Hidden Hands

Tennessee Cops #3

by Shayla Kersten

Hidden Hands Shayla Kersten Detective Jeremy Lawson doesn't expect anything from his one-night stand except sex. What he gets is a shooting, a mystery, plus some of the best sex he's had in a long time. Somewhere along the way, he also finds some tenderness for a lost soul in need of rescuing. David March has let his troubled past blind him to any kind of happy future. But when a one-night stand turns out to be a cop in shining armor, David begins to think differently about his life. As in, he wants one. But to have one, he has to stay alive. Note: For maximum reader enjoyment, we suggest reading Hidden Force (David) and A Helping Hand (Jeremy), where our two heroes were secondary characters.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Gay, Mystery, Erotica, Crime

ebook

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

By day, multi-published Shayla Kersten is a mild-mannered accountant. By night, she’s a writer of sexy romances. Torn between genres, Shayla writes erotic stories about hot heroes and their sexy women, as well as hot men and their passionate heroes.

A native of Arkansas, Shayla spent four years in the Army as a missile specialist, stationed in Germany and Oklahoma. After her enlistment was up, she spent eleven years in New York City taking a bite out of the Big Apple. Even her love of theatre and the nightlife of the big city couldn’t cure terminal homesickness for the Natural State. In 1995, she returned to her roots in Arkansas.

Shayla divides her time between her mother, her spoiled rotten cats and dogs, her evil day job and her obsession—writing.

Reviews

[Lenore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. I didn't think this book could possibly be worse than the previous one in the series but, sadly, it was.

Here, Jeremy (Rich's doormat from the previous book) meets David (Ryan's ex-lover from the first book). Jeremy is still trying to get over how Rich dropped him like yesterday's underpants for that asshole best friend of his, Dan. David is that "other" guy from the first story in the series; the one who blew Ryan off when they were teenagers, denying he was gay and then proceeding to marry that psycho woman who got off killing young gay men.

Both characters were so underdeveloped and so shallow in their thoughts and reactions that this almost read as a parody.

Jeremy came across as a desperate guy who would get involved with literally anyone just to say he's in a relationship. From the first moment on, it was clear that David had major issues with his sexuality, was suicidal and, in general, had more baggage than Madonna on tour. Plus, it was clear they hooked up for a one-night stand only. But Jeremy brushed everything aside, almost clinging on David, hastily assuming the caring partner role. Not 24 hours after meeting David he was cleaning David's flat and doing the laundry!

David came across as a whiny pathetic being, practically depersonalised in his misery, almost comic in his self-imposed victimisation.

The crime parts were pretty basic (or should I say "lame"?) and were there only as an excuse to keep the MCs together for a little longer. Or for as long as the author thought was necessary before they decided they loved each other and should move in together.

It's a pity really. Because I kinda liked the first story in the series. But I don't think I'm gonna be reading the next one any time soon.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Jeremy meets David in a bar -- the thirty seven years old cop isn't really looking for one night stand, it's not his type. But he is nursing a broken heart and he is tired of doing it alone. Then he meets David, and after a brief session in a truck, Jeremy breaks his rule and brings David home. He realizes that the much younger man seems to have baggage. He is filled with guilt about being gay, added with an abusive relationship with both his father and ex-wife (both deceased). David seems to think that he needs to be punished, simply by having sex and no affection. However, Jeremy starts to care about the young man, especially now that David seems to be a target of murder.

This book features two men that I can't help to love from the previous book. Jeremy, who has his love unreturned from book #2. And the damaged David from book #1. I am happy to know that they find each other. I develop quite sympathy over David, such a poor poor guy. I am glad to see Jeremy is the one helping him. I enjoy Tony, as cameo, appearing now and then in the book.

My only issue, which makes me reduce the half star, is that the journey of David getting back to his feet again is only covered by a line that he is seeing a therapist. I would love it to be more explored than that. ALSO, for a man who is so in love with Rich in book #2, that he hasn't been with anyone else, Jeremy seems to forget Rich that easily. There is no musing over it. I will like it more if we can see that Jeremy's move on David is purely and honestly a proof of him moving on from Rich.

[JenMcJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third in a series that unites the two thwarted love interests from the first two books together after a coincidental bar hook-up gets complicated.

Jeremy is a cop with a sore heart and David is a business owner with sore psyche.

David is in a lot of self-destructive pain based in the actions of his ex-wife, his father and his own self-loathing all centered around his admission that he is gay. Jeremy is a cop with a big heart that doesn't recognize how deep he is going to get sucked into David's life until he is smack in the middle of it thanks to an unsuccessful murder attempt.

Although David is on the make for anonymous, painfully unfullfilling sex as a self imposed punishment, Jeremy will have none of it and forces him to feel the pleasure and desire two gay men can attain together.

Step by step they get closer to their HEA despite several more gun shots and a few well meaning friends trying to steer Jeremy clear of David.

I liked this book, but I didn't feel as sorry for David as I should have. I felt more exasperated with him then touched. I don't know why it didn't come off more sensitive to me than it did. It seemed much more whiny and feel sorry for myself. I am glad they found each other but it seemed rushed, especially compared to the other two books that were longer and much more emotionally charged than this one.

[ElaineY]

I commented halfway through that I hoped David loses some baggage. Well, he did. Too quickly actually. It's just taken care of with a statement that he's seeing a shrink. That's about it and then the HEA. Nevertheless, I liked Jeremy and found myself looking forward to Tony popping up here and there as they figure out who is trying to kill David.

I mostly felt sorry for Jeremy in Helping Hands and his character does better here in Hidden but if you haven't read any, I'd recommend you read all three back-to-back.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good story that gives two of the characters from earlier books in the series their happy endings.

Jeremy (a policeman) and David (owner of a construction company) have a one-night stand, although both develop instant feelings for each other. When David is shot at, Jeremy needs to step up and help find out what is going on. Nice blend of mystery, romance, sex and drama.

I liked that we knew something about both Jeremy and David from the earlier books. I had especially loved Jeremy in A Helping Hand where he was the love interest of one of the characters and a really nice guy but missed out on getting his man! Good to see he was the winner this time around!

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor David, he has like the worst luck in life-ever!
But he meets and picks up Jeremy at a bar one night, thinking it will only be for one night, but those 'unlucky' circumstances change that.
I felt for David in book 1 so I was glad to read about him, the shortness of the story sort of made his 'recovery' seem rushed, but I finished the book happy for both of them and very glad I read it.
I did have to have another talk with myself about certain details, like how did Edgar know to be at the bar parking lot at that time in the morning? And they made a point of going a strange and difficult route back to Jeremy's place , yet there he was, waiting for them, and I am assuming a cop would live in a slightly more secure place, for a guy so unable to shoot someone dead after numerous tries, he seemed so good at finding David at unlikely places.
Didn't lessen my enjoyment of the story, just kept niggeling in the back of my brain! :)

[Stacey Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shayla Kersten always produces great books and this one is no exception. This is the third in her Tennessee Cops series and the two heros are the jaded lovers, Jeremy and David, from the first two books. That's nice because they finally get their HEA. David is really messed up here and has a lot of baggage but Jeremy is the perfect partner for him and helps him through it all. I think David could almost be too whiny but considering what he went through in the second book, I don't blame him. I do agree that the "fix" was a bit quick but the mystery here was interesting and the HEA was very sweet.

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book from these series I've read, so I didn't know neither Jeremy's history, nor - and more important - David's history, but I really loved it. Interesting plot turns and very tridimensional characters. But I just reread it after reading two previous books - and now I like it even more.

[DaisyGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I liked this one better than book 2. That's not saying much but still. No big gripes here. I liked both Jeremy (yum) and David (aka, unluckiest bastard ever! Seriously, he needs some feng shui or something to fix his ju-ju.) The mystery was meh but the sex was steamy, so it all comes out in the wash.

Bottom line: better than the last book.

[Anke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice enough, but nothing to write home about :)

[Sol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4
Si la anterior no llegaba, esta ni siquiera le llega a los talones.
La trama tenía un potencial que no fue muy bien exprimido, no sentí en ningún momento peligro hacia la pareja por parte de un asesino en serie, el cura apareció de la nada, y uno de los personajes ni siquiera me llegó realmente.

[Aure1ia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* short, sexy und a little mystery :)

[Elisa Rolle]

Hidden Hands gathers a supporting character from Hidden Force (David) and one from A Helping Hand (Jeremy) and gives them their own story. For this reason, it's not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this story, but for sure I wouldn't recommend to read them after this one since most of the mysteries on both stories are spoilered in this one and used as basis for the plot.

Jeremy is a police detective; he is a nice man and this is confirmed from his role in the previous book: he was the buddy friend of Rich in A Helping Hand, the man to whom Rich turned when his unrequited love for Dan was not returned. And in a way he was the man that helped Rich to realize that he was using him, even if Jeremy was more than willing. Jeremy is not so young, 37 years old, and he has already realized that he wants someone steady in his life; he thought to have found that someone special in Rich, but it was not fated. At the beginning of this book Jeremy is cruising a pub more with the hope to find a lonesome soul like him than for sex, even if sex it's not left out.

David instead is the building contractor who was the first lover of Ryan, the main character in Hidden Force. David is the classic closeted case: when he came out with his father as a teenager, the reaction of the parent was so negative that David shut up on his protective shield and denied who he was and whom he wanted. He even married a woman with dreadful consequences. From all of that you understand that David is not exactly a strong willed and independent man; he relies too much on the opinion of other people, he fears his own desire, and he is really convinced that everyone is judging him.

Even if David is the bigger in body, he is the weaker side of the couple. He needs someone good and quite, a strong hand in velvet glove; it's quite right that between Jeremy and David there is a substantial age difference (11 years), since David needs the reassuring figure of someone older. I wouldn't venture on saying that there is a "male" Oedipus complex between David and Jeremy, but for sure David lacked of the comforting figure of a father, and Jeremy fills a bit that role. Probably someone will question if David, once he will arrive to be at easy with himself, will feel the same for Jeremy, but sincerely I believe that he will.

There is a very nice and long introduction scene, most of which spent in a sex encounter; after that, the story sustains acceleration toward the resolution, but I don't feel as that scene weights to much on the story, since it serves to present the characters and to set the basis for their future relationship.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003100UEM/?...

[Tonileg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contemporary Police M/M romance with an assassin that is trying to kill a civilian who just started to date a cop... bad timing for the mysterious killer!
Jeremy Lawson we met in the previous book A Helping Hand as the rejected lover from Memphis and the short few scenes in that story, he seemed to deserve a love story as he has been alone for so long. Jeremy is 37 and back on at the bar looking for some sexual relief when he randomly finds David March who we met in the first book Hidden Force as a possible serial killer, but really just a fresh out of the closet gay man with more baggage then United Airlines has to handle each day. David is gay but is terribly dysfunctional because of a bad childhood and a terrible wife so he finds himself alone until he randomly meets Jeremy and finds out that making love can be tender and pleasurable.
This was as short story and I never felt sympathy towards David, I almost feel like sweet and lonely Jeremy deserves better but I guess this is more realistic because mostly kind caring people tend to be attracted to fixer-uppers like the messed up David. It was good that David was getting professional help with a psychiatrist and not just waiting around for his problems to solve themselves which lots of stupid people in the world do. Lets make people smarter by some tough love and get some profession help when you have serious problems that are keeping them from happiness and living life to the fullest.
Read this on the short flight to Paris, quick fun read.
100 pages and AllRomance purchase $5.60
2 stars

[Trix · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could only give this a 2 star rating.

Somehow, I had trouble finding the characters very believable. As story goes, the author did a good job in mixing the right amount of sex, tenderness and mystery to make it an enjoyable read. The problem came when Jeremy and David were portrayed. [spoiler ahead]They both appeared as side characters in the earlier novellas, thus establishing a base line for their background and personalities. And some things kept on bothering me even when they starred in the story. Jeremy didn't get a very detailed past (not unless you read the second book) and other than small innuendos about his suffering heart, he was there mostly to soothe David's pain and help David with a fresh new start. Whereas David was made to look like a lost puppy, torn between his first gay love, guilt and shame over his ex-wife.

And the twisted scenario and identity of the attacker(s) seemed a bit a stretched, especially when they were introduced just minutes before it was confirmed they were the culprits.[end spoiler]

Nonetheless, the story is ok, with tender moments, interesting sex scenes and a mystery weaved into it.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not fond of books starting out with sex scenes. Sorry, two sex scenes before the plot starts. Wait, three. But the sex was fairly hot. I love how when David starts to say "no," Jeremy immediately stops and makes it clear he needs to know whether David wants him to keep going because he will stop if David doesn't say anything.

I have no idea what they have in common other than sex.

That was so lame. The climactic scene was almost nonexistent. It took like a page. Almost the whole novella took place in 24 hours.

It's sad because the author has talent. She doesn't use stupid false things--she makes it clear that DNA testing could take weeks or months. She acknowledges that even with a confession, the guy could still plead not guilty if his lawyer thought the interview had some impropriety. David doesn't suddenly jump happily out of the closet. Jeremy convinced him he needs therapy, the deal the bad guy made in court still took months, etc.

How is it only bordering on a hate crime?

6 sex scenes in 84 pages, some of them quite long. Criminy.

[Tasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

David and Jeremy meet out at a bar one night when they are both feeling pretty lonely. After spending an enjoyable one night together, they are thrown back together when Jeremy witnesses someone trying to kill David.

Within the first chapter, Jeremy and David meet and go home together. Neither one of them can be with the men they truly want to be with, so they take solace in each other.

David has been through some emotional trauma and views himself as unworthy of pleasure or love. Jeremy tries to prove to him that he is worthy of both. While Jeremy is protecting David from whoever wants him dead, he falls in love with David.

Overall the story was just okay for me. I didn't feel like David and Jeremy knew each other well enough to be in love. The relationship between the two men seemed rather forced, with no true connection or chemistry. I however did enjoy seeing appearances of the characters from the previous book, Hidden Forces.

[L-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

We met Detective Jeremy Lawson in A Helping Hand as Deputy Rich's friends-with-benes. He was actually too good to be true in that book. No one loves his friend for 5 years and is just cool with encouraging him to find his own true love. So I'm happy that he's getting his own book. We also met David in Hidden Forcewhere he was Ryan's closeted ex. I didn't love David as much as I loved Jeremy, but it was interesting to watch these two meet up. I thought the mystery in this book was not as exciting as the the first book, but overall, I did think this was a good read. I would have liked the book to be a little longer.

[Amyiw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a character from book one and one from book 2 and put them together, David March and Jeremy Lawson.
I liked this one better than the last two though I've enjoyed them all. David is very screwed up in the head by his bigoted father, his psychotic ex-wife, and his own self hatred. Jeremy is just the guy to see him through it. If only he doesn't get killed by another nut screwing with his head.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another goodie in the Tennessee Cops series, this one didn't start off very strong for me, but really finished with a bang and I ended up giving it 4 stars. You do need to read the first two books in the series to understand these MCs, but they are all worth it.

Recommended for M/M romance/angst fans!

[CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was very enjoyable. It is part of a series (this is 3 of 4), even though you don't need to read the other stories first, the books are just as entertaining and well worth the time and money.

This story was interesting and the characters were very intriguing. I found it a very pleasurable way to spend some leisure time!

[Nile Princess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeremy and David's one night stand to hot, sexy, romance - 5 stars. There's a sprinkling of D/s too. The murder angle - eh. I really don't like murder mysteries with my romance. How many couples out there really have someone trying to kill them? Ugh. Still, I LOVE the way this author writes. On to book 4!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, if you are looking for closure for two sweet guys and lots and lots of sex... this is the book for you! It read quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly, would have liked a few details about David's journey to self-discovery, but these short stories are short for a reason! The fact that I found both MCs to be extremely likable went a long way to making this story work for me! *grin*

[Natalija · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the series did not disappoint. It had enough suspense, emotion and steamy moments to keep my attention throughout. Both characters were lonely, had flaws and insecurities, yet it made them so much more relatable and just perfect for each other.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

David has a stalker and Jeremy is there to help.

[Arzu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Tennessee Cop Series. It took me a minute or two to remember where I left off but once I did I was good to go. Up next is River of Need.

[Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked the story and david poor thing with all that bad stuff happening to him =( but i am happy he finds his true love he of all people need it =) over all great read kept me interested

[Marlobo ♥ epilogues · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Morgana · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars