Marshals: Book Three

Miro Jones is living the life: he’s got his exciting, fulfilling job as a US deputy marshal, his gorgeous Greystone in suburban Chicago, his beloved adopted family, and most importantly, the man who captured his heart, Ian Doyle. Problem is, Ian isn’t just his partner at work—Ian’s a soldier through and through. That commitment takes him away from Miro, unexpectedly and often, and it’s casting a shadow over what could be everything Miro could ever dream of.

Work isn’t the same without Ian. Home isn’t the same, either, and Miro’s having to face his fears alone… how to keep it together at the office, how to survive looming threats from the past, and worst of all, how to keep living without Ian’s rock-solid presence at his side. His life is tied up in knots, but what if unknotting them requires something more permanent? What would that mean for him and Ian? Miro’s stuck between two bad choices, and sometimes the only way to get out of the knot is to hold tight to your lifeline and pull.

I adore Mary Calmes. Her writing has made me laugh, cry, love, hate, be happy, and be angry.

Now, before we go any deeper into this review, I’d like to point out that there is an unexpected surprise in this book. I am not one for spoilers, so you won’t get any here. Let’s just say WOW, holy moly! What you see in chapter two is worth way more than the price of the book. I almost died (not literally, of course) and squeed my pants a little. (Seriously! Rush out and grab this book, because if you’re a regular M/M reader, you’re going to be thrilled to death.)

Annnnyway. In her latest book, Tied Up In Knots, book three of her Marshal’s series, we once again join Miro Jones and Ian Doyle in the Windy City, Chicago, Illinois. This time around, the two men start out in different locales due to work and other commitments. It’s not easy on Miro, who had been shuffled to foster homes throughout his life, and now that he has a sense of permanency, finds his life disrupted once more. But, true professional that he is, he takes it in stride as best he can. Fortunately, Miro isn’t alone in the world. He’s got friends in all the right places. And even though they’re secondary characters in the story, they’ll still capture your heart with their love for Miro.

Kowalski and Kohn meet Miro at the airport to deliver some bad news from their boss, the incredibly amazing Sam Kage (who steals every scene he ever appears in). Seems Miro has to make some tough choices, and he’s not going to be happy about it. So to break the ice, he’s taken to breakfast. It’s during this time an old friend resurfaces and does something that no one living can expect to get away with. Once Sam Kage finds out, they’re going to be toast. Which is probably better than what would happen if Ian got to them first.

You also get reunited with one of my favorite characters–Chickie, the mutant werewolf dog. I love Chickie. He’s supremely loyal, powerful, and most of all, loves Ian and Miro to bits.

While the story is sweet at points, there is also some very hard feelings at others. Ian’s return from a mission doesn’t go like it ought to. Harsh words are spoken from both ends, and the outcome is in serious doubt. Both men have valid points, but can either be right?

This is a roller coaster ride. It’s a neck-snapping, eye-popping thrill of a story. When you think it’s going to go one way, it does a 180 and you’re going off in a direction you didn’t even know could come up. You’re going to learn about something that happened to Ian years ago. Something he did that could have cost him his life. You’ll be angry with him. Upset that he could do such a thing. Then the story shifts again and…wow doesn’t even begin to cover it.

The past plays a large part in the present for this story. Things that should have stayed buried have a way of resurfacing. And that’s what happens for Ian and Miro. They’re unprepared for what’s coming their way, but it’s picking up speed, and they need to stand together to face it.

Because if they don’t, they’re never going to be Tied Up In Knots together.

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