Let It Snow

Cullinan (Love Lessons) blends appreciation for down-home values with hopes for gay equality in this charismatically sexy blizzard story. While trying to drive home to Minneapolis, “slicked-up pretty boy” stylist Frankie Blackburn gets caught in a storm outside the small town of Logan. He stumbles through the cold to a cabin, where a trio of men he calls “the three bears” later discover him. Frankie is terrified until he learns that all three lumberjacks are as gay as he is. Marcus is intensely gruff and standoffish with Frankie until a confrontation strikes sparks that kindle a flame hot enough to melt the feet of snow falling outside. The sex scenes sizzle, but the rest of the book is forced to strike an odd balance; Frankie is concerned enough with the realities of living as an out gay man that his story can’t quite be called light entertainment, but Cullinan avoids focusing on those concerns in favor of romance and passion. Those looking for fireplace warmth with the occasional cold shock of realism will enjoy this cozy, spicy story. (Dec.)