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Rod and Cane Society #2
False Pretenses
Aspiring journalist Emma Dupree needs a blockbuster story to boost her career into the big leagues. When she learns of a secret organization of men who spank, she goes undercover at the Rod and Cane Society to expose the organization and give her career a needed boost.
Unbeknownst to Emma, her new boyfriend Dan Tanner is a member of the society and itches to get his hands on Emma’s bottom. When his secret comes to light, Emma will have to decide…will she choose the story… or love?
Unbeknownst to Emma, her new boyfriend Dan Tanner is a member of the society and itches to get his hands on Emma’s bottom. When his secret comes to light, Emma will have to decide…will she choose the story… or love?
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2012
19 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Cara Bristol
108 books941 followersUSA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol writes science fiction romance about tough alien and cyborg heroes who fall hard for sassy heroines.
Cara is a homebody who married a wanderer. When she’s not writing or being distracted by squirrels cavorting outside her office window, she enjoys reading and traveling the world with her husband. Topping her bucket list is visiting all seven continents and petting a squirrel.
Visit her website to get a free sci-fi romance.
Cara is a homebody who married a wanderer. When she’s not writing or being distracted by squirrels cavorting outside her office window, she enjoys reading and traveling the world with her husband. Topping her bucket list is visiting all seven continents and petting a squirrel.
Visit her website to get a free sci-fi romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 28, 2020
As a journalist Emma needs a chance to become more successful. Thus her opportunity appears when she discovers that Rod and Cane organisation maybe is more than everybody think it is.
What a good journalist should do? She goes undercover in order to expose the well-kept secrets of the organization.
Little she know that perhaps home discipline and erotic spanking is not that bad. She meets by chance
Dan who is a very playful, but also a very dominant guy and -who could have guessed?!- he is moreover a member of the same society she tries to expose.
Lies, secrets, regrets and scorching hot scenes.
What a good journalist should do? She goes undercover in order to expose the well-kept secrets of the organization.
Little she know that perhaps home discipline and erotic spanking is not that bad. She meets by chance
Dan who is a very playful, but also a very dominant guy and -who could have guessed?!- he is moreover a member of the same society she tries to expose.
Lies, secrets, regrets and scorching hot scenes.
June 15, 2012
Readers who enjoyed Unexpected Consequences by Cara Bristol will not want to miss this smoking hot and highly emotional sequel, False Pretenses. The heroine in this novel, Emma Dupree, made a brief appearance towards the end of UC as the single woman at the Rod and Cane Auxiliary Wives meeting. She’s a smart, independent woman determined to expose the well-kept secrets of the organization and boost her career at the same time, but all doesn’t go as planned. Her sleazy ex-boyfriend keeps showing up at the worst times, violating her privacy and causing other mischief. She’s become good friends with Melania, the heroine readers will remember from UC, as well as other wives in the auxiliary. To top it off, her new boyfriend, Dan, has a couple secrets of his own. Her reservations about sending the damning article to her editor grow, and so does Emma. I love the personal transformation her character undergoes as her relationship with Dan becomes more serious and she questions her previously held strong beliefs concerning the Rod and Cane Society.
The spanking scenes in this book differ a little from those in UC as Dan was originally attracted to the Rod and Cane Society because he has a major spanking fetish and is tired of rejection in the vanilla world. Although he’s not opposed to domestic discipline, and in fact believes Emma could benefit from it. The sex and spanking scenes between Dan and Emma as their relationship develops are off-the-charts HOT. Despite their flaws and the false pretenses both characters were operating under, I loved both Dan and Emma and was cheering for their happy ending.
If you’re looking for a well-written erotic romance novel with spanking and domestic discipline themes portrayed in a realistic way, I highly recommend False Pretenses as well as its predecessor, Unexpected Consequences. It’s also not necessary to read the books in order since enough backstory is provided in the second book. Both are great stories, but if I had to choose a favorite between the two, I’d go with False Pretenses. There was an intense emotional edge to this novel, no doubt due to the secrets Emma and Dan were hiding, that held my interest to the very last page. I look forward to the next installment in the Rod and Cane series!
The spanking scenes in this book differ a little from those in UC as Dan was originally attracted to the Rod and Cane Society because he has a major spanking fetish and is tired of rejection in the vanilla world. Although he’s not opposed to domestic discipline, and in fact believes Emma could benefit from it. The sex and spanking scenes between Dan and Emma as their relationship develops are off-the-charts HOT. Despite their flaws and the false pretenses both characters were operating under, I loved both Dan and Emma and was cheering for their happy ending.
If you’re looking for a well-written erotic romance novel with spanking and domestic discipline themes portrayed in a realistic way, I highly recommend False Pretenses as well as its predecessor, Unexpected Consequences. It’s also not necessary to read the books in order since enough backstory is provided in the second book. Both are great stories, but if I had to choose a favorite between the two, I’d go with False Pretenses. There was an intense emotional edge to this novel, no doubt due to the secrets Emma and Dan were hiding, that held my interest to the very last page. I look forward to the next installment in the Rod and Cane series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2012
To start I liked this one more than the first book in the Rod and Cane series (Unexpected Consequences). The reason? Not what you might think. Although Emma in this book enjoyed erotic spanking, as do I, it was really her character (and I mean who she was inside) that I was attracted to. She was aware of her actions - and she took responsibility for them. She was willing to experience spanking and give it a try. She recognized a good thing when she saw it and tried to make amends.
I enjoyed Dan a lot as well - especially his hand and his implements LOL. This one smoothly incorporates a plot with great sex scenes and well developed characters that you care about. Though the relationship is pretty fast (and I mean FAST) it does come off as believable.
Be aware: The spankings in here are primarily erotic when all is said and done. She enjoys the pleasure/pain. So if all you want is some Domestic Discipline (DD) where the spankee does not "enjoy" it there are many others I could recommend that are more corporal punishment type. Me myself I can completely relate to Emma 100%. The BDSM RealMeter in this one, for me, is high with the spanking. It is well written and depicted and definitely plausible (and I have to say YUMMY!)
I enjoyed Dan a lot as well - especially his hand and his implements LOL. This one smoothly incorporates a plot with great sex scenes and well developed characters that you care about. Though the relationship is pretty fast (and I mean FAST) it does come off as believable.
Be aware: The spankings in here are primarily erotic when all is said and done. She enjoys the pleasure/pain. So if all you want is some Domestic Discipline (DD) where the spankee does not "enjoy" it there are many others I could recommend that are more corporal punishment type. Me myself I can completely relate to Emma 100%. The BDSM RealMeter in this one, for me, is high with the spanking. It is well written and depicted and definitely plausible (and I have to say YUMMY!)
February 27, 2013
I picked up False Pretenses because it was loaned to me by a friend and I—like my friend—have really mixed feelings about it.
The book itself is passably written. Some of the language gets a little repetitive, but there are no major hang-ups. Bristol does a decent job in balancing descriptiveness with action and dialogue; I never had any problems keeping the characters spatially oriented in my mind and I never cringed at any of the prose or dialogue. It feels like I'm damning Bristol with faint praise, but it's remarkable how many authors don't meet that incredibly low benchmark. The storyline is predictable, but decently executed, and the sex scenes were pretty hot.
My problems with the book were harder to decipher and, at least in part, pretty personal. While reading it, I realized that it had been a really long time since I'd read any heterosexual romances, especially het romance with kink. I also realized why I've been sorta-unconsciously avoiding het romance (and het romance with kink).
First of all, Dan and Emma aren't my kind of people. They're not my tribe. Which means, first of all, I don't relate to them. And second, I don't trust them (and by extension, the author) to be savvy about the things I need them to be savvy about when it comes to avoiding skeevy patriarchal misogyny.
I think Bristol tries. Sometimes she succeeds. When Dan and Emma meet, Bristol deliberately and smoothly avoids some of the more subtle pitfalls; she includes explicit, verbal and enthusiastic consent. These are things that get her a lot of brownie points in my book. At the same time, she fails a lot, too. Her insistence of making Emma the tiny, petite, blonde essence of White Womanhood, in making Dan equally Aryan, while constantly mentioning how manly and masculine his every aspect and action are (seriously, every physical and personality attribute of either Dan or Emma mention is also connected to how incredibly, quintessentially manly or feminine they are).
Her entire concept is tied to a lot of heterosexist gender essentialism; submission and submissiveness specifically tied to femaleness, domination and control specifically tied to maleness. Though Dan and Emma's exploration with spanking is (mostly) pitched in terms of eroticism rather than the light of domestic discipline, through the existence/purpose of the Rod & Cane Society, and through Dan and Emma themselves, Bristol keeps straying back to it. And—for me, at least—brings the entire unpleasant contextual baggage of centuries of patriarchy and institutionalized misogyny toward women.
And it's complicated. I mean, a lot of it wouldn't bother me without that context. A lot of it wouldn't bother me if it were a same-sex relationship—specifically because it doesn't have that same long, contextual history of fossilized gender roles. Bristol goes to great pains to assure us that the women in these relationships are in these relationships knowledgeably, voluntarily, consensually…hell, enthusiastically.
But she can't remove that context, hard as she tries, and she undermines her own overt efforts when she writes her characters falling back into that context by pitching it—even in their minds—in such gendered terms.
I don't have a problem with a sub giving up control to a Dom, but the way Bristol (and the characters) repeatedly links orientation with gender and her clumsy attempts to tell/show us how Emma is really a feminist upon whom feminism never fit as well as the joy of submitting to (a man) Dan invokes shades of Alisa Valdes and the very rhetoric that is often leveled at feminists, in which case it hopelessly bogs down for me again.
In any case, I didn't hate the book. It didn't work for me on a number of levels, but it was a fast, easy, reasonably well written read with an author who has a pretty full/thorough grasp on what she was writing (which is a benefit in and of itself and will probably make this book memorable to me when so few are.
The book itself is passably written. Some of the language gets a little repetitive, but there are no major hang-ups. Bristol does a decent job in balancing descriptiveness with action and dialogue; I never had any problems keeping the characters spatially oriented in my mind and I never cringed at any of the prose or dialogue. It feels like I'm damning Bristol with faint praise, but it's remarkable how many authors don't meet that incredibly low benchmark. The storyline is predictable, but decently executed, and the sex scenes were pretty hot.
My problems with the book were harder to decipher and, at least in part, pretty personal. While reading it, I realized that it had been a really long time since I'd read any heterosexual romances, especially het romance with kink. I also realized why I've been sorta-unconsciously avoiding het romance (and het romance with kink).
First of all, Dan and Emma aren't my kind of people. They're not my tribe. Which means, first of all, I don't relate to them. And second, I don't trust them (and by extension, the author) to be savvy about the things I need them to be savvy about when it comes to avoiding skeevy patriarchal misogyny.
I think Bristol tries. Sometimes she succeeds. When Dan and Emma meet, Bristol deliberately and smoothly avoids some of the more subtle pitfalls; she includes explicit, verbal and enthusiastic consent. These are things that get her a lot of brownie points in my book. At the same time, she fails a lot, too. Her insistence of making Emma the tiny, petite, blonde essence of White Womanhood, in making Dan equally Aryan, while constantly mentioning how manly and masculine his every aspect and action are (seriously, every physical and personality attribute of either Dan or Emma mention is also connected to how incredibly, quintessentially manly or feminine they are).
Her entire concept is tied to a lot of heterosexist gender essentialism; submission and submissiveness specifically tied to femaleness, domination and control specifically tied to maleness. Though Dan and Emma's exploration with spanking is (mostly) pitched in terms of eroticism rather than the light of domestic discipline, through the existence/purpose of the Rod & Cane Society, and through Dan and Emma themselves, Bristol keeps straying back to it. And—for me, at least—brings the entire unpleasant contextual baggage of centuries of patriarchy and institutionalized misogyny toward women.
And it's complicated. I mean, a lot of it wouldn't bother me without that context. A lot of it wouldn't bother me if it were a same-sex relationship—specifically because it doesn't have that same long, contextual history of fossilized gender roles. Bristol goes to great pains to assure us that the women in these relationships are in these relationships knowledgeably, voluntarily, consensually…hell, enthusiastically.
But she can't remove that context, hard as she tries, and she undermines her own overt efforts when she writes her characters falling back into that context by pitching it—even in their minds—in such gendered terms.
I don't have a problem with a sub giving up control to a Dom, but the way Bristol (and the characters) repeatedly links orientation with gender and her clumsy attempts to tell/show us how Emma is really a feminist upon whom feminism never fit as well as the joy of submitting to (a man) Dan invokes shades of Alisa Valdes and the very rhetoric that is often leveled at feminists, in which case it hopelessly bogs down for me again.
In any case, I didn't hate the book. It didn't work for me on a number of levels, but it was a fast, easy, reasonably well written read with an author who has a pretty full/thorough grasp on what she was writing (which is a benefit in and of itself and will probably make this book memorable to me when so few are.
June 28, 2023
Scrummy spanking.. a D/D book about a couple getting together in the lifestyle. Nice well written tale..
August 4, 2018
Domestic discipline...a hard topic for most to read...me included. Domestic discipline seems to be so one sided in gender power and that is where I have the problem, but in reality, what someone does in their own household that isn't illegal or not safe, sane or consensual is their own business.
After reading the first book in the series, Unexpected Consequences, I figured I was done with this genre. But I really like Cara Bristol's writing style so I went against my fighting ability and bought this book.
Emma Dupree is a journalist looking for her big break in journalism while working a boring dead end job. She has infiltrated the Rod and Cane Society as an unmarried woman looking for a domestic discipline relationship. Not that she is looking for a dating service. No she is really there for a story. She grows to know the people, but still plans on exposing the organization in a sensational story.
Then she meets Dan Tanner while she is trying to find her cat. Dan is instantly attracted to her and her tush. He thinks it is so spankable! They hit it off and start to date, but Dan is trying to figure out how to tell Emma he wants to spank her and is part of the Rod and Cane Society. When the conversation is broached, Emma is staunchly against it, thus ending things for Dan. When he takes her home from their date, her cat is once again missing because she left the door open. Dan suggests she needs a spanking to correct her loosing the cat and Emma accepts on the grounds (in her mind) that it is research for her story.
As the book continues, Emma enjoys the spankings but they are all for erotic enjoyment instead of actual discipline. Things come to a head when her story is published without her knowing it and it comes out both are part of the Rod and Cane society, even if hers is under covert conditions.
Through the majority of the book, Dan spanks Emma, but while they play at her having done wrong things, it is never really for discipline as much as it is for erotic enjoyment. That I can understand and even accept, but then why was Dan on the Rod and Cane Society Board if that is really all he wanted?
There are plenty of spanking scenes in this book and not all of them are erotic. The characters develop into deeper people through time and learn more about themselves as well as each other. Domestic discipline is not something I can get into, but this was a honest betrayal of how a couple grows into that life style.
After reading the first book in the series, Unexpected Consequences, I figured I was done with this genre. But I really like Cara Bristol's writing style so I went against my fighting ability and bought this book.
Emma Dupree is a journalist looking for her big break in journalism while working a boring dead end job. She has infiltrated the Rod and Cane Society as an unmarried woman looking for a domestic discipline relationship. Not that she is looking for a dating service. No she is really there for a story. She grows to know the people, but still plans on exposing the organization in a sensational story.
Then she meets Dan Tanner while she is trying to find her cat. Dan is instantly attracted to her and her tush. He thinks it is so spankable! They hit it off and start to date, but Dan is trying to figure out how to tell Emma he wants to spank her and is part of the Rod and Cane Society. When the conversation is broached, Emma is staunchly against it, thus ending things for Dan. When he takes her home from their date, her cat is once again missing because she left the door open. Dan suggests she needs a spanking to correct her loosing the cat and Emma accepts on the grounds (in her mind) that it is research for her story.
As the book continues, Emma enjoys the spankings but they are all for erotic enjoyment instead of actual discipline. Things come to a head when her story is published without her knowing it and it comes out both are part of the Rod and Cane society, even if hers is under covert conditions.
Through the majority of the book, Dan spanks Emma, but while they play at her having done wrong things, it is never really for discipline as much as it is for erotic enjoyment. That I can understand and even accept, but then why was Dan on the Rod and Cane Society Board if that is really all he wanted?
There are plenty of spanking scenes in this book and not all of them are erotic. The characters develop into deeper people through time and learn more about themselves as well as each other. Domestic discipline is not something I can get into, but this was a honest betrayal of how a couple grows into that life style.
October 7, 2012
I had never heard of domestic discipline until I read Cara Bristol's UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES (Book 1 of her Rod and Cane Society series). It was surprising, deliciously deviant and oddly...well, logical. Bristol does a great job of showing the misunderstanding an prejudice that accompanies alternative lifestyles and love (hence, the society's secrecy). But what was most striking was how well she explained how much sense that type of relationship makes for certain people. It isn't weird. It's only natural to satisfy the needs (which are far from purely physical) that people who enjoy that. And it was a thrill to read.
I was sure Bristol couldn't top it, despite promise of a second book. How can you replicate that magic without repeating yourself?
She knew how. And having read her work, I should have expected that.
I think I liked the second book even more than the first in the series, though it was close. Having got the background of the society in book one, it was great to see Emma (a minor character from book one) take the lead from an outsider's point of view.
She learned (as I did in book one) that things are not always as they seem. And no matter what people do behind closed office (and bedroom) doors: there's a code of ethics. And it matters.
FALSE PRETENSES is a smoking hot follow up to UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES, full of humor, heat and a tenderness that will surprise you. and you're missing out if you haven't read either one of them!
I was sure Bristol couldn't top it, despite promise of a second book. How can you replicate that magic without repeating yourself?
She knew how. And having read her work, I should have expected that.
I think I liked the second book even more than the first in the series, though it was close. Having got the background of the society in book one, it was great to see Emma (a minor character from book one) take the lead from an outsider's point of view.
She learned (as I did in book one) that things are not always as they seem. And no matter what people do behind closed office (and bedroom) doors: there's a code of ethics. And it matters.
FALSE PRETENSES is a smoking hot follow up to UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES, full of humor, heat and a tenderness that will surprise you. and you're missing out if you haven't read either one of them!
August 17, 2012
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
False Pretenses by Cara Bristol is a delightfully wicked and entertaining addition to her Rod and Cane Society series. From beginning to end; I found myself charmed by the characters, immersed in the plot, and intrigued by the blossoming relationship between Emma Dupree and Dan Tanner.
Emma works at an insurance company but moonlights as a freelance columnist for a newspaper. She’s been working undercover on an expose of the Rod and Cane Society and thinks this story could garner her a full time position as a columnist. When Dan helps her find her missing cat, she recognizes his name but thinks it’s from the signs for his real estate firm. She doesn’t realize he’s on the board of the society.
I really like Emma’s character. She is spunky, smart, and not afraid to admit when she is wrong. While ambitious she has a conscience and that make her seem very real.
Dan is intense, charming, and pretty damn yummy. As a member of Rod and Cane he advocates spanking but for the most part he prefers erotic spankings to discipline spankings. He is humbled when Emma responds to him and his demands. Let me just say that the spanking and sex scenes between these two are hot and intense.
When Dan feels Emma has broken his trust, it becomes clear that these two really don’t know a lot about each other and proves their relationship developed at an alarmingly fast pace. With the help of the Rod & Cane Society they are able to work past their differences and move forward.
I thoroughly enjoyed False Pretenses mainly because of its two likeable and believable characters. I will reiterate again that this story and the one before it are unlike anything I’ve read before. They are captivating and stimulating and well worth reading!
False Pretenses by Cara Bristol is a delightfully wicked and entertaining addition to her Rod and Cane Society series. From beginning to end; I found myself charmed by the characters, immersed in the plot, and intrigued by the blossoming relationship between Emma Dupree and Dan Tanner.
Emma works at an insurance company but moonlights as a freelance columnist for a newspaper. She’s been working undercover on an expose of the Rod and Cane Society and thinks this story could garner her a full time position as a columnist. When Dan helps her find her missing cat, she recognizes his name but thinks it’s from the signs for his real estate firm. She doesn’t realize he’s on the board of the society.
I really like Emma’s character. She is spunky, smart, and not afraid to admit when she is wrong. While ambitious she has a conscience and that make her seem very real.
Dan is intense, charming, and pretty damn yummy. As a member of Rod and Cane he advocates spanking but for the most part he prefers erotic spankings to discipline spankings. He is humbled when Emma responds to him and his demands. Let me just say that the spanking and sex scenes between these two are hot and intense.
When Dan feels Emma has broken his trust, it becomes clear that these two really don’t know a lot about each other and proves their relationship developed at an alarmingly fast pace. With the help of the Rod & Cane Society they are able to work past their differences and move forward.
I thoroughly enjoyed False Pretenses mainly because of its two likeable and believable characters. I will reiterate again that this story and the one before it are unlike anything I’ve read before. They are captivating and stimulating and well worth reading!
March 11, 2013
False Pretenses by Cara Bristol, This is the 2nd novel in her Rod and Cane Society
This is a novel, a creation of imagination and has the need to make events move forward at a faster pace than real life...this is called collapsing time. The reason I mention this, as had it been in any way trying to represent real life and time then Cara Bristol herself deserves a disciplinary spanking for arranging for her main characters Emma and Dan to meet while searching for her runaway cat, and within an hour of meeting and without much of a second thought of safety, bar using a condom, are naked in the shower and having their first sexual encounter. Doesn't matter how good looking and a known local character or not...tiz to be hoped naive readers don't copy Emma!
So not realistically portrayed. However, the relationship is safe, no hidden psychopathic tendencies in Dan, just nice kinky ones, he is a Board member of the Rod and Cane Society (the first in this series being Unexplained Consequences) and a firm believer in domestic discipline as well as erotic spankings. Emma is also an undercover investigative journalist and on a mission to uncover the Rod and Cane Society but will she, does she find erotic spankings to her liking and what of domestic discipline, well Cara weaves an interesting conflict into her story and resolution that once again incorporates the Rod and Cane Society and their rules, bye laws and implementation. Only readers will find how and what happens to Dan and Emma, who he thinks is the proprietor of his ideal ass and love...but is she! Some sexy erotic scenes for spanking aficionados. Despite the jumpstart of shower to sex concerns, I still think this is a 4 star read. I look forward to reading the third in this series.
This is a novel, a creation of imagination and has the need to make events move forward at a faster pace than real life...this is called collapsing time. The reason I mention this, as had it been in any way trying to represent real life and time then Cara Bristol herself deserves a disciplinary spanking for arranging for her main characters Emma and Dan to meet while searching for her runaway cat, and within an hour of meeting and without much of a second thought of safety, bar using a condom, are naked in the shower and having their first sexual encounter. Doesn't matter how good looking and a known local character or not...tiz to be hoped naive readers don't copy Emma!
So not realistically portrayed. However, the relationship is safe, no hidden psychopathic tendencies in Dan, just nice kinky ones, he is a Board member of the Rod and Cane Society (the first in this series being Unexplained Consequences) and a firm believer in domestic discipline as well as erotic spankings. Emma is also an undercover investigative journalist and on a mission to uncover the Rod and Cane Society but will she, does she find erotic spankings to her liking and what of domestic discipline, well Cara weaves an interesting conflict into her story and resolution that once again incorporates the Rod and Cane Society and their rules, bye laws and implementation. Only readers will find how and what happens to Dan and Emma, who he thinks is the proprietor of his ideal ass and love...but is she! Some sexy erotic scenes for spanking aficionados. Despite the jumpstart of shower to sex concerns, I still think this is a 4 star read. I look forward to reading the third in this series.
December 16, 2012
Emma Dupree hopes to be able to leave her boring job in insurance in order to pursue her true passion of journalism. When she discovers a handbook for the exclusive Rod and Cane society and somehow finagles membership, she believes her chance to break into journalism will come sooner rather than later. After a few weeks of talking to various members of the Wives Auxiliary of the Rod and Cane, Emma is able to piece together a story. Although she tries to stay objective, her tone dictates that she does not agree with the concept of Domestic Discipline. It seems, however, that Emma’s tone may begin to change when she meets Dan Tanner.
I truly enjoy Cara Bristol’s writing style. She has shown time and again how she is able to take a simple statement and turn it into something much more beautiful. When Emma becomes aware of the split second before the paddle will fall, Cara writes: "Prescience didn’t mitigate impact". This is a perfect example of her poetic prose and is one of my favorite lines in the book. I think it is fascinating how Cara Bristol is able to convey volumes of truth in those four simple words.
False Pretenses is the second installment in Cara Bristol’s Rod and Cane series. I partially expected this book to be like most other sequels – pretty good, but not as good as the original. Cara Bristol certainly proved me wrong. This book was fantastic. It is wonderful in the series, but is strong enough to stand on its own. I highly recommend it to any spanking enthusiast who is looking for a good read!
Katerina of BottomsUpBookReview
I truly enjoy Cara Bristol’s writing style. She has shown time and again how she is able to take a simple statement and turn it into something much more beautiful. When Emma becomes aware of the split second before the paddle will fall, Cara writes: "Prescience didn’t mitigate impact". This is a perfect example of her poetic prose and is one of my favorite lines in the book. I think it is fascinating how Cara Bristol is able to convey volumes of truth in those four simple words.
False Pretenses is the second installment in Cara Bristol’s Rod and Cane series. I partially expected this book to be like most other sequels – pretty good, but not as good as the original. Cara Bristol certainly proved me wrong. This book was fantastic. It is wonderful in the series, but is strong enough to stand on its own. I highly recommend it to any spanking enthusiast who is looking for a good read!
Katerina of BottomsUpBookReview
September 16, 2012
This is the first book I have read by Cara and I am wowed. You really get to see what the main character Emma thinks of a spanking inside closed doors and then out in the 'real' world. Soon she finds herself over Dan's knees for her first spanking, 'for research only' and he unlocks a whole new side of her. Incredible interaction between the characters as well as some other key players. Really hot spanking scenes peppered throughout. Nothing too kinky of course, though it makes me wonder if such organizations exist. Honestly would not be a stretch! Very well thought out and I really connected with both Dan and Emma. Five out of five stars and I can not wait to pick up another story by Cara!
August 1, 2012
Emma, a freelance journalist, goes undercover to investigate the Rod & Cane Society - a secret organization of men who believe in spanking their wives. Little does she know, her new boyfriend is member of the board! Telling herself she's just trying it out for her story, Emma allows Dan to spank her and discovers that she loves it.
False Pretenses is hot from start to finish. The sex is supercharged and the spankings are well done.
The Rod & Cane Society is creepy in that Eyes Wide Shut kind of way, but it serves a purpose in the plot when Emma's cover gets blown.
This is a deliciously hot read for anyone who loves a good spanking story.
False Pretenses is hot from start to finish. The sex is supercharged and the spankings are well done.
The Rod & Cane Society is creepy in that Eyes Wide Shut kind of way, but it serves a purpose in the plot when Emma's cover gets blown.
This is a deliciously hot read for anyone who loves a good spanking story.
July 9, 2012
Emma doesn't think she wants to be spanked, but she'll do it for research, especially if the spanking is administered by the handsome and sweet Dan Tanner (appropriately named, methinks). Cara Bristol has done it again - False Pretenses shows just how sexy a spanking can be, both for the man and for the lucky woman over his lap. I read this book without having read the first in the series, but each book stands alone and now I do want to go back and read the first one, Unexpected Consequences. So... 5 stars and highly recommended!
August 6, 2012
By day, boring insurance claim call center operator, by night, Emma Dupree is the titillating undercover journalist. Fighting for journalistic credibility, Emma Dupree finds the perfect investigative article to jettison her into writing full time instead of moonlighting on the side. She learns about a secret organization, Rod and Cane Society. This established group is for men who administer domestic discipline to their wife.
The only way Emma can learn more is if she joins the Wives Auxiliary group. To join is not easy but she worms an invitation and starts interviewing the women secretly. Emma makes a few friends and starts to see how this type of lifestyle might actually appeal to her, despite her mother's femi-nazi teachings. Struggling, Emma is in a state of confusion until she meets Dan Tanner.
Dan is new to the Rod and Cane Society. He joined in hopes of finding a single woman interested in domestic discipline. He's struck out and is unwilling to go back to finding a woman in the general populace. He's been burned before and is not looking forward to a lifetime with a woman who won't bend to his rod.
Emma and Dan's meeting is outside of the Rod and Cane Society. Dan is hesitant because he isn't into vanilla women. Emma is coming off a terrible relationship so she is also a bit wary. They do hit it off and it seems like a match made in heaven. Now how do they tell each other about their desire for a domestic discipline household? They don't know that they are both members of the secret spanking society.
This second installment in the Rod and Cane Society reveals more about the secret club. Some of the cast of characters in this story first appeared in the first book in this series. It was good to see them again, this time in a better light than previous. The way they were integrated into this story helped keep a good continuity.
FALSE PRETENSES moved fast with predictable conflicts. Emma's exposé is sent off for publication, which creates chaos for the Rod and Cane board members. The betrayal Dan feels causes him to respond poorly and leaves Emma's bottom exposed for discipline in the punishment room. The punishment room is finally revealed in this story. It's actually rather mild despite the negative reaction from Dan. The reactions to Emma's punishment seemed a bit over dramatic and much to do about nothing.
The sex in this book is sweetly erotic and mildly kinky. The focus was on the budding relationship between Emma and Dan. It's an accurate and amusing portrayal of couples who are just starting to date and feeling each other out. In this case, it's a bit more amusing as they dance around the spanking and slight kinky sex. This is book is recommended for romance readers interested in light domestic discipline.
November 16, 2012
As reviewed on Kinky Book Reviews by Riane:
Emma Dupree wants to build her journalism career up so she can quit her day job. To do so, she needs a big attention grabbing story to get her name out there. When she learns about the highly secretive Rod & Cane Society, where members are men and women who enjoy domestic discipline in their relationships, she knows she has her story.
When Dan sees Emma walking around her neighborhood, he imagines she’d look good in bright pink. Well, her rear end would anyway. However, introducing a spanking to someone that lives a currently vanilla lifestyle is a risky proposition. Can he persuade her to give it a chance?
I really enjoyed this book. I could relate to both Emma and Dan. They quickly became my friends and I wanted to know what happened with them. The romance story itself was solid. The sex and spankings were wonderfully hot, sweet treats. I will admit that I put the book down just over halfway through because I saw the problems coming. I liked where Emma and Dan were at that point and didn’t want the story to move forward into the hurt and heartbreak that was, of course, coming their way. I did eventually make myself continue reading and see what happened. I was happy with how it ended, so I won’t fuss at Ms Bristol for messing with my friends too much. …What do you mean they are her characters? That doesn’t matter.
I did have one issue. The book is presented as a domestic discipline story and well, it’s not. Based on the ending, it could *become* a domestic discipline relationship, even Dan admits at one point that he doesn’t really get into the discipline part and that all the spankings were erotic spankings only. The “discipline” in most of the story was more of a game. Thus the story is mainly a hot spanking story. That’s not a bad thing, unless you’re wanting domestic discipline.
I am definitely curious about the series, and will be reading book 1, Unexpected Consequences, when I get a chance. I do recommend that you give this book a quick read, and I can’t wait to see what comes next from Ms Bristol.
Emma Dupree wants to build her journalism career up so she can quit her day job. To do so, she needs a big attention grabbing story to get her name out there. When she learns about the highly secretive Rod & Cane Society, where members are men and women who enjoy domestic discipline in their relationships, she knows she has her story.
When Dan sees Emma walking around her neighborhood, he imagines she’d look good in bright pink. Well, her rear end would anyway. However, introducing a spanking to someone that lives a currently vanilla lifestyle is a risky proposition. Can he persuade her to give it a chance?
I really enjoyed this book. I could relate to both Emma and Dan. They quickly became my friends and I wanted to know what happened with them. The romance story itself was solid. The sex and spankings were wonderfully hot, sweet treats. I will admit that I put the book down just over halfway through because I saw the problems coming. I liked where Emma and Dan were at that point and didn’t want the story to move forward into the hurt and heartbreak that was, of course, coming their way. I did eventually make myself continue reading and see what happened. I was happy with how it ended, so I won’t fuss at Ms Bristol for messing with my friends too much. …What do you mean they are her characters? That doesn’t matter.
I did have one issue. The book is presented as a domestic discipline story and well, it’s not. Based on the ending, it could *become* a domestic discipline relationship, even Dan admits at one point that he doesn’t really get into the discipline part and that all the spankings were erotic spankings only. The “discipline” in most of the story was more of a game. Thus the story is mainly a hot spanking story. That’s not a bad thing, unless you’re wanting domestic discipline.
I am definitely curious about the series, and will be reading book 1, Unexpected Consequences, when I get a chance. I do recommend that you give this book a quick read, and I can’t wait to see what comes next from Ms Bristol.
March 1, 2013
OK, I think this is my favorite book from Cara Bristol yet! I was up til 2am reading last night and skimmed to find out how this was all going to play out! OK, I knew it would have an HEA but Oh my God! I am totally going to spoil this so if you haven't read it, don't read my review if you don't want spoilers!!!
When the ex came over and Dan called and Emma had just commented on the 'it takes 2 clicks to delete…' OMG! I knew it was coming but I still couldn't believe it! Then Dan…wait, that room! They all watched. My heart was in my throat, is that the expression? I also wanted her to back out but not really. I still can't believe they all watched. Poor Emma. Lucky Emma??
I loved this. Can you tell?
When the ex came over and Dan called and Emma had just commented on the 'it takes 2 clicks to delete…' OMG! I knew it was coming but I still couldn't believe it! Then Dan…wait, that room! They all watched. My heart was in my throat, is that the expression? I also wanted her to back out but not really. I still can't believe they all watched. Poor Emma. Lucky Emma??
I loved this. Can you tell?
July 5, 2012
No surprises here, and not as thought-provoking as first R&C book! Hot romantic sex. I enjoyed how vulnerable and insecure Emma was, and how she directly faced that and realized that what she wants may not match what her parents or society want. I thought the punishment at the end, despite being public, wasn't as harsh as it could have been to really make the point that she betrayed everyone. And I love that once punishment was over she was forgiven and had a clean slate. If only real life worked that way . . .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2012
I enjoyed this second installment in Cara Bristol's Rod and Cane Society series. It was well written, the characters both interesting, and the relationship one I cared about. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was the predictability of what I consider to be an over used plot device. Secrets being kept and revealed at the worst possible time. It is so frustrating knowing exactly what is going to happen.
Aside from that, I do recommend this book to those who like their contemporary romances with a dash of erotic and disciplinary spanking.
Aside from that, I do recommend this book to those who like their contemporary romances with a dash of erotic and disciplinary spanking.
August 31, 2012
I loved this book. I enjoyed the characters, their interaction, the pacing, the scorching heat, the beginning, the middle, the end, all of it. Dan is a completely swoon worth guy. In the beginning Emma's thinking about his thick hair and the line ends: she itched to smooth it into place—then mess it up again. Love it. At the point of no return, when both Dan and Emma jump into act II with both feet, I cheered a happy cheer. It's a hot read and completely enjoyable all the way through. Very well done, thank you, Cara Bristol. False Pretenses is a must read.
July 14, 2012
I enjoyed this one more than the first one in the series. Emma is undercover trying to break a story about the Rod and Cane Society when she unexpectedly meets Dan, a realtor, when her cat gets loose. As the two date (they explode together), she finds out that spanking is nothing like she assumed and has second thoughts about her story. I thought the erotic spanking was well done and enjoyed watching the MCs get past the road blocks thrown up against them by half-truths, lies, and an evil ex.
July 27, 2012
I read with trepidation because I know she was going to get caught she had to. Emma was a girl who was not sure she wanted the DD lifestyle or spankings (erotic or not). By the end of the story she knew what she wanted and so did Dan. We get to see the characters from Unexpected Consequences again which was a treat. I am looking forward to book three.
bookswagger.com
bookswagger.com
January 18, 2013
I loved it!
March 17, 2016
Short and sweet, this one was a winner for me.
4.5 stars!
4.5 stars!
November 25, 2012
This series isn't everything that I hoped it would be, but it is pretty good. I really am still looking for a good domestic discipline book, but this isn't it. Sure, Emma gets spankings and I found them very enjoyable, but so did she. What this is is a good kinky book.
I liked Emma and Dan and I think that they make a good couple. I guess my only disappointment is that I was hoping for a DD book, but this didn't quite go there. I think that if we were to follow their relationship a little more that we might see it change, but here at the beginning they are having fun with the spankings and the sex and I thought that it was a fun read.
I liked Emma and Dan and I think that they make a good couple. I guess my only disappointment is that I was hoping for a DD book, but this didn't quite go there. I think that if we were to follow their relationship a little more that we might see it change, but here at the beginning they are having fun with the spankings and the sex and I thought that it was a fun read.
March 26, 2013
Delightfully refreshing. Brief but detailed plot and characters. Erotic spanking, discipline, and punishment. To entrust someone with your total submission seems light years away from my thoughts and feelings, however to love enough, trust enough to try is humbling. Emma gain access to the Rod and Cane Society under false pretenses and it backfired. She almost lost the man of her dreams. Deceit is not found in a healthy relationship. To read about traditional values through the writings of Cara Bristol has been eye opening. I have a whole new perspective on the value of red cheeks. 269 occurances makes this an eventful experience.
May 23, 2013
So domestic discipline. Personally, it's not my thing but reading about it? Hot, hot, hot! Cara Bristol's first book in the Rod & Cane series is Unexpected Consequences and was my first introduction to this lifestyle. I have to say this second book, False Pretenses had me begging for more!
I held my breath at the halfway point and thought "Oh no!" The tension was tight as a guitar string, and I almost...ALMOST...flipped to the last page to see if things were going to work out!
I loved Emma and Dan's story. I can't wait to read Body Politics.
I held my breath at the halfway point and thought "Oh no!" The tension was tight as a guitar string, and I almost...ALMOST...flipped to the last page to see if things were going to work out!
I loved Emma and Dan's story. I can't wait to read Body Politics.
January 19, 2013
This was the perfect sequel to Unexpected Consequences. I love how Cara Bristol shows all sides and flavors of the spanking & Domestic Discipline world. The author has a special way with words that keeps you captivated and hungering for more! I LOVE this series and can't wait to dive into the next book!
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July 19, 2012Cara Bristol weaves a hot and heart pounding story
October 23, 2012
This book works great alone or as a sequel to the first book. I really enjoyed the way Emma discovers her secret desire to be spanked. Definitely a must read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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