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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
60 people want to read
About the author
Neil S. Plakcy
238 books649 followersI have been a voracious reader all my life, mostly in mystery, romance, and science fiction/fantasy, though a college degree in English did push a lot of literary works into my list of favorites.
Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.
It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.
I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.
My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
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, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.
My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and also follow my author page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy.
Quick note: sign up for my newsletter at plakcy.substack.com to get free prologues, epilogues and short stories.
I began writing seriously in high school after an inspiring assignment with A Separate Peace by John Knowles. I didn't know I was gay then, but I knew I was longing for an emotional connection with a best friend. That desire shows up across my writing, from romance to mystery to adventure. I am lucky to have found my special person, and I want to inspire readers to make those connections, to one person or a found family.
It took getting an MFA in creative writing to kick-start my career. That's where I honed my technical skills and began to understand what kind of storyteller I am.
I remember reading Freddie the Detective about a very smart pig inspired by Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always believed that dogs make the best detectives. They notice what humans miss — a faint scent, a subtle shift in body language, the hidden treat in your pocket. That belief inspired my Golden Retriever Mysteries, where Rochester helps his human, Steve Levitan, nose out the truth.
My passion is telling stories where community, loyalty, and sometimes love solve problems just as much as clues do. Whether it’s a cozy mystery in Bucks County, a thriller on the streets of Miami, or a romance unfolding under the Mediterranean sun, I want readers to feel the heartbeat of the place and the people.
I write because stories helped me feel less alone growing up, and now I want to give readers that same feeling: a companion, a puzzle, and maybe a laugh.
When I’m not writing, I’m probably walking one of my own goldens, teaching writing, or daydreaming about my next story.
Since then I've written dozens of books, won a couple of treasured awards, and enjoyed the support of readers.
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, the cobbled streets of Europe. I love exploring how communities work — from a café where dogs guide healing, to a fraternity house in South Beach, to a police unit in Honolulu.
My goal is simple: to write stories that feel grounded in real people and real places, but with enough twists, romance, or danger to keep you turning pages late into the night.
I hope you'll visit my website, where you can sign up for my occasional newsletter, and 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.
December 6, 2015
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