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

“Morning,” I said, causing him to jump. 


I wasn’t in the mood for small talk, so asked, “Ready to go up?” I gestured to the lifts. Because of Roy’s arthritic knees I hadn’t suggested taking the stairs.


We got in the lift and I pushed the button for the third floor. My stomach always grew a bit queasy when I used a lift. I wasn’t claustrophobic or anything, but the thought of being trapped in a metal box for a few hours sent a shiver down my spine. Mind you, if the rescuer was a hunky fireman, well, that might put a different spin on things. 


I must have been smiling because Roy asked, “What’s funny?” 


I was going to make something up, but at the last second decided to confess my rescue fantasy.


The lift doors opened on my floor and Roy and I stepped off without need of rescue.


Inside the room, Mark offered his dad our only chair.


We chose our food from the room service menu and I called down to the reception desk.


Chapter 28