What do you think?
Rate this book
A Matter of Time #1-2
A Matter of Time: Vol. 1
2nd Edition
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.
First edition published by Club Lighthouse Publishing.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2010
351 people are currently reading
1180 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
125 books5,016 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 506 reviews
November 29, 2024
Re-read 4/14/21 2/24/20 1/31/19 10/10/18 7/11/18 1/15/17 6/25/2016
The first time I read this book...which has been many times and years ago, I didn't know what to think. I couldn't stop my eyes from rolling at the OTT scenes that were happening, and I didn't really know how I felt about Jory...who everyone seemed to fall in love with on the spot...or Sam.
My ignorance didn't take very long though... Within a few chapters I started to look forward to all the OTT, and with each page, I fell deeper and deeper in love with Jory...sigh.. So much so, that I wanted to take him away from Sam and keep him for myself ;)
It took me a bit longer to warm up to Sam... He dropped the ball a time or two too many, and so he had to work to gain my trust back...#spoiler: he does :P
Jory is a real trouble magnet, but even though he gets himself in the most ridiculous situations...he is also a big pro in getting himself out of them.
I absolutely love this series and it has become like comfort food to me. Whenever I am down or in a major book slump, I just join Jory and Sam on their adventures, and all is better in the world ;)
The first time I read this book...which has been many times and years ago, I didn't know what to think. I couldn't stop my eyes from rolling at the OTT scenes that were happening, and I didn't really know how I felt about Jory...who everyone seemed to fall in love with on the spot...or Sam.
My ignorance didn't take very long though... Within a few chapters I started to look forward to all the OTT, and with each page, I fell deeper and deeper in love with Jory...sigh.. So much so, that I wanted to take him away from Sam and keep him for myself ;)
It took me a bit longer to warm up to Sam... He dropped the ball a time or two too many, and so he had to work to gain my trust back...#spoiler: he does :P
Jory is a real trouble magnet, but even though he gets himself in the most ridiculous situations...he is also a big pro in getting himself out of them.
I absolutely love this series and it has become like comfort food to me. Whenever I am down or in a major book slump, I just join Jory and Sam on their adventures, and all is better in the world ;)
Highly recommended to those who love Mary and a bit of OTT !!
My reviews are posted on
Follow me
January 15, 2014
outrageous fortune.
perfectly absurd, and i ate it up like a pig at the trough.
you set an alpha top like that before me in real life and i would climb him like a tree, slide backwards onto his cock like a chinese gymnast on crystal meth, and spin like a roman fucking candle.
that is all.
perfectly absurd, and i ate it up like a pig at the trough.
you set an alpha top like that before me in real life and i would climb him like a tree, slide backwards onto his cock like a chinese gymnast on crystal meth, and spin like a roman fucking candle.
that is all.
January 3, 2022
3 Stars
I’m having an internal battle of two strongly contrasting opinions. The first involves total bafflement and a reoccurring mantra of, “what the shit just happened?!” The second is reminiscent of a typical fangirl response, sounding a bit like, “ERMIGOD, I loved this so hard!!”
Because, seriously, what is this witchcraft!? How can I be bitching and moaning at every turn throughout this book, trying to decipher what the deal is with everyone loving Jory and Sam, when they both displayed (several) moments of rage inducing behaviour, yet…YET…I couldn’t stop reading, regardless of all the nonsensical bullshit.
I literally went from this...
To this...
...within the span of 5 pages. Over and over and over again.
This keeps happening to me as I explore all these beloved Calmes books. It’s like a love/hate thing, where my love always overpowers my hate, even when my rational self tells me I’m being silly and shouldn’t like them as much as I do. Eh!
Onward, to the next story!
************************************
Re-read: March-April, 2019
This re-read was prompted by a niggling feeling in the back of my mind that maybe I needed to give Jory and Sam's story another go. Having stalled in my original series progress back in 2015, after finishing book #4 (A Matter of Time, Vol. 2), I wanted to go back to the beginning, this time reading rather than listening to the audio by narrator Paul Morey.
Although I've decided to keep my original rating of 3 stars, I do feel that I enjoyed this experience a lot more a second time around. I don’t know whether this was brought on by my current chill mood or my now years long exposure to Calmes and the kind of stories she writes, or whether the fact I read this myself (instead of listening to the audio) had any sort of impact on my increased enjoyment, whatever it was I really can’t be sure. I guess the hows and whys will probably remain a mystery – it just is what it is.
The story was still as outrageous and nonsensical as ever, but this time I found an appreciation for Jory that I didn’t truly feel before. Even against my better judgement, the guy really did grow on me. He’s still ridiculous in his behaviour, acting dismissive and rude to those around him, and he’s just way too mystically irresistible for my rational brain to fully accept – but he’s also just this sweet, hardworking guy who just wants to be valued and loved by the people who matter to him. I definitely can’t fault him in that.
Sam on the other hand... this guy is something else. He seems all sexy and intriguing at first glance, with his growly possessiveness and his sweetness to Jory behind closed doors, but that was exactly my problem – he was only good to him behind closed doors, and the rest of the time he was this bossy, man-handling, domineering asshole who treated Jory like a possession instead of a person. Every time I thought I was beginning to like Sam and forgive him for something he had previously said or done, he went and said/did something even worse, shattering my hopes that his character would grow into someone I could love and root for. I still hear that he gets better as the series develops so I’ll hold out hope for now, but he has a lot of hoops to jump through as far as I’m concerned.
For me, this really is Jory’s story. I enjoyed following him through his romantic highs and lows, through his dangerous encounters with those who wish to do him harm, and in his quieter, more heart-warming moments with his chosen brother Dane. It’s all mostly OTT and a bit silly, but it’s also charming, humorous, steamy, exciting at times, and let’s face it, it’s addictive as all get-out!
This was a re-read surprisingly well-worth my time. I’ve definitely sparked a new appreciation for this series and I now look forward to finally seeing it through once and for all.
I’m having an internal battle of two strongly contrasting opinions. The first involves total bafflement and a reoccurring mantra of, “what the shit just happened?!” The second is reminiscent of a typical fangirl response, sounding a bit like, “ERMIGOD, I loved this so hard!!”
Because, seriously, what is this witchcraft!? How can I be bitching and moaning at every turn throughout this book, trying to decipher what the deal is with everyone loving Jory and Sam, when they both displayed (several) moments of rage inducing behaviour, yet…YET…I couldn’t stop reading, regardless of all the nonsensical bullshit.
I literally went from this...
To this...
...within the span of 5 pages. Over and over and over again.
This keeps happening to me as I explore all these beloved Calmes books. It’s like a love/hate thing, where my love always overpowers my hate, even when my rational self tells me I’m being silly and shouldn’t like them as much as I do. Eh!
Onward, to the next story!
************************************
Re-read: March-April, 2019
This re-read was prompted by a niggling feeling in the back of my mind that maybe I needed to give Jory and Sam's story another go. Having stalled in my original series progress back in 2015, after finishing book #4 (A Matter of Time, Vol. 2), I wanted to go back to the beginning, this time reading rather than listening to the audio by narrator Paul Morey.
Although I've decided to keep my original rating of 3 stars, I do feel that I enjoyed this experience a lot more a second time around. I don’t know whether this was brought on by my current chill mood or my now years long exposure to Calmes and the kind of stories she writes, or whether the fact I read this myself (instead of listening to the audio) had any sort of impact on my increased enjoyment, whatever it was I really can’t be sure. I guess the hows and whys will probably remain a mystery – it just is what it is.
The story was still as outrageous and nonsensical as ever, but this time I found an appreciation for Jory that I didn’t truly feel before. Even against my better judgement, the guy really did grow on me. He’s still ridiculous in his behaviour, acting dismissive and rude to those around him, and he’s just way too mystically irresistible for my rational brain to fully accept – but he’s also just this sweet, hardworking guy who just wants to be valued and loved by the people who matter to him. I definitely can’t fault him in that.
Sam on the other hand... this guy is something else. He seems all sexy and intriguing at first glance, with his growly possessiveness and his sweetness to Jory behind closed doors, but that was exactly my problem – he was only good to him behind closed doors, and the rest of the time he was this bossy, man-handling, domineering asshole who treated Jory like a possession instead of a person. Every time I thought I was beginning to like Sam and forgive him for something he had previously said or done, he went and said/did something even worse, shattering my hopes that his character would grow into someone I could love and root for. I still hear that he gets better as the series develops so I’ll hold out hope for now, but he has a lot of hoops to jump through as far as I’m concerned.
For me, this really is Jory’s story. I enjoyed following him through his romantic highs and lows, through his dangerous encounters with those who wish to do him harm, and in his quieter, more heart-warming moments with his chosen brother Dane. It’s all mostly OTT and a bit silly, but it’s also charming, humorous, steamy, exciting at times, and let’s face it, it’s addictive as all get-out!
This was a re-read surprisingly well-worth my time. I’ve definitely sparked a new appreciation for this series and I now look forward to finally seeing it through once and for all.
January 22, 2016
Let's start with what I like to think is a direct quote from Mary Calmes herself.
You're right, Mary. I do love you and I do despair at your plot fuckery. I spent half the book saying this -
And the other half doing this -
Still, I ate this up and I'm ready for more. Bring it, Calmes!
You're right, Mary. I do love you and I do despair at your plot fuckery. I spent half the book saying this -
And the other half doing this -
Still, I ate this up and I'm ready for more. Bring it, Calmes!
July 1, 2015
4.5 HEARTS--Confession: I am a Jory Keyes and Sam Kage virgin.
Relax...I am Jory virgin, no longer.
I have already considered myself part of the Calmes guild, so to say. I love her words, don't care what anyone else has to say about it. She's my crack and I will huff it whenever I want. Her words give me just what I want: hot alpha vs. a matyr-ish lovable, less dominant man. It's like coming back for your favorite treat each time.
Now I understand the Jory references to all that come after.
Now I get the Sam Kage comparisons.
I've read the prototypes. Bathed in the Calmesian springs of yummy manhandling, twirled in the peacoat wearing, I see the light and everything is coming out Jory.
How in the world did he get so far in life? It must be pure luck because he's just too fearless to be good for his health. He doesn't follow any logical rules, doesn't think when it comes to the important life threatening stuff and yet still comes out with his life.
But there's something saint like and magical about him that drew me to him.
He's a magnet, damn it. I'm not going to feel his neck and touch his face like everyone else in the book did (that's hella creepy and if anyone did that to me, they're looking to get crotch punched) Seriously, what's up with that? Random people just touched him like he was the second coming.
But I'm drawn to the foolhardy twink. He should not be alive with all the silly yet dangerous situations he gets himself in. Jory...he's just so Jory.
He witnesses a murder and instead of being traumatized or fearful of retaliation, he goes to a club and sucks a dick. Why not?
And you get alpha detective Sam Kage, who is straight and kind of a jerk to Jory in the beginning, falling under Jory's spell. Throwing Jory against surfaces, grabbing and just being so handsy...that I liked. I was in a mood for an alpha main character who was possessive and borderline obsessive and I got that with Sam. But his struggle with his attraction to Jory, an out and proud gay man...that was real. And that is what sold me on this story.
Behold the mighty powers of Jory
I'm not rehashing the plot because this is MM romance staple, right here. If you haven't read it, you totally should.
I usually dislike following the same couple in a series but I will be following these two, for however many times they break up and get back together again. Both are martyrs, who think it's better to be apart to save the other at different points in their relationship. Both are foolish for one another. I have a feeling this is going to be one long and arduous fucking ride to their HEA. Book #7 is going be released later this year and now I get why Mary Calmes loves Jory because there's something about him.
Fuck it.
I'm cosigning with this series. Long live Jory and Sam. May these two crazy kids finally get it together.
Relax...I am Jory virgin, no longer.
I have already considered myself part of the Calmes guild, so to say. I love her words, don't care what anyone else has to say about it. She's my crack and I will huff it whenever I want. Her words give me just what I want: hot alpha vs. a matyr-ish lovable, less dominant man. It's like coming back for your favorite treat each time.
Now I understand the Jory references to all that come after.
Now I get the Sam Kage comparisons.
I've read the prototypes. Bathed in the Calmesian springs of yummy manhandling, twirled in the peacoat wearing, I see the light and everything is coming out Jory.
How in the world did he get so far in life? It must be pure luck because he's just too fearless to be good for his health. He doesn't follow any logical rules, doesn't think when it comes to the important life threatening stuff and yet still comes out with his life.
But there's something saint like and magical about him that drew me to him.
He's a magnet, damn it. I'm not going to feel his neck and touch his face like everyone else in the book did (that's hella creepy and if anyone did that to me, they're looking to get crotch punched) Seriously, what's up with that? Random people just touched him like he was the second coming.
But I'm drawn to the foolhardy twink. He should not be alive with all the silly yet dangerous situations he gets himself in. Jory...he's just so Jory.
He witnesses a murder and instead of being traumatized or fearful of retaliation, he goes to a club and sucks a dick. Why not?
And you get alpha detective Sam Kage, who is straight and kind of a jerk to Jory in the beginning, falling under Jory's spell. Throwing Jory against surfaces, grabbing and just being so handsy...that I liked. I was in a mood for an alpha main character who was possessive and borderline obsessive and I got that with Sam. But his struggle with his attraction to Jory, an out and proud gay man...that was real. And that is what sold me on this story.
Behold the mighty powers of Jory
I'm not rehashing the plot because this is MM romance staple, right here. If you haven't read it, you totally should.
I usually dislike following the same couple in a series but I will be following these two, for however many times they break up and get back together again. Both are martyrs, who think it's better to be apart to save the other at different points in their relationship. Both are foolish for one another. I have a feeling this is going to be one long and arduous fucking ride to their HEA. Book #7 is going be released later this year and now I get why Mary Calmes loves Jory because there's something about him.
Fuck it.
I'm cosigning with this series. Long live Jory and Sam. May these two crazy kids finally get it together.
May 7, 2023
Jory Keyes is living a lonely yet popular life: missing real love but adored by most everyone around. He basically spends his time either working, partying or selflessly helping friends. Unfortunately it's this selfless nature, that finally gets Jory in trouble with the mob.
In true naive civilian style, Jory refuses protective custody or to even take any cautionary measures, which in turns attracts detective Sam Kage's exasperation and (not so) latent possessive tendencies.
Mary Calmes cannot tell a linear story to save her life. All she had to do was come up with a sequence of events to gradually turn Jory from fiercely independent into a love-sick fool. Instead, she gets bogged down with a number of irrelevant details solely meant to send the protagonist into the hunky detective's path. A very problematic detective indeed, who chooses to conduct most of his conversations in literal roars. He also constantly forces people to see things his way or the highway. Except for Jory... who doesn't really get to choose the second option.
I suppose I can see the initial appeal in the story. A sort of wish-fulfilment fairy tale, where two crazy hot MCs meet in the worst possible circumstances yet still fall hopelessly in love. Any normal person would then expect them to bring out the best in each other, but the author decides to go the opposite way instead. Brave and somewhat original, but also a big fail as the relationship doesn't seem to have any redeeming attributes. I could only wonder what Sam Kage's appeal was to Jory, to voluntarily make him go through heartbreak over and over again.
And for those asking: it has zero cautionary tale values, as it's clear to all and sundry that the author very much WANTS Jory and Sam to end up together. Then again, she also wants to throw last minute life-altering circumstances at them, so... a HEA ain't on the cards just yet.
Score: 0.55/5 stars
I definitely have way too much time on my hands for finishing this book. In my defence, it has that addictive train-wreck-like quality that makes you want to keep going, just to see where things end up. My Kindle notes have officially dropped dead of exhaustion, with the amount of snarky commentary and random exclamation marks I kept adding.
In true naive civilian style, Jory refuses protective custody or to even take any cautionary measures, which in turns attracts detective Sam Kage's exasperation and (not so) latent possessive tendencies.
Mary Calmes cannot tell a linear story to save her life. All she had to do was come up with a sequence of events to gradually turn Jory from fiercely independent into a love-sick fool. Instead, she gets bogged down with a number of irrelevant details solely meant to send the protagonist into the hunky detective's path. A very problematic detective indeed, who chooses to conduct most of his conversations in literal roars. He also constantly forces people to see things his way or the highway. Except for Jory... who doesn't really get to choose the second option.
I suppose I can see the initial appeal in the story. A sort of wish-fulfilment fairy tale, where two crazy hot MCs meet in the worst possible circumstances yet still fall hopelessly in love. Any normal person would then expect them to bring out the best in each other, but the author decides to go the opposite way instead. Brave and somewhat original, but also a big fail as the relationship doesn't seem to have any redeeming attributes. I could only wonder what Sam Kage's appeal was to Jory, to voluntarily make him go through heartbreak over and over again.
And for those asking: it has zero cautionary tale values, as it's clear to all and sundry that the author very much WANTS Jory and Sam to end up together. Then again, she also wants to throw last minute life-altering circumstances at them, so... a HEA ain't on the cards just yet.
Score: 0.55/5 stars
I definitely have way too much time on my hands for finishing this book. In my defence, it has that addictive train-wreck-like quality that makes you want to keep going, just to see where things end up. My Kindle notes have officially dropped dead of exhaustion, with the amount of snarky commentary and random exclamation marks I kept adding.
April 28, 2019
Re-read 27th April 2019
Re-read 7th - 8th September 2018
4.5*
Short review - Oh My God.
Longer review - Having read and loved the OTT craziness that is the Marshalls series I was more than a little intrigued by the amazing Sam Kage.
Once again this is a suspend reality read and while I grew to absolutely love Jory it wasn’t the instant attraction a lot readers felt. He was a little much and I had to settle in but once I did then I fell for him big time.
Now for Sam.
What can I say about Sam?
I tried to be understanding and see things from his POV. It was all new and a huge change but honestly he was a prat and I really disliked him for most of the book. The way he treated Jory was unbelievable, talk about an emotional read I was exhausted when I’d finished this and then it’s topped off with that cliffhanger!
While I really disliked Sam I know he turns into a great guy but even without that knowledge I’d still be reaching for the next book. I couldn’t put this one down.
Re-read 7th - 8th September 2018
4.5*
Short review - Oh My God.
Longer review - Having read and loved the OTT craziness that is the Marshalls series I was more than a little intrigued by the amazing Sam Kage.
Once again this is a suspend reality read and while I grew to absolutely love Jory it wasn’t the instant attraction a lot readers felt. He was a little much and I had to settle in but once I did then I fell for him big time.
Now for Sam.
What can I say about Sam?
I tried to be understanding and see things from his POV. It was all new and a huge change but honestly he was a prat and I really disliked him for most of the book. The way he treated Jory was unbelievable, talk about an emotional read I was exhausted when I’d finished this and then it’s topped off with that cliffhanger!
While I really disliked Sam I know he turns into a great guy but even without that knowledge I’d still be reaching for the next book. I couldn’t put this one down.
November 8, 2017
***3.75 Stars***
I'm folding and finally starting this series....and now that I've read the first books, I don't even know what to say?
This was one of the most scatterbrained stories I've ever read, yet so completely addicting! It was over the top and unbelievable, but I just couldn't put the book down.
The plot in a nutshell: Jory witnesses a murder. Detective Sam Kage was working on that case. Jory should go in protective custody, but he's all "Naaah, I'll be alright." All of a sudden, Sam starts showing up everywhere Jory is (bit stalkerish, but we'll go with it). One thing leads to another and the detective and our darling Jory end up in a quasi-relationship. Now, that's the main plot...but please keep in mind that there are approximately 7,642 other things also going on.
Let's discuss Jory. Jory is beautiful, breathtaking, gorgeous, enthralling, captivating, phenomenal, engaging, marvelous, charming...ok, I'm all out of words and I don't want to look in a thesaurus for more words to describe how unbelievably AWESOME and BEAUTIFUL Jory is to everyone in this book. But here's the thing.... if you asked me to describe him, I couldn't give you more than he's got brown eyes and blondish hair. That's it, that's all I've got. But everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, absolutely LOVES him!
I just don't understand why everyone was obsessed with him. He was sweet and kind, but he was also obtuse and selfish, rude and self-involved and at times a downright jerk (That's right Jory....you could have handled the Nick situation better and not turned the poor guy into a crazy, desperate mess). And what the fuck is up with everyone constantly touching him??
And leading him around by the neck? He's a grown ass man...let him walk on his own for fuck's sake!
Moving on to Detective Sam Kage. Well, he was one hell of a hot and cold asshole. I wish we got some of his POV, but alas I know that is not Mary Calmes's way. Some were not fans of Detective Kage, but he worked for me.
You could tell he really cared for Jory, he just didn't know how to deal with it all the time. He's overwhelmed with these new feelings for a man and afraid of what that means for his career, his family and the future he thought he wanted. But at the same time, he can't fight his feelings for Jory. Jory makes him feel so much....sometimes too much.
"You're the first and only man I have ever been in bed with."
"I know."
"It's something, lemme tell you."
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Stupid question. It's all I want."
"How come?"
"'Cause being in bed with you, it's different."
"How different?"
"Like I always figured it was supposed to feel."
"I have never wanted anyone like I want you, Jory. I don't even think people are supposed to feel like this."
He's so conflicted with everything. But I have to say, he could be so tender and sweet with Jory. You really saw how Jory balanced and settled him. But let's not forget the man is also a brute and has a possessive and passionate side too. He was a great balance of all for me.
Things aren't easy for these two....not by a long shot. When times are good, they're great...but when the outside world and reality come crashing in...they can be oh so bad. This is one hell of a bumpy ride. Put on your seatbelt and enjoy.
I had never, ever been crazier about anyone else. Sam Kage was the man of my dreams; it was too bad that being with him always became a nightmare.
Now, if you don't mind...after the ending here, I'm off to dive headfirst into book 3. I CANNOT believe this book ended the way it did!!!!!
May 20, 2015
Okay, I was exceptionally stressed and I needed a story that was going to give me a tremendous happy so I reached for these books, which I had been saving for a rainy day. I could not have chosen better.
Jory is one of Mary's most memorable creations--flighty, brilliant, self-indulgent at the same time he'd do anything for a friend, Jory is complex, irritating, and wonderful. Sam starts out the series as a complete bastard--but he's also tormented and pretty in love with Jory so we can forgive him. The two of them together make so much sense that we just physically NEED to see a happy ending for the two of them. My only complaint is that it took two books to get there--but since I loved reading both books, it's not much of a complaint. There are (as is usual for Mary's books) a whirlwind of memorable secondary characters and a charming message about the redemptive power of love (especially for Sam, because that complete bastard thing is not an understatement) and in general? Mary Calmes A Matter of Time books are everything we read romance for.
Jory is one of Mary's most memorable creations--flighty, brilliant, self-indulgent at the same time he'd do anything for a friend, Jory is complex, irritating, and wonderful. Sam starts out the series as a complete bastard--but he's also tormented and pretty in love with Jory so we can forgive him. The two of them together make so much sense that we just physically NEED to see a happy ending for the two of them. My only complaint is that it took two books to get there--but since I loved reading both books, it's not much of a complaint. There are (as is usual for Mary's books) a whirlwind of memorable secondary characters and a charming message about the redemptive power of love (especially for Sam, because that complete bastard thing is not an understatement) and in general? Mary Calmes A Matter of Time books are everything we read romance for.
March 21, 2025
There are not enough words in the English language to tell of my love for Sam and Jory. Add to that Paul Morey's absolutely perfect narration and you've got a story that I will listen to over and over. I can't even count how many times I've listened to this since the very first time in 2013. I know that I listen to this, at least, once a week. This will always be my favorite. It was the first audio narration that caused me to listen more than once. *sigh* I love it. I adore it.
09/08/2015 re-read (listen) number gazillion and one while I drive my son back to college after the long weekend.
11/29/2015 re-listen, 01/06/2016, 03/27/2016, 2/15/2017, 5/2/2017, 7/1/2017, 2/2/2019
1/15/2018 reread infinity+1
11/15/2020 I really should hate Sam. I guess, in theory, I do in this book but... I love them. He is my first love. I think I’ll love him forever.
reread 3/21/2025 Ten years (at least) and hundreds, if not, thousands of books read and/or listened to, and I can still recite the lines of the audio right along with the narrator. Goes to show, my love for Sam and Jory is still as strong today as it was then.
09/08/2015 re-read (listen) number gazillion and one while I drive my son back to college after the long weekend.
11/29/2015 re-listen, 01/06/2016, 03/27/2016, 2/15/2017, 5/2/2017, 7/1/2017, 2/2/2019
1/15/2018 reread infinity+1
11/15/2020 I really should hate Sam. I guess, in theory, I do in this book but... I love them. He is my first love. I think I’ll love him forever.
reread 3/21/2025 Ten years (at least) and hundreds, if not, thousands of books read and/or listened to, and I can still recite the lines of the audio right along with the narrator. Goes to show, my love for Sam and Jory is still as strong today as it was then.
June 28, 2017
I adore Mary Calmes "Matter of Time" series. Anyone who doesn't like it can suck it.
I'm rating this 5 stars based on the sheer number of times I gravitate back to this - if I'm in a bad mood or a sad mood and need a pick-me-up - I throw on the MoT series and all is right in my world again.
That being said - in the first two books (Volume 1) Sam is a giant ASSHOLE and Jory deserved to be treated better.
UPDATED for audiobook:
Paul Morey does a good job. I'll admit the first few times I didn't particularly care for Dane Harcourt's voice, but the whole thing has grown on me (after over 20 listens I would hope so).
Note for the sticklers: the audio has some flubs, some duplications of sentences, etc., and some mispronunciations. It's not Morey's best work, but when you listen to it as often as I have - you get used to it. BUT - if I'm being honest - and I was rating this going in cold for the first time? I'd give the narration 3 stars.
However, this is an audio I listen to at least three times a year (which I used to listen to it at least monthly) so I give it a lot of leeway.
*sighs* I just love these characters.
I'm rating this 5 stars based on the sheer number of times I gravitate back to this - if I'm in a bad mood or a sad mood and need a pick-me-up - I throw on the MoT series and all is right in my world again.
That being said - in the first two books (Volume 1) Sam is a giant ASSHOLE and Jory deserved to be treated better.
UPDATED for audiobook:
Paul Morey does a good job. I'll admit the first few times I didn't particularly care for Dane Harcourt's voice, but the whole thing has grown on me (after over 20 listens I would hope so).
Note for the sticklers: the audio has some flubs, some duplications of sentences, etc., and some mispronunciations. It's not Morey's best work, but when you listen to it as often as I have - you get used to it. BUT - if I'm being honest - and I was rating this going in cold for the first time? I'd give the narration 3 stars.
However, this is an audio I listen to at least three times a year (which I used to listen to it at least monthly) so I give it a lot of leeway.
*sighs* I just love these characters.
September 11, 2018
Reread September 2018
So this series has been on my mind since I first read it a few months ago. I kept thinking I'd reread it to see if I felt the same about. And since I'm kind of in a reading funk right now, I was like why the hell not and give it another chance.
Well, let me tell you, I still love Jory so much. I still hate fucking Sam Kage. I kept my rusty knives near. He's still a douchenoodle and dickbag who treats Jory like shit at times. Helllllooo...leave someone in the hospital why don't ya?? BUT and that's a big BUT, I also developed a wee bit of sympathy for Sam.
Yes...I said that. This go around I realized it really was a struggle for him to accept he was into a man for the first time. That he actually fell in love with a man and had sex with him. It went against everything he ever thought or knew about himself, so, he struggled. I get it, I really do. I felt bad for him at times. HOWEVER, this certainly does not excuse his behavior and how he treated Jory like trash. So while he is still on my shit list and I still want to stab him multiple times, I have developed a bit of sympathy for him.
Originally read February 2018
After reading the Marshals series, I was intrigued by Sam Kage. I get Mary’s newsletters and there’s always a snippet from Jory and Sam. I mean what’s not love about an uber mysterious alpha where you catch glimpses of his loving family side.
I have no idea how to rate this. Can you hate a book so much that you love it? I don't think I've ever read a book that's had me in such a quandary as to how to rate it. I honestly don't know whether I loved this book, oh Jory how I loved YOU. Or whether I hated it..Sam Kage I'm looking at you.
Well, let me tell you just in case you missed my status updates. I FUCKING HATED SAM KAGE. He was awful. He was a mean, rude, bullying abusive Asshole with a capital A. What a dick. I don’t think I have ever hated a main character as much as I hated Sam Kage. I kept hoping and hoping he’d come around and quit his asshole behavior. But sadly nope. Oh yeah, he does come around but then what does he do? Leaves. Yep.
This book stressed me out to no end. The push/pull was exhausting. Sam couldn’t make up his mind if he wanted to screw Jory or shoot him.
Poor Jory. Yes…I am team Jory. If I have to take sides, I choose Jory. I loved him. I loved his crazy ways. The only thing I hated was I wanted him to tell Sam to go fuck himself on a rusty knife. Yes, that is how much I hated Sam. Sadly Jory didn’t man up there for me. Shame on you Jory. I still love you though. 😘
Thanks to my friends to whom I incessantly asked questions and privately ranted and cussed at over this book (Bo and Janie I’m looking at you).
So why did I give it 5 stars? Because I kept reading it. It evoked some strong emotions no less and it was just a crazy fucked up mess.
Am I going to read the next one you ask? Yes because I don't think I got to stab Sam enough in my mind.
So this series has been on my mind since I first read it a few months ago. I kept thinking I'd reread it to see if I felt the same about. And since I'm kind of in a reading funk right now, I was like why the hell not and give it another chance.
Well, let me tell you, I still love Jory so much. I still hate fucking Sam Kage. I kept my rusty knives near. He's still a douchenoodle and dickbag who treats Jory like shit at times. Helllllooo...leave someone in the hospital why don't ya?? BUT and that's a big BUT, I also developed a wee bit of sympathy for Sam.
Yes...I said that. This go around I realized it really was a struggle for him to accept he was into a man for the first time. That he actually fell in love with a man and had sex with him. It went against everything he ever thought or knew about himself, so, he struggled. I get it, I really do. I felt bad for him at times. HOWEVER, this certainly does not excuse his behavior and how he treated Jory like trash. So while he is still on my shit list and I still want to stab him multiple times, I have developed a bit of sympathy for him.
Originally read February 2018
After reading the Marshals series, I was intrigued by Sam Kage. I get Mary’s newsletters and there’s always a snippet from Jory and Sam. I mean what’s not love about an uber mysterious alpha where you catch glimpses of his loving family side.
I have no idea how to rate this. Can you hate a book so much that you love it? I don't think I've ever read a book that's had me in such a quandary as to how to rate it. I honestly don't know whether I loved this book, oh Jory how I loved YOU. Or whether I hated it..Sam Kage I'm looking at you.
Well, let me tell you just in case you missed my status updates. I FUCKING HATED SAM KAGE. He was awful. He was a mean, rude, bullying abusive Asshole with a capital A. What a dick. I don’t think I have ever hated a main character as much as I hated Sam Kage. I kept hoping and hoping he’d come around and quit his asshole behavior. But sadly nope. Oh yeah, he does come around but then what does he do? Leaves. Yep.
This book stressed me out to no end. The push/pull was exhausting. Sam couldn’t make up his mind if he wanted to screw Jory or shoot him.
Poor Jory. Yes…I am team Jory. If I have to take sides, I choose Jory. I loved him. I loved his crazy ways. The only thing I hated was I wanted him to tell Sam to go fuck himself on a rusty knife. Yes, that is how much I hated Sam. Sadly Jory didn’t man up there for me. Shame on you Jory. I still love you though. 😘
Thanks to my friends to whom I incessantly asked questions and privately ranted and cussed at over this book (Bo and Janie I’m looking at you).
So why did I give it 5 stars? Because I kept reading it. It evoked some strong emotions no less and it was just a crazy fucked up mess.
Am I going to read the next one you ask? Yes because I don't think I got to stab Sam enough in my mind.
August 2, 2019
I’m trying to remember the moment where I thought listening to Jory’s and Sam story was a good idea 🤔. I read the series awhile back and i can say this with every fibre of my being, Jory is a flaky bread 🥖 a crusty bread. He’s incredibly irritating and I’m sure he has a rat wheel for a brain. I dislike him so much 😤
Sam: An asshole, an epic asshole.
Dane: another asshole with the personality of a wet rag.
The women: I’m sure they’re all in prison cuz they had to kill to get Jory’s eyelashes or his hair or whatever makes him beautiful.
The Narration: 3 Pants Off
A solid effort but it pushed the fact that I really dislike these dudes and maybe audio wasn’t the best way to go. But I love to hate, so I’ll listen to rest eventually.
This book....
July 25, 2016
Warning to all you Jory fans out there, this is going to be rough.
This was one of the most irritating and annoying books I've read in a long time and it's mainly because of the MC, Jory. The story is told from the first person narrative, by Jory. Jory is the most perfect person to walk the face of the Earth. At least this is what EVERYONE thinks, apparently except for me. Colleagues, friends, ex/new lovers, anyone who's fortunate to lay their eyes on the halo of light that surrounds him, loves him. This is not an exaggeration. Nobody could keep their hands off of him. They all thought he could be a model and all you heard was "God, you are beautiful." *rolls eyes* The thing is, I could probably get into the character (a little) if everyone didn't fall head over heels for him. I felt like the author was jamming his beauty and how perfect he is down my throat. By the time the third person was entranced by him, I wanted to kill him. Yes, he's good-looking and always wants to help people but he is not perfect. He treats his ex-lovers like shit and honestly he makes some extremely stupid decisions. (view spoiler)
Now onto the writing. I finally pinpointed what aggravated me about the dialogue. It was choppy and clipped. Questions were answered with questions and it appeared over and over again. "Yeah, I know." "You know?" "Whaddaya want?" "What do I want?" "What do you want to eat?" "Eat?" "Yes, eat." "I'm okay." "Okay?" Grrrrr.....the repetitiveness aggravated me to no end.
A few more issues to wrap up. We have the possessive and pushy cop, Sam. At first I was intrigued by him. His abrasiveness didn't bother me but after a while even he grated on me. I didn't feel like he was genuinely confused about his sexuality. He seemed to be just going through the motions.
The plot was predictable and honestly this seemed more like a day in the life of Jory rather than focusing on the crime/suspense aspects. Chapter one started off good. Jory finds himself witnessing a murder. Then it goes right in to his personal relationships with a little of the crime portions of the story thrown in here and there. It doesn't really pick up until the end.
The sex scenes were boring and completely forgettable.
Basically, there wasn't much I could say that I liked.
This was one of the most irritating and annoying books I've read in a long time and it's mainly because of the MC, Jory. The story is told from the first person narrative, by Jory. Jory is the most perfect person to walk the face of the Earth. At least this is what EVERYONE thinks, apparently except for me. Colleagues, friends, ex/new lovers, anyone who's fortunate to lay their eyes on the halo of light that surrounds him, loves him. This is not an exaggeration. Nobody could keep their hands off of him. They all thought he could be a model and all you heard was "God, you are beautiful." *rolls eyes* The thing is, I could probably get into the character (a little) if everyone didn't fall head over heels for him. I felt like the author was jamming his beauty and how perfect he is down my throat. By the time the third person was entranced by him, I wanted to kill him. Yes, he's good-looking and always wants to help people but he is not perfect. He treats his ex-lovers like shit and honestly he makes some extremely stupid decisions. (view spoiler)
Now onto the writing. I finally pinpointed what aggravated me about the dialogue. It was choppy and clipped. Questions were answered with questions and it appeared over and over again. "Yeah, I know." "You know?" "Whaddaya want?" "What do I want?" "What do you want to eat?" "Eat?" "Yes, eat." "I'm okay." "Okay?" Grrrrr.....the repetitiveness aggravated me to no end.
A few more issues to wrap up. We have the possessive and pushy cop, Sam. At first I was intrigued by him. His abrasiveness didn't bother me but after a while even he grated on me. I didn't feel like he was genuinely confused about his sexuality. He seemed to be just going through the motions.
The plot was predictable and honestly this seemed more like a day in the life of Jory rather than focusing on the crime/suspense aspects. Chapter one started off good. Jory finds himself witnessing a murder. Then it goes right in to his personal relationships with a little of the crime portions of the story thrown in here and there. It doesn't really pick up until the end.
The sex scenes were boring and completely forgettable.
Basically, there wasn't much I could say that I liked.
December 24, 2018
An emotional rollercoaster ride that ends in a tear jerking cliffhanger.
Great story. Hated the ending. Mary Calmes deserves a high five for the great writing. I read book one and two in two days on little sleep. I dreamed about the characters the night after finishing book two.
Just can't get this one out of my mind.
Great story. Hated the ending. Mary Calmes deserves a high five for the great writing. I read book one and two in two days on little sleep. I dreamed about the characters the night after finishing book two.
Just can't get this one out of my mind.
May 29, 2012
Casting of A Matter of Time. Written review to follow
Jory: Mathias Lauridsen (The only guy pretty enough to make a straight man gay....)
Sam: This gorgeous unknown man...
Or....
Chris Hemsworth (Blonde,brown hair, check. Slate blue eyes, check. 6"3 inches, close enough...and hot,hot hot!!!)
Dane: Hugh Jackman (Hansome, debonair and damn sexy in a tux!).
Dane's expression when Jory does something stupid....
Jory: Mathias Lauridsen (The only guy pretty enough to make a straight man gay....)
Sam: This gorgeous unknown man...
Or....
Chris Hemsworth (Blonde,brown hair, check. Slate blue eyes, check. 6"3 inches, close enough...and hot,hot hot!!!)
Dane: Hugh Jackman (Hansome, debonair and damn sexy in a tux!).
Dane's expression when Jory does something stupid....
July 22, 2015
Re-read number... one gazillion? two?
June 28, 2024
**Audio Re-Read, 2024**
Perfection, again. I finally got some new headphones and it's the grass cutting time of the year! I can only imagine what I look like out there cutting the grass with the silliest smile on my face and the laugh out loud moments only Jory can provide. Until I'm not smiling.
I just know this will forever be a favorite. Forever.
*******
**Audio Re-Read (again)**
I swear I didn’t mean for it to happen!! I just couldn’t find anything I was interested in listening to and had a huge marketing/mailing project for work and I thought I’d just listen until I figured out what new book I wanted to listen to and well, next thing I knew I wasn’t even reading anything and I was only listening and book 1 lead to book 2 and well now…yeah, now I am on Volume 2 but that is a different review space, not this one. We'll talk again later...
So, I am head over heels in love, again with this story. Totally into it and if anything I love it even more this time. So yeah, all weekend, including Friday, was spent re-listening to this story and I never picked my Kindle up at all except to move it from one place to another but it never got opened and I never started a new book at all.
There is no fighting it guys, I should have known better.
-------
**Audio**
Alright. Let's talk about this. It's witchcraft. I know I have said this before about Mary but truly, the spell starts here.
I listen to audio books while I work if it is non-thinking work. I'll even listen sometimes in the car if I am traveling farther than normal. I never listen to audio books once I am home. Well, one time I did but normally home means reading a new book not a re-read/listen.
Except for this series.
Oh my God I can't ever stop once I start with this! I think this is the third time I have listened to this series and I swear to God every single time I think I am just going to listen to one until I get something new and the next thing I know I have kept going and haven't touched my Kindle in days! I got stuck in a two hour traffic jam yesterday and I DID NOT EVEN CARE!
Fucking Sam Cage! Gah! My love for you is equal to my hate for you in this one! Gah!
Here is what I said the first time I read this. My reading progress is hilarious.
I don't feel any different, at all. I still say TEN MILLION ★'s
I've already started the next one.
Perfection, again. I finally got some new headphones and it's the grass cutting time of the year! I can only imagine what I look like out there cutting the grass with the silliest smile on my face and the laugh out loud moments only Jory can provide. Until I'm not smiling.
I just know this will forever be a favorite. Forever.
*******
**Audio Re-Read (again)**
I swear I didn’t mean for it to happen!! I just couldn’t find anything I was interested in listening to and had a huge marketing/mailing project for work and I thought I’d just listen until I figured out what new book I wanted to listen to and well, next thing I knew I wasn’t even reading anything and I was only listening and book 1 lead to book 2 and well now…yeah, now I am on Volume 2 but that is a different review space, not this one. We'll talk again later...
So, I am head over heels in love, again with this story. Totally into it and if anything I love it even more this time. So yeah, all weekend, including Friday, was spent re-listening to this story and I never picked my Kindle up at all except to move it from one place to another but it never got opened and I never started a new book at all.
There is no fighting it guys, I should have known better.
-------
**Audio**
Alright. Let's talk about this. It's witchcraft. I know I have said this before about Mary but truly, the spell starts here.
I listen to audio books while I work if it is non-thinking work. I'll even listen sometimes in the car if I am traveling farther than normal. I never listen to audio books once I am home. Well, one time I did but normally home means reading a new book not a re-read/listen.
Except for this series.
Oh my God I can't ever stop once I start with this! I think this is the third time I have listened to this series and I swear to God every single time I think I am just going to listen to one until I get something new and the next thing I know I have kept going and haven't touched my Kindle in days! I got stuck in a two hour traffic jam yesterday and I DID NOT EVEN CARE!
Fucking Sam Cage! Gah! My love for you is equal to my hate for you in this one! Gah!
Here is what I said the first time I read this. My reading progress is hilarious.
I don't feel any different, at all. I still say TEN MILLION ★'s
I've already started the next one.
February 27, 2020
Reread February 2020
This was so much fun. I enjoyed Jory's spirit, Sam's possessiveness and Dane's steadfastness. Another well spent evening.
**************************
I loved this volume 1. It was a wonderful mix of humor, sass and relationship drama, and in the center of it all was one man - Jory Keyes. It was amazing to see how everyone, man or woman, cleaved to Jory. He has something about him that attracts everyone's attention and affection. He is so irreverent it's adorable. His enthusiasm is contagious and inner monologue is very amusing. I loved him. He knew who he was and was unapologetic. This book was suspenseful, action-packed, full of hilarity and had only one POV, Jory's. I would consider 3 relationships as the focal point of these 2 books.
1. Dane Harcourt and Jory Keyes. These two men are so different but they work so well together. Jory just gets Dane with all his quirks and sharp angles, he loves him for who he is. And Dane is such a character - half the time I was amused, the other half I was mildly irritated. But in the end the moments they had were touching and very heart-felt. They created a family of their own as brothers.
2. Jory and the world. There are so many side characters that zip through Jory's life - it's almost a revolving door. I loved that he didn't have any hang-ups about somebody being different or rich, he just accepted them and was always so affectionate. I loved his simple views on things, his forgiveness and his fearlessness that could at some point have been considered naivete or even luck.
3 Jory and Sam Kage. This is interesting. Many would consider Sam a complete a$$wipe, and I agree that he did have those moments. But the most amazing fact was that Jory loved him as is - possessive, domineering, bossy and aggressive. He got off on it, he felt cared and loved while both Dane, his brother, and Sam, his lover, told him what to do and generally ordered him around. And it suited Jory just fine. Even though the relationship was on and off, I loved them when they were together. Sam on his own was rough around the edges but with Jory he came into his own and became gentle, and he was more amenable and a better man.
The ending was a bit odd, but I guess it takes a lot of courage to come out and not be scared. And for all of his tough exterior Sam is just a man with all of the ingrained social norms that he grew up with that he now must challenge in order to be the man he wants to be. I think what he needs is time. So we will see how long it takes him in the next book. Can't wait to read it! I loved this story and highly recommend it!
This was so much fun. I enjoyed Jory's spirit, Sam's possessiveness and Dane's steadfastness. Another well spent evening.
**************************
I loved this volume 1. It was a wonderful mix of humor, sass and relationship drama, and in the center of it all was one man - Jory Keyes. It was amazing to see how everyone, man or woman, cleaved to Jory. He has something about him that attracts everyone's attention and affection. He is so irreverent it's adorable. His enthusiasm is contagious and inner monologue is very amusing. I loved him. He knew who he was and was unapologetic. This book was suspenseful, action-packed, full of hilarity and had only one POV, Jory's. I would consider 3 relationships as the focal point of these 2 books.
1. Dane Harcourt and Jory Keyes. These two men are so different but they work so well together. Jory just gets Dane with all his quirks and sharp angles, he loves him for who he is. And Dane is such a character - half the time I was amused, the other half I was mildly irritated. But in the end the moments they had were touching and very heart-felt. They created a family of their own as brothers.
2. Jory and the world. There are so many side characters that zip through Jory's life - it's almost a revolving door. I loved that he didn't have any hang-ups about somebody being different or rich, he just accepted them and was always so affectionate. I loved his simple views on things, his forgiveness and his fearlessness that could at some point have been considered naivete or even luck.
3 Jory and Sam Kage. This is interesting. Many would consider Sam a complete a$$wipe, and I agree that he did have those moments. But the most amazing fact was that Jory loved him as is - possessive, domineering, bossy and aggressive. He got off on it, he felt cared and loved while both Dane, his brother, and Sam, his lover, told him what to do and generally ordered him around. And it suited Jory just fine. Even though the relationship was on and off, I loved them when they were together. Sam on his own was rough around the edges but with Jory he came into his own and became gentle, and he was more amenable and a better man.
The ending was a bit odd, but I guess it takes a lot of courage to come out and not be scared. And for all of his tough exterior Sam is just a man with all of the ingrained social norms that he grew up with that he now must challenge in order to be the man he wants to be. I think what he needs is time. So we will see how long it takes him in the next book. Can't wait to read it! I loved this story and highly recommend it!
January 15, 2020
Finished this the other night. Jory drove me crazy, although I did get to a certain point in the book (about 70% in) and realized that Jory didn't drive me as batshit crazy as before, so I guess that's progress ....... right?
Anyhoo .....
Jory Is Perfect.
Jory is Gorgeous.
Jory is Clever, Funny, Resourceful.
Jory is Fabulous in Bed.
By the way, his architect boss Dante is also perfect, gorgeous, rich.
You get the picture.
Sam, a closeted hunky cop in the Jake Reardon fashion, meets Jory in the course of a murder case, and along with the rest of the world, pretty much instantly falls for him. Lots of hot sex, much discussion of Sam's rippling muscles and six-pack - Yes! Double Plus Good.
But then ... Whew .....
Mary Calmes is generally a 4 out of 5 stars read for me, but this book had just too much what-the-fuckery about it. Of course, I am planning to start Volume 2 tomorrow ...
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Anyhoo .....
Jory Is Perfect.
Jory is Gorgeous.
Jory is Clever, Funny, Resourceful.
Jory is Fabulous in Bed.
By the way, his architect boss Dante is also perfect, gorgeous, rich.
You get the picture.
Sam, a closeted hunky cop in the Jake Reardon fashion, meets Jory in the course of a murder case, and along with the rest of the world, pretty much instantly falls for him. Lots of hot sex, much discussion of Sam's rippling muscles and six-pack - Yes! Double Plus Good.
But then ... Whew .....
Mary Calmes is generally a 4 out of 5 stars read for me, but this book had just too much what-the-fuckery about it. Of course, I am planning to start Volume 2 tomorrow ...
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
April 13, 2017
*Audio edition*
Oh come on!!! You have got to be freakin kidding me! That ending? That cliffhanger?? Really?
Well I can see how some readers take issue with Jory and how loved he is on immediate sight. I admit that it was a bit over the top and I'm not sure how I would have interpreted many of his interactions had I read the book instead of listened to it because the narrator had me envisioning him a bit dismissive, a bit aloof, a bit wishy washy - with a dash of player thrown in.
This is only my second foray into Calmes' works. The way she writes Jory, the man could probably solve world peace among his long list of other talents.
However I can see the appeal of this series. There's definitely some good humorous banter and sexy talk and heat (no erotica here). The GFY developed pretty quickly but apparently that's to be expected (please see above). I had to suspend belief just a little but it works. What is it about the angst of a cop who can't come out of the closet? (Ahem, I'm talking to you Jake Riordan.) Sam does get his shit together after so many fights I lost count - only to have us pulling out our hair with the ending. Does that make for a compelling read? Sure! At least I can safely breathe a sigh of relief that the whole series is out. There's no waiting an interminable amount for the next fix.
Oh come on!!! You have got to be freakin kidding me! That ending? That cliffhanger?? Really?
Well I can see how some readers take issue with Jory and how loved he is on immediate sight. I admit that it was a bit over the top and I'm not sure how I would have interpreted many of his interactions had I read the book instead of listened to it because the narrator had me envisioning him a bit dismissive, a bit aloof, a bit wishy washy - with a dash of player thrown in.
This is only my second foray into Calmes' works. The way she writes Jory, the man could probably solve world peace among his long list of other talents.
However I can see the appeal of this series. There's definitely some good humorous banter and sexy talk and heat (no erotica here). The GFY developed pretty quickly but apparently that's to be expected (please see above). I had to suspend belief just a little but it works. What is it about the angst of a cop who can't come out of the closet? (Ahem, I'm talking to you Jake Riordan.) Sam does get his shit together after so many fights I lost count - only to have us pulling out our hair with the ending. Does that make for a compelling read? Sure! At least I can safely breathe a sigh of relief that the whole series is out. There's no waiting an interminable amount for the next fix.
October 23, 2014
Written October 24, 2014
4 Stars - Great start to an engrossing heart-breaking (long) love story
Book #1 and #2
Collection Volume with book # 1 and # 2 in the A Matter of Time series.
See my full reviews here:
#1 - A Matter of Time 1 (3.8 stars)
#2 - A Matter of Time 2 (3.7 stars)
..all together a good 4 star "read".
***********************************************************
I've listening to the 12:17 hrs audiobook narrated by Paul Morey. He was fabulous.
***********************************************************
I LIKE - Oh Yeah! I just want more by now.
**********
The A Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes:
4 Stars - Great start to an engrossing heart-breaking (long) love story
Book #1 and #2
Collection Volume with book # 1 and # 2 in the A Matter of Time series.
See my full reviews here:
#1 - A Matter of Time 1 (3.8 stars)
#2 - A Matter of Time 2 (3.7 stars)
..all together a good 4 star "read".
***********************************************************
I've listening to the 12:17 hrs audiobook narrated by Paul Morey. He was fabulous.
***********************************************************
I LIKE - Oh Yeah! I just want more by now.
**********
The A Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes:
March 21, 2018
Didn't Work for Me.
I'm not sure what to say about this book. Maybe if I divide it up...
1. The Characters.
Well, everyone was gorgeous, as all men are. Lest we forget their aesthetic perfection, the author reminds us repeatedly. Jory, one of the MCs, along with being beautiful, is beloved and lusted after by all who encounter him, instantly taking him into their confidence. Men fall for him right and left. Upon hearing their declarations of love, he walks away. Not having had a formal education, he appears to know just about everything. Good for him.
Sam, the other MC, was a stereotypical, closeted, alpha male cop. That's about it. Oh, yeah, he was gorgeous and oozed raw sex appeal, which you must, as an alpha male.
2. The Plot.
Sometimes it made sense and sometimes I was simply confused and thought that I had skipped a section. The witness story line didn't seem to be anything more than a vehicle to bring together the MCs. It was not very complex nor involved.
3. The Writing.
Exposition, exposition, exposition. Also, action sequences were not a strong point. The writing was uneven, wobbly. Some parts moved along well and other got mired in repetition and exposition.
4. The Sex.
Calmes has great tension building kissing scenes. Unfortunately, there is little detail to any extra intimacies between the characters.
This is the third Mary Calmes book I've read, each one a first in a series. Maybe Mary Calmes isn't for me. Maybe this book needs some revision. I didn't hate these characters, sometimes I liked them, but often they acted outside my idea of logic and that was difficult for me to connect with.
Would I continue on with this popular series? Maybe as part of a challenge. If I got the book for free.
I'm not sure what to say about this book. Maybe if I divide it up...
1. The Characters.
Well, everyone was gorgeous, as all men are. Lest we forget their aesthetic perfection, the author reminds us repeatedly. Jory, one of the MCs, along with being beautiful, is beloved and lusted after by all who encounter him, instantly taking him into their confidence. Men fall for him right and left. Upon hearing their declarations of love, he walks away. Not having had a formal education, he appears to know just about everything. Good for him.
Sam, the other MC, was a stereotypical, closeted, alpha male cop. That's about it. Oh, yeah, he was gorgeous and oozed raw sex appeal, which you must, as an alpha male.
2. The Plot.
Sometimes it made sense and sometimes I was simply confused and thought that I had skipped a section. The witness story line didn't seem to be anything more than a vehicle to bring together the MCs. It was not very complex nor involved.
3. The Writing.
Exposition, exposition, exposition. Also, action sequences were not a strong point. The writing was uneven, wobbly. Some parts moved along well and other got mired in repetition and exposition.
4. The Sex.
Calmes has great tension building kissing scenes. Unfortunately, there is little detail to any extra intimacies between the characters.
This is the third Mary Calmes book I've read, each one a first in a series. Maybe Mary Calmes isn't for me. Maybe this book needs some revision. I didn't hate these characters, sometimes I liked them, but often they acted outside my idea of logic and that was difficult for me to connect with.
Would I continue on with this popular series? Maybe as part of a challenge. If I got the book for free.
September 8, 2018
Re-read 7th - 8th September 2018
I loved it from the get go this time.
4.5*
Short review - Oh My God.
Longer review - Having read and loved the OTT craziness that is the Marshalls series I was more than a little intrigued by the amazing Sam Kage.
Once again this is a suspend reality read and while I grew to absolutely love Jory it wasn’t the instant attraction a lot readers felt. He was a little much and I had to settle in but once I did then I fell for him big time.
Now for Sam.
What can I say about Sam?
I tried to be understanding and see things from his POV. It was all new and a huge change but honestly he was a prat and I really disliked him for most of the book. The way he treated Jory was unbelievable, talk about an emotional read I was exhausted when I’d finished this and then it’s topped off with that cliffhanger!
While I really disliked Sam I know he turns into a great guy but even without that knowledge I’d still be reaching for the next book. I couldn’t put this one down.
I loved it from the get go this time.
4.5*
Short review - Oh My God.
Longer review - Having read and loved the OTT craziness that is the Marshalls series I was more than a little intrigued by the amazing Sam Kage.
Once again this is a suspend reality read and while I grew to absolutely love Jory it wasn’t the instant attraction a lot readers felt. He was a little much and I had to settle in but once I did then I fell for him big time.
Now for Sam.
What can I say about Sam?
I tried to be understanding and see things from his POV. It was all new and a huge change but honestly he was a prat and I really disliked him for most of the book. The way he treated Jory was unbelievable, talk about an emotional read I was exhausted when I’d finished this and then it’s topped off with that cliffhanger!
While I really disliked Sam I know he turns into a great guy but even without that knowledge I’d still be reaching for the next book. I couldn’t put this one down.
August 30, 2015
old book, new format Audiobook edition! This one is a for Irina.Book comments:When I first read Jory & Sam, I was not completely sold. Jory was likable, perhaps a bit too likable. And Sam was a bit creepy. I mean, he keeps popping up out of nowhere and barks orders at Jory. It doesn't feel romantic to me. Honestly, Jory has so many good options that are not Sam, I just don't get it. Jory says he is crazy about Sam, but I don't feel it. What I do feel is the bromance between Dane and Jory. I bet I'm not the first to secretly wish that Dane goes all GFY and this turns into a socially acceptable incest story. There are several more books, and , so game on, right? Has anyone done a Sam Kage vs. Jake Riordan smack-down? Or perhaps a comparative essay? Because for all the similarities, they couldn't be more different.
Audiobook comments: Paul Morey is a very good narrator. I didn't find his voice irresistible, but he did juggle the characters really well. His pace was a bit slow even at 1.5x speed, so I listened to most at 2x. His Jory was spot on, I think he really captured the happy-go-lucky, everyone adores me but I am not conceited-ness of Jory. Sam came off as thick, maybe that is spot on as well? The jazzy music between chapters is cheesy and perfect.Final verdict - the book overall is still 3 stars, but the audiobook was fun and warrants one more half star.
Audiobook comments: Paul Morey is a very good narrator. I didn't find his voice irresistible, but he did juggle the characters really well. His pace was a bit slow even at 1.5x speed, so I listened to most at 2x. His Jory was spot on, I think he really captured the happy-go-lucky, everyone adores me but I am not conceited-ness of Jory. Sam came off as thick, maybe that is spot on as well? The jazzy music between chapters is cheesy and perfect.Final verdict - the book overall is still 3 stars, but the audiobook was fun and warrants one more half star.
July 1, 2015
This is a crazy story. It is. A Crazy In Love Story and I am stupidly, crazy in love with it. Sure, there is so much that I could totally pick on or at... I mean, everyone loves Jory, tells him he is beautiful, wants to feed and fuck him. But you know what? I kinda want to see those eyes, those lashes he has and take him for dinner and pretend he was straight for a night. Maybe? Who knows. All I know is this book gave me all the right feels when I needed it.
I can't believe it has taken me this long to read this. *whispers* Sorry, JL... I finally get it. I get it.
I think everyone knows the score about who Sam and Jory are so I won't get into all of that. There's no need. Right?
Anyway.
Sam and Jory. Jory and Sam. These two are a mess and perfect for one another. Having met Sam much later in life when I All Kinds of Tied Down, the warm fuzzy feeling I got when Miro saw Jory pick up Sam and that kiss. Ugh. I knew then when I finally smacked myself in the head I needed to read their story to see how they get there.
Crack. This book is so addictive. I did nothing but read this in a day and this is the first two books. The on again, off again deal with Sam and Jory was torture and the things that come out of Sam's mouth just about turned me into a permanent puddle of goo. The man is amazing and it's a good thing I have major crush on closeted cops because though he's amazing, he pissed me off more than once and he really pushed it with this end.
So yeah. I am beyond pissed off at that end but I immediately bought volume two and am a ball of freking fracking ginger anxiety just knowing... ARGH. Sam, you have some 'splaining to do!
Let me not forget to mention how much I adore Dane Harcourt. When I first met him, I really liked him and the way he and Jory interacted. By the end, the man made me cry and it was a good cry because he is such a good guy. Dane is gorgeous and awesome and bossy, but Jory likes the men in his life to boss him around. So it's all good.
“Jory Keyes,” he said softly, his fingertips smoothing over my eyebrows. “What if I missed you?”
I can't believe it has taken me this long to read this. *whispers* Sorry, JL... I finally get it. I get it.
I think everyone knows the score about who Sam and Jory are so I won't get into all of that. There's no need. Right?
Anyway.
Sam and Jory. Jory and Sam. These two are a mess and perfect for one another. Having met Sam much later in life when I All Kinds of Tied Down, the warm fuzzy feeling I got when Miro saw Jory pick up Sam and that kiss. Ugh. I knew then when I finally smacked myself in the head I needed to read their story to see how they get there.
The man took my breath away and he had no idea he was doing it.
Crack. This book is so addictive. I did nothing but read this in a day and this is the first two books. The on again, off again deal with Sam and Jory was torture and the things that come out of Sam's mouth just about turned me into a permanent puddle of goo. The man is amazing and it's a good thing I have major crush on closeted cops because though he's amazing, he pissed me off more than once and he really pushed it with this end.
So yeah. I am beyond pissed off at that end but I immediately bought volume two and am a ball of freking fracking ginger anxiety just knowing... ARGH. Sam, you have some 'splaining to do!
Let me not forget to mention how much I adore Dane Harcourt. When I first met him, I really liked him and the way he and Jory interacted. By the end, the man made me cry and it was a good cry because he is such a good guy. Dane is gorgeous and awesome and bossy, but Jory likes the men in his life to boss him around. So it's all good.
October 22, 2012
3.5 stars
My dentist is going to be a RICH man! This book is so sugary that I have a mouth full of cavities.
Jory is perfect.
Sam is perfect.
Dane is perfect.
Everyone is so freaking perfect.
But here’s where my weakness comes in: I love any freaking book with a closeted cop and his more-than-likeable love interest.
EVERYONE loves Jory…so why should I be any different?
Yes, this book is too sweet.
Yes, this book is unbelievable.
Yes, everyone in this book is gorgeous and charming and attractive and sexy.
Yes, this book should annoy the heck out of me.
Yes, Mary Calmes only knows how to write anti-angst.
But, I kinda can’t help it. I’m hooked. I'm not blind to the flaws, but I am drawn in.
Like Mac in Life Lessons and Jake in the Adrien English series, I want to knock Sam over the head and tell him he's being an IDIOT! (God, I just can’t deny the cop and the lovely man coupling.)
I’m a sucker…I know…
March 9, 2014
TEN MILLION ★'s...if you expect any kind of review out of me you are insane. Thank God for the next book because that ending, well that ending could erase all the ★'s. But it won't, because I have the next book and I believe, I have faith and I WANT! Read.
January 12, 2017
This was just one big continuous journey of "what the fuckery"...
October 1, 2013
Bucking the crowd or somehow I read a different book. Put in spoiler tags cause my grievances reveal significant plot points.
I think the reader needs to buy into the fantasy aspect right away or this is not going to work. I suppose, I liked Jory and I was interested in his story, but the events surrounding his life are surreal. It's a production with some zealous directing and a plethora of drama points.
In the end, I was aggravated by this book because there were several times when I was really enjoying it and going with it when all of a sudden a random monkey wrench was tossed in and wrecked the flow. It was like playing Chutes and Ladders and constantly being sent back to the beginning again.
I think the reader needs to buy into the fantasy aspect right away or this is not going to work. I suppose, I liked Jory and I was interested in his story, but the events surrounding his life are surreal. It's a production with some zealous directing and a plethora of drama points.
In the end, I was aggravated by this book because there were several times when I was really enjoying it and going with it when all of a sudden a random monkey wrench was tossed in and wrecked the flow. It was like playing Chutes and Ladders and constantly being sent back to the beginning again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 506 reviews