The story begins with Megan Galagher returning to NY via the scenic route from a book signing in Manchester NH. Lost in the mountains, she finds the small town of Cutters Gap just as bad weather sets in. The same threatening storm brings the reclusive Dr. Randi Oakes into town to get supplies, where, naturally, the two meet. But rather than having the romantic sparks flying, Queenfor4 sets up a rather interesting relationship:

"Ms. Gallagher, I’ve read quite a few of your stories. And, while they are gripping mysteries, they all have one recurring and disturbing trend. They all feature gay and lesbian characters. And those characters are always portrayed as being sick, twisted and immoral. That is a malicious, incorrect, and inflammatory stereotype, Ms. Gallagher, and I find it offensive."

Megan’s confusion turned to cold indifference as she stepped back from the taller woman. "I call them as I see them, Dr. Oakes. Those kind of people are an affront to society, and serve absolutely no purpose in this world. I’m sorry if my portrayals of these individuals offend you."

The two would gladly go their separate ways after this exchange, but, with a little help from the weather and Megan's continuing poor luck with directions given by the local natives, they wind up trapped in Dr. Oakes' sprawling ranch house for five weeks. Suffice to say that these two have a more than a few hurdles to overcome in coming to understand and appreciate each other.

Despite what I felt to be a slightly shaky premise for getting the two together, and despite the almost stereotypical occupations of the two leads, Queenfor4 makes this story work, and better yet, she portrays her characters in anything BUT stereotypical fashion. She's not afraid to let Megan make big, walloping mistakes (repeatedly), yet quite believably, nor is she afraid to portray the good doctor as very vulnerable, patient, and compassionate (very un-Xena like). The interaction between the two is gripping and fun to watch unfold. Throw in some believable character history to liven up the plot, some lovely hurt/comfort scenes, and some wonderful character introspection and growth, and I find this to be a story well worth the time to read.

In Snowbound our girls are Randi and Megan, and Megan is severely homophobic, and Randi is very out. Our protagonists are brought together by coincidence and forced to remain together by circumstance, literally ‘snowbound’. But what makes the story stand out is that what separates them is never minimised, and the characters grow through their problems in a fairly realistic way. These traits are not constructed through quick and facile characteristics, and neither are the solutions.

It also helps enormously that despite the above mentioned unattractiveness, they are very appealing and the story is very well written.

The night before a battle Xena is alone by a campfire, Gabrielle is safe in a inn. This is where the same tired scenario stops. A warrior who has suffered a great loss comes to Xena's camp site on a mission of love and circumstance that will leave you pondering long after the story has been read.