Mist and Marrow

Breaking Tradition, Book 2

By: Mary Calmes

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Linden Van Doren is in a strange position. He’s an emancipated omega holding down two jobs, so he should be out from under anyone’s thumb, but in reality, there are still weird lupine rules to follow. For instance, if an alpha wants to court him, he’s not allowed to say no. If that same alpha asks for his hand in bonding, however, as there’s no contract that anyone holds but him, he can certainly say no to that. And would. He trusts no alpha to keep their word, even though they’re the only ones who could make his dreams come true. It’s all very confusing and a bit ridiculous, but until all omegas are free to do whatever they want with their lives, his odd circumstances are the norm. He’s also doing his very small part to help others—and that just became a problem.

Wade Massey is a homicide detective with the Chicago PD. He’s partners with Avery Davenport, which puts him in close, continual contact with Avery’s friend, Linden Van Doren. Wade isn’t sure what it is about Linden that drives him nuts. And annoying the hell out of the stunning omega should make Wade want to stay away from him. The problem is, he can’t seem to do that. Besides, Linden needs a keeper. Wade has never actually met anyone who needs someone looking out for them more, and really, no one but Wade can be trusted to do it and keep their hands off the tantalizing man.

When the FBI comes knocking because omegas have gone missing, Wade finds out that Linden has been far more active in the fight to help other omegas than he imagined. When both men are drafted to help, they are suddenly thrown together in a situation where, for once, neither of them can walk away. Wade’s been great at making excuses and Linny’s been fantastic about hiding his feelings. None of that works anymore.

Linden knows he wants Wade—he knew the night the possessive human carried him out of hell—but loving someone who can never return his feelings is stupid, and Linden’s finished with that. Wade’s never been attracted to a man before, and perhaps it’s not desire or lust, but simply his protective instincts gone wild. If neither of them can be brave, there’s no hope for the future. But perhaps just winnowing through the mist of confusion down to the marrow where the truth lies will set them both free.

Trigger Warning: Discussion of repeated sexual abuse of a main character, including when he was a minor.

©2022 Mary Calmes (P)2022 Mary Calmes

Very Enjoyable!

I’ve like Wade & Linny since book one. Glad these two found their HEA. Linny was long overdue for his knight in shining armor!

Happy ever after

I'm very glad that Wade found someone that he could love and that Lenny found someone who was cherish him as he deserve to be cherished I just love this about her books

Wonderful

I love the book and I had been imaging what Wade and Linden's voices would be like. This is exactly what's in my imagination.

Really liked this

Very Mary Calmes, need a dose every once in a while.
So glad Linden got his happily even after, their connection is so sweet ❤️

Like the story

I really enjoyed the story even though I'm not a fan of the Omegaverse. I however do not like Russo's narration. Every time a word ends in an aw (saw) he pronounces it like awl (sawl) and it drives me crazy. I wish the author have stuck with Greg.

Better than the first!

Although the first book "Muscle and Bone" was enjoyable it's this 2nd book "Mist and Marrow" that gave me all the feels. I am not sure if it's the story alone or the fact that Nick J. Russo was at the helm but either way I found myself unable to stop listening. I love that we got to learn more about Linden and who he truly was compared to the first book. I just wish that we could have explored Wade and his alpha tendencies more....like his falling in love with an Omega activated his latent wolf gene enough to be able to shift. But it was hopelessly explained that only 100% wolves can shift. Ah well! The sexy scenes were sensual but a few more would have been nice lol 😘

4 stars - worthy of a repeat listen

More Please!

I absolutely loved this book as much if not more than the first. The build up was just enough such that when the characters finally realized they were meant for each other you were so relieved tou smcelebrated for them.

2nd in the series

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!Awesome! Loved it. Seeing Lenny strong taking more control and still having Graham name to back him up, Wade trying hard to fight it is a hoot.

Enjoyed the story, the narration not so much.

I'm very disappointed in Nick J. Russo's performance. I've several books narrated by him and have enjoyed them all. With this book, I struggled to distinguish between characters. The voices all sounded the same and blended into each other. It's annoying when authors change narrators in a series. The first book narration is much better than this one.

Wasn't Wade Black?

I love these two characters. I like them better than when they were introduced in the first book. they are ridiculous and hilarious. Am I trippin or was Wade black in the first book?

This could have more spice. The intrigue was ok. I really enjoyed the listen.