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Jayce & Emma #1
Halfway Home
Emma has vowed to stay out of relationships after being betrayed by her ex in a dramatic series of events. All she wants is to find a job and a place to live, and be out of the halfway house by Christmas. She can’t afford to have any feelings for Jayce Finney, the new woman in the house, especially when it’s clear that Jayce has troubles of her own. Temptation might win over self-preservation, leading Emma not only away from her goals, but into danger.
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2014
26 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Winkes
99 books212 followersBarbara Winkes writes suspense and romance with lesbian characters at the center. She has always loved stories in which women persevere and lift each other up. Expect high drama and happy endings.
Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.
Discover a variety of genres, serial and standalone. Women loving women always take the lead.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 3, 2019
3.5.
Short... VERY VERY short story! But quite good.
Short... VERY VERY short story! But quite good.
October 2, 2022
I think this one was a 3.5 for me. While I liked it and liked the characters, there was something about the writing style that I found prevented me from engaging fully in the story - I regularly found myself looking at an abundance of commas and wishing for a few more conjunctions instead, but that's a matter of opinion.
The story was good, well thought out with solid characters for a short. This was my first book by Barbara Winkes, but I'll definitely try out another one.
The story was good, well thought out with solid characters for a short. This was my first book by Barbara Winkes, but I'll definitely try out another one.
August 3, 2022
To the point
I genuinely love short stories, there comes a time when a quick treat is all you need.
I love how the author just dived into the character intro and plot build up. A lil angst and lil mystery and thriller. Just potent.
I genuinely love short stories, there comes a time when a quick treat is all you need.
I love how the author just dived into the character intro and plot build up. A lil angst and lil mystery and thriller. Just potent.
September 29, 2018
This was a very enjoyable short story. It was a sweet romance that also had a couple of surprise twists. I very much enjoyed it and hope that there will be a sequel. I've never read this author's work before but I will seek out more of it after reading this story. Maybe I'll be lucky and even find the sequel I'm hoping for. I totally recommend this book.
June 1, 2020
The only good cops are fictional
December 22, 2014
I was pulled into the story from the start. Good characters, good writing, and a nice story but the last 35% of the book felt really rushed. This whole short story could really benefit from being rewritten in a longer version, especially the ending. Like I said, it felt really rushed, even the editing was less good, missing letters or misspelled words that weren't there in the first half of the book. And an overall final proofread would be good. I, for one, would definitely read it again, shall it be written in a longer version, because I've enjoyed the storyline and felt for the characters.
February 18, 2015
Cute little starter story .Could very much be turned into a longer one
January 12, 2024
*I want to read whatever comes next about them*
Mixed feelings, like in the end this is a heartwarming, happy ending, kind of story, I liked it, but I found odd how the MC was mistrusting even of her shape, but she was also too impressionable. With her back story you can see how things developed like this, it doesn't make it less exasperating watching the poor choices she makes. It's entertaining, but some days I'm running low on patience for this kind of fictional person. I think if this was a longer book it'd be easier to build her personality in a way that'd also be easier to get her whys and hows without much judgment. I just wanted to make things right for her, even though she's not real haha.
Mixed feelings, like in the end this is a heartwarming, happy ending, kind of story, I liked it, but I found odd how the MC was mistrusting even of her shape, but she was also too impressionable. With her back story you can see how things developed like this, it doesn't make it less exasperating watching the poor choices she makes. It's entertaining, but some days I'm running low on patience for this kind of fictional person. I think if this was a longer book it'd be easier to build her personality in a way that'd also be easier to get her whys and hows without much judgment. I just wanted to make things right for her, even though she's not real haha.
July 2, 2017
This was a quick enjoyable read for me. While it’s not one of my favorites from Winkes, I did still enjoy the story.
Emma and Jayce were good characters, and while I wasn’t able to fully connect with them, I did enjoy following their story.
The twists that came in this story were good, but I was able to figure them out about a quarter of the way through the book. Even with that, I did still enjoy getting to see how the story played out.
Overall – I would say that if your looking for a quickie FF read, then you should check this one out!
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal's Many Reviewers
Copy provided for review
Emma and Jayce were good characters, and while I wasn’t able to fully connect with them, I did enjoy following their story.
The twists that came in this story were good, but I was able to figure them out about a quarter of the way through the book. Even with that, I did still enjoy getting to see how the story played out.
Overall – I would say that if your looking for a quickie FF read, then you should check this one out!
Reviewed by Crystal Marie for Crystal's Many Reviewers
Copy provided for review
November 15, 2021
Excellent!
This is the first book by Barbara Winkes that I've read, but it certainly won't be the last! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of Jayce & Emma's story. It's going to be a very interesting relationship between a cop and an ex con. Put this series on your must read list!
This is the first book by Barbara Winkes that I've read, but it certainly won't be the last! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of Jayce & Emma's story. It's going to be a very interesting relationship between a cop and an ex con. Put this series on your must read list!
March 4, 2018
It was a very short story. I liked the premise of it but it seemed a bit rushed. Wth the strength of the character and a bit more development this could be a good full length book. I will be reading the continuation of this story line.
August 6, 2022
Cute start to a series with potential
It's a cute start to a series that shows the potential to be pretty interesting. There's so many directions it could go & the various narratives & tangents offer lots of possibilities. Excited to see where it'll take me.
It's a cute start to a series that shows the potential to be pretty interesting. There's so many directions it could go & the various narratives & tangents offer lots of possibilities. Excited to see where it'll take me.
March 3, 2023
Good book
This was a good book. I loved the fact that Emma finally got everything she wanted and she finally decided she deserved that.
This was a good book. I loved the fact that Emma finally got everything she wanted and she finally decided she deserved that.
December 28, 2022
Emma’s attempts to keep to herself until she can get a job and move out of the halfway house she landed in after prison are thwarted by her attraction to the house’s newest resident: Jayce, an intriguing woman who is more than she seems.
Halfway Home is an exciting romantic suspense short story that pulls at the heartstrings and keeps you on the edge of your seat at the same time. Emma is a sympathetic and well-developed character, and it’s impossible not to root for her to find safety and love.
Halfway Home is an exciting romantic suspense short story that pulls at the heartstrings and keeps you on the edge of your seat at the same time. Emma is a sympathetic and well-developed character, and it’s impossible not to root for her to find safety and love.
February 16, 2015
A nice little character study, flawed, but still engaging.
Emma has just gotten out of prison and is trying to set up her new life in a halfway house. She has to deal with the pressures of getting a job, staying away from the other ex-cons, and trying to deal with her growing feelings about Jayce, another tenant. When she finds out that the new woman she has feelings for is an undercover policewoman, that's when the sh-t gets real and the problems--and bullets--begin to fly. The resolution is a sweet, expected, but still sweet.
The good thing about this short story is the characters. Most of them are sharply delineated although we really don't have a good idea of what they actually look like. That would have been a plus to this story. The dialogue is also well done, realistic and tough when it has to be, and tender when it must be.
The drawback to this story was the shifting viewpoint. I understand why the author did it, but it might have worked better if it came solely from Emma's viewpoint. My opinion, and no one has to agree. The formatting could have been tighter, and there was a little too much tell and not show. Additionally, the ending seemed somewhat rushed, but the strengths of the story--the dialogue, the realness of it all, and the conflict presented--mitigate somewhat against the weaknesses. Overall, a sweet read and one worth buying.
I really think that the author should try turning this into a novella. This is a subject worth taking a longer look at.
Emma has just gotten out of prison and is trying to set up her new life in a halfway house. She has to deal with the pressures of getting a job, staying away from the other ex-cons, and trying to deal with her growing feelings about Jayce, another tenant. When she finds out that the new woman she has feelings for is an undercover policewoman, that's when the sh-t gets real and the problems--and bullets--begin to fly. The resolution is a sweet, expected, but still sweet.
The good thing about this short story is the characters. Most of them are sharply delineated although we really don't have a good idea of what they actually look like. That would have been a plus to this story. The dialogue is also well done, realistic and tough when it has to be, and tender when it must be.
The drawback to this story was the shifting viewpoint. I understand why the author did it, but it might have worked better if it came solely from Emma's viewpoint. My opinion, and no one has to agree. The formatting could have been tighter, and there was a little too much tell and not show. Additionally, the ending seemed somewhat rushed, but the strengths of the story--the dialogue, the realness of it all, and the conflict presented--mitigate somewhat against the weaknesses. Overall, a sweet read and one worth buying.
I really think that the author should try turning this into a novella. This is a subject worth taking a longer look at.
July 2, 2015
3.5 stars.
Emma is recently out of prison, living in a halfway home and doing everything right. Despite this, she still can't catch a break and when Jayce enters the picture, things get more complicated.
I enjoyed the premise of this book. Two women in a halfway house, where they could transition to better their lives or fall back into old destructive patterns is interesting. Emma is a really sympathetic character. Haven't we all been there that no matter what we do bad luck befalls us? Or, no matter how we react on gut instinct, it still steers us wrong? Emma has integrity and a good heart and for that she's a well liked protagonist. Jayce is an interesting, mysterious character that we're not sure is good or bad...for awhile...but, either way, she's also likable.
The tone of the book is more dreary than most just because of the background it's set against but it's not a depressing story. There are some twists and delightful moments and, thankfully, a happy ending.
I did see some grammatical errors that pulled me out of the story a bit and there was a little bit of jumping, too, that made the story not quite a four star. I think if the author cleaned these up, this would be a strong story.
Despite any issues, it's a short story worth reading.
Emma is recently out of prison, living in a halfway home and doing everything right. Despite this, she still can't catch a break and when Jayce enters the picture, things get more complicated.
I enjoyed the premise of this book. Two women in a halfway house, where they could transition to better their lives or fall back into old destructive patterns is interesting. Emma is a really sympathetic character. Haven't we all been there that no matter what we do bad luck befalls us? Or, no matter how we react on gut instinct, it still steers us wrong? Emma has integrity and a good heart and for that she's a well liked protagonist. Jayce is an interesting, mysterious character that we're not sure is good or bad...for awhile...but, either way, she's also likable.
The tone of the book is more dreary than most just because of the background it's set against but it's not a depressing story. There are some twists and delightful moments and, thankfully, a happy ending.
I did see some grammatical errors that pulled me out of the story a bit and there was a little bit of jumping, too, that made the story not quite a four star. I think if the author cleaned these up, this would be a strong story.
Despite any issues, it's a short story worth reading.
May 29, 2015
The relationship development between Emma and Jacey was exceptional. As anyone who’s been deeply hurt knows, it best to go slow, be hesitant, and make sure it’s real before you truly jump in with both feet. They tentatively dipped their toes in to test the water and trusted their instincts. The suspense and plot twists were well done and I thoroughly enjoyed this short story. Would recommend this to anyone who wants to escape into something worthwhile and real.
May 4, 2016
Emma is transitioning back into society. She only wants to get through this trying period and back into a normal life. Little does she know that's she's about to be in the middle of chaos. I dare not say anything else as it would promote spoilers.This story pulls you into a well written suspenseful short story. It is well written, and enjoyable. I already purchased book 2 and cannot wait to read it.
April 9, 2016
Great book
The book was so much more than I thought I kept putting off reading this book I'm glad I finally did. Loved the characters it was a sweet story with a crime mystery enjoyed it very much.
The book was so much more than I thought I kept putting off reading this book I'm glad I finally did. Loved the characters it was a sweet story with a crime mystery enjoyed it very much.
July 3, 2016
I really enjoyed this book.
Really enjoyed this book. I could really empathize with Emma's feelings of hopelessness and despair. When you're lonely it is easy to feel hopeless. Looking forward to continuing this series.
Really enjoyed this book. I could really empathize with Emma's feelings of hopelessness and despair. When you're lonely it is easy to feel hopeless. Looking forward to continuing this series.
February 6, 2015
Halfway home had good characters and great storyline. I only wish it would have had more meat on the bone. I would definitely read this again in a longer version.
June 8, 2015
This was a pretty good book. I'm looking forward to reading the second on in the series. I loved the twist in the story line. Must read!!!!
April 4, 2020
I loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews