Shady Ridge And The Neon Sky (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
Hank is a cop in Shady Ridge, a small town where he works as a police officer. He goes to the Neon Sky, a gay bar out of town every six months or so to meet three buddies who spend the weekend literally screwing their brains out. Charlie is a new cop, a transfer from out of town who is assigned to Hank for his orientation. After the first day together Hank confesses that he had plans to go out of town and Charlie, who had plans of his own, encourages Hank to go, while both plan to meet to work again at noon on Sunday. Imagine Hank’s surprise when he sees Charlie at the Neon Sky – with another man. And Charlie’s surprise to see Hank with another guy’s hands all over him. Once back together on Sunday they briefly discuss the weekend and agree to move forward, not letting their personal lives effect their work lives.This is a love story and from that moment the story of Hank and Charlie’s growing relationship develops. That ultimately ends with their love and commitment to one another. It’s hot and it’s sweet. No angst or life threatening situations, just a slow gentle path to love. I'm so glad I finally got down to reading this one. I'd bought Owens' BDSM series, read part of the first title and gave up on it and never picked up another book by her.What a huge difference SR&TNS is! Just a sweet, simple yet oh-so-satisfying romance between two cops in a small town with none of the stereotypical small-town angst thrown in. I was hooked from the first page as Hank sits in his office focusing on the dust motes flitting by and in walks six-foot five, Charlie. I could feel Hank's conflicting responses - he's skeptical about this stranger's claim that he's the new hire but he's also attracted. When he's told he has to baby-sit Charlie this weekend and show him the town, Hank is just pissed off since he's got plans that weekend.Hank's not been in a relationship - all he has are his bi-annual get-togethers with a bunch of guys to fuck. While I could say that arrangement is a "committed" one in that it's the same guys, it's hardly romantic. When Charlie walks into Hank's life, the former's long-term relationship has just ended but there's no baggage being lugged around by either men. While I tend to enjoy the darker, grittier romantic suspenses, I need a break in between and Owens' romance between the two cops is just the right change I needed. It was tender at parts yet the sex was so hot I was holding my breath. This made me wonder about Torquere's heat rating. SR&TNS is rated a chile pepper but I rate it hotter than the jalapenos I've read, never mind the habanero pepper. I'm thinking perhaps Torquere rates them by the number of sex scenes rather than how erotic it is. Quantity rather than quality.In ST&TNS, there's just that first scene between Hank and Charles which doesn't even involve penetration and then there's the main love-making session. The love develops between the two cops gradually and unobtrusively yet is so obvious. No 'big mis' to mess things up, no serial killer out to get one of them, no homophobic colleagues or parents. Just the focus on how Hank and Charles come to fall in love with each other and have the expected HEA.
What do You think about Shady Ridge And The Neon Sky (2008)?
2.75 starsA simple, no conflict, bordering on boring read that I found no excitement in.
—Lotushue
Really good sweet and angst free story about two cops in a small town.
—Lily
