All Kinds of Tied Down (Marshals Book 1)

I really had a difficult time getting through the beginning if the book. The writing seemed forced and more than a little over the top in introducing the two very immature MCs, both US Marshals, working for Sam Kage (from "A Matter of Time" series) who drove me crazy. Miro, after over three years on the job, persists in wearing expensive, designer clothes to work but then whines and cries when he ruins them while apprehending fugitives and less than cooperative witnesses. And he lusts, big time, over his partner, Ian, with the mind-numbing intensity of a testosterone-laden teenager. Ian, an ex-Green Beret is a real oaf - both on the job where he refuses to follow most, if not all, enforcement procedures as well as in his personal life as he spends his entire time on dates calling Miro, whining and crying about how bored and unhappy he is and wanting to be with Miro. (And Ian is supposed to be the straight guy!) And as for being professional partners - they sure spend a lot of time touching each other and being in the other's space. I hope all US Marshals do not conduct themselves in the same way. I didn't like either of them for the longest time and almost gave up reading. Heck, at this point, I didn't even like the characterization of Sam Kage - and I love Sam Kage!

I did however, finish the book but it was a rather formulamatic, Mary Calmes story and the ending of the book did nothing to erase my initial dislike of the MCs.

2.5 rating rounded up to 3.

You might think the title refers to BDSM. It doesn't, so let's just get that out the way.

Miro Jones and Ian Doyle, US Marshals and work partners, face death by bullet or knife on a daily basis. Very different characters, but each fiercely loyal to their partner. So loyal, they could be an old married couple ...

I loved this book. Loved the characters, butch tough-guy Ian and designer loving, smooth operator Miro. I loved the build-up, the banter, the "oh it's such a shame he isn't gay" when it was so frigging obvious they both were to everyone but each other. The tenderness, the ferocious first time, the blood and guts. This was a great read, very well-written, funny and I didn't want it to end. I love the way Mary Calmes writes, the way she gets inside the characters' heads.

Also, she must have done some good research because the situations, the dialogue and the people around them were very believable. Great sub-plots, with care given to the people involved in those without ever losing focus on the main deal, the relationship between these two intelligent, hot, lusty men who were made for each other.

This is a really sexy book.

Buy it.

Review posted on Books on Silver Wings blog.

This is an action-packed and unpredictable story. The MCs are US Marshalls who have to chase down suspects, secure witnesses, dodge bullets and grenades, and jump off balconies. The story starts off with Miro and Ian already being devoted teammates and best friends. We don't get to see the transitions from strangers to friends like it says in the blurb, but they still need to make the leap from friends to lovers. After many dangerous situations on the job, Miro and Ian gradually realize they are "the one" for each other and they're practically an old, bickering couple anyway.

Ian is an US Marshall whose mindset is "shoot first, ask questions later" and with a mantra of "screw the pain." Ian has almost no interpersonal skills. Throughout the story, he pisses off other law enforcement officers, his girlfriend, and his boss constantly. This demonstrates that he cannot survive in society without Miro to mend his broken bridges. Despite the many dangerous situations he gets into, he gets off with hardly a scratch while Miro, the more rational partner, seems to get injured every time. I find that contradictory but that doesn't distract me from the story too much. Even by the end of the story, Ian has too many secrets and I don't completely understand him.

In my opinion, Miro lets Ian get away with too much. He lets Ian eat his food, walks Ian's dog, etc. At least in their hearts, they are each other's number one person. That makes Miro's painful one-sided love worth it in the end. There is a lot of contrast between Miro and Ian. Miro is more rational, has better interpersonal skills, and is more fashion conscious. Miro wears his nice (and expensive) clothes to work that end up getting ruined after chasing suspects or escaping with witnesses. Miro is really the best match for Ian and he makes up for Ian's shortcomings but I don't really see it working the other way around. While Ian was called away to do a secret mission for the army, we get to see some of Miro's childhood and get to know why he works in law enforcement. This part of the story progresses slowly. I love reading the dialogues between Miro and Ian but when there is only Miro, the story seems off track and missing the excitement in the beginning of the story.

They finally take their relationship to the next level when Miro takes a leap of faith and they end up together. Ian is difficult to live with and it takes a special person to get into his heart. We don't get to see his background story but he's quiet, intense, and needs reassurance of where he stands in Miro's heart.

I really love the dialogue between the MCs. It's fun and natural when Miro and Ian are bickering. I also love the side characters, each has a unique personality. The best side character is Chickie, the wolf-sized dog. It's everyone's dream dog that's super loyal, affectionate, protective and can scare off a would-be robber. Overall, this is a fun and action-packed story with lots of tension between the MCs. Highly recommended.

Review provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

FiveStars
**Audiobook Review**

I enjoyed this story as much as I have any others I have read of Mary Calmes. She has a unique way of writing characters that although in other situations they might not have worked together, they some how do.

To me this was more about friendship that was already a relationship only neither of the men realized it until finally the physical aspect was introduced. The story really revolved around mystery than the romance, which was kind of nice. Of course I loved getting those private moments and scenes between Miro and Ian.

Oddly the way Mary Calmes writes sweet romance just does it for me when normally I can't stand it!

The narration was great. I really liked Tristan James voice and the vocal tones and differences he used for each character. He really brought the push/pull between the characters out for me and helped me feel their ache for each other but the fear as well.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
Renee

ThreeStar

I liked this book but did not feel like this couple fit together at all. This book was a slow burn to me.. Although I do love most slow burns I just did not get enough of Miro and Ian together to believe it. We get to see them together as friends for most of the book which is a good build up but by the time we actually get to the part when we see Miro and Ian admit to having feelings for each other it just fell flat for me. The action in this book kept me on the edge of my sit and Miro had his moments were he made me laugh when he interacted with Ian. So all together I did like most of this book I just would have liked to have seen more of them together.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.

Kara

I just reviewed a book in which the author missed the boat on chemistry between the main characters.. This was the book I picked up next, and really the contrast was just so obvious I had to point it out because for all of the things Mary Calmes does not do well, she rocks at relationships with chemistry.

This author develops a lot of her plot via dialog... She has a talent for dialog that is witty and makes the reader smile and make the characters likeable and relatable, but there is also a sort of a pattern to it. In the end, her characters don't differentiate from each other very well. She always has an alpha male and a more feminine character (her characters aren't terribly feminized, though. She mixes it up and does not relegate them to specific roles in the relationship). Her characters always share some specific speech patterns. There are little ways in which each character is just an awful lot like every other character she writes.

But this book is a good illustration of what she does best.

Miro and Ian are federal marshals and have been partners for 3 years. Miro is gay and looking for love.. Ian is straight and has a girlfriend. But Miro really just loves Ian. And they have this partnership that is both effective and very intimate.

This book builds that intimate partnership though a series of minor scenes, each building the relationship between Miro and Ian and cementing Milo's desire and Ian's protectiveness. The heat builds a bit at a time, but the first sex scene doesn't occur until well past 50%.

After 150 pages of building heat, you can imagine the first sex scene is smoking hot.

There are some minor issues with the plot. It is kind of hard to remember what they are with all the smoking hotness and all. It is not a plot driven book, but focuses mainly on the romance. And the romance works.

The romance is very sweet and comfortable, even though Ian is supposed to have a difficult personality. The couple is written as being compatible and understanding (even predictive) of each other's needs. The sex is slightly d/s but not s/m.

Overall, a very good romance but not much of a plot otherwise. If you like this author's romances, this one will appeal to you as it is written in her usual formula. She tends toward egalitarian relationships with a focus on communication. There are a few "gag me" moments, but overall her romances are less sappy than many popular authors.

I think Mary Calmes fans who do not require a lot of BDSM will enjoy this, as well as any fan of pure m/m romance who does not require external themes such as BDSM or hurt/comfort. There is a little of that (both characters are from traumatic childhoods) but it isn't the driving force in their lives.

There is an interesting flow to the progression of the relationship in this book. Miro and Ian have been partners within the US Marshals Service for three years. During that time they’ve become best friends. They have a level of trust that has gone beyond unbreakably strong. These men are solid in everything. The only place where they are on different planes is their love life. Ian is straight and runs through women. Miro used to run through men but now that he spends the majority of his time with the only man that he wants he doesn’t have much interest any longer.

For a little over half of All Kinds of Tied Down you the reader will be all kinds of tied up over the sexual tension. You just want these men to figure out that they are so close and inseparable there is only one logical place for them to go. There is just an unexpected something that they have to figure out to get there. It was a surprising shock to the dynamics of their relationship. Once Ian and Miro get on the same page… holy hell! This book gets hot quick. Miro and Ian have always just worked (not job wise specifically) well together. You know they are going to work well together in the bedroom and with a relationship. The flow of how it all works out is what I enjoyed the most.

I’m shocked this is the first Mary Calmes book that I have read. I have some awesome reading to go catch up on. There are several characters here that have not only roles in some of her other books but books of their own. I’m looking forward to seeing how she gave them their own happily ever after.

I knew immediately I was going to love this book, because duh… it’s a Mary Calmes book.
Also though, the love was clearly unrequited…. Or was it? The way these two interacted in the beginning was so cute. Like 2 halves of the same person, things didn’t quite go right unless they were together.
Ian Is big and surly, always with the attitude and quick hateful comebacks,,, unless it came to his partner Miro. Don’t get me wrong, he was still big and surly with an attitude and hateful comebacks, but it was “Ian speak” for what he really wanted to say… how he really felt… I loved the connection they had right off. It killed me all the things that Ian said that Miro just didn’t catch on to, and all the things that Miro wished me meant when he heard the things Ian said, Ian getting in his space all the time… I could tell right away it hurt both of them and they just didn’t know the other felt the same way.

When Ian had to go (he’s in the military), him saying goodbye to Miro was heartbreaking  I hated it… You could tell they didn’t wanna leave each other, and Miro doesn’t do as good without Ian when he’s away, he ends up getting injured. Badly, so when Ian calls months later and says he’s coming back he finds out Miro’s been hurt, he completely loses it. They’re meeting again is amazing and I loved every hot second of it… These two are the sexiest couple.
When they went to pick up a suspect together after Ian gets back they run into quite a bit of trouble, luckily after getting clear of it in an all night hide out in the freezing cold with 2 witness protection teenagers, another sherrif and a bigoted pr!ck… Sam Kage… (who is in a bada$$ series himself that everyone should check out) comes to their rescue they’re free to go on and be together, living together happy and in love. ….
I love HEA and I love Mary Calmes!!
Don’t pass this up, if I c ould give more than 5 stars I so would!

I loved this book and the two main characters. Mary Calmes does a great job creating a hero who is unbelievably vulnerable and needy (in a good way), but at the same time successful/powerful, etc. and I love that (in addition to this book there is a similar character in several of her books including Parting Shot and Frog both books I've read multiple times and love). If I had any complaint at all it would be that I would have liked a little more romance -- they didn't get together until quite a ways into the book and then they had to deal with a law enforcement emergency and then the book was over, but all in all it was a fantastic book that I will read again.

Mary Calmes has always been a top favorite author of mine. With every new book she write, and I read I am always blown away. This book had me on the edge of seat and falling in love all over again. The Easter egg character pop up gave me pure joy. Mary introduces 2 new character (Who I hope are the beginning of a new series) Miro and Ian are WONDERFUL! Beyond words fabulous. The story is gripping, romantic and wildly entertaining! This is a MUST buy make no plans for the day kind of book!

After reading some early comments by reviewers I was a little worried All Kinds of Tied Down was going to be another Floodgates, which I really, REALLY, did not enjoy. But it was so much better!

Yes, Miss Mary still has a coat fetish (but would she be Mary without it?), as well as other oddities, but there is a definite lack of the overusage of ex boyfriends and adorable small children.

But I didn't love it. Maybe I'm just in a meh mood lately, but I didn't find it as compelling as I do other Calmes books.

Perhaps I missed everyone in a 5 state radius telling the MC he's a beautiful shiny light in their lives and everyone who doesn't hate him for being so awesomely fabulous, loves him and/or wants to rub one off on his leg?

Whatever! It was still entertaining, ridiculous & romantic good fun. Guaranteed to appeal to Mary fans everywhere.

NOW WHEN CAN I GET MY NEXT FIX, MARY?

P.S. Sam Kage makes several appearances in this book. I think I'm going to have to read the entire Matter of Time series over again.

P.P.S. I just want to add...Miss Mary?

I recently discovered this author and I've become a huge fan. I love the angst-y love stores she tells, and how the MC's fit together. The secondary chars are great in this book too. There are lots of laugh out loud moments.

I highly tecommend this book if you are a fan of true love with a happy ending. I really hated it when I got to the last page - I couldn't believe the ride was already over!!

Mary Calmes is an amazing author. She writes characters that have depth, issues, and real life emotions. All Kinds of Tied Down is no different.

I knew the two men would end up together - very rarely does it not happen in a novel - but getting them there was the fun part. And I was grateful that Mary took me along for the ride.

I cannot even begin to quantify how lovely a book this is. So full of action, emotion and humour. Truly a Mary Calmes classic to be. The strength of Ian and Miro together is obvious in their banter and just the firestorm that seems to follow them.

Adore this story. Hell, I want every book I read to give me this much pleasure. Ian's the perfect gruff, take no prisoners character and Miro... ah, poor lovely Miro. We should all have his problems in life...namely Ian. *grins*

Fantastic Book. Mary, you hit this one out of the stratosphere.

My favourite Mary Calmes book to date. Both the lead characters want each other and it is fun to watch them get in each other's space, the bottled up wanting makes the wait for them getting together worth while

I recently discovered this author and I've become a huge fan. I love the angst-y love stores she tells, and how the MC's fit together. The secondary chars are great in this book too. There are lots of laugh out loud moments.

I highly tecommend this book if you are a fan of true love with a happy ending. I really hated it when I got to the last page - I couldn't believe the ride was already over!!

Mary Calmes is an amazing author. She writes characters that have depth, issues, and real life emotions. All Kinds of Tied Down is no different.

I knew the two men would end up together - very rarely does it not happen in a novel - but getting them there was the fun part. And I was grateful that Mary took me along for the ride.

I cannot even begin to quantify how lovely a book this is. So full of action, emotion and humour. Truly a Mary Calmes classic to be. The strength of Ian and Miro together is obvious in their banter and just the firestorm that seems to follow them.

Adore this story. Hell, I want every book I read to give me this much pleasure. Ian's the perfect gruff, take no prisoners character and Miro... ah, poor lovely Miro. We should all have his problems in life...namely Ian. *grins*

Fantastic Book. Mary, you hit this one out of the stratosphere.