A gentle, cosy, and touching romance set in mid-1980's Yorkshire. Simon Peters knows he’s Mr. Average. He works at the local library during the day and goes home to his modest and lonely house at night. Mark Smith was kicked out of home by his drunken father for being gay. Buying a bus ticket, he travels as far as his meagre savings allow. He’s taken in by Jake, but soon realises the man’s darker, criminal side. Trapped, Mark is forced to work the streets. One evening, when the loneliness becomes overwhelming, Simon gathers up his courage and goes to the red light district of the town to buy a little human companionship. As the weeks pass and the weather turns colder outside, both Simon and Mark find warmth and friendship indoors. When an explosion kills Jake and injures Mark, Simon has to make a decision. Can he offer Mark shelter and nurse him back to health without revealing his true feelings for the man?

Fireside Romance Book 1: First Flames

“Daft sod.” Mary shook her head. “Anyway, some hosts you two are. I’ve been here at least five minutes, and I haven’t been offered a drink yet.”


“Don’t look at me. No hands,” Mark said, lifting his arms.


“Between you two, I’ve really got my work cut out, haven’t I?” I asked.


I rolled my eyes, and walked toward the kitchen. Remembering Mark hadn’t asked for any painkillers today I asked if he would join us in having sherry. 


“Yes, I’ll just have a small one. It’s Christmas after all.”


I smiled and entered the kitchen. Popping my head back around the door I told Mary, “You’re only having a small one, too ‘cause you’re driving,” I reached for the bottle of sherry.


“Unless you want to sleep with us,” I heard Mark say.


“She’s having a small one,” I called out. With feeling I continued, “I’m the only one you’re ever going to sleep with from now on, mister!” 


Chapter 34