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

“Jesus, how much food did you pack?” Mark asked me as he hefted a cardboard box from the boot of the car. 


“I thought I should bring plenty,” I said, following him into the cottage with another box. “Mary said it was a bit of a drive to the nearest supermarket.”


“I thought we were eating out some nights?” an empty-handed Sam piped up. 


“Yeah, so did I,” Mark said, putting the box on the kitchen worktop. “But it looks like we’ve got enough in here to last us, even if we get snowed in for a fortnight!”


“Stop complaining and bring in the suitcase,” I said, giving Mark’s retreating bottom a squeeze.


“Bags us having the bedroom with the double bed in it,” Sam said.


“Sod off,” Mark and I said together. 


Chapter 35