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The Safe House #1

In Safe Hands

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He didn’t understand loyalty until she stripped it away…

Damian Stone was a distinguished member of the NYPD, on the fast-track to an FBI career until a crime syndicate ambush cost him his partner and his ambitions. Recruited by an elite security agency that leverages his hyper-protective instincts to shield notorious trial witnesses, Damian never met a charge he couldn’t safeguard.

Until her.

Alexa Volkov lived a privileged life, far from the messy underbelly of her father’s Russian mafia. As a crime boss daughter, she is in a unique position to collapse the organization from the inside out. Her plan to testify against the mob patriarch puts a bounty on her head that would tempt even the most trustworthy cop—especially one hell-bent on punishing her for the sins of her father.

But the safe house part of Damian’s protection plan is anything but safe. In a place where alliances are not what they seem and the most dangerous heat bearing down on them is the forbidden burn of seduction, the only thing more at risk than life is a lethal hit to the heart.

127 pages, ebook

First published March 18, 2016

464 people are currently reading
723 people want to read

About the author

Leslie North

571 books1,521 followers
New to Leslie? Readers suggest starting with 'The Bossy One' (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6BP3BBF) —Imagine a sunny Minnesotan Mary Poppins, employed by a grumpy Irish billionaire. The story is a blend of humor, revenge, passion, heartbreak, hope, and witty banter. As one reader put it, ‘This story had me squealing at the romantic moments and silly moments.’

Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym for a critically-acclaimed author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance. The anonymity allows her to fully express her creativity, especially in the romantic and fun sexy scenes!

In fact, she confesses to loving her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her everyday self! Her bestselling books are known for their strong characters, particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha bosshole. And the humor? So infectious, you’ll be laughing out loud in public!

Leslie’s love for romance began when she picked up a worn-out romance book from her local library. She started writing soon after, and as they say, the rest was history. She now resides in a cozy cottage on the British coast, enjoying long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.

She LOVES reader feedback, and if you have any comments, don’t hesitate to contact her!

I'm Social Too:
Website: www.leslienorthbooks.com
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5 stars
238 (33%)
4 stars
189 (26%)
3 stars
199 (27%)
2 stars
60 (8%)
1 star
28 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Trish R..
1,772 reviews58 followers
June 9, 2017


This could have been better if Damian and Alexa would have stopped thinking of sex for a minute. Jeez! And Alexa’s reasoning for testifying against her father was so stupid. She wanted him in prison so he’d be safe. Seriously? It had nothing to do with him being the head of the Russian crime family or all the people he killed? She just wanted him in prison so he wouldn’t be killed on the streets. Good grief, I know the author could have come up with a better storyline than that. And, of course, Damian hated her father because of a shoot-out with his men caused is partner’s death. So, therefore, he hates her, he just can’t stop lusting after her. At no time during the book did I feel any kind of love between them. Not even when she said I love you, just before she slammed his head against the steering wheel and knocked him unconscious.

Overall, the last two chapters were the best. I was totally surprised at who the bad guy was, I mean, other than her father. And even though I also bought the second book is this series I don’t think I’ll be reading it for a while. They’re just too lame-y until the very end of the story. Only 194 pages and I skimmed a lot, so that tells you something.

There was explicit sex in this AND lots of lust and lots of thoughts and not enough action. There was a chance at a good book here if the author would have divided the sexy stuff and the mob stuff evenly but she was interested in the sex mostly.

The F-bomb was used 8 times.

As to the narration: I don’t even know what to say. Michael Pauley narrated a couple of books I listened to in 2017 and he was great BUT in this one he was just terrible. His voices for the men and women were fine but he read so weird. Kind of like William Shatner (James T. Kirk.) He put so many pauses at the end of his sentences and all the wrong emotions. I’m certainly glad he got better.
Profile Image for ♥ WishfulMiss ♥ .
1,433 reviews115 followers
May 3, 2016
What do you get when you put a smart mouth Russian mob princess and an uptight control freak ex-cop turned body guard together? A pretty funny and intense ride, full of snarky banter, wild car chases and steamy up close and personal bodyguarding.

In Safe Hands was a really great read. It had action, intrigue, and the simmering heat of wanting the forbidden between Damian and Alexa. When a loyal ruler follower meets a die hard rule breaker, you know sparks will fly!

I liked the slow build up to their relationship. They had an instant physical attraction but it took a little bit of work to gain each others trust before advancing to the next level. Being on the run and not knowing who is on your side can be some pretty heavy shit to deal with but Alexa was a girl that knew her own mind and trusted her instincts. Her reasoning for doing what she does can be confusing at times but she goes in 100% and full throttle that you kind of just fall in line with her. She's the same way when she admits her feelings for Damian, she doesn't waffle back and forth. She owns it and isn't afraid to show it. I loved that about her.

Damian was the perfect protector. He went in knowing he was putting his life on the line, but he wasn't afraid or looking for a way out. His morals were ingrained in his soul. He was the ultimate guardian. Watching him struggle with his misplaced loyalty and his sudden feelings for Alexa was both frustrating and eye opening. You got to see what made him tick and when the whole thing goes down Damian shows his true colors and its damn near blinding!!! If you're in the mood for an action packed quicky with a happy ending this one is worth checking out!

***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review ***

Profile Image for Cheryl   Graham-Petit.
4,124 reviews26 followers
March 18, 2016
In true Leslie North fashion, In Safe Hands is a well-written, fast-paced romance story with a mix of mystery, violence, revenge, secrets, redemption, and twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. From the very first page, this author will grab hold of you and won't let you go until you've read the very last page.

I received a courtesy ARC of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Cheryl   Graham-Petit.
4,124 reviews26 followers
March 18, 2016
In true Leslie North fashion, In Safe Hands is a well-written, fast-paced romance story with a mix of mystery, violence, revenge, secrets, redemption, and twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. From the very first page, this author will grab hold of you and won't let you go until you've read the very last page.

I received a courtesy ARC of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,521 reviews320 followers
September 22, 2018
This was a pretty good dark mafia read that I liked. Damian Stone was a cop on the fast track to the FBI when a mafia ambush took his partner. Now he works as a bodyguard for an elite agency his current assignment is Alexa Kolkov, whose father is a mob boss that she is testifying against. When the location of his safe house is leaked he is now on the run with Alexa and he is trying to control his feelings for her. This was a good read with lots of action and suspense. This was my first time reading this author. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Judy Karsh.
50 reviews
May 29, 2017
This book took a bit to get into but it was worth sticking it out, I enjoyed the book and am glad I kept reading. Worth a click from your favourite book site!!
Profile Image for Melissa.
119 reviews4 followers
Read
March 21, 2016
Leslie North has brought us another fantastic series, Safe House Unit. In this series, we have elite men who protect those who are in trouble. I love the suspense she has in this new series. In the past, Leslie North has written sexy alpha men who were rulers and business men with women who more than equaled them. In this series, you once again read about those types of men and women but the added suspense is wonderful. It is almost as if I am reading a different author as the style of writing has taken on a new feeling but yet remains true to the author.


This story is about an ex-detective who served the force until he had a shocking, horrific experience that he couldn't move past. When the Russian Mafia ambushes him and his partner, leaving the partner dead, Damian Stone's pain and nightmares leave him a man damaged and more outwardly descriptive of his last name. He leaves the force to work for an organization that protects those such as Alexa Volkov. Damien wasn't expecting his past to come barreling to his present with this assignment, but that is exactly what happens. Will he consider Alexa his enemy or is there a chance she will be his savior?


Alexa Volkov is a Russian Mafia princess and her father is Damien Stone's enemy. When Alexa's Mother is killed because of her father's business, she decides to turn evidence against him. Entering the witness protection program, Alexa finds herself under the protection of Damien Stone. Her first reaction is that he was a dirty cop, but when her family tattoo sparks his anger, she finds that his reasons for leaving the force are connected to her own father.


As the situation turns deadly for both of them, Damien and Alexa find themselves fighting the men coming after Alexa to keep her quiet as well as a ghost from Damien's past. They are also fighting their attraction to each other and the differences in their individual lives.


I love the constant questions of who can be trusted, who is the bad guy and how will Damien and Alexa end. As mentioned before, I love this new style of romantic suspense the author has going. I felt the change to this style began with the Slade Security series and seems to be getting better.


I absolutely recommend this new series and I look forward to the next book. I am hopeful that their will be one regarding Samson's character.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Profile Image for Heather 123.
954 reviews7 followers
July 19, 2016
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected; shorter books tend to make me nervous as it's always a guessing game if the author spent enough time writing the book or if he/she rushed to finish it and left out key parts. I'm pleased to say this book was definitely worth reading!

Alexa is on the run from multiple men who want to kill her after she agrees to testify against her mob boss father. She wants to do the right thing and believes that by testifying against her father she is actually protecting him from all the men that he has wronged over the years who now want him dead.

Damian, against his wishes, is assigned to protect Alexa. After losing his partner in the line of duty at the hands of Alexa's father he wants nothing to do with her. But, he takes his job seriously and after being assigned to guard and protect Alexa he realizes he has no choice. That doesn't mean he trusts her or believes that she doesn't have a secret motive.

This book was full of surprises and enough drama to keep the reader interested from the first page. The turmoil and sexual tension between Alexa and Damian is by far what kept me turning each page however layered with the underlying threat on Alexa's life - I couldn't put the book down.

A great, short read that can be finished in a few hours yet doesn't leave the reader guessing as to what happened or feeling confused like some short stories tend to.

** ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
8,929 reviews172 followers
March 14, 2016
In a world full of violence, revenge and secrets, one woman stood up and said no more. Was it smart? No. Courageous? Yes. It also proved to be a real turn on for the one man who could destroy her unstable house of cards. I received an ARC of In Safe Hands by Leslie North in exchange for an honest review. There is lots of conflict in this story. It's hard to tell who can be trusted. You have good people making stupid decisions based on emotion and crooked ones trying to protect themselves. Alexa proved to be a tough cookie facing anger from all directions and confronting her own mortality, she still found the strength to make right the wrongs of others. Throughout the story I bounced back and forth about my feelings for Damien. He made it so hard to like him. When he finally made the choice to listen to his conscience and not be fueled by his anger he became more tolerable. In Safe Hands is a fast paced and all over the place emotional story of bravery, redemption, temptation and emotion that will have a tight hold on you until the last page. A sexy love story. 4.5 of 5 stars.
Profile Image for Hazel Harkins.
437 reviews7 followers
March 16, 2016
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love Leslie North's books and she did not fail on this one. I do not hesitate to give it 5 stars.
This book grabs your attention and holds it throughout the book. Each time I had to lay it aside for life things I was thinking about when I could get back to it. There was a lot of mystery in this book.
I don't think Damian was as alpha as a lot of the men in Leslies books but he was still all man!
Alexa surprised me with the reason she was testifying against her father, but Damian seemed ok with it since it served the purpose he felt was important to accomplish.
Damian held out longer against his feelings for Alexa but I was not surprised by that since he was loyal to his job and knew he couldn't let down his guard.
The biggest surprise of the book was the appearance of someone thought to be dead but was brought down by Damian's love for Alexa.
This is a must read if you enjoy flirty, somewhat steamy mystery's. You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Debra.
343 reviews5 followers
March 18, 2016
Wow This I feel is one of Leslie's best works... The story line was fabulous, the characters and the build up was again fabulous.
I could not put this down it captured drew and held my attention. It was exciting, it was like one of those movies with shoot it up adventure, rescue's and loads of lust and sex, mobsters, gun runners and sex slaves.
Right from the beginning the story heats up with a retired NYPD officer Damien Stone who is tall dark and deadly and Alexa Volkov a Nordic beauty with ice blue eyes that light with a fire. The attraction is instant but trust needs to be earn and in this who to trust.
I highly recommend to all that love the seedy side of life type books, that love that little bit of violence and suspense. Who enjoy the build up of lust and sexual play. That love a great ending with no cliff hanger.
Thank you for the advance copy And this is a honest review.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,075 reviews51 followers
March 28, 2016
Not really a fan of this book. It wasn't well written and while the storyline was good and the heroine was strong the hero, didn't really have what I enjoyed in this type of story.

I will say that I didn't see the ending coming so that was a plus, as I don't like to be able to figure out the ending of a story too early on. That is the reason for two stars and not one. With some technical work and some clarification on some ideas this could be a really good book.

This review is strictly my opinion and you should consider all reviews when picking out your next book as this is based on what I like to read. Sorry.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Debbie (Doc).
450 reviews4 followers
June 2, 2017
3.75 Stars

Alexa Volkov has lived a very privileged life but now could pay the price of her mafia boss father. Alexa is in a position that could destroy the Mafia family, including her own dad. She now has a price on her head and fears for her life. Ex-NYPD cop Damian Stone was on his way to becoming a FBI agent when his partner was killed in the line of duty. Now, Damian has taken on another role and that is of protector with an underground group. Damian hates where Alexa came from but is now her protector and must do whatever it takes so that she can testify. Damian has a dilemma since Alexa’s father was the man who supposedly killed his partner.

I really enjoyed this short read. I have read several books by Leslie North and this one did not disappoint. I will definitely continue with this series.
Profile Image for Courtney.
533 reviews
May 2, 2018
I read this book because it was free, by an author a friend recommended, and had to have been better than the other book I read by the same author. It was better, but still not great. The premise, once again, was decent, and the execution had SIGNIFICANTLY improved over the previous book.

All in all, it was OK. Hence the two star rating. I can't go with 3 because I didn't like it, but it wasn't laughably horrible, so...Two stars, it is.
Profile Image for Will Decker.
Author 23 books17 followers
August 12, 2018
This book hit all the right buttons for me. The characters were well developed and believable. The plot flowed at a steady pace, and there were unexpected twists along the way. The editing wasn't the cleanest, but nothing that upset the flow of words. If you're looking for lots of action with a romantic twist, this is the book for you.
206 reviews1 follower
Read
July 12, 2021
Great book!

I enjoyed the content in the book. You never know who the bad guy is in the story. There's always a chance you pick the wrong guy. It kept me on my toes. I didn't put the book down the book until I was finished. Please keep writing your books and I'll keep reading them.
521 reviews
October 27, 2022
Danger was on their trail

Damian hated the mob for taking his career and his partner's life. He went into protection only to be stuck protecting a mobsters daughter. Oh how he wants revenge but it would be on the wrong person. The story is exciting and writhe with danger. The attraction between the two characters adds to the chaos because of who they are.
328 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2017
Just ok.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley and the author. The storyline was lukewarm and didn't engage my attention. I would recommend this book to readers looking for a short book to read with some action and romance mixed in.
Profile Image for Becki.
539 reviews
July 30, 2017
In Safe Hands

I enjoyed reading this book. A tough on the outside, wounded on the inside hero and a smart sassy heroine make this book fun with a mystery twist. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
Profile Image for ✯ baya ✯.
198 reviews
April 4, 2018
A good story with good writing. I liked the characters and the general tone of the entire book. However, the romance was a little weak and took forever to get going. After a few days together and one sex scene, they loved each other... err okay.
Profile Image for Artika Singh.
21 reviews
July 23, 2018
I LUVD LUVD dis bk Leslie North. & bcuz of hw much I luvd dis bk, I'm so hookd. I feel like I can't stop reading her bks. TOTALLY OBSESSED. I really wish I can get a hold off the rest of the series. 😍😊
915 reviews11 followers
June 26, 2019
I just finished reading this book from Leslie North and it was awesome! I love her characters and the story was captivating. It was great from beginning to end! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance story.
Profile Image for Andi.
154 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2021
Overall a good story line and likeable characters. I was a bit confused by the ending but was happy that everything ended well.

Damian was a very strong character and Alexa was an equally strong female character. I very much enjoyed the constant sparring of words and attitude!
Profile Image for Veronica Whiteman.
146 reviews2 followers
March 4, 2022
Mob love

Loved reading this love story. Great plot twist toward the end. I was engrossed in the lives of the main characters as well as on the edge of my seat waiting to flip the page. Nicely done.
Profile Image for Lynne Fredo.
569 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2017
In Safe Hands

This book was amazing as it tells about a good guy and the crime boss's daughter. Loved the criminal romance portrayed. This needs to be read!!
Profile Image for Sherri.
190 reviews1 follower
July 11, 2017
I didn't understand her motivation. Save her father, revenge?
Profile Image for Lorraine Anton.
2,982 reviews11 followers
December 10, 2017
Great

Damian was to protect Alexa. He found out that she was the head mob daughter. She was going to testify against him.
They had chemistry.
There is suspense, twists., adventure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews

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