Santa Baby (Minnesota Christmas #4) by Heidi Cullinan
Cover Art by Kanaxa
Buy links
Amazon • All Romance Ebooks • Barnes & Noble • iTunes • Kobo • Smashwords • Heidi’s Patreon
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is so happy to have Heidi Cullinan agree to answer a few questions for us about her latest story, Santa Baby in the wonderful Minnesota Christmas series, a favorite here at STRW. Along with the interview, we also have 2 giveaways for our readers to enter and an except to read. Now lets get started.
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My interview with Heidi Cullinan
- I was surprised to see another story in one of my favorite series, what was the inspiration?
Well, I’d always thought there would be at least a little hanky-panky after the way they made eyes at each other during the end of Winter Wonderland, and I thought maybe I could write a short story for fun this Christmas. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized there was something deeper between them, particularly between Gabriel and Dale. That was quite a revelation, and I couldn’t resist the rabbit hole.
- Does this mean we might get even more?
I do want to do a spin-off series, probably not linked just to Christmas exactly. I’ve thought of calling it Minnesota Summer, or maybe it’s simply Christmas Town. This way we could go out on the lake in the summer, etc., and see some of the tourism Dale is drumming up. But yes, we’ll go back to Logan in one form or another. Eventually. I have a long writing list.
- You’ve added a third to one of my favorite couples, was that a surprise to you or something you always saw the potential for?
It was a surprise. I wasn’t planning on it any more than Gabriel or Arthur. But it all worked out for the best, I feel. I hope readers do too.
- What’s next for Heidi Cullinan?
Right now I’m working on book two of the Roosevelt series, Shelter the Sea. It will be a continuation of Carry the Ocean, not yet David’s book though that had been my original plan. This is a theme, you may have noticed. My plans are not always the plans that happen. I’ve learned not to argue. After that I have a long list of what’s coming, but what is precisely next and in what order depends on a lot of things. I intend to publish novels in February, May, July, September, and November if I can, though. We’ll see if I can be that ambitious or not.
For those of you who love to follow along with Heidi’s playlist for each novel, here is her playlist for Santa Baby:
- The playlist Heidi Cullinan used while writing the story: https://open.spotify.com/user/12123422997/playlist/3CfEQygmo0v5T9iDkvr8uH
For Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words review of Santa Baby, visit here
About Santa Baby
Trimming the tree is more fun with three.
Twin Cities developer Dale Davidson has come to Logan, Minnesota, to turn it into Christmas Town, not to give in to Arthur Anderson’s offer to join him and his fiancé, Gabriel Higgins, for a Christmas Eve threesome. Dale is polyamorous, but it’s clear Arthur is offering a night of fun and nothing more. Maybe one night with the couple he admires so much won’t hurt…
Together the three of them light a fire hot enough to boil Lake Superior in January, and one night of fun becomes an extended engagement as Dale puts down some tentative roots in his new hometown. Everyone loves Dale, Logan’s own Santa Claus, and somehow no one knows what wild times are happening right underneath their noses. No one knows, either, the complicated ways they’re falling in love with one another.
But a shadow from Dale’s past emerges, an abuser threatening him with violence and shame. Ronny doesn’t want a happy ever after for Dale, only to draw him back into a consuming darkness. It will take the love of not only Gabriel and Arthur but all of Logan to convince their Santa he has nothing to be ashamed of—and that he will always have a home in their hearts
Excerpt from Santa Baby
Dale put a hand on Gabriel’s other leg, appearing concerned. “Are you all right?”
Now the two of them were touching him, sending their heat, their intensity into him, both of them laser-focused on his comfort, his needs, his pleasure. Suddenly he had a clear idea of how this evening was going to go. Gabriel held up his hands and let out an unsteady breath. “I’m fine. Shall we eat?”
He was relieved to find they settled into a rather normal meal, giving him a respite to collect himself. His body was a little sleepy from the orgasm, and he declined his second glass of wine, opting for water instead. The food was familiar, simple, and delicious. In the year they’d been together, Arthur had perfected the set of spices for venison steak, knowing just what and how much to season with to bring out the flavor in a way that made the meat exactly right. It was the same meal as the disastrous first dinner between the three of them—had it been deliberate? Arthur’s way of giving them a complete do-over? Probably. Except all Gabriel needed from the spread was the steak. The potatoes and salad, as far as he was concerned, were there for show—though he did try Dale’s bread, since he’d gone through the trouble to make it himself and since it happened to be Gabriel’s favorite.
It was quite good, in fact, especially since Arthur had kept it warm in the oven. Gabriel slathered it with butter and ate several large pieces, to the point that he put himself in a conundrum of which did he finish, his meat or his bread.
Arthur nudged him with his elbow. “Don’t make yourself so full you’re sick. Plenty more coming later.”
Gabriel understood what he meant by more—activity, not dinner, but Dale said, “Oh, is there dessert?”
Arthur didn’t move his gaze from Gabriel’s. “Yeah, I was thinking some cream.”
Gabriel blushed scarlet.
Dale chuckled and eased into his seat. “Goddamn, Arthur, but I love how you don’t muck around.”
“Not something I’m known for, no.” Arthur poked at the last few potatoes on his plate and swept up the remaining juices with the crust of his bread. “And since we’ve brought it up now, let’s lay out some rules for this evening’s entertainment. First, as a reminder, I’m making all of them. Second, and most important, if anybody doesn’t like what’s going on or needs us to ease up, we use yellow and red.” He rested a hand on Gabriel’s shoulder and toyed with a lock of his hair. “Gabriel does enjoy, in the right circumstances, saying no when he means go. But obviously it’s a risky game, and if we end up going there tonight, you’ll be following my lead, Mr. Davidson.”
Dale nodded, his expression hooded. “Yes, sir.”
Arthur glanced across their plates. “It looks like we’re all pretty much finished. Let’s get this table cleared, shall we? And then we can have a little fun.”
Gabriel carried the bread to the counter, because it was the only thing he dared carry for fear he’d drop it in his shaking hands. He wasn’t fearful, really, simply so stimulated and primed, aware both Arthur and Dale were focused on him. It made him excited, but it was overwhelming too. Part of him wanted to throw up his hands and tell them to leave the leftovers, for God’s sake, but for the first time ever he hadn’t finished his steak, and he watched it go into the fridge, thinking of when he would like to eat it next.
Then everything was put away, and they were heading into the living room.
Here we go.
Giveaway Times 2
We are giving away one copy of Santa Baby to one lucky reader. Leave a comment along with your email address where you can be reached. Giveaway ends December 9th at midnight. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter both contests.
There is also a Rafflecopter giveaway of Books 1-4 of the Minnesota Christmas Series (Let It Snow, Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland, Santa Baby), Santa Hat, Handkerchief, copy of American Gods) from Heidi Cullinan. To enter that giveaway use the Rafflecopter code below.
About the Author
Heidi Cullinan has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. She writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. When Heidi isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, playing with her cats, and watching television with her family. Find out more about Heidi at heidicullinan.com.
How to find the author:
Spotify (pretty much entirely work in progress soundtracks, and past stories)
Facebook: Author Profile (more posts, more randomness, easy to tag)
Facebook: Fan Page (not as many posts, sticks to largely books and the occasional interesting bit)
Instagram (mostly my kid and cats)
Blog (lots of back content, not much news)
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