Floodgates

Title: Floodgates

Author: Mary Calmes

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: www.dreamspinnerpress.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-62798-738-7

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Nymph

Tracy Brandt has a pretty good life with the exception of his cheating ex-boyfriend. At least he thinks he does until he’s almost killed at work, which brings his brother’s annoying best friend, Homicide inspector Cord Nolan, to the hospital and to the rescue.

Cord didn’t make a good impression on Tracy when they met five years ago and the intervening years hasn’t changed Tracy’s opinion. But Cord’s changed—he isn’t the same man he was. He’s still a good cop but he’s also personally reliable now. Tracy just can’t see it. Now that Tracy’s in trouble, Cord hopes he finally has a chance of showing the man he cares for that he’s a different man and worth opening his heart for.

Floodgates is the newest contemporary release by Mary Calmes. I tend to read nearly all the books by this author because I find them fun and entertaining and I enjoy the characters she creates. That’s true of Tracy and Cord in Floodgates, even if they do remind me of Sam and Jory from her Matter of Time series.

The story starts off with a bang—literally, when Tracy gets shot at. It’s a beginning that pulls the reader into what’s happening in Tracy’s life and propels the plot forward at a steady speed. As per usual there’s a lot about this book that appeals to me—the well developed personalities, vivid descriptions, solid relationships and good dialogue. There’s even enough action, danger and drama to make just about any romance reader happy. Tracy and Cord are interesting guys too. I really appreciate the amount of background provided and how it’s seamlessly woven into the plot; it made the rocky start of a personal relationship believable. 

Here’s my biggest niggle. Tracy and Cord spend a large portion of the book apart—almost adversarial—before their relationship begins to change. Instead too much time is spent on Tracy dealing with his ex, Breckin. There are some other spots I found troublesome but I won’t go into detail and reveal any other spoilers about the plot or it’s villain. Just know that despite my niggles, I did enjoy it.