You can find last week's discussion here.
Although this book is clearly about Mark spanking Stephanie, there are two scenes where Stephanie actually spanks Mark and both of them are very different.
In the first Stephanie spanks Mark scene, the two of them are discussing spanking and the trust it can create in a relationship. When Stephanie asks why the same trust can't be established with a woman spanking a man, Mark says "If I allowed you to spank me, would you trust me enough to lie over my knee?" Stephanie doesn't really believe that he'd allow that, so imagine her surprise when Mark drops his pants, gives Stephanie a few pointers so as to not damage the family jewels, hands her a paddle and bends over the bed. This scene took me a little by surprise. How about the rest of you? What did you think of the idea of Stephanie spanking Mark?
What about Stephanie's reaction to spanking him?
The second scene where Stephanie spanks Mark is very different from the first one. After dating for a couple weeks, Stephanie realizes that she wants/needs a spanking but she can't bring herself to ask for it. Instead, she teases him and gives him a few swats on the butt with a wooden spoon. I'll save the other details, but it's a delicious kitchen scene that will make you want to go back for seconds.
Was Stephanie playing with fire, or what? Did you admire her daring or cover your eyes thinking "uh, oh...she's in trouble"?
Next week will be the last time we talk about Body Politics (officially). Any other thoughts on the book?
I am very curious to hear what people thought of this, so I'm going to wait a while before sharing my comments.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Wish the others would hurry up. ;)
DeleteI was very surprised when Mark offered to let Stephanie spank him, not only by his offer but by how comfortable he seemed doing so. I mean...he just dropped his pants like that! I already liked him, but this scene made me like and respect him even more.
ReplyDeleteI'm only partway through because I just got the book yesterday, but I love the equality I see between them. I think his offer demonstrates trust on his part and willingness to do what it takes to show it to her. I love that!
ReplyDeleteNot here yet, but I will come back to comment. I'm curious what I will think about it...
ReplyDeleteA few questions of my own: why were you surprised by Stephanie spanking Mark? Did it make him seem less dominant? Did you like him more or less?
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very sexy that Mark allowed Stephanie to spank him. He did it to establish trust and I think it increased his dominance not decreased it. You have to know how to follow if you want to lead. The kitchen scene is just a page out of my life book and seemed really real. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sunnygirl!
DeleteI agree w/sunnygirl. It was sexy and I love "you have to know how to follow if you want to lead." I liked him more. I thought it showed great self-confidence.
ReplyDeleteI was disappointed that Stephanie wimped out so early. I would have loved her to give Mark a good roasting! I think that her refusal to do it showed that there was an inequality, and Mark knew it full well. He was calling her bluff, really.
ReplyDeleteI anticipated that some people would feel that way. And a part of me wanted her to even the score for womankind. But I can't say more about Stephanie's motivation, because not everyone has finished the book. However, Mark was quite prepared to take the full spanking. He offered it truly as a gesture of trust.
DeleteYou call it an inequality, I'd think of it more as a balance of power that shifts. In an M/F DD relationship, I think there is an perceived overt power imbalance, but what I tried to show in Body Politics that that power is negotiated and shifts. Stephanie has tremendous influence over Mark. He's the one who pursues her even after she rebuffs him.
Note what Stephanie says she's wants in Chp. 17 and what she actually gets in the epilogue.
I thought by Mark allowing Stephanie to spank him he was showing her he trusted her so that maybe she could find it easier to trust him. I thought it spoke to his character and I liked him even more. I found the kitchen scene to be so funny and something so believable!
ReplyDeleteI may never look at Crab Cakes the same way!
DeleteI felt my heart swell when he offered to let her spank him. That's TRUST and I knew then that her life was about to change in the most beautiful, profound way!!
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly, I would have loved to have heard at least one little yelp. :)
A yelp would have been funny. I wonder what her reaction would have been then.
DeleteFirst I have to say I loved these two scenes in the book. I was certainly surprised by Mark offering himself up, but I loved it. He was showing her that he was willing to give her the same trust that he was hoping she would give him. It also helped her come to terms with spamming in increments. It allowed her to see that this wasn't something he was doing to her, but an experience they were sharing together. I loved how at ease he was in his own skin. It shows how much he had resolved within himself his need for this lifestyle. I think it made him seem sexier and more dominant.
ReplyDeleteThe second scene was fun, sexy, and lighthearted. Her conflict is one that often occurs to women in spanking relationships. I have had very similar experiences and that made this scene all the more sexy and endearing.
Good point about him being comfortable in his own skin and with his lifestyle...which is also very sexy.
DeleteThank you, Sassy. The kitchen scene was fun to write. I thought it demonstrated the playfulness of their relationship.
DeleteI loved the scene where Mark had Stephanie spank him, even though she ended up not being comfortable in that role. I think Mark was trying to show her that, that she really was a natural submissive. I think if anything it showed how much he was in control of the situation and it WAS very sexy.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen scene was fun. She was definitely pushing the boundaries. Better than actually asking for the spanking that she wanted.
I have to say I’m loving this book. I’m not finished yet :)
Thanks, Constance!
DeleteI just finished this scene last night. I was so engrossed that I found myself shaking my head no when Mark handed Stephanie the paddle and that definitely fits who I am.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated how he set it up, without question or hesitation, offering her the opportunity - I think it actually showed how equal the relationship was. I can understand in my own way - maybe thoughts will change as I read through the book - why Stephanie stopped when she did.
I was so glad she took her spanking and I liked them both so much afterwards (kind of wanted to be there sitting on Mark's lap too…). Their relationship (for me) hit a whole other level. I wonder if you can only get to this so completely in a DD sort of relationship.
I'm so glad that people like Mark and respect him for what he did and don't see him as wimpy for offering to let Stephanie spank him.
ReplyDeleteMark is a special guy. Too bad he's fictitious...
I really like the flow of the Book Club, Celeste! It lets people participate who are still in the process of reading the book. Good job and thank you again for featuring Body Politics.
ReplyDelete