Below Grade by Elle Keaton

A serious health scare forces Martin Purdy to rethink his life. He quits his job, sells his house, and buys a set of fixer-upper cabins on the coast. There’s just one teensy problem. Along with the property comes a very angry man.

Nicholas Waugh had his own scare, bad enough that he slunk back to the crappy town he grew up in. With no home to call his own, he finagles a security gig keeping an eye on a set of vacant cabins. The deal comes with a free one-year lease–and he’s not leaving a day sooner. Not even if the new owner gets down on his knees and begs him.

Okay… maybe if he got down on his knees.

Fifteen years of teaching college freshmen and patience is second nature to Martin. But Nick is giving Martin a run for his money. He’s one suggestive chainsaw sculpture away from justifiable homicide. If that wasn't enough, when he's not infuriated with Nick, Martin finds himself fighting an inappropriate and ridiculous attraction to the much younger man

Everyone in Cooper Springs thinks Nick is crying wolf, but creepy stuff is going on around town and he is the only one paying attention. Human remains found in the forest, and a body dumped on the property he’s in charge of, have Nick on high alert.

Meanwhile, all Martin wants to do is get started on the remodel. Instead, he’s fighting with Nick over things that go bump in the night and losing sleep worrying he’s made a disastrously wrong decision.

Failure is not an option.

What will it take for Nick to let his guard down? What will it take for Martin to admit that age is just a number and Nick is more than man enough for him?

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.

Below Grade is second in the Reclaimed Hearts series, set in the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, it is an opposites-attract, age gap, only one bed, grumpy-sunshine, small-town romance, with a little murder.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Reclaimed Hearts series!
For book one, Adverse Conditions, click HERE.
For book three, Red Flagged, click HERE.

 

 

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and I would definitely recommend that you read them in order, as getting a sense of the place and the people is important in the overall story. By the end of the first book, we knew that the cabins had been sold to an out of towner, and the worry and excitement that the newcomer posed to the town.

Martin Purdy has taken his late aunt's advice and changed everything about his future, thanks to her inheritance, and also a scary heart attack. Now he finds himself in a cold, rather desolate place with a challenge to bring tourists back to town. The friendly locals, well except his lodger, Nick Waugh. We learn quite quickly why fate has been cruel to Nick, but it is amusing watching the whole story play out as Martin does not understand what he could have done to annoy the man.

After these two become housemates due to a freak storm, we get to watch them grow closer and recognise how well they work and play together. It is entertaining to see how Nick copes with his newly found feelings after a life of being considered inadequate by his parents.

As well as the men's romance, we have the ongoing investigations following the body on the bridge and... well, I should say no more! Suffice it to say that policing in this sleepy town is maybe not so easy as the new Chief had expected!

 

 

 

ELLE KEATON writes M/M 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.

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

Connect with Elle Keaton!

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: The Highway to Elle

 

 

 

ARC provided by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Below Grade (Reclaimed Hearts #2) by Elle Keaton to read and review.

Red Flagged by Elle Keaton Blog Tour

Ex-US Marshal turned Cooper Springs Chief of Police, André Dear isn’t looking for love. He’s too busy hunting a killer.

The last person André expected to see in Cooper Springs was Dante Castone. He left Dante and the rest of his old life behind him when he moved to Washington State and what he thought would be a quiet job in a small town by the ocean.

Dante Brown went into WITSEC for his sister’s kid—sort of.

In reality, Dante's DIYing it; he isn’t the trusting sort. Daniella was the only witness to her mom’s brutal murder and needs both protection and anonymity—plus as normal a life as possible. It's just a bonus that Cooper Springs has André Dear too.

He and André have a history, and Dante wants to see if they might have a future. Someone is gunning for André and, like it or not, Dante is going to protect him. And yeah, feed him too. Does the man never eat?

André needs Dante’s help even if he doesn’t want to accept it. Dante's ready to settle down but he’s going to have to prove himself before André lets him in again.

Together, they need to catch a killer and maybe find each other in the process.

Red Flagged is book three in the Reclaimed Hearts series. A second-chance, older-lovers redemption story and thrilling romantic suspense set in the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Reclaimed Hearts series!
For book one, Adverse Conditions, click HERE.
For book two, Below Grade, check back in January.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

André’s evening reading was interrupted by a banging against his front door. The hammering was loud, purposeful, and, in André’s opinion, full of false promise. He briefly contemplated not answering. The reverberation alone told him who was on the other side.

He had a choice to make.

For fuck’s sake, the thundering knock hadn’t even startled him.

Damn.

Annoyed, he set his mystery novel—a British cozy he’d been half paying attention to while listening to the rain pound against the roof—face down on the arm of the couch and rose to his feet. Traitorous anticipation bloomed slowly, languorously, alongside the growing exasperation in the pit of his stomach, rising like the steam from a freshly brewed cup of tea.

“Dear, I know you’re in there. Answer the fucking door. It’s pissing down out here.”

Wasn’t forty-five too old for a booty call? Was it a booty call when the ass in question showed up unannounced and, well, uncalled?

André didn’t have time to answer any of that in the short distance between his couch and the front door. Reaching out, he flipped the lock open and then twisted the handle, his hand shaking slightly.

This would be the last time.

Seconds later, André was slammed back against the living room wall, his hands automatically slipping under Dante’s leather jacket and cotton t-shirt, his fingertips sliding against Dante’s chilled, damp, skin. Dante murmured something and then his mouth was on André’s, claiming him as he always did.

Always. But never forever.

Within minutes, they were mostly naked and stumbling into André’s bedroom. A trail of clothing was strewn behind them, much like Hansel and Gretel’s trail of breadcrumbs so they could find their way back out of the wicked forest.

André felt his personal forest was much more complicated than Hansel and Gretel’s, but he’d finally found a way out of it.

This was the last time they were doing this.

At least this time, they made it to the bed and hadn’t just ended up on the couch like so many nights before. Falling onto the mattress, André had landed on his back and currently was gazing down his body, watching an equally naked Dante press his nose into André’s crotch. He liked it.

God, he liked it.

His cock did too. His cock was a fan of everything Dante. But it needed to stop. It had to. A relationship that consisted of late-night knocks on the door (followed up by the best sex André had ever experienced) and an empty spot next to him in the morning was not what he wanted.

The sex was incredible but what happened afterward made him intensely lonely.

As ridiculous as it was for a man of his age and profession—a U.S. Marshal, for godsakes—André wanted a partner. A real partner.

Dante Castone, an undercover operator for the DEA, was not the man for the job.

He wanted someone who’d stand by his side through good and bad times and vice versa. Dante was not that man. No matter how fucking incredible his lips felt as they closed around André’s cock.

“Jesus,” André groaned, arching his back.

Since a partner didn’t seem to be in the cards for André at this late stage in the game, he’d decided to settle for a job that wasn’t actively trying to kill him. He wanted to head into his twilight years like a cop on The Andy Griffith Show or Mayberry R.F.D. , giving advice to innocent kids and chatting with senior citizens who would end up having the answer to everything.

“You’re distracted tonight,” Dante rumbled as he let André’s cock slip from between his lips so he could begin licking his way up André’s body. He was heading toward André’s neck, which seemed to be a favorite place of his.

“Don’t leave marks,” André complained, his hips jerking as Dante nibbled on a sensitive nipple. “I don’t want to have to explain anything to my coworkers.”

“So many rules. You know I love breaking rules.”

Dante did love breaking rules—André’s rules, at any rate.

“Quit thinking so hard.” Dante punctuated his demand by biting and then sucking hard on André’s nipple, tracing around the nub with his hot tongue.

“Fuck.” André’s cock throbbed with anticipation of what was to come—himself and Dante—and he writhed desperately underneath Dante’s pleasantly heavy, muscular body, needing more contact, more of everything.

Tomorrow he’d tell Dante they couldn’t do this anymore. No more rule breaking.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series and runs concurrently with some of the events of book two – most definitely following on from book one – so you really should read them in order! Each book focusses on a different relationship, but the underlying plotlines benefit from prior knowledge.

In this installment, we learn more about the Chief of Police and his past, as well as learning about who could also be in his present and future. André is staggered to see the man who ghosted him turn up in his small, backwater town, but is planning on finding out just why Dante is staying there with his niece. He not only finds out that the spark is still there between them, but that there are fireworks of a criminal nature not conducive to their survival. I really enjoyed the drama, especially when even André realises that going to a remote location alone wasn't the wisest move!

It was refreshing that they accepted that should they resolve the problems surrounding them, that they had every intention of making a future together – and we had enough going on without questions over the romance too! As well as their bit of crazy, we are still in the dark about the other murders in the town, so I am already looking forward to more clues in the next book.

 

 

 

ELLE KEATON writes M/M 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.

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

Connect with Elle Keaton!

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: The Highway to Elle

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Red Flagged (Reclaimed Hearts #3) by Elle Keaton to read and review.

Adverse Conditions by Elle Keaton Blog Tour

The town is worth saving, as long as conspiracy theorists, serial killers, and Vincent Barone all stay out of Xavier’s way.

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, silver fox, enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance, with a little murder. HEA guaranteed.

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Xavier glanced out the window again. Across the street, Liam Wright’s most recent chainsaw sculpture was proudly displayed in his front yard. He couldn’t quite tell what it was supposed to be, he’d have to ask Liam when he saw him.

“Yeah—” Movement in the yard next to Liam’s caught Xav’s attention. He leaned closer to the windowpane for a better view of his hunky, muscly neighbor as he stomped out into the street. The man carried a long-handled yard tool slung over his shoulder like some character out of a Monty Python movie and was dragging a clean green bin behind him.

Halting at the corner, he hefted the cast iron grating off in one swift movement and began aggressively raking the leaves and other debris out of and away from the drain. Even though he was bundled up in a yellow rain slicker, Xavier would have recognized the Samaritan anywhere. “And also, you don’t have to deal with Vincent Barone.”

Vincent Barone. His nemesis.

All Xavier wanted to do was sell property and help Cooper Springs grow. But Vincent Barone had decided to get himself certified as a real estate appraiser and stymie Xavier at every fucking turn. Every damn i and every damn t that possibly needed dotting or crossing—and many that didn’t—were mentioned in every single one of Barone’s reports. Didn’t Barone understand that there needed to be room for negotiation? Maybe Mrs. Nelson’s estate didn’t want to fix the roof and would instead reduce the sale price for a potential buyer.

“It’s his literal job, Xavier,” Daisy reminded him with a laugh. Probably hoping to stop the rant she’d spotted from over a hundred miles away. “He is supposed to find things the seller should fix. No one wants the surprise of the AC failing the day after move-in.”

“He won’t listen to reason, Daisy,” Xavier grumbled. “He is literally the most aggravating person in all of Cooper Springs. There’s a guy coming all the way from Seattle today to look at the cabins and I know Vinny-boy is going to screw it up—if it gets as far as an offer.”

Barone was extremely thorough. Which was great when building bridges or, in Vincent’s case, teaching shop at the high school and needing to make sure the bored teenagers didn’t cut their extremities off. But Vincent’s part-time second job was home appraisal, and Xavier was tired of being surprised by what Barone wrote up in his official reports. At least give a guy a heads-up that the sump pump had backed up into the garage and caused water damage. Even if Barone had noted that the damage “appeared to be years old,” banks hated comments like that. Banks wanted to hear about new roofs and perfect sewer lines, not repairs that could reduce the value of their investment. And Xavier liked to be prepared with the bad news before he talked to his clients, not in the middle of meeting with them.

How fucking hard was that?

“Have you actually tried talking to him? Or do you just stand at your window and shoot dagger glares through the plate glass?”

Xavier moved away from the window so he wouldn’t be lying when he said, “No.”

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
Adverse Conditions is the first book in Elle Keaton’s newest series, Reclaimed Hearts. Xavier, a real estate agent, has returned to his hometown of Cooper Springs and is living across the street from single dad and high school teacher Vincent, and the men do not get along. This is an enemies-to-lovers story I was intrigued with because I couldn’t see how they were going to end up lovers. Not only because they didn’t get along, but because Xavier was not interested in any serious relationship. I loved the unpredictability, and I liked that time was taken to build the heat and romance.

Adverse Conditions doesn’t just focus on the romance between Vincent and Xavier. We get to meet various interesting members of the Cooper Springs community – from the bar owner, a local artist, and a sheriff that I’m looking forward to learning more about. To add some mystery, remains are found that may or may not be those of a missing teenager.

I really enjoyed Vincent and Xavier’s romance and I’m sure we will see more of the men in future books. I think Adverse Conditions is a really good introduction to Cooper Spring and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the first book in a new series – and whilst I enjoyed the main story, and some of the world building, the murder element didn't really seem to fit. I am looking forward to finding out more in future installments.

Xavier is back in his small hometown after a nasty breakup. He is a successful real estate agent and plans on restoring some glory to his childhood home – and his neighbour and one time school mate, Vincent, looks to be a blocker in his quest. Vincent stayed home, teaches at the local school, brings up his daughter, and does house appraisals in his spare time – and does them far too well, would be the contention of many in the area.

This is not exactly the expected start of a great romance, but the author does a good job of giving us some humour, thanks in the main to Xavier's mother, and some reality checks, mainly from Vincent's teenage daughter. Their approval of this chance at love for them both helps them act on the unsettling feelings they have for each other.

Intriguing start to a series, will be good to find out what happens next.

 

 

 

ELLE KEATON writes M/M 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.

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

Connect with Elle Keaton

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: The Highway to Elle

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Adverse Conditions (Reclaimed Hearts #1) by Elle Keaton to read and review.

Real Hazard by Elle Keaton Release Blitz

They're not looking for love, but it catches them anyway. Can two very different men find common ground and claim a future... together?

FOSTER

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

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 party.

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

Dutch Schumach 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.

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

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the West Coast Forensics series!
For book one, Real Trouble, click HERE.
For book two, Real Danger, click HERE.
For book three, Real Risk, click HERE.

 

 

Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Before he could form a reply, a whirlwind in the form of a barely four-foot-tall girl raced from the auditorium onto the stage. Messy dark-blond hair escaped ties someone had wrapped around her uneven braids. Maybe she did her own hair? Foster remembered when Becca had insisted she would brush and braid her hair. There were a couple years of hilarious school pictures tucked in a photo album at home.

“Daddy says I have to apologize for saying my thoughts out loud. He says there are thoughts that sometimes should stay in my head.” She stopped in front of him. Her hands were curled into fists on her hips, and her eyes blazed as if she dared him to agree with her father.

“Hazel,” both Larch and the dad said in tandem.

Hazel turned her glare to the two adults trying to actively oppress her and then back to Foster.

Foster had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. This must be the student who’d called him pretty. “It’s okay. I accept your apology.” He glanced over at the dad. Hazel resembled her father, but where Hazel had a head full of hair, the dad had none. But, Foster thought, the guy was lucky: he had a nicely shaped head, so being bald worked for him.

“You are pretty, though.” Obviously, Hazel was one of those who liked to have the last word. “And I don’t know why I have to apologize for being nice.”

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
The latest love story to come out of Piedras Island is between Foster, an EMT, and Dutch, a cook. Both men are single dads. Foster has raised his sister, who is shortly off to college, and Dutch is raising his 8-year-old daughter, Hazel. I confess I’m not always a big fan of the single dad genre, mostly because the kids are cutesy and annoying. In this case, Hazel wasn’t too bad. She was strong-willed and forward without being too overbearing. She is also how the men meet.

For me, the best thing about Real Hazard is getting to see the two men go from being strangers, to acquaintances, to friends, then to lovers. I really appreciated their low-angst journey to love and happiness. It was just what I needed to be reading. It was lovely to see the two men help each other out and support each other as they deal with life’s daily struggles and eventually, a very dangerous situation.

I really enjoyed Real Hazard. It is a lovely romance and I think fans of the single dad genre are going to love it.

 

 

 

ELLE KEATON writes contemporary gay romance and M/M romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest. Elle’s books are known for their hot m/m 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 a ballpoint pen.

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

Connect with Elle Keaton

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: The Highway to Elle

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Real Hazard (West Coast Forensics #4) by Elle Keaton to read and review.

Real Risk by Elle Keaton Blog Tour

It's possible they're a match but first the two men will have to survive trial by fire.

Chief Flynn is fighting smoke and flames, tirelessly protecting the lives and property of his fellow islanders from yet another spate of fires.

Arson or accident?

When injury puts him on the sidelines, West Coast Forensics Arson Investigator Kimball Frye offers his assistance. Frye is The Most Irritating Man in the World, a condescending know-it-all who rubs Devon the wrong way.

Or does he?

Decades ago an arsonist stole his family from him since then Frye has devoted his life to putting them behind bars. At forty-nine, he doesn't believe in permanent relationships, instead preferring the company of interchangeable younger men.

Is the arsonist trying to shift the blame onto Devon, or trying to kill him? If it's the latter it just might work.

Feeling the pull of attraction to Devon as the firebug grows bolder is inconvenient. Will Kimball listen to his heart or his head? The younger men he's always preferred are nothing like the solid, stalwart Fire Chief.

Real Risk is the third in the West Coast Forensics series and can be read as a standalone but may be enjoyed more if you read the Real Trouble and Real Danger first. It is dual POV following Devon Flynn and Kimball Frye as they bicker and fumble their way to their happily ever after.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the West Coast Forensics series!
For book one, Real Trouble, click HERE.
For book two, Real Danger, click HERE.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Was it weird he was irritated Flynn hadn’t called him about the fires, yet he still wanted to make sure the man ate a square meal? Probably. Too bad. Kimball was hungry, and he might as well make enough for two.

Five minutes later, the shower was still running, and Kimball was texting Birdy.

K: What does Flynn like to eat?

B: Hi Kimball.

K: Hey Birdy. There’s no food here.

B: I noticed when I was there.

K: Is there a grocery store or somewhere to order delivery?

B: The closest store is Chester’s. They’re open for another hour.

Kimball checked his watch. It was just seven p.m.

K: You guys close early here.

B: Island time. Also, winter. No decent delivery this time of year.

K: Thanks.

Kimball set his phone down and began to hunt around for a piece of paper to leave Flynn a note, but before he found either, Devon reappeared. He was toweling his hair dry and had changed into worn, form-fitting Levi’s and a long-sleeved navy Henley. Where Kimball’s hair had turned white when he was in his thirties, Devon’s was jet black with just a few silver streaks at his temples, and his skin was several shades darker than Kimball’s. He looked better after his shower but still tired, circles pronounced under red-rimmed eyes. His feet were bare, and Kimball couldn’t help but notice his long toes, the second toe longer than the first.

“What are you doing?”

Still grouchy, then.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
I love spending time with the people of Piedras Island and in Real Risk we get romance between Fire Chief Devon and Kimball Frye, one of the owners of West Coast Forensics. There is an arsonist on Piedras and his crimes are escalating – enter arson expert Kimball to help with the investigation. I’m a big fan of mystery in my books and looking for an arsonist isn’t something I’ve read much. I thought it was obvious early on who the arsonist was going to turn out to be which had me initially a little disappointed, but everything turned out to be more complicated.

For me, the mystery and the arson was the background story and the relationship between Kimball and Devon was centre stage. At 40 years old, Devon isn’t looking at a relationship and 50-year-old Kimball spends his time dating much younger men. I loved the little bits of playfulness between the men and the easy way they get along. The romance is a wonderfully sexy slow burn. I haven’t been able to get Devon and Kimball out of my head since I finished reading Real Risk. I hope the next book from the West Coast Forensics series isn’t too far away. I miss Piedras Island already.

 

 

 

ELLE KEATON writes contemporary gay romance and M/M romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest. Elle’s books are known for their hot m/m 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 a ballpoint pen.

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

Connect with Elle Keaton

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: The Highway to Elle

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Real Risk (West Coast Forensics #3) by Elle Keaton to read and review.