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The Guardian Angel of South Beach
LGBT ContemporaryDespite regular work-outs, out-of-shape computer geek Leo can’t build the body he dreams of. Then he meets a strange old man who mixes up some magic pills, and Leo’s body blossoms. But even though he’s developing a killer body and having lots of great sex, he’s not happy, until he begins to change his personality, too. Can becoming The Guardian Angel of South Beach, protecting the weak, weird, and drunk from predators, make him happy and help him hook up with Dan, the man of his dreams?Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Male/male sexual practices.
- GenresM M RomanceRomanceGay
Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2010
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
518 books682 followersI’m Neil S. Plakcy, and I write mysteries and romances filled with humor, heart, loyalty, found family, complicated heroes, and, very often, dogs.
Readers may know me from the Golden Retriever Mysteries, featuring Steve Levitan and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester; the Mahu Investigations, featuring Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa‘aka; the Have Body, Will Guard adventure-romance series with Aidan and Liam; the Angus Green FBI thrillers; and the Smiling Dog Café healing fiction.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment on A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn’t yet have the words for being gay, but I knew I was longing for deep emotional connection, friendship, and love. That longing still runs through my work, whether I’m writing mystery, romance, adventure, or suspense.
An MFA in creative writing helped me hone my technical skills and understand what kind of storyteller I am. Since then, I’ve written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and been lucky enough to find readers who care about my characters as much as I do.
I’ve also always believed that dogs make excellent detectives. They notice what humans miss: a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief helped inspire my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps Steve Levitan nose out the truth.
Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, and the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work, from a café where dogs help people heal to a police unit in Honolulu to a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up. Now I hope to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, a sense of place, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my golden retrievers, teaching writing, reading, or daydreaming about my next story.
For free stories, bonus scenes, and new-release news, visit my website or join my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com. You can also follow my author page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
Readers may know me from the Golden Retriever Mysteries, featuring Steve Levitan and his clue-sniffing golden retriever Rochester; the Mahu Investigations, featuring Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa‘aka; the Have Body, Will Guard adventure-romance series with Aidan and Liam; the Angus Green FBI thrillers; and the Smiling Dog Café healing fiction.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment on A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn’t yet have the words for being gay, but I knew I was longing for deep emotional connection, friendship, and love. That longing still runs through my work, whether I’m writing mystery, romance, adventure, or suspense.
An MFA in creative writing helped me hone my technical skills and understand what kind of storyteller I am. Since then, I’ve written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and been lucky enough to find readers who care about my characters as much as I do.
I’ve also always believed that dogs make excellent detectives. They notice what humans miss: a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief helped inspire my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps Steve Levitan nose out the truth.
Every place I’ve lived has made its way into my fiction: the rolling hills of Bucks County, the neon heat of Miami, the beaches of Hawaii, and the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work, from a café where dogs help people heal to a police unit in Honolulu to a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up. Now I hope to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, a sense of place, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my golden retrievers, teaching writing, reading, or daydreaming about my next story.
For free stories, bonus scenes, and new-release news, visit my website or join my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com. You can also follow my author page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 28, 2010
The Guardian Angel of South Beach is a well-written and charming story that at first glance appears to be a light and easy-going read full of steamy sexual encounters. But continue reading and you’ll soon realize that Mr. Plakcy has cleverly written a story that encompasses all of the above while at the same time imparting a tale that, through a magical realist touch, explores such themes as the quest for beauty and perfection within not only gay culture but society as a whole through Leo’s journey.
The complete review of The Guardian Angel of South Beach by Neil Plakcy is available at Indie Reviews.
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October 13, 2010To be honest the biggest reason I read Neil Plakcy’s The Guardian Angel of South Beach was because it was a Neil Plakcy book. I say this because the book description is so-so… certainly nothing to get supremely excited about. But of course I should have known better than to judge his book by the blurb; the cover however is wonderful and sexy and what the blurb may not promise, the cover definitely does!
I’ve read many of Mr. Plakcy’s stories and, regardless of the genre or format, one thing that they have in common is that they’re all well written and totally engaging; The Guardian of South Beach, while different yet again, is another case in point.
While this story may seem to be little more than a sex romp with a bit of romance thrown in I actually found it to reach a deeper level than I had initially expected. Leo’s emotional development quickly outstripped even his physical changes, and that’s saying something; but as in real life it wasn’t overnight or even particularly easy. I also found that there was more…suspense I guess I’d say, than I had anticipated.
Separately, all these elements are great; combined they create a killer story. With the touch of mystery—and magic—I found myself even more enamoured.
The Guardian Angel of South Beach may come across as more fantasy than reality-based and, to some degree, it is. But once again Neil Plakcy, having taken the reader to unexpected depths, has created a story with a message, but far be it for me to tell you what it might be. That I’ll leave for you to discover. *wink* What I will say is that this will be a very enjoyable read as well.
I’ve read many of Mr. Plakcy’s stories and, regardless of the genre or format, one thing that they have in common is that they’re all well written and totally engaging; The Guardian of South Beach, while different yet again, is another case in point.
While this story may seem to be little more than a sex romp with a bit of romance thrown in I actually found it to reach a deeper level than I had initially expected. Leo’s emotional development quickly outstripped even his physical changes, and that’s saying something; but as in real life it wasn’t overnight or even particularly easy. I also found that there was more…suspense I guess I’d say, than I had anticipated.
Separately, all these elements are great; combined they create a killer story. With the touch of mystery—and magic—I found myself even more enamoured.
The Guardian Angel of South Beach may come across as more fantasy than reality-based and, to some degree, it is. But once again Neil Plakcy, having taken the reader to unexpected depths, has created a story with a message, but far be it for me to tell you what it might be. That I’ll leave for you to discover. *wink* What I will say is that this will be a very enjoyable read as well.
June 23, 2011
Leo thinks that his problem is because he is not handsome, hunky, or sexy enough -- which might be caused by the advice he got when he was still in school, that when he was overweight, nobody wanted him. However, when he finally gets his wishes answered, when he gets a great body that he has always dreamed of, he still can't find someone to connect. That all the sex he gets afterwards are not satisfying ... It takes numerous hook ups for Leo to see that. In between all of this, we get a glimpse of the guy who will become the potential lover. A barista, by the name of Dan, who actually is one of the constants in Leo's life ... who greets him and remembers Leo's catchphrase.
Like two reviewers said, this story is more than just the sex-romp. It is Leo's journey to find that beauty doesn't necessarily leads into happiness. It is actually a pretty deep theme. Unfortunately, it's tad too much of sex for my taste (though I know that it IS necessary for Leo's journey) and the romance is put on the backseat.
Plus, I'm not a fan of the ending because It's a good story but for me personally, it is not satisfying.
Like two reviewers said, this story is more than just the sex-romp. It is Leo's journey to find that beauty doesn't necessarily leads into happiness. It is actually a pretty deep theme. Unfortunately, it's tad too much of sex for my taste (though I know that it IS necessary for Leo's journey) and the romance is put on the backseat.
Plus, I'm not a fan of the ending because It's a good story but for me personally, it is not satisfying.
May 15, 2011
I didn't like this one nearly as much as some of Plakcy's other work. Character gets a bottle of magic pills, and goes from cute but dumpy to buff and hung. And then he has sex with a bunch of random guys until he finally hooks up with the cute, sweet guy who was under his nose the whole time.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews