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Keeping Him Safe
Jon is the man of his dreams, but can he prevent those dreams becoming a nightmare?
Every night, Xander Craig has the same dream. He’s in the shower with a gorgeous stranger, who is shot by a mystery assassin and dies in Xander’s arms. Xander believes this dream is tied to his guilt over failing to prevent the death of his husband, Gary, but his latest assignment as a top-level bodyguard causes him to reassess that belief. He’s charged with looking after wealthy and successful entrepreneur, Jon Kovacs, who’s being stalked by an obsessive, dangerous ex-boyfriend. As soon as Xander sees Jon’s photo, he knows this is the man in his dream.
Xander escorts Jon to a remote safe house on the cliffs, as a police manhunt for Jon’s ex, Cody, takes place. He and Jon start to fall for each other. Xander knows he’s crossing a line, but he can’t help acting on that attraction. While he and Jon are sharing intimate moments, is Xander’s dream about to become violent reality?
Pre-order Date: 14th March 2017
Available exclusively to Pride Publishing: 28th March 2017
General Release Date: 25th April 2017
Every night, Xander Craig has the same dream. He’s in the shower with a gorgeous stranger, who is shot by a mystery assassin and dies in Xander’s arms. Xander believes this dream is tied to his guilt over failing to prevent the death of his husband, Gary, but his latest assignment as a top-level bodyguard causes him to reassess that belief. He’s charged with looking after wealthy and successful entrepreneur, Jon Kovacs, who’s being stalked by an obsessive, dangerous ex-boyfriend. As soon as Xander sees Jon’s photo, he knows this is the man in his dream.
Xander escorts Jon to a remote safe house on the cliffs, as a police manhunt for Jon’s ex, Cody, takes place. He and Jon start to fall for each other. Xander knows he’s crossing a line, but he can’t help acting on that attraction. While he and Jon are sharing intimate moments, is Xander’s dream about to become violent reality?
Pre-order Date: 14th March 2017
Available exclusively to Pride Publishing: 28th March 2017
General Release Date: 25th April 2017
- GenresM M Romance
61 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2017
23 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Coldwell
345 books78 followersI am Rotherham’s foremost (okay, only) writer of quality erotica and erotic romance. Though I’m now based in London, family and football take me back North on a regular basis. Indeed, if you’re ever at a Rotherham United match (I know, what are the chances?) and you spot a small blonde with a large ‘London Millers’ flag, that’ll be me.
For twenty years, I worked on the UK edition of Forum magazine, for most of those years as editor. In that time, I built up the fiction side of the magazine, and was responsible for publishing the first stories by lots of now well-known and established erotic authors – most notably Portia da Costa and Lindsay Gordon, who was until recently Black Lace’s series editor.
However, I love writing even more than I love editing, and I’ve finally taken the plunge to write full-time. I’ve had stories published by Black Lace, Xcite Books, Cleis Press, Circlet Press, Mammoth, Ravenous Romance, Total-e-bound and more, and my collection of three gay erotic novellas, Wild Rides, will be coming out as a print book from Xcite in 2012. And I’m happy in my work…
For twenty years, I worked on the UK edition of Forum magazine, for most of those years as editor. In that time, I built up the fiction side of the magazine, and was responsible for publishing the first stories by lots of now well-known and established erotic authors – most notably Portia da Costa and Lindsay Gordon, who was until recently Black Lace’s series editor.
However, I love writing even more than I love editing, and I’ve finally taken the plunge to write full-time. I’ve had stories published by Black Lace, Xcite Books, Cleis Press, Circlet Press, Mammoth, Ravenous Romance, Total-e-bound and more, and my collection of three gay erotic novellas, Wild Rides, will be coming out as a print book from Xcite in 2012. And I’m happy in my work…
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 20, 2017
3 hearts
This was quite enjoyable, a fairly predictable storyline and it had a few flaws but I did enjoy it.
Xander works for a private security company. Lately he's been have a recurring dream about being in the shower with a man right before the man gets shot. When he shows up to work one day and finds his new client, Jon, is the man from the dream he's a little weirded out but can't deny the instant attraction they have.
My first issue with this book is the dream. I don't think this is a spoiler but...absolutely nothing comes from the dream…. absolutely nothing. It's like the author forgot they mentioned it in the first chapter all together. It was frustrating and really weird.
Next is Jon and Xander's sudden attraction. Insta-lust/love is, I think, quite hard to do right. It has to be written in a way that shows, not tells and this was very much a 'telling’ attraction. I didn't feel the chemistry, I was told they had it.
I must give credit when credit is due and when these two finally get it on, they have fast and furious sex with a side of great dirty talk!
See the rest of my review here,
This was quite enjoyable, a fairly predictable storyline and it had a few flaws but I did enjoy it.
Xander works for a private security company. Lately he's been have a recurring dream about being in the shower with a man right before the man gets shot. When he shows up to work one day and finds his new client, Jon, is the man from the dream he's a little weirded out but can't deny the instant attraction they have.
My first issue with this book is the dream. I don't think this is a spoiler but...absolutely nothing comes from the dream…. absolutely nothing. It's like the author forgot they mentioned it in the first chapter all together. It was frustrating and really weird.
Next is Jon and Xander's sudden attraction. Insta-lust/love is, I think, quite hard to do right. It has to be written in a way that shows, not tells and this was very much a 'telling’ attraction. I didn't feel the chemistry, I was told they had it.
I must give credit when credit is due and when these two finally get it on, they have fast and furious sex with a side of great dirty talk!
See the rest of my review here,
June 13, 2017
"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a [man] scorned." ~William Congreve (The Mourning Bride)
Xander Craig, of 'Keeping Him Safe' by Elizabeth Coldwell, has had many assignments in his career as a top-level bodyguard, but none seemed as personal as his present one. When Xander sees the photograph of his next job, he is startled. He has been having a recurring dream for a while about a man who is ends up being murdered. When Xander opens his file, he gasps because the man in the picture is the one from his dreams. With this revelation, Xander is especially determined that his dream doesn't come true.
Jon Kovacs is the man of Xander’s dreams whom Xander is now guarding. Jon has been receiving death threats from an ex-boyfriend and needs protection from him. Xander takes him to a secluded safe house; he takes as many precautions as possible to ensure that no one knows where they are except he forgets to take Jon's phone and computer. Jon is at his wits’ end, jumping at every sound. Xander feels like he already knows Jon because of the intimate circumstances of his dreams. Xander knows it's against the rules, that he is supposed to remain neutral, but he sees how much Jon is suffering. It makes Xander want to pull the man into his arms and tell him everything is going to be all right.
Being in seclusion makes it difficult to ignore the growing feelings between them as they become more comfortable with each other. With this closeness comes a false sense of security. Xander knows that he shouldn't let this happen, but he can't stop thinking about being intimate with Jon. Jon is not hiding his desire for Xander which makes it even more difficult. Xander is usually an excellent bodyguard, always on the alert but he begins to miss things like not hearing Jon get up and go downstairs. Xander also breaks another cardinal rule by taking Jon into town. This is especially dangerous because it gives anyone looking for them the opportunity they have been waiting for. Things are going smoothly, until one night they hear a loud crash downstairs.
This is a suspenseful story with some interesting twists and turns. The lengths to which Jon's ex goes to get revenge is diabolically genius. It's painful to imagine that there are people in society who are this mentally ill. The fact that Xander would let his guard down so much is puzzling. If he were falling love with his charge, wouldn't he be more cautious? They say love is blind but in Xander's case, it is almost deadly. Since the story began with Xander dreaming of Jon before they met, I was hoping for more paranormal activity. When it didn't come, I was a bit disappointed. If you enjoy bodyguards, crazy ex-boyfriends, love affairs, suspense, and intrigue, this book might be for you. Thanks, Elizabeth, for a real thriller.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Xander Craig, of 'Keeping Him Safe' by Elizabeth Coldwell, has had many assignments in his career as a top-level bodyguard, but none seemed as personal as his present one. When Xander sees the photograph of his next job, he is startled. He has been having a recurring dream for a while about a man who is ends up being murdered. When Xander opens his file, he gasps because the man in the picture is the one from his dreams. With this revelation, Xander is especially determined that his dream doesn't come true.
Jon Kovacs is the man of Xander’s dreams whom Xander is now guarding. Jon has been receiving death threats from an ex-boyfriend and needs protection from him. Xander takes him to a secluded safe house; he takes as many precautions as possible to ensure that no one knows where they are except he forgets to take Jon's phone and computer. Jon is at his wits’ end, jumping at every sound. Xander feels like he already knows Jon because of the intimate circumstances of his dreams. Xander knows it's against the rules, that he is supposed to remain neutral, but he sees how much Jon is suffering. It makes Xander want to pull the man into his arms and tell him everything is going to be all right.
Being in seclusion makes it difficult to ignore the growing feelings between them as they become more comfortable with each other. With this closeness comes a false sense of security. Xander knows that he shouldn't let this happen, but he can't stop thinking about being intimate with Jon. Jon is not hiding his desire for Xander which makes it even more difficult. Xander is usually an excellent bodyguard, always on the alert but he begins to miss things like not hearing Jon get up and go downstairs. Xander also breaks another cardinal rule by taking Jon into town. This is especially dangerous because it gives anyone looking for them the opportunity they have been waiting for. Things are going smoothly, until one night they hear a loud crash downstairs.
This is a suspenseful story with some interesting twists and turns. The lengths to which Jon's ex goes to get revenge is diabolically genius. It's painful to imagine that there are people in society who are this mentally ill. The fact that Xander would let his guard down so much is puzzling. If he were falling love with his charge, wouldn't he be more cautious? They say love is blind but in Xander's case, it is almost deadly. Since the story began with Xander dreaming of Jon before they met, I was hoping for more paranormal activity. When it didn't come, I was a bit disappointed. If you enjoy bodyguards, crazy ex-boyfriends, love affairs, suspense, and intrigue, this book might be for you. Thanks, Elizabeth, for a real thriller.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 14, 2017
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Faced, quite literally, with the man of his dreams, Xander has to keep the real Jon from ended up like he does in Xander's dreams: dead on the bathroom floor.
I liked this!
It's only short, some 60 odd pages (according to Goodreads, but Amazon puts it at 15! Go figure!) just under an hours reading time, for me. The first I've read of Coldwell's that I can see, unless there was one in a box set, but it makes me want to read more. Longer, more in depth.
It's not overly complicated, nor is it explicit, or graphic. It's very well written and I did not spot a single spelling or editing error.
BUT
Only Xander has a say! And I know, I KNOW I say it far too often, and I'm gonna have to get over my aversion to single point of view books but I gotta say it here, again! Had Jon had a say, I have no doubt, none what-so-ever, that this would have been a 5 star read! I NEEDED to hear from Jon, I really did.
I liked that Xander tried so very hard NOT to fall for Jon, even after that first time. He tried so hard, bless him, but Jon won him over real quick!
I loved that Jon was totally unfazed by Xander's revelation about his dreaming about Jon, and it did not bother him at all!
Even for such a short book, had Jon had a voice, it would be a five star read but he didn't, so...
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Faced, quite literally, with the man of his dreams, Xander has to keep the real Jon from ended up like he does in Xander's dreams: dead on the bathroom floor.
I liked this!
It's only short, some 60 odd pages (according to Goodreads, but Amazon puts it at 15! Go figure!) just under an hours reading time, for me. The first I've read of Coldwell's that I can see, unless there was one in a box set, but it makes me want to read more. Longer, more in depth.
It's not overly complicated, nor is it explicit, or graphic. It's very well written and I did not spot a single spelling or editing error.
BUT
Only Xander has a say! And I know, I KNOW I say it far too often, and I'm gonna have to get over my aversion to single point of view books but I gotta say it here, again! Had Jon had a say, I have no doubt, none what-so-ever, that this would have been a 5 star read! I NEEDED to hear from Jon, I really did.
I liked that Xander tried so very hard NOT to fall for Jon, even after that first time. He tried so hard, bless him, but Jon won him over real quick!
I loved that Jon was totally unfazed by Xander's revelation about his dreaming about Jon, and it did not bother him at all!
Even for such a short book, had Jon had a voice, it would be a five star read but he didn't, so...
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
April 20, 2017
2.5*
This is a fairly short story about an ex-police officer turned bodyguard called Xander who has been having vivid, sexual dreams (with a not so happy ending) about some unknown man. He is shocked when the next client he is charged with protecting is the very same man sees every night when he falls asleep.
Jon fears for his life after ending a brief relationship. His ex isn't getting the message and his behaviour is becoming more and more threatening. He knows the police aren't helping so he turns the agency for some personal protection.
Ok, so I'll start with the positives... EC tells a good story. It's easy to follow and is in a style I enjoy that keeps me interested. Everything is well described so you can imagine the backdrop to what you are reading. The characters are likeable and it has a good HEA.
However, the negative here is the story itself. I have no issues with suspending belief but seeing as this isn't a fantasy novel, it was just too unrealistic for my liking. The dreams of Jon aren't believable. I mean, Xander dreamt about him in great detail, right down to the man’s tattoos - which of course he managed to confirm were what and where he'd seen them on dream Jon. After they go into hiding, Xander, who is supposed to be amazing at his job, does nothing but continually lose focus on the task at hand and his utter carelessness puts Jon in danger. He was officially the worst bodyguard on record, making the story ridiculous. I'd have been calling the agency and asking for a refund!!!
Anyway, all that aside, it's a fun read as long as you are prepared to not take it seriously.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cheryl from Alpha Book Club
Alpha Book Club
All Alpha Males Accepted
alphabookclub.org
This is a fairly short story about an ex-police officer turned bodyguard called Xander who has been having vivid, sexual dreams (with a not so happy ending) about some unknown man. He is shocked when the next client he is charged with protecting is the very same man sees every night when he falls asleep.
Jon fears for his life after ending a brief relationship. His ex isn't getting the message and his behaviour is becoming more and more threatening. He knows the police aren't helping so he turns the agency for some personal protection.
Ok, so I'll start with the positives... EC tells a good story. It's easy to follow and is in a style I enjoy that keeps me interested. Everything is well described so you can imagine the backdrop to what you are reading. The characters are likeable and it has a good HEA.
However, the negative here is the story itself. I have no issues with suspending belief but seeing as this isn't a fantasy novel, it was just too unrealistic for my liking. The dreams of Jon aren't believable. I mean, Xander dreamt about him in great detail, right down to the man’s tattoos - which of course he managed to confirm were what and where he'd seen them on dream Jon. After they go into hiding, Xander, who is supposed to be amazing at his job, does nothing but continually lose focus on the task at hand and his utter carelessness puts Jon in danger. He was officially the worst bodyguard on record, making the story ridiculous. I'd have been calling the agency and asking for a refund!!!
Anyway, all that aside, it's a fun read as long as you are prepared to not take it seriously.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cheryl from Alpha Book Club
Alpha Book Club
All Alpha Males Accepted
alphabookclub.org
April 23, 2017
•´¸.•*´¨)Upgraded to 3 stars for protecting what's his...¸.•*¨)
ღ✿•*¨
When his husband died, Bodyguard Xander felt all the hurt and pain one man never needed. The guilt over how Gary died would stay with him forever. So imagine his surprise when his dreams started filling with a particular man whom he had never met before. A man he could not save either.
Jon was a wealthy businessman being stalked by an ex. When he police could not keep him safe, he hired the agency to do it. He never expected the handsome MARRIED straight man to be his protector, until it was proven his guard was not so straight.
Told from Xander's POV, this short story takes us out of New York City and into Rhode Island. Jon now had to accept that his dream guy was in fact real and it was his job to protect him.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from Pride Publishing.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
ღ✿•*¨
When his husband died, Bodyguard Xander felt all the hurt and pain one man never needed. The guilt over how Gary died would stay with him forever. So imagine his surprise when his dreams started filling with a particular man whom he had never met before. A man he could not save either.
Jon was a wealthy businessman being stalked by an ex. When he police could not keep him safe, he hired the agency to do it. He never expected the handsome MARRIED straight man to be his protector, until it was proven his guard was not so straight.
Told from Xander's POV, this short story takes us out of New York City and into Rhode Island. Jon now had to accept that his dream guy was in fact real and it was his job to protect him.
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from Pride Publishing.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews