Review: All Kinds of Tied Down by Mary Calmes

Reviewed by Sin
All Kinds of Tied Down (Marshals #1) by Mary Calmes
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 290pgs

4 Pants Off

Blurb: Deputy US Marshal Miro Jones has a reputation for being calm and collected under fire. These traits serve him well with his hotshot partner, Ian Doyle, the kind of guy who can start a fight in an empty room. In the past three years of their life-and-death job, they've gone from strangers to professional coworkers to devoted teammates and best friends. Miro’s cultivated blind faith in the man who has his back… faith and something more.

As a marshal and a soldier, Ian’s expected to lead. But the power and control that brings Ian success and fulfillment in the field isn't working anywhere else. Ian’s always resisted all kinds of tied down, but having no home—and no one to come home to—is slowly eating him up inside. Over time, Ian has grudgingly accepted that going anywhere without his partner simply doesn't work. Now Miro just has to convince him that getting tangled up in heartstrings isn't being tied down at all.

Review

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 others 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.

REDESIGN & GIVEAWAY!!!!

Omo, I am so excited right now. As You can see Pants Off Reviews got a makeover and I am so happy with it (like legit my fave thing). I am so grateful to Emily over at Blogaholic Designs for making it happen. She really came through. Its simple but yet so totally me, its the epitome of all my pants losing feels.

In celebration of the return of POR, I am doing a giveaway. I am so excited to be back and I hope you guys are too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Review: Changing the Things You Can by Ari McKay

Reviewed by SinChan
Changing the Things You Can by Ari McKay
Dreamspinner Press
Short Story: 43pgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb: Devastated by the death of his best friend from a drug overdose, rock star Devon Bailey retreats to his hometown to grieve. When his fragile emotional state causes him to break down in a local bakery, owner Michael Behrman comes to his rescue.

Michael's nurturing instincts prompt him to reach out to Devon, offering support and a comforting shoulder, and the two grow closer. Michael's feelings for Devon deepen into something more--but how can he know whether Devon feels anything more for him than gratitude?

Review
Devon, lead singer of a popular rock band, returns to his hometown to escape the media after the death of his best friend and drummer in the same band from drug abuse. In the midst of grief, he stumbles upon Michael who comforts him.

The story focuses on Devon dealing with his grief and how Michael and Devon develop their relationship from friends to lovers. The transition from friends to lovers is a little fast in my opinion, especially in the middle of dealing with grief. However, I can believe they will make a great couple in the future since their meeting is so well written.

Michael is the knight in shining armor. Sometimes he's too perfect, like how he knows exacting the right things to say and do to comfort Devon. There's not enough pages for the reader to get to know Michael but there are hints that Michael is not a perfect person, just perfect for Devon.

Devon has a lot on his plate. His best friend just died from overdose, his dead friend's mother blames him for the death, the media is invading his privacy and he wants a career change. I think he's very fortunate to find Michael during these troubled times. His situation is portrayed very realistically and down to earth.

This short story leaves me with a smile on my face. It's a very heart warming story with a lesson. The story is set at an easy pace. I especially liked how Devon slowly reveals his problems and talks about Chad's death to Michael. It was more realistic for me to see a step by step progression. Overall, I'm impressed with how complete this short story feels.

4 Pants Off

Review: The Byte of Betrayal by Ashavan Doyon

Reviewed by SinChan
The Byte of Betrayal by Ashavan Doyon
Dreamspinner Press
Short Story: 73pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Caleb McDonnell lives his life online. A thirty-year-old fast food worker, he spends his time talking in an Internet world where his job and living conditions can't dictate his friendships. He's found acceptance, friendship, and even romance. But when an online friend is revealed as a fake, Caleb loses all sense of trust. To stave off the emotional collapse of his betrayal, Caleb leaves his online life behind and retreats into the monotony of his job.

Nicodemus Rokos feels like his heart has been torn out. He knew Caleb would be hurt, but he'd hoped not to be shut out of his boyfriend's life. He can only hope Caleb still feels something when he shows up in person to reclaim what he's lost.

Review
Caleb has a crush on Nic but he doesn't have the courage to tell him so he tells his online best friend, Kevin. He also can't afford a trip to visit Nic since he's so poor, he's eating Ramen noodles and stale bread. He's living his life online and having online friends. A thousand miles away, Nic wants to be Caleb's boyfriend and discovers Kevin is a fake. Nic tells Caleb the truth but he can't accept it.

Caleb is getting depressive and reliant on his online relationships to feel a connection. When he discovers his best friend (online) is a fake person, he spirals into depression. He's background is really sad. He used to live on the streets so he's proud to have a home even though its a crappy one. Not many people understand how reliant he is on online relationships/friendships. He thinks real people on the street are impersonal and trusts his online best friend, Kevin. It turns out that Kevin is really Tami, who's a boring and mousy character that wants people to talk to her and gets addicted to using a fake persona. My heart goes out to him and hope he trusts people again with Nic's help.

Nic is the nice guy and the perfect hero for Caleb. However, his home situation is weird. He's financially supporting his friend and her child. His friend becomes reliant on him and tries to break up his relationship so Nic will never leave her. They are not husband and wife but they give off a very domestic feel. It would be difficult to add Caleb into the mix.

The online chat format may take a little to get used to. The ending of Nic coming to rescue Caleb and his recovery is rushed. Overall though, the story ends with a HEA and at a very hopeful note. Fans of the hurt/comfort trope would enjoy this story.

3.5 Pants Off

Review: Cross and Crown by Abigail Roux

Reviewed by Whuppsy
Cross & Crown (Sidewinder #2) by Abigail Roux
Riptide Publishing
Novel: 225pgs
5 Pants Off

Blurb:
When Nick O'Flaherty arrives at the scene of a double homicide to find he has a witness to the crime, he thinks it’s his lucky day. But when he realizes his witness is suffering from amnesia and can’t even remember his own name, Nick wishes he’d gone with his gut and put in for vacation time.

Then Nick’s boyfriend and former Recon teammate, Kelly Abbott, joins him in Boston, and Nick finds his hands a little too full as the case and his personal life collide. The witness he’s dubbed “JD” is being tailed by Julian Cross, a retired CIA hitman. To complicate matters further, JD forms an attachment to Nick that Nick struggles not to respond to as they search for the key to JD’s identity.

Trying to determine whether JD is friend or foe as they investigate the crime puts them on the trail of a much older mystery. When multiple attempts are made on their lives, Nick is forced to turn to old enemies and new allies to solve a centuries-old crime before he and Kelly get added to the history books.

Review
HOLY HANNAH !!! I so couldn’t wait to read this book. To see how Nick and Kelly were evolving in their relationship. This book was a thrill-ride that just wouldn’t quit!!! I’m a HUGE Ty and Zane fan, so these two guys had so much to live up too.  These Guys Knocked It Out Of The Park!!  

As we know from the C&R series, Nick is a detective in Boston and he’s been working desk duty after donating part of his liver for his father. So, you can believe that Nick is ready to hit the streets and get some action!! Nick is the kind of guy who you’d want on your side if things were going off the rails. He is strong, kind, caring and logical. Nick is always so focused on getting to the truth and the bottom of things, that he doesn’t let emotions get in the way. He makes a promise and you better believe that he’ll move heaven and earth to fulfill it.  Nick is such a wonderful character, he’s sexy, dangerous and so very Alpha. 

It’s such a pleasure to get to know more about him.  Kelly is such a great character.  He was the team medic and yet, he’s so much more than that.  He’s got this wonderful job as a counselor for a camp for children.  He’s a wonderful little stoner who seems so laid-back and yet, when it comes to his boys), he becomes rather dangerous. Nick is Kelly’s first relationship with a man and yet, these two just seem to click together. I don’t know if it’s because they’ve known each other for 15 years or not, Kelly is as in love with Nick and Nick is with Kelly. Kelly truly sees Nick in a way that no one else does.  He knows Nick and that allows him to be the very best partner to Nick. Kelly is fun loving, kind, generous and so focused on Nick and their relationship.  It’s really a pleasure to see Kelly open himself up to this love.  

The secondary characters in this book…So Great.  JD, which stands for John Doe, is either a witness or a suspect, is this great mixture of innocence and intelligence.  Hagen, Nick’s partner on the force really cares for him and they really work well as partners.  Julian…what can I say about Julian that we’ve not heard before?  Julian is witty, sarcastic, wicked smart and plain dangerous.   His deadpanned delivery of lines just makes me laugh.  Ty and Zane both make cameo appearances in this story, and we all know about them.  

There was lots of action in this story.  This was a thrill-ride from the first word on the page until the last. They mystery of JD, the Cross & Crown, helping Julian, it was AMAZING!! The gun fights, the chasing clues and Oh My Lanta, the first time that Kelly and Julian meet…WATCH OUT!!  I will say that there was lots of history being shown in this story, so get your thinking hat out!! Hehehe  

As we all know, Abi is a great writer who can blend adventure/suspense and mystery together and make you so invested in her characters and in her story that you fall under her spell and don’t want to get out.  Abi did the very same thing with this book.  She grabbed you and didn’t let go.  What fun this book was.  Abi blended the right amount of suspense/action and humor. My favorite quote was Kelly saying “Romantic, but are you sure this isn’t just a history nerdgasm you’re having right now?”  I giggled for a while after reading that. Nerdgasm.  As you know, Abi does really good hot sex and this book was no exception.  It was hot and yet, it was so intimate between the two of them. The sex doesn’t overwhelm the story, it just adds another layer to Nick and Kelly’s bond.  

I was glad that Nick and Ty spoke, but it was hard to read. Knowing that they aren’t as solid as they had been. However, it was good to see them again, as always. I do hope that Ty and Nick get back to being the way they were.  These guys have been through too much to allow their relationship to end.  
The relationship between Nick and Kelly is smooth and easy.  Not angst-filled in the way that you read about for some couples.  These two men come with their own issues and worries, and yet it’s really sweet to watch them handle being in a relationship.  I smile just thinking about them together.  

So, if you’re ready for another Adventure filled, Thrill-ride…this is the story for you!!  You get to go on such a fun journey and truly meet some Great Characters to fall in love with..this is for you!! So.. grab a drink, get comfy and get lost in a book that you’ll read again and again, many times. 

5 Pants Off

Review: Book 1 Shock & Awe