After declaring their love for each other on Christmas Day, Simon Peters and Mark Smith settle down to a cosy life of domestic togetherness. A new year brings new joys and challenges. Sam, a neighbour boy comes to stay for a few days and adopts Simon and Mark as honorary dads. A promotion at work gives Simon more responsibility. Mark finds employment at the local café. The purchase of a car allows the couple to get out and about to explore the Yorkshire countryside. Snuggle up in an easy chair and toast your toes in front of the fire as you read Simon and Mark’s continuing romantic adventures.

Fireside Romance Book 2: Burning Brighter

I had a momentary pang of sadness when I realised Mark hadn’t left a card for me. I didn’t know what he felt about the whole Valentine’s thing as we hadn’t talked about it. With the demands of his new job, perhaps it had slipped his mind. 


I’ll get a bottle of wine on the way home tonight, I thought as I left the house for work. 


The day went by with agonising slowness. Maybe an office job would have more appeal after all. Apart from the hour I took for lunch after the library closed to the public, when I managed to get a brief word with Mark, I spent the whole day in the department. 


Mark was doing well at the café. It amazed me how he managed to squeeze himself into the tight black trousers Daphne gave him. Daphne claimed the number of female visitors to the café increased, once word got around. 


Though, as she said, “Little do the girls realise what a hopeless cause Mark is for them.” 


Chapter 15