OMG, this book...loved it !!! I missed Miro and Ian..they fucking rock !!
In this book they are still working together, doing badass shit and they are still very much in love. They are having some relationship drama going on because Miro really wants to get married and Ian really doesn't...poor Miro.
There is also some heavy suspense going on when that sick fuck psychopath doctor from the previous book escapes, and we all know what....or should I say who......he wants.
This book has everything, it's funny, it's sexy, it's romantic, it's suspenseful !! Very nice on the steam and something new...torture. But don't worry too much, because this is Miro and Ian, they are tough guys :) One extra thing I loved......Sam Kage, damn I love that man, be still my heart !!
Everyone should read this book, but before you do...make sure you read the previous book first !!
5 stars from me and I hope there will be more Miro and Ian...and some nice spinoffs, about some other hot badass marshalls or detectives.
Mary Calmes Re-read August 2016 to prep for the sequel. Loved it all over again!
Miro and Ian and back! This is the sequel to the 2014 fan favorite All Kinds of Tied Down, which is on my best-of-2014 list, and I was so excited to read more of Miro and Ian's adventures.
The book opens with a foot chase, which I loved since that is how book 1 opened. The boys are up to their usual shenanigans, but there has been a subtle change in Ian's gung-ho bravado.
I knew it was because of me. Because I loved him, because he had a home, because he was no longer a stray, it wasn't necessary for him to win at everything anymore. He didn't have to be the scariest and toughest. He could be himself, not only strong and brave, but also kind and gentle.
The love and sense of partnership is as strong as ever and downright swoon-worthy. The sex is ridiculously hot and the emotions plentiful.
I lunged at him, hugging him tight, crushing him against me as I pressed my lips to his ear. I love you, Ian Doyle. Only you, and every time you go away it fuckin’ kills me. I don't ever want to us to be apart.
Pressing along his back, hand on his shoulder so I could drive into him and hold him still at the same time, I ordered him to grab his dick and jerk off. “Miro—” “Now!” I roared, demanding his submission.
Ms. Calmes does put her sadistic-bitch hat on to give us a new mystery that causes our boys deep pain and sorrow.
This is such a perfect sequel and I loved it just as much as the first book. This is not to be missed by anyone who has already read All Kinds of Tied Down and if you haven't read All Kinds of Tied Down yet, get on that and then read this sequel.
HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Advanced review copy of Fit to be Tied courtesy of Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
Mary Calmes
Hi! *waves* Welcome to my attempt to write a non-apologetic-less-than-4 star review of one of my favorite authors. Oh, look! A puppy getting a head massage!
Adorable. But let’s move on.
Some things I don’t give a good goddamn about:
*FIORENTINI + BAKER suede bootsSome things I do give a good goddamn about:
*Burberry wool-blend military greatcoats
*John Varvatos lace-up biker boots
*AMI Alexandre Mattiussi Black Chelsea boots
*Alexander McQueen black monk strap boots
*Hattington wingtip boots
*Cole Haan Brogue Medallion Double Monkstrap brown shoes
*Jo Ghost boots
*$800,000 apartments in Chicago – Seriously, seriously, how does Miro afford it and the above clothing items on a marshal’s salary? Is he streaming a live sex show from his bedroom? Is he making meth? Is he lobbying for Big Oil? (The latter was suggested by MostlyDelores—it’s my favorite!)
*The progression of Miro & Ian's romance. There were some disagreements between them at the beginning of the book that worried me. I must admit I was a wee grumpy about Ian's attitude, but after awhile I stopped grumping over it -- this is a Mary Calmes romance novel and she won't let me down! Also, lots of people (myself especially) say lots of things that don't make a lot of sense when they're arguing with their loved ones -- it's normal. So after that I just relaxed and enjoyed the process. (Oh, if only I could say the same about the rest of the novel.)You know what distracts from the list of things I do give a good goddamn about? The list of things I DON’T.
*There's a thriller part of the book that I enjoyed. I forget that Mary can get dark when she wants.
*Sam Kage is still a badass.
*The BR I took part in. BRs with my buddies makes everything awesome. Thanks, buddies!
I understand that Miro is a former foster kid who probably never had anything that was truly his until he went off to college. I understand that looking nice and having a place to call home is important to him. If it were just Miro I would think that it’s a character trait I don’t relate but to but it’s kinda cute. Or if not cute, it’s one of those things that makes Miro, Miro. Okay. But it’s not just Miro. I’ve been reading Mary Calmes books for quite a while and she’s always been detailed oriented—actually, no. There’s “detailed oriented” and then there's “Mary Calmes-oriented.” She’s always been slightly intense when it comes to details. Okay, that’s part of her charm. But it seems like in the last few books she’s gone from detail-intense to detail-insane.
At one point she was obsessed with pea coats and it was a bit odd, but charming. Now if she has a pea coat it’s a Marc Jacobs wool-cashmere blend pea coat with onyx buttons. Why do I need to hear about the blend? Why do I have to hear about your shearling coat when you’re buying illegal guns? Why do I have to hear about who gave you a gun for your birthday and what kind of finish that gun has right before you shoot a guy? Why do I need to hear about 4 different types of craft beer when you go out for dinner? Auuuugh! Are you a brewer? No? Then shut the fuck up.
Ugh. Okay, if that verbal vomit didn’t get my point across, here’s what I’m trying to say: if it were a couple of characters in a couple of series that luuurved clothes and shoes and felt the need to stop just before penetration has been achieved to describe his boyfriend's bathroom accessories it would be one thing. But it’s not! It’s a Mary trait that’s showing up in more and more of her books and it’s annoying. Actually, it was slightly annoying before, now it’s just annoying me into wackadooness.
Does this mean I won’t be reading any more Mary books? What are you, high? Fuck no, and you know why? Because even when she’s annoying and making me wackadoo she’s also goddamn entertaining.
I would freely recommend her books -- just with the caveat that, you know, get ready for the crazy train, people.
Mary Calmes I didn't like the book. I was engaged for about 15% of it. I agree with everyone's reviews, especially MostlyDelores and Rosa,really. Rosa said:
I’ve been reading Mary Calmes books for quite a while and she’s always been detailed oriented—actually, no. There’s “detailed oriented” and then there's “Mary Calmes-oriented.” She’s always been slightly intense when it comes to details. Okay, that’s part of her charm. But it seems like in the last few books she’s gone from detail-intense to detail-insane.
^^This.
Whereas Jory was quirky and funny and adorable, Miro is a pastiche of this dialed up to 11. The shoes. Oh my god, the shoes. I want to beg Mary to not put me through the brand name dropping ever again, but she sells so much of this crack, why would she ever stop?
I'm happy to own that it's not Mary, it's me. She hasn't changed, and I guess I have. It's like the moment you have to admit you don't believe in the Easter Bunny any more.
Sad Emma is sad.
***
All right, Mary: it's a date. Miro, whats-his-name, me, a bottle of Kahlua. Friday night. My place. The cozy armchair in my study. Maybe a quilt; the forecast is pretty cold.
***
actual photo of my ability to resist this book
my expected level of enjoyment, based on my last year of Calmes crack
Mary Calmes
ANOTHER MARY CALMES?!?!?!?!?
Is it Christmas? My birthday???
I think I need to sit down for a minute...
*****************************************************************
There's really not much else I can say that I haven't already squeed and cheered and spazzed over when it comes to this author. I have adored everything she has written and this was no exception. This is my crack. I'm addicted. I will eat everything she writes with a big ole spoon and enjoy every second of it. Mary Calmes
Deputy US Marshals Miro Jones and Ian Doyle are now partners on and off the job: Miro’s calm professionalism provides an ideal balance to Ian’s passion and quick temper. In a job where one misstep can be the difference between life and death, trust means everything. But every relationship has growing pains, and sometimes Miro stews about where he stands with his fiery lover. Could the heartstrings that so recently tied them together be in danger of unraveling?
Those new bonds are constantly challenged by family intrusions, well-intentioned friends, their personal insecurities, and their dangerous careers—including a trial by fire when an old case of Miro’s comes back to haunt them. It might just be enough to make Ian rethink his decision to let himself be tied down, and Miro can only hope the links they've forged will be strong enough to hold. Fit to be Tied (Marshals, #2)
Reread September 2022
Enjoyed again!
Reread November 2019
Enjoyed this one more this time as well.
Originally read November 2017
Ian and Miro aren't seeing eye to eye in this installment. There's definitely some tension and relationship drama going on. Miro wants more. Ian thinks they're perfect the way they are. Add in the escaped psychopath after Miro and there's some angst in this one.
I love Miro and Ian together. I was glad we get to see more of them as a couple in this one though I always want more. There is so much going on sometimes, I felt like I lost the two of them. But I do love them as a couple.
And poor Miro...his torture by Hartley may just give me some nightmares. I said on the first book that you have to just disregard reality and the same here because it's pretty much nonexistent. I'm almost positive, no make that absolutely positive, Miro would be suffering some PTSD and psychological trauma from his treatment at the hands of Hartley. But regardless, I enjoyed reading it. On to the next one... Mary Calmes Third re-read: 27.02.2021
Seriously why is it always Miro who takes down the bad guy? Ian's Special Forces, a Green Beret, so why is he always either late to the party or behind Miro...? It's so strange....
Second re-read: 28.02.2020
The thing is, this series is not bad. Not at all. I actually like it - the characters are good, the chemistry is quite obvious and there's action and a clear plot-line. That being said, I do have my issues with it, but I'm too tired to get into it, so I'm just gonna say the even after my third read, I still find it enjoyable. So there's that.
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*I still find something missing*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Re-read: 25.03.2018
Getting myself up to speed with re-reads is fun when you like the book better the second time around. This one, and the first book's re-read was more enjoyable now than before and I still wonder why. Might be because I already know what will happen which my tolerance higher? I dunno, anyway, I liked it better. That's not to say it was great, because it's not. It's far from it as something is missing for me - I just want more from the story and characters, but it's still something worth reading. I mean, who doesn't love possessive men? Best friends who are lovers? Partners in both job and personal life? It's the perfect match. I just wished Miro and Ian didn't 'hide' it of sorts.
New Rating - 3 stars.
“What the fuck, Ian? I’m your partner. Before anything else, I’m the guy who—” “No!” he roared. “Before anything else you’re my life, you stupid prick!”
Other characters:
↦ Chickie Baby, the wolf sorta looking dog of Ian (might be a malamute and Caucasian Ovcharka). All I can picture in my head is a beautiful wolf. I love wolves.
↦ Colin Doyle (60), Ian’s estranged father.. They have a awkward relationship as Ian still remember his dad leaving him and his mom when he was little. I think he's a crappy dad to Ian.
↦ The four women who had been Miro's family since his freshman year at the University of Chicago (I don't feel like I know them all that well):
— Catherine Benton, a doctor, one of the top neurosurgeons in the country.
— Janet Powell, one of the chief auditors in the Tax Exempt & Government Entities (TE/GE) division of the IRS.
— Aruna Duffy, works for 20/20, a journalist? She better not steal
— Min Kwon, a litigator.
↦ Mike Ryan and his partner, Jack Dorsey // Wes Ching and his partner, Chris Becker // Jer Kowalski and his partner, Eli Kohn // Ethan Sharpe and his partner, Chandler White; Deputy US Marshal working with Ian and Miro.
↦ Supervisory Deputy, Sam Kage, Ian and Miro's boss. Newly promoted Chief Deputy US Marshal. So hot. I love broody and commanding males...
↦ Cabot ‘Cab’ Ford (18) and his boyfriend, Cabot Jenner (18), witnesses to a case, becomes Drake Palmer and Cabot Kincaid. Cute little couple who is learning to live a normal life.
↦ Dr. Craig ‘Prince Charming’ Hartley, serial killer who is kinda obsessed with Miro - Craig almost killed Miro (stabbed him) and Miro saved his life anyway. He's locked up and had been for the past four years. He has genius IQ, superior strength, and he had been one of the top cardiothoracic surgeons in the country five years prior. He didn’t look like a monster, that had been everyone’s mistake, and nineteen women had paid with their lives.. A sick fucker.
↦ Linda Doyle, Ian’s stepmother and Colin's wife. Colin’s son Lorcan, and his daughter, Erica, Ian's half-siblings.
↦ Brent Ivers, Miro's ex who had left him six months ago for a job and a new life in Miami. At Brent's request, it had never been exclusive.
↦ Special Agents (FBI) Oliver and his partner, Cillian Wojno, and Rohl and Thompson. Miro slept with Wojno before his last boyfriend, Brent.
↦ Norris Cochran, Miro's partner when he was a police detective. The last investigation Miro worked with Cochran was the Prince Charming case.
↦ Javier Segundo and his partner Charlie Hewitt, marshals agents under Commander Brooks Latham, a senior inspector's command in Phoenix.
↦ Sofia Guzman, and her little brother, Oscar (6), two kids Miro and Ian helped. Mr. Guzman, the kids' father, is a cultural attaché who works at the Spanish consulate.
↦ Greg Hollister from the State Department and Efrem Lahm from Homeland Security, both who Miro met during the Guzman kids case.
↦ Supervisory Special Agent Zane Calhoun, a FBI agent who knows Kage. They worked ops together. Miro and Ian worked on Calhoun's task force with the DEA: on a combined FBI/ DEA drug ops. Miro and Ian's contact, DEA Agent Orton Taggart, posing as Brock Huber, high-profile drug dealer from Dallas, and they'll act/pose as his bodyguards.
“Because now I realize that being a marshal or being a soldier isn't my whole life, those two things aren't all that I am. His voice was thick with emotion, low and husky. You're in there too; you're actually the most important part because I carry you with me wherever I go.”
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Might contain spoilers*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
First read review:
We're back to Deputy US Marshals Miroslav ‘Miro’ ‘M’ Jones (31) and Ian ‘E’ Doyle's (36) story. This time, the hunter becomes the hunted and Miro and Ian has to go uncover of sorts; Hartley, from an old case of Miro, has escaped and is out for Miro. There's also the fact that Miro asked his significant other to marry him and got the answer no...
“If I was a woman, would it still be bullshit?”
No answer.
“See,” I sighed. “Marriage is what straight people do, right?”
Still silence.
“Do I not deserve to be married?”
“I just don’t understand why you want to be.”
“Because I love you.”
“Love me, M, not a piece of paper that says you have to.”
We finally get to see Miro and Ian in a more relationshipy way, though I'm not satisfied at how much they are holding back. Not necessary from each other, but out in the open so in a way they are indeed holding back from what they want and each other. I love how possessive they are towards each other, but I wish it was showed more, not just told in Miro's mind.
“What the fuck, Ian? I’m your partner. Before anything else, I’m the guy who—”
“No!” he roared. “Before anything else you’re my life, you stupid prick!”
Overall, this series has some serious potential. So does the characters. However, there's something big missing from it and I can't, no matter what I've tried, figure it out. I think it's the holding back, but I don't think that's big enough; that it's not that much of a big deal as I suspect we'll get more in the next book. So what is it?
“I don’t care. I don’t need a house like this. I have what I need, what I want. Don’t you?”
I did. “Well, yeah, but it’s still nice to dream.”
“I did dream, now I live in it.”
A small part of me believe it's the writing. I think I cannot get fully into it. I think Mary Calmes is holding back as well, and I just want her to let go and give me what I want... Also, I still like Kage, Miro and Ian's boss, better than the main characters... I find him so damn hot. Perhaps I should read his story instead... Even though I had already shelved that series as a 'checked-wont-read' :O but that was before I started this one, so who knows...
Never had I seen Kage grin, and it was even more startling to witness because of the way he did it… arrogantly, evilly, like he’d won. I was seeing no trace of the man I knew, the unflappable one, the chief deputy who personified grace under pressure. This man was enjoying Special Agent Oliver’s discomfort, the wicked curl of his lip told me so, and I couldn’t get over the change in him”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Two
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Ian ‘E’ Doyle.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Unsure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5 stars. Mary Calmes Review soon... Mary Calmes
Once again, Tristan James outdoes himself. He takes this story and shines a light on all the deeply nuanced corners and crevices. It's a fantastic performance for a superb story!
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I have one thing to say about this story: Buckle up, 'cause this ride goes from zero to a hundred sixty in three point one seconds flat!
Okay, so obviously I have more to say than that - but I really wanted to use that gif...
At the beginning of the story we find ourselves back with Miro and Ian being...Miro and Ian. It's been about eight months since they've become partners in private too and their private relationship is not all kittens and rainbows...
What was sad was that I always did that, always wanted it all instead of being happy with what I had. My friends had different theories about why I pushed when the person I cared about—and in this case: desperately, madly, loved—wasn’t ready. The idea everyone liked the best was that because I was a foster kid who was passed around from pillar to post until I was legal, when I saw my happily ever after, I went after it like a charging bull.
Even though privately Miro and Ian are having some growing pains their professional relationship is the same as ever. Seriously. In the first chapter alone there's two foot chases, a roof jump, and Sam Kage being a badass. It's AWESOME!
So what do I think you need to know? The story is once again told entirely from Miro's perspective. Chickie Baby, Drake and Cabot, and Dr. Hartley all make appearances. And I really, really don't want to give anything away with this review - suffice it to say I think I said, Holy shit! more times than any other book this year. This was a roller coaster ride of action and emotion that I didn't want to end. Fans of All Kinds of Tied Down will not be disappointed with this installment.
“What the fuck, Ian? I’m your partner. Before anything else, I’m the guy who—”
“No!” he roared. “Before anything else you’re my life, you stupid prick!”
Okay, okay...one thing (of several) that I absolutely loved? NSFW...
Bottom Line: This story grabs you by the throat and doesn't let up the grip until the final page. Packed with action, humor, scorching hot sexy times, and plenty of emotions...Fit To Be Tied was a rollicking, action packed, good time I just wanted more of!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Advanced Review Copy generously provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave.
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Mary Calmes Mary Calmes, what do you do to me?
I enjoyed the first Marshals book. It was a typical Calmes, with action and a friends-to-lovers story.
THIS, though. THIS was Calmes crack on steroids. This book kept me awake until 2 am last night. And then I was upset because I couldn't keep the story straight anymore between the REALLY long blinks I kept having, so I had to put it down and finish it today instead.
Miro and Ian have been together for about 6 months now. And all is not sunshine and rainbows. They love each other, yes. They want to be together, yes. But there is a big SOMETHING that is coming between them. It is the source of many arguments. Neither man is right. Neither is wrong. But this something is there, and it's the elephant in the room that won't be ignored.
This part of the story alone would've given the book 5 stars from me. Why? you say. Because as much as I adore Mary, she rarely puts the angst in her stories between the MCs themselves. The angst is external to the relationship 9 times out of 10 in her other stories. But when it's actually IN the relationship, she flat out nails it, and makes me have the feelz like nobody's business! So I BEG for Mary to put the angst between the MCs. She makes it hurt so good. I'm evil that way.
And if that wasn't bad enough, remember the serial killer that Miro had to converse with behind bars reminiscent Clarice/Hannibal Lector from Book 1? Yeah, well, he escapes prison, of course. And he's after Miro, his favorite person. There is a sadistic side to Ms. Calmes. You've seen this side of her before with another character, Jin. She doesn't hold back, this clever woman. It was full on Silence of the Lambs in this book! Never a dull moment.
But it wasn't the typical level of suspend your disbelief that I have to employ sometimes for Calmes. I actually felt like I was reading a suspenseful thriller. I was hooked, and I enjoyed every minute of it!
I was so excited to see that Miro and Ian's story wasn't over when I heard this book was coming. I thought their HEA was done with Book 1. And it may be done again. But I have a sneaking suspicion Mary has left things open just enough to bring our boys back again. There is no cliffhanger, we get our HEA, but it could happen :)
For those who fan-girl (or fan-boy) all over the 6'4 of muscled hotness that is Sam Kage - multiple cameos here for you!
One of her best! Thank you, Mary. I will be rereading very soon!
Drinking game disappointment: Number of times Make no mistake appears in the book = ZERO!! She's breaking form! Number of times Forgive me appears in place of I'm sorry = two. Much less than usual. And no peacoats!! Psssst. I think she's onto our game.
ARC kindly provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted to Jessewave. Mary Calmes
Free read É PDF, eBook or Kindle ePUB ó Mary Calmes
