Can they recover from crashing and burning? Resurrection It's been a tough road, but I'm tougher. There's nothing that can break me; I'm already broken. After serving time for ending the dirtbag who killed my daughter, I'm ready to get my life back. Signing on as a MEDEVAC pilot with the team of Iron Oak Farms is exactly what I need. And the last thing I need is something or someone serious or permanent. Before my life went to crap, I used to be a highly regarded nurse. It's time to start taking care of myself—and others. Resurrection After my husband died during duty, I never thought I'd breathe again. As a military pilot, I know I have courage and strength, but sometimes, it's all too much. Meeting Ghost changes everything. He makes me feel alive and desirable again. However, I refuse to be someone's pastime. He's just looking for fun. Leaving him is one of the hardest things I've ever done. But when our enemies find me and my life is on the line, my only hope is in Ghost. Come to the hills and hollers of eastern Kentucky and get acquainted with eight of the most determined men you’ll ever meet in the Appalachian STAR series.
Deanndra Hall is a working writer living in far western Kentucky. A free spirit and chronic jokester, she and her partner of over 30 years enjoy visiting their two adult children and their partners and playing with their three crazy little dogs. When she's not writing, Deanndra can be found kayaking, working out at the gym, cooking something healthy, or reading. After writing for business, industry, academia, and non-profits for years and having her work credited to others, she jumped into the fiction realm, particularly erotic fiction and erotica, and had so much fun she never looked back. Look for her on Twitter and Facebook and on her website and blog.
A BROKEN MAN is the third instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult Appalachian STAR romantic suspense series set in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha series featuring characters first introduced in the books and series by Susan Stoker. This is forty-nine year old MEDEVAC pilot, nurse and former inmate Marvelle ‘Ghost’ Connors, and helicopter pilot/instructor Isolde ‘Izzy’ Bruce’s story line. A BROKEN MAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
SOME BACKGROUND: Appalachian STAR is a search and rescue operation set in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, an operation that hires former inmates from the US prison system.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Ghost and Izzy) A BROKEN MAN follows the building relationship and fall-out between forty-nine year old MEDEVAC pilot, nurse and former inmate Marvelle ‘Ghost’ Connors, and helicopter pilot/instructor Isolde ‘Izzy’ Bruce. Izzy Bruce is Ghost Connors’ helicopter instructor, and Ghost believes Izzy has chosen him for her latest series of booty calls. Upon graduation, Ghost discovers Izzy has been invited to participate in the celebration with Appalachian STAR, something with which Ghost is not too thrilled. Ghost will quickly discover Izzy has applied to, and is now working with another search and rescue, a team that will work closely with Appalachian STAR. Struggling with the demons from his past, Ghost pushes Izzy out of his life, a push that continues to spiral when Izzy goes missing in the wake of a jail break, and several domestic terrorism attacks. What ensues is the building but reluctant relationship between Izzy and Ghost, and the potential fall-out as words said in anger threaten any chance of Ghost finding his own happily ever after.
The world building continues to focus on the search and rescues involving the team at Appalachian STAR. From missing hikers and children, to aiding the local and state first responders, the men and women of Appalachian STAR are tasked with finding those unable to help themselves.
A BROKEN MAN reveals some of the back story for each of our story line couple, back stories of which neither one is completely aware. As Izzy struggle with what happened and why, Ghost is unable to let go of the loss, he blames on himself. As the relationship between Ghost and Izzy struggles in the wake of our hero’s inability to accept Izzy for who she is, Izzy battles between head and heart knowing she may have fallen in love with a man who is unable to love her in return. The $ex scenes are intimate, passionate and aggressive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and sometimes embattled secondary and supporting characters including several from a number of Deanndra Hall’s Bluegrass Bravery instalments, and books by Susan Stoker. We are reintroduced to Patrick aka Patch and Penny, Miles ‘ Bear’ McMillan; Porter aka Hollywood and Penny, Priest, Reboot, Paddy and Bulldog, As Bulldog continues to struggle, the team must come to terms with losing one of their own.
A BROKEN MAN is a fast paced story of love and loss, misunderstanding and second chances, forgiveness, acceptance, family and love. The premise is detailed, imaginative and realistic ; the characters are animated, determined and broken ; the romance struggles in the face of misconceptions, judgemental attitude, and prior love and loss.
A Broken Man is the third book in Deanndra Hall’s Appalachian STAR series. This is a romantic suspense novel with great characters and an interesting storyline. It was written in first person, from the point of view of both the hero, Marvelle “GHOST” Connors, and the heroine, Isolde “IZZY” Bruce.
When Izzy meets Ghost, business becomes pleasure and she starts to feel alive again for the first time in years. But Ghost is a broken man just living day by day and doesn’t feel that he deserves happiness, so he viciously pushes her away. When disaster happens Ghost finally accepts Izzy as his “light” and future, but is it too late? Read it and find out!
I loved the steamy chemistry between Ghost and Izzy. But emotionally, they lacked communication and understanding. For most of the story I wanted to strangle Ghost for his attitude and indifference towards Izzy. But he made up for it in the end.
This book, while part of a series, can be read as a standalone. I love the continued glimpses of some of the characters from the Bluegrass Dynasty series and Susan Stoker’s Eagle Point Search and Rescue make throughout this series. I can’t wait for the next addition, Bulldog’s story, in this amazing series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've felt a lot of emotion throughout this series, but I have to say A Broken Man takes the cake at doing my heart in. Ghost used to be a nurse until tragedy struck his family, and it landed him in prison. He's done his time now so he's determined to do something with his life which is why he ends up learning how to be a MEDEVAC pilot for the crew at Iron Oak Farms. Izzy is a former military pilot with her own share of tragedy when she lost her husband but Ghost is the first man she's really felt something for since that happened as she's now a helicopter pilot/instructor which is where she met him. The sparks are flying between them, however, Ghost doesn't handle things very well with her, and I found myself super enraged with his actions to be honest as the miscommunication issues were driving me crazy. Things really take a turn when the suspense element pops off putting Izzy in the crossfire so the twists were definitely coming in hot. Will Ghost get his head out of his behind before it's too late for Izzy?! This story was not only emotional but heart racing as there's definitely some serious terrorism in the pages, and I couldn't get enough! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
This is the third book in the series. They can be read as standalone books. I haven’t read the other books in the series and wasn’t lost at all. Ghost is an ex-con. He killed the man who sold his daughter drugs and lead to her death. Now he finding his way forward in this next part of his life. Isolde, Izzy is a pilot who lost the love of her life while serving. Ghost is earning his pilot’s license and Izzy is his instructor. Two are having a physical relationship while they are together. Only things aren’t that simple. Ghost isn’t as invested as Izzy is. When Izzy shows up after their time is together Ghost will have to face his feelings for Izzy. Things get even more complicated when a militia group start trouble on the mountain. The characters in this series are fantastic. I loved them so much. Izzy and Ghost are wonderful. Ghost is having trouble being completely honest with Izzy. Instead of being upfront about what kind of relationship he wanted with Izzy he just let her think whatever she wanted. Often kind of making it seem like it was her fault for thinking it was more to other people. Ghost wasn’t my favorite character ever but I do like him and feel for him. Izzy is a wonderful woman who has been through some horrible things. I enjoyed this book a lot. I look forward to reading the other books in the series and ones in the future. Wonderful job Deanndra.
Just when I thought this series couldn't get any better, along comes Ghost and a roller coaster of emotions and a suspenseful ride to his finding redemption. Training to be a helicopter pilot to assist with their rescue missions, Ghost has an extended friends with benefits affair with his instructor. When his training is done, he thinks they will each go their separate ways and he'll return to his solitary life at Iron Oaks Farm. As an ex-con who couldn't even save his daughter, he doesn't think he is capable of more. Only problem is, he didn't let Izzy in on his plans. Gray takes you on an emotional journey as they both come to grips with losing loved ones and as the ApStar team searches for other lost innocents. Add in a homegrown terrorist group that puts all their lives in danger, especially Izzy, and it is non stop action as everyone works together to bring the subversive group down.
During a devastating time Ghost made a choice that resulted in him being incarcerated but he is ready to move forward with his life at Iron Oak Farms. He is ready to be trained as a Medevac pilot however he wasn’t prepared for the feelings he would develop for Izzy, his trainer.
Although the reasons are very different Izzy has a difficult past of her own. Spending time with Ghost has her opening her heart for the first time in a long time however misunderstandings abound when it comes to their relationship. If that isn’t complicated enough, they find themselves in a fight for their lives.
Due to their pasts both Ghost and Izzy have insecurities which have an impact on their relationship. The characters draw you in and the action keeps you on edge as Ghost and Izzy find themselves not only fighting each other but outside forces as well.
Mavelle “Ghost” Connors is part of rescue group Appalachia Star and is getting his pilot certificate. Izzy is his pilot instructor and is former military.
Ghost and Izzy meet , when Ghost is getting flight instructions to learn to become a Medovac helo pilot. Ghost feels she is a broken man due to the lost of his daughter. Izzy has dealt with heartache ( the loss of her husband).
Can the Appalachian Star team, Eagle Point search team, SAR, ATF, DEA, FBI and Kentucky State Police find the terrorist group. Can Ghost and Izzy find a Happily Ever After.
This book has edge of your seat suspense, action, twists, turns and lots of emotions.
A Broken Man is about Ghost, who carries the burdens and pains of the past on his shoulders, and Izzy, a helicopter pilot who lost her husband during thei military service, who falls in love with Ghost. In a bad communication situation, Ghost assumes Izzy knows he is just having fun and that she does this with all the guys, and Izzy has finally given her heart to another man after her devastating losses. A painful journey for the couple as a terrorist threat develops in the area bringing everyone together as they try to find where the hideout is.
A Broken Man is the 3rd book in the Appalachian STAR series. It can be read as a standalone, although we get to meet up with all the characters from previous books. Ghost and Izzy's story is a fast-paced, action-filled romantic suspense with some hot sexy times, a lot of soul-searching, some tear-inducing moments and a well-deserved HEA.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ghost is a tormented man with a past like the others, but his stems around him losing his daughter to drugs. He can't forgive himself, even though it wasn't his fault, so he doesn't figure he's good enough for anyone else. In comes Izzy, prior military, his flight instructor. He uses her for a good time, but she wants more. There are escaped prisoners in their area and things get hairy. There's action, danger and a lot of heat. HEA.
I am a huge fan of Ms. Hall and her writing. Having said that, I was not enamoured with Ghost (Marvelle). I mean, I didn't hate him, but I didn't want him for my book boyfriend either. I loved the entire storyline and all the action and enjoyed Izzy. By the time I finished the book I was starting to enjoy Ghost too. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and hope to see Ghost continue to become more.
I am a huge fan of Ms. Hall and her writing. Having said that, I was not enamoured with Ghost (Marvelle). I mean, I didn't hate him, but I didn't want him for my book boyfriend either. I loved the entire storyline and all the action and enjoyed Izzy. By the time I finished the book I was starting to enjoy Ghost too. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and hope to see Ghost continue to become more.
An incarcerated man decides he will never give anyone his real self again. His body, but never his spirit or his heart. Losing his daughter in a senseless and horrible way turns him into an angry, hopeless shell. When he meets a woman who wants him for himself, he treats her as badly as he feels. He has to hear from his fellow STAR members about how badly he has messed up. Luckily, redemption is available.
Ghost is a nurse and an ex-con and Izzy is a military pilot. Izzy and Ghost meet when he is finishing up his certifications to work with the helicopter team at Iron Oak Farms. Izzy is Ghost's flight trainer. After the work day is over the two of them hook up. Ghost is not ready for a relationship after the loss of his daughter and Izzy lost her husband during a mission and she is not sure if she wants another relationship. I loved this book, it has all the feels.
While A Broken Man is, at its core, a romance there is a good dose of danger, suspense and action in it too. Some of which will surely have you on the edge of your seat. Deanndra Hall threw in some tear inducing moments too. Great stuff! The title really does say it all when it comes to Marvelle Connors AKA Ghost. He views himself as how he thinks society at large sees him, worthless. The loss of his daughter more than 15 years ago left him shattered and he's never quite recovered. Why would anyone want someone like him? Isolde Bruce AKA Izzy is a woman with her own hearbreak but she finds herself drawn to a man for the first time since tragedy struck. The two weeks she spends teaching Ghost to fly a helicopter is rewarding both professionally and personally. He's a star student and their nights together prove he's a star in the bedroom too. They both walk away with completely different views of their time together. She wants more. He doesn't. After an white supremacist prisoner escapes the App STAR team, being ex-cons, finds themselves vulnerable because they can't carry firearms. The tension mounts as the manhunt continues. Ultimately the team along with Eagle Point SAR, ATF, DEA, FBI and Kentucky State Police form a joint Task Force to rescue two of their own. Ghost finally pulls his head out about Izzy but with the callous way he treated her and the cutting words he spoke it may be far too late for apologies or forgiveness.
Wow. What a book. I loved everything about it even if I wanted to smack Ghost. I couldn't put book down once started.
I loved Ghost and Izzy together, they had attraction straight off but Ghost fought it tooth and nail. They both have dangerous jobs, and hard pasts. But can they overcome it?
I loved this action packed, suspense filled, steamy romance. This series is great and my favorite thing about it is the appearances by fan favorite characters. I love how these stories feature characters who aren't perfect. I loved Izzy and her strength. I admit I didn't like Ghost for most of the book but by the end I was rooting for him. And those sexy scenes will steam up your kindle!
Lots of action and suspense but also an emotional story. Ghost thinks he is too broken to have any kind of relationship with Izzy. When crazies invade their home and town Izzy is taken down and Ghost goes nuts but will she let him back in her life after his ugly words before everything happened.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Ghost and Izzy start a relationship but he holds back until he realizes he loves her. The book has a lot of danger and tension as terrorists are dealt with. I liked that Ghost realizes he is worthwhile and makes up with Izzy before he loses her for good.
This was another excellent read! I absolutely loved it! I don’t like it when I can figure things out in advance and the author does not disappoint! I highly recommend if this is a genre you love to read! It’s filled with twists! Can’t wait to read the next in the series!
A Broken Man by Deanndra Hall due 7/11/23 5 stars Ghost & Izzie
An amazing addition to the Appalachian Star series.
He paid the price for his daughter's murder. Not high enough but the man was gone--for good. Now, Ghost was on his way to fulfilling a dream. Medevac helo pilot. Little did he know his trainer would be a former military--stunning woman. He had to keep his promise to himself that he didn't get serious. Just fun. But she understood--didn't she?
Not only was he a great student, but so much more. They needed to keep their actions after hours hidden--for now. He wasn't exactly talkative. Maybe when they had more time together?
Would they find out they were on different paths? A few rescue calls and some danger kept putting them together. She had a surprise for him as well. Steam, danger, surprises, disappointments, and so much more. He may want to keep it casual and fun but the danger that kept their attention, they need to protect others from made it hard to do.
Great characters we've met in previous books and more learned along with a spell-binding story will keep your attention from the first to the last word.
This was a great read. Ghost is starting over after spending time in prison. Izzy is a pilot and is teaching Ghost how to fly. The characters were great and we see a lot of them from the first books. Looking forward to reading the next book
I could not get into this book. Very little about the story interested me. I usually connect well with characters in a story, but the authors style of writing left me and the characters empty. I do not recommend this book.
These are wonderful but wounded men. Though Ghost really got me fuming with the way he behaved. Despite his reasoning, I'm glad Izzy gave him hell towards the end. The suspense picked up half way through while the emotions kept hitting us from the get go.
Marvelle Collins is part of the Iron Oaks farm Appalachian STAR team. He was incarcerated after taking care of the man responsible for his daughter's death. He served his time and is ready to get on with his life. Izzy was a former Army pilot. They are forced into close proximity when Marvelle goes to the academy where she teaches to get his pilot's license. One thing leads to another and they get close. However, apparently their time together meant more to Izzy than it did to Marvelle. He claims not to be ready for any kind of relationship. He just assumed she knew. She developed feelings and so did he, even though he fights it. When their lives are on the line, will he finally admit his feelings so they can have the HEA they deserve? Get this book and find out. Sorry, no spoilers. I received this ARC and here is my honest review.