About On Fire II: Still Burning
Written by Drew Zachary
131 pages / 60000 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-031-3, 1-60370-031-5
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, paperback
Robert and Sam are back in this sequel to On Fire! Fire Chief Robert is completely unaware that Sam is having trouble with the residents of their small Canadian town. He doesn’t hear any of the barbs that come Sam’s way about them living together in an openly gay relationship.
Much younger and not as well-loved by the whole town, Sam feels pretty much like an outsider, and things get rougher for him when Robert has an accident on the job. Sam finds out that some folks would prefer to see him gone, and some feel like he’s not such a great influence on his third grade students.
When Robert finds out about Sam’s troubles, he sets out to put things right, working toward finding Sam the acceptance he so desperately craves, both in the community and in their own home. Can Robert make Sam understand how much he cares? Can Sam handle the new demands placed on his life by Robert’s new commitment?
Drew Zachary has created a wonderful pair of lovers and partners in the On Fire series, leading the reader through the everyday details of a couple who are still on fire for each other no matter what. On Fire 2: Still Burning opens a window on a life, and love, that are worth it, no matter how much Sam and Robert get burned.
Review
Tory Temple, author of Heat and Flashover, writes: Sam and Robert are back, burning brighter and hotter than ever! In this delicious sequel to On Fire, the boys are a little older and a little wiser, but no less eager for each other as they were the first time around.
Nearly eight years after we last left them, Sam and Robert are still going strong. Sam is happily teaching the third grade and Robert is the town’s beloved fire chief. Living and loving together, the two of them really seem to have it all, especially in the area of sex. Sam hasn’t lost any of his remarkable ability to go like the Energizer Bunny, and Robert does an admirable job of keeping up with him. But, as with any relationship, there are unexpected complications that mar their idyllic life. Dealing with hatred and bigotry for being gay is something that affects both of them, and especially the sensitive Sam. The dangers of Robert’s job become painfully clear during an accident that leaves Sam reeling. Things seem to pile one on top of the other until Robert finally offers Sam a solution that seems to be the answer to most of their concerns. Can Sam understand that Robert’s offer is coming from his heart and not his head?
I loved reading about these men in their first novel, and this sequel was no exception. Sam and Robert have a true connection that Drew Zachary manages to show in each hot, well-scripted sex scene. The two can connect outside of the bedroom, too. Robert’s quiet strength and Sam’s boundless enthusiasm for life are opposite traits of the best kind, and these men balance each other as only couples in love can. This was an extremely enjoyable read for me and I recommend everyone pick up a copy to spend some time with Sam and Robert. As usual, Zachary does not disappoint.
Sample
Robert loved his job.
He loved being a fireman, and more than that, he loved being the chief of the volunteer brigade at Port Wilson, a little town in northern British Columbia. Okay, there could be more fires to fight, though for the greater good it was a good thing that there wasn't, but other than that it was great. He didn't even really mind the paperwork.
And he got to teach classes and lead drills and he didn't have to share a dorm room with a bunch of other guys.
He and Sam lived in the house next to the fire station, and while he was on call pretty much 24/7, he really only worked from eight until three, coincidentally the hours that Sam was off teaching at the school.
Life was good.
Of course, at the end of a Saturday of drills he was singing a different tune entirely. He was hot and sweaty, filthy with soot, hungry, headachy and just plain growly.
"See you on Tuesday, Chief," Bill Anders called out, and Robert frowned.
"Tuesday?"
"Town Council meeting at four?"
"Oh, right. Yeah, see you then." He nodded and managed a smile or two as the last of his volunteers headed off. He had to check to make sure they'd put the equipment back properly, and poke the fire pit to make sure there wasn't even a hint of a spark left before he could finally strip off his gear. He hung it up on its hooks in the fire station, his clothing absolutely soaked with sweat. Man, they'd really worked it out there. Or maybe he was just starting to feel his age.
He had a birthday creeping up on him. The big four-oh.
Rolling his head on his neck, Robert locked up the fire station and walked over to the house, intent on a beer, a shower and collapsing. And if he was really lucky, maybe Sam had supper going and he could steal a bite or two.
He'd barely cleared the door, stepping into their bright little kitchen, when a lithe body grabbed at him, pushing him into the wall and almost climbing up his legs. "I was watching," Sam said, just before he started licking at Robert's neck. "Jesus, I thought you'd never get here."
Robert's chuckle was a little breathless, his arms going around Sam automatically. God, Sam was easy. And so, apparently, was he: as tired as he was, his cock perked right up. No surprise really, not with his arms full of Sam; short, slender, the blond hair tipped with pink just now, blue eyes hot and happy, his lover never failed to turn him on and make him feel good.