Working On A Quirky Graph

Mary Calmes dropped this series in 2020 with the first book, All Kinds of Tied Down. This is a four part series that involves United States Marshals based out of Chicago, a creepy serial killer with an unlikely fixation on the MC, a wolf for a pet, and a relationship at the beginning stages.

Calmes writes in a specific manner that is not uncommon, taking the perspective from only one of the MCs, but a little frustrating to only see the relationship progressing from only one point of view. She sets a fairly fast pace during the book, moving from one scene to another with relative ease. There is a little bit of gushing over clothes. Miro Jones, who is a Marshal out of Chicago is an orphan and former foster child who had little growing up. He seems to be making the best of his adulthood by purchasing top of the line clothes. The author seems to favoring the heaviest descriptions for Miro’s footwear, as well as several complaints from Ian Doyle, Miro’s work partner and love interest, about the ridiculousness of Miro’s shoes.

Now, while I understand the complexity and salacious thoughts of interesting coworkers, there is a reason the phrase, ‘Don’t get your honey where you get your money’ is common. However, it is necessary to suspend disbelief that, not only would the Marshal’s office be understanding of a relationship between two partners, but allow them to continue to work together. I digress.

Miro is a kind hearted character, with absolutely no gaydar whatsoever, and a penchant for paying more attention to his wardrobe than the gun he should be carrying. Ian is damaged from being abandoned by his father, so he doesn’t have the best of track records with his relationships. While I don’t want to spoil how they get together, this is a romance so it is a fair conclusion that they do finally find their way. They have a balanced relationship with good give and take on both sides. They are good men struggling to find their way to trusting in what they have, fierce loyalty based on past friendship and a healthy sex drive. The only real qualm I have about the bedroom scenes is to emphasize that ‘Prep work makes the sex work!’ I appreciate the push on lube, because goodness knows anything less is painful, but while writing these scenes, bear in mind that some poor unfortunate soul make take the book as a journeyman’s guide to the bedroom! One little step and a couple of fingers could change the experience between a potential reader and their unknown partner!

I enjoyed the book, I enjoyed the characters and their story arc. There is growth and maturity within their journey which is important. There is nothing worse than a character that never learns, never grows and never tries to become other: better, worse or whatnot. My biggest complaint is the outlying characters, specifically their boss. He is too well established to have just popped out of nowhere. There are several authors who have characters that move between books, but a blurb at the end would be helpful so we can continue in the universe the author has created.