Reviewed by Taylin
This is a Series Review of the Veiled Intentions Series (Books 1 – 3)
These books have also been under the series name Hamarsson and Dempsey
AUTHOR: Elle Keaton
PUBLISHER: Dirty Dog Press LLC
SERIES REVIEW:
The veiled Intentions series was initially named the Hamarsson and Dempsey series. The blurbs have been updated, alternatives added (including covers), but the story release dates are the same; thus, it stands to reason that the tales haven’t changed. Some blurbs say the series is a trilogy, so I was pleasantly surprised when this fourth was added. At the end of the original trilogy, I felt cheated that all the loose ends weren’t entirely tied up, so I am thankful that there is a fourth.
Elle Keaton has created a world in which I was more than happy to lose myself. Each book is in-depth with action, adventure, and fantastic characters. The mains are broken, brave, and best together instead of apart. These men, on their own, make a superb read, but the extended cast is the icing on the cake. They include a range of characters from the inherently good, the suited, slimy, quirky old-timers down to the local yokel, and undesirable. All were introduced in a memorable way, and I enjoyed every word of page time they inhabited. Stu – an old-timer, appears briefly and is a senior I’d like to have in my world. Doc Marshall has an exceptionally dry sense of humor and a gold heart. And daummn, Foster Jennings – a yummy EMT. It’s like getting hooked on a TV series in book form. Yes, sex is in here, but it is the life and relationship that is the focus, which makes the sex, when it happens, special. None of it is gratuitous.
The books are written in the third person present tense, with named chapters focusing on Niall or Mat. While I generally get confused by this writing style, the characters are so different, leaving me with no confusion whatsoever.
SERIES RATING: 
TITLE: Conspiracy Theory 
LENGTH: 244 Pages
RELEASE DATE: October 5, 2019
BLURB:
He can’t escape his past–or his future.
Bitter and weary, homicide detective Niall Hamarsson burns his last bridge, retreating to the only place he’s ever called home.
But murder beats him there.
Sheriff Mat Dempsey is a glass-half-full kind of guy. He returned to the island after his father drowned to take care of his mom. Life is quiet and simple, until Niall Hamarsson’s return.
Nothing about Niall Hamarsson is simple.
Maybe Niall’s childhood refuge will allow him the space to re-evaluate his future. Maybe he’ll be able to keep the kind, competent sheriff at arm’s length.
Mat needs Niall to stay away from the investigation, he doesn’t want the ex-detective muddying the waters of Hidden Harbor.
Niall’s not meddling so much as keeping his hand in. The case is a distraction from the unwanted memories that are popping up like weeds after a rainstorm.
How long will it take for the two of them to realize they work better together than apart? In more ways than one?
The Veiled Intentions trilogy is a dual POV, slow-burn, three-act, romantic suspense about a broody introvert and a somewhat patient Sheriff as they grope their way to a happily ever after.
REVIEW:
Having had enough of politics keeping the bad guys out of jail, Detective Niall Hamarsson leaves his job and life behind. Officially on extended leave, but with no intention of going back, Niall heads home to the island of Piedras, to fix his grandparents’ cabin.
Mat Dempsey moved back to the island from San Francisco after his mother insisted the local version of the mafia couldn’t get to be sheriff. Matt won by a landslide. Not only has a crime wave hit the normally quiet island, but a fantasy from his childhood has returned – Niall Hamarsson.
Some believe the crimes are the work of a conspiracy theory group. While Mat doesn’t hold to the theory, he knows something is going on, and all he must do is find their connection. Unfortunately, he has an inexperienced crew. Pride stops him from accepting Niall’s help. Not only that but the man shuns company. But when events heat up and involve Niall on a personal level, the men have no choice but to work together.
First, in a series, the groundwork is set for this and future installments. The stories behind Mat and Niall are detailed. Thus, the budding relationship between them is a snail-paced slow burn, with minimal heat rating. This element didn’t stop me from melting for the lead men, because the events on the page were so interesting.
When Niall returns to Piedras, it brings back childhood memories. The ones before his Grandparents took him in were not good. They were something no child should endure. The way the events are recalled and his subsequent life in school, principally as a recluse, had me in tears. His grandparents were loving and did what they could, but scars are not easily erased. Niall had so many walls constructed, protecting him from humanity – they ensured that his world revolved around his work. When that shit in his face, big time, he broke. The emotions Niall experiences are superbly written.
Other than wanting some parts to speed up a little, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
RATING: 
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TITLE: Long Shadow
LENGTH: 264 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2020
BLURB:
Mat and Niall are stronger together than apart. When will Niall realize that truth? Will he ever?
Since the night on the beach Niall’s been avoiding Mat like a bad case of the flu–which, ironically, most of his deputies have come down with. What will it take for Niall to truly believe Mat wants him for who he is?
Mat’s overworked, Niall’s unnerved, and then things really go sideways.
Someone wants the sheriff dead. Niall’s not about to let that happen, even if he doesn’t think Mat should waste time on him.
Will Niall unlock the fortress around his heart, or will he push Mat away permanently?
Long Shadow is a dual POV about a broody introvert and a somewhat patient Sheriff. Mat’s going to have to prove to Niall he’s the man for him. The Veiled Intentions trilogy follows the same couple as they find their way to their happily ever after.
REVIEW:
The continuing stoooorrry, of ex-detective Niall Hamarsson and Sheriff Mat Dempsey on the island of Piedras.
Niall, feeling boxed in by the city, needs to escape Seattle back to Piedras. Years ago, he’d left the islands to become the best homicide cop he could be. Niall was good, too, with a high solve rate. He was determined to give others what his grandparents had never had – closure. His junkie mother’s disappearance/suspected murder had never been solved. A particular sheriff is also a reason to return to his childhood home – despite Niall having a list as long as his arm for why a relationship between the two should not happen.
Mat is up to his eyeballs with police work. A spate of arson attacks and other events doesn’t help his workload. All the same, he misses Niall. He knows the man is as skittish as a colt, and that patience is the key to breaking down the fortress Niall has built around his heart. Hamarsson may be a grouch, too, but he’s Mat’s grouch.
Long Shadow was the welcome return of a world that wormed its way into my heart.
I was exposed to love, family, crime, drama, arson, a bombing, attempted murder, some gorgeous man-loving, emotional conflict, and more. While the main case is solved and the relationship between Mat and Niall moves forward, some elements of the story carry over to the next book. One is left with questions, but no frustration over a cliffhanger. Just the irritation of wanting to read more of this world and not being able to.
RATING: 
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TITLE: Black Moon
LENGTH: 256 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 9, 2020
BLURB:
One corpse, two corpse, old corpse, new corpse.
Summer is crashing into fall, Mat and Niall have a wedding to overthink.
A body is discovered floating in the harbor and this time it’s the missing ex-Piedras Marine officer Duane Cooper.
Who, aside from Niall, wanted Duane dead? He’s been on the run for months, why would he turn up dead now?
Black Moon, third in the Veiled Intentions trilogy, Black Moon is a dual POV following Sheriff Mat Dempsey and now Private Investigator Niall Hamarsson as they grope their way to a happily ever after.
REVIEW:
Upon receiving this book for review I found a nice comfy couch before ambling my way through the pages, soaking up every word. The jaded ex-cop from book one is in a much better place, mentally, but there are still mysteries to solve.
From a snail’s pace of a start in book one, the relationship between Niall and Mat is now cooking on full gas. Niall and Mat are living together, and after another body is found in the harbor, Niall becomes fearful for Mat’s life, going into protective mode. What comes after is the beginning of the end of an investigation that has spanned three books. One that takes the sheriff’s department and associates all over Piedras and beyond.
Mat is beautifully authoritative without being domineering, and Niall is less brooding, happier in his skin, and thankful to the family he has gained. Pussy-footing around each other is gone. There was also the welcome return of other cherished characters, although they were mainly in the background. The investigation was foremost. Shout-outs here to Shay and Fenrir who stole a few scenes.
Other than some opening drama, up to halfway simmers with anticipation. After that, with each chapter, the drama ramps up a notch with another clue slotted into the jigsaw. Despite Niall working for a private investigation company, he can’t help poking his nose into Mat’s open cases. Due to the complex nature of the story, I found myself trying to put the clues together, too. Daft, I know but I couldn’t help it. A phrase used several times throughout the story was along the lines of, Real life isn’t like the cop shows with everything instant and bang-wallop. This story holds to the detective side rather than all-guns-blazing. Nevertheless, there is action, drama, guns, and explosives. I’d love to say more about the crimes and investigations, but I’d end up giving too much away.
I found the ending satisfying, albeit for one little forensic element whose secret remained annoyingly unspoken. I don’t know if this has been purposely left or not, but I read it twice to make sure I hadn’t missed a sentence containing the answer to Fenrir’s find. If it was on purpose, I don’t know whether to shout, “Elle Keaton – Shame on you!” or be elated at the possibility of something else.
RATING: 
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