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Bondage Ranch #1
Roped In
BDSM Erotic ContemporaryLaera McDougal is lost in the woods when hunky Bruce Merrick finds her, but soon she's lost in her passion as he pulls her into the world of sensual submission. He shows her desires she never knew existed in herself--desires she's eager to have satisfied. She wants more than one hot day and night of sensual exploration, but Bruce never intended to take it further, even for someone who stirs him as much as luscious Laera.Laera's not sure she can find someone else who will make her feel the same way. She needs Bruce to realize that it's time to break free from of his past so that he can get the woman of his dreams all roped in.Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and content, bondage, exhibitionism.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 19, 2011
Why oh why can't I stumble upon a Bondage Ranch while I'm out hiking?! Laera is a lucky b*tch! And Bruce is just delicious. I loved his tenderness while cautiously guiding Laera into the lifestyle and Laera's openness and trust in him. I could've used a longer story and more development into their relationship, but I still found it very satisfying *wink, wink!
This book is similar to "Master of the Mountain" by Cherise Sinclair, which I recently read and loved. I devoured this in one day and can't wait to start the next one!
This book is similar to "Master of the Mountain" by Cherise Sinclair, which I recently read and loved. I devoured this in one day and can't wait to start the next one!
September 18, 2010
I liked this book. It was a quick read but entertaining. The relationship between the two main characters was okay - given the length of the story, it couldn't get too indepth but you could tell there was a connection growing between them.
The part I really found appealing was the way the author dwelt on the fact that the Dom was caring for the sub, observing her carefully, looking for her pleasure over his. Some of the BDSM books I've read are a bit too violent for my taste or the Dom is just overbearing.
This author is somewhat similar to Cherise Sinclair in style, though not quite as hot as Cherise.
Over all a good story.
The part I really found appealing was the way the author dwelt on the fact that the Dom was caring for the sub, observing her carefully, looking for her pleasure over his. Some of the BDSM books I've read are a bit too violent for my taste or the Dom is just overbearing.
This author is somewhat similar to Cherise Sinclair in style, though not quite as hot as Cherise.
Over all a good story.
January 12, 2013
3.5
An enjoyable light bdsm about a newbie to the scene and a dom who tries to keep his heart separate from his desires. Rather like an introduction to bdsm, this short story gives us the basics of the club scene and the ins and outs of a D/s relationship with glimpses into different lifestyles. The heroine shows a realistic attitude towards bdsm for a newbie and I loved that our Dom is patient and reasonable when showing her the lifestyle. To often, in bdsm, we watch as the heroine spends a majority of her time caught between fear and over stimulation while the hero oversteps many boundaries in his need to possess the heroine. In here, we get clear explanations and a showing of what a healthy bdsm lifestyle should be. Safe words are given the proper respect and while the dom may push at the heroine's limits, we and the heroine aren't made to feel like she is a failure if chooses to back away or not submit. My only wish is that I would have liked to have seen them fall in love. We aren't given any reasons beyond great sex and while I bought the chemistry...I didn't buy the love.
I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Yssel's work.
An enjoyable light bdsm about a newbie to the scene and a dom who tries to keep his heart separate from his desires. Rather like an introduction to bdsm, this short story gives us the basics of the club scene and the ins and outs of a D/s relationship with glimpses into different lifestyles. The heroine shows a realistic attitude towards bdsm for a newbie and I loved that our Dom is patient and reasonable when showing her the lifestyle. To often, in bdsm, we watch as the heroine spends a majority of her time caught between fear and over stimulation while the hero oversteps many boundaries in his need to possess the heroine. In here, we get clear explanations and a showing of what a healthy bdsm lifestyle should be. Safe words are given the proper respect and while the dom may push at the heroine's limits, we and the heroine aren't made to feel like she is a failure if chooses to back away or not submit. My only wish is that I would have liked to have seen them fall in love. We aren't given any reasons beyond great sex and while I bought the chemistry...I didn't buy the love.
I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Yssel's work.
September 3, 2015
::4.25 Stars - short, sweet and very enjoyable!::
This is the book I'd hoped Kristin Proby's TIED WITH ME would be - a light but knowledgeable story about a good-natured but believable Dom, Bruce Merrick, and the woman introduced to submission who comes to love him. Said woman, Laera McDougal, also hits the sweet spot as a Newbie Subbe - interested and curious, a bit scared, but strongly attracted to the man who's topping her.
And Who Can Blame Her...?
Bruce manages to be considerate and caring without seeming Too Good To Be True - he's hung up over his former fiancée/subbe leaving him to take a new job in San Francisco, and removing her collar rather than trying to work it out with him, so he's gunshy about anything other than casual play. Despite the fact most of the regulars at Bondage Ranch (a bondage club in a woodsy part of northern Virginia that doubles as a hotel and square/Regency dance hall most of the time) personally like Bruce, and most of the subbe women (and a few of the sub men) have played with him, several of his friends in the story despair of his not being grounded with his own Significant Other. (It doesn't help that Bruce lives and works in Philadelphia, a three-hour drive away, and hasn't found anybody up there for a more permanent relationship, either!)
So when he talks the hiker with a sprained ankle he rescues, local librarian/martial artist Laera, into letting him tie her hands behind her with Ace bandages then making love to her, and spends the night in her tent before persuading her to spend the weekend with him at Bondage Ranch, the owners Dylan and Alex (a pleasant middle-aged Master/slave married couple) are delighted! Laera takes to sexual submission a lot better than she expected with Bruce as her Dom - though he makes it clear this is just a weekend thing and He's Not Into Commitments, and even sets her up with a Dominatrix friend/former subbe Sue to help her find "The Right Guy" for her....
Do I Seriously Need To Tell You How This Ends...?
While there's a lot of similarities to Cherise Sinclair's Masters of the Shadowlands series of BDSM Romances, there are some telling differences that help explain why I enjoy this series more. They're both good at (fairly) realistically depicting D/s relationships within the framework of a romance novel, both feel like they're written by writers with actual knowledge and experience of The Scene, and both certainly deliver the Master and subbegirl goods. What sets them apart is that Ms. van Yssel's cast of characters are a lot less rigidly defined by "Master" or "slave", or "straight" or "gay", than Ms. Sinclair's are, and thinking both series' over the stories here are more defined by the subbe's feelings than the Dom's.
There's also the more real-world angle in Bondage Ranch - rather than a Club Shadowlands' contingent of Independently Wealthy, Completely Heterosexual All-Master Dommie McDomDoms who all are either ex-elite combat vets, cops or Federal Agents, this book's Master Bruce (aka "The Zen Master") is a meditation and yoga instructor who drives a Prius, does most of the cooking in their relationship once they're a couple, and sometimes babbles on about Eastern Philosophy until even his beloved subbe Laera is rolling her eyes at him! The women seem to have much more agency here as well - it feels more like they choose to sexually submit to the men they come to love because they trust their men to treat them right, even In-Scene, rather than being in thrall to all the Dominant Male Testosterone of Club Shadowlands' Doms!
There's a Bit of "Master Meathead" in Some of the Shadowlands Books....
In response to Steelwhisper's comments, I'd also like to point out the Dommes in this series seem like better-written and more dimensional characters than in Shadowlands - or a lot of other series where Dominatrixes are included as background color without getting any real character arcs.
This is the book I'd hoped Kristin Proby's TIED WITH ME would be - a light but knowledgeable story about a good-natured but believable Dom, Bruce Merrick, and the woman introduced to submission who comes to love him. Said woman, Laera McDougal, also hits the sweet spot as a Newbie Subbe - interested and curious, a bit scared, but strongly attracted to the man who's topping her.
And Who Can Blame Her...?
Bruce manages to be considerate and caring without seeming Too Good To Be True - he's hung up over his former fiancée/subbe leaving him to take a new job in San Francisco, and removing her collar rather than trying to work it out with him, so he's gunshy about anything other than casual play. Despite the fact most of the regulars at Bondage Ranch (a bondage club in a woodsy part of northern Virginia that doubles as a hotel and square/Regency dance hall most of the time) personally like Bruce, and most of the subbe women (and a few of the sub men) have played with him, several of his friends in the story despair of his not being grounded with his own Significant Other. (It doesn't help that Bruce lives and works in Philadelphia, a three-hour drive away, and hasn't found anybody up there for a more permanent relationship, either!)
So when he talks the hiker with a sprained ankle he rescues, local librarian/martial artist Laera, into letting him tie her hands behind her with Ace bandages then making love to her, and spends the night in her tent before persuading her to spend the weekend with him at Bondage Ranch, the owners Dylan and Alex (a pleasant middle-aged Master/slave married couple) are delighted! Laera takes to sexual submission a lot better than she expected with Bruce as her Dom - though he makes it clear this is just a weekend thing and He's Not Into Commitments, and even sets her up with a Dominatrix friend/former subbe Sue to help her find "The Right Guy" for her....
Do I Seriously Need To Tell You How This Ends...?
While there's a lot of similarities to Cherise Sinclair's Masters of the Shadowlands series of BDSM Romances, there are some telling differences that help explain why I enjoy this series more. They're both good at (fairly) realistically depicting D/s relationships within the framework of a romance novel, both feel like they're written by writers with actual knowledge and experience of The Scene, and both certainly deliver the Master and subbegirl goods. What sets them apart is that Ms. van Yssel's cast of characters are a lot less rigidly defined by "Master" or "slave", or "straight" or "gay", than Ms. Sinclair's are, and thinking both series' over the stories here are more defined by the subbe's feelings than the Dom's.
There's also the more real-world angle in Bondage Ranch - rather than a Club Shadowlands' contingent of Independently Wealthy, Completely Heterosexual All-Master Dommie McDomDoms who all are either ex-elite combat vets, cops or Federal Agents, this book's Master Bruce (aka "The Zen Master") is a meditation and yoga instructor who drives a Prius, does most of the cooking in their relationship once they're a couple, and sometimes babbles on about Eastern Philosophy until even his beloved subbe Laera is rolling her eyes at him! The women seem to have much more agency here as well - it feels more like they choose to sexually submit to the men they come to love because they trust their men to treat them right, even In-Scene, rather than being in thrall to all the Dominant Male Testosterone of Club Shadowlands' Doms!
There's a Bit of "Master Meathead" in Some of the Shadowlands Books....
In response to Steelwhisper's comments, I'd also like to point out the Dommes in this series seem like better-written and more dimensional characters than in Shadowlands - or a lot of other series where Dominatrixes are included as background color without getting any real character arcs.
September 7, 2012
A quick but still very satisfying read! The BDSM elements were not hardcore and coupled with the balance of fiery passion and tender emotions, the story both whetted and satisfied my appetite for romantic and erotic explorations. An alpha male character that guides the heroine through the discovery and satisfaction of desires she never would have dared admitted to herself, much less indulged, never fails to fire me up! Reading this book was a very pleasurable quickie experience!
January 17, 2011
Ms. Yssel creates a great story with believable scenes. This is a first book of hers for me. I enjoyed it and wonder if perhaps Ms. Yssel patrons such a place. If so, it would be nice to receive an invitation.
October 18, 2012
i gave this one 5 starts because i REALLY love rope play most of the book explores shibari binding (can i say jealous?) not too heavy on the dom/sub relationship sides of things but a nice short story about a new sub enjoying shibari with a few spakings :) 5/5 for me Sindra
January 10, 2021
A little light, but okay. Sometimes I wanted to reach in, and smack the lead male.
August 18, 2012
Roped In by Sindra van Yssel
Book 1 of the Bondage Ranch series started off strong for me however 10 chapters made the ending to quick. I think it would have been a very good book and a more satisfying story if it was a full length novel versus just a good short story. I will be looking into more of this series.
Basically the majority of the story was about the weekend Laera and Bruce meet. I enjoyed the ‘Master Zen� Bruce relationship with Laera and the patience he had introducing her to the BDSM life style. The scenes they shared were very hot and I enjoyed the humor that was interspersed through out the story.
My favorites�
“You smell wonderful,� he told her. “So aroused.� “That's the bug spray,� she said.
“Mae West had it right—try anything once, do it again if you like it.�
“Stay away from Mistress Laera,� said Frank, “or I'll find grounds to sue your ass off. Possibly for damaging my fist when I pound your pretty boy face in.�
Book 1 of the Bondage Ranch series started off strong for me however 10 chapters made the ending to quick. I think it would have been a very good book and a more satisfying story if it was a full length novel versus just a good short story. I will be looking into more of this series.
Basically the majority of the story was about the weekend Laera and Bruce meet. I enjoyed the ‘Master Zen� Bruce relationship with Laera and the patience he had introducing her to the BDSM life style. The scenes they shared were very hot and I enjoyed the humor that was interspersed through out the story.
My favorites�
“You smell wonderful,� he told her. “So aroused.� “That's the bug spray,� she said.
“Mae West had it right—try anything once, do it again if you like it.�
“Stay away from Mistress Laera,� said Frank, “or I'll find grounds to sue your ass off. Possibly for damaging my fist when I pound your pretty boy face in.�
November 11, 2011
I've had this on my TBR for a while. I've read a few times in the past and have really enjoyed her books. This book was also very enjoyable. I like the newbie subs getting introduced to the lifestyle by the more experienced Dom. My only issue was that I thought the love connection was little bit too quick for me to really fall into the story. But, I really liked it otherwise. This is the first book in the Bondage Ranch series, and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
October 30, 2012
It's a good book for people who, like me, enjoy a nice BDSM erotica. The reason why I'm giving three starts is just because I didn't have the chance to know the characters' feelings and state of mind. Although I am aware the story is relatively short, I know it is possible to develop it better, regardless of the length (Cherise Sinclair, for example, does a great job at it).
The story left me with a feeling that something was missing due to development issues... She also had to speed up things at the end which doesn't quite make sense.
The story left me with a feeling that something was missing due to development issues... She also had to speed up things at the end which doesn't quite make sense.
June 15, 2011
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If you like this type of book, you might enjoy one of these groups. Check us out!
March 14, 2011
I liked Laera and Bruce and thought that they made a good couple. However, their relationship wasn't very well developed. I would have liked to see them spend more time together, especially at the ranch. Laera was new to BDSM and I wish she and Bruce had "played" a little more with her boundaries and what aspects she discovered that she liked and didn't like. I will read the next book in the series and I hope the author delves more into the BDSM lifestyle with the characters.
October 9, 2011
I really liked this book, for a couple of reasons.
This is a story about bdsm sex, but not as much about the sex itself as the road that leads up to it. It's a sampling of a flavour other than vanilla.
It's also a story that shows that bdsm doesn't have anything to do about abusive men and weak women, but rather about mutual respect and trust.
I would say that this would be a good introduction for anyone interested in bdsm, but be aware that it might be a gateway towards heavier stuff.
This is a story about bdsm sex, but not as much about the sex itself as the road that leads up to it. It's a sampling of a flavour other than vanilla.
It's also a story that shows that bdsm doesn't have anything to do about abusive men and weak women, but rather about mutual respect and trust.
I would say that this would be a good introduction for anyone interested in bdsm, but be aware that it might be a gateway towards heavier stuff.
May 5, 2014
I enjoyed this sweet bondage romance. Bruce, the male lead, is a bondage master and somewhat reluctant Dom. He claims to enjoy the power exchange, but he never really exploits it. Clearly he sees his sub as his equal, but does dominate her a little in sexual contexts. She is an intelligent, independent, out spoken (but not bratty) woman just learning of her love of bondage. I would rate this as a romantic, sweet, sugar kink book. Very light.
August 11, 2011
3/5; 3 stars; B
This is the second book I've read by this author. Her style reminds me of Cherise Sinclair. The focus is on safe, sane, consensual and the BDSM aspect seems pretty idealized.
I enjoyed this story. Laera, walking in the woods basically stumbles upon an ideal man, willing to introduce her to the BDSM lifestyle and they develop a romantic relationship in the process.
This is the second book I've read by this author. Her style reminds me of Cherise Sinclair. The focus is on safe, sane, consensual and the BDSM aspect seems pretty idealized.
I enjoyed this story. Laera, walking in the woods basically stumbles upon an ideal man, willing to introduce her to the BDSM lifestyle and they develop a romantic relationship in the process.
August 25, 2015
I like that it was BDSM done the right way, except for the 2 jerks who got quickly put in their place. So good going on the BDSM side, I just didn't feel any connection to the characters. They were pretty dull and boring, perhaps just cuz it was such a rushed story. Dunno, it was ok, not great, but the BDSM stuff was done correctly, so YAY for that!
July 15, 2012
I was rather let down by this one. Rope play isn't my particular fetish, but aside from that, the story was thin, there weren't any subplots worth mentioning, and there was a distinct lack when it came to the BDSM. The characters discuss the 'power exchange' in D/s, but it never actually happened between them. I just kept waiting for... something. it never materialized.
September 7, 2012
It's a shame that this was such a short story. I liked the characters, and I thought the author really did a nice job of presenting aspects of BDSM in a very thoughtful non-judgmental manner. It's too bad that the book wasn't longer, since it would have provided the author with an opportunity to develop the characters further.
January 25, 2013
"Mae West had it right - try anythign once, do it again if you like it."
A wonderful romance-plus short. A little pricey, but most of this genre is priced similarly. I was especially impressed with the safe, sane and consenual mantra throughout, which is even more prominent in the rest of the series.
A wonderful romance-plus short. A little pricey, but most of this genre is priced similarly. I was especially impressed with the safe, sane and consenual mantra throughout, which is even more prominent in the rest of the series.
February 16, 2011
Very nice short story that had a hero I would love to be my master. I liked this almost as much as I liked Club Shadowlands and Master Bruce is so sweet, loving and patient.
A very good read but I just wished it would have been longer and had more character development.
A very good read but I just wished it would have been longer and had more character development.
April 17, 2014
This isn't for me I'm afraid. The decision of the Heroine to put herself willingly into an unknown situation, with an unknown person, just didn't sit well with me. After that, I couldn't respect her enough to care about her HEA.
June 8, 2012
I really liked this book. I thought the premise and the characters were really good and how they talked about other characters I wanted to know more about them all. I also like how the author admitted that she used to be into the BDSM scene and real experience in that. :-)
January 7, 2013
it was a very good book. This ones more for the new comers of BDSM that want to read and maybe kno a little more about it without having to research it online. it's a wonderful story! I hope you guyz enjoyed it as much as I did.
October 19, 2010
I loved this book. Sindra does an amazing job of taking you into the characters and letting you experience from the inside out what they do. Sexy and intense.
December 2, 2010
Good starter book in BDSM. Characters are not as well developed as most in this genre. Book 2 in the series, Pushing Limits, is far superior. She got her groove in book 2.
October 28, 2014
3.5 stars. A fairly quick read, very sweet and mostly angst free. I enjoyed it!
September 3, 2011
3.5 stars
February 28, 2012
This was a fun read. I don't give spoilers - but it was sexy and creative. It's also to read about not so perfect females and the guys who believe otherwise.
November 1, 2013
3.5 stars This was a nice intro into BDSM for a newbie. I would like to think all newbies could be introduced like this. Will continue with series.
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