Safe Harbor

by Edward Kendrick

When Bobby, aka 'Prizm', witnesses the kidnapping of two other street kids and later learns one of them was murdered, he goes to the only man he thinks can help him.

Father Kurt, an Episcopal priest who runs the Harbor, a shelter for homeless kids, gets more than he bargained for when he talks Bobby into going to the police.

While the search is on for the killers, who may also be cops, Bobby and Kurt find themselves attracted to each other. Then a new friend of Bobby's is taken by the murderers and he decides it's time to use the resources at hand, other street kids, to find and to stop the murderers.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Crime, Gay, Romance, Abuse

127 pages, ebook

First published September 15, 2012

About the author

Born and bred Cleveland, I earned a degree in technical theater, later switched to costuming, and headed to NYC. Finally seeing the futility of trying to become rich and famous in the Big Apple, I joined VISTA—Volunteers in Service to America—ending up in Chicago for three years. Then it was on to Denver, where I put down roots and worked as a costume designer until I retired in 2007.

I began writing a few years ago after joining an online fanfic group. Two friends and I then started a group for writers, where they could post any story they wished, no matter the genre or content. Since then I've been writing for publication. My first book came out in February of 2011. Most, but not all, of my work is M/M, either mildly erotic or purely 'romantic'. More often than not it involves a mystery or action/adventure, and is sometimes paranormal as well.

Reviews

[♥Laddie♥ (Lee Lee) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good good good but there needed to be more. Usually I just accept a novella for what it is but this plot deserved to be explored more thoroughly. Still, I enjoyed it.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery involving a young homeless man (on the streets since he was fourteen) and a priest running a shelter for homeless kids is bound to be interesting, right? 'Safe Harbor' is just such a book, and I really liked it; from the characters and the plotline, to the detailed descriptions and even a few humorous moments, it had everything I expected. It was gritty in the right places, and very romantic and tender when the two main characters started exploring their relationship – or rather, expanded it into the new-to-them arena of romantic involvement.

Bobby, aka Prizm when he is on the streets, has had to fend for himself for four years, but when he witnesses two cops using some street kids for their own pleasure before arresting them, he doesn’t know what to do. It isn't just him anymore, and he has a feeling more might be involved. And when some of them turn up dead, he is ready to drop his "I hate everyone" attitude and decide to help solve their murders. In a decidedly Bobby-like way, of course.

Father Kurt runs the shelter for homeless kids, and while his motivation maybe rooted in his religious beliefs, he is as worldly as they need him to be. He is also an Episcopalian priest, so he doesn't have to hold back where Bobby is concerned. Well, not beyond the fact that he feels he is too old for the much younger man. Luckily he has a good friend on the police force as well, so finding out who murdered the kids is made a little easier. Working together with Bobby, who attempts to seduce him at every turn, shows him there my be potential for a lot more than the tentative friendship they have at the beginning.

If you like unusual murder mysteries, if you enjoy a young man going after a guy no matter his age, and if you enjoy realistic stories where kids and adults live in the street and deal with life as best they can, you will probably enjoy this book.




NOTE: This book was provided by Silver Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

** 3.5 Stars **

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bobby is a street kid who has noticed the priest is most definitely a man so he keeps his distance from the shelter. I love how Bobby looked up the rules for Episcopal priests. But when Bobby witness what looks like a crime to him he knows the priest is the only one he can talk to. They get involved in finding answers and trying to protect other street kids. Somewhere along the way they both admit they have feelings but next they have to find time to be together when they aren't asleep on their feet.

[Natalija · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safe Harbor is one of those books that is difficult to rate. On the one hand, it's a well-written, gripping story with engaging characters, but on the other hand, the subject matter is so distressing that it makes it hard to enjoy. I read this book in one sitting and liked it much more than I thought I would. While it gives an honest, heartbreaking portrayal of homelessness, it's also a story of strength and independence, and community. Recommended!

[jules0623 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Argh! I have the same issue with every one of this author's stories. They're interesting plot-wise, the MCs are likable and have chemistry, the sex is not clogging up the story, and it's all nicely wrapped up with a pretty bow in the end, but I'm always left wanting a little more. More time with the characters to make them memorable rather than nice to spend an hour with then forget. More time for an intriguing plot to unwind. More time for the romance to develop.

[Idamus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had so much potential, I liked the characters and the plot was OK, it was just way to short to do it justice