LASSOED - Ann Jacobs
Hearts of the West, Book 3
Ellora’s Cave www.ellorascave.com
ISBN: 978-1-4199-1569-7
April 2008
Erotic Contemporary Romance - Short Story
Rated: E-rotic

Laramie, Wyoming - Present Day

What started out as a typical Dominant/submissive marriage turned into a nightmare of abuse and humiliation that Diana McTavish endured for ten years.  Now, with her ex-husband behind bars and after a year of therapy, Diana is ready to re-enter the BDSM scene.  Only, she has no intention of being under anyone’s control ever again.  As much as she tries though, Diana knows that she’ll only ever play the Domme, never actually be one.  But in order to be in a D/s relationship there has to be trust, and Diana trusts no one – not even herself.

Matt Rogers has loved Diana since they were high school sweethearts twenty years before.  When he went away to college however, Diana stayed behind to help her grandfather raise her younger brothers, and they broke up.  Since retiring from pro-football and moving back to Laramie, Matt has worked hard to learn how to be the Master that Diana needs.  But if what she needs is a sub, will he be able to handle that? 

Circumstances have kept them apart for more than twenty years, but if Matt has his way, Diana will finally be his in LASSOED.  An emotional short story, the third book in the Hearts of the West series deals with a woman recovering from an abusive relationship.  It’s difficult for Diana to imagine trusting another man with her pleasure, and she’s also afraid that her need to be taken care of will turn into a dependence so complete that she’s willing to do anything demanded of her.  Her memories of her early relationship with Matt have helped her to deal with things, but she’s still not sure if she can trust him.  Matt wants Diana back, no matter what it takes however, playing the sub wasn’t something he’s imagined before.

As much as this book deals with the BDSM lifestyle, it actually is more about the romance between Diana and Matt.  While Diana’s brothers, the heroes of the first two books in the series, are mentioned, LASSOED focuses more on Diana and Matt, and is an enjoyable, touching tale.

Jennifer Bishop