Review: An interesting story mix
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 29, 2012
Loving Lucia kept me reading. There is something engaging and charming about this historical spanking romance/domestic discipline novel that kept me turning pages despite a few issues I had. It's set in 1482 Italy. Edoardo, seeking to elevate his social status, marries his daughter Lucia to Marco, the Count of Parma, who needs Lucia's dowry and winemaking skills to establish his winemaking business. Marco, used to being lord of his manor and master of all he surveys, has no intention of giving up his whoremongering ways just because he's acquired a wife. This arranged marriage has its adjustment period and Lucia frequently finds herself being spanked for disrespectful behavior.On their wedding night, a trick played upon Lucia by the maids leads to a misunderstanding on Marco's part and he insults his virgin bride. She slaps him, and receives her first spanking.Because it's a historical novel, I had no problem with Marco's womanizing or ruling his household with an open hand. I don't doubt that in 1482, any wife who slapped her husband would receive not a spanking but a full on beating. So within the historical context, it felt accurate.However, the novel had a contemporary feel to it, with the characters seeming to act out of a place of modern sensibility. Although Marco claims his "rights" as lord and spanks (and whips) without hesitation, at other times, he acted like a present day champion of women, putting Lucia in charge of his winery, informing the servants her word is law, and providing a haven to her sister whose ruined reputation could have damaged his social standing.But because of the contemporary feel and the way he supported Lucia and her sister on so many occasions, some of the spankings - one in particular -- did not sit well with me.  I won't spoil it by giving particulars, but will let you make your own judgment.This was the first book of Renee Rose's that I've read. I enjoyed it. She writes well and the book flowed nicely. Even though I didn't always agree that Lucia should have been spanked for the reasons she was, the scenes were well written. I look forward to reading more by this author.