A Matter of Time - Volume 1 ::: by Mary Calmes
Hiya Anewers!
I am going to begin with the very first book that i’ve read about M/M romance, and that was a perfect startup! Well, let’s go with it, right? (I am too anxious to know what you will tell me about this review. Begining with the synopsis and some start info:
“Books One and Two - Vol. 1
Jory Keyes leads a normal life as an architect’s assistant until he is witness to a brutal murder. Though initially saved by police Detective Sam Kage, Jory refuses protective custody—he has a life he loves that he won’t give up no matter who is after him. But Jory’s life is in real jeopardy, especially after he agrees to testify about what he saw.
While dealing with attempts on his life, well-meaning friends who want to see him happy, an overly protective boss, and a slowly unfolding mystery that is much more sinister than he could ever imagine, the young gay man finds himself getting involved with Sam, the conflicted and closeted detective. And though Jory may survive the danger, he may not survive a broken heart.”
Title: A Matter of Time Volume 1 (Books 1 and 2)
Author: Mary Calmes
Year: 2011
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Language: English
Pages: 280
Reading time: 6 days
Format: e-book (Kindle)
Date of Purchase: 27/07/2013 at amazon.com
LINKS: Amazon (US) Dreamspinner Press
Yes, this volume has two books in sequence. And that, my anewers, was great, since the books are too damn short, in my opinion.
I - Cover: (2)
The cover is nice, but honestly, i would do better. Jory Keyes is depicted here as a hustler (to say the least - ok, it’s not far from how the author describe him, but even so...), the city at the background give an aura of Law & Order: SVU. It's so cliché. This could be a lot more different and less obvious.
Why the hell not depict Sam Kage at the cover too?
II - Point of View (POV): (4.5)
I never read anything in first person perspective before this one, it simply doesn't catch me, this was my first book like this... And i loved it! Mary Calmes was really inside Jory's head, sometimes gave glimpses about other characters through expressions and Jory's observation. Amazing. Total bliss everytime i read this book. (This was my 5th time reading this book)
III - Protagonists: (4.5)
Jory Keyes (Book 1)/Harcourt (Book 2) - The main guy. And yes, the very same person. He is a mix of frail around his lover, but a force of nature at the same time. Reckless, clumsy, irresponsible, crazy... But totally relatable.
He was abbandoned by his mother after birth, was raised by his grandmother until his 10s, then went to foster care. Afterwards, went to Chicago to try his luck. End up working for a huge-ass-famous architectural office, with a boss who can work only with him.
Lucky in life, maybe... but in love... he is the typical stereotype of a gay one-night-stander. When he mets Sam Kage, something clicks inside him, but fear of letting go and being hurt made him run out of it every time... I will say no more for now.
Samuel Thomas Kage, or just, Sam Kage - I must say this once and for all: I WANT HIM IN MY BED, IN MY LIFE (Sorry, hubby... but i can't hide it anymore - LOL). This man is too damn perfect to be true.
Strong, simple, straight to the point... and closeted. This is Sam. He struggles about love a man and please everyone else. I relate to him a lot, since i was in the closet until i was 23. But this is not about me.
Sam is a vice detective, who loves his profession, have problems with his temper and when met Jory and his heart kicks for him, Jory has the unexplainable ability to ground him, to draw the very best of him...
IV - Antagonists: (3)
Brian Minor: (Book 1) He is a classic thug. The one who is conceited and connected with some middle rank people. He shots a guy and is witnessed by Jory at the very beginning, and since then all of it unfolds. He appears little in the story, thing is, the story is told under Jory's POV, so obviously we wouldn't know much about him, wich is understandable. He's not appealing and definately not important for the story about Jory and Kage, he is just a plain motive to keep they both tied together.
Dominic Kairov: (Book 2) One thing bothered me about this guy. He's so close to Sam - since he was his partner at CPD - and the way he turned against him was almost unfair, but we must place this story at the real life timeline. when it's written being gay was a huge deal, especially within typical "macho"-jobs. He flipped, but the fact is he saw in that an opportunity to be off the grid again. It was nice, how come a vice detective could afford a luxurious home? He was involved with the mob, plain and simple. Mary Calmes took more time to develop this one, and... even bothering me... he was really good.
An observation is needed: I think, in the end, the real antagonist of this is the one and only Jory. He sabotages himself a lot.. Read it and you will understand what i am talking about.
V - Side Characters: (5)
Dane Harcourt: Boss, Former boss and adoptive brother of Jory. Icy is his middle name, but when he let Jory in his life, things change drastically, he have a warm and tender heart, but this side he shows only to J.
Seriously, one of the very best secondary roles that i've ever read in a book, many will not agree with me, but i don't care. I love Dane, i love the way he relate to Jory and how deep their connection goes.
Two damaged persons, but with the feelling that they are soulmates in another level, the brotherhood level. It is sweet how the author constructed their evolution from boss-employee to family.
To Jory is a fairy tale in the making...
Dylan Greer: Loud, manic, frantic, clumsy, hot headed and big hearted. BFF, partner in crime of J. The kind of friend you want to have around always - if you can manage to reach out for her.
The perfect partner to Jory by far!
VI - Hot Scenes: (5)
The first night between Jory and Sam is outstanding. Jory imagining Sam somehow insecure about being with him, but what happened was complete the opposite. He was completely aware and sure about being with him. I believed that every single person in the world wants something like at some point in life. I was breathless at the end of if. Imagining how's it going to be to have a hot-rock-hard-immense-muscular-diry-blond-sweaty-piece-of-perfection-man with his thigh over mine and his arms around my waist. Mary Calmes, you are mean! (in a good and HOT way, of course)
VII - The Story: (4.2)
In the beginning i was worried about being a cliché story, but even these kind of stories have their values. A Matter of Time Book 1 brings you to the universe of a gay cliché one-night-stand-guy who falls for a typical straight-strong-mindless-rock-hard-gorgeous-cop. BUT how it is develop is something else entirely, since it's told by the main character: Jory Keyes and his twisted view of things. It is delightful.
Actually, both books are. Book 2 goes even further. Jory was struggling about quitting his party night days to be with someone for good... having only 23 yeas old. It's not common to see a young one wanting it... and because of it i relate to it A LOT. I was 24 when i met my husband, the difference is i was never a party-one-night-stand-guy. Like i said before, this is not about me...
Book 2 show us how they finally get together... and... well... i already gave you lot's of spoilers, i will not give you the biggest one, i will just say that i am fortunate to not have read this book on it's launching and had to wait for the book 3... I was royally pissed (in a good way).
Most of this review is written like books 1 and 2 was only one, because i felt it that way. One story, divided into 2 books.
VIII - Plot Twists: (4.5)
There's enough twists in both books. But always related to Jory's behaviour. Only 2 twists aren't his fault, the ones that draws Kage back to the cop-protective-mode activated.
Good twists, but not great. For me, the only thing that really mattered at the story was how the hell Jory and Sam would end up together, and that's why i was royally pissed at the end of book 2. Again, i will say no more.
IX - Ending: (4)
I didn't see the end of book 1 as an end. It was a plain hook to book 2, and so book 2 to 3. BUT...
The end of book 1 was interesting, believeable, and somehow not unexpected as it seemed.
But the end of book 2 gave me rage rampages against Mary Calmes! I hated it, but i really understand that it was a PERFECT hook for a third story. That's why, even hating the guts of Sam Kage for what he did to Jory, i can understand why he did it. (Even didn't understanding how police regiments and laws in US works).
X - Timing: (5)
BOOK 1 has perfect timing to tell the tale. Fast paced when needed, slow paced when needed. Perfect. Following Jory's mind is challenging and super-fun.
But Book 2... Well, Mary Calmes used the memory lane too often, and sometimes right after the very scene happened, like a mexican soup opera. It was not very appealing and i caught myself skipping those small paragraphs because i've just read it. It doesn't give you the will to stop reading it, but it is totally unnecessary. Re-telling what happened in book 1 or in the very beginning of book 2 is a good thing to do, but do it at the next scene is an exaggeration.
XI - Re-reading Factor: (5)
I will only say this: Haven't i mentioned that this was the 5th time i read this book?
Well, actually it was my 8th. What do you think then? (LOL)
XII - Recommendation: (5)
Since i was reading it for the 8th time, i guess it is a must read.
Note that you can be a different impression about this story, and this is my very personal opinion about this. So, read it and take your conclusions.
XIII - EXTRA POINTS: (+2.5)
- Bonus points:
. Gorgeous characters, and absolutely my type;
. Happy ending or perfect hook for the next book;
. Perfect scenes, that took my attention;
. Should have a TV or Silver-screen adaptation;
. Story with a rook so Strong that makes me wants more and more...;
. Perfect HOT Scene (wow, just wow... did i mentioned that i want Samuel Thomas Kage in my bed right fucking now?!)
- Penalties:
. None.
Average: 4.30 of 5 (from I to XII)
Final grade (applying bonus points): 6.80 of 10
What do you think about this review? Give your impression on comments below and don’t forget to check back often, ok?
x-o-x-o
AlexM
NEXT REVIEW: “Just Drive” by L.A. Witt