Acrobat

By: Mary Calmes

Narrated by: Sean Crisden

Forty-five-year-old English professor Nathan Qells is very good at making people feel important. What he's not very good at is sticking around afterward. He's a nice guy; he just doesn't feel things the way other people do. So even after all the time he's spent taking care of Michael, the kid across the hall, he doesn't realize that Michael's mob muscle uncle and guardian, Andreo Fiore, has slowly been falling in love with him. Dreo has bigger problems than getting Nate to see him as a potential partner.

He's raising his nephew, trying to leave his unsavory job, and starting his own business, a process made infinitely more difficult when a series of hits takes out some key underworld players. Still, Dreo is determined to build a life he can be proud of - a life with Nate as a cornerstone. A life that is starting to look like exactly what Nate has been seeking. Unfortunately for Dreo - and for Nate - the last hits were just part of a major reorganization, and Dreo's obvious love for Nate has made him a target too.

©2012 Mary Calmes (P)2014 Dreamspinner Press

One of my most favorite stories ever!

Any additional comments?

Acrobat is not technically (according to Goodreads) part of the Matter of Time series, but it has characters that will show up in the series, so I included it there. Nathan Qells dates Duncan Stiel in Acrobat who later marries Aaron Sutter in Parting Shot and Aaron Sutter dated Jory in Matter of Time. We also meet Dr. Sean Cooper in Acrobat, who along with Duncan Stiel show up in All Kinds of Tied Down. Six Degrees of Mary.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s easy to love a Mary Calmes book, so that’s no big thing, but in Acrobat we get some amazing characters and a sticky-sweet romance with big hearts, a fantastic family story to go along with it and some exciting action and adventure.
First there is Nathan Qells. He can do no wrong. He got his high school BFF pregnant, married her, had an amazing son, and now divorced, they are still BFFs. He teaches at a university where all the hot young things want him, but he doesn’t even know it! Though he is always involved in a relationship he is never really involved in the relationship. Until Andreo.

Andreo Fiore. Mmmm. Delicious. He is a sweet, sexy mobster – going straight (legit is maybe a better wor ) so that he can have a full life and family. Dreo is the guardian for his dead sister’s son, Michael, and it is through Michael that Nathan and Dreo connect.
Nate is wonderfully clueless about himself and life in general, but always manages to do and say the right thing. Except in relationships, there he manages to stay just a bit disconnected and aloof. When he finally clues in that Dreo has been attracted to him for years, the sparks between them ignite and hot sex ensues.

Between the family and the love there is the mob. Mobsters don’t like gay men apparently and it causes some pretty big problems. Like a stab to the gut problems. But, in the end, true love wins and happy is ever after.

The audio version:

Just two words on the audio version of Acrobat – BUY IT! It’s great. Sean Crisden does an amazing job with the narration, giving Dreo such a sultry voice and making Nate all the more “cute and clueless but wonderful”.

Multiple re-listens

I swear I've reviewed this book before. I can't say how many times I've listened to it. I adore Nate and Dreo and the entire story. Sean Crisden is always a pleasure to listen to. He gives all of his characters distinct voices and expresses emotion through them spectacularly.

amazing

the ways book was written you fall in love with the first couple of pages. I fell in love with all the characters and love the story look forward to more books like this

awesome

another one that is Absolutely stunning and amazing amazing. Miss Mary never ceases to Call you and with her story telling.

Sweet story

The description seemed a little dark but the story wasn’t. The characters were kind and loving, not what I think of in a mob book. The reader brought the story to life.

Love It!

Any additional comments?

Wonderful story! I even did some odd jobs at work so I could were my headphones and continue listening!

If you need a comfort listen

If you are not looking for anything complicated and just need a comfort read/listen then Acrobat fits the bill.
This was more of a character driven story rather than situation driven as Nate, our 45 year old professor starts to see what has been under his eyes for so long.
One of the things I loved about Acrobat is the fact that we have a mature protagonist even though Nate can be kind of clueless at times. Just because you are over 30 doesn't mean you cannot still seek love, or a good old hook-up.
I'l admit my rating is based on the fact that this wasn't a deep and meaningful story full of allegory, symbolism, and metaphor; it's a nice easy read for those times when the world ails you. This is a solid comfort read.
Sean Crisden's narration fits.

interesting & touching story

worth the credit! Two interesting & lovable heroes. The story focuses on the professor, a REALLY nice guy who's always there for others. But, in the romantic relationship department he's been molding himself into what his lovers want/need and losing himself in the process. Thus, he has been unable to find true love. From there the romance/attraction develops so all can find their HEA. I love a happy ending.

Amazing Story

Mary Calmes delivers every time! This is an amazing novel with a bit of everything, adventure, suspense and romance.

Great!

I greatly enjoyed this audiobook. The story was interesting, had amazing characters and family dynamics, and of course a Happy End.
Sean Crisden did an amazing job bringing this book to life. He gave fitting voices to the characters and portrayed emotions.