Guarded Discipline

by Allison West

Unwed Jessie Harding has a thirst for adventure and desires a salary that will pay her rightfully for the work she is capable of doing. The only problem: she’s a woman and the only jobs available are nannies and governesses, neither of which she wants anything to do with.

Dressing as a man is easy. She cuts her long blonde locks and works as a coal-whipper, earning enough to live on her own. It’s not the life she dreams of, but it’s respectable work.

When Henry Clarke visits with an announcement that the queen’s guard is hiring and the pay is at least double what she’s currently making, she jumps at the opportunity to enlist and help serve her country and protect Queen Victoria. Pretending to be a man is easy, it’s the fact that Henry catches sight of her female self while bathing in the river, which has her caught up in a tizzy, worried he’ll discover her secret. He only suspects she has a twin brother. How long can she keep up the charade? Will Jessie be able to hide her womanly virtue and remain in service to the queen without causing havoc?

Guarded Discipline is filled with spankings for naughty behavior, anal play, and graphic sexual content.

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2016

Reviews

[Hazmat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. There was nothing overly amazing about it, nor was it horrible. It was just kind of bland.

The characters weren't overly developed, with rather light backstories that weren't really touched on. Everything that happened seemed to come about rather quickly and in many cases out of nowhere.

The premise had me interested, and while there was enough to this book to finish it, it wasn't what I was hoping for from the description. The hidden identity element had so many creative ways it could have been expressed that what was there fell flat.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia Hoffstaetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I was pleasantly surprise at how well this book was written. What you will find in this intriguing and captivating book is: drama, intrigue, twists & turns, adventure, action, humor, loyalty, lust, romance, love and steamy erotic scenes.The story-line and plot is well thought out and written. The characters have emotional feelings with needs and desires according to their personality. I would recommend this book.

[Goldienut · Rating 5 out of 5]

a funny, exciting and spellbound moments all through this novel. My favorite part was all the trouble a young woman goes to be a young man. Jessie is found out by her boss high guardsman Henry. The ending won't be less exciting than the beginning was. Allison West hit if out of the ballpark once again.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOMEN’S LIB VICTORIAN STYLE!

Jessie Harding, a single woman, estranged from her parents, finds it difficult to find a decent paying job as an unmarried woman. What is a girl to do, she cuts off her long beautiful hair, dresses as a young boy, and finds a job with better wages. Working as a coal-whipper, she makes enough to afford a place to stay and food to eat. It is hard labor, but she has an adventure and proving she can make it on her own. What happens with one of the Queen’s guards approaches her to come work at the Palace as a queen’s guard making more money?

Henry Clarke has worked for Queen Victoria as a head guard and brings in new recruits for the palace and new soldiers that may be required to fight on the battlefield. Jessie Harding is a new hire that he is taken under his care for training. Jessie looks like the young woman he saw bathing in the river, and when he starts questioning Jessie, he panics and claims that was his twin sister, Clara. From one lie, much more will be uttered.

The plot is full of secrets, lies, hidden agendas, new experiences, and adventures. What happens when Henry learns that Jessie has lied to him? How will he handle punishing her and how high will the price be? Queen Victoria has been in mourning and hiding for two years since the death of Prince Albert, will a soft-spoken guard be able to help with the healing? The story is full of twists and turns, with some surprises. There are multiple spanking scenes, explicit sex scenes including anal play. The story does have a feisty young woman, plenty of antics, a little bit of angst, some mistruths, and two people finding love, all while in service to their Queen.

[Heart5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessie Harding has no desire to work in the jobs considered acceptable for women. Her solution, cut her long blonde hair, dress as a man and get a job that pays her what she considers an acceptable salary. When she is approached by Henry Clarke and asked to join the queen's guard, she can't turn down the offer. Unfortunately she can't keep her secret from Henry long.

This is my favorite book from this author. The story is very fast paced with numerous twists and turns along the way. I loved both Henry and Jessie's characters. Henry is a very solid character, with his stern but compassionate demeanor. I loved Jessie's determination to make it in her own, even as Henry offers to take care of her. The ending came a little suddenly and I would have loved to have seen it play about more. All in all though, it was definitely an enjoyable story to read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[emlv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie was a young woman, masquerading as a male to work jobs that paid better wages. She first worked shuffling coal, which is where she first met Henry. He was a guard for Queen Victoria, who three years after Albert’s death, still grieved. Henry was in search of new guards for the palace and recruited Jessie, not realizing her disguise. Because the money was better, she took the job, but had to go straight from the coal job. She bathed in the river and Henry stumbled upon her and noticed the striking resemblance to the young man he had just recruited. Covering her secret she said she was Jessie’s sister…but in time, the truth comes out. He marries her and employs DD to keep her on the right path. The Queen latches onto ‘Jessie’ the guard and that complicates things for the couple, as if her sex were known, she could be imprisoned. I found myself wishing the ending were a bit longer. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the main characters, Jessie and Henry are both interesting and complex at the same time. Jessie starts out the book working as a coal-whipper, dressed as a man because they made more then what she could make as a female. Along comes Henry Clarke, who was recruiting for the Queens guardsman. The plot line is great with the twists and turns that happened from the start. This book deals with loyalty, love. adventure, and risks. After reading the first few pages, I couldn't put down the book until the end. You won't regret this read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guarded Discipline is a cute story about Jessie who dresses and works as a man in order to earn a living wage. She gets recruited by Henry to be in the Queens Guard. Henry also wants to court Jessie's "sister." Parts of this book kept me on the edge of my seat- would Jessie be found out? And if she was- what would happen? The Queen's involvement in the story was interesting. I liked the relationship between Henry and Jessie. It was a little sexy and I always love the discipline. My only real complaint was the way it ended. It seemed a little abrupt. But otherwise it was a fun read.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[ScarlettPhoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because Jessie Harding can't afford to make decent wages in a woman's line of work, she opts to cut her beautiful long blonde hair and take a job as a coal whipper. Along comes Henry Clarke who is recruiting guards for Queen Victoria and chooses Jessie. She will be making much more money than she could ever make as a coal whipper and signs on. Henry eventually figures out what is going on and that's when the fireworks begin. Great characters, wonderful scenic descriptions and Queen Victoria thrown in to boot! I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Joanie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Jessie is a great character who was born ahead of her time. She's bold and courageous, yet good-natured and compassionate. Henry is perfect for her; he needs to be in charge but he admires her spirit. The plot was interesting and suspenseful with plenty of romance and taking chances. I especially liked the involvement of the queen and all the emotion that evoked. I highly recommend this book.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful and fun read. It's a fast paced, page turner with a wonderful storyline and strong characters, an alpha man and a strong willed woman. There is a lot of humor and witty dialogue and the feelings and emotions are examined. Adding Queen Victoria was a special touch. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of the book.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. This is the story of Jesse and Henry. Jesse has taken a job as a guard to Queen Victoria. Henry helped her get the job believing Jesse to be a man. This is their story of secrecy, love, desire, and discipline.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Guarded Discipline. I thought that the storyline was unique and fresh. Another good read from Allison West.