Elle Keaton

In The Nick of Time (Subpar Heroes Collection) by Elle Keaton: New Release Review

August 5, 2024 by Denise

Have you always thought you were special?

Perennially unemployed loner Nick Sedgewick applies to an online job opening with that exact phrase and expects nothing to come of it. It was likely a no-so-funny prank after all.

If Doug ‘Long Shot’ Swanson wanted a new work partner he’d hire one himself. He’s perfectly happy on his own and if he plays his cards right he’ll retire sooner rather than later. And he certainly wouldn’t hire an irritating spicy-candy-eating slacker who’d probably miss his own funeral.

But somebody is killing off agents and Nick’s new boss needs Doug and Nick to figure out who it is and put a stop to it. And if they accidentally fall in love along the way that is no one’s business but their own.

Neither man wants to be a hero. But maybe between the two of them, they can save the world. Or at least their little corner of it.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I’ve read a couple of these books and they are fun. I love the premise of super powers that aren’t that helpful. Reminds me of that meme, what would you steal from an ex just to make their life a little annoying? All the batteries in the house. Or all the lightbulbs. Silly, but effective.

Nick has a power that could be way more effective. But being subpar, it’s a little effective. But he still is recruited to partner with a former hero who left the game. And plans on retiring very soon. And doesn’t want a trainee or partner. Too bad.

This one, I will say, is slightly, very slightly, more serious than the others I have read. Mostly because there are dead and missing agents. Doug wants to figure it out, find the missing agents before they are dead agents and unfortunately he has to drag Nick around. Oh. And a 50 pound tortoise named Tim. You’ll see. But there is definte comic relief there.

Naturally, both Doug and Nick are gay and you can see where that is going, yes? I did love how Nick teased Doug so much. Never in a mean way, but to get him to unclench a bit.

A little more background story on Nick would have been nice, but it’s fine. So a former hero, a subpar hero, a tortoise and Vegas. It’s a fun romp.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Adverse Conditions (Reclaimed Hearts, Book 1) by Elle Keaton: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, and Giveaway

March 31, 2023 by Denise

. .

Xavier swore he’d never move back to the flyspeck of a town he’d grown up in and he kept that promise for over twenty years. Now he’s back for good.

Vincent never left. After earning his teaching certificate, he stayed in town to be close to his elderly parents. These days he’s the single dad of a fifteen-year-old daughter and working two jobs to make ends meet. He’s perfectly happy with his life.

Xavier’s mission is to save Cooper Springs. But his efforts are being hindered by his stodgy, straight-laced, rule-following neighbor, Vincent Barone. Dark-eyed, broad-shouldered, and muscly Vincent, who Xav stealthily ogles when he toils in his yard sans shirt. For a high school shop teacher, Vincent is too sexy. And he has a kid. And he infuriates Xavier. And anyway, love is for suckers.

Vincent doesn’t have time to date. And he certainly wouldn’t date his flashy, arrogant, neighbor who he absolutely did not have a crush on in high school. Who did Xavier think he was, moving back to town and throwing his weight around, causing butterflies in Vincent’s stomach, and making his stupid heart beat faster every time he saw him?

Cooper Springs has changed since they were kids, and maybe two guys can move from hate to love. But are they ready? Will Vincent bend a few of his rules? Will Xavier reign in his chaotic tendencies? Is love in the air?

Then there’s the matter of the grisly discovery in the woods, murder is bad for business.

Welcome to Cooper Springs, home to UFO chasers, Sasquatch believers, conspiracy theorists, chainsaw artists, and regular folk just trying to make a living. And, quite possibly, a killer.

Adverse Conditions is the first in the Reclaimed Hearts series, set in the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, it is an opposites-attract, older lovers. enemies to lovers, small-town romance, with a little murder.

Title: Adverse Conditions
Author: Elle Keaton
Series: Reclaimed Hearts, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

If Vincent had any luck at all, Romy would never know that he had fallen asleep at Xavier’s until oh-dark-thirty, when he’d woken in a panic, jumped out of bed, and dashed across their street, barefoot, clutching his sweatshirt to his chest like the last remaining heroine in a slasher movie.

He was not that lucky.

A sleeping Xavier had mumbled something that hopefully wasn’t him being mad that Vincent was leaving. After school was out, he planned to track Xavier down and they could talk. Or not.

“Hey, Dad. Where were you last night?” Romy asked as she came into the kitchen a few hours later.

He’d had two hours to come up with something and he’d come up with absolutely nothing. Vincent was a terrible liar. It was as if he had some kind of internal sensor that started going off when he tried. He stuttered, his cheeks heated, and his skin twitched—apparently no one could see him blush, but Carly had probably lied about that too.

“Oh, um, just hanging out with a friend. Lost track of time.” Smooth. He choked back a curse when he realized his fingertips were tapping restlessly against the tabletop and quickly jammed his hand into his pocket.

Grabbing a bowl from the cupboard, Romy began pouring cereal into it. Vincent let out a noiseless sigh of relief. After she’d topped the bowl off with milk, she turned his direction, staring at him as she set her breakfast on the table.

Crap. He’d let his guard down too soon.

Eyeing him, Romy drew her dark eyebrows together— his daughter had a high-quality bull-crap detector and it was on full alert. He managed to resist shifting in his seat like a ten-year-old.

“On a Monday night? When it’s not a holiday?” Her eyes narrowed. “What happened to that early-to-bed thing you nag me about all the time?”

Lifting his coffee mug to his lips, Vincent shrugged as he took a big sip so he wouldn’t have to answer right away. He also resisted the urge to point out she was his daughter, not his mother.

Her eyes narrowed further as her gaze moved to… his neck? He squirmed, standing up so whatever she thought she saw wasn’t visible. His kid could be as—er, informed as she wanted to be about sex, but Vincent was a private guy and not about to share his extra-private life with his almost sixteen-year-old. Not ever.

Turning his back to his inquisitor, Vincent fished his lunch bag out of the fridge and then busied himself transferring fresh coffee into his Cooper Springs is for Lovers travel mug. Probably left over from the 1990s, it had a tacky graphic of two hairy Sasquatches kissing with little hearts floating above their heads. He’d picked it up at the thrift store last summer for a dollar, thinking it was hilarious. Romy had just given him a disdainful look when he’d proudly showed it to her.

“Do you need a ride in today?” Please god, not today. A car ride would inevitably lead to more questions. Vincent crossed his fingers out of Romy’s sight; Romy’s friend Violet had her license and a car.

“No, Vi’s picking me up in a few minutes.”

Vincent breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well, finish your breakfast before you leave, and don’t forget your club stuff. I am not coming home to get your things for you.”

“Yes, Father.”

Romy shoved the last spoonful of cereal into her mouth, continuing to eye him with suspicion.

“And lock the door on your way out. I’ve got a meeting with Jensen this morning, so I gotta get going.”

Grabbing his backpack, coffee, and lunch bag, he headed toward the door, but had a feeling he hadn’t escaped quite as easily as he hoped. Romy wouldn’t forget this.

“Don’t forget there’s a game Friday!” she called after him as he twisted the door handle.

How could he forget with his daughter, the high school, and most of the population of Cooper Springs spending the week reminding him?

“I’ll be there. I promised I would be.”

“And bring a friend!”

A friend? Like who? Most of the town would be there anyway. This was Cooper Spring High’s chance to beat Elma High, their closest rivals. Did she mean Xavier? No way, Xavier was not a Friday-night-high-school-football-game kind of man. Vincent chuckled, imagining Xavier wrapped up in a parka and rooting for the Cooper Springs Fighting Sasquatch [SB1] football team in the pouring rain.

Yeah, nope.

Outside, the weather was cloudy, but no rain—not yet anyway. However, the weather report promised more was on the way. It was that weird time in late fall, when most of the deciduous trees were bare and the rest looked depressed, just waiting for that last leaf to drop. Vincent couldn’t stop himself from glancing across the street, but Xavier’s house was still dark.

If only Romy hadn’t already been suspicious. And he hadn’t been running late. And he hadn’t made sure Xavier’s front door was locked before leaving. If all that hadn’t happened this morning, Vincent might have snuck back over and left him a note. But Romy was probably watching him through the front window and Stuart Jensen, head of the eleventh and twelfth grade teaching staff, did not like it when his staff was late.

. .

Elle Keaton writes MM romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest with some contemporary romance thrown in. She’s passionate about writing inclusive romances with complex characters and a unique sense of place. Her characters start out broken, and maybe they’re still banged up by the end, but they find the other half of their hearts and ALWAYS get their happily ever after. In 2017 Elle hit the publish button for the first time and hasn’t looked back. Being an author is the best job Elle has ever had and now she has over thirty books available for you to read or listen to! She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and has a cribbage habit her husband encourages.

Connect with Elle:
https://ellekeaton.com/
https://ellekeaton.com/join-the-highway-to-elle-newsletter/
https://www.facebook.com/ellekeatonauthor (my page)
https://www.instagram.com/ellekeatonauthor/
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elle-Keaton/author/B06XJWJRLK
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elle-keaton
https://www.goodreads.com/ellekeaton_author

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Real Hazard (West Coast Forensics, Book 4) by Elle Keaton: New Release Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

August 29, 2022 by Denise

. .

Foster Jennings

Things I love

✓ my kid sister

✓ the no-hope dogs I rehabilitate

✓ my job as an EMT

✓ and maybe my new friend Dutch.

But Dutch isn’t gay and physical attraction isn’t something I feel often. Are these feelings real, or am I just tired of being alone?

Dutch Hansen

This is all Hazel’s fault. Hazel the Hazard.

✓ Hazel made me come to first grade safety day.

✓ Hazel blurted out—loudly—about the beautiful fireman.

✓ Hazel invited the beautiful fireman over for a tea party.

I swear I’m not gay, but Foster Jennings is the most beautiful man I’ve ever met, outside and in.

Dutch
Hansen is the single dad of a precocious daughter. He moved to Piedras wanting a better life for Hazel and himself. Things are shaping up, he’s landed a permanent job at Brooch Resort and Hazel has quit having nightmares that someone is going to steal her away.

Then everything goes sideways, Dutch’s past threatens his future and he doesn’t know where to turn.

Something is wrong, Dutch is pushing him away and won’t tell Foster why.

When Hazel goes missing Dutch can’t hide anymore, he needs his… Foster to help him get Hazel back.

#Demisexual #BiAwakening #SingleDad #FindingFamily

Book four in the West Coast Forensics series, can be read as a standalone but may be more fully enjoyed if you start with Real Trouble.

Title: Real Hazard
Authors: Elle Keaton
Series: West Coast Forensics, Book 4
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense.
Tropes: Demisexual, Bi-Awakening, Single Dad, Finding Family.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

“It is what it is. I’m the one who keeps an eye on the old man. Scott won’t set foot back here. Which, to be honest, I’m fine with. Scott and I do not get along. But enough about me.” Wade looked back at Dutch. “What about you? What skeletons do you have in your closet?”

Dutch blinked, feeling the spotlight swing his direction. He’d had just enough beer to be sort of honest. “Oh, you know. Chaos, mayhem, anarchy, and a little destruction here and there…”

“The cousins of the four horsemen.” Foster snickered, not knowing how close to the truth Dutch had come. Luckily the waiter returned with their beers and two bowls of popcorn, and the conversation veered away from the past. Dutch breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t even like thinking about his history, as if it might find its way back to him.

When their second beers were gone and the popcorn bowl empty, he and Foster both declined Wade’s offer to buy them a third. “I’m not the man I used to be.” “Dutch shook his head. “If I have another, I’ll need a ride home, and I need to be on my toes tomorrow.”

“Suit yourself,” Wade grumbled. “I’m gonna stay here a bit longer and drown my sorrows.”

“Dutch clapped him on the back as he scooted around to leave. “Take care. See you at work. Don’t let the raccoon sex get you down.”

“I keep promising myself I’ll quit.” Wade barked out a laugh. “Damn raccoons definitely have a better sex life than I do.”

Foster walked with Dutch to his car. “I never did find out your favorite band,” he complained. “Next time.”

“Definitely. My schedule is settling into something normal-ish, so just text me when you’re free.”

Dutch beeped his lock, watching Foster amble down the sidewalk to wherever he’d parked. Or maybe he’d walked here? Pulling onto the street, Dutch realized he was smiling. The evening had been fun. Even running into Wade had been fun. The squishy feeling in the center of his chest was a fledgling sense of belonging, and he wanted to keep it growing.”

I am such a sucker for a single dad!

I didn’t even realize that this was part of a series, so I’m going to have to go back and read the others, but in this one, we have Dutch and his daughter Hazel. (is that not the cutest old lady name?) They moved to a new town for a fresh, safe start, and things are going really well….for a while.

Foster is an EMT and it’s Hazel who brings him to attention during a safety day at school. I loved her from the very first second, I thought she was the cutest.
It isn’t often that you see a child character so upfront and prevalent, especially in m/m romance.
Not that it’s unheard of, but they tend to stay background characters and it felt like Hazel demanded to be seen and heard, and she fit in so effortlessly. I just adored her.

Unfortunately, as it does, just when folks finally find a little sense of happy, trouble comes knocking… Dutch tries to figure things out on his own and pushes Foster away… or he attempts to. Foster isn’t so easily swayed.. he’d already gone and gotten charmed by the cute duo, so he doesn’t scare away easily.

This one was a slow burn and I enjoyed every bit of it. I mean, cute kids, a sexy EMT, an ex-enforcer for a motorcycle gang, an outspoken and resilient little girl, and ….also puppers! Why wouldn’t you want to read this one?

5 easy pieces of eye candy for me! I can’t wait to go back and read all that I missed!

. .

Elle Keaton writes contemporary gay romance and MM romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest. Elle’s books are known for their hot mm romance, complex characters, and unique sense of place. The men start out broken, and maybe they’re still banged up by the end, but they always find the other half of their hearts.

Elle published first in 2017, now she has over seventeen books available for you to read or listen to.

She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with ballpoint pen.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

Connect with Elle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElleKeatonWrites
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HighwayToElle/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elle-keaton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellekeatonauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PirateQueenRdz1
MeWe: https://mewe.com/profile/5ac2766f310a7853d4ce8ad4
Website: https://www.ellekeaton.com/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3R02Cff
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/ek-gr-profile

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Real Hazard by Elle Keaton: Release Blitz, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

August 25, 2022 by Denise

. .

Foster Jennings

Things I love

✓ my kid sister

✓ the no-hope dogs I rehabilitate

✓ my job as an EMT

✓ and maybe my new friend Dutch.

But Dutch isn’t gay and physical attraction isn’t something I feel often. Are these feelings real, or am I just tired of being alone?

Dutch Hansen

This is all Hazel’s fault. Hazel the Hazard.

✓ Hazel made me come to first grade safety day.

✓ Hazel blurted out—loudly—about the beautiful fireman.

✓ Hazel invited the beautiful fireman over for a tea party.

I swear I’m not gay, but Foster Jennings is the most beautiful man I’ve ever met, outside and in.

Dutch
Hansen is the single dad of a precocious daughter. He moved to Piedras
wanting a better life for Hazel and himself. Things are shaping up, he’s
landed a permanent job at Brooch Resort and Hazel has quit having
nightmares that someone is going to steal her away.

Then everything goes sideways, Dutch’s past threatens his future and he doesn’t know where to turn.

Something is wrong, Dutch is pushing him away and won’t tell Foster why.

When Hazel goes missing Dutch can’t hide anymore, he needs his… Foster to help him get Hazel back.

#Demisexual #BiAwakening #SingleDad #FindingFamily

Book four in the West Coast Forensics series, can be read as a standalone but may be more fully enjoyed if you start with Real Trouble.

Title: Real Hazard
Authors: Elle Keaton
Series: West Coast Forensics, Book 4
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense.
Tropes: Demisexual, Bi-Awakening, Single Dad, Finding Family.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Dutch blinked, feeling the spotlight swing his direction. He’d had just enough beer to be sort of honest. “Oh, you know. Chaos, mayhem, anarchy, and a little destruction here and there…”

“Suit yourself,” Wade grumbled. “I’m gonna stay here a bit longer and drown my sorrows.”

“Dutch clapped him on the back as he scooted around to leave. “Take care. See you at work. Don’t let the raccoon sex get you down.”

“I keep promising myself I’ll quit.” Wade barked out a laugh. “Damn raccoons definitely have a better sex life than I do.”

Foster walked with Dutch to his car. “I never did find out your favorite band,” he complained. “Next time.”

“Definitely. My schedule is settling into something normal-ish, so just text me when you’re free.”

. .

Elle published first in 2017, now she has over seventeen books available for you to read or listen to.

She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with ballpoint pen.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Not a Boy (All American Boy Series) by Elle Keaton: Blog Tour, and Exclusive Excerpt

April 27, 2022 by Denise

Henry should have kept on walking by when he spotted the younger man sitting alone on the beach. He should never have stopped, never sat down, and certainly never kissed him. Because now Henry is experiencing feelings. And he doesn’t like it one bit.

Things happen for a reason, even random hook-ups. Ben was supposed to get off work early that night. It was no accident the sexy stranger stumbled on his beach hiding spot. The Kiss was destined, as well as what happened afterward. It wasn’t as if Ben believed in love at first sight, but this was damn close.

It’s a good thing Henry lives three-thousand miles away or he might do something stupid, like ask for Ben’s phone number.

Ben’s hometown boss begs him to return and he agrees, only regretting not being able to say goodbye to his snarky divorce lawyer. But all the wanting in the universe isn’t going to bring them together again, he doesn’t even know Henry’s last name. Besides, home is on the west coast, not Maine.

Sometimes the universe is a funny place.

#foundfamily #agegap #acceptance #oppositesattract #boynextdoorisnotaboy

Title: Not A Boy
Author: Elle Keaton
Series: All American Boy Multi-Author Shared World Series
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: age gap, small town, hook up leads to love, parents can be stupid

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Ben leaned as close as he could and whispered in Henry’s ear. “I’m twenty-six, Henry Carr, not a boy, and if I want to exchange bites with the sexiest man at this table, I will. If you’re worried about Chuck because of something he might say or do to you, let me know, and we’ll keep the whole thing under wraps. But before you make your choice, let me be clear. I want to go home with you tonight. The only good about this…” he glanced around the table, “travesty of a wedding is the fact that it brought you here to me. I’ve missed you and since I didn’t know your last name, where you worked, or what city you lived in, I couldn’t find you. It’s rare for me to buy into Marigold’s tarot readings, but we’re meeting again for a reason, and I’m going to make it hard for you to say no.”

Henry’s mouth opened and closed. “Yes.”

“Yes?” Ben leaned back, giving Henry space.

Now Henry closed the distance between them. “Yes. I want you to come home with me tonight. I want to spend the weekend with you. I want you naked and in my bed.””

Elle published first in 2017, now she has over seventeen books available for you to read or listen to.

She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with ballpoint pen.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

Real Trouble: M/M Romantic Suspense (West Coast Forensics Book 1) by Elle Keaton: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

June 14, 2021 by Denise

Two men on opposite sides of the law: will they be able to set aside their differences and trust love?

Danylo Peters has issues, lots of them. He’s not on Piedras Island by accident, he’s not a nice guy, and Peters isn’t his real name. Dany’s hiding, trying to escape his family’s influence and start a new life. But he must have been born under a bad sign because the very man he’s really running from is one of the first he runs into.

A new life in a new town seemed like the right decision for Soren Jorgenson, especially after a difficult case left him recovering from a gunshot wound and lonely as he’d ever been. Finding Dany living on Piedras brings back all the feelings he’d tried to lock away. He’s angry and bitter and Dany is not going to continue to get away with his old tricks. Too bad Dany is just as compelling as he ever was.

The two men find themselves on opposite sides of Soren’s first case on Piedras, but neither is able to deny the attraction between them. They keep finding themselves in compromising situations; if they’re found out there will be Real Trouble.

Real Trouble is set in the Veiled Intentions world, while familiar characters appear Real Trouble can be read as a standalone. Real Trouble is a dual POV following Soren Jorgenson and Danylo Peters as they fight their way to their HEA and is the first in the new West Coast Forensics series. These characters originally appeared in the Shielded Hearts series (formally Accidental Roots).

Real Trouble By Elle Keaton

West Coast Forensics, Book 1

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

“He tromped back to the cruiser, glad to be out of the wind. The clear nights were nice but cold. Out on the main road, Soren drove aimlessly toward the south end of the island, passing through Killegen’s Point again. Chester’s Grocery-Mart was closed, as was the hardware store across from it.

As each day passed, there were more and more people visiting the island, and some of the rental houses that had been dark all winter now had lights on in the living rooms and front porches. Even with the temperature dropping to the low forties, Soren spotted smiling people wrapped up in parkas, scarves, and knit caps hanging out on patios and decks with glasses of wine or bottles of beer in their hands.

It made him feel lonely. Or maybe lonelier.

He’d been lonely in his hometown too; the feeling wasn’t anything new. He hated that he wanted to belong to someone, wanted to be someone’s person. He could swear sometimes his heart clenched with the wanting.

The evening stretched out in front of him. He’d prefer to be out knocking on doors, rattling cages and finding out who’d killed Bryan Reynolds—and set the fire at Brooch. It was possible the two events had happened within hours of each other. Were they related? What would the murder of a struggling, but generally liked, islander have to do with arson at the resort? If they were related, it was because Bryan knew something that worried the perpetrator, and Soren needed to find the connection.

An image of Dany Petyr, dark and dangerous, wormed its way into his head. He’d spent all day shoving thoughts of the other man aside. His mental lockbox was weakening as the night of no sleep took its toll. Why, of all the men on the planet, did Dany Petyr have to be the one Soren’s heart wanted? He’d wanted Dany from the first second he’d laid eyes on him, and he wanted him now.”

Elle published first in 2017, now she has over seventeen books available for you to read or listen to. She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with a ballpoint pen.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

a Rafflecopter giveaway