Ash and Ember

Love this story. Just enough drama, tear jerking, and happy times to make for a very enjoyable read.

I stayed up way past my bedtime to keep reading! I had read it before on Nifty, but the re-read here was great, as my memory of many details was vague. Now on to Camp Refuge, I think I've read the first one before, but I have a definite habit of re-reading stories/books I love.

This story follows two main characters as they move through a pivotal time in their lives. We learn of past sorrow, current discovery, and future times in the lives of all the characters. This is an amazing ride through real life with many snapshots of interesting times for all. I will stop here before I give anything away, but I urge anyone reading this to board the train and prepare for an amazing adventure through life presented in 29 captivating chapters!!!!!!!!!!

I read this story on another gay site several years ago (before I was aware of GA) after having read 'Wayne's Journal' on the same site.

This is one of the most moving and uplifting gay-themed stories I have ever read (and I have read a hell of a lot of them). The characters are beautifully drawn by the author; his deft hand brings them alive in print, so much so that you cannot fail to experience and visualise them both physically and emotionally. 

I don't recall too many other stories of this genre, or in fact any genre, that I have read which have had me weeping tears of joy and sadness with such abandon and frequency. Reading this story was strangely cathartic; the beauty of Grant and Troy and their growing love an enriching experience for any reader.

I have also read the author's 'Camp Refuge' series which continues to provide entertainment and challenges the reader, but for me nothing he has written surpasses the treasured memories of joy and heartache from this literary journey.

Outstanding! Read it, then read it again! Wayne has skilfully crafted a tender tale of two bruised souls intertwined by fate and cruel misfortune. A chance for a change of fortunes presents itself in the unlikely forms of the charred remains of a journal and a broken boiler. Our protagonists learn, little by little, how challenging pasts can be built on and moved forward from. Fall in love with the two main characters and enjoy how their strengths and weaknesses are tested. This story will make you cry, and occasionally laugh but above all will make you feel all the better for reading it. So what are you waiting for? Get reading!

A beautiful, compelling, emotionally resonant love story that may be this author’s best work.  It’s a story of both devastating loss and a second chance at real happiness, with subplots that are every bit as engaging as the main story. You don’t want to miss this.

An incredible story of love and friendship.  Highly recommended!!

This story let’s you believe in love it also teaches you patience and how to react in situations when you are in a relationship and if you want to keep that relationship it also let’s you know that there is always some one who loves you no matter what love looks beyond the outside love is beautiful thanks

If you have not read any of Wayne's other stories.... why not??  Wayne's characters are real.  You get to know them.  You laugh when they do and cry when they do.  That is the mark of a true story teller.  Can hardly wait for your next story, Wayne.

In Ash and Ember you meet a variety of interesting characters, including one from a character's past. That character adds to the story. He brings a calming voice, and Troy needs that as he learns more about Grant and the house.

This is a love story. Love that comes from all the people in Grant's and Troy's lives. You will not be disappointed if you choose to read this. Not at all.

This is a very well-crafted, slow-burning tale about Grant, a Physician’s Assistant who moves from the beautiful Wine Country in California to arctic Barre, New Hampshire to start his first job. Grant buys a fully-furnished house that needs some minor work. There is no central heating, so he needs to start a fire in the fireplace. As he prepares the wood, he discovers a Journal that’s been scorched, hidden under the ashes…

Troy is a handyman living in his van as he struggles to survive. He has lost contact with all his friends. He is approaching the end of his endurance…
 

Wayne Gray has polished this story before he posted it here on GA. His skills have increased over the time I have read his stories. (Thank you @Thorn Wilde for your work editing as well.) This is a story you won’t want to miss.

Wayne has proven himself to be a well-rounded author. Ash and Ember is a very engaging story of love lost, rock bottom despair, hope, friendship, redemption and love found.

It's easy to become invested in the characters and get immersed in the story. 

All of Wayne Gray's  stories are worth reading!

I love all your stories, but this one I think is the one with the most emotional depth for me personally. Happiness to wish for in all our lives. Thank you for sharing it with us. As long as you are writing, I'll be reading, even if I don't comment much! 

New readers of Wayne's work-look up all his stories! All well worth the time to read! 

Scottie

This is the fantastic story of Grant a newly qualified Physician assistant who moves to Barre and Troy, who already lives in Barre.

We follow are two guys as we discover that Troy has lost almost everything and his life for the last sixteen months has been a constant struggle. Then there is Grant who is newly qualified, living in a new house in a town, where he knows no one.

We follow the story as our guy's paths cross, we learn more about them and how they become what they are. As with all Wayne's stories there are some very moving scenes during the story involving Troy and Grant. We eventually get to meet a great bunch of characters.

A truly wonderful story from that I highly recommend as a fantastic read.