Dante Eternal's Virtual Bookshelf: Smoldering Flame by: Andrew Grey w/ Creative Post & Giveaway

Title: Smoldering Flame

Author: Andrew Grey

Series: Rekindled Flame Series Book 3

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance, Firefighter

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Feb 13 2018

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

Sometimes the strongest flames take the longest to ignite.

Firefighter Dean’s life revolves around his very ill son, Sammy. Caring for Sammy and working to make ends meet leave Dean time for little else, and romance isn’t something he can even consider—no matter how much he longs for someone special to join their family. Because money is tight, Dean couldn’t be more grateful to the photographer who does Sammy’s session free of charge.

After growing up in the foster care system, Marco knows how to rely on himself, and his hard work is about to pay off—he’s poised on the cusp of fame and success he could only have imagined as a lonely child. When Dean brings Sammy into Marco’s studio, Marco can see they’re struggling, and both the boy and his father stir Marco’s heart. The slow burn between the two men isn’t something either expected, but neither wants to lose the possibility of a loving future. With Dean’s dangerous and possibly life-threatening career and Marco’s demanding one, can romance and forever find a place to fit?

Marco was about to explain that he had no appointments and that the stunning man should call to make one, but the words died on his lips as he turned to the little boy. He was probably five years old, drawn-looking, bald-headed, and had a tube to his nose. Marco followed it to a small tank in a wheeled cart on the sidewalk. He motioned them in, stepping back to stay out the way as the little boy pulled the tank cart inside, with the father following behind, looking more and more worried by the second.

This was one sick little boy. His eyes didn’t hold any of the joy or spark children had, and his skin was as pale as any Marco had ever seen. He was thin and small, and he shuffled his feet like he barely had the energy to walk.

“I’m Dean Harlow, and this is Sammy. He was at Hershey Med last week, and in the pediatric ward, they have pictures of children they’ve helped. One of them is a little girl hugging a huge stuffed Dalmatian. It’s all he’s talked about for days. I saw your studio mark, found your website, and I know you don’t take walk-ins, but Sammy would love to see the Dalmatian and maybe play with it for a few seconds.” Dean put his arm around Sammy’s shoulders, gently gathering him closer.

He didn’t fidget the way most kids did. Instead, Sammy leaned on his father like he was resting. It tugged at Marco’s heart.

“As you’ve guessed, I’m Marco. Why don’t the two of you sit down right there, and I’ll get set up. Give me just a few minutes, okay?” Marco waited until they took seats before going into the back. He turned on the lights and took out the large stuffed animal. He’d gotten it years ago when FAO Schwartz went out of business. He put the Dalmatian in the studio area, then set up the camera and lighting before returning to the lobby.

Sammy sat on his dad’s lap, resting against his chest, his eyes closed, probably asleep.

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Most authors have a scene that has been removed from the final version for one reason or another. Does Smoldering Flame have a scene that you removed from the final version or can you write an alternate ending in paragraph form?

I have a short scene that was deleted from Smoldering Flame because it was felt that it might seem like shaming or something. The scene was toned down a lot in the story, but here you get the full version. Now keep in mind that Marco is relating this story to Dean, telling what his now best friend did for him after he’d been shamed for being gay.

“Nothing. I did nothing. Nathan wasn’t my friend then, but he was after that. Heck, I’d do just about anything for Nathan after what happened. He witnessed the whole thing, and when I left the cafeteria, he followed and helped me. Nathan was one of the guys who worked the various gym classes as an assistant.” Marco grinned. “That night they had a football game, and you know how stretchy those pants are.”

Dean snickered. “Yeah. If you didn’t wear all the protective gear under them, the spectators would know your religion.”

“Exactly. Nathan got the jerk’s pants and picked out some of the threads holding them together. So in the middle of the game, in front of thousands of people, the shorts basically fell apart and he was standing on the field with nothing but a jock strap and cup.”

Dean started laughing. “I can just see his shorts in a pile on the ground.”

“Yup, and I got a close-up picture, because I was there for the yearbook. And I made sure that picture got blown up, printed, and sent all over the school, Facebook, and everywhere else I could.” Marco grinned. “I know it was a crappy thing to do, but he deserved it.”

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Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.