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Finding Home: Halos and Heroes, Bk 1 1. Finding Home

   (5 reviews)
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Former Delta Operative, Sam Trammel’s entire world has just collapsed and with no other option, he returns to Florida to bury his twin and his past. Ben Santiago is an Episcopal priest, a man with a checkered past, and a close friend of Sam's family. After a chance meeting brings them together, the two men navigate the tangled web of regret and forgiveness as friendship turns into love despite the obstacle of Sam's PTSD, and his reluctance to move toward Ben instead of away.  Family and new friendships help Sam to rebuild and realize that sometimes the path to healing and finding home, is by confronting your past head-on.

 
Please be advised this novel contains mention of PTSD, excessive alcohol use, past domestic abuse, military combat scene flashbacks, death of a family member and the topics of both military, religion and profanity pertinent to character.  Although I attempt to write with sensitivity to these topics and do not do so gratuitously, they are central elements to the story. It's a very slow burn, not stroke story. I previously published a version of this story on another story site (before that, a very different and MUCH shorter version was professionally published by a now out of business publishing house. 
Copyright © 2024 JJQuinn; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (29 members)

  • Action Packed 17
  • Addictive/Pacing 24
  • Characters 27
  • Chills 12
  • Cliffhanger 6
  • Compelling 27
  • Feel-Good 19
  • Humor 16
  • Smoldering 19
  • Tearjerker 24
  • Unique 21
  • World Building 12


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Gary L

   7 of 7 members found this review helpful 7 / 7 members

A very long day in Sam’s life as he returns for a funeral from Afganistan.  This heart rendering story gradually reveals what has caused the terrible nightmares from which he has suffered. 
 

This is easily one of my books of the year so far and I can’t recommend reading it more highly.   The writing is first class, the storyline hypnotic, and the depth of Sam’s characterisation is impressive.

A difficult read, but one that merits our tears.  

Response from the author:

Thank you so .much Gary. I hope you've read it to the end. I promise the endibg is happy despite all the emotional ups and down. Tha as so much for the kind words and for giving a new GA writer a chance. ❤️ 

  • Like 2
  • Love 3
empath

   6 of 6 members found this review helpful 6 / 6 members

This is first a beautiful love story, but it is also a story full of realistic people with traumatic pasts.  The significant and lasting effects of domestic abuse, homophobia, military combat, and the sex trade are what make this story stand out.  Real and raw emotions impact each character as well as those around them.  @JJQuinn thoughtfully and artfully holds his readers into the very real tension of family, friendships, and intimacy as each relationship vacillates between the hopelessness of the past and present and hope for the future.

This is a survivor's story, which is what I liked most about it.  I met the characters largely post-trauma, and while those damaging years and moments are mentioned, they are not the plot.  Each character is in the process of picking up shattered pieces of their heart and mind in an effort to find peace, belonging, identity, and love.  

I cried.  I binged.  I set it aside for a few days.  Then it was over and I wished it wasn’t, but I was also deeply satisfied.  

I highly recommend this passionate and poignant tale.  I will be back for the future installments.

Response from the author:

I truly appreciate this review, especially coming from a talented author.  I always aim to make my characters as realistic as possible whether I'm writing deep dramas or fun rom come.

Halos is definitely not the easiest read especially in the beginning, so I am so grateful that its been so well received here at GA. [Thanks @Cane23 for dragging me over here ❤️]

I love that you called it a survivor's story, because that's the point of the entire Finding Home series. Different characters for each novel [though characters do overlap as main become supporting] tell their own stories of past mistakes, survival, and redemption 

 I refer to my writing style as 'queer Steel Magnolias'- I want readers to laugh, cry, and everything in between. I'm happy that you were touched by the story and hope you will read Just Found Heaven which is book 1.5 and the official end of Sam and Bens story though it's told from the POV of the major supporting characters in Halos and will lead to book 2 eventually.

Thank you again for reading and taking precious time to write a review I appreciate you! ❤️ 

JJ

  • Love 6
Cane23

   6 of 6 members found this review helpful 6 / 6 members

This is @JJ Quinn's big entry to the GA author's stage with extended and polished, new version of her epic story "Halos & Heroes". As part of Finding Home series, this tale is homage to American veterans, a truly monument to heroes and patriotism. But it is also the story of dysfunctional family, damaged people with serious issues developed by war trauma and family legacy. And yes, this is a love story.

Author tells the story of identical twin brothers, Sam and Connor Trammel with same look but different personality. Raised by abusive alcoholic father they become soldiers and national heroes. Sam is coming home, honorably discharged due to PTSD complications. Connor is coming in a coffin. Connor left family behind – wife and two daughters. Although not alive, his shadow covers the lives of characters. We discover how deeply damaged person he was, prone to self-destruction.

Sam has to face the family he has abandoned, starting the process of healing the scars of the past. Somewhere in between funeral, horrible nightmares and drowning in alcohol, Sam meets Ben, episcopal priest. Sparkles are there since the first encounter, but Ben is not for a one-night stand, he wants something more with Sam as he sees deep into his soul, finding more than handsome man...

Deep and profound story with multidimensional and complex characters brings fantastic dialogs and monologues (as story is written from Sam's POV - we follow him through the deepest labyrinths of his mind). Author reveals human psychology in a manner of some grate classical writers. The intelligent banter between characters and genuine humor, often colored with fine irony are @JJ Quinn's trademark. 

Finally, I'm really proud if I made even a little contribution in @JJ Quinn's decision to become GA author. She's amazing addition to this community.

Response from the author:

Oh Cane you know ypu have played more than a simple small part. You were the reason I came to gayauthors in the first place and stuck it out despite all the setbacks. I have always appreciated the support and feedback you have given and the sheer tenacity to read and  finish it TWICE lol knowing how much longer and in-depth the revision is. That's dedication and my author's heart is so grateful and validated because of it. ❤️ I appreciate you more than you know!

 

  • Like 1
  • Love 4
riccardo

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

Thank you for the story of Sam and Ben. Super romantic and sexy, but also successfully tackling huge themes of love, loyalty, death, forgiveness, redemption, family (whether biological or chosen), and God. There is great wisdom, kindness and psychological insight in the story. And, by the way, the sex scenes are incredibly erotic and full of love.

I'm on my second read!

Response from the author:

Thank you for taking the time to leave that review! I know finding time and then the words to write is taking time out of a reader's day, so I truly appreciate you doing that for me to let me know you enjoyed the story! I try tackle the hard stuff and I'm happy that they've been well received (especially on a second read!)

I hope you'll keep following the series. Halos is the most intense so far, but the others will get there. Just Found Heaven is a segue into Hood and Holy Water (book 2-Roman and Max) and it's from multiple character POV on Sam and Ben's wedding day and their thoughts on love. I'm only on chapter 5 of Hood and Holy Water, but it will eventually get more intense as the characters get closer and frenemies become true lovers!

  • Love 4
GoodReader

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

Speaking about love, faith, family, war, forgive, friendship... add what you want and you'll find "Finding Home: Halos and Heroes". Many reasons you must read it, first of all for the author JJQuinn, for the ability to create storie and characters that you'll never forget. You'll love Sam and Ben and all the other people around them in this story.

So... Go! Start to read now!

  • Love 3
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