Nicky O'Brian is a strong, sexy and powerful fire fighter. He does two things with his time, work and takes care of his ailing mother. His mother was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and she is coming close to the end of her fight. Nicky was raised a strict Catholic and his mother is a firm believer in the church and its rules. Nicky doesn't date he doesn't have time but when the stress of his mothers' illness becomes too much he goes to the park in need of release.

Michael Larson is an openly gay college student who has spent the past four years avoiding relationship after a nasty and painful break up with a closeted man. He is only looking for a quick release when he goes to the park and sees Nicky pull up on his motorcycle dressed in leather. He can tell Nicky is not openly gay and refuses to go through that again but can't help himself and he approaches him. After a quick hook up hoping to never see the Nicky again they both go on their separate ways. Then a month later they run into each other at a fire fighter picnic. Nicky knows he wants to see Michael more. Nicky has had feeling for men his whole life but till the other night never acted on them and now he wants to explore them with Michael.

As Nicky's mother grows sicker he and Michael grow closer even as Michael fears he is only getting himself into the same kind of messy relationship again. Will Nicky keep hiding what he is and can Michael stay with Nicky as he deals with his mother's illness and his own awareness that he is gay. UP IN SMOKE is book three of the Fire and Rain series by Daisy Harris. This book starts and ends with sex, but there is a plot and love story along with the sex. Daisy Harris has an explicit way of showing the importance of love and support for those around us whether they say they need it or not.