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

“No,” Roy said, briefly meeting Mark’s eye. “Another huge blow came when I found out that you were like me, gay. What a cruel twist of fate that one was.” 


“I can sort of see that,” Mark admitted more quietly. He retook his seat next to me. “Cold?” 


“I’m okay.” I lied. It was important Mark and Roy say what they needed to say and that I didn’t interrupt their flow.


Chapter 26