James Semerad grew up Amish.  As a gay male, he was harshly treated by his father and when he was able to get out, he did.  Now he has made a life for himself.  He has a job and is going to college.  While he craves the touch of a male, James has never actually been with one, but that is about to change when Fred Billingsley comes through his checkout line at work.

James agrees to a date with Fred and once they are at Fred’s home, sparks fly and bullets breach.  It seems that Fred has angered two formative mob families and because of this, he and James are in danger.  The only thing that can be done to keep them safe is to put them in the witness protection program.  James is dismayed to find out where they are going to be hiding – his old Amish village.  While Fred’s cover is that of a bachelor, James returns as one shunned.  But not even the village is safe from spies and killers.

I really wanted to like The Shunned.  I thought the plot and premise of this novel to be a great lead in for a wonderful, emotional, and erotic book.  Instead, much to my dismay, I got stilted words, barely there touches, and no emotional connection between the two main characters.  Sadly disappointed, it wasn’t until the very ending scene that I could even tell that Fred and James cared for one another.

Skipping The Shunned is my recommendation at this time.  While I found myself immersed in Amish country and culture, I wanted to be right there watching and seeing Fred and James’ relationship unfold.  And it didn’t.  Hopefully Mr. Hughes will be able to make his characters connect in further books or at least give them worthy love scenes.  I’ll cross my fingers.