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Shielded Hearts #4

As Sure As The Sun

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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.

A standalone in the Accidental Roots series, HEA, and hot m/m. 18+

262 pages, ebook

First published September 29, 2017

145 people are currently reading
261 people want to read

About the author

Elle Keaton

52 books549 followers
Elle Keaton is a writer, avid reader, and amateur cat-wrangler. Her love of romance novels has led her to a life of creating her own happy ever afters. She is the author of the best selling series' Shielded Hearts and Veiled Intentions. Keaton hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and cats.

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Profile Image for Simone - on indefinite hiatus  -.
754 reviews40 followers
December 7, 2018
***4.5 Stars***
The past is behind,
learn from it.
The future is ahead,
prepare for it.
The present is here,
live it.

“ #journal #vintage #hallmark movie ”

Sasha Bolic is 39 years old and feels every single year in his bones. After the umpteenth close call on his life while on duty as a US Marshall and a premature midlife crisis of some sorts, he contemplates his life choices and decides that something's got to give. Big time. And fast.

Sick of being uncomfortable with his sexuality and of living in the closet his whole life, he is tired of hiding his true self any longer and grabs the bull by the horns and retires, in order to find a new home somewhere where he just can be. The one place that immediately comes to his mind is Skagit, WA, the dump where he spent several years on an undercover mission and where he made some sorts of friends during that time. Buying an old building and bringing it back to its former beauty is his new purpose in life, which is easier said than done.

After another attempt on his life -this time by said building... or the ladder... or fate... or whatever- he literally stumbles into Seth Culver, a man he immediately feels attracted to.
"You found a part of me that I'd hidden for so long I'd forgotten it existed. You reminded me I didn't simply have to survive; I could live."

Seth, a pretty new resident to Skagit himself, came to this hicktown in order to find out more about his roots. Under his sunny and carefree attitude he hides his urgent need to belong somewhere, but living on his own for most of his life made him wary of letting people come close to him, much less him bonding with someone.

Sooooo, 'casual' seems to be the new love life. He can be pretty persistent when he lays his eyes on someone and Sasha definitely caught his interest. There was one thing, though, he hadn't reckoned with, and that is the sparkling chemistry and building connection between them.
"I need you too. I never thought I would need anyone. I never wanted to need anyone, and I kind of resent it. But I need you. It scares me."

When they find a box hidden in the old building that contains old books of poetry, postcards and an old photograph of two men...

... it sends them on a nostalgic journey into the past to find out more about the story behind it, only to discover that it could be the key to their own future.

As Sure As The Sun is the fourth installment in the Accidental Roots series and can be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend to read the other three books, too, because I think it just heightens the enjoyment to know the back story since you will meet all kinds of characters from the previous books here as well.

This book is a bit more quiet than its predecessors, there is no thrilling mystery to solve this time, just two men -two kindred spirits- with a difficult childhood who discover that they have more in common than they thought and who are doing a bit research on the side. And by 'just' I mean that I loved the focus lying on their relationship, on how they overcame their own insecurities to find out that they both deserve more than being alone for the rest of their lives because of commitment issues.

I have a penchant for the grumpy and brooding type of character and Sasha is definitely a specimen in that regard. Combined with his dry sense of humor, he was the perfect paragon for me to love his grouchy ass.
"Long story short, I retired and decided to move here."
"And do what? Where are you living? What are you doing?"
"I'm surveying the best locations in the county for shallow graves so when I get tired of all the questions I know where to hide the body," Sasha grumbled.

As far as Seth is concerned I think I need to buy a soapsuds factory anytime soon, because he is definitely another character I want to wrap in a bubble to prevent him from the depravity of this world. This time my murderous thoughts - yeah, I know, I had them again- circled around his mother and you will find out the reason when you read this book.

What grated a bit on my nerves was Sasha's insistence on being old. At 39. Damn, he made ME feel like a living mummy and I'm only nine years his senior. I mean, I get him to some extent, especially with his background, but it was laid on a tad too thick for me. I loved the way Seth dealt with it, though.
He moved away from Seth. "I'm not sure what you see in me. I'm old and broken." "Well, I'm broken too. You just can't see it. Quit fishing for compliments."

What almost broke me and had me in tears was the fate of Owen and Theodore, the two men in the old photograph, especially given that there is a sense of reality behind it to some extent. Please make sure to read the 'Post-Script dedication' at the end of the story.

Speaking of... After the dedication, there is an extra-content featuring Miguel whose story is next and for those who loved him from his first appearance -like me- and who are dying to get to know more about him and his mysterious past -like me-... READ IT! Granted, now I'm even more dying to get my grabby hands on his story, but the snippet was the icing on the cake.

Highly recommended!

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Profile Image for Jewel.
1,941 reviews279 followers
February 7, 2018
My favorite of the series, so far! Unlike the other books in this series, there really is no suspense plotline, here. Instead, we get a historical mystery that I thought was really well done and I was just as invested in learning more about Owen and Theodore as I was Sacha and Seth.

And the PostScript dedication brought tears to my eyes.
Profile Image for Jenni Lea.
801 reviews302 followers
November 11, 2017

As Sure As The Sun is quieter than it's predecessors but I found I didn't mind that aspect at all. Sometimes it's nice to read a simple love story without all the murder and mayhem getting in the way.

I've been wanting to read Sacha's book ever since I met him in book two. He intrigued me with his stoicism and curmudgeonly ways and I wanted to get to know the man underneath the scowl. Turns out, he is a beautiful, lonely soul looking to make his life more complete. He's led a rough life - born in a war torn eastern European country, growing up in foster care after emigrating to the states and putting his life on the line daily as a US Marshal while keeping himself in the closet. He's tired and worn out and he's had enough so he decides it's time to retire and pursue what he really wants out of life. He moves to Skagit, the town where he spent a couple of years deep undercover as a mob goon, and purchases an historic building, intent on restoring it.

Sparks fly when he meets Seth, another recent transplant to Skagit. There is an instant attraction between the two that leads Seth to offer things he normally wouldn't to a complete stranger, namely a place to shower and launder Sacha's clothes since Sacha has done without due to living in the building while restoring it. Both find they have quite a bit in common; their love of history and old buildings being among them.

Seth reminded me of a puppy, bouncing around and getting excited over the simplest things. He put on a great face, that of a carefree life full of love and happiness. But, it's just a face, a facade. Underneath the smiles and laughter is a scared little boy who just wants to belong to someone.

I enjoyed watching these two navigate through their blossoming relationship, first as friends, then as lovers. I feel they stayed true to themselves throughout the story, even when they weren't sure who they were at all. They had a lot to overcome and I felt their reactions and the decisions they made, even the bad ones, were realistic. I could understand why Seth did what he did though it upset me. And I'm glad Sacha was strong enough to put his insecurities aside and pursue his happiness.

And there was still a mystery here, just not prominent in the story. It was a bit heartbreaking to read about the two men in the photograph Sacha found hidden behind a wall in the building he's restoring but it was also hauntingly beautiful. It made me tear up a little bit.

This was a great addition to the Accidental Roots series and I can't wait to read the next book. Elle Keaton has proven to be a talented author and, frankly, I just like how she writes. The storyline is smooth and easy to follow. Bits of humor interjected here and there bring levity where it's needed to keep the story from becoming too maudlin. And it's just plain interesting. I want to know more.

Recommended to, well, pretty much everyone. If you haven't given this author a try I urge you to do so. This, and her other stories, are worth the read.

Profile Image for Gerbera_Reads.
1,695 reviews155 followers
April 10, 2019
Out of the four books I've read so far in this series, this one is the most romantic. It seems that Skagit pulls in lost and hurt men and gives them a chance at starting over. This particular book tells a story of two men who on the surface are very different but in truth are very similar.

After way too many close calls Sacha Bolic thinks it's time to move on from law enforcement and maybe try and connect to other people. He always felt like an outsider with his intimidating looks adding to his social awkwardness. He feels lonely and without second-guessing himself he moves to Skagit. With no plan in mind he sets out to restore an old building that hides secrets and brings him to the man who will see beneath the surface. I loved Sacha's protectiveness, his unflappable demeanor and levelheadedness. He slowly allows himself to get close to Seth, he slowly falls in love and when Seth is scared he has enough courage for both of them to fight for their love and future.

Seth Culver has never really dealt with his inner demons. The fear of abandonment keeps everyone at bay, even his half-brother Adam. It felt at times that Seth was ready to bolt. His carefree attitude was offset by the deep rooted feeling that it was best he left first than be left behind hurting. But in the end he needed to understand that he was not living. He needed to let people in, needed to learn to trust in Sacha and the promises he made.

Both men uncover old letters and postcards and try to solve the mystery of lovers past. In the end two men from long ago never got their happy ever after, and both Sacha and Seth promise themselves to live their lives to the fullest. While on their journey to discover the truth about what happened to break two lovers apart, they make new friends, discover new things about themselves and each other. It was even-paced, sweet romantic book with elements steam and mild trouble. I loved all the characters, and sneak peak for the next book promised lots of angst. This series is a real gem. I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie.
1,575 reviews47 followers
September 26, 2017

4.5 Stars!

The first thing I’ll say is although this book can be read as a standalone it does feature some of the couples from the Accidental Roots series, which I have added to my TBR list, and I think there was a familiarity about their backstories that was lost to me, because I hadn’t read Adam and Micah’s story, and perhaps Joey and Buck’s, too.

Sasha has been retired from the US Marshals for three months and has relocated to the small town of Skagit, WA, where he meets Seth, who is also a recent transplant to the small town. It’s instant attraction for both men, but neither has had an easy life. Both Seth and Sasha had horrible starts to their childhoods and while Sasha, who has been in the closet most of his life due to his military and later law enforcement career, is trying to live life out in the open and meeting Seth makes him question whether he’s finally ready for something real and solid in his life, Seth isn’t in the closet, but is he ready for a relationship?

This was a wonderful story. I loved both Sasha and Seth, although Sasha is not the most likable character, I found his grumpiness to be endearing and he definitely seemed all bark and no bite. Seth was a sweetheart who I thought I had pegged from the beginning, what you see is what you get, but as the story progresses and I learned more about him, I discovered just how wrong I was about Seth.

Hearing their childhood stories made my heart break. I wanted to cuddle them both, but together they discover how great it can be to truly let someone in. They had amazing chemistry and were definitely hot in bed.

I loved the secondary characters, some of which I’ll definitely be checking their stories out and I’m looking I’m forward to Miguel and little Owen’s story(ies).

What I loved most about this story and what touched me the most was the side story of Owen and Theodore. As Seth investigates and discovers their history and what came to be of Owen, well, I sobbed like a baby. I had really hoped his story would turn out differently and although not a main character, Owen’s story will stay with me for some time to come.


This was a really enjoyable story. My only constructive criticism is perhaps the scene changes/jumps could have been less abrupt and a bit smoother, but this was a well-written story that had a bit of everything: History, laughter, heartbreak, friendship, family, romance and love. Very recommendable!!

*copy provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Relly.
1,655 reviews29 followers
April 20, 2023
Reread 2023

Review still stands
I really like Sacha and his grumpy teddy bear routine he has going. I still wish Seth had of paid more attention to Peter's warning, if Sacha wasn't so calm and able to look at things from Seth's POV he could have created a big wedge between the guys

Good

3.75 stars

I was looking forward to Sacha’s story and was happy to learn more about Seth. This one was more relationship driven as the only mystery case element was who were the two men from the photo found in the wall. It was a nice change of pace for the series. The little extra personal information from the author at the end made it so much nicer.

I liked that Sacha left the Marshall service and returned to the town. As a reno fan I enjoyed the parts that dealt with the renovation. Sacha is so serious but when needed he was also patient and allowed Seth the time to work out things in his head. The patience stopped a major break between the two. I kind of do wonder what happens when he comes face to face with Kon due to the undercover work.

I enjoyed Seth too but wished he had of taken the warning from Peter when it was given. He was given all the information but chose to ignore it. I was good to see bits of his past and the good life he had with his aunt. I also liked the relationship between the brothers here.

Looking forward to Miguel’s book another one I have been wanting to read.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,095 reviews518 followers
October 5, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars


When I found out a fourth installment of the Accidental Roots series was available, I jumped on it. I’ve been following it from the beginning, and I’ve enjoyed all of the books. I was especially happy because I thought the series ended with the last book, Spring Break.

As Sure As The Sun follows in the footsteps of the first three stories with great characters with heart and depth. Both Sacha and Seth had believable backstories and personalities that made me care for them instantly. I thought both men were sweet and sexy, and the fact that they’re both on the damaged side tugged at my heartstrings. They both had horrible childhoods that led them to opposite ends of the relationship spectrum. Sacha wants to settle down and raise a family with a man he loves, and Seth wants anything but that, sticking strictly to light, casual, and the occasional hookup.

When they first met, I could feel the spark between them, and I was instantly rooting for them. It was adorable and brought a smile to my face. I never lost hope they’d get their happily ever after, and even though there was a bit of angst sprinkled here and there, I wasn’t disappointed. Their sexual chemistry was off the charts. It was a slower burn, but when the fire was finally lit, it became an inferno. I also enjoyed their emotional connection, even though Seth seemed to try to sabotage it by thinking about how their time together was short and Sacha would move on. I was pleasantly surprised by Sacha. I figured he, as the jaded ex law enforcement officer, would be the one who would be afraid of falling in love. Instead, once he decided he wanted Seth, he was completely in. Meanwhile, Seth broke my heart a little. He was like a lost child, and I wanted to offer him comfort and tell him everything would be alright.

Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.


Profile Image for Caipi.
1,244 reviews33 followers
February 7, 2022
Good, but just not quite what I expected.
The romance between Sacha and Seth was moving, two broken souls finding together.
Also the nostalgic subplot of Owen and Theodore, two men on a photograph from 1939 that Sacha found in the building he's renovating, brought me to tears. First when reading this story and again when reading the post-script dedication to the author’s Great-Uncle Owen.
But this was the whole story of this book. No real mystery, which I definitely expected after the first three books of this series....
So for the romance and the emotions this book gave me I would give it 4.5 stars, but as part of this series only 3.

Looking forward now to Miguel's story.
Profile Image for The Novel Approach.
3,094 reviews137 followers
September 30, 2017
Retired US Marshal Sacha Bolic returns to the small town of Skagit, where he once worked undercover but is now investing his time and money in renovating old buildings such as the Warrick, a bank building built in 1899. He’s also hitting his forties—and knows it’s time for him to stop living in the closet and to start a new life. Maybe even to find someone to share his gruff and impatient personality with.

Seth Culver’s childhood wasn’t always a good one, but luckily, he was taken in by his wonderful and loving Aunt Marnie. And, it did leave Seth with the ability to read people. He moved to Skagit to try and find some type of a family connection, and ends up no only finding his half-brother, Adam, and Adam’s boyfriend, Micah, but he makes quite a few friends too. Seth is a really sweet guy, has a green thumb, and loves historic old buildings. But he’s afraid of opening his heart to anyone.

While working on his renovation, Sacha has a run-in with a ladder and needs some caffeine. He winds up at the Coffee Place, where Seth just happens to be exiting. Seth immediately becomes concerned with Sacha’s appearance, and takes him under his wing. When Seth takes Sacha back to the Warrick, he is absolutely taken in by the historic building, and as their personal connection grows, Seth makes it a point to stop by the Warrick to see the progress on the renovation. And to see Sacha. With the discovery of some hidden boxes, one in particular that holds an old book with the inscription, “To my dear Owen, may these words find you. TG”, it leads Seth on a journey to discover their identities.

Along with the renovation, and wanting to get to know Seth much better, Sacha finds himself in a sticky situation with his mischievous foster brother, Peter Crane. Sacha comes up with a shaky idea that will get him and Seth away from Skagit, but he’s not sure where it will lead.

Elle Keaton really surprised me with this fourth installment of the Accidental Roots series. As Sure As The Sun takes a different turn from the previous books, as there aren’t any FBI cases to be concerned about, and I had no idea that the storyline would bring Seth and Sacha together. They have a sort of quiet but passionate connection, and it was interesting how both their childhoods had so much conflict and insecurity. I really liked Seth’s determination to do as much as he could to find Owen and TG, and Sacha supported his determination in his own way. I could not see either Seth or Sacha being any different than the way they were created.

If you follow this series, Adam and Noah make an appearance along with many of the characters from previous novels, which is always fun and interesting. Of course, there’s a sprinkle of new characters too. The Owen and TG plotline was developed from a true story about Elle Keaton’s, Great-Uncle Owen, and she provides details with a Dedication at the end.

I have been invested in this series from the start, and the author has done nothing but kept me interested and entertained. I’ll be waiting patiently for Miguel’s story, unfortunately until Spring-ish 2018, and maybe a new character as well.

Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
Profile Image for Kaje Harper.
Author 91 books2,730 followers
September 24, 2018
This book is a slow warm story about two men with rough childhoods finding themselves finally able to trust someone enough to consider a real relationship. Despite Sacha having been in law enforcement, and threads about a fire and mystery off-page, there is no real mystery element to this story.

Sacha has returned to the small town of Skagit, WA - a place he stayed while undercover, and where he at least has acquaintances. He saw an abandoned old bank building and decided to invest some of the money that piled up while he was married to his job and not spending any, and buy it to restore. As he begins that Herculean task, he encounters a kind stranger with no apparent fear of odd, plaster-dust-covered men, who rings all his bells. Seth is everything Sacha didn't let himself want until now, but out of his macho-world Marshal job, and out, Sacha can at last think about a future with someone special in it.

If his foster brother Parker didn't show up with disaster following him, as usual.

Seth grew up with a negligent addicted mother - finding a safe home with an aunt at age 7 didn't erase the deep wariness he has about anyone else's promises. He has perfected a cheerful, warm facade that isn't fake, but which hides the careful isolation and walls around his heart. He likes sex, is happy with casual, and runs from anything more. And despite all he and Sacha find they have in common, Seth is determined to be careful not to step past his own boundaries.

I hadn't read the other books in this series, but it stands alone very well. I will be curious to read Parker and Zeke's story, which I don't see out, but hope someday we get. I put Joey and Buck, Adam and Micah, on my TBRs - but you don't need to know their stories to get full enjoyment from this one.

This was a slow burn, with some back and forth, hot and cold, from Seth. There's a little plot about tracking down two men whose postcards show up hidden in the wall of the old bank, which serves as a plot driver and adds a little emotion. I took off a star for a time jump that has the two epilogue chapters show in abbreviated retrospect some things I wanted to see play out on the page. But I really enjoyed these two guys, their slow connection, their issues and concerns, and their happy ending.
Profile Image for Antisocial Recluse.
2,712 reviews
July 19, 2021
3.5 Stars Nice, not so exciting

This is much more low-key than the previous stories of the series, no mobsters or criminals except the one in the beginning that convinces Sacha to retire from the Marshals. Sacha was undercover in Book 2 (Joey & Buck) and decides Skagit is a good place to start a new business. He meets Seth and the two fall into a casual relationship, punctuated by Seth’s search for the owner of the old letters he found. It took some effort on my part to keep going while waiting for some direction to the rather slow-moving narrative or some added plot. I did want to see Sacha & Seth become a solid couple.

An appearance by Sacha’s foster brother occupies some page time but adds little to the storyline. The guys search for the letter owner does happen yet again, has too little influence on the characters that I could see. It boils down to Sacha and Seth overcoming the impacts of fairly tragic childhoods to become a couple with some help from Adam & Micah, and Joey & Buck. I suppose it’s more of a transitional book for the series. A new character, Owen, who the couple met in their search, is brought in, likely appearing in another installment. It was enjoyable overall but not my favorite of the series.
Profile Image for Jenny Wood.
Author 26 books310 followers
June 8, 2019
Seth and Sacha…

I’ll admit that I was very intrigued by Sacha when we first met him while he was undercover as a hired trafficker. He met and worked with Adam and Joey took an instant liking to him, and I just loved Joey, so we knew he had to be good people, right?

In this one, it’s been a while since all that went down and he’d gone back home to the same ol’ stuff… getting shot at and pushing his body too far for a job he’s kinda tired of. So, without much fuss, he resigns and goes to the last place he made a couple of friends and knew it would be a quiet, albeit lonely life.

Seth, as you may remember, is Adam’s half brother. If you haven’t read any or all of these by now, I’ll advise you to stop what you’re doing and go read… seriously, they’re all so good! A smidge on the side of too long, but well worth it.
When Sacha spends countless hours working on the old building he bought to fix up and flip, he doesn’t realize he resembles a zombie when he walks to get coffee. That’s where he literally bumps into Seth.

Seth being the chatty, compassionate man that he is, goes right into nurture mode and drags Sacha home with him to clean up, feed him and get him some rest. Of course, they’re attracted to each other because they’re about as opposite as two people can be, but with a surprising amount in common; especially their past and the things that cause both of them to have trust issues.

I really felt for both of them, though I thought for sure that it would be the big, broody Sacha that wasn’t on board with pursuing anything with Seth… things go smoothly though, and we get some side stories, like Sacha’s adopted brother running to Sacha with some trouble on his tail, and Seth finding some old pictures in the house they’re remodeling and trying to find the owners and to hear their story. That part will break your heart, I was not prepared for that…. Just a little bit of heartbreaking history…

Because both men have trust issues and not a lick of experience in relationships… it gets a bit rocky a time or two, but Sacha isn’t going anywhere without a fight, and Seth realizes immediately that the fear of living without Sacha is far worse than the possibility that it could actually work out.

I loved seeing a softer side to Sacha, he’s possessive and just the right amount of jealous and grumbly. I dig that. I really enjoyed that, and I’m so much looking forward to Miguel… I have a feeling he’s going to be another heartbreaker for me. I’m hooked into this series and I’m so glad I’m catching them all after their all out, so I don’t have to wait to jump into the next one!

5 stars from me!
Profile Image for Jenn.
1,180 reviews7 followers
September 30, 2017
4 – 4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this story – from beginning to end, I loved these characters and their whole journey to find happiness. This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone, although there are appearances from other characters.

After facing another near death situation with the U.S. Marshals, Sacha has decided it’s time to retire, he’s done with that life. He decides to pack up and move to Skagit, WA, a place he is familiar with from his time working under cover. He buys an old building in town and now his mission is renovation. Things start out a bit rough for Sacha, but looking like an exhausted zombie in need of coffee he meets Seth outside a coffee shop. Seth is a bit of a free spirit, a total sweetheart who loves people but doesn’t get attached. He offers to help Sacha right from the start, first coffee but also around his building as well. Seth just loves the history there. The two definitely have a connection and smoking hot chemistry and despite their different personalities a good friendship too.

Sacha and Seth are just freaking adorable together, with Sacha’s grumpiness and Seth’s sweet, endearing personality I just adored these two together. Both men had incredibly difficult and painful childhoods that have certainly left their marks on them as adults. Sacha has lived a life focused on his career and for the first time is trying to life openly and honestly. Seth believes that everyone leaves so don’t bother getting attached, but as these two grow closer their relationship seems to naturally happen and it scares Seth.

At the same time Sacha and Seth and figuring their own path, they stumble upon an old box in Sacha’s building. This box holds the heart wrenching story of Owen and Theodore, two men from the early 1900s that will break their hearts but also help them appreciate what is happening between them.

This was a great read, a great mix of amusing, smoldering hot and sweet romance. I really enjoyed seeing these two men finally open up and find love, they were two characters that really deserve that happiness. I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series!
1,008 reviews8 followers
April 21, 2018
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

We met Sacha earlier in this series while he was working undercover for the Marshall service. At 39 he starts to realise his mortality, quits the service and moves to Skagit to renovate and old building. Seth has also moved to Skagit to be near his half-brother Adam and is trying to start a gardening business.

Both Sacha and Seth have had difficult childhoods and neither has had a serious relationship. Seth is an easy-going guy and Sacha is the more serious and stoic one and they make a pretty good match right from the start. This was a relationship that from the beginning felt like it was in it for the long haul, without too much drama. However no relationship is entirely drama free.

Seth is a history buff and when Sacha finds a box with some old letters and a photograph of two young men during his renovations, Seth starts investigating to find out who the men are. When Seth gets to the bottom of it and we learn Owen and Theodore’s story it is absolutely heart wrenching and resulted in me shedding plenty of tears.

As Sure as the Sun is a lovely romantic read and this book has less suspense and danger than the previous books in the series and I didn’t mind a bit. I enjoyed the intimacy between the men their discoveries about Own and Theodore, and watching them fall in love when they didn’t expect or want to. A solid 4 stars from me.

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for WycEd Reader.
2,384 reviews39 followers
April 27, 2018
Check out our As Sure as the Sun post on Wicked Reads.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
We met Sacha earlier in this series, while he was working undercover for the Marshall service. At 39 he starts to realise his mortality, quits the service, and moves to Skagit to renovate an old building. Seth has also moved to Skagit to be near his half-brother, Adam, and is trying to start a gardening business.

Both Sacha and Seth have had difficult childhoods and neither has had a serious relationship. Seth is an easy-going guy and Sacha is the more serious and stoic one and they make a pretty good match right from the start. This was a relationship that from the beginning felt like it was in it for the long haul, without too much drama. However, no relationship is entirely drama free.

Seth is a history buff and when Sacha finds a box with some old letters and a photograph of two young men during his renovations, Seth starts investigating to find out who the men are. When Seth gets to the bottom of it and we learn Owen and Theodore’s story, it is absolutely heart wrenching and resulted in me shedding plenty of tears.

As Sure as the Sun is a lovely romantic read and this book has less suspense and danger than the previous books in the series and I didn’t mind a bit. I enjoyed the intimacy between the men, their discoveries about Owen and Theodore, and watching them fall in love when they didn’t expect or want to. A solid four stars from me.

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of As Sure as the Sun (Accidental Roots #4) by Elle Keaton to read and review.

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Kristine .
1,803 reviews12 followers
July 9, 2018
This is a great story that had me turning the pages until the last one was turned. The characters are complex and jump to life off the pages. I felt as though I were a part of the story following along on the characters journey. This book is a little different from the previous ones but just as enjoyable and worth reading.
Profile Image for Rennie.
299 reviews8 followers
October 1, 2017
4.5 stars
This series just gets better with each book; while not packed with action like the previous books it didn't fail to keep me engaged. Loved both Sacha and Seth and their journey to a HEA, and after reading the extra content can't wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for Kevin.
2,672 reviews37 followers
October 25, 2021
MM romance in a small city between a former law enforcement officer and a plant lover. Both have commitment issues. Some previous characters from the series make an appearance.
Typos: sloppy use of words, sentences, and punctuation.
Profile Image for Kristina.
479 reviews35 followers
July 1, 2019
As Sure as the Sun (Book 4)- 4 Stars: [Sacha and Seth] I liked Sacha when we met him in book two. He is this big man with an attitude to match but I love that that's not completely the way he is. Seth is a very active man, I love that he gardens and has made a career from that, but my favorite thing about him was how dysfunctional his mind works.
Profile Image for Light.
305 reviews6 followers
October 2, 2017
4.5 / 5 Stars

This is a story of two men, each one with their own burdens, finding their future in each other's arms. But don't expect a mystery-crime book because it is not.

Sasha, a former US Marshal, is ready to live his life as he wants and what better way than buying a house in a place he more or less can call home, small town of Skagit, where he knows a few of its habitants. After a home accident, he's helped by carefree and handsome Seth. Seth has a great love for old houses and the one Sasha's bought has been one of his favorite. Having the chance to check the renovations daily it's like a dream come true. Not to mention the fact that would mean spending more time with grumpy Sasha. While doing that, they come across and box with old things and an even older photograph of two men, which leads to an investigation to find out what happened with them after so long (Owen and TG).

This is a book that takes its time to show us the lives of its characters. The ups and downs they've had in the past and how tough it's been to make it through until now. There were moments in the story that made you want to cry, neither of them had a lot of happy moments while growing up. But they have the oppotunity to change that when they meet.

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Their chemistry is there from the moment they meet and even though Sasha is reluctant, Seth is not going to let him run away. Passion and camaraderie are what describe them as a couple, as they don't rush things but let them flow. I loved every instant they spent together and how things turned out.

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Last but not least, I loved the story about Owen and TG and everything but it was so sad. I want more happy stories and I look forward to the next book (in 2018!) and especially to read some of the new characters' upcoming stories.
Profile Image for Beth.
2,914 reviews26 followers
July 16, 2021
More romance than suspense

The previous books involved crime, criminals, danger. The series is, after all, labeled as “romantic suspense.” This is pure romance. It is entirely about Sacha and Seth’s relationship journey. It’s not a bad story, just not what I was expecting from the series.

Sacha had had it with being a US Marshal so he retires and moves to Skagit where he had been undercover earlier. He buys a building to refurbish. He runs into Seth, Adam’s younger half-brother, who offers him a place to clean up and a meal. They develop a friendship that ultimately turns into more.

There are some side stories relating to Sacha’s foster brother one about a box of stuff found hidden in the walls of the building, but nothing related to the crime, human trafficking, kidnapping etc. found in the previous books. While the story about the old stuff in the box has some metaphors for what is happening with Sacha and Seth I saw no point in the story about the brother other than the brother giving Seth some insight into Sacha’s background. It was convoluted and I felt it detracted from Sacha and Seth. And what was the point of the guy from the Chamber of Commerce…I kept expecting that to be where the crime/suspense part was going to come from.

Overall the story was okay but kind of a let down after the previous books. It doesn’t leave me in a rush to read the next book.
Profile Image for Amanda.
384 reviews10 followers
Read
September 30, 2017
Sacha and Seth's story is a little different from the previous Accidental Roots books in that the mystery here is one from the past rather than something happening in Skagit in the present. I enjoyed the differences in this book. In As Sure As The Sun, we get more from the previous couples in the series, namely Adam and Micah as Adam is Seth's half-brother. I liked the connection Seth and Sacha share from the moment they run into each other, quite literally, outside the coffee shop. Both characters drove me a little crazy at times, Sacha with his insistence that he is "so old" and Seth with his no-strings-run-when-it-gets-serious attitude, but they are perfect for each other and finally figure it out. While they are working on them, they also come across a mystery about a couple from the past. They work on finding the truth throughout the book, and the truth is so heartbreaking and relevant it hurts. This story is sweet, sad, sexy, and fun, and I cannot wait for more of Miguel after that sneak peek at the end! Thank you for another great book, Elle Keaton!

This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend starting from the beginning of the series.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,551 reviews9 followers
October 1, 2017
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Signal Boost Promotions for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

As Sure as the Sun is Book 4 in Elle Keaton's Accidental Roots series. This book can be read as a standalone, though there are characters, couples and a storyline from previous books mentioned in this one. Sacha was in a previous book undercover so very little was known about him. We also met Seth previously, and a little of his story was shared as he was reunited with a brother he'd never met.

It was time for Sacha to make some changes in his life. He retired from his job at the US Marshalls, bought a building in Skagit, and decided to remodel it himself. In what became normal for Sacha, he fell off a ladder, which led him to meeting Seth. Both men are solitary but felt a connection upon their first meeting. Seth is interested in the building, Sacha is renovating and invites himself in to learn more about it. He's also intrigued by the big, silent, standoffish Sacha. Though Seth is solitary, he likes people and wants to be around them. Sacha on the other hand just wants everyone to leave him alone. But Sacha can't help but be drawn to Seth and to be intrigued by the history of his building. But, as has become normal for the men of Skagit, things are never that easy.

Sacha may have only been 39, but at heart, he was 1039! He really was the epitome of a grumpy old man, even if he was only 39. He didn't like to interact with others, was gruff, and always ready for life to bring him down. But, I liked him for some odd reason, even before I got his childhood story which was heartbreaking! I was excited to read Seth's story since his introduction in Book 1 and am so happy he's finally found love. Seth is a happy go lucky guy on the surface, but he had a rough childhood until his aunt saved him.

This book is different in the first three because there were no crimes, murders, or any of the such taking up the pages. And, though I enjoyed the first three books, it was nice to know that there was more to Skagit than criminals! But the author did bring some mystery into the story with the storyline of Owen and Theodore. Seth and Sacha searched until they found the answers that were hidden in the walls of their building and we got a delightful meeting with Owen's sister and nephew, characters I absolutely adored!

This is a series I definitely recommend you read! And, even though this book is a standalone, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning that way you can get the full enjoyment of getting to know the characters of Skagit, Washington. It may seem like a small, sleepy town but you'll never believe everything that's going on behind the scenes!

Rating: 4 stars
Profile Image for Michele.
593 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2017
We meet Sacha Bolic in book 2, when he saves Joey (a clueless ER nurse coerced into aiding a criminal) from his own stupidity while working undercover as muscle for a mobster operating in Skagit, Washington. Sacha was on loan from the Marshal Service. His ability to speak several Slavic languages fluently, made him perfect for this mission. Unfortunately, Sacha discovers (after returning to his regular job), that he has lost his taste for law enforcement. Instead, he returns to Skagit with the goal of flipping a historic building. Scagit is the only place in recent memory where this Bosnian war-orphan ever found true friendship and a measure of peace.

We meet Seth in book 1. He is Adam's unexpected half-brother from a different mother. Seth attempts to contact his birth father after finding a valuable watercolor in his aunt's possessions after her death. Seth was raised by his spinster aunt after his con artist mother was incarcerated. He never expects the painting to lead to a half brother...and chooses to stay in Skagit a while, getting to know his new family.

Sacha is immediately drawn to Seth's easy personality and trusting, generous nature. The guy basically invites him over to take a shower and a nap the first time they meet. Seth encourages Sacha to open up and let others in...something that is very difficult for this ex-law enforcement officer.

The first half of the book is breezy and angst free as the two get to know one another. While renovating the old building, Sacha finds several boxes of personal belongings and the two make a cross-state pilgrimage to discover why these items were left behind. It cracked me up when pair visited some of the same obscure places I've been to (ex. Concrete, WA).

Later, Sacha and the reader discover that Seth's personable mask is a coping mechanism to hide deep seated insecurities and abandonment issues from his childhood. He's never allowed anyone as close as Sacha and he panics when he realizes how serious they've become...introducing plot angst.

Overall a good read. Yes, the books are formulaic, but it's a good formula and they are well written with few grammatical/spelling errors. It was especially interesting to read that the author based some of the story on true personal events. Keep reading after the story finishes to preview the first few chapters of book 5. Although you don't have to read the books in order, it's fun to see how the characters daisy chain from book to book).
Profile Image for Sakuko.
871 reviews10 followers
July 28, 2020
The book just did not work for me, at all. I found the writing flat and boring. I actually wanted to stop at 25% because nothing was happening, but I rarely DNF, so I sat it out.

The book just meanders around until about 40%, when some filler plots happen.
There's a plot line about a hidden old photograph and some letters Seth is interested in, which surfaces randomly every few chapters, but isn't talked about it in between, something about Sacha's foster brother and a fire, that never actually goes anywhere at all, some scenes with a local board of commerce, as well as some assorted smaller drama. None of which manage to conceal, that the characters are bland and uninteresting and don't actually do much of anything. Seriously, the most interesting feature of either are their bad childhoods, since they don't seem to have much characterization besides that, and certainly no development to speak of.

They also do not communicate. They live together for most of the book and they do not talk. There's not many conversations in the book, mostly it's one character talking at another, or internal monologueing. But they also don't share any information. They fuck occasionally, but it's like they are essentially strangers. There's no chemistry to speak of, either, which makes the end of the book unbelievable and jarring.

There's also a lot of characters that, I assume, are from earlier books of the series, which I did not read. There's not much of a re-introduction happening and there where a few scenes that did not make much sense to me, because of it.

Also, there where quite a few errors in the book, missed words, mangled sentences, stuff like that.

I basically got the impression that this was a romance that was trying to spend as little time as possible on the actual couple, padding the book with side plots and secondary characters, that did not help further the romance or lead to any character development of the MCs. Probably because the main guys where as uninteresting and flat as an empty piece of paper
Profile Image for Carol.
3,783 reviews138 followers
September 11, 2022
Retired US Marshal Sacha Bolic returns to the small town of Skagit, where he once worked undercover but is now investing his time and money in renovating old buildings such as the Warrick, a bank building built in 1899. He’s also hitting his forties—and knows it’s time for him to stop living in the closet and to start a new life. Maybe even to find someone to share it with. He meets Seth Culver who has never really dealt with his demons. The fear of abandonment keeps everyone at bay, even his half-brother Adam. His carefree attitude was offset by the deep-rooted feeling that it was best he left first than be left behind hurting...which I thought was rather ridicules. If someone loved him and was willing to try to make a relationship work, why not meet them halfway and give it a chance? Would he have been any better or any worse off? The really interesting part of this story, other than the romance, was the box of letters, a picture and a book of poems that Sacha found hidden behind a wall in the building that he was restoring. Seth was determined to see if he could find if either of the men in the picture was still alive. They would be in their eighties or nineties n Seth's time. While searching the mystery of the hidden box they meet and make some new friends and learn how hard it as to be a gay man in the early 1900's. I also found a side note at the end of the story from Mary Calmes. It seems the characters of the two early men that are connected to the box was based on something that actually happen to her grandmother's brother. If you read this story, be sure to read that little side story at the end of this very sweet romance story.
Profile Image for Tori Thompson.
947 reviews24 followers
October 4, 2017
4.5 heart review for Love Bytes Reviews!

A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at Love Bytes Reviews, please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, and giveaways!

Sacha first appeared in No Pressure, book two of this series. He was a side character, a US Marshal undercover in a child trafficking ring. I was very curious about Sacha, and hoped he’d get his own book.

Seth was also in an earlier book, Storm Season, book one of the series. He showed up later in the story, as the previously unknown brother of Adam, one of the main characters.

This book starts off with Sacha having a very bad day chasing a bad guy, which leads to his decision to retire. But this leaves him at loose ends. He has no family, having been brought to the US by a refugee group from Bosnia (I think it was Bosnia!) when he was 12. He’s been either in the military or a US Marshal ever since, and the only “family” he claims are two fellow foster kids. Mae-Lin and Parker. The only place that is calling to him is Skagit Washington, where he was undercover recently. So, he quits his job, grabs his bag and heads to Skagit. Where he buys a building!

As Sacha begins to renovate his old building, he has an incident involving a ladder, the floor, and some drywall, leading him to look like a zombie when he runs in to a man outside a coffee shop! Than man is Seth.

Now Seth is the brother of Adam. Neither Adam nor Seth knew about each other, until Seth found a painting by an artist in his aunts stuff, which lead him to Skagit and to Adam. Seth also has a lack of family and connections. His dad has been non-existent, his mom is a nasty piece of work, and the aunt that raised him died. Leaving him with some abandonment issues. He’s settled in Skagit for the time being, maaaaaybe building a relationship with Adam, and starting a landscaping business. He’s more than willing to offer help to the zombie man he sees outside the coffee shop, and invites the poor guy home for a shower. He’s even more interested when he finds out Sacha is renovating an old building, being a history buff himself.

So that’s how we get Seth and Sacha together. They bond over the Warrick, the building Sacha owns. Of course this is a romance, so the two don’t stay un-involved for long…. but they both have so many freaking issues, and so much baggage, that they seriously have to work for it!

While the relationship between them is building, there are a couple of things happening. Sacha finds a couple of boxes hidden in the Warrick, one contains some personal items from what appears to be a gay couple from back in the late 30’s. Seth is intrigued, and works to trace the history of the two men. This eventually sends the Sacha and Seth on to a nice road trip to eastern Washington, which causes some drama when Seth has a freak out. The story of the two men from the photo was a very nice addition to the plot and had a realistic ending.

The other bit of excitement is Sacha’s foster-brother Parker. Parker has some drama and shows up unexpectedly in Skagit, attempting to drag Sacha in to his issues. Seth, being the nice guy that he is, lets Sacha and Parker crash at his house as they work through Parker’s shit. Sacha has to get Adam involved and Parker’s boyfriend shows up…. which makes me now want a book for Parker! (Pretty Please??)

The first three books in this series have very action driven plots. Now this book doesn’t have any of that. There is no mystery, no murder, no geoducks, no dead bodies. It is all about Seth and Sacha. Plus a little bit about the two men in the photo, and Parker’s shit. But the plot is pretty minimal. After commenting in a couple of reviews lately that I was not overly excited about the lack of action in a the books I had read, I was concerned that I would be bored with this book. BUT I WAS NOT!!! I really loved this book! These characters just had so much going on internally that I was captivated. Both are so screwed up! Seth is a fuck and run guy, never wanting to commit, until maybe he does. But he gets so scared! Sacha has not been open with his sexuality, now that he’s moved he’s committed to living an open life, but has no idea how to make a connection with a man. Until he meets Seth and tries so hard. These guys really have to work at themselves, as well as being a couple. I was totally in to it. They are also smoking hot together….

As Sure As The Sun is a fantastic book. I loved that it’s set in my neck of the woods, and is written by an author who lives here, so she gets things right. I loved the history of the two men in the photo and how that almost reflects in how Seth and Sacha behave. Maybe their choices are in reaction to what they find about Owen and Theodore. I liked the plot even though it didn’t have much action. Sure, there was some stuff about the local Chamber of Commerce that wasn’t really necessary, and maybe there could have been a little more drama, but overall I was really happy with the plot. I liked seeing the guys from the other books pop up, and there is a snippet at the end that has a character in it that made me really excited about the next book! I loved the background and details about Seth and Sacha, this book is long enough that the author was able to really get in to these guys in depth. I like a good screwed up man, and this book has two!

Elle Keaton is turning in to a really strong writer. I love that I am getting to follow her as a developing author, so many authors I read have been writing for some time that they are all really well established in their quality and style. Being a fan so early in an authors career is cool! I feel like she’s improving book by book, and I get to watch it happen.

This could absolutely be read as a stand alone, in fact you could start with this one, then go back and get her others. Just be aware that this has a more character driven plot, and the other books have more action driven plots. So depending on what you like…. Give this book a read, it’s great!
Profile Image for Kashaf Rafique.
260 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2023
This was one of those books I wanted to like.. But just couldn't.

1- The story was anticlimactic. I kept waiting to see angst, some drama but got none. Everyone just had simple doubts that somehow went away in a blink. I mean 30 chapters were dedicated to their relationship. I think the conflicts, fears, and making up at least deserved more than 2 chapters.

2- There is so much redundancy. Same things and themes keep repeating overall, making you loose interest.

3- What was the scene with Parker? The book would have been complete without throwing this character in the mess. I was thinking that the book will be about this story and seth and Sacha will be investigating together. I was so ready for an action-packed book... again, it wasn't the case.

4- I just have to say it, the grand gesture didn't feel that grand to me.

5- Why didn't book talk about Sacha's fears and his past traumas. I think the book would have been way better with those.

It was nice.. but easily could be have been great. I like the inspiration behind the book.

That's all folks!
631 reviews3 followers
December 4, 2019
Meh

I had some issues with this one. I forgot who Sacha was by the time this book rolled around so I was confused by why Kansas in the beginning 🤷🏻‍♀️

I liked it well enough for awhile but nothing really happened. I mean, there was stuff but it wasn’t very exciting. It didn’t match the other books I guess. There was no bad crime dudes or car chases or anything. The old building coulda been cool but there wasn’t much about that and the treasure they found was kind of a bummer in the end.

I guess it tried to be emotionally compelling instead of active and it just didn’t quite make it. Some of it is too much. It sort of dragged. Instead of seeming like it was deep it seemed like it was ‘trying’ to be deep. The psychological stuff was explained too much instead of being felt.

It’s alright I guess. There’s nothing really wrong with this one but it’s just sorta meh 🤷🏻‍♀️
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