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

I saw a flash of pain in Roy’s eyes, but I had little sympathy for him. How many times had he rejected Mark’s own pleas for physical contact? I tried to tamp down on my anger as being mad wasn’t something Mark needed at the moment.


“You must be Simon,” Roy said, turning to me.


“It’s a bit crowded in here,” Mark said, looking around. “Shall we go for a walk maybe?”


“Yes,” Roy said, obviously feeling the tension. “Good idea.”


So much for taking Roy up to our room, I thought, following the two of them out of the main entrance. 


We discussed the weather, the increased prices of things in the shop windows, the amount of litter in the streets. 


I saw a public park up ahead and suggested we go inside. Mark and Roy agreed.


We soon found an empty bench and claimed it before anyone else did.


“Son.” Roy dipped his head. “Sorry.” He put his free hand to his face. “Mark, thank you for agreeing to meet me.” 


Chapter 24