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Rawlings Men #7
Handcuffs and Megabytes
Mike Shane’s an old fashioned kind of cop. To his mind, police work should be all about pounding the pavements, interrogating suspects and following leads. It should not involve hours spent sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen. When he’s seconded to a computer crimes task force, he’s dreading spending all his time surrounded by computers and computer geeks. Carl Rawlings is no geek. With a body full of tattoos and piercings, along with a new found interest in anything and everything kinky, he’s not your average cop—or your average computer expert either. Immediately drawn to the other man’s old school style of dominance, he quickly decides that teaching Mike all about the new program he’s developed won’t be so bad after all, but who knows what Mike may teach him in return?
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2011
6 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Kim Dare
160 books1,518 followersKim 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 25, 2011
Rawlings men,... what a nice premise. Reminds me of the saying 'Fiction has one thing over reality, fiction has to make sense'. If only these books were a little longer, had more substance... there is so much that can be done with these characters, you kind of want to drag the author through at least a week, even a month of trials and tribulations with these characters. The sub in this particular story has so much potential to wreck havoc in the doms life, that it's a pitty it wasn't taken full advantage of. Imagine having to be dragged to a Goth convention, or a mosh-pit or even a rave. Undercover work with the Geek patrol and all the mayhem that can be sown around that, alone, is worth at least another 200 pages.
A good read. A premise, background and characters that can have so much greater adventures.
A good read. A premise, background and characters that can have so much greater adventures.
October 4, 2017
good - not my favorites in the series but still an interesting story.
December 20, 2012
On re-reading this I upped the stars. I like the fact that in this story, the trappings of BDSM are discarded in favor of the principles underlying them.
This book probably more than any others showed me the reason some people need the pain of BDSM. For many, the rest of their life is full of intangible stresses that they have difficulty dealing with. Any sign of weakness in the face of problems is frowned upon by society, their work environment or even themselves. Yet, when physical pain surmounts that and they have permission or are even encouraged to vent their reactions, they get an outlet for all that suppressed anguish. Then after it finishes they also benefit by realizing they had the strength to deal with this physical pain, and gained by understanding that there is an end to it and the relief that follows when it is over.
If only we had safe words in life or knew someone who would ensure we only had as much as they knew we could bear.
This book probably more than any others showed me the reason some people need the pain of BDSM. For many, the rest of their life is full of intangible stresses that they have difficulty dealing with. Any sign of weakness in the face of problems is frowned upon by society, their work environment or even themselves. Yet, when physical pain surmounts that and they have permission or are even encouraged to vent their reactions, they get an outlet for all that suppressed anguish. Then after it finishes they also benefit by realizing they had the strength to deal with this physical pain, and gained by understanding that there is an end to it and the relief that follows when it is over.
If only we had safe words in life or knew someone who would ensure we only had as much as they knew we could bear.
December 18, 2021
Ahora Carl es un joven genio geek que trabaja en crimenes ciberneticos en policia, su forma de ser y su actitud son mas de un joven-emo-punk, amante del dolor, pero el trabajo no es facil, ver todos los dias el tipo de crimen que involucra niños, jovenes o mujeres maltratadas o abusadas le esta llevando poco a poco a la depresion. Pero cuando conoce al oficial Mike y lo identifica como Dom, cree que este puede ayudarlo a encontrar esa paz de la que tanto ha leido en internet que pueden llegar a tener los Subs con un verdadero Dom. Pero tiene que aceptar que cualquier cosa entre ellos no es un juego, ni es por un rato, y que lo mas importante de todo es entregarse con toda la confianza a este hombre.
Mike nunca penso que querria un Sub tan emo como Carl, pero solo con una mirada y despues de ver la verdadera necesidad del Sub de ser dominado, decide que lo mejor que puede hacer es entablar una verdadera relacion Dom/Sub con el. Pero Carl tiene que aceptar que las cosas entre ellos solo pueden ir en una solo direccion, y que es la verdadera confianza entre ambos. Carl debe confiar que su Dom esta ahi para el en cualquier momento, y Mike debe confiar que su Sub le dira siempre la verdad y nunca le ocultara ningun sentimiento o pensamiento que tenga.
Carl es un personaje muy interesante, y aunque el autor no ahondo en lo de "geek", se puede entender que el joven estaba perdido y que esta utilizando todo su vestuario para esconderse o para establecer una coraza contra el mundo. Mientras que el personaje de Mike, comienza como el tipico policia viejo cansado, hasta que se descubre como un hombre compasivo y amable, que lo unico que le hace falta es alguien a quien realmente cuidar y amar.
Me gusto bastante esta pareja, pero me hubiera gustado un poco mas de accion entre ellos, quizas algun tipo de conversacion con alguno de los primos? Siento que falto algo en la historia, pero no puedo ubicar que me falta. Sin embargo es verdaderamente divertido y entretenido de leer.
Mike nunca penso que querria un Sub tan emo como Carl, pero solo con una mirada y despues de ver la verdadera necesidad del Sub de ser dominado, decide que lo mejor que puede hacer es entablar una verdadera relacion Dom/Sub con el. Pero Carl tiene que aceptar que las cosas entre ellos solo pueden ir en una solo direccion, y que es la verdadera confianza entre ambos. Carl debe confiar que su Dom esta ahi para el en cualquier momento, y Mike debe confiar que su Sub le dira siempre la verdad y nunca le ocultara ningun sentimiento o pensamiento que tenga.
Carl es un personaje muy interesante, y aunque el autor no ahondo en lo de "geek", se puede entender que el joven estaba perdido y que esta utilizando todo su vestuario para esconderse o para establecer una coraza contra el mundo. Mientras que el personaje de Mike, comienza como el tipico policia viejo cansado, hasta que se descubre como un hombre compasivo y amable, que lo unico que le hace falta es alguien a quien realmente cuidar y amar.
Me gusto bastante esta pareja, pero me hubiera gustado un poco mas de accion entre ellos, quizas algun tipo de conversacion con alguno de los primos? Siento que falto algo en la historia, pero no puedo ubicar que me falta. Sin embargo es verdaderamente divertido y entretenido de leer.
May 16, 2011
Yet another great addition to the series, this one focuses on the need to dominate and submit to get away from your job. I thought it was fascinating how both Mike and Carl have the same problem - a demanding job and horrors from their cases that tend to stay with them even after hours. But where the solution and way to get away from it all for Mike is to dominate and control his partner, the opposite is true for Carl.
Carl feels safe and happy when he doesn't need to think, doesn't need to prove that he can do the job or master the situation. He has been able to find purely physical release from the tensions of his job before, but this story explores his discovery of the mental side of it as well. The build-up of trust is wonderful to watch, but it's very subtle.
Mike may be a little lost where technology in his job is concerned, but he is a "master" at figuring out Carl's needs and then giving the other man what he wants and needs. He is amazingly comfortable with separating his job from his personal life, and the way he relates to Carl at work is very different from what they do at home. I think this s very realistic for their type of job and it added to my enjoyment.
A fun an fascinating read!
Carl feels safe and happy when he doesn't need to think, doesn't need to prove that he can do the job or master the situation. He has been able to find purely physical release from the tensions of his job before, but this story explores his discovery of the mental side of it as well. The build-up of trust is wonderful to watch, but it's very subtle.
Mike may be a little lost where technology in his job is concerned, but he is a "master" at figuring out Carl's needs and then giving the other man what he wants and needs. He is amazingly comfortable with separating his job from his personal life, and the way he relates to Carl at work is very different from what they do at home. I think this s very realistic for their type of job and it added to my enjoyment.
A fun an fascinating read!
December 6, 2011
3.5 stars
I liked this one but not as much as the others in the series. For some reason I couldn't connect with Mike or Carl as much as I would've liked to. However, I loved how Mike chose to handle Carl and his weapon of choice when he got Carl finally handcuffed. That was seriously hot. With this one, though, I felt like I needed more from Carl and Mike than just what they gave. The ending was sweet which left me with a bit of a smile :)
I liked this one but not as much as the others in the series. For some reason I couldn't connect with Mike or Carl as much as I would've liked to. However, I loved how Mike chose to handle Carl and his weapon of choice when he got Carl finally handcuffed. That was seriously hot. With this one, though, I felt like I needed more from Carl and Mike than just what they gave. The ending was sweet which left me with a bit of a smile :)
March 6, 2014
Had a few moments, but overall I found it a little light and the BDSM was a bit fluffy. I liked Carl as a character, but wasn't really feeling Mike. Although I have read books where I the insta-relationship worked, it is really hard to execute believably with books of this length.
April 21, 2011
Very good kinky short m/m romance about a brash young computer geek who'd like to dabble in dominance with the older cop to whom he's supposed to demonstrate a computer program.
April 28, 2011
Tattoos, piercings...yum :) Really enjoyed this one.
November 27, 2017
Detective Inspector Mike Shane is an old-fashioned cop who doesn’t understand – and doesn’t care to understand – the latest and greatest technological developments. Unfortunately for Mike, he’s required to learn how to use the department’s newest software, which means he has to have lessons from computer geek Carl Rawlings. While Mike may have no interest in technology, he is fascinated by gorgeous goth boy Carl. And when he learns that Carl is a submissive…well, he can’t pass up the opportunity to teach the delicious, bratty sub a few lessons of his own.
Kim Dare is excellent at mixing sexy and sweet and she does a bang-up job of it in Handcuffs and Megabytes. The seventh Rawlings Men story is a delightfully fun read with two heroes that are sure to make readers smile. Carl is new to the D/s world, but he’s an eager student. It was fun watching him explore different kinks with Mike, whose gentle but firm nature perfectly complemented Carl’s bouncy but uncertain attitude. Handcuffs and Megabytes can be read as a standalone story and is a charming, light romance that will leave readers well-satisfied.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
Kim Dare is excellent at mixing sexy and sweet and she does a bang-up job of it in Handcuffs and Megabytes. The seventh Rawlings Men story is a delightfully fun read with two heroes that are sure to make readers smile. Carl is new to the D/s world, but he’s an eager student. It was fun watching him explore different kinks with Mike, whose gentle but firm nature perfectly complemented Carl’s bouncy but uncertain attitude. Handcuffs and Megabytes can be read as a standalone story and is a charming, light romance that will leave readers well-satisfied.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
September 5, 2011
Carl's job can really get to him sometimes, the horrors he see while working with the Computer Crimes division is sometimes more than he can take. He is looking for someone to help him forget if even for a little while.
Mike is a no non-sense Dom who thinks this computer nerd with the goth look is a brat waiting to be brought to heel. And he is just the Dom to do it.
In this seventh installment in the Rawlings Men series, Kim Dare explores the need to dominate and submit due to work related stress. Both men need what they get out of this relationship to help them deal with the the things they see and do at their job. When Carl submits he feels safe, he can let go and know that Mike is there to give him the physical release he needs. Mike gets to feel the control that he doesn't usually have at work, being able to figure out what Carl needs leads to Mikes satisfaction. The emotion that you experience seeing things through Carl's point of view made understanding his need to submit easier. These books are short but they pack an emotional punch worthy of a prize fighter. I would suggest any of the books in this series.
Mike is a no non-sense Dom who thinks this computer nerd with the goth look is a brat waiting to be brought to heel. And he is just the Dom to do it.
In this seventh installment in the Rawlings Men series, Kim Dare explores the need to dominate and submit due to work related stress. Both men need what they get out of this relationship to help them deal with the the things they see and do at their job. When Carl submits he feels safe, he can let go and know that Mike is there to give him the physical release he needs. Mike gets to feel the control that he doesn't usually have at work, being able to figure out what Carl needs leads to Mikes satisfaction. The emotion that you experience seeing things through Carl's point of view made understanding his need to submit easier. These books are short but they pack an emotional punch worthy of a prize fighter. I would suggest any of the books in this series.
May 3, 2011
The cover is simply drool-licious and represents Mike and Carl superbly.
Carl is a computer geek called in to train Mike on their new police software, but that doesn't stop them from being immediately attracted to each other. Mike is a Dom with a sense of humour, but sees Carl as a wannabe Goth brat. Their repartee is brilliant - "The only thing I'd ever want to do with a brat like you, is bring you to heel and teach you some respect" says Mike - and that sets the tenor for their relationship.
I like that Carl, though 'innocent', is willing to give himself over to Mike; and that Mike recognises immediately the submissive in Carl.
A lovely little story (including a very HOT scene) which left me wanting more, more, more !
NB: Any of these Rawlings men are to die for !!! Thank you Kim for another brilliant story!
Carl is a computer geek called in to train Mike on their new police software, but that doesn't stop them from being immediately attracted to each other. Mike is a Dom with a sense of humour, but sees Carl as a wannabe Goth brat. Their repartee is brilliant - "The only thing I'd ever want to do with a brat like you, is bring you to heel and teach you some respect" says Mike - and that sets the tenor for their relationship.
I like that Carl, though 'innocent', is willing to give himself over to Mike; and that Mike recognises immediately the submissive in Carl.
A lovely little story (including a very HOT scene) which left me wanting more, more, more !
NB: Any of these Rawlings men are to die for !!! Thank you Kim for another brilliant story!
May 28, 2015
2015 Re-read:
Once again things started up fairly fast. In this case I liked the fact that these two seemed to fulfil each other’s needs so nicely, even though at least Carl hadn’t really been Mike’s type initially.
Or such a short story, the conclusion felt comforting. I guess it helps to know that all the couples in this series will be staying together forever after their depicted beginnings. :P
2012 Review:
It did not start out very promising, with Mike being gruff and judgemental and Carl seeming much too frivolous. But boy, did that turn around.
Mike ended up rather sweet and a lot more gentle than I’d have expected, and Carl’s plight was touching, as was the resolution they found together.
The story still felt really short and in this case it actually seemed to move just a tad too fast from meeting to collaring. But whatever works.
Once again things started up fairly fast. In this case I liked the fact that these two seemed to fulfil each other’s needs so nicely, even though at least Carl hadn’t really been Mike’s type initially.
Or such a short story, the conclusion felt comforting. I guess it helps to know that all the couples in this series will be staying together forever after their depicted beginnings. :P
2012 Review:
It did not start out very promising, with Mike being gruff and judgemental and Carl seeming much too frivolous. But boy, did that turn around.
Mike ended up rather sweet and a lot more gentle than I’d have expected, and Carl’s plight was touching, as was the resolution they found together.
The story still felt really short and in this case it actually seemed to move just a tad too fast from meeting to collaring. But whatever works.
May 3, 2011
I liked this one a lot better than the last one. I think it's because the emotion of the moment came across better from Carl's perspective at the end and I really felt like I was inside his head and understood his need in submission.
I have found it sort of amusing that they've all fallen so hard so fast -become so quickly possessive- but then when you have stories this short, they have to if you're attempting to present a more HEA than HFN. I really enjoyed this one.
I have found it sort of amusing that they've all fallen so hard so fast -become so quickly possessive- but then when you have stories this short, they have to if you're attempting to present a more HEA than HFN. I really enjoyed this one.
February 2, 2013
This is probably my favorite cover of the series. I could stare at it all day long! I could also re-read that first scene between Mike and Carl over and over. Talk about smokin’ hot – whew! I felt an affinity with Carl’s character; computer geek, tats, submissive tendencies – a male me (okay, wishful thinking but makes me smile)! Really enjoyed this one:)
October 23, 2011
Another tasty one from Ms. Dare. This one in the form of a goth boy who is also a computer geek. Do I remember the names of the two guys? Um, no. But I know there is another submissive rawlings and he's young, sexy and so sweet. I liked it. This is like candy to me. I just can't stop eating this up.
April 26, 2011
really good bdsm story with cops.
May 22, 2011
this was my first book by Kim now I need to go back and start from the beginning......loved it!!!
July 6, 2011
In Handcuffs and Megabytes, Kim Dare is once again at her best with the Rawlings boys. Read more...http://www.darkdivasreviews.com/?p=5604
October 11, 2012
Very short D/s erotica. First night together of a younger computer crimes officer and an older Detective Sergeant. Not a lot of substance but fun.
February 19, 2018
Re-read: 19th February 2018
This couple has so much potential!
1st Read: 12th to 15th August 2014
Carl Rawlings and Mike Shane...
Another couple that I'm loving!
This couple has so much potential!
1st Read: 12th to 15th August 2014
Carl Rawlings and Mike Shane...
Another couple that I'm loving!
December 27, 2022
Loved this....This is the fourth time i'm reading The Rawlings Men and have just ordered them in paperback...can't get enough of them and this one is amazing Carl was so sweet x
August 7, 2017
Mike and Carl. Loved this one. Great chemistry, perfectly matched characters. Appropriate emotional depth to make this believable and enjoyable.
A-, definite reread
A-, definite reread
April 18, 2022
Opposites attract in this my favorite book of the series. Mike being sent down to learn a new computer program from Carl presents them both with an interesting challenge.
June 20, 2016
I enjoyed this, and I think I would have given it a solid 4 stars if it had been about three times as long. These are supposed to be shorts/novellas, and that's fine, I loved Handcuffs and Glory Holes. But the length affected this book negatively both at the beginning and at the end.
Initially, these two jumped into a BDSM relationship WAY too quick. I'm fine with quickie erotica, but the type of BDSM bond they were looking for takes a little more connection, and it was just way too early for me to feel that. Therefore, some things that should have been sexy (Carl's insecurity and naivete in his first scene) made me feel awkward and embarrassed for Carl, because they just didn't have that trust yet.
Similarly, the ending felt abrupt. I'll preface it by saying there were a lot of excerpts at the end, so it's misleading when you think a book is 160 pages and then all of a sudden it ends at 130. I'm OK with a nice HFN ending, but I think adding on to not feeling enough of a connection at the beginning, I needed more at the end to draw me in. It was sort of meh. Don't get me wrong, the sex was hot, anyone who's read Ms. Dare's work will know that. But I was surprised the sex was not too BDSM-ish. I figured it was Mike's way of starting off light with Carl and that they would follow up with a more traditional spanking or something. But nope, just the sex.
Received from Jo *Smut-Dickted* for 2014 March Free-For-All in Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group
Initially, these two jumped into a BDSM relationship WAY too quick. I'm fine with quickie erotica, but the type of BDSM bond they were looking for takes a little more connection, and it was just way too early for me to feel that. Therefore, some things that should have been sexy (Carl's insecurity and naivete in his first scene) made me feel awkward and embarrassed for Carl, because they just didn't have that trust yet.
Similarly, the ending felt abrupt. I'll preface it by saying there were a lot of excerpts at the end, so it's misleading when you think a book is 160 pages and then all of a sudden it ends at 130. I'm OK with a nice HFN ending, but I think adding on to not feeling enough of a connection at the beginning, I needed more at the end to draw me in. It was sort of meh. Don't get me wrong, the sex was hot, anyone who's read Ms. Dare's work will know that. But I was surprised the sex was not too BDSM-ish. I figured it was Mike's way of starting off light with Carl and that they would follow up with a more traditional spanking or something. But nope, just the sex.
Received from Jo *Smut-Dickted* for 2014 March Free-For-All in Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group
October 21, 2011
One of the better Rawlings Men shorts; I wasn't fond of the 20-yr age gap between them, but with Mike's extensive knowledge and Carl's perceived naivety regarding the BDSM scene, it kind of fit. I liked how Mike explained the scene to be - how different he made it, compared to nearly every other joe-shmoe who likes to be in charge.
Too often the Rawlings Men stories kind of fall flat with me. Thankfully, this one was better than a lot of the others in how the connections are viewed, and most especially how Mike stressed that it wasn't about being master and slave, or pretending to be someone else, so much as it was simply trusting the man you're with to take care of you.
Too often the Rawlings Men stories kind of fall flat with me. Thankfully, this one was better than a lot of the others in how the connections are viewed, and most especially how Mike stressed that it wasn't about being master and slave, or pretending to be someone else, so much as it was simply trusting the man you're with to take care of you.
October 15, 2012
I really liked the cover photo.
Other than that, I didn't find too much to love about this story. The goth boy who comes with his own collar (that had to be returned - the collar, not the boy) was a cute idea.
The use of clothespins was fun, especially as it was described from the perspective of the blindfolded boy.
But not my favorite story... in the actual story, I couldn't really picture the sub.
Other than that, I didn't find too much to love about this story. The goth boy who comes with his own collar (that had to be returned - the collar, not the boy) was a cute idea.
The use of clothespins was fun, especially as it was described from the perspective of the blindfolded boy.
But not my favorite story... in the actual story, I couldn't really picture the sub.
March 2, 2016
Carl makes a pass at Mike when he comes to learn the new program. Mike warns him that a true dom and sub relationships is not role play. After Carl is called away to deal with another case and Mike sees his reaction, he offers Carl a chance to satisfy his curiosity about Dob/sub relations. After an intense scene he sends Carl away to think if that is what he wants. Carl eventually seeks him and consents to be Mike's sub.
May 10, 2012
I read these short stories by Kim Dare mostly because I was feeling obsessive about reading her back list. I'm not sure it was worth the time reading them. While the writing was good, the stories were too short to leave a satisfied feeling for me. Also, I thought the titles were really, really bad.
May 5, 2019
Wanted more
I have all but one of the Rawlings Men and I have enjoyed them all;however, as other reviewers have mentioned, they are just too short. They are very well written and leave me wanting more so I am always disappointed when they end so soon.
That being said, I liked this book and will undoubtedly read it again.
I have all but one of the Rawlings Men and I have enjoyed them all;however, as other reviewers have mentioned, they are just too short. They are very well written and leave me wanting more so I am always disappointed when they end so soon.
That being said, I liked this book and will undoubtedly read it again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews