Erik Josef is a forty-three-year-old, recently divorced businessman with one goal: wrap up his last project of the year so he can spend the holidays in Tahiti. All he wants is drinks on a beach, served to him by a woman in a bikini.
While waiting at an airport bar for his business partner to fly into Buffalo, New York, he encounters Seth Cobb, a chatty travel writer waiting for a flight to Pittsburgh to visit his family.
After a huge snowstorm grounds all flights, a mix-up at the Williamsville Inn leads to Erik and Seth sharing a room. Seth’s love of Christmas gets on Erik’s last nerve, but a mugful of Seth’s hot chocolate slowly melts Erik’s icy exterior.
When Erik realizes he’s attracted to Seth, he must choose between the life he’s always known, or a new adventure with a man a decade younger and a second chance at happiness.
Seth is adorable and Erik . . . well I warred between strangling him and smothering him a big Mama Bear hug. All kinds of holiday feels to get you in the spirit of the season.
Okay so that's a short review but honestly, it says everything that made me love Brigham Vaughn's Snowstorms and Second Chances. When I first met Erik, I kept thinking how am I suppose to cheer for this guy? Then fate intervenes and he actually got snippier and I wanted to smack him one but when fate raises elements to a new level and Erik finally takes a minute to breathe, you begin to see a softer side, a nicer side, and you realizes he is actually human underneath that holiday bah-humbugging gruff. I don't know that I could give him the chances that Seth does but I'm glad he did.
As a lifelong, born and raised Wisconsinite, I can tell you that snowstorms are unpredictable, they pop up with very little to no warning sometimes. Heck I remember more than once when the TV weather morons hype up wicked snow for a week and then the day of infamy arrives they claim weather patterns shift and went more North or stayed South only to find yourself buried in 20+" 24 hours later. Brigham Vaughn creates the setting as someone who knows snow. The weather may mostly be just a setup for getting the main characters in the same close proximity but when it can alter plans so drastically as it does in Snowstorms, Mother Nature becomes a character in itself. One of the things I loved(and yes I laughed and maybe even pointed and said "You had it coming, Erik") about Seth was his preparedness versus Erik's complete lack of readiness and nothing showed that more than in his choice(or lack thereof) of footwear. Again, a great element spoken most likely from experience.
Whether you believe in fate, the magic of the season, or right place right time the end result is the same: the snowstorm is the best thing to happen to Erik and Seth but will they let what they discover continue once Mother Nature lets up? I think you know what's coming: You'll have to read for yourself to find out. Trust me, you will love every minute spent at the Williamsville Inn.
RATING:
“All joking aside, I guess we’ll have to hope that Christmas romance pans out for you after all,” Seth said a few minutes later.
“Guess so,” Erik said absently as he stared at the TV screen. He glanced at Seth. “For you too.”
“Thanks. Maybe that should have been my birthday wish last week.”
“You had a birthday last week?”
Seth nodded. “On the nineteenth. I spent it in Dresden. I was there to write a piece about the Striezelmarkt—the Christmas market—that’s been going on for over 600 years.”
“I’ve heard of those,” Erik said. “They’re all over Germany, right?”
“Yes. This is supposed to be one of the best though. There’s a carousel and the world’s biggest nutcracker. Plus, hundreds of booths filled with handmade crafts, pottery, candles, toys, wooden ornaments, and food. It’s incredible. Twinkling lights everywhere and the whole atmosphere feels festive.” By the end, Seth’s serious expression had melted away and was replaced by his now-familiar happy smile. He glowed when he talked about travel.
“It does sound incredible,” Erik agreed. “I can think of worse places to spend my birthday.”
“Oh, me too,” Seth agreed. “And I met a nice strapping German man by the name of Hans to celebrate it with. My German isn’t great, and his English was a bit broken, but we managed.” Seth gave him a little wink.
“I can’t say spending my birthday with Hans would be my choice,” Erik said drily. “But good for you.”
Seth shivered. “Is it just me or is it getting colder in here again?”
“It does seem like it.” Erik stood, then walked over to fiddle with the heater controls. “I’ll try cranking it up a little more.”
“I wonder if there are any extra blankets in the room?” Seth said as he walked past. He opened the closet doors. “Hmm. Nothing in here. Maybe in the dresser?”
“I didn’t notice anything when I put my clothes in there but check the bottom two drawers—I didn’t look in them. If you don’t find any blankets, I’ll have a talk with someone at the desk in the morning,” Erik said. He doubted a maintenance person was on hand twenty-four hours, especially in this weather.
“Or we could share body heat,” Seth said with a grin as he returned to his spot on the bed.
“Are you sure you didn’t get me liquored up so you could take advantage of me?” Erik asked, but he kept his voice light and teasing.
Seth shot him a dirty look. “No. Of course not. But the offer stands if you need it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Erik grabbed his toiletry kit and a pair of pajamas out of the dresser. “I’m going to shower. Alone. And get ready for bed unless you need the bathroom before I head in there.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Erik fled to the bathroom as if Seth’s offer to help him out was hot on his heels.
Author Bio:
Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.Her books range from short stories to novellas. They explore gay, lesbian, and polyamorous romance in contemporary settings.
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SMASHWORDS / PINTEREST / SCRIBd / B&N
EMAIL: brighamvaughn@gmail.com
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