Author Names: K.C. Wells & Parker Williams
Book Name: Endings and Beginnings
Series: Collars & Cuffs
Book: Eight
This is the final book in the series, which should be read from Beginning to End. ;) (See what we did there?)
Release Date: July 18, 2016
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond
Blurb
In all his relationships, Darren Fielding never found the level of intimacy he witnessed between Thomas Williams and his sub, Peter, the day of Peter’s “rebirth.” Not only that, he never realized such intimacy was possible. For two years, Thomas’s business card has been burning a hole in his wallet. When Darren’s lover moves on, maybe it’s finally time to see where that card takes him.
Collars & Cuffs’s new barman, JJ Taylor, is really conflicted right now. He went to the club with a very specific purpose, already convinced of what he’d find there. Except it’s not what he expected at all. He certainly didn’t anticipate finding himself drawn to the new wannabe Dom. Nor could he have guessed the direction that attraction would lead him.
Old love, new love, vows, pain, rage, moving in, moving on…. The members of Collars & Cuffs face an event that touches some of them deeply, but it will only reinforce what they already know: together they are stronger, and some bonds cannot be broken.
Pages or Words: 121,429
Categories: Contemporary, BDSM, Fiction, M/M Romance
Excerpt
“Honey, I’m home.”
Alex laughed and came out of the kitchen to greet his husband. “We’ve talked about this, right? You do not walk into this apartment and talk to me like I’m the little wife.”
Leo kissed him soundly on the cheek. “Aw, but you’d look great in an apron, holding a glass of beer out for your weary, hard-working hubby.” He smirked. “And besides, no one in their right mind would call you little.”
Alex quirked his eyebrows. “One, you don’t drink beer, which is why there’s a glass of chilled chardonnay on the living room table, waiting for you. Two, excuse me—weary? Hard-working? You’ve been standing around in leather chaps and a harness, watching while guys do all manner of things to each other, which probably included a lot of f*cking, because, hey, it’s Saturday night, right?”
Leo sighed happily. “What can I say? I love my job.”
Carra's Review-Endings and Beginnings
From the moment I started this series, I knew it was something different and special. My socks were knocked off with the first book, and each subsequent story just continued to expand this world and family-yes family-to the point that as a reader I was experiencing the same emotions as the characters. You can't help but become fully immersed in every one of their lives, struggles and achievements. Endings and Beginnings is a wonderful conclusion to this series, while at the same time giving us the story of a brand new couple.
To me, the way the story is told is a tad different than the rest. Whereas the other books each primarily concentrate on the couple featured in that particular book with a few other characters' points of view scattered within, here in the final book of the series there are a lot more of those supporting characters' points of view to help them all bring closure--and new beginnings--to all of their stories, while still paying full attention to Darren and JJ's relationship. With the additional POVs being much more plentiful here, this read almost like what watching a television show feels like, moving smoothly from one story arc to another without compromising the integrity of Darren and JJ's story. I rather enjoyed this as it had my full attention every moment I was reading as I anticipated hearing more about all the wonderful couples from this series.
As for Darren and JJ...I loved them both. For two people who are new to the BDSM lifestyle, they seem to fit right in. Darren already knows about responsibility and taking care of people since he runs his own business, and his smooth, protective, firm demeanor make him a natural fit for the role of a Dom. JJ has trust issues, and has a link to the rest of the Collars & Cuffs family that is unexpected. When Darren and JJ meet, something just clicks between them...which leads to some of the most passionate chemistry I've seen in this series. JJ's tendency to run from situations and Darren's protective personality help move things along swiftly for them, also ramping up the intensity between the two men.
I love the descriptive writing in not just this book but in the entire series. It really brings the scenes to life and as a reader made me really FEEL as I read. Feel the emotions, feel the pain, feel the LOVE and yes, feel hot and bothered. The overwhelming message is about love, trust, and family, and that message is delivered loud and clear in every page, chapter and book in the series.
Ending and Beginnings will put you through a full range of emotions, and for me it was a 4.5-star read. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to M/M romance and M/M BDSM romance fans 18+ for adult language and explicit erotic sexual content. It is important to note--this is the final book in an 8-book series, and you really need to read the first seven books before starting this one or you will not understand many things that are going on. Don't worry--it's a fantastic series overall and by the time you're done, you'll feel like a part of the Collars & Cuffs family too. I sure did, and I'll surely be re-reading the series...because now that I'm done with it I'm already missing the characters.
Series Recap
Want to know what I thought of the first seven books? Check out the links here to my reviews:
Exclusive Extra!
Leo’s Night
God, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh never failed to make my d*ck chafe against my leathers. Tonight definitely wasn’t an exception. The group room had been filled to the brim since early on, and the writhing mass of men showed no signs of abating. Not that I wanted it to. Ever since we opened Collars & Cuffs, Thomas and I had seen a steady growth in new memberships. At least the ones we accepted.
There were many that Thomas said no to, without much more than a cursory glance at their applications. When they said they’d been a Dom at Spitfire, that was a warning flag to us. If it hadn’t been for Ben telling us about Eli, I don’t know that we would have accepted him.
Spitfire represented the worst of the worst as far as BDSM clubs go. They didn’t vet their members, so anyone could walk through the door if they were willing to pay. That rankled us both. The thought that anyone could be so careless with something as precious as a submissive caused our blood to boil.
We’d heard stories that made our skin crawl about what happened at their after parties. No safe words, no dungeon masters. Just a mob of people, shouts, crying, pleading for someone to stop hurting them. Just no. They weren’t a BDSM club at all, just a bunch of cruel men who got their jollies however they could.
The sound of a grunt on the floor told me that someone had just come. I grinned, because I knew that in thirty-eight minutes, my own boy would walk through the door, and in thirty-nine minutes, he’d be naked, on his knees, and sucking me deep.
I try to keep my thoughts away from Spitfire. Tonight isn’t one for reflection, but I can’t help it. After dealing with Curtis Rogers, we’ve seen some of the worst humanity had to offer. When I gaze across the room, seeing the rapturous faces of the subs who’ve been given the okay by their Dom to get their release, I know this is what it’s all about.
A partnership. Growing together. Taking something strong and making it unbreakable.
“Leo? It was a slow night, so Sev let me leave a little early.”
I turn and find Alex, and my heart nearly bursts with his beauty. He’s nude, his slender form partially hidden by the shadows of the room. I reach out and grab his wrist, pulling him to me. This is mine, just as I’m his.
He slides slowly to his knees and takes me deep. I groan, and start a gentle thrust. Whatever thoughts had been consuming me are now gone. All that matters is my boy.
Because no matter what else happens, what Alex and I have is the most important thing of all.
Meet K.C. Wells:
Born and raised in the north-west of England, K.C. WELLS always loved writing. Words were important. Full stop. However, when childhood gave way to adulthood, the writing ceased, as life got in the way. K.C. discovered erotic fiction in 2009, when the purchase of a ménage storyline led to the startling discovery that reading about men in love was damn hot. In 2012, arriving at a really low point in life led to the desperate need to do something creative. An even bigger discovery waited in the wings—writing about men in love was even hotter….
K.C. now writes full-time and is loving every minute of her new career. The laptop still has no idea of what hit it… it only knows that it wants a rest, please. And it now has to get used to the idea that where K.C goes, it goes.
And as for those men in love that she writes about? The list of stories just waiting to be written is getting longer… and longer….
Where to find K.C. Wells:
Meet Parker Williams (or at least his voices):
Good day! We are the voices that live inside Will’s head. The ones who whisper to him constantly, beckoning him to speak of our adventures, to tell of our love, and perhaps, if we’re in a mood, kill a person or two.
We guide his hand as he tells our tales where love is the most powerful force, but must be worked for, molded, and finally, embraced. There can be no shortcuts or substitutions on the path to a happily ever after.
We hope you will join with us as Will fulfills his obligation to ensure our stories are told and, we hope, enjoyed.
GIVEAWAY!
Rafflecopter Prize: Kindle Fire 7”
Tour Dates & Stops:
18-Jul
Multitasking Mommas, Boy Meets Boy Reviews, Book Lovers 4Ever, Gay Book Reviews, Hearts on Fire, Gay Media Reviews, The Novel Approach, Prism Book Alliance, MM Good Book Reviews
19-Jul
A.M. Leibowitz, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Three Books Over The Rainbow, The Dark Arts, Unquietly Me
20-Jul
Alpha Book Club, V's Reads, Up All Night, Read All Day, My Fiction Nook, Havan Fellows
21-Jul
Kiki's Kinky Picks, Full Moon Dreaming, Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Molly Lolly
22-Jul
Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Cate Ashwood, Love Bytes, Dawn’s Reading Nook
25-Jul
BFD Book Blog, Open Skye Book Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, Jessie G. Books, MM Book Escape
26-Jul
Rednecks and Romance, Caraway Carter, Cathy Brockman Romances, Iyana Jenna, Emotion in Motion
27-Jul
Chris McHart, Velvet Panic, All I Want and More Books, Bonkers About Books, Joyfully Jay
28-Jul
Divine Magazine, Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance, Inked Rainbow Reads, Bayou Book Junkie
29-Jul
Making It Happen, Happily Ever Chapter, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents
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