, there were actually two scenes, one where GW (the Duke) handed a coal shovel (from the fireplace set) to Dev so he could spank the Duke’s daughter. Then GW ended up chasing Katherine through the street. When he caught her, Dev handed GW the shovel. (Of course, McClintock was a retelling of Taming of the Shrew.) Both scenes worked because there was love and renewed respect on both sides.
I’ve never read a spanking scene in a book that I can remember and doubt I’d find it palatable under most circumstances. Interesting question, Jen. I shall contemplate it further over appletinis later today.
Margaret, the DH is going to do some checking with his buddies up your way to see who they’d recommend. I’ll be in touch.
I think I’m going to stumble back to bed. It’s cold.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:22 am · Link
I don’t think spanking is romantic. In any form. I read Paradise County by Karen Robards and it has this love scene where he’s kind of telling her what to do and how to do it and it was uncomfortable reading for me. I felt like maybe I shouldn’t be in the room for this. I’ve never considered myself a prude but this just didn’t work for me. Go figure.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:00 am · Link
Margaret, how’s your back today?
Current authors are more sensitive to abuse, so yeah, they probably do it better. I do remember I read Whitney, My Love, and there was a spanking scene meant as punishment. It didn’t bother me then, but I wonder if would offend me now?
April 7th, 2009 at 11:04 am · Link
Silver, McClintock is one of my brother’s favorite movies, but I don’t recall seeing the entire movie. I’ll have to watch it since YOU recommend it and not my brother
So now I’m thinking we should all have appletinis and ponder this some more!
If you want to get a bad taste of “spanking” go see a site called Christian Domestic Discipline. I linked to that site about four months ago while reading a review of a book. I couldn’t believe it. Just could not believe it. I’m not going to include the link because I don’t want to support them in any way.
Hope you warmed up!
April 7th, 2009 at 11:09 am · Link
Erika, I don’t think you’re a prude! I’m serious, we all have personal boundaries. If asked this question, my first response would be, heck no, spanking is not romantic. But the way Kresley Cole handled it worked for me.
I’ve read love scenes that made me uncomfortable too. So nope, don’t think you’re a prude!
April 7th, 2009 at 12:00 pm · Link
I don’t think spanking belongs in a romance scene myself. There is something about it just doesn’t seem right to me. I don’t think it mixes unless it is done in a playful way!
April 7th, 2009 at 12:50 pm · Link
Quilt Lady, that’s almost always the answer I come up with too. I started thinking about this after reading a review on a “romance” with spanking.
Fun and playful I can see. But serious spanking? I can’t see it as a romance.
April 7th, 2009 at 6:58 pm · Link
Thanks, Silver. Give your hubby a smooch/appletini for me.
My back is better, Jen, but just got back from the family walk and it’s twinging. And yes, I did take it slower than normal.
*sigh* I don’t do sick very well.