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Halos and Heroes

   (1 review)
Genres: General Fiction, Romance, Literary Fiction
Sub-genres: Drama, General Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Literary, Family Drama, Family Saga

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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. This has been edited and revised with plot changes so you may still wish to read this version as the changes will affect the stories that eventually come after. Thanks!
Copyright © 2024 JJQuinn; All Rights Reserved.

Story Recommendations (21 members)

  • Action Packed 13
  • Addictive/Pacing 18
  • Characters 19
  • Chills 8
  • Cliffhanger 4
  • Compelling 19
  • Feel-Good 11
  • Humor 10
  • Smoldering 13
  • Tearjerker 16
  • Unique 13
  • World Building 8
  • Like 4
  • Love 15
  • Wow 1
Select Chapter
Table of Contents
  • 1. Chapter 1
    • 16,399 Words
    • 2,783 Views
    • 28 Comments
  • 2. Chapter 2
    • 22,187 Words
    • 1,726 Views
    • 24 Comments
  • 3. Chapter 3
    • 24,783 Words
    • 1,790 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 4. Chapter 4
    • 11,998 Words
    • 1,356 Views
    • 17 Comments
  • 5. Chapter 5
    • 15,040 Words
    • 1,809 Views
    • 22 Comments
  • 6. Chapter 6
    • 12,016 Words
    • 1,428 Views
    • 28 Comments
  • 7. Chapter 7
    • 14,019 Words
    • 1,749 Views
    • 26 Comments
  • 8. Chapter 8
    • 18,420 Words
    • 1,329 Views
    • 19 Comments
  • 9. Chapter 9
    • 11,691 Words
    • 1,259 Views
    • 14 Comments
  • 10. Chapter 10
    • 18,140 Words
    • 1,337 Views
    • 21 Comments
  • 11. Chapter 11
    • 15,925 Words
    • 1,155 Views
    • 22 Comments
  • 12. Chapter 12
    • 8,119 Words
    • 1,110 Views
    • 25 Comments
  • 13. Chapter 13
    • 14,572 Words
    • 1,580 Views
    • 30 Comments
  • 14. Chapter 14
    • 7,540 Words
    • 1,241 Views
    • 29 Comments
  • 15. Chapter 15
    • 18,649 Words
    • 1,297 Views
    • 20 Comments
  • 16. Chapter 16
    • 13,305 Words
    • 1,194 Views
    • 14 Comments
  • 17. Chapter 17
    • 16,221 Words
    • 992 Views
    • 14 Comments
  • 18. Chapter 18
    • 23,257 Words
    • 1,149 Views
    • 25 Comments
  • 19. Chapter 19
    • 11,265 Words
    • 557 Views
    • 8 Comments
  • 20. Chapter 20
    • 12,492 Words
    • 472 Views
    • 13 Comments

Recommended Comments

User Feedback

Jason MH

I'm absolutely THRILLED to see this here. I loved it when I read the original version. Compelling, insightful, heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, I followed it religiously with each chapter you posted. That you've revised and expanded it has me wishing I already had the complete work in my hands to savor and experience. I've been following the 1.5 sequel as well, given how engaging the first story was.

So I'll be reading along as you post this updated version (and looking forward to the end of 1.5 and then AiBO when you get there). Thank you in advance for sharing this wonderful story!

  • Love 5
Cane23
2 hours ago, Jason MH said:

I'm absolutely THRILLED to see this here. I loved it when I read the original version. Compelling, insightful, heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, I followed it religiously with each chapter you posted. That you've revised and expanded it has me wishing I already had the complete work in my hands to savor and experience. I've been following the 1.5 sequel as well, given how engaging the first story was.

So I'll be reading along as you post this updated version (and looking forward to the end of 1.5 and then AiBO when you get there). Thank you in advance for sharing this wonderful story!

Oh, you are a @JJ Quinn fan club member too! Amazing story indeed! 

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
JJQuinn

Cane23 I have arrived lol! After it's all published here you know I'm happy to pdf it for you. I hope you enjoy the revisions! I realized that with the way Just Found Heaven went I needed to revise since I've changed as a writer. You can wait till it's all up if that's easier to read so you don't have to keep rereading. Minor plot changes and some fixes to timelines and connecting points in the next storey and lots more description and dialogue so.... hope it works! I appreciate you!

 

 

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
Cane23
1 minute ago, JJQuinn said:

Cane23 I have arrived lol! After it's all published here you know I'm happy to pdf it for you. I hope you enjoy the revisions! I realized that with the way Just Found Heaven went I needed to revise since I've changed as a writer. You can wait till it's all up if that's easier to read so you don't have to keep rereading. Minor plot changes and some fixes to timelines and connecting points in the next storey and lots more description and dialogue so.... hope it works! I appreciate you!

 

 

Oh no, I wouldn't miss this journey for a world! I like all the details you have added...and yes, I had tears in my eyes in the first chapter already! 

  • Love 3
JJQuinn
3 hours ago, Jason MH said:

I'm absolutely THRILLED to see this here. I loved it when I read the original version. Compelling, insightful, heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, I followed it religiously with each chapter you posted. That you've revised and expanded it has me wishing I already had the complete work in my hands to savor and experience. I've been following the 1.5 sequel as well, given how engaging the first story was.

So I'll be reading along as you post this updated version (and looking forward to the end of 1.5 and then AiBO when you get there). Thank you in advance for sharing this wonderful story!

Aww thanks Jason MH! I appreciate it. Some nudging from Cane23 got me here. I hope you enjoy this version as much as the first! I think it flows better :)

  • Like 3
Anton_Cloche

Anton_Cloche 13,089

Posted (edited)

A former war correspondent and somewhat well known  author* (who wrote a few fiction stories) said: "The best writing is rewriting". Why?

He explained that, "...no one gets things perfect the first (or many) time. Cooks fiddle with recipes. Great painters frequently painted over initial works because they didn't look quite right. Writers remember things they forgot the first time through, want to clarify something, or just say it better". 

In this 'rewrite' of Halos and Heroes, (Book 1 of Finding Home series) @JJ Quinn takes this idea to heart, and the result is a richer, more intense and more informative look into the life of a unique man, (perhaps someone we've passed by and not given a second thought to). 

   images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSOw-AYJ9B0vewEQJg-J_Y

Do you need to read the original to appreciate the changes? No, but those with an 'Editors Eye' to detail, :whistle: , will find the updates worth the effort put in.

* Ernest Hemingway

Edited by Anton_Cloche
  • Like 1
  • Love 4
JJQuinn
On 3/27/2024 at 7:18 AM, Jason MH said:

I'm absolutely THRILLED to see this here. I loved it when I read the original version. Compelling, insightful, heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, I followed it religiously with each chapter you posted. That you've revised and expanded it has me wishing I already had the complete work in my hands to savor and experience. I've been following the 1.5 sequel as well, given how engaging the first story was.

So I'll be reading along as you post this updated version (and looking forward to the end of 1.5 and then AiBO when you get there). Thank you in advance for sharing this wonderful story!

Second chapter was just posted after some technical difficulties on my part lol...hope it's enjoyed despite the wait.

  • Like 1
  • Love 2
JJQuinn
On 3/27/2024 at 7:18 AM, Jason MH said:

I'm absolutely THRILLED to see this here. I loved it when I read the original version. Compelling, insightful, heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, I followed it religiously with each chapter you posted. That you've revised and expanded it has me wishing I already had the complete work in my hands to savor and experience. I've been following the 1.5 sequel as well, given how engaging the first story was.

So I'll be reading along as you post this updated version (and looking forward to the end of 1.5 and then AiBO when you get there). Thank you in advance for sharing this wonderful story!

Hope you're still following along! 😉

  • Love 3
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