Today I am so pleased to welcome Elle Keaton to Joyfully Jay. Elle has come to talk to us about her latest release, Spring Break. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving Elle a big welcome!

 

Spring Break releases this Friday, I am both excited and nervous. Really nervous. This is only the third time I’ve been through this and I have terrible nerves, again. Ugh.

Don’t get me wrong, the writing gig is fun. Really, really, fun.

When setting out to write about an imaginary town and the folks that inhabit it, I didn’t expect to be quite so invested. It is imaginary, I made it up! But, I dream about it as if it was real. The characters are quirky and complicated, they make me laugh, cry, and pound the keyboard in frustration. Come on, kiss already!

All my books have an element of reality in them. In Western Washington Geoduck smuggling is a real problem and (quick go do a search) they are really ugly. I’m not one to yuck other people’s food but…not in my mouth. That said, I did see a Geoduck ceviche recipe that looked delicious. Washington State loses millions of dollars in revenue every year as well as a natural resource due to smuggling and since they take up to six years to reach maturity their population is declining. Scientists have found some live to be least one hundred years old—I don’t know how; did they ask it?

SBBannerAs a new author one of the most satisfying aspects of a book release is discovering what it was about the book that spoke to the multitude of readers out in the universe. I know what and who I like when I write and, so far, it has never been the same as another reader. We all come to art (writing is art, don’t get me started there) informed by our own preferences and life experiences. I love the diversity of readers and what they bring away from a story—what makes it the story THEY read. My favorite conversations are with readers about my characters and….I always learn something I had missed — even though I wrote them!

Series are comfort reads for me; potato chips and ice cream – Geoduck ceviche and tortilla chips? As a reader, I absolutely love to revisit old friends in new stories and see how they are doing. Not only to I like to revisit, I absolutely love to re-read, I find something new each time no matter how many times I have read something. Thinking back over the past few years of reading I came up with a mental list of series that not only do I (impatiently) wait for the next installment, I reread the series’ each time a new one is published.

Thank you stopping by today and helping me celebrate the release of Spring Break.

What are readers’ favorite series (of any genre)?

Do you re-read? Who?

What motivates you to try out a new author?


Excerpt

“Look, he seems to like you.”

Sterling squinted at the crazy man.

“Okay, tolerate might be a better word, but that says a lot. He’s not an easy guy to get to know. He doesn’t let his guard down very often.” Adam sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Definitely crazy.

“Why me?” He did not sound like a whiny bitch.

“For all the reasons I said. Plus, I am going on this goddamned vacation, but I can’t if Weir is here alone. The hotel he’s staying in isn’t going to cut it. He doesn’t have anybody to help him out, all right? Plus, stairs. It works out, too, because if you guys are around Micah will quit worrying about his psycho cat. It’s the perfect solution. Also, I won’t tell the SkPD that you weren’t first at the scene.”

Sterling gaped.

“Shut your mouth, you’re gonna catch flies.”

Sterling shut his mouth.

“So, am I calling Micah and letting him know it’s a done deal, or what?”

“Fine. But this is ridiculous. We don’t know each other.”

“By the end of it both of you will have a new friend; isn’t that sweet?”

Sterling wanted to strangle Adam. If the man weren’t built like a brick shithouse, he might seriously consider it. He had a bar to take care of, a sister to keep an eye on, and other shit he was barely getting a handle on.


Blurb

SpringBreakFinalCoverSometimes a guy needs a break. Carroll Weir got one–but it wasn’t what he expected. 

All he wants is to escape 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 his 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 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.

 

*HEA No cliffhanger

*Intended for a mature audience, 18+


Bio

Author, photographer, rare Pacific Northwest Native, Elle grew up in Seattle, WA., with the Cascade Mountain range to the east and Olympics to the west. Less than two hours northwest lie the majestic San Juan Islands. To the northeast is the Methow Valley and the scrub deserts of Eastern Washington. Geography ripe with material.

Elle’s series Accidental Roots, mostly set in the Skagit Valley of Western Washington, made its debut spring of 2017. Writing has always been a passion but not something she was able to take seriously until recently. Now her head is full of ideas and not enough time in each day.


Giveaway

Elle has brought a copy of Spring Break to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Saturday, June 10th at 11:59 pm EST.

  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
  • If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
  • Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
  • Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
  • All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
  • By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
  • Readers may only enter once for each contest.  Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
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