Disciplining the Duchess Paperback – February 26, 2013

Usually, I'm not into historical romances. They make me think of stiff dresses and stiff ladies and stiff sticks up peoples' a$$e$. I don't go picking up historical romances, it's just not my thing... That's what I kept telling myself. But when Annabel Joseph came out with Disciplining the Duchess, I had to buy it and I had to read it. Because ... Annabel Joseph. Duh. (Okay, so I'll confess that I had already read Lily Mine and Cait and the Devil by this point and loved those too, so I knew this would be another great story. In fact, I've kind of turned on to reading some more historical romances because of these books.) She made this book so fun to read. The characters just came to life, they were realistic, stayed true to their time period in a believable way, yet managed to put themselves into some really funny situations... Well, Miss Harmony did. And it was quite fun to watch her squirm.Harmony is a bit of a screw up. She's so caught up in her books and her own antics that she forgets about her other responsibilities and just hopes for the best. But as the reader, I still loved her and hoped she wouldn't ever lose that passion for life and love and her childlike views. And when she screwed up, I thoroughly enjoyed reading all about her getting her bum warmed by the ultimate hotness - Court, the Duke.Court is the epitome of the Alpha male. He holds a prominent position of power as a peer of the realm, he's older than Harmony and has been around the block and knows what he's doing in and out of the bedroom. Yet, even with all that it's so easy to see him as a real person... he has flaws. Cause being dominant and rich doesn't mean being perfect. Court deals with the same issues other people deal with - making mistakes, being too harsh, too soft, dealing with guilt...What I really liked is that the love story was developed in relative real time. Harmony and Court might have been thrown together rather quickly, but their journey took time. They don't magically fall in love at first sight and everything falls right into place... They have struggles, they both screw up and then grow up a bit and I, as the reader, went through the journey with them and laughed and cried right along with them... maybe even changed my panties a few times when they got hot and steamy.It also really helped that the spanking and discipline scenes were very hot and fun and the dynamic was right on. Everything just flowed so well.Another point for this book is that there was a storyline that did not revolve around the sex. Don't misunderstand - the sex was HOT, but it's also nice when the story itself is interesting and holds you captive, so you're not thinking, "when is the next sex scene?" Instead, you can't wait to find out what happens next, period. It's just really nice when the erotica part is seamlessly integrated into the story and Annabel Joseph definitely succeeds with that.I highly recommend this book - it has everything you can ask for - humor, romance, HOT sex, HOT discipline, loveable characters, and, while last, probably also most important is that the book has an interesting story!If you found this review helpful and would like to read more of my reviews please go to haydeereviews dot blogspot dot com.

I like historical romance and I like Annabel Joseph so the book was right up my alley. A stuffy handsome duke with unconventional bedroom behavior and a quirky intelligent heroine are thrown together in a marriage of obligation. The marriage quickly turns into something more. The book was sweet and sexy with a few emotional scenes that made me want to strangle the hero and wrap my arms around the heroine. It was well written and well edited. I would recommend this novel. My only complaint was that it was too short.

First book I have read by this author but it won't be the last. I read the reviews that felt the duke in this story was abusive but I disagree. I feel when reading a historical romance you can't approach events with a modern attitude. I felt like the duke and duchess were agreed to and exploring a concentual BDSM love making that was period appropriate. Yes there a a few times where he takes it to far but is a sign of the times and how he was raised. They work through this to come to a perfect relationship that is unique and works for them. Great characters, plenty of story a bit of erotica. A perfect blend for me.

I guess I'm just hard to please. I just can't stand leading ladies that run away from anything that might be difficult or ones that act like spoiled children given to tantrums. I don't like children given to tantrums & it's just unfathomable from an adult. Otherwise there were a lot of things that were interesting about this book. The leading man of course is very strong & smart & sexy. There are a decent number of very steamy sex scenes, but not too many to detract from the actual story. If the lead female had any control over herself or her mouth at all, I would have enjoyed it so much more.

Honestly, this was the BEST spanking book I have ever read! It touched me in all the right places. I get so tired of spankings just for pleasure. No matter what the ignorant one star reviewers have to say. Some of us don't really care for that SWEET gentle stuff. I love the emotional, overly aggressive spankings (long as it's fiction) given wrongfully or whatever with the good ending.Please continue to write for readers like me. Don't let the offended ignorant readers out a stop to our good thing/escape. The haters have a million other authors they can buy their sweet sexy spanking books from. As I've said before on one of my other reviews for one of your books, if you write it, I will buy it. I'm sure I'm not alone.Great emotional work!