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Hidden Shadow
She doesn’t want a bodyguard. He doesn’t want to attend a Christmas fair. It should make for a memorable holiday.
Finley Dunkley hates flying. And more than that, she hates flying in the window seat. When she asks the stranger beside her to switch, she doesn’t expect a blunt dismissal of her request. She also doesn’t expect to fall asleep on his shoulder. It’s embarrassing, but at least she won’t ever see the man again…or so she thinks.
Former Navy SEAL Nixon Reid is accustomed to being obeyed. In his line of work, the difference between following orders and not can mean the difference between life or death. So when his new client challenges him at every step, he has to work hard to remain calm. Walking away isn’t an option, not when she has a stalker and Nixon’s promised to protect her. To make matters worse, it’s almost Christmas. The time of year that incites his worst mood…and his worst memories.
As the days tick by, Finley is more and more at risk, and the couple struggle over their differences. With time running out, they need to find a Christmas stalker before he finds them first, putting a permanent end to Finley and Nixon’s fragile truce…and fiery attraction.
Finley Dunkley hates flying. And more than that, she hates flying in the window seat. When she asks the stranger beside her to switch, she doesn’t expect a blunt dismissal of her request. She also doesn’t expect to fall asleep on his shoulder. It’s embarrassing, but at least she won’t ever see the man again…or so she thinks.
Former Navy SEAL Nixon Reid is accustomed to being obeyed. In his line of work, the difference between following orders and not can mean the difference between life or death. So when his new client challenges him at every step, he has to work hard to remain calm. Walking away isn’t an option, not when she has a stalker and Nixon’s promised to protect her. To make matters worse, it’s almost Christmas. The time of year that incites his worst mood…and his worst memories.
As the days tick by, Finley is more and more at risk, and the couple struggle over their differences. With time running out, they need to find a Christmas stalker before he finds them first, putting a permanent end to Finley and Nixon’s fragile truce…and fiery attraction.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2023
221 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Nyssa Kathryn
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Australian Romantic Suspense Author, Nyssa Kathryn, is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance. Living in South Australia with her hubby and daughter, when she's not spending time with the family, she's either plotting her next story or got her head stuck in a book.
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https://www.nyssakathryn.com/vip-newsletter
Australian Romantic Suspense Author, Nyssa Kathryn, is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance. Living in South Australia with her hubby and daughter, when she's not spending time with the family, she's either plotting her next story or got her head stuck in a book.
Follow Nyssa here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nyssakathrynauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authornyssakathryn/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
December 8, 2023
4.5 Stars
Finley is a social media promoter with a stalker but continues to work and is on her way to her next assignment. Flying is not her favorite thing; sitting in a window seat adds to her unease. Maybe her seatmate will switch seats?
Nixon will not switch seats; Finley has not been told of his part in her situation. As her bodyguard, he should not like her sleeping on his shoulder during the flight, and she still thinks he is a stranger.
A great holiday story with suspense and the love/hate of Christmas and eggnog. A clever stalker who tries to ruin Finley’s holiday. I think it is great that Finley’s family thought to hire her a bodyguard.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Finley is a social media promoter with a stalker but continues to work and is on her way to her next assignment. Flying is not her favorite thing; sitting in a window seat adds to her unease. Maybe her seatmate will switch seats?
Nixon will not switch seats; Finley has not been told of his part in her situation. As her bodyguard, he should not like her sleeping on his shoulder during the flight, and she still thinks he is a stranger.
A great holiday story with suspense and the love/hate of Christmas and eggnog. A clever stalker who tries to ruin Finley’s holiday. I think it is great that Finley’s family thought to hire her a bodyguard.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
December 8, 2023
Grinch of Christmas!!
She needs a bodyguard while it or not. Finley is being stalked so her friends send in a ex Navy Seal to watch over her while at a Christmas festival.
Nixon hates Christmas. She’s love’s it.
He’d never felt like this for a woman before. He’d always thought that was because he hadn’t allowed himself to feel anything.
This is a Christmas story with a twist. Even though I didn’t remember these characters this was a great stand alone filled with suspense and romance.
She needs a bodyguard while it or not. Finley is being stalked so her friends send in a ex Navy Seal to watch over her while at a Christmas festival.
Nixon hates Christmas. She’s love’s it.
He’d never felt like this for a woman before. He’d always thought that was because he hadn’t allowed himself to feel anything.
This is a Christmas story with a twist. Even though I didn’t remember these characters this was a great stand alone filled with suspense and romance.
November 27, 2023
Finley Dunkley is a social media promoter and event marketer who has a stalker that has gotten progressively more dangerous in the last few months. That said, Finley is determined to continue doing her job. It’s what she loves and her livelihood.
Her latest job, a Christmas market, has her excited but also stressed. She has a great deal of fear and anxiety about flying. Once on board, she is clueless that the aggravating hunky man unwilling to change seats with her, has been hired to be her bodyguard throughout her latest venue.
Nixon Reid, former Navy SEAL and nowadays a bodyguard, has been hired by his good friend and former teammate, Nate Hunter, to keep her safe. Finley has been like a sister to Nate and his sister is Finley’s best friend.
When Finley finds out about the bodyguard, she is annoyed but also touched. The Hunters have always been more like family than her own.
Though the story is filled with suspense and whodunit, it is more than that. We get to really know these two characters. While Finley is willing to open her heart and take the risk of letting someone into her heart and life, Nixon fears that he will not be able to keep her safe and has closed off his heart to anyone that gets close. Their past seems to be a great obstacle to overcome.
In the end, will the danger bring them closer and make each realize that what they thought they wanted and believed is really what will truly bring them happiness?
As usual, the author delivers a thoughtful story with characters that are perfect in their imperfections.
On an aside, if you have read Erik’s Salvation, Erik Hunter is mentioned in this book, as the Hunter sibling that has distanced himself from the family. It seems that Hidden Shadows precedes Erik’s Salvation.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Her latest job, a Christmas market, has her excited but also stressed. She has a great deal of fear and anxiety about flying. Once on board, she is clueless that the aggravating hunky man unwilling to change seats with her, has been hired to be her bodyguard throughout her latest venue.
Nixon Reid, former Navy SEAL and nowadays a bodyguard, has been hired by his good friend and former teammate, Nate Hunter, to keep her safe. Finley has been like a sister to Nate and his sister is Finley’s best friend.
When Finley finds out about the bodyguard, she is annoyed but also touched. The Hunters have always been more like family than her own.
Though the story is filled with suspense and whodunit, it is more than that. We get to really know these two characters. While Finley is willing to open her heart and take the risk of letting someone into her heart and life, Nixon fears that he will not be able to keep her safe and has closed off his heart to anyone that gets close. Their past seems to be a great obstacle to overcome.
In the end, will the danger bring them closer and make each realize that what they thought they wanted and believed is really what will truly bring them happiness?
As usual, the author delivers a thoughtful story with characters that are perfect in their imperfections.
On an aside, if you have read Erik’s Salvation, Erik Hunter is mentioned in this book, as the Hunter sibling that has distanced himself from the family. It seems that Hidden Shadows precedes Erik’s Salvation.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
December 4, 2023
ARC REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I love a good romantic suspense bodyguard romance!
This was super cute, I loved the stalker storyline. I loved the fun eggnog references. Such a cute holiday novella! I binged this so fast !
My main con tho is that it’s in 3rd person 😩💔
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I love a good romantic suspense bodyguard romance!
This was super cute, I loved the stalker storyline. I loved the fun eggnog references. Such a cute holiday novella! I binged this so fast !
My main con tho is that it’s in 3rd person 😩💔
January 10, 2024
A quick Christmas read! I loved that he knew who she was before she realized what was going on. Who doesn’t want to be protected by a hot buff man while you have a stalker at a Christmas fair?!
December 25, 2023
I was so excited for the tropes in this story. The fmc having a stalker and her hired bodyguard protecting her during the holidays? It sounded so perfect to me already. It started good and it gave me early 2000s hallmark christmas movie vibes. She was sunshine and he was very grumpy. I was digging the whole thing because that formula was always cute. The stalker plot continued and i grew more annoyed about the fmc because she knowingly kept putting herself in danger. Doesnt listen to the bodyguard’s advice even tho dangerous past incidents kept happening already. I gave her one chance to convince me that her job was more important but to no avail. How could you choose your job over your safety is so stupid. There would be no job to work for if youre dead sweetie. People around her started getting threats from the stalker too and it took her sometime to finally realize that this is not the way to go bc shes putting ppl around her in danger. For the way the author built her up as someone whos very independent and smart growing up, i did not see any of that smart decision making anywhere in the book. Why did it have to take the people around her getting hurt before she came to her senses. Absolutely dumb shit left and right. Such a wasted potential. I even skimmed the smut parts which was new for me. I NEVER DO THAT.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2023
This was a slog to get through. I didn’t connect with the characters or story at all. It took place at some sort of week long Christmas fair that needed a social media influencer to attend. She’s been getting harassed online that turned real life - thus a bodyguard creating a close proximity. The writing felt elementary, simplistic descriptions of events and activities. The narration was 3rd person which didn’t work for me. The characters lacked depth, and as a result I just didn’t care about them. I had no idea why they did what they did. Why there was attraction aside from physical. I considered DNF at about 50% because I was uninterested. But I kept going for 2 reasons - there wasn’t anything offensive. The only times I’ve ever DNF is because there was something that was just “nope”. That wasn’t the case here, it was just bland. The second reason is that I am a nosy Nelly and I needed to know who the stalker was. I always like to problem solve and look for clues. There was a bit of action at the end of the book, but it was nothing special. Again, the stalker story wasn’t overly nuanced.
I was given an advanced copy of this book and the review is my own.
I was given an advanced copy of this book and the review is my own.
February 1, 2024
I've read two of Nyssa Kathryn's other series which I quite enjoyed. I have to say I was VERY disappointed in this book for one major reason. The villian/stalker's reason for being creepy is because he has Borderline Personality Disorder. This diagnosis does not make someone into a mentally unhinged obsessed stalker person. I know several people with that diagnosis and they are "normal" by society's standards. I'm sure there are cases of a stalker having this diagnosis but it's not all encompassing and would not explain why he was stalking at all. So to just throw that diagnosis out there at the end like a catch all to explain his behavior is very ignorant and irresponsible.
December 28, 2023
I received an ARC copy for this book. This is a bodyguard, protector short romance. The story is short and sweet and a tad spicy, but I felt the chemistry was lacking.
December 4, 2023
I was so excited to read this Christmas story featuring Finley and Nixon, and it was so much more than I thought it would be! I was expecting a novella type read, but Nyssa gives us a fully developed, emotionally intense, action packed book, all with a gorgeous Christmas setting! Finley is a social media influencer with a huge following, and she’s working a huge Christmas festival in Canada. The major drawback…she’s desperately afraid of flying. Her seat partner is a ridiculously attractive man giving off broody and grumpy vibes galore. When she asks him to swap seats with her, he refuses without giving her a reason. Finley automatically labels him a jerk and is thankful she won’t have to see him again.
Nixon is a former Navy Seal who despises Christmas. But his next job is flying to Canada for a Christmas festival which means for the next two weeks he’ll be surrounded by all things merry and bright. Having his client angry with him right off the at because he won’t swap seats with her is just the start he needs. Things get worse when he realizes that Finley doesn’t know he’s been hired to protect her. Finley is furious that her best friend hired her a bodyguard, not to mention it’s the broody grump from her flight. She doesn’t need a sexy, burly ex-military alpha male protecting her, even if she happens to have a crazy stalker who seems to be escalating. This is her big break and she’s taking it! These two butt heads at first. It’s either argue or kiss the mess out of each other. But Nixon has closed off his heart, and Finley won’t settle for anything less than everything with our grumpy hero. Will Nixon open himself up to Finley before her stalker can make his move? Or will Nixon have yet another reason to hate Christmas?
These two characters were absolute fire together! From the beginning the push and pull between them was palpable and electric! Finley is sunshine and happiness, and Nixon is grumble, grumble. But he can’t resist her, and she loves how safe he makes her feel. The chemistry between them was fantastic! The story was well developed, and the suspense was on point! This was an excellent holiday read!
Nixon is a former Navy Seal who despises Christmas. But his next job is flying to Canada for a Christmas festival which means for the next two weeks he’ll be surrounded by all things merry and bright. Having his client angry with him right off the at because he won’t swap seats with her is just the start he needs. Things get worse when he realizes that Finley doesn’t know he’s been hired to protect her. Finley is furious that her best friend hired her a bodyguard, not to mention it’s the broody grump from her flight. She doesn’t need a sexy, burly ex-military alpha male protecting her, even if she happens to have a crazy stalker who seems to be escalating. This is her big break and she’s taking it! These two butt heads at first. It’s either argue or kiss the mess out of each other. But Nixon has closed off his heart, and Finley won’t settle for anything less than everything with our grumpy hero. Will Nixon open himself up to Finley before her stalker can make his move? Or will Nixon have yet another reason to hate Christmas?
These two characters were absolute fire together! From the beginning the push and pull between them was palpable and electric! Finley is sunshine and happiness, and Nixon is grumble, grumble. But he can’t resist her, and she loves how safe he makes her feel. The chemistry between them was fantastic! The story was well developed, and the suspense was on point! This was an excellent holiday read!
December 10, 2023
Great reading in this Christmas bodyguard novella.
I just LOVE Christmas stories and for someone who is as Grinchy about Christmas as I am, I have to say that I LOVED Author Nyssa Kathryn’s new release, HIDDEN SHADOWS!!!
Set with the same family ties as Erik Hunter from ERIK’S SALVATION (Beautiful Pieces Book 1), the connection is his brother Nate and sister Andi are like family to our troubled heroine Finley who has managed to gain a stalker. Nate engages his best friend and SEAL buddy as a bodyguard while she is out and about doing her job as an influencer / promoter. Nixon is a man with honor who also hates Christmas with a passion. It all sounds grumpy, but believe me when I say that Ms Kathryn can squeeze a lot of passion and angst between the pages of a novella!!
Hell’s teeth!!! She also crams in her own brand of romantic suspense as well.
And, in spite of the risk in alienating Eggnog lovers as Finley was, I totally agree with Nixon. I’ll be happy to sup on Bourbon, but watching someone drink raw egg and milk??? I would gag for all eternity! 🤢
Ms Kathryn specialises in growly-alpha-holes but oh my gosh, they gorgeous and honourable. Nixon had my heart bursting with love and pride as he safeguarded Finley like the precious gem that she was. Of course he did the same with all of his clients, but never had he been attracted to his protective detail before. Never. And he struggled with himself as he broke his own rules.
It bears repeating. Ms Kathryn gets a lot of plot into this Christmas novella and to be honest, all of her books make for amazing reading. The woman knows her writing strengths and in my meagre opinion can do no wrong.
Start where you like with her books because they’re essentially all stand-a-lones, but the characters are all inter-linked so I suggest starting with UNCOVERING PROJECT ARMA, a novella length introduction to her initial series and the very books that has me addicted!!! 5-Alpha-Growly-Christmas-Grinchy-Stars!!! 🎅🎄✨
#mumsalwaysreading #bookblogger #bookreviewer #marnsreads #marnsj
I just LOVE Christmas stories and for someone who is as Grinchy about Christmas as I am, I have to say that I LOVED Author Nyssa Kathryn’s new release, HIDDEN SHADOWS!!!
Set with the same family ties as Erik Hunter from ERIK’S SALVATION (Beautiful Pieces Book 1), the connection is his brother Nate and sister Andi are like family to our troubled heroine Finley who has managed to gain a stalker. Nate engages his best friend and SEAL buddy as a bodyguard while she is out and about doing her job as an influencer / promoter. Nixon is a man with honor who also hates Christmas with a passion. It all sounds grumpy, but believe me when I say that Ms Kathryn can squeeze a lot of passion and angst between the pages of a novella!!
Hell’s teeth!!! She also crams in her own brand of romantic suspense as well.
And, in spite of the risk in alienating Eggnog lovers as Finley was, I totally agree with Nixon. I’ll be happy to sup on Bourbon, but watching someone drink raw egg and milk??? I would gag for all eternity! 🤢
Ms Kathryn specialises in growly-alpha-holes but oh my gosh, they gorgeous and honourable. Nixon had my heart bursting with love and pride as he safeguarded Finley like the precious gem that she was. Of course he did the same with all of his clients, but never had he been attracted to his protective detail before. Never. And he struggled with himself as he broke his own rules.
It bears repeating. Ms Kathryn gets a lot of plot into this Christmas novella and to be honest, all of her books make for amazing reading. The woman knows her writing strengths and in my meagre opinion can do no wrong.
Start where you like with her books because they’re essentially all stand-a-lones, but the characters are all inter-linked so I suggest starting with UNCOVERING PROJECT ARMA, a novella length introduction to her initial series and the very books that has me addicted!!! 5-Alpha-Growly-Christmas-Grinchy-Stars!!! 🎅🎄✨
#mumsalwaysreading #bookblogger #bookreviewer #marnsreads #marnsj
December 22, 2023
A perfect last-minute Christmas read.
While I wouldn’t re-read this exact title, I would be happy to read again from this Author, especially from the same characters or in the same universe. I really enjoyed how all the main characters felt like real people. Finley was fiercely independent but showed that stress and confidence were still a factor she was dealing with. Nixon’s hero origin story is heartbreaking but cements how perfect they are together.
To sum it up…
Finley is an influencer whose reach on social media has gotten her some unwanted attention, that when her best friend Andi steps in to recruit her older, SEAL brother and his friend to make sure Finley stays sage during her favorite holiday at the christmas fair she’s flying to canada to promote. When the handsome stranger on the plane turns out to be her bodyguard, and the man whose comments are getting more and more threatening both end up at the fair with her, what can Finley do but survive and get her work done.
Hmmmm…..
I kind of love that the Author didn’t name our BBEG, that he didn’t get any more attention than necessary to the story. The way that Nyssa handled the stalking aspect was believable but never made me wonder if it was getting near glorification.
Favorite Quote
“I visited him as much as I could when he got sick. It wasn’t enough because I was a kid and needed Mom to take me. She didn’t care as much as she should have. And now I associate hospitals with watching him fade away.” - Finley
This quote doesn’t have a huge impact on the plot of the story but it was a huge point of connection for me and worded so perfectly.
Speaking of plot…
The plot and pacing of the book are consistent and pull the reader through quickly. I could’ve read it in one uninterrupted day but it took me two or three separate evenings. The characters are well developed and we get to see reasonable growth as a couple and individually in the timeframe the book covers. For me the spice was very mild, there is on page sex but it doesn’t touch on any darker themes or go into a lot of detail, it’s there to support the plot and the relationship.
While I wouldn’t re-read this exact title, I would be happy to read again from this Author, especially from the same characters or in the same universe. I really enjoyed how all the main characters felt like real people. Finley was fiercely independent but showed that stress and confidence were still a factor she was dealing with. Nixon’s hero origin story is heartbreaking but cements how perfect they are together.
To sum it up…
Finley is an influencer whose reach on social media has gotten her some unwanted attention, that when her best friend Andi steps in to recruit her older, SEAL brother and his friend to make sure Finley stays sage during her favorite holiday at the christmas fair she’s flying to canada to promote. When the handsome stranger on the plane turns out to be her bodyguard, and the man whose comments are getting more and more threatening both end up at the fair with her, what can Finley do but survive and get her work done.
Hmmmm…..
I kind of love that the Author didn’t name our BBEG, that he didn’t get any more attention than necessary to the story. The way that Nyssa handled the stalking aspect was believable but never made me wonder if it was getting near glorification.
Favorite Quote
“I visited him as much as I could when he got sick. It wasn’t enough because I was a kid and needed Mom to take me. She didn’t care as much as she should have. And now I associate hospitals with watching him fade away.” - Finley
This quote doesn’t have a huge impact on the plot of the story but it was a huge point of connection for me and worded so perfectly.
Speaking of plot…
The plot and pacing of the book are consistent and pull the reader through quickly. I could’ve read it in one uninterrupted day but it took me two or three separate evenings. The characters are well developed and we get to see reasonable growth as a couple and individually in the timeframe the book covers. For me the spice was very mild, there is on page sex but it doesn’t touch on any darker themes or go into a lot of detail, it’s there to support the plot and the relationship.
December 9, 2023
|| 𝐁 𝐎 𝐎 𝐊 𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝐖 📝
𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: Hidden Shadows
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Nyssa Kathryn
@authornyssakathryn
𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
"𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫"
You take a Bodyguard romance, add in some nail biting suspense, a dash of delicious, steam up your kindle spice & a protective ex Military hero who oozes "𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳" Vibes and then set it at Christmas time!
Well, you've definitely got a winner in my book because that is 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐋𝐘 what the author has done here with this gorgeous romance that I was unable to put down.
Nixon is my favourite kind of hero.
He's Protective & has a little bit of alpha possessiveness going on without making me want to throat, punch him, or be over baring.
He's a little bit grumpy. . . 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘯 & best of all, the man brings equal parts, heat, and heart to the story.
Finley was 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 for him. She is sweet and loving without being a pushover. She stands up for what she believes in but also takes care of Nixon in ways he never knew he needed.
I fell in love with both these characters, both separately and together.
The story is gripping, exciting, and loving. Nyssa has done an incredible job here, especially with the book being quite short.
Absolutely recommend.
My only complaint was that it was too short. I wish it had been a full novel because I would have quite happily continued reading these two for much longer.
𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅:
• Contemporary Romances
• Steamy Reads
• Military Romances
• Suspense Romances
• Bodyguard Romances
• Christmas Novellas
• Protective Alpha Hero's
• Burn the World Down For Her Vibes
• Grumpy-Sunshine Romances
𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:
Without a doubt. It was just what I've come to expect from this amazing author, perfection!
𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: Hidden Shadows
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Nyssa Kathryn
@authornyssakathryn
𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
"𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥, 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫"
You take a Bodyguard romance, add in some nail biting suspense, a dash of delicious, steam up your kindle spice & a protective ex Military hero who oozes "𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳" Vibes and then set it at Christmas time!
Well, you've definitely got a winner in my book because that is 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐋𝐘 what the author has done here with this gorgeous romance that I was unable to put down.
Nixon is my favourite kind of hero.
He's Protective & has a little bit of alpha possessiveness going on without making me want to throat, punch him, or be over baring.
He's a little bit grumpy. . . 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘯 & best of all, the man brings equal parts, heat, and heart to the story.
Finley was 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 for him. She is sweet and loving without being a pushover. She stands up for what she believes in but also takes care of Nixon in ways he never knew he needed.
I fell in love with both these characters, both separately and together.
The story is gripping, exciting, and loving. Nyssa has done an incredible job here, especially with the book being quite short.
Absolutely recommend.
My only complaint was that it was too short. I wish it had been a full novel because I would have quite happily continued reading these two for much longer.
𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅:
• Contemporary Romances
• Steamy Reads
• Military Romances
• Suspense Romances
• Bodyguard Romances
• Christmas Novellas
• Protective Alpha Hero's
• Burn the World Down For Her Vibes
• Grumpy-Sunshine Romances
𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:
Without a doubt. It was just what I've come to expect from this amazing author, perfection!
December 10, 2023
🎄🤍𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 🤍🎄
*⭐️⭐️⭐️.5*
*🌶️🌶️*
𝙃𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙞𝙭𝙤𝙣. 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙠𝙡𝙚𝙮, 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧, 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙩. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚. 𝙎𝙤𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙥, 𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚, 𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧. 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢. 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙉𝙖𝙫𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙉𝙞𝙭𝙤𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙞𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙, 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝. 𝙃𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨, 𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮'𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩.
It was an adorable short story. I just wished there was a bit more. Although the storyline and premise were great, it felt a little hurried and lacked some depth. Despite this, I still enjoyed the book a lot and found myself screaming at my screen like a crazy person throughout. It was hilarious and frustrating at the same time. For this to be a bodyguard stalker story that girl sure played with her life 😂. Apart from that, I really enjoyed how the two interacted. Finley was all about the holidays, and I really enjoyed how Nixon was such a Scrooge. Despite being complete opposites, they had matched and challenged one another well.
*⭐️⭐️⭐️.5*
*🌶️🌶️*
𝙃𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙉𝙞𝙭𝙤𝙣. 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙠𝙡𝙚𝙮, 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧, 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙩. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚. 𝙎𝙤𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙥, 𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚, 𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧. 𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢. 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙉𝙖𝙫𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙉𝙞𝙭𝙤𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙞𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙, 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝. 𝙃𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨, 𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙚𝙮'𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩.
It was an adorable short story. I just wished there was a bit more. Although the storyline and premise were great, it felt a little hurried and lacked some depth. Despite this, I still enjoyed the book a lot and found myself screaming at my screen like a crazy person throughout. It was hilarious and frustrating at the same time. For this to be a bodyguard stalker story that girl sure played with her life 😂. Apart from that, I really enjoyed how the two interacted. Finley was all about the holidays, and I really enjoyed how Nixon was such a Scrooge. Despite being complete opposites, they had matched and challenged one another well.
December 16, 2023
Rating: 4 stars
Spice: 3
Finley and Nixon went from strangers to in love over the Christmas season. From the first flight Finley thought Nixon was a handsome man but then she found out who he was and thought her was a jerk. They spent so much time fighting that they didn't realize how much attraction they had to each other until someone else wanted her. Nixon was there each time taking care of her more than just his body guard duties when something went wrong. First off lets talk about the sexual chemistry they had with each other. They definitely undo each other and knew how to keep each other satisfied. I've been loving these former service men books lately. It had action, a grumpy Christmas hating former Seal man, a sunshine eggnog loving woman and what more can you ask for in this well developed novella.
Some of my favorite parts:
"Not only did we eliminate the a**hole," he continued, "but it was the first day you said you loved me. And the first day I said it out loud to you. I haven't told anyone I love them in a very long time."
First off let me tell you how I was actually able to picture this scene lol
She leaned over and grabbed a foil from the drawer. She tore it open with her lips before tugging him out. The air hissed from his lips as she slid it over his c*ck.
I laughed so hard with this part
Oh man, she'd never wanted to slap a person in her life, but right now, that was exactly what she wanted to do, just to get some d*mn emotion out of him.
Spice: 3
Finley and Nixon went from strangers to in love over the Christmas season. From the first flight Finley thought Nixon was a handsome man but then she found out who he was and thought her was a jerk. They spent so much time fighting that they didn't realize how much attraction they had to each other until someone else wanted her. Nixon was there each time taking care of her more than just his body guard duties when something went wrong. First off lets talk about the sexual chemistry they had with each other. They definitely undo each other and knew how to keep each other satisfied. I've been loving these former service men books lately. It had action, a grumpy Christmas hating former Seal man, a sunshine eggnog loving woman and what more can you ask for in this well developed novella.
Some of my favorite parts:
"Not only did we eliminate the a**hole," he continued, "but it was the first day you said you loved me. And the first day I said it out loud to you. I haven't told anyone I love them in a very long time."
First off let me tell you how I was actually able to picture this scene lol
She leaned over and grabbed a foil from the drawer. She tore it open with her lips before tugging him out. The air hissed from his lips as she slid it over his c*ck.
I laughed so hard with this part
Oh man, she'd never wanted to slap a person in her life, but right now, that was exactly what she wanted to do, just to get some d*mn emotion out of him.
November 30, 2023
Just what I needed: a sensational short holiday story with lots of suspense and a terrific romance to boot. The lead characters, Nixon and Finley, are not quite opposites but close. Finley loves Christmas, especially eggnog, and Nixon can’t stand Christmas, especially eggnog. 🤣 Luckily, he is only there as her bodyguard, though. 😉
I liked both of the lead characters, and honestly, you could tell Christmas had a bad connection for Nixon; I desperately wanted to know what that was, and when he revealed it, 😢 my heart broke for him. Finley’s did, too, though; she is such a caring young woman who sees the good in people, and considering her childhood, it is amazing. I liked the link-up with Erik Hunter’s family; it was a very neat connection. You don’t have to have read that story before this, as Hidden Shadows is a complete standalone, but I recommend you read Erik’s Salvation when you can because it’s another wonderful story.
The mystery of who is stalking Finley continues practically right to the end, and the gradual escalation of his threats and actions are not for the faint of heart. I loved the suspense and everything that went with it. Alongside this is the romance; Finley and Nixon make a great couple and are indeed tested by the events in this story.
I totally recommend this terrific story to everyone.
I liked both of the lead characters, and honestly, you could tell Christmas had a bad connection for Nixon; I desperately wanted to know what that was, and when he revealed it, 😢 my heart broke for him. Finley’s did, too, though; she is such a caring young woman who sees the good in people, and considering her childhood, it is amazing. I liked the link-up with Erik Hunter’s family; it was a very neat connection. You don’t have to have read that story before this, as Hidden Shadows is a complete standalone, but I recommend you read Erik’s Salvation when you can because it’s another wonderful story.
The mystery of who is stalking Finley continues practically right to the end, and the gradual escalation of his threats and actions are not for the faint of heart. I loved the suspense and everything that went with it. Alongside this is the romance; Finley and Nixon make a great couple and are indeed tested by the events in this story.
I totally recommend this terrific story to everyone.
December 10, 2023
i enjoyed this christmas bodyguard romance! we follow finley who is a social media promoter/influencer and nixon, her bodyguard. finelys really close friend sends nixon, an ex navy SEAL, to protect her at this event after they found out she has a stalker.
of course, finely did NOT want a bodyguard. she thought she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself and thought the stalker was only threatening her online (despite sending something to her doorstep). finely is so dedicated to her job and wants nothing to stand in the way of it (nixon- he tries to stop her from doing things in order to protect her).
nixon absolutely despise christmas and hates that he has to go to a christmas event, however he’s willing to bc he’s close to finelys friend as well. nixon and finely are butting heads constantly and cant agree on anything which creates so much tension between them.
while i enjoyed their relationship, the suspense is what kept me reading. i enjoyed the stalker aspect and the protective streak it brought out in nixon.
i also loved the winter wonderland setting of this book!! this, overall, was a quick and fun book that takes place during christmas festivities!!
❄️ READ IF YOU LIKE
- holiday romance
- bodyguard romance
- romantic suspense
thank you The Author Agency for the eARC!
of course, finely did NOT want a bodyguard. she thought she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself and thought the stalker was only threatening her online (despite sending something to her doorstep). finely is so dedicated to her job and wants nothing to stand in the way of it (nixon- he tries to stop her from doing things in order to protect her).
nixon absolutely despise christmas and hates that he has to go to a christmas event, however he’s willing to bc he’s close to finelys friend as well. nixon and finely are butting heads constantly and cant agree on anything which creates so much tension between them.
while i enjoyed their relationship, the suspense is what kept me reading. i enjoyed the stalker aspect and the protective streak it brought out in nixon.
i also loved the winter wonderland setting of this book!! this, overall, was a quick and fun book that takes place during christmas festivities!!
❄️ READ IF YOU LIKE
- holiday romance
- bodyguard romance
- romantic suspense
thank you The Author Agency for the eARC!
September 4, 2024
I have become a huge fan of Nyssa Kathryn. The suspence she writes mixed with the passion and spice is perfection. I love reading books that have carry over characters from other books by the author. I had just finished Erik’s Redemption before starting this book. It took place during some of the same time as this book and had a few references to Finley and Nixon. Nixon has a protective streak wider than the Grand Canyon and proves that to Finley. He wants things between them to be purely professional but he’s having a hard time convincing his body of that. With a past that haunts him around Christmas time, Nixon tries to remain focused on the job he was hired to do. Finley, on the other hand, is all about the holiday and can’t contain her joy for the festivities she has been hired to promote. With a stalker on the loose who seems to be getting closer to Finley and is escalating, Nixon tries his hardest to convince her that it’s no longer safe to put herself out in the open. Eventually they grow closer to each other and give in to their smoldering attraction.
Avery Caris and Connor Crais are amazing as Finley and Nixon. Connor gives Nixon that deep, growly voice that just makes you think about a huge bodyguard while listening. Finley is bubbly and youthful and done perfectly by Avery. Blue Nose Audio produced this audiobook.
Avery Caris and Connor Crais are amazing as Finley and Nixon. Connor gives Nixon that deep, growly voice that just makes you think about a huge bodyguard while listening. Finley is bubbly and youthful and done perfectly by Avery. Blue Nose Audio produced this audiobook.
November 19, 2023
So we get Christmas, snow, danger, sparks, and love if Nixon will allow himself to be honest. Trust me though, it’s not all cut and dry. It certainly isn’t easy. And the possible suspect pool seems quite shallow. Maybe that’s why I like this author so much though. She makes it seem like the answer is easy, while you’re also spinning your wheels wondering if it’s really that obvious, only to then go through the whole exercise again while trying to figure out where you assumed wrong!
Nixon and Finley don’t get off to the best start, but she’s not stupid. She knows she should listen to her friends and trust that Nixon will protect her. Well, her body anyway. He can’t really protect her heart, no matter how much he wants to do so. Instead, he’s got to learn to hand his over in return. The worry over whether or not he can is actually the best part of this story, too, because he’s proof that people can forgive and move on. Even when it seems impossible to ever do. But I have high hopes for these two because their short time together was 24/7 time together and boy, do they bond. So enjoy the holiday cheer and danger with chemistry to spare!
Nixon and Finley don’t get off to the best start, but she’s not stupid. She knows she should listen to her friends and trust that Nixon will protect her. Well, her body anyway. He can’t really protect her heart, no matter how much he wants to do so. Instead, he’s got to learn to hand his over in return. The worry over whether or not he can is actually the best part of this story, too, because he’s proof that people can forgive and move on. Even when it seems impossible to ever do. But I have high hopes for these two because their short time together was 24/7 time together and boy, do they bond. So enjoy the holiday cheer and danger with chemistry to spare!
November 30, 2023
Holiday novella – Bodyguard – Grumpy/Sunshine – Stalker – Steamy! Sign me up!!!!
This holiday short story is awesomely fantastic! It’s a bodyguard romance set in a winter festival where the heroine is a social media influencer and has a job promoting the festival on her social media site, but she also has a stalker who’s getting bolder and closer each day. Her bodyguard is a friend of her best friend’s family and though she doesn’t feel she needs one, she’s touched by her friend’s thoughtfulness and reluctantly accepts. Finley and Nixon don’t have a great start and they butt heads a lot over her safety and itinerary for the festival, but the more they are around each other their tentative friendship sparks into more. Neither was expecting the other but the more time together they realize what they’ve been missing and how important the other has become. This novella is a winter wonderland full of danger, suspense, mystery, surprises, romance, and more, and impossible to put down. It’s definitely a keeper and not to miss.
*I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Thank you, Nyssa, for another fabulous read!
This holiday short story is awesomely fantastic! It’s a bodyguard romance set in a winter festival where the heroine is a social media influencer and has a job promoting the festival on her social media site, but she also has a stalker who’s getting bolder and closer each day. Her bodyguard is a friend of her best friend’s family and though she doesn’t feel she needs one, she’s touched by her friend’s thoughtfulness and reluctantly accepts. Finley and Nixon don’t have a great start and they butt heads a lot over her safety and itinerary for the festival, but the more they are around each other their tentative friendship sparks into more. Neither was expecting the other but the more time together they realize what they’ve been missing and how important the other has become. This novella is a winter wonderland full of danger, suspense, mystery, surprises, romance, and more, and impossible to put down. It’s definitely a keeper and not to miss.
*I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Thank you, Nyssa, for another fabulous read!
December 10, 2023
Nixon and Finley
This was a quick, exciting read. It was a little different for a Christmas romance since it had more of a romantic suspense feel than a warm holiday feel. It was an insta love, bodyguard romance where the couple fell hard but still had plenty of banter between them.
Nixon reluctantly took a job as a bodyguard for Finley while she worked at a Christmas fair. They had a very rocky start, but the former SEAL was determined to keep her safe from her stalker. He had some demons from his past that centered around Christmas and was reluctant to let anyone into his life. Finley was the sunshine to Nixon’s grump. She loved Christmas and connecting with the fans that followed her.
It took Nixon almost losing Finley to be able to drop his walls, but when he did, he became the ultimate protector to Finley. I loved how open Finley was and the way she called Nixon out at every turn. She wasn’t going to let him push her away but also wouldn’t beg him to stay.
This was an intense read with a great plot and great writing. It was pretty on par with other books I’ve read by this author. Low angst and high suspense.
This was a quick, exciting read. It was a little different for a Christmas romance since it had more of a romantic suspense feel than a warm holiday feel. It was an insta love, bodyguard romance where the couple fell hard but still had plenty of banter between them.
Nixon reluctantly took a job as a bodyguard for Finley while she worked at a Christmas fair. They had a very rocky start, but the former SEAL was determined to keep her safe from her stalker. He had some demons from his past that centered around Christmas and was reluctant to let anyone into his life. Finley was the sunshine to Nixon’s grump. She loved Christmas and connecting with the fans that followed her.
It took Nixon almost losing Finley to be able to drop his walls, but when he did, he became the ultimate protector to Finley. I loved how open Finley was and the way she called Nixon out at every turn. She wasn’t going to let him push her away but also wouldn’t beg him to stay.
This was an intense read with a great plot and great writing. It was pretty on par with other books I’ve read by this author. Low angst and high suspense.
November 14, 2023
An adorable slice of Christmas joy
What do you get when you put a Christmas mad social media influencer together with a grumpy grinch security expert/bodyguard…..well a whole lot of arguments to be honest but add in a smidge of danger, intrigue and a stalker and suddenly the game changes
I loved this story and am always happy to grab hold of a side step story into a supporting character novella. Having met Andi’s bestie in Erik’s Salvation, I wondered whether Finley would pop up again (I’m still hoping for the whole of the Hunter clan stories - please please pretty please!!!) and as if by magic (well it’s Christmas after all) here she is.
And what a match made in, well Whoville to be honest, as our intrepid characters discover more about each other, the reasons for their strong (yet opposite) feelings about the season and fall in lust/love whilst avoiding danger. Nixon/Grinch comes to see the joy in the season and Finley gets her man and her safety assured.
A lovely romance with a lot going on. Kept me guessing throughout.
What do you get when you put a Christmas mad social media influencer together with a grumpy grinch security expert/bodyguard…..well a whole lot of arguments to be honest but add in a smidge of danger, intrigue and a stalker and suddenly the game changes
I loved this story and am always happy to grab hold of a side step story into a supporting character novella. Having met Andi’s bestie in Erik’s Salvation, I wondered whether Finley would pop up again (I’m still hoping for the whole of the Hunter clan stories - please please pretty please!!!) and as if by magic (well it’s Christmas after all) here she is.
And what a match made in, well Whoville to be honest, as our intrepid characters discover more about each other, the reasons for their strong (yet opposite) feelings about the season and fall in lust/love whilst avoiding danger. Nixon/Grinch comes to see the joy in the season and Finley gets her man and her safety assured.
A lovely romance with a lot going on. Kept me guessing throughout.
November 19, 2023
Legit could not put this down! Christmas is normally the merry and bright festive days that bring joy to people, but to Nixon Reid it is a reminder of a painful past. Unfortunately, his close friend asks him to protect a close member of this family, Finley Dunkley -a social media influencer who has been booked for a winter Christmas fair to help bring up the numbers. Finley has a low key stalker….or so she thinks. And Nixon is the surprise bodyguard she is fighting against as she wants her freedom and to grow her business by posting her videos and events she’s been hired for, and he wants to protect the hard headed woman who is somehow needling her way under his skin and through the walls around his heart. When the low key stalker starts stepping things up, and Finley begins to be attacked it draws her and Nixon closer…but will it be enough to explore a budding relationship, or enough to secure those walls around Nixons heart for good. Page turning thriller! Loved it from the first line!
November 27, 2023
A bodyguard romance set in a winter wonderland festival.
What more is there to say? Bodyguard. Romance. And the holidays. A perfect mix for a quick read this season. When Finley boarded the plane, she never expected her seatmate would end up being the man who'd change her life forever. And she especially never expected her friends to have hired him to be her bodyguard. It was only a few nutty messages on her social media platforms. Delete, block, and move on. Only the person behind the messages wasn't so willing to move on.
Nixon was doing a friend a favor when he agreed to be a bodyguard for a woman who was his complete opposite. But as would happen in these stories, he quickly finds out there is more to the quirky woman than he first realized. Now, if only he could keep his hands off her long enough to ensure her protection. Not an easy task.
The heat builds, but so does the danger. When all hell breaks loose, Finley uses what she's learned about her surroundings as well as her own smarts to outwit her enemy. She's a fighter and proves that she is Nixon's perfect match.
What more is there to say? Bodyguard. Romance. And the holidays. A perfect mix for a quick read this season. When Finley boarded the plane, she never expected her seatmate would end up being the man who'd change her life forever. And she especially never expected her friends to have hired him to be her bodyguard. It was only a few nutty messages on her social media platforms. Delete, block, and move on. Only the person behind the messages wasn't so willing to move on.
Nixon was doing a friend a favor when he agreed to be a bodyguard for a woman who was his complete opposite. But as would happen in these stories, he quickly finds out there is more to the quirky woman than he first realized. Now, if only he could keep his hands off her long enough to ensure her protection. Not an easy task.
The heat builds, but so does the danger. When all hell breaks loose, Finley uses what she's learned about her surroundings as well as her own smarts to outwit her enemy. She's a fighter and proves that she is Nixon's perfect match.
December 3, 2023
Finley is building her business as an event marketer and is going to Ontario to help market a Christmas fair. On her way there, she meets Nixon, who just so happens to be her bodyguard; she’s receiving comments on her TikTok’s and Instagram posts that unsettle her. The person says they’re going to meet at Finley at the Christmas fair. So, Nixon follows her around the fair as she takes videos of her doing the activities, such as making a snowman, ice skating, sleigh rides and tobogganing. They can’t stay away from each other and not because he’s her bodyguard, they learn more about each other and they begin a relationship.
Except, whoever is stalking her bumps into her when she’s near an ice-covered pond and she goes in. Someone runs into her when she’s tobogganing. Then the organizer of the fair, Beth, is kidnapped. Then Nixon and Finley are attacked.
Romantic Suspense and Christmas! This book was something that I didn’t even know I needed. There was amazing chemistry between Finley and Nixon and how he was instantly protective of her and wanted her. There was great spice, and the suspense was amazing, it kept me on my toes the entire book. I enjoyed this novella so much!!
Except, whoever is stalking her bumps into her when she’s near an ice-covered pond and she goes in. Someone runs into her when she’s tobogganing. Then the organizer of the fair, Beth, is kidnapped. Then Nixon and Finley are attacked.
Romantic Suspense and Christmas! This book was something that I didn’t even know I needed. There was amazing chemistry between Finley and Nixon and how he was instantly protective of her and wanted her. There was great spice, and the suspense was amazing, it kept me on my toes the entire book. I enjoyed this novella so much!!
December 7, 2023
ARC review
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 2/5
Adorable Christmas romance story. If you're looking for one, you found it in this book! This book is also somewhat of a thriller because of the story line.
Finley has a stalker and Nixon is an ex navy seal who is now a body guard. Due to Finley's job, social media influencer/marketing, she is traveling to cover a Christmas fair and since she has a stalker she winds up with Nixon on the trip with her. Finley LOVES Christmas and Nixon does not.
Nyssa does a beautiful job with this story. Somehow she brings the beauty of Christmas alive in a story about a stalker and some of Nixon's past trauma's. We watch Nixon develop from a grumpy Christmas hater to a man who can see the beauty through a dark past and it's all thanks to Finley and her bubbly and bright personality.
I wished there were maybe a couple more chapters to the story...the ending felt sudden and rushed in a couple aspects but still overall a REALLY good and VERY cute holiday read!
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 2/5
Adorable Christmas romance story. If you're looking for one, you found it in this book! This book is also somewhat of a thriller because of the story line.
Finley has a stalker and Nixon is an ex navy seal who is now a body guard. Due to Finley's job, social media influencer/marketing, she is traveling to cover a Christmas fair and since she has a stalker she winds up with Nixon on the trip with her. Finley LOVES Christmas and Nixon does not.
Nyssa does a beautiful job with this story. Somehow she brings the beauty of Christmas alive in a story about a stalker and some of Nixon's past trauma's. We watch Nixon develop from a grumpy Christmas hater to a man who can see the beauty through a dark past and it's all thanks to Finley and her bubbly and bright personality.
I wished there were maybe a couple more chapters to the story...the ending felt sudden and rushed in a couple aspects but still overall a REALLY good and VERY cute holiday read!
December 6, 2023
Christmas standalone, although it has a links to the Beautiful Pieces Trilogy (Nixon is friends with Erik's brother).
Finley is a media influencer and event promoter but she's managed to snag a stalker, so a bodyguard (Nixon) is needed for her latest job.
The pace is really fast with these two, in both their attraction and also the escalation of the stalker. They have some very steamy chemistry. Nixon is so hesitant, but just can't resist his attraction to Finley for long.
The mystery surrounding the stalker kept me on my toes and I didn't know who it actually was until it was revealed, although there were a few names I thought it might be along the way.
I liked the faster pace of the story. The whole book only takes place over a week, which seemed super quick for these two to declare their love and re-arrange their lives for each other.
- grumpy / sunshine
- standalone
- bodyguard
Finley is a media influencer and event promoter but she's managed to snag a stalker, so a bodyguard (Nixon) is needed for her latest job.
The pace is really fast with these two, in both their attraction and also the escalation of the stalker. They have some very steamy chemistry. Nixon is so hesitant, but just can't resist his attraction to Finley for long.
The mystery surrounding the stalker kept me on my toes and I didn't know who it actually was until it was revealed, although there were a few names I thought it might be along the way.
I liked the faster pace of the story. The whole book only takes place over a week, which seemed super quick for these two to declare their love and re-arrange their lives for each other.
- grumpy / sunshine
- standalone
- bodyguard
December 9, 2023
I just love it when this author comes out with another book as she never disappoints. This read had me flipping the pages and falling for both characters. Finley, a social media influencer has gained a stalker and her best friend has a bodyguard for her when she travels to Canada. Nixon, who works for a security company, can’t turn down the assignment for his “brother” even though he wants to. The two don’t get off to a great start but even though they bicker from the get go, she feels safe with Nixon. As the two grow closer, the stalker isn’t happy and the threats escalate keeping Nixon on edge….can he keep the only woman who settles his demons from harm.
I loved this read, Nixon and Finley who stole my heart. The story flowed beautifully with suspense, steam and big sighs when these two get together. I loved Finley, strong, independent, and with a backbone who sees Nixon behind the shields he puts up.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
I loved this read, Nixon and Finley who stole my heart. The story flowed beautifully with suspense, steam and big sighs when these two get together. I loved Finley, strong, independent, and with a backbone who sees Nixon behind the shields he puts up.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
November 14, 2023
I absolutely loved Nixon and Finely.
Hidden Shadows is a great read, you are completely invested in Finely and Nixon's relationship and you want them to make their happily ever after. However, Finely being in social media and an event marketer she has found herself with a crazy that escalates his annoyance at not being able to have her. Nixon has a tragic past and finds it hard to allow forgiveness to be a part of his make-up.
However, when things start happening to the woman that he is falling for he can't help but close the distance between them and become more invested than a bodyguard should be with his client.
I found Hidden Shadows to be an excellent and fast read, there is action, steamy scenes and the way that Nyssa describes the Christmas Wonderland makes me want to go.
Highly recommend this book.
Hidden Shadows is a great read, you are completely invested in Finely and Nixon's relationship and you want them to make their happily ever after. However, Finely being in social media and an event marketer she has found herself with a crazy that escalates his annoyance at not being able to have her. Nixon has a tragic past and finds it hard to allow forgiveness to be a part of his make-up.
However, when things start happening to the woman that he is falling for he can't help but close the distance between them and become more invested than a bodyguard should be with his client.
I found Hidden Shadows to be an excellent and fast read, there is action, steamy scenes and the way that Nyssa describes the Christmas Wonderland makes me want to go.
Highly recommend this book.
November 30, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by Nyssa Kathryn and I really enjoyed her writing style. This book has the perfect amount of suspense, banter and passion.
Finley is a very strong willed, independent woman who is being harassed by a stalker. She is determined to finish the job she’s been asked to regardless of the danger.
Nixon is a fierce protector and he’s been asked to protect Finley…much to her displeasure. Helen is very kind and patient.
Finley and Nixon’s I tail introduction didn’t go very smoothly and their future interactions were a bit uncomfortable. However there was a smoldering passion between the two that couldn’t be denied. There are many sweet and tender moments between them as they deal with current/past trauma.
So many of my favorite tropes in this quick read- Holiday Romance, Bodyguard Romance and Romantic Suspense.
Finley is a very strong willed, independent woman who is being harassed by a stalker. She is determined to finish the job she’s been asked to regardless of the danger.
Nixon is a fierce protector and he’s been asked to protect Finley…much to her displeasure. Helen is very kind and patient.
Finley and Nixon’s I tail introduction didn’t go very smoothly and their future interactions were a bit uncomfortable. However there was a smoldering passion between the two that couldn’t be denied. There are many sweet and tender moments between them as they deal with current/past trauma.
So many of my favorite tropes in this quick read- Holiday Romance, Bodyguard Romance and Romantic Suspense.
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