Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway:
The Keeper by Aimee Nicole Walker

Redemption Ridge, Book 5

Sabotaged brakes didn’t kill Rueben Sanchez, but waiting for his assailants’ trial to start just might. A potential witness for the prosecution can’t explore his lusty feelings for the hunky sheriff who saved him, but that doesn’t stop his imagination from running wild. Rueben has already shaped his traumatic mountainside meet cute with Seth Burke into a happily ever after to tell their future grandkids. When the delay threatens to stretch on for years, Rueben feels his dreams slipping out of reach. Should he surrender gracefully or fight for his man?

Pressure and scrutiny are nothing new to Seth, but shouldering his duties has never felt like a burden until they keep him from the man he wants most. Cracking an unsolved murder, safeguarding a high-profile trial, and winning re-election should be enough to keep him busy. But he can’t stop thinking about the perfect weekend he shared with Rueben before everything careened off course. Are they as good together as Seth remembers, or is his memory swayed by the allure of the forbidden? And does he dare to find out?

Late-night phone calls and shared secrets lead to stolen kisses and a lakeside cabin rendezvous. But one encounter isn’t enough, and the two men will risk everything to explore their deepening bond. When a series of chilling events rock the county, Rueben and Seth must put more than their hearts on the line because one misstep could prove fatal.

The Keeper is book five in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. The Keeper contains mature themes and is intended for adults.

Universal Link

Amazon

Add on Goodreads

Despite everything going on in his life—a hotly contested reelection campaign, his cousin’s remembrance celebration, and what was sure to be dubbed a historic trial for their county when it finally happened—this was the best Seth had felt in months. Nine, to be exact. Explaining that he locked down his emotions to avoid giving his feelings for Rueben away would only muddy things between them more. Rueben was with Keegan, and despite his current behavior, Seth would respect that. Rueben clearly still had feelings for him, and Seth didn’t want to encourage Rueben to ruin something good for a relationship that couldn’t be. “I’m sorry I was so chilly toward you. It was just how I needed to be in order to get through the meeting.” Seth dropped his hands from Rueben’s hips, stepped back, and immediately missed his warmth. It was Seth’s turn to feel the metal shelving press against his back. “As for clearing the air, I only want the best things for you. Seeing your smile today and hearing your laughter and smart mouth—” Seth shook his head and exhaled a harsh sigh. “It makes me feel good to know you’re happy and moving on.”

Rueben flinched like Seth had hit him, and then he stalked forward until there was no air between them once again. “Care to say that again?” Rueben started reeling off the highlights like a sportscaster before Seth could answer. “I’m happy and I’ve moved on because I shared a few laughs with Keegan to ease our tension?” His eyes widened suddenly. “Oh shit. You think Keegan and I are dating.”

“You’re not?” Relief flooded Seth, and he had to stiffen his legs to stay upright.

Rueben’s expression changed from astonishment to anger. “Do you honestly think I’d leave Keegan alone at our table and cuddle up against you in a supply closet if we were dating? Do you really think so little of me?” A dark pink blush tinged Rueben’s cheeks. “And you have some nerve talking about me moving on when I overheard you making a date with that lady from Lyndhurst’s office.”

Seth’s mouth fell open like his jaw came unhinged. “What are you talking about?”

“Cynthia, is that her name? I heard you discussing a time to meet up with her,” Rueben said.

Seth snapped his mouth shut and breathed deeply through his nose as he recovered, unsure if he should laugh or cry. Tell the truth or lie? Hurt shimmered in Rueben’s eyes, and Seth’s heart ached from knowing he was the source. A small part of him thought the pain was necessary to make a clean break from one another. He could lie and tell Rueben that he was going on a date, and that would be it. But he couldn’t—wouldn’t—do that.

About the Author