Shayla Kersten         

                        Because everyone deserves a little romance...

 

 

Past Lies

Ellora's Cave, Available now!                                

NOW IN PRINT!                                                     Buy at EC Print Store

Length - Novel 

Two opposite men, two different lives, two sets of past lies.

With his twenty-year high-school reunion looming, Paul Loughton dreads seeing the one person who could tempt him to stray from his path. Small-town mayor, lawyer and budding politician, Paul can’t—won’t—admit he’s gay, even to himself. Years of denial and lies are now threatened by an inevitable encounter. With his denial slipping, he has to come face-to-face with temptation.

Randy Martin left his small-town roots behind before the ink on his diploma was dry. The cliquish world of his childhood didn’t have room for the weird kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Rumors of his sexual preferences made life that much more difficult. Now, twenty years later, he should be anxious to rub his wealth and success in the faces of his former classmates. Except with one of them, the urge to rub something else hasn’t diminished over the years.


Excerpt 1:

Randy pulled Susan off the makeshift dance floor. “I need a break. You’re killing me.” He pushed through the crowd toward the restrooms. “Grab me a drink, would you?” He shoved some money in her hand. “Something cold and non-alcoholic.”

Susan nodded before she headed in the opposite direction.

Although he’d dreaded this weekend, Randy was having a surprisingly good time. Susan was as much fun now as she’d been in high school. Even more since she wasn’t trying to get into his pants. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d spent hours dancing and just having fun.

Although Randy couldn’t get Paul Loughton completely out of his mind, he’d managed to regain control of his libido. Randy laughed as he pushed open the men’s room door. As if he’d ever have a chance of getting Paul in a clench, much less horizontal.

He stepped out of the way with a friendly smile as a familiar-looking man exited the restroom. Of course everyone tonight seemed familiar. Some hadn’t changed much, some drastically.

When he stepped around the corner into the main part of the restroom, he spotted a more than familiar set of shoulders standing at one of two urinals.

Great… His cock jumped at the sight. Taking a piss was going to be difficult if his interest kept rising.

Paul looked over his shoulder. His face paled when he saw Randy.

Or was that Randy’s imagination? Maybe it was the awful florescent lighting.

“How’s it going?” Randy asked. He stepped up to the empty urinal. Taking his time opening his fly, he hoped Paul would finish and leave. Flashing a half-hard cock in a public restroom could get a body arrested in these parts. Or worse.

“Good. It’s been…interesting.” Paul tucked his penis away before Randy could sneak a glance.

“Yeah. I wasn’t expecting to have fun. I only came to the reunion because my mother insisted.” Relief and disappoint warred within Randy when Paul moved to the sinks. “She can be a little strident when she insists.”

Running water didn’t cover Paul’s chuckle. “I understand. My father is much the same way. Except instead of pushing me to come here, he wants me to run for the state house of representatives.”

“You don’t want to?” Randy tucked and zipped. When he turned around, he caught a glimpse of Paul’s face in the mirror.

“Sure.” A quick flash of something resembling regret darkened his blue eyes. Then he dropped his gaze to his hands.

“But?”

“It’s a big deal. I’m just not sure I want the public scrutiny.”

Randy arched his eyebrow. Flipping on the tap, he reached for the soap dispenser. “Skeletons in the Loughton closet?” He controlled the immediate urge to snicker at his own choice of words.

“Not really. I’m just not the public speaker my dad is. I like things simpler, quieter.”

Rinsing his hands, Randy nodded. “I can sympathize. I’m not one for a lot of fuss.” A slight burn of desire circled his stomach then dropped to his balls. For some crazy reason, his body refused to recognize the impossibility of this ancient crush. “Guess we should go back out there.”

“Yeah, it won’t last much longer.” Paul tossed the paper towel in the trash. With an unsteady step, he stumbled toward the door.

“Are you okay?” Randy caught his arm.

Paul shrugged off his touch. “Yeah. A little too much to drink, I’m afraid.”

“Do you have someone to drive you home?”

“Nah, I’ll find a place to sit and sober up first.”

Randy shook his head. “I can drive you home. Can’t have Prestonville’s mayor getting stopped for DUI.”

“Crap. That wouldn’t be good. I managed to piss off the police chief at the last council meeting. He’d love to catch me under the influence.” Paul rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. “I shouldn’t have let Diane get to me.”

“Diane?”

The door swung open and two men entered talking. Paul slipped around them and out the door before it closed. Randy followed.

“Look,” Randy said, “I’ll say my goodbyes to Susan then come back and find you. Don’t leave.”

Randy waited until Paul nodded his agreement then he slipped through the crowd looking for Susan. He met her near the bar with another vodka tonic in one hand and a bottle of water in the other. “Hey, I’m going to call it a night. You wore me out.” He took the water out of her hand. “Are you okay to drive home?”

“I’m fine. Three drinks over three hours are nothing, especially as weak as the bartender is making them.”

“Are you sure? I could drive you home. I only nursed the one scotch.”

Susan grinned and laughed. “If I thought getting you to drive me home would get me anywhere, I’d lie and say I’m drunk. But alas, I don’t think I’d have any better luck tonight than I did twenty years ago.”

Cautious of the drink in Susan’s hand, he pulled her into a quick embrace. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Taking a quick drink of the cold water, Randy hurried back to where he’d left Paul. As ridiculous as it was, he let his imagination get carried away with thoughts of the interesting things he could do to the former jock. After all, what man would turn down a no-strings blow job?

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Excerpt 2:

Although his mouth opened to tell Randy he’d wait outside, Paul walked through the open door. The sudden chill of the air-conditioning sent shivers down his spine. Terror and desire robbed him of breath. His mouth was as dry as a summer drought and his heart threatened to beat a hole through his chest.

Randy walked in and let the door swing closed behind him. Pointing to a vague spot somewhere in the room, he said, “Let me grab my keys.” His scent, a powerful combination of expensive cologne and musky sweat, added to Paul’s intoxication.

Without thought of consequences, Paul reached out. His hand closed around Randy’s wrist and swung him around. He slammed Randy against the door with a thud. Before Randy could react, Paul pinned him in place with his body.

Reason fled as Paul rubbed against the hard body trapped between him and the door. What little part of his brain function remained noted the hard bulge of Randy’s erection.

Instead of pushing him away, Randy’s hands pulled Paul closer. One hand slid down his back and grabbed his ass. Kneading fingers added to the heat of his arousal.

“Fuck…” Paul groaned. He set a steady rhythm against Randy’s body. With the right pressure he would cream his pants in seconds.

“Slow down,” Randy whispered next to his ear.

Soft lips nibbled on his earlobe. The scratch of slight stubble against his face was a sharp reminder of what he was doing, but he couldn’t stop now. Shivers of need raced down Paul’s spine. His throat ached at the idea of those eager lips on his, but he didn’t kiss. He didn’t touch.

His hands clenched Randy’s hips. Lean muscles instead of rounded curves—he had to stop. Panic flushed through his body.

He needed to tell Paul the rules but words wouldn’t form. Then the teasing mouth moved across his jaw and suddenly hard kisses and a warm tongue got in the way of speaking. Scotch-tasting heat pushed aside his objection. A groan was all his brain could manage.

Then Randy’s complacent body moved, pushing Paul backward until the bed bumped the back of his legs.

Bed—fear threatened to grind everything to a halt until a strong hand slipped inside the front of his khakis. Rough strokes pressed against his brief-covered cock. “Yes…”

Paul fell. Fell from his high horse of denial and onto the hard mattress. Randy’s body went with him, pinning him to the bed. Hands tore at his shirt, tugging the material up around his chest.

Hot kisses trailed down his neck. A warm mouth sucked at his nipple. Teeth tugged at the hardening nub. A shudder of helpless desire raced through him. The alcohol

He’d drunk too much. His behavior wasn’t the result of real desire. Under the influence…

With the flimsy excuse rolling around in his brain, Paul let his demons out of the dark recesses of his brain. After this weekend, Randy would be gone. No consequences would haunt him because the reminder would be in another part of the state. Although an hour and a half away was far too close for comfort, he couldn’t stop now.

He ripped at Randy’s shirt, yanking and tugging until Randy leaned up enough for him to pull it over his head.

Rippled abs and lean muscles showed in the dim light of a single lamp. Randy’s dark eyes glowed with a lust Paul understood.

Rolling Randy off him and onto his back, Paul straddled his waist. Pulling his shirt over his head, he tossed it to the floor. With slow, deliberate movement, Paul lowered his chest to Randy’s. Skin on skin for the first time with another man, his strange emotions threatened to close his throat.

With fingers laced through Randy’s dark hair, Paul pressed his lips against Randy’s soft mouth and fell into a deep kiss.

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Reviews!

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From the blog of Elisa Rolle from Rosa is for Romance

Excerpt of Review:

This one is maybe the most romantic novel I have read by Shayla Kersten. It's a very classical romance, with all the little things that make squeeze a romance lover. And then I always have had a thing for first love turning in everlasting love. Plus both Paul than Randy are very nice characters, and Randy is perfect in his behavior, he knows when to push Paul, but also when to stepback and give him enough room to make his own choices. ... PS: HOT HOT HOT cover by Les Byerley, I would buy the book only to have this cover, and since the book is very good, the cover is a very appreciated plus!

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Simply Romance Reviews

Rating: B+

Reviewer: Tonie

Excerpt of Review:

Past Lies is a wonderful read. Paul's journey to accept himself send you on a roller coaster of thoughts and feelings, from ecstasy to self-loathing. Ms. Kersten writes her heroes with incredible realism...Randy and Paul themselves, steal your heart from page one and keep you turning page after page.

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Book Utopia

Rating: 36/50

Reviewer: Book Utopia Mom

Excerpt of Review:

When it comes to sex scenes, Shayla Kersten is a pro. She is almost always hot and heavy, whether it’s het or gay, and this release is no different. It takes Kersten’s trademark steam and offers it to readers in a clean, competent package. There’s variety, and emotion, and just enough angst to make each scene unique.

Read the whole review.


The Romance Studio

Rating: 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Hayley

Excerpt of Review:

The developing relationship between the two men was well written with fascinating insight into the emotions and fears that Paul must overcome. ... The emotions the men reveal range from self-loathing to ecstasy and Shayla Kersten has used a deft hand to portray the obstacles that these men will have to overcome to find a love.

Read the whole review.


 

Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Rating: 4 Stars

Heat Level: O

Reviewer: Marcy Arbitman

Review:

Randy Martin has reluctantly come back home for his twenty-year high school graduation reunion. Knowing that he was gay and that his small town would never accept him, Randy skipped town the moment that he graduated. Paul Loughton, a lawyer and budding politician was concerned about seeing Randy again. He stayed in town and was afraid that Randy would be too much a reminder of high school. Will Paul finally have to admit to himself that he is gay?

Past Lies was an amazingly orgasmic book bringing the past to the future. Life in their small town was very difficult for anyone different and Paul's father was a seriously homophobic judge. Randy had been crazy about Paul in high school and when drunken Paul made a pass, Randy was more than happy to accept. For the first time, Paul had sex with a man, even though he was not ready to admit that he was gay. Randy was a strong-willed, but kind man and I liked him very much. Differently, Paul was afraid to be open but he was in love with Randy. Their sexual encounters were very graphic—use a toy, you will need one. The secondary characters were both helpful and nasty. My favorite characters were Paul and Randy's mothers. What a pair! Mothers know everything. Ms. Kersten wrote a terrific novel and I expect readers to enjoy it as did I.
 

This review is archived on the JERR Yahoo Group Newsletter #125.


 

Alternative-Read.com

Reviewer: Aris

Excerpt of Review:

This is a wonderful intense reunion for both Randy and Paul. The sensuality and passion that they finally release in one another's embrace sizzles as they both act on their former fantasies. A wonderful story to read making the reader wish for old memories to be fulfilled themselves.

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Fallen Angels

Rating: 4 Angels

Reviewer: Jordan

Excerpt of Review:

The story is full of want, despair, need and bits of hope from both men until you feel so desperately bad and good at the same time that you can’t tell where one leaves off and the other begins. When the climax comes it leaves you wondering if there is any way to work out the problem keeping these two apart. However, the end, oh, the end is so satisfying it’s worth all angst that comes before.

Read the whole review.


Romance Junkies

Reviewer: Christina

Excerpt of Review:

PAST LIES by Shayla Kersten is a hot and enjoyable read. I read this book in one sitting. Randy and Paul are interesting characters. I particularly enjoyed the way Paul’s character develops throughout the story. His relationship with Randy gives him the courage to change his life.

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