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Rawlings Men #3
Handcuffs and Headlocks
Undercover police officer Ed Rawlings isn’t just good at his job—he’s bloody fantastic at it. But there is such a thing as being too good at playing pretend. When reality refuses to come back, even when he’s off duty, something has to change for the hyperactive submissive. Could a no nonsense master be exactly who he needs to help him make those changes? Derby FitzGerald doesn’t do pretend. Losing track of reality when you’re teaching martial arts would be bound to get very painful, very quickly. But maybe there’s such a thing as taking life too seriously too. Could a confused cop be precisely the right person to remind him of that?
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2010
8 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Kim Dare
160 books1,516 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 41 reviews
January 10, 2011
This third book in the series was yet another nice surprise, looking at a D/s relationship from a different angle than volumes one or two. The focus is on finding out who the sub is, a concept I found both intriguing and very unusual.
Ed Rawlings, as an undercover cop, is used to playing different roles. In fact, his life usually depends on him doing this well. The problem is that he now can't do anything else. Even being a sub is a role to him. Any true Master won't be able to accept that, but Ed hasn't cared about anyone enough to worry.
Derby changes all of that. It takes him a while to figure out what is going on, but I loved it when he did and takes the reins in the relationship. He doesn't take no for an answer, and I thought that the resulting course of action was fascinating.
A wonderful, interesting read with some unexpected (for me) insights and twists. Bravo, Kim, for being so inventive and creative. This series is certainly keeping my attention!
Ed Rawlings, as an undercover cop, is used to playing different roles. In fact, his life usually depends on him doing this well. The problem is that he now can't do anything else. Even being a sub is a role to him. Any true Master won't be able to accept that, but Ed hasn't cared about anyone enough to worry.
Derby changes all of that. It takes him a while to figure out what is going on, but I loved it when he did and takes the reins in the relationship. He doesn't take no for an answer, and I thought that the resulting course of action was fascinating.
A wonderful, interesting read with some unexpected (for me) insights and twists. Bravo, Kim, for being so inventive and creative. This series is certainly keeping my attention!
July 29, 2018
Neat story concept but not fully developed, even for a short story. Derby should have caught on sooner that Ed had difficulties with reality. Too much page time role playing. Wanted to see more of Derby help Ed get in touch with the "real" Ed. Since both were new to D/s, wanted to see the couple grow into their respective roles.
December 18, 2014
The beginning was great - it was all fun and giggles.
But then multiple personalities took over, and I am not talking about 2, I am talking about 4 or 5, not including the original one, and it turned downright spooky and creepy :/
But then multiple personalities took over, and I am not talking about 2, I am talking about 4 or 5, not including the original one, and it turned downright spooky and creepy :/
Read
March 3, 2011Maintaining the light BDSM tone of all the series, and maybe exaggerating a bit in having gay cops all in the same family and working for the same department (but that is also the nice side of this novellas series, you start to have a lot of familiar faces around), Kim Dare adds a little bit of introspective plot with the story of Ed Rawlings, who is so good in doing his undercover job that he is losing his same self in that.
The other original touch is to pair big and burly Ed with a little but tough Afro-American martial art instructor, Derby. In your ordinary romance the big and taller man is of course the dominant, and the little and pretty one is the submissive. Aside from the simple fact that is not at all a mandatory combination, Derby is by the way more skilled and dangerous than Ed, in above all he is more balanced and at ease with his inner self.
In Ed’s mind, and to Ed’s body, it’s clear that he wants to be a submissive and that he needs the right dominant, but maybe due to Ed’s job, and his family, and everyone’s expectation, he cannot be that. Pretending in his private life like he does in his job, allows to Ed to pretend with himself as well: he doesn’t really need a dominant, it’s only a play, he is not really like that… and that is probably the bigger lie he is telling to himself.
At first Derby has nothing against the idea to play Dom and sub with Ed, at least not until he doesn’t start to feel something deeper for the mouthy cop. As soon as Derby understands what Ed really needs, then he is ready to prove to Ed that be true with himself can be more satisfying than any game they can play.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KSQWGE/?...
The other original touch is to pair big and burly Ed with a little but tough Afro-American martial art instructor, Derby. In your ordinary romance the big and taller man is of course the dominant, and the little and pretty one is the submissive. Aside from the simple fact that is not at all a mandatory combination, Derby is by the way more skilled and dangerous than Ed, in above all he is more balanced and at ease with his inner self.
In Ed’s mind, and to Ed’s body, it’s clear that he wants to be a submissive and that he needs the right dominant, but maybe due to Ed’s job, and his family, and everyone’s expectation, he cannot be that. Pretending in his private life like he does in his job, allows to Ed to pretend with himself as well: he doesn’t really need a dominant, it’s only a play, he is not really like that… and that is probably the bigger lie he is telling to himself.
At first Derby has nothing against the idea to play Dom and sub with Ed, at least not until he doesn’t start to feel something deeper for the mouthy cop. As soon as Derby understands what Ed really needs, then he is ready to prove to Ed that be true with himself can be more satisfying than any game they can play.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KSQWGE/?...
October 18, 2011
A submissive Rawlings? Woohoo. And boy is he a tasty one. Fitzgerald tops him so well. I do melt for the Alpha martial arts types. These two are matched so sweetly. Yet another delightfully tasteful Sugarkink. It was HOT! The alley scene. Oh boy. I wanted to grab my DH while reading this one. But I was on a flight so that wouldn't have been a good idea. I missed my chance at the mile high club. Sigh.
May 2, 2014
In a nutshell, I wanted to grab Ed's nut-sack & stretch it over his head ... never, in the history of reading, has a character made me want to physically maim them ... He. Drove. Me. Insane.
December 18, 2021
Ed Rawlings es un excelente policia encubierto, pero al parecer lleva muchos años en el campo y sus jefes quieren que se tome un descanso, por esa razon lo tienen trabajando en el escritorio y como todos los oficiales de escritorio, tiene que tomar un curso de defensa personal, al que por supuesto no queria ir, hasta que vio lo atractivo que era el joven instructor. Pero el instructor no le hace caso, no sabe que personaje debe interpretar para atraerlo, porque realmente quiere estar con el.
Derby esta comenzando su gimnasio, el es un especialista en varias artes marciales, y consiguio un contrato con la policia local para enseñar a sus oficiales varias tecnicas de defensa personal, y todo va bien hasta que se da cuenta que uno de los oficiales no le esta prestando la debida atencion e intenta hacer un ejemplo con el. Pero este oficial, Rawlings, es muy atractivo y enseguida siente que su dominancia esta en juego y quiere ponerlo en su lugar. Poco a poco lo va conociendo y se da cuenta que Ed ha tenido tantas personalidades que realmente no se acuerda como se el mismo, y Derby quiere tomar el mando y ayudarlo a ser su ancla.
Una lectura corta, pero entretenida, disfrute mucho con el personaje de Ed y los intentos de Derby de entenderlo, tambien me gusto mucho saber que habia pasado con algunos de los personajes de los libros anteriores, y como para ser una familia grande, se preocupaban tanto el uno por el otro.
Hasta ahora la serie ha sido de los mas entretenida, historias cortas, pero concisas, con personajes bien definidos y que se hacen querer.
Claro, me gustaria conocer un poco mas de la "familia" en conjunto, pero para leer los libros no es necesario y resulta refrescante poder leer algo tan bueno, tan compacto.
Derby esta comenzando su gimnasio, el es un especialista en varias artes marciales, y consiguio un contrato con la policia local para enseñar a sus oficiales varias tecnicas de defensa personal, y todo va bien hasta que se da cuenta que uno de los oficiales no le esta prestando la debida atencion e intenta hacer un ejemplo con el. Pero este oficial, Rawlings, es muy atractivo y enseguida siente que su dominancia esta en juego y quiere ponerlo en su lugar. Poco a poco lo va conociendo y se da cuenta que Ed ha tenido tantas personalidades que realmente no se acuerda como se el mismo, y Derby quiere tomar el mando y ayudarlo a ser su ancla.
Una lectura corta, pero entretenida, disfrute mucho con el personaje de Ed y los intentos de Derby de entenderlo, tambien me gusto mucho saber que habia pasado con algunos de los personajes de los libros anteriores, y como para ser una familia grande, se preocupaban tanto el uno por el otro.
Hasta ahora la serie ha sido de los mas entretenida, historias cortas, pero concisas, con personajes bien definidos y que se hacen querer.
Claro, me gustaria conocer un poco mas de la "familia" en conjunto, pero para leer los libros no es necesario y resulta refrescante poder leer algo tan bueno, tan compacto.
December 11, 2010
I like Kim Dare's writing, REALLY I do. I think it takes a gifted author to create the vivid and passionate scenes she does so well in a few pages. I LOVE the way she attempts to represent the diversity of kinky relationships. But I'm not feeling her novelettes. No darling; lo siento. I need more depth, a slower pacing, a story that's focused on the relationship more than the smexin. If you're in the mood for a quickie that will leave you wanting then you'll enjoy this though personally I think book 2 (Handcuffs and Glory Holes)is the best in the series thus far. I am still going to read book 4 because I am a glutton for punishment XP!
February 25, 2012
Really solid effort in this area. I have enjoyed the series so far and each new book is not like the other. That is a great thing in series - and something which got this book an extra star. It is a little insta love'y for me but that was my expectation and they did get a good amount of time to develop the relationship. I was not sure if I liked Ed in the beginning - he seemed kind of cocky and arrogant - and lost and confused! However, like Derby, I came to realize what was going on and then I hoped that Derby could be the guy to prove the catalyst for the change Ed needed. Great series!
January 11, 2011
This one in this series I didn't too much like. Ed was going through so many identities in his head that my head was starting to hurt. I understand he is an undercover cop who did it for a living but he didn't know how to turn it off. Derby for most of the book just went along with it. Then all of a sudden Derby takes control and tells Ed how its going to be and then bam book over. This is my least favorite in the series so far.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2011
This series is starting to feel like a collection of premises rather than full stories that the author just wanted put out there for her readers.
And i can't help but feel amused that there's a whole family of men who are not just gay but kinky as well...what a coincidence!!! Lol! (apart from that one lawyer of course!)
And i can't help but feel amused that there's a whole family of men who are not just gay but kinky as well...what a coincidence!!! Lol! (apart from that one lawyer of course!)
September 29, 2010
Very good kinky m/m romance about an undercover police officer who's played so many different parts that he's always playing a part, even when he meets an extremely centered martial arts instructor to whom he'd like to submit.
August 12, 2011
I struggled with this book. Ed and his many personas was a bit too much for me, and whilst I liked Derby he went along with it for too long, if he had taken control right from the beginning it would have made more sense.
August 7, 2017
Ed and Derby. More interesting and intense characters in this book. Characters spend time figuring themselves and each other out. Best so far.
B-, no reread
B-, no reread
September 24, 2017
Not my favorite of the series, Ed kinda confused me and I'm not sure I felt the attraction between the two MC like I have in the other book from this series.
June 23, 2011
Review: This was a well crafted read with an interesting premise, though I had to suspend disbelief a few times to enjoy it. I believe it’s part of a series, with different characters each book.
Review for Brief Encounters Reviews: http://briefencountersreviews.com/201...
The men come together explosively and passionately. Disbelief suspension #1 was how they handled this in a professional context. Ed seemed obsessed with sex even during his training with other officers. Derby showed more caution, but was still ultimately led by his dick :). They acted like horny kids, some of the scenes reading like a porn movie set-up.
Some characteristics of the writing jarred. There were many instances of “the taller/older/younger man/the cop”, rather than using their names. Also, from early on, Derby was called ‘the dominant’ and Ed ‘the sub’. This may have been in context in Ed’s fantasies, but both men continued to use the terms throughout the narrative. Disbelief suspension #2: I couldn’t see any reference to either man being committed already to that role, rather than just having rough sex. Is it covered in another book in the series? To me, neither of them showed a full understanding of or commitment to that as a lifestyle choice.
Ed piqued my interest, with his confused personality. The scenes in his bedroom were fascinating and perceptive, in among the props of his various guises. He appeared genuinely a pain slut, both physically and emotionally. I liked the way his pained, convoluted personality was gradually revealed, and his true needs exposed. A man could get in a lot of trouble if he started forgetting who he was… Just for a little while, he was able to hide from the world without needing to clamber into someone else’s skin in the process. That said, Derby was a strong foil to him, even though it was never totally clear to me why he reacted so dominantly to Ed, or if that was really what he wanted, too.
In the short story format, it never rose for me above an erotic read. There was no development of back story, for example about Ed’s undercover work. Disbelief suspension #3 was the way they talked in terms of love by the end, when they were barely more than sex partners.
The strengths of the story for me were the bold sex and the entertaining masculine banter. The author also wrote well about the layers of a man, the bravado hiding the weaknesses. But the story then backed away, taking a more superficial view, using the theme – both for the characters and the reader – as sexual stimulation rather than reality. And I didn’t think the story needed the D/S stereotypes, just the two men deciding on what worked for them alone.
The men were a good match, the sex was hot, the style easy to read, and I enjoyed the development of Ed from an apparently incorrigible good-time guy. However, the D/S terminology and the awkward character descriptions kept me from relaxing completely with it and rating it higher.
by pettyprose…my opinion alone.
Review for Brief Encounters Reviews: http://briefencountersreviews.com/201...
The men come together explosively and passionately. Disbelief suspension #1 was how they handled this in a professional context. Ed seemed obsessed with sex even during his training with other officers. Derby showed more caution, but was still ultimately led by his dick :). They acted like horny kids, some of the scenes reading like a porn movie set-up.
Some characteristics of the writing jarred. There were many instances of “the taller/older/younger man/the cop”, rather than using their names. Also, from early on, Derby was called ‘the dominant’ and Ed ‘the sub’. This may have been in context in Ed’s fantasies, but both men continued to use the terms throughout the narrative. Disbelief suspension #2: I couldn’t see any reference to either man being committed already to that role, rather than just having rough sex. Is it covered in another book in the series? To me, neither of them showed a full understanding of or commitment to that as a lifestyle choice.
Ed piqued my interest, with his confused personality. The scenes in his bedroom were fascinating and perceptive, in among the props of his various guises. He appeared genuinely a pain slut, both physically and emotionally. I liked the way his pained, convoluted personality was gradually revealed, and his true needs exposed. A man could get in a lot of trouble if he started forgetting who he was… Just for a little while, he was able to hide from the world without needing to clamber into someone else’s skin in the process. That said, Derby was a strong foil to him, even though it was never totally clear to me why he reacted so dominantly to Ed, or if that was really what he wanted, too.
In the short story format, it never rose for me above an erotic read. There was no development of back story, for example about Ed’s undercover work. Disbelief suspension #3 was the way they talked in terms of love by the end, when they were barely more than sex partners.
The strengths of the story for me were the bold sex and the entertaining masculine banter. The author also wrote well about the layers of a man, the bravado hiding the weaknesses. But the story then backed away, taking a more superficial view, using the theme – both for the characters and the reader – as sexual stimulation rather than reality. And I didn’t think the story needed the D/S stereotypes, just the two men deciding on what worked for them alone.
The men were a good match, the sex was hot, the style easy to read, and I enjoyed the development of Ed from an apparently incorrigible good-time guy. However, the D/S terminology and the awkward character descriptions kept me from relaxing completely with it and rating it higher.
by pettyprose…my opinion alone.
November 27, 2017
Ed Rawlings is one of the best undercover cops there is. The only problem is, Ed’s beginning to burn out. He’s having more and more trouble separating the real him from the roles he plays, and he brushes off the concern of his family with his bubbly charm. Said charm doesn’t quite work on Derby FitzGerald. The serious martial arts instructor may be attracted to Ed, but he keeps insisting that the “games” he and Ed play have to end sometime. Will Ed’s struggle with his own identity break them up before their relationship has a chance to truly begin?
A man who’s lost himself begins to find his way (with the help of a gorgeous hero, of course) in Handcuffs and Headlocks. What interested me about Handcuffs and Headlocks wasn’t the relationship between Derby and Ed, but rather the idea of an undercover cop being so into his job that he can’t bring himself to separate fantasy from reality. Ed fascinated me and I was engaged watching his struggle to learn who Ed Rawlings is. The relationship between he and Derby is entertaining, with some light BDSM elements, but if you’re familiar with Ms. Dare’s Rawlings Men series, the romance in Handcuffs and Headlocks is pretty much standard fare for the Rawlings Men stories. Overall, Handcuffs and Headlocks is a sexy and fast-paced read that I definitely enjoyed.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
A man who’s lost himself begins to find his way (with the help of a gorgeous hero, of course) in Handcuffs and Headlocks. What interested me about Handcuffs and Headlocks wasn’t the relationship between Derby and Ed, but rather the idea of an undercover cop being so into his job that he can’t bring himself to separate fantasy from reality. Ed fascinated me and I was engaged watching his struggle to learn who Ed Rawlings is. The relationship between he and Derby is entertaining, with some light BDSM elements, but if you’re familiar with Ms. Dare’s Rawlings Men series, the romance in Handcuffs and Headlocks is pretty much standard fare for the Rawlings Men stories. Overall, Handcuffs and Headlocks is a sexy and fast-paced read that I definitely enjoyed.
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
January 29, 2015
2012 Review:
Poor Ed. This one, again, made me wish for more resolution instead just the beginning of the, well, healing. But it was still good. The character types were not my favourites but maybe that made it even better. Variety and all that.
As a particular treat we got to see both Hadley and Willis from the first two books respectively . XD Especially in the case of Willis this was just what I needed after last time. <3 He even had a speaking role in this one. XD
2015 Re-read:
So sad. Ed always makes me terribly sad, although that is counterbalanced by how they find a solution for his problem at the very end.
Still, neither Ed nor Derby are favourite characters of mine, hence the slightly lower rating. That’s okay, really. It should not reflect on the overall quality of the story. Pity I can’t give incremental ratings. This, like book one of this series, so very much hovers between three and four.
Poor Ed. This one, again, made me wish for more resolution instead just the beginning of the, well, healing. But it was still good. The character types were not my favourites but maybe that made it even better. Variety and all that.
As a particular treat we got to see both Hadley and Willis from the first two books respectively . XD Especially in the case of Willis this was just what I needed after last time. <3 He even had a speaking role in this one. XD
2015 Re-read:
So sad. Ed always makes me terribly sad, although that is counterbalanced by how they find a solution for his problem at the very end.
Still, neither Ed nor Derby are favourite characters of mine, hence the slightly lower rating. That’s okay, really. It should not reflect on the overall quality of the story. Pity I can’t give incremental ratings. This, like book one of this series, so very much hovers between three and four.
November 11, 2010
Found I didn't really relate to this novel by Kim Dare like I normally do.
Ed Rawlings doesn't have much of a character - at least, none of his own. At first I severely disliked how he kept sliding into an acting persona during their encounters, until I realized that was the POINT - the whole crux of the novel: he had trouble just being himself.
I liked Derby and he had the potential of being a great character, but every time I thought I got an understanding of who he was, that realization flittered away with the entrance of Ed.
Not to say it was a bad novel at all ... only, especially for this one, I really wish Kim Dare had expanded more. Even by the end of the story I wasn't sure either men had managed to find out who Ed really was, and it came across to me as more of a temporary fix than anything. =/
Ed Rawlings doesn't have much of a character - at least, none of his own. At first I severely disliked how he kept sliding into an acting persona during their encounters, until I realized that was the POINT - the whole crux of the novel: he had trouble just being himself.
I liked Derby and he had the potential of being a great character, but every time I thought I got an understanding of who he was, that realization flittered away with the entrance of Ed.
Not to say it was a bad novel at all ... only, especially for this one, I really wish Kim Dare had expanded more. Even by the end of the story I wasn't sure either men had managed to find out who Ed really was, and it came across to me as more of a temporary fix than anything. =/
March 10, 2012
I had a little harder time getting into this book from the Handcuffs series. If it were longer, I might have been able to feel more of the connection between Ed and Derby, but it never came across strong enough for what was there. I also struggled with the fantasy/role play aspect of the story. It was hard to follow along in Ed’s thought process as he pretended to be other guys or characters. I liked how Derby got very firm near the end of the book about Ed just being himself, but then the story was over and I really would have liked a bit more rounding out on that particular aspect. Regardless, I always like Kim Dare’s books!
July 12, 2013
wow! so different from the first two in the series. kinda hard for me to take this in because i'm not and have never been a "switcher". not only that, trying to envision the mc and what i was used to seeing from him, makes it hard to see him being able to ever take the dom role on again. just my thoughts and my beliefs. kinda the old saying, "pick one side"! as a person who questions a lot though, some of the discussion made a helluva lot of sense. and hiding behind something to "protect" yourself and things inside you makes a lot of sense too. on to #4.
September 25, 2012
I liked how this story was turned around from the previous two in the series - the star, the Rawlings man, was the submissive instead of the dominant.
It was an interesting idea having a submissive need to submit to be anchored... to know who he is... Ed Rawlings is an undercover cop who gets lost in all the identities he plays. Submission gives him an opportunity to be himself.
Not entirely original, but well done.
It was an interesting idea having a submissive need to submit to be anchored... to know who he is... Ed Rawlings is an undercover cop who gets lost in all the identities he plays. Submission gives him an opportunity to be himself.
Not entirely original, but well done.
February 18, 2018
Re-read: 18th February 2018
1st Read: 4th Aug 2013
Ed Rawlings was a damn interesting character xD
And I hope Derby can held him together.
All in all, this was a nice, hott short story.
P.S Finally know the name of the characters from the first book -,,- Joe Hadley n Mike Rawlings. I don't think it was mention in the book...
1st Read: 4th Aug 2013
Ed Rawlings was a damn interesting character xD
And I hope Derby can held him together.
All in all, this was a nice, hott short story.
P.S Finally know the name of the characters from the first book -,,- Joe Hadley n Mike Rawlings. I don't think it was mention in the book...
July 9, 2015
Wrong Voice The Avian Series, The Pack Discipline Series, Axel's Pup, With this Kiss are some of the books Kim Dare has written that I love and would gladly read again. There's another Kim Dare voice that makes me crazy and The Rawlings Men series is one of those. This is the second one I've tried and the only reason I finished it was because I respect Kim Dare.
September 16, 2010
Ed is, by far, the most intriguing character I've read in a while. He gives a whole new meaning to "putting yourself in other people's shoes" or just losing yourself. It made for a really interesting story. 3.5 stars.
May 9, 2011
It was a nice story i loved the beginning it was so cute and funny... i would have loved it if it was longer and we got to see what happened after their little "talk" at the end of the story...I really liked Ed's character
October 18, 2017
Rawlings Men vol 1
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
July 17, 2014
I loved Ed and Derby...i actually felt sorry for Ed not knowing who he really was x Fourth time i've read this one and i love it the more i read it....Ed just calls to me as he tries to discover who he really is and i love the fact that the dominant is younger and smaller than the submissive x
February 26, 2016
Ed is a good undercover cop but he is becoming lost in all of his covers. Derby allows him to play act for awhile before reining him in. Ed will be allowed to do his job as an undercover cop but when off duty he belongs to Derby and is Ed.
April 24, 2011
good story about D/s cops.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews