Jaime Reese Is Here Today With "A Better Man", An Exclusive Excerpt, And A Giveaway!

Hi, everyone! *waves* I want to start by thanking The Novel Approach for allowing me to post something about my book and the series. I’d also like to thank the readers for taking the time to read this :)

Reason for the series

We’re human. With that, comes the innate ability to make mistakes. Sometimes life presents you with a chance to make things right, to love again, to help others, or just to do things a little differently the second time around. The Men of Halfway House is a series about men who have been dealt a crappy hand in life, whether by their own doing or as a result of circumstance. Their experience while in the halfway house provides them with a rare second chance they crave, at life or love.

I hope to capture the journey they take to protect and cherish the rare chance they’ve been given to change the path in their life. In each story, the characters are partnered with men who offer love strong enough to mend a broken man and help them in their quest for a happily ever after.

A Better Man

A Better Man is book 1 in the series and tells the story of Matt and Julian and their slow building romance as they work together over a year to renovate the building that ultimately becomes the halfway house. They are two completely different men from very different backgrounds, yet they are alike in so many ways. They learn that, together, they are strong enough to overcome whatever obstacles are thrown their way.

The characters and their individual journeys

Matthew “Matt” Doner

Matt is the unexpected ex-con who serves five years in prison for a white collar crime as a result of circumstance. During that time, he finally comes to the realization that he’s been living a lie for far too long. The death of his aunt and her generous bequest cements his decision to change the path in his life and start a halfway house to offer second chances to others. In essence, a way to pay it forward. Unfortunately, this new direction in his life forces him to confront other changes he’s avoided for far too long.

Julian M. Capeletti

Julian is the contractor Matt hires to renovate the building that will ultimately become the halfway house. Julian’s harsh exterior is a well-groomed disguise he’s cultivated over the years to protect himself after a childhood full of pain. He’s a master at his façade. So much so that he’s been unsuccessful with prior relationships because he’s locked himself away so well he can’t seem to open up to others. His story is a discovery of emotions he’s never experienced when finally given a chance to love, and be loved by someone who is both patient and understanding.

For me, Julian was the driving force of the development of the story. I have a soft spot for men who are misunderstood or misjudged. I wanted the opportunity to give Julian his chance at love while allowing Matt to finally find his chosen path in life. Matt’s compassion and patience is exactly what Julian needs to get his happy ending – and Matt receives the same in return.

Other characters who shaped the story

If you’re curious about the other characters in this story, you can meet them here:
http://jaimereese.com/meet-the-characters-of-a-better-man/

Book #2: A Hunted Man – anticipated release date: April 29, 2014

The next book in series is A Hunted Man, and it is the story of Cameron Pierce, Matt and Julian’s first guest in the halfway house. Cam has spent almost ten years in prison and wants nothing more than a chance to live life again…but it won’t be easy.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post and I hope you join the men in their journey as they fight like hell to take advantage of the second chance life has offered them.

~Jaime Reese

Title: A Better Man (The Men of Halfway House, #1)
Author: Jaime Reese
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Word Count: 69,034
Release Date: January 16, 2014
Publisher: Romandeavor, Inc.

Purchase Links:
Amazon
All Romance eBooks
Barnes & Noble
Also available at iTunes

Available in Paperback:
CreateSpace
Amazon

Blurb:

Matthew Doner is starting over. After a five-year prison term that alters every aspect of his life, he receives a bequest from his aunt with the stipulation that he use the money to make things right. Breaking free of the long-standing role he’s played and inspired by the few who support him, he decides to create a safe place where people like him can find purpose and start a new life.

Julian Capeletti likes challenges. He is confident, brash, stubborn, and just what Matt needs. Desperate for work after a downturn of luck, he accepts the job to renovate Matt’s crumbling building.

Over the course of a year, romance simmers between them as they restore the house. But there’s a bigger renovation that must take place in their hearts. To become better men, they need to learn to trust each other even with secrets and painful memories they fear may rip them apart.

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:

“Are you going to introduce me to your new contractor or are you going to keep him all to yourself?”

Sam really had no idea how tempting it was to do just that. Another crash echoed throughout the building.

“I’m going to go meet him so I can identify him in the rubble,” Sam commented before entering the house.

Matt grabbed a bottled water from the cooler before ushering Sam up the stairs. Once they arrived on the second level, Matt was surprised to see the amount of light flooding through the large open area. The walls were stripped to the support beams, exposing a network of wires and pipes throughout. The floors were stripped and the worn carpets were rolled in the corners of the space.

Matt looked up to see Julian standing on a ladder, shirtless, his slim waist and tight abs shifted as his wider upper body stretch into the ceiling area.

“I’m up here,” Matt said.

“Stand back,” Julian announced loudly before a section of the ceiling began to shake, then crashed to the floor from the force of Julian’s pull on the material. Julian climbed down the ladder as the plume of dust settled.

“Hey,” Julian said when he turned to Matt and Sam.

Matt didn’t think he had ever seen a more beautiful sight. Julian’s broad smile contrasted against his golden, sweat-slicked face. His broad, muscled, exposed chest glistened. Matt lowered his gaze, following a drop of sweat traveling down the dips and curves of Julian’s muscles and through the sprinkle of his treasure trail before it was absorbed into the waistband of his worn, low rise jeans. His mind flooded with visions of following that same path down Julian’s torso with his tongue. His semiarousal became painful as he admired the perfectly crafted physique that stood before him. He looked up and Julian’s crystal green eyes sparked with mischief.

Bio:

Jaime Reese is the alter ego of an artist who loves the creative process of writing, just not about herself. Fiction is far more interesting. She has a weakness for broken, misunderstood heroes and feels everyone deserves a chance at love and life. An avid fan of a happy ending, she believes those endings acquired with a little difficulty are more cherished.

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