Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Jon is the man of his dreams, but can he prevent those dreams from 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?

 

 

Reader Advisory: This book contains references to stalking, one scene of violence with some gore.

Book Review

"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.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 61 pages/20848 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	25-April-2017
Price	$2.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/keeping-him-safe