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The Ghost Protectors #2
To Claim a Ghost
A dead man tells no tales—or so they say—but can he find a happy ever after?
After being declared dead by his country and recruited to an elite team of Black Ops Operators, former Italian Special Forces Consubin Angelo Selvaggio has never fully embraced the life offered to him by The Ghost Protectors. His heart has always yearned for the one he walked away from. Now the only remaining member of his blood family is missing in one of the worst hell holes on earth, to save him, Angelo needs help from the same man he swore he’d stay away from. The man who’s heart he destroyed when he walked away to save both their lives. Is Angelo willing to risk it all to find his brother? Is he willing to cross every line and break every rule for the one he loves? Hell yes, there is no price too high for one last shot at love with the man who owns his heart.
After the loss of his husband in a roadside bomb on the sand strewn streets of Kandahar, Vittorio *Toro* Gambino took refuge in the Tribal Lands of Afghanistan. Using his intelligence skills to be Italy’s eyes and ears on the ground in the Middle East. A phone call from a dead man sends his world spiraling out of control. Everything he believed in —destroyed. Everything he knew as truth—gone. Everything he’d dreamed of is once again at his fingertips if he can get past the hurt and betrayal which burns in his soul. He’s about to find out if he has what it takes to Claim a Ghost?
After being declared dead by his country and recruited to an elite team of Black Ops Operators, former Italian Special Forces Consubin Angelo Selvaggio has never fully embraced the life offered to him by The Ghost Protectors. His heart has always yearned for the one he walked away from. Now the only remaining member of his blood family is missing in one of the worst hell holes on earth, to save him, Angelo needs help from the same man he swore he’d stay away from. The man who’s heart he destroyed when he walked away to save both their lives. Is Angelo willing to risk it all to find his brother? Is he willing to cross every line and break every rule for the one he loves? Hell yes, there is no price too high for one last shot at love with the man who owns his heart.
After the loss of his husband in a roadside bomb on the sand strewn streets of Kandahar, Vittorio *Toro* Gambino took refuge in the Tribal Lands of Afghanistan. Using his intelligence skills to be Italy’s eyes and ears on the ground in the Middle East. A phone call from a dead man sends his world spiraling out of control. Everything he believed in —destroyed. Everything he knew as truth—gone. Everything he’d dreamed of is once again at his fingertips if he can get past the hurt and betrayal which burns in his soul. He’s about to find out if he has what it takes to Claim a Ghost?
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2021
129 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Annabella Stone
55 books987 followersAnnabella Stone and Bella Stone are the alter egos of a wife and mom, who was lucky enough to find happy ever after with her own personal hero.
Annabella loves to write Military Romance and Romantic Suspense where warriors love harder when bullets fly. She believes in love at first sight and wants everyone to have the happy ever they deserve. Even if they have to dodge bullets and fight with everything that they are to get it.
Born and raised in Ireland, Annabella has a Grá for a good story and the breakfast blaa, but funnily enough, prefers Jack Daniels to Irish whiskey. Having lived across 7 countries and 3 continents over the last thirty years, she loves to explore new places and cultures. In her world, coffee is king, and she is 100% sure it deserves it's own food group.
Annabella is owned by a pack of malamutes, whom she loves to both work and show. If you can't find her at the computer writing, chances are she and her woofers have escaped to enjoy at day at a dog show, or they are on a mountain trail with the dryland rig or the sled, depending on the time of year.
Annabella's motto is "Live life like a malamute who found the gate open, but take the time to enjoy the sights while you're running."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 13, 2023
Another average-almost-boring read. Hoped this plot will make it better but nope. And I think I know why - it's too quick. As in, everything. The characters move too fast both when it comes to the plot and the location, going through places like socks and the same goes for any events - oh, did you just meet the love of your life after he thought you're dead for who knows how many years? Well, let's not waste page space to really explore the emotions behind that and move on to watch the squad interact and tease each and other and please don't forget to overexplain every reference and joke as well as point out how this particular sentence shows Ghosts are one big happy family. Big Decisions? Safe houses? They get as little time as possible but throw in a bunch of side characters and suddenly we have to spend several pages on introducing them or them teasing each other and explaining stuff.
So yeah, it felt emotionally hollow because things that mattered moved too fast and things that I didn't care about were there to stay. I mean, it was a romance, you should at least root for the main characters even if the rest of the book is meh and I just... didn't care. It felt like they were putting on a show with the little "quirks" that were also overexplained. And just like with jokes, it no longer pucks that punch once you explain it. There's a difference between: I saw him holding the sock in his hand, staring at the wall and hid a smile - as opposed to: "Yo, amore, you're holding a sock in your hand, you did this before, I remember this, do you, let's discuss."
So yeah, it felt emotionally hollow because things that mattered moved too fast and things that I didn't care about were there to stay. I mean, it was a romance, you should at least root for the main characters even if the rest of the book is meh and I just... didn't care. It felt like they were putting on a show with the little "quirks" that were also overexplained. And just like with jokes, it no longer pucks that punch once you explain it. There's a difference between: I saw him holding the sock in his hand, staring at the wall and hid a smile - as opposed to: "Yo, amore, you're holding a sock in your hand, you did this before, I remember this, do you, let's discuss."
February 2, 2022
Being held in captivity and declared dead by his homeland, Angelo is approached for a job with The Ghost Protectors after his aide sets one of their own free. But in order to take the position he has to wipe out his existence and change his appearance. With a new identity and a new beginning, he is thrust back into his past when his brother's life is in danger and the only man that can help him just happens to be the love of his life. Can Toro take him for his word that he is really the dead man? Or will the danger and mayhem bring an end to any hope of being reunited with his soulmate? Once again Annabella Stone grabs onto the readers heartstrings while bullets are flying and danger is eminent. The reader had already fallen in love with the rest of the Protectors and now they have another favorite. If you like danger, a heart wrenching storyline and just enough alpha male to put a smile on your face than pick up this book - it will not disappoint.
December 20, 2025
This is a terrific series and a very engaging read. One I’m happy to share
Rating: 4.5🌈
The second book in The Ghost Protectors series, part of a larger military suspense romance universe created by this author, I found To Claim A Ghost a hit, full of characters and elements that make Stone so successful in this trope.
This was especially well written in the dynamic between the two characters who were torn apart by their respective families and political factions, then eventually reunited under the worst conditions.
To be a Ghost, a member of a secret paramilitary unit, is to be “dead”. To everyone who knew them, to have been “buried” and mourned by those who loved them. Even their own teammates don’t know each other’s stories.
So the burden and trauma of seeing the past before you and everything that entails is emotionally detailed in the scenes here and within the characters themselves. Angelo, now a Ghost and his former husband, Toro, and a sketchy undercover mission in Afghanistan that involves both the Ghost team and his former husband’s current situation.
It’s an investigation that’s involves current events, layered political realities, and multiple battle scenes. Fast paced, gritty and unpredictable.
At its length, there’s still a few elements that feel unresolved. I have a feeling they will be picked up in later books and storylines.
This is a terrific series and a very engaging read. One I’m happy to share.
Cover Design: LK Graphics
Cover Photo: David Wills Photography Models: Christopher John & David Wills
The Ghost Protectors :
To Love A Ghost #1
To Claim a Ghost #2
To Tame A Ghost #3
Rating: 4.5🌈
The second book in The Ghost Protectors series, part of a larger military suspense romance universe created by this author, I found To Claim A Ghost a hit, full of characters and elements that make Stone so successful in this trope.
This was especially well written in the dynamic between the two characters who were torn apart by their respective families and political factions, then eventually reunited under the worst conditions.
To be a Ghost, a member of a secret paramilitary unit, is to be “dead”. To everyone who knew them, to have been “buried” and mourned by those who loved them. Even their own teammates don’t know each other’s stories.
So the burden and trauma of seeing the past before you and everything that entails is emotionally detailed in the scenes here and within the characters themselves. Angelo, now a Ghost and his former husband, Toro, and a sketchy undercover mission in Afghanistan that involves both the Ghost team and his former husband’s current situation.
It’s an investigation that’s involves current events, layered political realities, and multiple battle scenes. Fast paced, gritty and unpredictable.
At its length, there’s still a few elements that feel unresolved. I have a feeling they will be picked up in later books and storylines.
This is a terrific series and a very engaging read. One I’m happy to share.
Cover Design: LK Graphics
Cover Photo: David Wills Photography Models: Christopher John & David Wills
The Ghost Protectors :
To Love A Ghost #1
To Claim a Ghost #2
To Tame A Ghost #3
June 6, 2022
3.5 that I rounded up. This book started out very well. The Ghost Protectors are usually ex-military men that have been declared dead (the ghosts have agreed to it to become lifetime mercenaries). They are brought into the Ghost group, faces and voices changed, fingerprints erased with strict instructions not to ever contact anyone they knew in real life again.
Well, this story has a long-time ghost who finds out his brother has been kidnapped by the Taliban. He knows of only one person in Italian intelligence (an Italian was also kidnapped), that person being the husband he abandoned years ago when he became a ghost. With no other route to take, our Ghost calls his husband for help but doesn't tell him who he is. However, the husband is suspicious and the story is mostly about them rediscovering each other and their relationship. This part was really good.
Then we got to the shoot-um-up phase and everything got a little bogged down (tedious). But some fairly steamy scenes helped move things along and even the brother at the end started getting suspicious so you just know he would figure it out eventually. Probably another book.
Lots and lots of side characters that I suspect were from other stories. The humor in this was pretty good considering the circumstances they usually found themselves in so overall the book certainly wasn't a waste of time.
Well, this story has a long-time ghost who finds out his brother has been kidnapped by the Taliban. He knows of only one person in Italian intelligence (an Italian was also kidnapped), that person being the husband he abandoned years ago when he became a ghost. With no other route to take, our Ghost calls his husband for help but doesn't tell him who he is. However, the husband is suspicious and the story is mostly about them rediscovering each other and their relationship. This part was really good.
Then we got to the shoot-um-up phase and everything got a little bogged down (tedious). But some fairly steamy scenes helped move things along and even the brother at the end started getting suspicious so you just know he would figure it out eventually. Probably another book.
Lots and lots of side characters that I suspect were from other stories. The humor in this was pretty good considering the circumstances they usually found themselves in so overall the book certainly wasn't a waste of time.
February 9, 2022
More a 3.5 but rounded up.
After a couple of disappointing books recently I am glad that Annabella Stone is writing again a good story.
I love the way Angelo is trying to convince Toro who he is, there is the usual mayhem when Griff and Rock are there and this time the number of crossovers is limited. As usual with her books, the story develops at a fast path and you need to keep you wits to catch up.
I love that Toro is not immediately beliveing everyting he hears, that they are not burning up the sheets at the first opportunity.
Nemesis' involment seemed to be laying the background for an upcoming story the autor will publish under a different pen name. I wonder who she is keeping the who's who and who is in which storyline straight. A glossary of characters from her various teams would be helpful - and I have read all the books.
Negative points: the Mafia connection is just not enough explained. The reasons for Angelo's death feel disconnected and explained too superficial. There could have been so much more.
That Griff's and Rock's wife was there makes no sense, no spoilers but in her position I doubt I could leave the family behind and pilot the men over several countries. Hm.
After a couple of disappointing books recently I am glad that Annabella Stone is writing again a good story.
I love the way Angelo is trying to convince Toro who he is, there is the usual mayhem when Griff and Rock are there and this time the number of crossovers is limited. As usual with her books, the story develops at a fast path and you need to keep you wits to catch up.
I love that Toro is not immediately beliveing everyting he hears, that they are not burning up the sheets at the first opportunity.
Nemesis' involment seemed to be laying the background for an upcoming story the autor will publish under a different pen name. I wonder who she is keeping the who's who and who is in which storyline straight. A glossary of characters from her various teams would be helpful - and I have read all the books.
Negative points: the Mafia connection is just not enough explained. The reasons for Angelo's death feel disconnected and explained too superficial. There could have been so much more.
That Griff's and Rock's wife was there makes no sense, no spoilers but in her position I doubt I could leave the family behind and pilot the men over several countries. Hm.
February 14, 2022
A lost love found and slowly rekindled makes To Claim a Ghost a deeply emotional love story. Sacrificing the life with the only man he's ever loved in order to save him, Angelo Selvaggio walked away. It was a no brainer. What a premise for a love story. Even now after all these years his love has not diminished. It has only grown stronger. In order to save his brother, it becomes necessary to Angelo to emerge from the shadows and ask the man who holds his heart, Vittoro Gambino, for help. Revealing himself comes with a huge set of problems like getting Toro to believe him even when presented with facts in black and white, just to name one. The Ghost Protectors once again rise to occasion on all fronts. We learn more about the Nemesis team and there are some wonderful comedic moments that play out courtesy of Angelo's teammates.
Read
February 4, 2022Angelo and Toro just perfect
This was a beautiful read (you could look at and think this could of happened from the start but then i suppose you wouldn’t have a book). Their connection and love jumped of the pages. It was a beautiful romance. Liked the story also with a lot of other characters making an appearance. But who is Nemesis and Jeep, went back through other books but they never came up??????? There was somethings that were never explained but maybe they will come up in the next one.
This was a beautiful read (you could look at and think this could of happened from the start but then i suppose you wouldn’t have a book). Their connection and love jumped of the pages. It was a beautiful romance. Liked the story also with a lot of other characters making an appearance. But who is Nemesis and Jeep, went back through other books but they never came up??????? There was somethings that were never explained but maybe they will come up in the next one.
July 9, 2022
I felt for these characters, a choice made to save ones life meant dying and becoming a Ghost. Then a kidnapping brings them back together. This was fraught with pain, from choices and lies, the worry for a brother and so much more. Suspense, action, bangs and excitement along with several teams of strong willed men to sole a mission that has them chasing their tales over various countries. Another possible traitor is left at the end which I'm assuming will be picked up next time, along with twists and PTSD, plus plenty of banter to ease the strain. This was a non stop edgy read.
April 1, 2023
Now you see Me
Angelo, had been in the Italian service, when he was captured along with Grif, second in command of Ghost. When they were rescued, Angelo took a job with Ghost. His country had declared him dead. To protect his husband Toro, he became a Ghost. When his brother is kidnapped by the Taliban, Angelo knew he had to come out, and be seen by his husband. It took everything he and Rock had to convince Toro who he was. Toro was suppose to look for Angelo's, brother, but things got complicated when the Ghost Squad showed up. I loved their story.
Angelo, had been in the Italian service, when he was captured along with Grif, second in command of Ghost. When they were rescued, Angelo took a job with Ghost. His country had declared him dead. To protect his husband Toro, he became a Ghost. When his brother is kidnapped by the Taliban, Angelo knew he had to come out, and be seen by his husband. It took everything he and Rock had to convince Toro who he was. Toro was suppose to look for Angelo's, brother, but things got complicated when the Ghost Squad showed up. I loved their story.
September 28, 2023
Emotional
Okay, lovelies, this one brought me to tears several times over. Reading Angelo's story, his beginning was heartbreaking. Having to make a decision to not only change his life, but one that will break his heart was hard to read.
Toro, having survived the death of his spouse more then a decade before, is enraged when Angelo contacts him using a code only that person knew.
Secrets are revealed, hearts are broken again. But can those hearts be put back together?
This is a highly emotional love story, with a HEA.
5/5 stars 🌟
Okay, lovelies, this one brought me to tears several times over. Reading Angelo's story, his beginning was heartbreaking. Having to make a decision to not only change his life, but one that will break his heart was hard to read.
Toro, having survived the death of his spouse more then a decade before, is enraged when Angelo contacts him using a code only that person knew.
Secrets are revealed, hearts are broken again. But can those hearts be put back together?
This is a highly emotional love story, with a HEA.
5/5 stars 🌟
February 4, 2022
Another exciting book from Annabella Stone and I loved it. Angelo and Vittorio are wonderful and I loved how they found each other again and that Valerio knows about Angelo though he doesn't know it. I loved seeing people from other series and I particularly loved seeing Allie with Rock and Grif and knowing she can kick butt with the best of them. Looking forward to more stories.
March 16, 2022
Beautiful
I've never been much into military series but I can't seem to get enough of the men Annabella Syone writes about. To Claim a Ghost was no different at all. The characters in this story are just so engaging. The banter and sense of family between them is so wonderful it's hard to not want to read more and more.
I've never been much into military series but I can't seem to get enough of the men Annabella Syone writes about. To Claim a Ghost was no different at all. The characters in this story are just so engaging. The banter and sense of family between them is so wonderful it's hard to not want to read more and more.
June 5, 2022
Ghost Protector Series ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Annabella Stone a great story teller if Teams. Angelo and Toro story about loving some more than yourself to save that person. Betrayal,plastic surgery and voice or even eye color to Ghost Team protect the people once they join the teams. Toro doesn’t recognize Lo, but the chemistry is there and they will find Lo’s brother♥️
Annabella Stone a great story teller if Teams. Angelo and Toro story about loving some more than yourself to save that person. Betrayal,plastic surgery and voice or even eye color to Ghost Team protect the people once they join the teams. Toro doesn’t recognize Lo, but the chemistry is there and they will find Lo’s brother♥️
October 4, 2022
Amore
oh mio dio, il siciliano è così fottutamente rovente caldo. Getting to know Angelo and having him pulled back to his past and Toro. Allie got right with “Italians are so romantic” that said….
Another wild covert rescue through the Stans, things go boom, crazy is out to play, with all snarky banter you expect and another soulmate comes home.
oh mio dio, il siciliano è così fottutamente rovente caldo. Getting to know Angelo and having him pulled back to his past and Toro. Allie got right with “Italians are so romantic” that said….
Another wild covert rescue through the Stans, things go boom, crazy is out to play, with all snarky banter you expect and another soulmate comes home.
December 27, 2022
My first book from this author, and I am hooked. Now I need to go back and find all the other series. To be a Ghost meant Angelo had to give up his previous life. But when an urgent situation throws him back to his past, he has to make a decision that could change everything. I loved the writing and the characters, and cannot wait to do some more reading from this author.
April 24, 2023
Breakout the tissues for this one it’s going to take you on an emotional roller coaster and your going to love every second of it! My heart hurt so much for Toro and Angelo! They go through so much before their story even begins and then it’s just a crap storm. I promise this one is worth any tissues used! This one is a must read!
April 17, 2022
I absolutely love this series and this book is Angelo and Vittorio's story. I enjoyed the way this book played out and the attraction formed. I highly recommend this book and all of Annabella Stone's books.
October 2, 2022
Good story.
These Teo deserved a happy ending. They had been together since they were kids. until they weren't. Death doesn't always stop the love you have foe your one and only. Now they will have to fight to get back to each other..
These Teo deserved a happy ending. They had been together since they were kids. until they weren't. Death doesn't always stop the love you have foe your one and only. Now they will have to fight to get back to each other..
April 11, 2023
How could you not
How could you not enjoy a book series that is based on the following: "It doesn’t matter where you are from, it doesn’t matter your bloodline, color, or sexual orientation. If you are one of us, you belong and you are family, period."
How could you not enjoy a book series that is based on the following: "It doesn’t matter where you are from, it doesn’t matter your bloodline, color, or sexual orientation. If you are one of us, you belong and you are family, period."
February 2, 2022
Loved it!. I can’t get enough of this authors work.
February 2, 2022
😍😍😍😍
Absolutely loved this story!! I love seeing all the characters from previous books making an appearance!! I can not wait for the next one!!m
Absolutely loved this story!! I love seeing all the characters from previous books making an appearance!! I can not wait for the next one!!m
February 7, 2022
❤️❤️❤️
February 13, 2022
The Ghost Protectors
Book Two, this is a follow on series, I had forgot about the first book but what a great journey this series takes us looking forward too the next.
Book Two, this is a follow on series, I had forgot about the first book but what a great journey this series takes us looking forward too the next.
April 18, 2022
First book by this author and just wow. Felt so many emotions with this one!
August 7, 2022
Fantastic
I honestly didn't know this book existed until recently. I've read the other ones. So amazing. But it takes Toro forever to trust and accept.
I honestly didn't know this book existed until recently. I've read the other ones. So amazing. But it takes Toro forever to trust and accept.
February 4, 2023
At 60%. Characters and premise not for me.
March 24, 2023
#GAH!🔥🔥🔥
This book was Epic! Annabella Stone Is the best at writing sexy MM military romantic suspense my Kindle was on fire!🔥🔥🔥
This book was Epic! Annabella Stone Is the best at writing sexy MM military romantic suspense my Kindle was on fire!🔥🔥🔥
July 10, 2025
My reading: 4 1/4 stars
August 7, 2025
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
February 7, 2022
❤️❤️❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews