Harland Rawlings might have chosen to be a scene of crime officer rather than a “proper” policeman like so many of the men in his family, but that doesn’t mean he can’t hold his own with any cop who comes his way. Any evidence belongs to him until he says otherwise, and if a sergeant manages to roll around in evidence while tackling a suspect, then that man belongs to him until Harland has finished with him.
Detective Sergeant Alasdair Grant doesn’t have good luck with men. He resigned himself to that fact after his ex turned out to be the worst kind of sadist, so he’s not best pleased when being processed by Harland gets him hot and hard and he has no way to hide it. When Harland offers to fetch a spreader bar if he doesn’t stop wriggling, he knows the other man is merely laughing at his expense. There’s no way the scene of crime officer could know how much he’d like it if he did.
Harland can’t work out why Alasdair keeps blowing hot and cold, flirting one minute and running away the next. All he knows is that for some reason, even after the other man stopped being evidence, Harland can’t stop thinking of Alasdair as belonging to him…
Kim is a thirty-three year old bisexual submissive from Wales (UK). First published in 2008, she has since released almost 100 BDSM erotic romance titles ranging from short stories to full length novels. Having worked with a host of fantastic e-publishers, she has just moved into self publishing.
While she has occasionally ventured towards other pairings, Kim's first love is still, and probably always will be, Male/Male stories. But, no matter what the pairing, from paranormal to contemporary, and from the sweet to the intense, everything she writes will always feature three things - Kink, Love and a Happy Ending.
Harland Rowlings es conocido como el mas serio de los Rowlings, es un ser totalmente dominante que no suele divertirse fuera de un calabozo con un sumiso, y ultimamente ha estado buscando uno que resulte un reto mejor, por eso ha puesto la vista en Alasdair, un policia brusco, altanero y solitario que fue trasladado a su precinto no hace mucho. Pero primero tiene que lograr que Alasdair baje sus barreras lo suficiente para que el le pueda mostrar lo que un verdadero Dom puede lograr con el. Alasdair tiene miedo de volver a tener un Dom, las cicatrices de su ultima relacion todavia lo hacen evitar darle la confianza suficiente a cualquier amante como para poder entregarse completamente. Pero en sus sueños no tiene miedo a entregarse a Harland, ese hombre es todo lo que ha soñado en un dominante, si tan solo pudiera realmente confiar que no le hara daño, quizas pueda volver a sentir con el.
Como las anteriores historias, los personajes son fuertes, con grandes cicatrices y fuertes emociones. Los Dom tienen grandes personalidades, pero suficiente paciencia para lograr la confianza de sus sub, y en este caso eso es basicamente la trama del libro. Me gusto muchisimo como el autor intenta entrar en la mentalidad tanto del Sub como del Dom, hasta lograr que realmente creas que es eso lo mas logico que pueden estar pensando, y que lo que el otro plantea es lo mejor. Una forma muy original de este autor de tratar a los personajes, ademas de que las escenas eroticas son super-calientes!!
Kim Dare does it again. I liked how Harland had to show Alasdair that he wasn't going to be the total prick Alasdair's ex had been, that Domination wasn't equal to humiliation and that submission wasn't weakness. With the great sex scenes we've come to expect from Kim.
I love Kim Dare. She always has a way of bringing me into her books no matter how short or long they are. They are all easy, fun reads while at the same time intense and hot. I absolutely love them and this one is no exception. I loved how Alasdair was jaded from his past and I loved that Harland was patient enough and determined enough to help Alasdair get passed his hurt instead of just running for the hills. They make a very cute couple and I enjoyed this story very much.
This is a book that made me think, like so many of Kim Dare's books, about the nature of submission. The way the characters were drawn just made it obvious how easy it is for idiots, pseudo-Dominants and worse to take advantage of men who need to submit - and have no choice but to trust them.
Alasdair was hurt by a previous relationship - if you can call it that. We don't find out many details, but what is said made me shudder. The amazing thing is that he still goes ahead and tries again; it showed how deeply ingrained his need to submit really is. Anyone who reads this and sees what goes on in Alasdair's head has got to understand that submission at this level has absolutely nothing to do with weakness.
Harland takes a while to catch on, to understand what may be the reason for Alasdair's hesitation. Once he does, though, he is determined to show him that not all Doms are bastards. I may disagree with some of his methodology, but it does seem to work.
If you like stories that make you think about the nature of BDSM and the men who are interested in it, this is a good one. There are only three major scenes to the story, and much of what makes it great can be found between the lines. I really liked being such an active part of what was going on.
My favorite so far of this series. Alasdair Grant has had a bad experience with his so-called dom of an ex-lover who obviously couldn't have care less about Alasdair, the man, or the true gift of his submission. Having had no other relationship to compare this to, Alasdair was left with a completely messed up idea of what a D/s relationship looks like and is now more than hesitant to give in to another man. Harland Rawlings recognizes the potential for something good between them and is more than eager to show Alasdair that even the submissive in the relationship is allowed to have expections and to experience pleasure.
The stories in this series are really short so there isn't much time for HEAs. Like the others, this one ends with a nice steamy scene and an HFN leaving me wishing Kim Dare would take something like this into a full-length novel. I'm sure it would be amazing.
- assholes - check! - bullying - check! - sexual harassment at work - check! - unbelievable/unrealistic situations - check! - damaged character (over and over and over and over and... over again) - check!
Very disappointed :(
At 50% + all the perfectly good time wasted = I feel I deserve to give this book a rating. 1 star.
I'm sensing a reoccurring theme here. It appears many of the subs in Ms. Dare's stories have been abused. It takes a Rawlings cop to show them how a true Dom behaves and treats his sub. In this one, the use of a spreader bar was a nice touch. I'm still categorizing this as an erotic kinky novel, probably more SugarKink than BDSM. Still, a sweet short treat from Ms. Dare.
This is really a short story rather than a novella, even. I won't be getting any more from this series. They are well-written, but for me the price is too high for the length of the story being told.
I'm truly loving this series... I just wish each book was longer! Really great characters with interesting stories to tell and this one was really good.
Detective Sergeant Alasdair Grant may be good at his job, but past experience proves he’s not the best at picking a Dom. His last boyfriend was so cruel, Alasdair isn’t certain he can trust any man to give him what he needs without hurting him. Knowing that about himself, Alasdair resists the temptation that is scene-of-crime officer Harland Rawlings. But when a brawl with a suspect lands Alasdair in Harland’s office, having evidence scraped off of him, the once-burned submissive learns that sometimes there’s no need to be twice-shy.
Who doesn’t love a sexy Dom with a box full of toys? HANDCUFFS AND SPREADER BARS is a surprisingly sweet erotic romance. Having been in an abusive Dom-sub relationship before, Alasdair is understandably wary of Harland’s advances. Luckily for him, Harland knows just how to handle him and shows Alasdair what it’s like to be in a healthy relationship. HANDCUFFS AND SPREADER BARS is just the start of Alasdair and Harland’s romance, but author Kim Dare leaves the reader fully satisfied with where the pair are headed.
HANDCUFFS AND SPREADER BARS is the fifth story in Ms. Dare’s RAWLINGS MEN series, but as I’ve read the series completely out of order, I can say that HANDCUFFS AND SPREADER BARS can easily be read as a standalone. However, those that read and loved the second story in the series, HANDCUFFS AND GLORY HOLES, will no doubt be delighted – as I was – to revisit the heroes from that RAWLINGS MEN installment. All in all, HANDCUFFS AND SPREADER BARS is a wonderful addition to an addictive series.
Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here courtesy of Romance Junkies.
From the dedica of this novella (To taking a chance, even after you’ve been hurt) to the following development, I think the author wanted to launch a message to someone, in a nice and direct way: Detective Sergeant Alasdair Grant is a good cop, he is gay, out and proud, but he was burned in the past and so now he doesn’t trust so much domineering man and that is an issue when you are a sub,
Even if Alisdair is clearly attracted by Harland Rawlings, he doesn’t want to admit it and if Harland let him decide, never would ever happen between them; but of course Harland, like a good Dom, will not that happen, above all since a good Dom knows when to push his sub and when to pull away. Now is the time to push and he comes full front to Alasdair that practically isn’t able to oppose any resistance.
Sure, people can find Harland’s attitude a little too pushing, and in a way Harland is like to now have misunderstood Alasdair’s needs since sincerely he didn’t give the boy much space, he cornered him and had his way. Lucky Alasdair, instead of taking what he wanted without giving anything back, Harland first of all thought of Alasdair, and in doing so he insinuated the doubt in Alasdair that not all the domineering men are the same.
This is not a long story, just 3 encounters and a good start for something good between the two men; again what probably is the nicest thing is to see not only the interaction between Alasdair and Harland but also with all the other Rawlings men that are practically colonizing this London police station.
This may not be my favourite story in this series but it’s still sweet. Of course it also keeps things rather short, a mere beginning. Then again, that’s what this series is about. Feeling pretty good right now. :3
2012 Review:
Touching story but ending again with the beginning of love, not the all-out onslaught I enjoy so much. Mind you, this makes a lot more sense where people only just met and so on, but these guys have been around each other for months so it could have moved further here. Yes, I know this series is like that and I know they’ll be together forever and all because this is how this author works, but still.
One thing that is beginning to bug me (I mean in the sense that it keeps disappointing me) is that insistence on not being ‘soppy’. By which they mean sappy. Emotional. Lovey-dovey. I wouldn’t mind it so much if it wasn’t taken to silly extremes. But what do I know, maybe it’s a British thing after all.
Anyway! Despite my whining I am still extremely happy with this series. <3
This was a solid 4 star... until the last page, because it was the last page! Harumph. I forget that a lot, if not most, of these Rawlings Men books end with a HFN. I'm fine with HFN, but I like a more solid and less tentative one. These are really a teaser of a couples first scene together. It feels like the first few chapters in a book. Ms. Dare writes such wonderful characters that I can't help but want more. So it's left feeling unfinished... but only because she did such a good job.
Kim Dare doesn't disappoint with another of the Rawlings Men short stories. As usual, I'm left wanting more time with the great characters she creates. Her recipe for the Rawlings Men series - take a couple of police officers, some light BDSM (paddling, bondage) and mix with a bit of a backstory. The result is another solid short story with just enough substance for a quick read and not enough development to become truly invested. Kim is reliably good, but also typically offers stories that are a bit too short to get very excited.
Wow. Harland is a strong, confident man that I would think would be every person’s vote for a great Dom. Alasdair is battling his own needs and fears, but still has his own strength. The scenes are hot with just enough personality and emotion from both men. A great plot that gives a good look at both characters and brings the story to a satisfying conclusion.
Nice work Kim. You make mention, this time around, how much a sub must give over and trust. How hard that can be. I appreciate that you show us that subing is not so easy. And a really good Dom is not just a boss, but sensitive to the needs and wants of his sub. Thanks And how many Rawlings men are there todate???
This was definitely hot and my favorite of the series so far! I loved Harland’s gruff and take charge demeanor. Alistair didn’t stand a chance of ignoring him or escaping his interest, poor guy, and yet it was great to see him learn that not all dominant men are cruel or self-serving. Wish it was a little longer!
Very good kinky m/m romance about a dom who's had his eye on one of the newer constables for a while, but has only just learned that the constable equates submission with being taken advantage of due to a prior bad experience.
Who would think that Harland Rawlings preforming his crime tech job, could put so much innuendo into the collection of evidence? Alasdair doesn't know what to do with Harland's interest. But, with a great locker room scene, Harland makes everything clear.
Harland and Alasdair. Started out strong, but these two together just didn't work for me. The connection seemed forced and I ended up skimming about half. C-, no reread
First of all, this book is pretty hot. It's funny in places (to me; I have a peculiar sense of humor), it has a taciturn/grumpy guy who gets possessive, it has kink. It has a lot of stuff to love about it.
Unfortunately, there's one nagging thing that bothers me, and it's big enough that I knocked two stars off. (And yes, this was at one point only rated 2 stars. After thinking about it, I decided that was a little too low.) The problem is integral to the story, so I'll put it behind a cut.
The only other thing that I didn't care for was the fact that the characters were referred to as "the sub[missive]" and "the Dom[inant]" often enough that it started to grate, but that's Just Me. Don't let my nitpicking stop you from giving it a try; as I said, it's got a lot to love about it. Who knows, it may be exactly what you're looking for.