Summary:
Sometimes a guy needs a break. Carroll Weir got one--but it wasn't what he expected.
All he dreams of is escaping dreary, damp Skagit, WA, for a warmer climate. Instead, Federal Investigator Carroll Weir is assigned to a cross-agency case involving geoduck smugglers and a very dead Fish and Wildlife Detective.
Sterling Bailey, the regular bartender at the Loft, likes to think of his customers and employees as family since he doesn’t have one of his own. Exhausted and tense, Carroll Weir wanders in one night and one thing leads to another. All in a night’s work, right?
Who murdered Fish and Wildlife Detective Peter Krystad? Does the killer have Weir in his sights? Things begin to heat up between them but Sterling and Weir will have to move past their personal history in order to change the course of their future.
The spark burning between them is hot enough to scald unless they’re careful somebody’s going to get burned.
Summary:
The universe is trying to tell Sacha Bolic something. A fire escape collapses under him, he lands in crap, and a killer barely misses his target... all in the same few seconds. That's on top of a long list of mishaps and job dissatisfaction. Not one to ignore signals when they're shoved in his face, Sacha retires and uses his savings to buy an old building in Skagit, Washington. With a little help from DIY videos, he’s going to bring it back to its former glory. And, yeah, it’s a metaphor. If he makes one change, others will follow…
Seth Culver avoids entanglements, romantic or otherwise. Who needs them? He’s learned the hard way that people betray you or leave. Still, Seth finds people compelling. He kind of collects them, learning their secrets before letting them go their own way. His commitment to no commitments may have met its match in Sacha. Handsome and hot, Sacha seems to offer a permanence that scares Seth more than anything ever has. Seth will have to decide if he’s going to grab life by the balls or keep watching from the sidelines.
A box of inconsequential belongings hidden for decades in the old building hints at lives imagined but not lived, reminding them both there are no guarantees in love, or this thing called life.
Summary:
If you don’t know what you want, would you recognize it if you found it?
Miguel Ramirez is the definition of pochos; a half-breed-white-washed Mexican–American who doesn’t speak Spanish (also unapologetically bisexual). Three years ago he arrived in Skagit a broken man having barely managed to escape an abusive relationship. Slowly, he’s rebuilt his life. He’s tried hard to discard his deepest desires and be happy with what life has doled out. Family feels out of his grasp, no one really wants to keep a stray after all. Except, maybe, a red-haired stranger with a galaxy of freckles covering his face who seems to encompass everything Miguel’s learned to avoid.
Nate Richardson; focused, solid, reliable, career-minded, Federal Agent. No time for relationships outside of work. Then he runs into Miguel with his crazy green eyes, rakish smile and outrageous sense of humor. Nate starts thinking about Miguel as more than just another guy. Nate was sure he didn’t care about sex and didn’t believe in love…he’d never met Miguel Ramirez before.
Things quickly heat up between Nate and Miguel. Crime is heating up in Skagit as well. Nate is sidelined when the case he is working on reaches a frustrating standstill. In the meantime, unnerving incidents transpire, some literally on Nate’s doorstep. Will outside forces—or their own baggage—keep Miguel and Nate apart? What exactly is family, and can Miguel and Nate make one of their own?
Original Review June 2017:
Carroll Weir can't wait to leave soggy Skagit behind now that everything that brought him there is wrapped up but as we all know life doesn't always work how we want, Skagit is not done with Agent Weir. Sterling Bailey sees so much as the bartender of The Loft but nothing surprises him because of his past and the love he has for his little sister is what brought him home to Skagit. When their paths cross in a late night hook-up, we all know it's going to become more and boy does it ever!
The mystery and drama that fills the pages of Spring Break may have nothing to do with what was in books one and two, so it is readable by itself and not necessary to have read them first. Personally, I am glad that I read Storm Season and No Pressure first, the main characters from those two stories pop up as secondary characters and it just made it flow better having known their story. But I will admit that had I not, I wouldn't have been lost.
Weir and Bailey's journey is a wonderful tale of lust, fighting, friendship, mystery, but mostly it is filled with heart that had me hooked from beginning to end. With Spring Break, Elle Keaton has cemented her place on my author's to watch list and I can't wait to see what she brings next to the Accidental Roots series.
As Sure As The Sun #4
Original Review October 2017:
When Sacha Bolic has a fall on the job that had the potential to be a lot worse than stiff joints and achy muscles, he decided it was time for a change in direction. Seth Culver may be the half-brother to a member of law enforcement but that doesn't stop him from helping out a stranger with the offer of a hot shower and coffee. When researching the past, will Seth and Sacha find a happily ever after or just a happy for now?
I couldn't help but love Seth's carefree nature but he is more guarded than you think and it actually makes me want to wrap him up in bubblewrap so he has to listen and give him a good talking to about taking chances. Sacha on the other hand is guarded about his past, for good reason, but he is open for the first time that love is possible. One of the things I loved about this pair is that on the surface they really should not mix, they appear to be almost too opposite to fit the "opposites attract" trope but really they aren't that different when you get to know them.
As a history buff and lover of historical fiction, Seth's desire to learn Owen and Theodore's story really sucked me in, probably even more than Seth's need to discover their tale. There's a little bit of everything in As Sure as the Sun: romance, history, lust, family, friends, and of course love.
This installment in the Accidental Roots series is a standalone and can be read without the first three entries but for me, I am glad I read them in order. There are cameos of the other Skagit couples from the first three with minor references to their stories that I felt knowing those journeys made it flow together better. But, I don't think I would have been lost either had I started with As Sure as the Sun. However you choose to start, I highly recommend this series because I am already looking forward to number five.
River Home #5
Original Review February 2018:
When Miguel Ramirez found himself in Skagit, WA he also found himself a job and friends but he wasn't able to let go of his past and the trust issues that came from it but he's getting closer every day. Nate Richardson is part of Adam Klay's FBI team still trying to get a hold on the human trafficking case. When these two meet, the passionate attraction is obvious but will they be able to find happiness amongst trust and crime?
I love this series by Elle Keaton, in fact it was one of my Best Reads of 2017 so when the opportunity to read the newest installment crossed my desk, how could I not jump at the chance? River Home is a perfect fit for the Skagit universe, not only do we get to know Miguel from Buck Swanfeldt’s Garage but we also get to meet Agent Nate Richardson working the case with Adam Klay. The characters are as appealing and engaging as ever, definitely fictional but with just the right amount of what I like to call "next door neighbor factor". I just wanted to wrap Miguel in one never-ending bear hug to keep him safe and loved but I also knew he had the strength to say "Bring it on!". As for Nate, well he screamed the classic case of needing to risk something before discovering how important it or they are to him.
As for the mystery aspect, Elle Keaton blends the case perfectly with the characters and romance between them. We get to see some of our favorites from previous entries that helped fill in their own lives as well as make Miguel and Nate's more rounded. Speaking of secondary characters who were main in the other installments, if asked whether River Home is a standalone I would say, yes technically. However, I am glad I have read them in order I just find the connections between friends to flow better which in turn just adds to the warmth and heart of the story but the case too just meshed better in my head. But, yes it could be read without having read the previous entries I just don't think I would recommend doing so.
River Home(the whole Accidental Roots series really) at its core is about friendships and love and reminding us that family does not have to be blood alone, or at all, its about heart and those who are there beside you that makes a family. Elle Keaton's Accidental Roots series is not only entertaining but it also reminds us what is really important in life and when you can blend those two factors together, you know you are reading something special.
RATING:
As Sure as the Sun #4
“I brought treats,” Seth said after admiring the results of Sacha’s overnight labor’s. He held up a small white paper bag, the kind pastries come in. “Fresh out of the oven.” In his other hand he held a dented silver thermos. “And coffee. Lots of it.”
“Danish?” Sacha reached to snatch the bag out of Seth’s hand, but the asshole jerked it out of range.
“Ah, ah, ah. You must want these pretty bad. What are you willing to do for one?” Seth teased, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Seth looked good enough to eat, and Sacha was a starving man in more ways than one. Without thinking, Sacha moved toward Seth. Their chests were touching while Seth still held the bag of pastries out of reach. Seth’s breath was hot against Sacha’s cheek; his pupils dilated, reducing his irises to a strip of chocolate brown.
“Oh yeah?” Seth cocked his head to the side, exposing more of his neck. Seth smirked and the pink tip of his tongue swept out, moistening his lips. “I dare you.”
Fucking hell, he’d never backed down from a dare in his life. Sacha growled under his breath before inhaling deeply, worshipping the lingering scent of sweat and maleness that was Seth-specific. The striation of browns that made his eyes appear caramel when the light hit them right was easy to see and impossible to look away from. A week of this man in his dreams and he had no self-control.
Seth was playing a dangerous game. Sacha’s hands dropped of their own volition to rest on Seth’s hips. Seth’s lips parted. Sacha didn’t miss the invitation. Ignoring the cacophony of voices in his head telling him this was a bad idea, he pressed his mouth against Seth’s.
Fucking hell, it was perfection. Like a confection, sugary, hot, and sweet. It was impossible to resist sweeping his tongue across Seth’s lips.
“I brought treats,” Seth said after admiring the results of Sacha’s overnight labor’s. He held up a small white paper bag, the kind pastries come in. “Fresh out of the oven.” In his other hand he held a dented silver thermos. “And coffee. Lots of it.”
“Danish?” Sacha reached to snatch the bag out of Seth’s hand, but the asshole jerked it out of range.
“Ah, ah, ah. You must want these pretty bad. What are you willing to do for one?” Seth teased, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Seth looked good enough to eat, and Sacha was a starving man in more ways than one. Without thinking, Sacha moved toward Seth. Their chests were touching while Seth still held the bag of pastries out of reach. Seth’s breath was hot against Sacha’s cheek; his pupils dilated, reducing his irises to a strip of chocolate brown.
“Oh yeah?” Seth cocked his head to the side, exposing more of his neck. Seth smirked and the pink tip of his tongue swept out, moistening his lips. “I dare you.”
Fucking hell, he’d never backed down from a dare in his life. Sacha growled under his breath before inhaling deeply, worshipping the lingering scent of sweat and maleness that was Seth-specific. The striation of browns that made his eyes appear caramel when the light hit them right was easy to see and impossible to look away from. A week of this man in his dreams and he had no self-control.
Seth was playing a dangerous game. Sacha’s hands dropped of their own volition to rest on Seth’s hips. Seth’s lips parted. Sacha didn’t miss the invitation. Ignoring the cacophony of voices in his head telling him this was a bad idea, he pressed his mouth against Seth’s.
Fucking hell, it was perfection. Like a confection, sugary, hot, and sweet. It was impossible to resist sweeping his tongue across Seth’s lips.
Thanks for stopping by, I’m Elle Keaton and I hail from the northwest corner of the US where we are known for rain, rain and more rain. I write the Accidental Roots series, set here in the Pacific Northwest featuring hot mm romance and the guarantee of a happy ending for my men. They start out broken, and maybe they end up that way too, but they always find the other half of their hearts.
I started writing way back when but only began publishing about two and a half years ago and now have nine books out. Each features a couple in my little universe, sometimes there is added mystery and suspense.
Thank you for supporting this Indie Author,
Elle
Find me, follow me, friend me.
EMAIL: elle@ellekeaton.com
Spring Break #3
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
As Sure As The Sun #4
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
River Home #5
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
Storm Season #1
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
No Pressure #2
Unforgivable #6
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
His Best Man #7
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
The Northstar #7.5
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
When It Rains #8
B&N / KOBO / BOOKS2READ
