As previously mentioned, LSF have released a new book of my work. The fact that this offering has previously been published is not that unusual, but be aware if you have bought my books before.

What strikes me as curious is that The Academy is being described as a novella. I don’t want to get lost in semantic arguments here and I am not particularly bothered by the description but my understanding is that a short story is a relatively short work with a single narrative and a novella is a relatively short work with multiple shifts in perspective and character view points.

The Academy, at almost 70,000 words is probably too long to be described as a novella, whilst the other two stories are largely structured as short stories.So strictly speaking none of these three stories are novellas.

That said you can’t argue that if you haven’t read or bought these before then they are good value for money.

The publishers blurb has it:

This three volume box set with over 112,000 words features the previously published novellas by DJ Black: The Academy; The Semester of Standing for Supper; and A Deal with a Dominant Man.

THE ACADEMY: Founded after ‘The Fall’ when the world was changed forever and women outnumber men three to one, the Academy is a place of training for young women between 19 and 25. In this school, teachers are punished as well as the students! Having escaped prison, five new girls are sent to The Academy as an alternative. All are nervous and horrified by the idea of corporal punishment. Kate is particularly brash and insolent, and quite determined that no-one will lay a hand on her, let alone a cane or a paddle. But deep down, she is as scared as the rest. It is not long before the girls plus new arrivals experience the disciplinary regime of The Academy. But who are The Sacred Sisters of Revenge? And is Callie all she appears to be? Deceptions and punishments abound in this erotic tale of adult discipline.

THE SEMESTER OF STANDING FOR SUPPER: Clyburn is a New England women’s college with a proud tradition of firm discipline dating back to 1879. It is 1971, and Hilary, a fourth-year student in her final year of a course in English and History, is following in the footsteps of her Aunt Clarisse who graduated in 1965. However, Hilary’s grades have been slipping and her recent class attendance has been sub par. Her tutor, Professor John Harmon, takes her to task when they next meet in his office, indicating his disappointment with two rounds of his infamous wooden paddle, topped off with the cane. Hilary is aware that if she does not straighten up, he may sentence her to a far more humiliating ordeal. She ends up being debagged, a quaint term for what amounts to a very public correction. By order of Professor Harmon, she must spend the entire week with her bottom uncovered. Such is life at Clyburn, an establishment in which so many butts are blistered and their owners remain standing for supper.

A DEAL WITH A DOMINANT MAN: Thirty-year-old Carolynn Blake is an attractive, high-flying businesswoman, but she pays a price for being over confident when the stock markets crash, leaving her in financial trouble. She turns to her friend and mentor, John Dacia, for advice. Older than she, the wealthy property developer listens to Carolynn’s surprise proposal. With his financial backing, Carolynn convinces him she will make him even richer … and part of the deal is that he gets to mix business with pleasure by spanking her hard and sending her to the corner like a naughty girl.

But Caroline has never been spanked before, and has no idea what to expect. She soon learns! Her changing relationship with John – a lifestyle dominant – takes her way out of her comfort zone. Previously independent, she now has to do as she’s told and is punished for any infractions – with hand, hairbrush and cane. Sometimes she is disciplined in his office. Carolynn is not an easy woman to tame, but John is the man to do it; he can be strict and is very much in control of himself … and her. As time passes, Carolynn gradually learns to accept his dominance over her, and her desire for him grows.

This is the story of their developing relationship, and the way control, authority and discipline shape Carolynn’s character to the extent that she falls in love for the first time…

You can get it here or from Amazon.