Review: A Deep Subject Treated Intelligently
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 22, 2014
A Simple Misunderstanding examines a serious subject head-on: spousal abuse in the name of domestic discipline. It's something anyone with common sense can be worried about, but, in fact, it's pretty rare among the spanko community. Dominant/submissive relationships often leave the onus on the submissive, looking for consensus before punishments or chastisement takes place. This is not the case for the heroine of the novel. Elly's husband, Arthur, is a total jerk, written without any redeeming characteristics to see. I'm sure Elly must have found something appealing about Arthur at some time early in their brief relationship, but gosh knows what it was.Veterinarian Jerry Douglas is a spanker, but the kind with a soft heart and a gentle disposition. Even through a flare of temper, he is more than considerate of Elly's needs. He doesn't mean to fall in love with her, nor she with him, but as Arthur grows more and more detached from reality, Elly becomes more vulnerable, and Jerry's compassion, his tender touch with wounded creatures, comes to the fore.The situation with Elly, Jerry and Arthur is a tangled mess, but events overcome them all and, despite some serious trials, Jerry and Elly find their way to be together.The people in this book were well-drawn, the heroes and villains clear from the beginning and true to their characters. The Corbin's Bend setting was used as an excellent backdrop for the action, and the plot moved along at a steady page-turning pace. The book was detailed and complex enough, without swamping the reader with unnecessary explanations. I thoroughly enjoyed A Simple Misunderstanding, and I recommend it most highly. I do caution women who have suffered serious abuse to remember that this is fiction.This book was purchased as part of my husband's account, so although it was purchased, not a review copy, there is no "verified" label on the review.