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In From The Cold
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Jeff Young is starting a year-long sabbatical in rural north Georgia, but he arrives at the cabin he rented only to find the power's out after an ice storm. Looking for a warm place to spend a night or two, Jeff meets Neal Owens, the owner of a rustic lodge, who sets him up in one of the unfinished bungalows. Their friendly conversation over dinner soon develops into a hot encounter between the sheets, but can their unexpected night together become something more?
Jeff Young is starting a year-long sabbatical in rural north Georgia, but he arrives at the cabin he rented only to find the power's out after an ice storm. Looking for a warm place to spend a night or two, Jeff meets Neal Owens, the owner of a rustic lodge, who sets him up in one of the unfinished bungalows. Their friendly conversation over dinner soon develops into a hot encounter between the sheets, but can their unexpected night together become something more?
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2011
1 person is currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Shae Connor
45 books75 followersShae Connor lives in Atlanta, where she’s a lackadaisical government worker by day and writes sweet-hot romance under the cover of night. She’s been making things up for as long as she can remember, but it took her a while to figure out that maybe she should try writing them down.
Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains why she never shuts up. When she’s not chained to her laptop, she enjoys cooking, traveling, watching baseball, reading voraciously, giving and receiving hugs, and wearing tiaras. In her copious spare time, she volunteers as director and editor of the Dragon Con on-site publication, the Daily Dragon.
Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains why she never shuts up. When she’s not chained to her laptop, she enjoys cooking, traveling, watching baseball, reading voraciously, giving and receiving hugs, and wearing tiaras. In her copious spare time, she volunteers as director and editor of the Dragon Con on-site publication, the Daily Dragon.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 4, 2012
This review can be found at Brief Encounters Reviews.
This is not really a Christmas story, but does take place during December. Jeff had intended to spend some time in a cabin, however due to a storm, the power lines are down and it will likely be at least three days before he has electricity. Rather than freeze to death, he tries a local lodge and is lucky enough to get one of the renovated cabins, although it’s not completely fitted out yet. He also meet sexy Lodge owner Neal. As they work together to prepare the cabin, he finally realizes who Neal is, a former baseball player who had a career-ending injury. Neal offers to pick up food for Jeff and Jeff invites him to stay and they get to know each other better, if you know what I mean.
I had some issues with this story. First, why was Jeff at the cabin alone? He does mention he has a rocky relationship with his conservative religious family, and it’s indicated it’s been a very long time since he had a lover, but I wasn’t sure what the point of him being there was. He quizzes Neal at length about his life, his former lover with whom he bought the lodge, his injury, etc. but when he talks about himself, Neal gets:
He paused, not wanting to get into the whole story. “It’s complicated, but I came into some money and took some time off to focus on the writing for a while.”
What money? What is the whole story? If I was Neal I’d be asking. I felt like I should have known that and maybe I’d missed it somewhere. As well, after knowing each other for about six hours total, they decide to try a relationship. I suppose the fact that Jeff is now focussing on his writing means he doesn’t have to live in Atlanta for a job, but you just met. Thankfully, they don’t declare true love and admit they’ll see where it goes, but to be honest, the last thing I’d mention in that situation would be a relationship. You have a few days, wait and see.
So there isn’t much conflict here. It’s two men, getting to know each other and deciding to see what will happen, but while I was given quite a bit of information about Neal’s background including his former career and love life, I didn’t really know much about Jeff and that made me feel less connected to him and invested in his happiness. It’s well written though and the author is an easy read, with an approachable style. I’ve read stories by her before and enjoyed them, however this is one of those stories you read and it rather slips from your memory shortly after, at least for me.
It should be noted that the blurb here on Goodreads is quite different than the one I found on the publisher's website and explains some things I was unclear on in the story.
This is not really a Christmas story, but does take place during December. Jeff had intended to spend some time in a cabin, however due to a storm, the power lines are down and it will likely be at least three days before he has electricity. Rather than freeze to death, he tries a local lodge and is lucky enough to get one of the renovated cabins, although it’s not completely fitted out yet. He also meet sexy Lodge owner Neal. As they work together to prepare the cabin, he finally realizes who Neal is, a former baseball player who had a career-ending injury. Neal offers to pick up food for Jeff and Jeff invites him to stay and they get to know each other better, if you know what I mean.
I had some issues with this story. First, why was Jeff at the cabin alone? He does mention he has a rocky relationship with his conservative religious family, and it’s indicated it’s been a very long time since he had a lover, but I wasn’t sure what the point of him being there was. He quizzes Neal at length about his life, his former lover with whom he bought the lodge, his injury, etc. but when he talks about himself, Neal gets:
He paused, not wanting to get into the whole story. “It’s complicated, but I came into some money and took some time off to focus on the writing for a while.”
What money? What is the whole story? If I was Neal I’d be asking. I felt like I should have known that and maybe I’d missed it somewhere. As well, after knowing each other for about six hours total, they decide to try a relationship. I suppose the fact that Jeff is now focussing on his writing means he doesn’t have to live in Atlanta for a job, but you just met. Thankfully, they don’t declare true love and admit they’ll see where it goes, but to be honest, the last thing I’d mention in that situation would be a relationship. You have a few days, wait and see.
So there isn’t much conflict here. It’s two men, getting to know each other and deciding to see what will happen, but while I was given quite a bit of information about Neal’s background including his former career and love life, I didn’t really know much about Jeff and that made me feel less connected to him and invested in his happiness. It’s well written though and the author is an easy read, with an approachable style. I’ve read stories by her before and enjoyed them, however this is one of those stories you read and it rather slips from your memory shortly after, at least for me.
It should be noted that the blurb here on Goodreads is quite different than the one I found on the publisher's website and explains some things I was unclear on in the story.
December 28, 2011
This is a nice story about two lonely men ‘coming in from the cold’ of their respective long isolation. There was a little bit of background about each of them, just enough to set the scene and to explain why they were so right for each other - at least for now. An interesting beginning to what might be a happy relationship. The initial physical encounter certainly bodes well.
Jeff is a writer who wants to take a year-long break. He seems to be a bit of a recluse and not quite sure what he wants. Meeting Neal opens up the possibility of having someone to talk to and to have some fun with, if not more. They may not get very far in this story, but this is only their first encounter, so that is only realistic.
If you like short, sexy stories about two men meeting and deciding they might be meant for more, and if getting rescued from the snow is something you’d like to read about, you might like this story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Silver Publishing for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
Jeff is a writer who wants to take a year-long break. He seems to be a bit of a recluse and not quite sure what he wants. Meeting Neal opens up the possibility of having someone to talk to and to have some fun with, if not more. They may not get very far in this story, but this is only their first encounter, so that is only realistic.
If you like short, sexy stories about two men meeting and deciding they might be meant for more, and if getting rescued from the snow is something you’d like to read about, you might like this story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Silver Publishing for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
December 30, 2015
4 Heart Review by Cindy
This is a cute little story that will warm you up on a cold winters night. Jeff is looking to make a change in his life but the heat in the cabin he’s supposed to do it in has broken down so he goes looking for a room.
Neal has a room to spare and rents it to Jeff. The attraction between them is instant and it worked well for me, even though I usually like more of a build up. There’s no doubts about where this is headed and it’s right into the bed they just made up together.
There are some sweet and tender moments sprinkled through the story and the author’s love of baseball peeks through as well. The sex is hot and I love the fact that we are left with a hopeful ending that isn’t taken over the top.
If you’re looking for a smile and something to warm you up a little, this story is definitely for you.
At only 29 pages, I would usually be complaining that it’s too short but you know what? This story is fine exactly how it is. It left me imagining a future for Jeff and Neal without making me feel like I was cheated out of a long story.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
This is a cute little story that will warm you up on a cold winters night. Jeff is looking to make a change in his life but the heat in the cabin he’s supposed to do it in has broken down so he goes looking for a room.
Neal has a room to spare and rents it to Jeff. The attraction between them is instant and it worked well for me, even though I usually like more of a build up. There’s no doubts about where this is headed and it’s right into the bed they just made up together.
There are some sweet and tender moments sprinkled through the story and the author’s love of baseball peeks through as well. The sex is hot and I love the fact that we are left with a hopeful ending that isn’t taken over the top.
If you’re looking for a smile and something to warm you up a little, this story is definitely for you.
At only 29 pages, I would usually be complaining that it’s too short but you know what? This story is fine exactly how it is. It left me imagining a future for Jeff and Neal without making me feel like I was cheated out of a long story.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
December 28, 2011
I want more. So much more. And yet, as a short story this succeeded in so many ways. The MCs are compelling, well thought out and feel real. Their encounter with each other is so brief, but I laughed and smiled with them the entire time, wishing there was more to read. I would buy a full length novel of their story.
December 24, 2011
This short story feels like a prologue for a longer story. It is a nice introduction to both men, as they meet each other under a snow storm circumstance. It will be nice if we can visit them again to know whether they can figure out what to do with their attraction and living situation.
December 22, 2011
This short story was like an preview for a full novel and I would definitely want to read it. Both Jeff and Neal were interesting, real enough. Truth to be said it was to short, but pulling enough for wishing it would be longer. I definitely vote for more.
February 21, 2016
Jeff and Neal meet when Jeff shows up at Neal's lodge when the electricity in Jeff's cabin goes out. What follows is a nice cabin romance which ends on a hopeful note without going overboard into insta-love in 24 hours.
December 26, 2011
Nice short story about a writer and a former baseball player who meet by chance on a cold winter night in Georgia. Kinda sweet and romantic. I could read more about these two???
December 28, 2011
2.5 i liked them, but there was not much of a story. just a beginning.
January 11, 2012
2.5 story...OK read for me. I didn't really connect with the characters in the story.
December 10, 2014
I would love an extended version of this story. So sweet!
December 7, 2012
Jeff ends up without any power and in need of a warm bed. Neal has room at his inn. Jeff finds the warmth he needs but a whole lot more.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews