Anniversary Shenanigans: Author Visit + Giveaway - Elle Keaton

Elle Keaton stopped by today with a story for all the boys and girls!

I came across this memory the other day. I was a little down, depression has been a constant companion, especially during winter. I fight it in different ways; friends, exercise, healthy diet, cleaning – and, I try to acknowledge things in life I am grateful for.

Smoothing my hand across the surface of the photograph, I can almost feel the memory saved in it. It’s my ghost, sort of. I’m soaking wet and visibly about to lose the tenuous grip I have on my temper. Unfortunately, I’m known for it among the few friends I have left. Todd snapped it at the very moment when I nearly lost it. That saying, ‘darkness before dawn’? This was me. I was darkness and couldn’t believe dawn would ever break.

“What the fuck?” I shook the water out of my eyes, it didn’t matter that it was my own stupid fault for falling into the pool, I wanted to blame someone. I needed to release my anger, let it flow like the molten lava it felt like on the inside. I wanted to set fire to everything.

Gray eyes stared calmly back into my own murky brown ones. Instead of continuing my tirade I found myself caught in a bottomless gaze. Who knew dawn could be shrouded in gray mist with glints of blue and green? Something unnamable loosened in my chest, something that had been tight for too long, maybe forever.

“There’re fresh towels in the guest house. I probably have some spare clothes that will fit you.”

The world around me muted, the rest of the pool crowd probably holding their breath waiting for me to explode.

“Who are you?” I ask, bemused.

“Todd. You’re Benjamin.”

“Yeah.” I let myself be led away from the edge of the pool toward the small guest house off to the side. Inside was cool compared to the dry heat of the valley in summer. Behind me conversations started swirling again, someone dug around in a cooler for a beer, a dragon fly buzzed past on impossible wings.

“We went to high school together.” Todd said.

We had?

“I always wanted to get to know you but, lowly underclassman – no chance.”

“Yeah?” My vocabulary was severely limited.

Todd leaned in brushing his lips across mine, stealing my breath. Again. “Yeah.”

I learned that day a smile could be a sunrise too and I am grateful for it.

Well, that was certainly yummy!  Be sure to let Elle know what you thought of her fic in the comments! 

About the Author:

Author/imaginator & photographer (also rare Pacific Northwest Native), Elle grew up in Seattle, WA., with the stunning Cascade Mountain range to the east and Olympics to the west.

Elle shares her life with between three to five cats, depending on who's counting. She’s lived in four US states, London England, and Hong Kong; always knows what time it is, and has little problem finding parking even in the most difficult places.

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


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Enter to win an ebook from Elle's backlist . Giveaway ends 11/24 @ Midnight EST. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't miss entering in our month long unicorn giveaway HERE! It ends 12/1/17!

Trivia Question: Book featuring a baker who falls for a wedding planner who has an eating disorder. 10 pts

Random winner will be chosen around Noon EST 11/18.