Simon Peters and his partner Mark Smith face a number of challenging life events in the fourth and final volume of this heart-warming saga. Because of his time working on the streets after being kicked out of home by his father, Mark worries he may have contracted HIV. Despite knowing the lack of treatment options if he were to test positive -- this is the late 1980’s before the age of retro-viral drugs -- Mark is determined to know his fate. Things become complicated when Mark receives a letter from his father wanting to re-establish contact. Roy entering their lives presents further challenges, ones which ultimately threaten Simon and Mark’s continued happiness. Gay teens Sam and Billy play an increasingly important part in Simon and Mark’s lives, often regarding the older men as surrogate fathers/big brothers. Can this unconventional family pull together and become stronger, despite all the world has thrown at them?

Fireside Romance Book 4: Glowing Embers

Back at home, I made coffee; Mark said he didn’t feel like eating anything.


“There’s a lot to think about,” he began. 


I put the mug of coffee I’d been holding on the table and brought my stool next to his. 


“If I’d have had the test at the doctors, they would have been legally bound to report a positive result on any mortgage applications, life insurance, medicals, that kind of thing. If I have a test at the clinic they would have to write to me before passing on those details to anyone, and John said they would never write to me. Mind you, I didn’t give our address so they couldn’t even if they wanted to.”


I nodded and made a noise of agreement.


“Because of what I had to do,” Mark swallowed, “my chances of having the virus are increased.” He sniffed. “I want to know. Despite there being no treatment, I still want to know if I’m going to die.”


“Oh, Mark.” I pulled him toward me.


Chapter 11