Trusting Thomas

Collars & Cuffs, Book 2

By: K.C. Wells

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

Christmas is a time for goodwill to all, but Collars and Cuffs co-owner Thomas Williams receives an unexpected gift that chills him to the bone. A Dom from another Manchester club asks Thomas for his help rescuing an abused submissive, Peter Nicholson. Thomas takes in the young man as a favor to a friend, offering space and time to heal, but he makes it clear he's never had a sub and doesn't want one.

Peter finds Thomas' home calm and peaceful, but his past has left him unwilling to trust another Dom. When Thomas doesn't behave as Peter expects, Peter's nightmares begin to fade, and he decides he'd like to learn more about D/s life. A well-known trainer of submissives, Thomas begins to teach Peter, but as the new submissive opens up to him, Thomas finds he cares more for Peter than he should. Just as he decides it's time to find a permanent Dom for Peter, they discover Peter's tormentor is still very much a threat. With their lives in danger, Thomas can't deny his feelings for Peter any longer. The question now becomes: can Peter make it out of the lion's den alive, so Thomas can tell his boy he loves him?

©2013 K.C. Wells (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

No "dom" should be trusted

There were so many things wrong with this story in so many ways. I found it offensive. Even though it’s a gay romantic fantasy, one expects some rational behavior from the characters but there was none. I’ve read several other stories from this series and I expected a certain level of writing even though it’s just gay porn but Trusting Thomas was the worst. What man with an ounce of sensitivity places a kidnapped victim with PTSD in the hands of another “dom” who threatens punishment for any slight misstep, will not permit masturbation without permission and insist on indentured servitude. Truly not as a bad a situation as it was before he was kidnapped but still he was treated like an eight year old and demeaned. If one were really offering to help, you could offer shelter and counseling until the man was stable enough for employment and able to make his own rational decisions. As a reader of BDSM novels I expect some titillation, sexual adventure, humor but this was offensive and made me sad for this young man who was not in a condition to make good decisions for himself, had been cruelly abused but still his new “dom” insisted on calling him boy and not by his name. BDSM in fantasy novels should be consensual, sexually exciting and even fun. But when a character is victimized and objectified while he’s not in his right mind after being brutally abused, it's not a fun read, It's still stockholm syndrome no matter how you look at it. If Thomas wanted to help Peter he should have dropped the BDSM crap and offered to be a friend until the abused man could get on his feet. What kind of friend makes you sign a contract?

Kermit...

GREAT BOOK!! I loved this book, even though the narrator made Thomas sound a bit like Kermit the frog Lolz there goes my childhood memories!! XD

Life changing

For anyone who has wanted to know about what it's really like in the BDSM scene this book is highly important to read or listen to. The author writes beautifully honest and descriptive scenes that leave you wanting to only continue to the next chapter. The characters are real and make you feel like you want to be one of them have been one of them or would like to encounter one of them or more. Nick is also an amazing reader. His ability to change his voice and really make you feel as if you are that character is an important part of this book as well. I truly look forward to more in the series.

Great story!

I liked everything about this book. I was invested in the characters lives and especially liked the fact that there was such a large age difference between them. I'm glad they were able to overcome this. Sex scenes were great. My only criticism would be that I wish Thomas had dropped out of Master mode more often and called Peter by his name rather than boy.

journey of recovery, discovery and love

Any additional comments?

Just as good as the 1st book. I loved seeing Alex and Leo and them being involved throughout. I loved that Peter had a friend in Alex.
Thomas.. this Dom is amazing, patient, and beautiful. A Dom who trains other Doms and Subs perhaps he needs to be, but wow. How he handled every aspect of Peter was awesome. This book pushed all my buttons and made me cry.
There is no age to love! Thomas learned well that, as a fifty-six years old man, he could love and be loved! And destiny brought him his love match... Peter! Peter has twenty-six, he is a man that endured hell as a another man's sub, and that found in Thomas his sanctuary, where he felt protected, where he learned what a D/s relationship is, and most of all, he learned how to trust on another man!

Trusting Thomas

Thomas has always been content to train subs and let them go but when a tortured boy lands in his home in need of rescuing Thomas begins to find his emotions making themselves known and know he does not want to let Peter go. Peter’s past will not stay where it should, and the men must find a way to help Peter heal while still keeping Peter safe, but will they be able to keep their hearts safe?

Peter has gone through so much, but he has survived. Even after the abuse and torture he still longs for what he was searching for when he met his abuser. As Thomas gives him a safe place to heal and find himself the attraction between the two is evident. It was nice to see Peter blossom with the help of Thomas. Peter learns what it truly means to be in the lifestyle and that there are people he can trust. I enjoyed watching Thomas and Peter’s relationship grow into something deeper. Their story is an emotional listen, and they have their ups and downs. It was nice to see that even as long as Thomas has been a Dom, he still makes mistakes and is willing to admit to it. This is a nice addition to the Collars and cuffs series. Narrator Nick J. Russo does a nice job of bringing out the emotions in the characters and pulling me into the story.

One of my favorites in the series

This book is one of my favorites in the series. Thomas, the owner of Collars and Cuffs, has spent decades training both Doms and subs. He has not had any personal relationships in nearly that long, and has been satisfied with that. Then Peter, a severely abused sub, is dropped at his doorstep to keep safe. Thomas takes on the challenge, and both he and Peter go through transformative changes while learning to live again. The plot is full of surprises and it ends with a happily ever after. If you want a story where the underdog finds true love, a sub is freed from a horrible man posing as a Dom- and finds freedom through truly perfect bdsm, where the bad guy gets what he deserves, and where lonely people find a family through their new friends, this might just be the book for you. I’m not fond of this narrator though, and the voice he picked for Thomas is not right for this character at all.

A great end to a wonderful series

This audiobook was given to me in exchange to an honest review. I really enjoyed this audiobook the story gave you updates on all the subs and Doms throughout the series and also gave an intro to a new series. Nick J Russo was great as narrator his performance was spot on with the characters. I am sad to say goodbye to all Of them but happy to revisit anytime I need a lot of love.

Amazing

This was a great addition to this series. Loved the storyline it was fun and exciting. The characters Thomas and Peter are stunning characters after a tragedy in his past Peter has trouble trusting Thomas but as they grow closer it all falls together. Stunning listen. The narrator did a great job.

Fantastic Story & Listen🎧 Riveting & Heartfelt!

K.C. Well’s delivers another amazing story in her “Collars & Cuffs” series, a story I found to be completely engrossing from start to end. I am loving the series, the storylines are original and the characters are realistic and easy to connect with. This book is Thomas Williams’ story, he is Leo Hart’s partner and together they own Collars and Cuffs a BDSM Club. Thomas is in his fifties and has been around the block a few times, but he never had a long term relationship. When a friend calls asking for help with an abused submissive he offers to take him in get him help and give him the care he needs to recover. Peter Nicholson, was interested in learning about BDSM, he met a man who claimed he wanted him as a submissive. The naive 20 year old was enslaved by this person who claimed to be a Dom but was nothing but an abusive criminal. Peter was rescued from his prison and brought to the safety of Thomas’ house. The start to his recovery was not an easy one, it was heartbreaking to see how damaged Peter was and hearing the details of what he went through was heart-wrenching. Thomas was great with him, he also had Alex talk to him to tell him what it should be like as a submissive. I loved how everything plays out in this book, watching Peter’s healing progress and how he was learning to stand up to his fears. K.C. Wells keeps it all real and her descriptive details makes you feel like you are right along side the characters, seeing what they see, what they are thinking and letting you feel what they are feeling. Thomas asked Peter several times if he wanted to continue the D/s lifestyle which he did, can Thomas find him a Dom that will handle him with care, can he really let him go, he needs to get past his issues with the thirty year age gap. But no worries his partner and good friend helps him find the perfect Dom for him. This is a wonder book, it is beautifully plotted and there is plenty of drama, emotional moments, some thrilling and suspenseful moments and a great road to recovery leading to a wonderful romance. K.C. Wells thank you for another awesome story & emotional rollercoaster ride.

Nick J. Russo is a fabulous narrator and voice artist. He continues to bring these characters to life, giving each their own voice and personality. His portrayal of the characters was spot on, he truly grasped their persona playing each role with perfection. You could hear how much heart he puts into his work as he captures the characters emotions and projects them into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another great listen🎧

Second in series and I am still hooked

I reviewed the first book in the series (An Unlocked Heart) and most of what I said in that review applies to this book too.

Others have commented on the poor performance of the narrator and regrettably it does detract from the story being read. Why do we have an American reading a book set in the UK when he cannot pronounce English words correctly?

Other than that, the book is first a foremost a gay romance. Set in the world of BDSM which is shown for what it really is and not having a Top beat the cr*p out of a submissive, which seems to be what sooo many ill-informed people seem to think that sort of lifestyle is all about. As I got into the story I found a love for the characters and the love and real deep care shown by Dominants for their submissives. The feeling of trust returned with compassion and care is an amazing part of this kind of relationship and that is what comes through in this series.

OK I may have a bias because I would love to find a relationship like that - where the sex is only PART of a much much larger and way deeper bonding.

Friends have heard me listening to the book and have commented 'oh God it's that sex book again', but they are soo wrong. Yes, the language is explicit and descriptions of the sex scenes can be graphic, but they are in context and it is not just for titillation.

If you are new to this kind of relationship then try listening as it gives quite an insight. OK some aspects are glossed over because it is, after all fiction, but it might open up your mind to a different type of relationship which can bring huge benefits to both parties. Oh before anyone says I dont know what I am talking about, I do know several couples who are in exactly this kind of situation with a Dominant and a submissive - one couple has been together for over 25 years and they are a delight to see. Far better in fact than many 'conventional couples'....It doesn't work for everyone, but then life would be so boring if we were all the same.....

So it's clear I am a major fan of KC Wells and this series, try it for yourself and you may be surprised.

Story let down by wrong accent

I enjoyed the story. It’s the second in the series that I’ve listened to. However the American accent is a dead loss. Surely there was an English guy available!

Story good, narration dodgy

I enjoyed the story, not just about a Dom sub relationship developing but it also has intrigue.
My problem was the narration. The American narrator attempting English dialects is 'interesting'. Thomas sounds like Kermit the Frog.

darker, but very good

A much darker read/listen than book one, given what Peter has been through, but well written and well delivered.

Narration for the voices is consistent across both books.

4 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration.

brilliant

Loved it. Read the book so needed the audio next.
Nick Russo narrated it perfectly.

Lost innocence 💔

This story was special, the tenderness and kindness Thomas has shown for the broken sub was lovely to read.
The mature Dom found himself in charge of an abused boy, as he slowly put the boy back together it became impossible to dismiss their merging hearts and desires.

The narration was good, but I felt Thomas needed a deeper, stronger voice.

Enjoyable Listen

I have just listened to the audio of Trusting Thomas, and loved it. It was many years ago that I read the book, but listening to the audio was like the first read of the book.

I love how this book carries on from the first book, as the Leo and Alex are included in this book too. I think what I loved was the gentleness portrayed in the book, by Thomas towards Peter, which is not something that you necessarily expect in a BDSM book. Peter has been through a bad experience, but Thomas is definitely the right person to help him. This book gave me an insight into more of the BDSM world, and it was quite the eye opener too. I am enjoying this series as it gives me more understanding, as I have never read many BDSM books before, but so far this has shown two different elements with the lifestyle, and I am looking forward to finding out even more.

as great as the ebook

The story is always 4-5 stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook. I can't listen to an audiobook without knowing the book, that's not possible for me.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. Nick J Russo is one of the top 5 narrators for me, I can listen without break and have no problems to follow.
I'm just not yet finish with the book, just over the half, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening.
it's like a B

Great book, but narratter didn't work for me...

Trusting Thomas
By: K.C. Wells
Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
Series: Collars & Cuffs, Book 2
Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.10 spread on Audible.

Peter a young sub being abused by a wanna be Dom Curtis.
Master Thomas co-owner of Collar and Cuffs, trainer of Doms and Subs but not having a sub of his own offers to help his friend out with the young abused sub Peter. Thomas has never had his own sub, and is now too old to have one in his opinion.
This is a very well written book, twists and turns but ends in an HEA for Peter.
Well worth the read/listen to.

The only thing that spoiled this for me is that I believe the narrater is American, the word Ass slips out instead of arse, instead on an Aga it was read as an A. G. A and a few other words are just not pronounced in the English way. Plus the voice he used for Thomas kept sounding familiar, then it came to me Kermet the frog. I know, my brain works in mysterious ways...

Great audiobook

This is an amazing book and the narration really brought it to life. I love Thomas and Peter. They have so much to overcome through this book. Peter, more than Thomas of course, but Thomas still has to thread very careful and be there for his boy. The narration was on point, really bringing the characters to life, making me love (and hate) them all the more. Great audiobook. Caution if you have triggers as some things are hard to listen to at times.