I liked Eric and Omar, who bump into each other on a freezing cold day. They're both curious about the other and start getting to know each other. The cultural differences were nicely mentioned, without making them a big deal. There is a lot more I'd like to know about how their relationship develops! ( )

Winterlude by Tam Ames (published by Torquere Press at 5800 words) should especially delight those readers who love stories of opposites attract. It has a vivid wintry setting in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario Province, where the temperature has been known to get down to -15.3C and the snowdrifts can get about two feet deep. The smooth understated writing, crisp dialog, and playful sexual chemistry between the two young men of Winterlude all combine to make a very engaging read.

Told from one third-person viewpoint (Eric), the story centers on two twenty-something guys who happen to meet when one literally runs into the other on an icy sidewalk in Ottawa. Though immediately attracted to each other, they couldn’t be more different. Disorganized Eric, of Swedish descent, works in a “body mod” shop, and has the piercings to prove it. Omar, of French Canadian and Libyan heritage, is a squared-away computer specialist, who works for the government. He is familiar with Muslim practices, but is not very serious about religion. The two men share a lively curiosity about each other’s cultural differences, a relaxed sense of humor, and the desire to pursue their newfound friendship through one hot sex scene and the promise of more to come.

Val for AReCafe ( )