Fit to Be Tied

By: Mary Calmes

Narrated by: Tristan James

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2015 Mary Calmes (P)2015 Dreamspinner Press

High Octane Thrill Ride!

Any additional comments?

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!

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...

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.

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!!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Intense and Emotional, but so worth the ride.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Hell yes! It's fantastic. Intense and emotional without all the angst. Hilarity and sexy, passionate mens. It's pretty much a no brainer.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Miro, of course. The story is told from his POV, so you are always inside his head. I love listening to how fiercely he loves Ian, how he would rather die at the hands of the crazy man that has him, than risk Ian being put in harms way for a minute.

Which scene was your favorite?

TeeHeeHee, up against the door.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but it's a bit long, took a couple days. I will, however, be listening to this one again and again, it was that good.

Any additional comments?

US Marshalls Ian Doyle and Miro Jones have transitioned to partners, both on and off the job, fairly easily. The problem they face isn't hiding their relationship, their boss Sam Kage is fully aware as are most of their other co-workers. The bump in the road is their divided views on marriage. Miro wants to put a ring on it, he wants people to see that band on Ian's finger and know that is spoken for, that he belongs to someone already. He wants the house, the 2 car garage, maybe even kids. Ian, however, does not. He feels that they are already committed and promised to each other, why do they need rings and a piece of paper.

Unfortunately for them, the bad guys don't seem to want to take a day off. They are stuck on cases, stakeouts, teaming up with other law enforcement to catch a few of said bad guys and then Ian gets deployed. At this point in the story, there is some serious comic relief when Miro takes Chickie to the vet (for those unfamiliar Chickie is Ian's BIG dog that people often mistake for a wolf) and gets held up at gun-point when leaving the clinic. Hilarity ensues, and I now know that was just to give us a breather for what was coming. A case Miro worked when he was still a detective that left him with permanent scars, both inside and out, resurfaces. And the killer is coming back for the one that got away.

This book was emotional, hysterical, intense and passionate. Ian and Miro may not agree on the whole getting married thing, but the one thing that is never in question is their love and commitment to one another. They argue and debate the pros and cons of marriage like two grown men that would discuss an issue, but there is absolutely zero angst, thank god! The banter back and forth between them is hysterical, definitely some comic relief going on throughout. Even when Miro is in the clutches of Mr. Crazy, he still comes up with dry, witty comebacks. There was so much growth in this story from both sides. Their relationship has always been a series of give and take, very supportive of each other regardless. Ian comes to realize that all the reasons he had for not getting married aren't as important as he thought they were. While Miro has to learn that even if he can't be Ian's partner at work, Ian will still want to come home to him, to lean on him.

Narrated by Tristan James, lord I love this mans voice. There were a lot of characters in this story and James made sure that every character had their own voice. Doyle's New Yorker accent is amazing and cracks me up, Miro is the usually level headed tone that occasionally looses that well maintained control. What I find most intriguing is Sam Kage. I have to wonder if James didn't listen to the Matter of Time series that was narrated by another great voice over artist, Paul Morey, because the voice he uses for Sam Kage is almost identical to the way Morey's voices the character. The marriage of Mary Calmes and Tristan James is perfectly flawless, in my opinion.

If you are a fan of cop stories, intense and emotional reads, men that fight hard and stop at nothing to get their GD happy ever after... you really should consider this series. If you haven't either read or listened to the first book, you have to start there, this is a continuation. Definitely worth a listen.

Side note: I adore Chickie! I want one!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent Follow up

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The narration was on point, the plotline was very good and I like how the characters were fleshed out.

This really delved into why our main characters are the way they are. It was the right mix of plot and steamy, passionate sex scenes.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Quintessential Mary Calmes.

I am afraid this is going to be a bit of a lackluster review.

I love Mary Calmes. I love her world, her characters and the (sometimes subtle and sometimes not...) threads that tie them all together. I loved the first book in this series. I enjoyed this second book. It is quintessential Mary Calmes ... which means, if you are craving a Mary Calmes book, this will fill the spot, and do it nicely. It's got characters we love, a few hot sexy times moments, action, strife, and ultimately some happy feels.

So why a lackluster review? Precisely because it *is* "quintessential". It felt very much like every other Mary Calmes book I've ever read; characters I love, a few hot sexy times moments, action, strife, cameo's of other characters I am attached to and always love to see, and ultimately some happy feels - but no real sparkle, shine or excitement of something new.

To be honest, I was a bit put off by the marriage discussion in this book and I had a difficult time shoehorning either position into who I have come to believe Ian and Miro are. In many ways I think that whole sub-plot could have just been dropped. It didn't go at all the way I would imagine it might between those two and felt kind of like a forced in sub-plot. Marriage equality is a hot topic right now, but this story didn't really address the discussion or resolution of it in any manner I found compelling, interesting or sincere. It isn't a huge complaint though, as there was enough other stuff going on to keep me entertained and happy with the book.

I suppose that it could be read on it's own - it has it's own self-contained story. Reading it as a follow up to Book 1 will add more breadth and depth to it. And if you are really enamored, and aren't familiar with it ... throw her Matter of Time series in for the full immersion experience. Tristan James is a good fit as a narrator for these books.

All in all - it is perfectly Mary Calmes - worth the time, energy and credit if you are looking for M.C. that you haven't already consumed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent!

As always a well written book with good characters that make you part of the story! Love Miro and Ian.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I was not ready. Thrilling, Arousing, and Sinister

I don't like discussing blatant details in reviews so that being said. I was horrifically and splendidly surprised to see, "he", was a main focus in this entry. "He", definitely added to the plot and his presence gave some pretty good structure. To give you a better almost explicit idea of what's in store. If you've ever seen the move, "Kiss the girls", this reminds me very heavily of that. It's not similar but, thematically it's there.

This listen German suplexed me through a world of emotions I was not ready to face. I was not ready, good lord was I not ready for this.

There's a healthy mix of emotions that you are going to feel and witness the characters be subject to. This entry from Calmes definitely makes listeners aware not everything is sunshine and rainbows. It reminds listeners of the very real fact that they are indeed US Federal Marshall's and the hazards they face are very real.

This listen is significantly darker than the prior, "All Kinds of Tied Down", much much darker and a lot more personal. There's action, strife, hopelessness, peril, and death I'd even say regret, and some resentment. Demons and Skeletons are knocking on closet doors... But no one has snapped...yet.

I would theme this book as trials and tribulations. Many characters are on edge, some are even splitting at the seams, others are oblivious but no one, no one is aloof or afforded the bliss of ignorance. I do think some characters took the events in stride a little too well but, I think the bruises and lashes are a fair trade off. Some scraped knees maybe a broken bone. They've all gone through a lot.

The two emotions however missing in this listen were Anger and Fear. There was great frustration and...dismay but not fear and anger. I can safely say that they are missing but I would still theme this book as trials and tribulations...and no one is spared from that. People have definitely been worn down...there were some serious decisions made by some that reflect that; tread starting wear thin...starting to lose traction and control on situations but...like I said no one has snapped...yet.

However...please note considering this is all from Miro's perspective...you have to remember that you are in his head. What this entry does do very well is lay out how incredibly misguided Miro is. I feel it's too easy to be overlooked becasue it's a pervasive characteristic about him but in this entry I think it demonstrates a lot on not how oblivious he is, Miro is not oblivious but he is indeed very misguided. I'll let you ague he is oblivious by consequence of being so misguided which is a child of his obsessive nature. You see a lot of that nuance in characterization however, this in my opinion very heavily exposes how misguided Miro is and really solidifies how listeners understand Ian. He definitely gains some depth but you see this through the lens of Miro's misguidance.

From my last review to this one I had a hunch about a specific character...looking forward I am anxiously suspicious because I see smoke. Trouble in paradise? No, there's fire in the woods.

Tristan my dude...you will never see this but good lord. You make it so real...--it's so believable. I love it I absolutely LOVE it.
I get so lost in this mans voice . When he speaks for Ian I just pine that I could Miro. Oh God...I wish. And every time I hear, "he rumbled", I just melt. Tristan's voice is exactly that. That sensual rumble that is arresting but in the sort of, 'don't play coy, I know you want this', kind of way. Sexy cocky confident.

Mary Calmes + Tristan James = PERFECTION!

I absolutely love this series, I never want it to end! Fantastic characters and writing style. Tristan James does such a great job on the narration, it brings out the best in Mary Calmes writing. TRUE PERFECTION!

Non stop action and a sizzling love story.

Fit to Be Tied is the second book in the Marshals series by Mary Calmes. The books in this series must be listened to in order and, as good as they are, this is no hardship. The combination of this author and narrator Tristan James makes for a superb listening experience, with an edge of your seat storyline perfectly told.

In Fit to Be Tied we revisit Deputy US Marshal’s Miro Jones and Ian Doyle, with Ian now living openly with Miro and both men adjusting to their knew dynamic. As young hotshot Marshals these men are known for their ability to work brilliantly together to take down the worst kind of fugitives, but with Ian still being deployed to special ops, and Miro left behind to continue on with a different partner, all is not perfect between them. Fear and jealousy can make for powerful feelings and they’ll need to remember who they’re fighting for if this relationship is to work. Trusting each other will be paramount, both on and off the job.

When a psychopath from Miro’s past returns both men are sent to Arizona to keep them out of harms way. This results in some very funny scenes with their new temporary boss. These guys are like superheroes to me and I loved that they refused to change their MO regardless of the consequences! I love all the kickass save the day moments, and I really love how their real boss, the delectable Sam Kage, is always there to back them up, no matter what. When the psychopath finds them, and uses an insider against Miro, it will take all his strength and skill to survive. Having the love of his life to fight for might just give Miro the strength he needs.

There is so much depth to a Mary Calmes novel. All the background characters add layers to Miro and Ian’s story. From their adorable dog to Miro’s college girlfriends, Cabot and Drake, the other Marshals and did I mention Sam Kage. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, if you haven’t read or listened to the Matter of Time series you are seriously missing out. These other characters in the story add humour, back stories and more to the MC’s narrative making for an even more compelling listen.

Mary Calmes never disappoints and I found listening to book two in the series even better than the first, which is saying something because I loved All Kinds of Tied Down. Tristan James does a superb job of bringing all of the characters to life, completely drawing the listener into the story. His voice acting is flawless and you are never taken out of the scene by missteps or inappropriate voices, male or female. The combination of this author and her narrator is perfect to my ear.
I hated being forced (sleep and food are overrated) to take a break from listening to Fit to Be Tied until it’s highly satisfying (in more ways than one) conclusion.
Highly recommended.

Oh My

I love Miro & Ian. Just finished this book for the 10th time. When a new book comes out, I usually go back & read them all before I read the new one. (I wish Tristian had narrated the Matter of Time series.

All the Love

I wish I could accurately describe how much I love Moro and Ian but there's just so much.

In this second installment we are dragged through every facet of emotion. Love, fear, dread, desolation, horror, anger and pain. The villainous Craig Hartly kicks down our boy's happy life throwing it all into a tailspin that threatens not only their happily ever after but their lives as they have known it.

The journey is harrowing but so worth taking. Hop on, buckle up and enjoy!!