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A Mended Man

The Men of Halfway House 4

A story of healing, confronting demons, and how two men fight like hell to finally get their happily ever after.

Detective Aidan Calloway is rock-solid strong. He’s a man of justice—loyal to his friends, family, and job—even if it requires bending a law…or two. He shields himself behind an abrasive, fearless facade, until a phone call one night chips his armor and throws his perfectly planned, hollow life into a tailspin.

Jessie Vega is the epitome of optimism. His carefully crafted attitude of hope and positivity protects him from a past filled with too much pain. When a ghost from a dark time resurfaces and nearly breaks him, he must tap into his inner strength or risk losing everything he’s worked so hard to build.

But Jessie can’t do it alone. He must fight to break through Aidan’s ironclad defenses to reveal the heart of the man hiding beneath the tough surface and mend his damaged spirit. Only then can they truly heal and become strong enough to battle the demons that haunt them and threaten their chance to finally be together.

Book Details (release date, tropes, and more)

Main Characters: Aidan and Jessie
Release date: April 28, 2016
Series: The Men of Halfway House #4 (can be read as a standalone but does contain references back to book 2 (A Hunted Man) where both characters first meet)
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance; Romantic Suspense; Action
Tropes: hurt/comfort, emotional scars, Sunny vs Grumpy, Found Family, Friends to Lovers, Workplace Romance, Military background, Medical drama, Organized crime, Police drama, Family Saga, Happily Ever After
Word Count: 145,000 words
Formats available: e-book and print

Read an Excerpt
(from Aidan’s POV…)

“You don’t give up, do you?”

“Not when it comes to you. No.”

“Jess, I’m not easy. I have more baggage than the underbelly of a cargo plane.”

“Then I’ll set my bags right next to yours.”

He shook his head. No one had ever been this relentless to be with his miserable ass.

“I’ve got one last question for you,” Jessie said.

Aidan turned his head slightly toward him but refused to make eye contact.

“Do you…” Jessie hesitated and rubbed his hands on his thighs again, revealing a hint of that introverted, vulnerable side others usually saw when they looked at him. “Do you want to be with me?”

Point-blank. That was the million-dollar question that determined how this conversation would end. Even if he did have enough energy to erect his shield, he couldn’t lie to Jessie. He exhaled heavily. “More than anything.”

“Then that settles it.”

“Jess…it’s not that easy.”

“Don’t make it harder.”

Aidan sighed. “I’m not used to this,” he said, gesturing between them with his hand.

“Talking or having a relationship?”

“Either. Both. Fuck if I know.”

“Okay. Well, you’ve never had a problem talking to me before, so we’ll work up to the big stuff. One detail a week. I’m not going to stress you out with a one-a-day quota. One detail we wouldn’t share with anyone else.”

One a week. Aidan forcefully rubbed his hands together. He could handle that. Maybe. Sorta.

“And as far as the whole relationship thing, I’m not an expert. But, we kinda already have something. Don’t you think?” Jessie looked over to him with a hint of a smile playing in his expression, cocking his head.

He definitely wasn’t an expert in relationships, but if Jessie thought this defined a relationship, then maybe he could totally handle this.

Jessie bumped his shoulder. “We’re just missing out on all the fun stuff.”

Aidan groaned. It drove him nuts when Jessie teased him.

“I’m not saying it’ll be easy. I know…” Jessie hesitated and rubbed his thighs again. “I know we’re both very different from each other and from what other people usually see when they look at us. But…I see you, not the guy you want everyone else to see. And you’re worth it, Aidan. It bothers me that you don’t recognize how amazing you are, but I’m willing to give this a shot. I just…I hope you think the same of me.” He quieted for a few moments then subtly nodded, concluding some internal conversation. “You work at things so you can appreciate the success at the end.”

Aidan shook his head and scoffed. Jessie and his inspirational poster lines…too fucking cute to deny. His ability to take a mountain and turn it into a few pellets of dust always amazed Aidan. Jessie was bossier than people could imagine and far more of a control freak than anyone suspected.

“Jess.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re totally worth it.”

What readers are saying...

 trrtoppicks AMM-May-book-of-the-month-badge120x90 Joyfully Jay

The Romance Reviews – GLBT TOP PICK

Love Bytes Book of the Month (May 2016)

Joyfully Jay – June 2016 Favorite Book Pick


“…every book in this series is amazing and well worth reading.” ~ The Romance Reviews


“Author Jaime Reese gives us a true love story—one filled with pain, redemption, and rebirth.” ~Joyfully Jay


“This is such an emotional story and it is so hard to see two men who are strong and independent be so broken and vulnerable. Jaime Reese stripped these guys down to their souls and then slowly they each were put back together again, and were a little stronger, because they had each other.” ~ Alpha Book Club


“Jessie and Aidan are both complicated, damaged characters who come loaded with detailed backstories and problematic presents. The author has created them like jigsaw pieces, all awkward bumps and angles that lock together seamlessly. ” ~ Love Bytes Reviews


“If you prefer your love stories to be real and gritty, if you like seeing wounded men finding, accepting, and loving each other so they can build a new life together, and if you’re looking for a captivating, intense read that is as much a crime thriller as a deeply moving love story, then you will probably love this novel as much as I did.” ~ Rainbow Book Reviews


“…a slow burn courtship that was really delicious to read.” ~ Boy Meets Boy Reviews


“This is such a powerful and intense story…” ~ MM Book Escape


“This book will make you cry, give you hope, and take you on an emotional journey with two beautiful but broken men.” ~ Bike Book Reviews


“Jaime delivers yet another stunning but very different book.”

“You could feel the emotional connection that these two guys have, how gentle, patient and understanding they are with each other.” ~ Sinfully Gay Romance Book Reviews


“A sweet, emotional, healing and romantic tale about the power of loving and being loved.” ~ Divine Magazine


“…a beautiful story about love conquering all.” ~ Lustful Literature


“…you don’t know their story, but you will and you will not regret it.” ~ Why Not Ask Us Book Blog


“These two showed so much patience, kindness and love for each other throughout the book that it bled through every word, heartbreaking in its intensity, but joyful in all its love.” ~ Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy


“It is filled with brutal storms but when the sun comes out, it’s breathtaking.” ~Book UnFunk


“…together these two help each other mend and find the freedom and happiness that they both deserve.” ~ Live, Read and Breathe


“Ms. Reese took the reader on an emotional roller coaster of happiness to the depths of sadness.” ~ S.E.X. Review


“If I could give this more than 5 stars I would…” ~ Gay Media Reviews


“…great ugly cries that will rip your heart out.” ~ Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Books!


“…a well-written, intense story with a gorgeous epilogue.” ~ My Fiction Nook


“100% Recommended” ~ Rainbow Gold Reviews


 

Content Warning/Notice

This book contains scenes and subject matter some readers may find distressing or triggering.

These subject matters include: abuse, violence, repeated battles with PTSD, vivid memory recollections of torture and captivity. The story opens with an on-page attack.

Also in this series:

The Men of Halfway House

A Better Man
A Hunted Man
A Restored Man
A Worthy Man
A Chosen Man
A Sweet Man by Jaime Reese

Book Teasers

…Because a picture tells a story…