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

“Why don’t you go home? You’re not much use here.”


“I might need all the leave I’ve got left if Roy is ill.”


I shook my head, knowing I couldn’t feign an illness and claim sick leave. 


“For God’s sake, Simon, you’ve been the most conscientious employee in this place for years. No one will say anything.”


I sighed. Mary was right. “Okay, okay, I’ll go home at lunchtime.”


It turned out Mark had had a similarly unproductive morning because he was at home when I came through the front door a little after 1 P.M. 


“You, too, huh?” he said, coming towards me and pulling me into a hug.


I nodded. “As I was walking home I got to thinking. Maybe we should travel up to Newcastle today.” In fact, if we set off soon we’d avoid the rush hour traffic.


I felt Mark nod against my shoulder. “I love you.” He pulled back slightly and kissed me on the lips.


I kissed him back. “We’ll get through this.”


Chapter 50