Broken Hero
Broken Hero is my first attempt at
writing a romance story set in World
War II.
This era is something that personally
compelling to me. I've always been
fascinated by the bravery of the men
and women who lived through these
times.
I thoroughly enjoyed researching the
second world war and also the area I
used to set the book, Bridlington, East
Yorkshire. I place that I have often
visited while living in England.
Audrey and Jake's story begged to be
told. I adored writing Broken Hero and
making the characters come alive. I
hope readers enjoy them too.
Buy Broken Hero:
Paperback from The Book
Depository (free delivery world wide)
Broken Hero is available in ebook -
Buy Here
Also available for Amazon's Kindle
here
Paperback available here from
Amazon. Also from Barnes & Noble
and Amazon UK
Broken Hero is my first attempt at
writing a romance story set in World
War II.
This era is something that personally
compelling to me. I've always been
fascinated by the bravery of the men
and women who lived through these
times.
I thoroughly enjoyed researching the
second world war and also the area I
used to set the book, Bridlington, East
Yorkshire. I place that I have often
visited while living in England.
Audrey and Jake's story begged to be
told. I adored writing Broken Hero and
making the characters come alive. I
hope readers enjoy them too.
Buy Broken Hero:
Paperback from The Book
Depository (free delivery world wide)
Broken Hero is available in ebook -
Buy Here
Also available for Amazon's Kindle
here
Paperback available here from
Amazon. Also from Barnes & Noble
and Amazon UK
| Anne Whitfield |
Blurb
Audrey Pearson's life changed dramatically when WWII broke out and her large home, Twelve Pines on the East
Yorkshire coast, became a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. Her life is no longer lavish with
entertainment, beautiful clothes and surrounded by a loving family. Soldiers, physically and mentally wounded
now fill her home. The smell of disinfectant replaces her mother's perfume and gone are the friends and
acquaintances - instead nurses roam the hallways.
Captain Jake Harding, a doctor training in psychiatry arrives at Twelve Pines. Audrey immediately finds herself
attracted to the Captain, but he is remote towards her. Puzzled by his cold behaviour, Audrey tries to learn more
about the handsome Captain. He reveals that he's lost a wife and baby in childbirth and refuses to ever remarry.
However, despite this, Audrey believes she can change his mind and make him aware he doesn't have to spend
his life alone.
The ice around Jake's heart begins to melt. For years he has rejected the possibility of finding love again
because of the pain it caused him before, but the beautiful Audrey shows him her love and she needs someone
to love her in return.
Could he honestly walk away from her, from the love that could be his?
Excerpt:
From downstairs they heard the commotion of the emptying cellar.
“I’d better check that everyone is all right,” Jake said, but didn’t move. He reached out and took
one of her hands. “We need to talk I think.”
“We do?” She tried to pretend she didn’t know his meaning. From his sad expression, she knew it
wouldn’t be a talk she’d want to have. He was regretting his actions already. Well, she wasn’t
ashamed. She knew she loved him.
“Audrey, I can’t be what you want.”
Her chest squeezed, but she raised her chin in challenge. “You haven’t tried, so how do you
know?”
“You want a good man to love you. You deserve a man’s love, the right man for you.”
“And what if you are the right man for me?”
“I’m not. You mustn’t think I am.” He ran his hands through his hair. “You’re young and beautiful,
there’s many a man who’d love you—”
“Don’t patronise me.” She tossed her head, angered by his attempts to brush her aside again.
“I’m not, honestly. You’re wonderful, and I wish I could be the man you need.”
“But you are! If you just allow yourself to be.” She reached out for him, only he backed away,
shaking his head.
“I won’t. Audrey. I’ll never marry again. I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t cope with the responsibility
of loving someone again, of the possible pain…”
“But I love you.” There, she had said the words.
He looked appalled. “You can’t.”
“Don’t tell me how I feel.”
“You don’t know what love is!”
“I’m speaking from the heart, Jake. I’m not one of those girls who plays with men’s feelings. I love
you like I’ve never loved anyone else before.”
He backed away, shaking his head, his eyes haunted. “No. I won’t do this.”
“What we shared in my bedroom was special. It was meant. You can’t deny that.”
Jake gave a mocking laugh. “It was a kiss, Audrey. A simple kiss that men and women share in
times of need. It leads to sex. You don’t have to be in love to have sex.”
“No. I won’t listen to you.”
“It’s true. Don’t make it out to be more than it was.”
“Why are you so certain that it meant nothing?”
“Because I know the difference.”
She felt sick. “So you wanted s-sex? Just any woman would do…”
He wiped a hand over his tormented face. “No, I didn’t mean…Damn, this isn’t what I meant to
say. Listen to me—”
“I won’t listen to you, not until you really know what you’re saying. Not until you really know
what you want.”
“I don’t want love, Audrey.”
Emotion clogged her throat. “Are-Are you saying you can never love me or any woman ever
again?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Why?” she croaked. Lord, could there be a pain any worse than this?
“I don’t want to love another woman again, not ever.” He closed his eyes momentarily. “I wanted
to die after Marianne, I nearly did. I can’t do it again, Audrey, I can’t suffer such…such anguish as
that again…”
People were coming up the stairs and their chatter filtering up, drove Jake away. With a last glance
at her, his eyes sending his apology, he went to meet the others and resume his role of doctor and
caretaker of their reason.
But what of your reason, Jake? Audrey inwardly cried. Who will save you from your self-imposed
loneliness?
Audrey Pearson's life changed dramatically when WWII broke out and her large home, Twelve Pines on the East
Yorkshire coast, became a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. Her life is no longer lavish with
entertainment, beautiful clothes and surrounded by a loving family. Soldiers, physically and mentally wounded
now fill her home. The smell of disinfectant replaces her mother's perfume and gone are the friends and
acquaintances - instead nurses roam the hallways.
Captain Jake Harding, a doctor training in psychiatry arrives at Twelve Pines. Audrey immediately finds herself
attracted to the Captain, but he is remote towards her. Puzzled by his cold behaviour, Audrey tries to learn more
about the handsome Captain. He reveals that he's lost a wife and baby in childbirth and refuses to ever remarry.
However, despite this, Audrey believes she can change his mind and make him aware he doesn't have to spend
his life alone.
The ice around Jake's heart begins to melt. For years he has rejected the possibility of finding love again
because of the pain it caused him before, but the beautiful Audrey shows him her love and she needs someone
to love her in return.
Could he honestly walk away from her, from the love that could be his?
Excerpt:
From downstairs they heard the commotion of the emptying cellar.
“I’d better check that everyone is all right,” Jake said, but didn’t move. He reached out and took
one of her hands. “We need to talk I think.”
“We do?” She tried to pretend she didn’t know his meaning. From his sad expression, she knew it
wouldn’t be a talk she’d want to have. He was regretting his actions already. Well, she wasn’t
ashamed. She knew she loved him.
“Audrey, I can’t be what you want.”
Her chest squeezed, but she raised her chin in challenge. “You haven’t tried, so how do you
know?”
“You want a good man to love you. You deserve a man’s love, the right man for you.”
“And what if you are the right man for me?”
“I’m not. You mustn’t think I am.” He ran his hands through his hair. “You’re young and beautiful,
there’s many a man who’d love you—”
“Don’t patronise me.” She tossed her head, angered by his attempts to brush her aside again.
“I’m not, honestly. You’re wonderful, and I wish I could be the man you need.”
“But you are! If you just allow yourself to be.” She reached out for him, only he backed away,
shaking his head.
“I won’t. Audrey. I’ll never marry again. I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t cope with the responsibility
of loving someone again, of the possible pain…”
“But I love you.” There, she had said the words.
He looked appalled. “You can’t.”
“Don’t tell me how I feel.”
“You don’t know what love is!”
“I’m speaking from the heart, Jake. I’m not one of those girls who plays with men’s feelings. I love
you like I’ve never loved anyone else before.”
He backed away, shaking his head, his eyes haunted. “No. I won’t do this.”
“What we shared in my bedroom was special. It was meant. You can’t deny that.”
Jake gave a mocking laugh. “It was a kiss, Audrey. A simple kiss that men and women share in
times of need. It leads to sex. You don’t have to be in love to have sex.”
“No. I won’t listen to you.”
“It’s true. Don’t make it out to be more than it was.”
“Why are you so certain that it meant nothing?”
“Because I know the difference.”
She felt sick. “So you wanted s-sex? Just any woman would do…”
He wiped a hand over his tormented face. “No, I didn’t mean…Damn, this isn’t what I meant to
say. Listen to me—”
“I won’t listen to you, not until you really know what you’re saying. Not until you really know
what you want.”
“I don’t want love, Audrey.”
Emotion clogged her throat. “Are-Are you saying you can never love me or any woman ever
again?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Why?” she croaked. Lord, could there be a pain any worse than this?
“I don’t want to love another woman again, not ever.” He closed his eyes momentarily. “I wanted
to die after Marianne, I nearly did. I can’t do it again, Audrey, I can’t suffer such…such anguish as
that again…”
People were coming up the stairs and their chatter filtering up, drove Jake away. With a last glance
at her, his eyes sending his apology, he went to meet the others and resume his role of doctor and
caretaker of their reason.
But what of your reason, Jake? Audrey inwardly cried. Who will save you from your self-imposed
loneliness?
Reviews ~
~ ~ Audrey believes she is in control of her life and her emotions, until Captain Jake Harding's arrival affects her in a way she
never expects. She rails against his inability to respond to her due to the demons which haunt him from his past. Does she
salve her pride and stop trying? Will he come to realise he needs the devotion she can offer, or is this broken hero beyond her
reach?
Broken Hero is an uplifting story about the unseen wounds war inflicts on the strongest and the way ordinary people learned to
adjust to cope with extraordinary situations.
Readers will sympathise at every level with Anne Whitfield's characters, the strong minded Audrey and the compassionate,
damaged Jake who needs her but cannot or will not acknowledge it.
Anita Davison, Historical Fiction Author
http://www.anitadavison.webeden.co.uk
~ ~ Anne Whitfield has done it again. She quickly became one on my 'must read' list. In this latest
accomplishment, Ms. Whitfield took us to East Yorkshire, England in Spring 1944 World War II.
Ms. Whitfield has taken a plot with horrible situations and deplorable conditions and made a beautifully
intricate story which will grab the heart of her readers. Audrey's character is strong, but vulnerable. Jake is a
man who has shut down his emotional functions. The supporting characters keep the story lively. They also
help the emotionally-struggling doctor to face his own personal problems. Jake is a strong, caring doctor who
totally rejects facing his own past horrors. Audrey not only projects her own strength, she is an encourager
and, regardless of setbacks, refuses to give up on anyone or anything.
Broken Hero is a wonderfully poignant story of a man who just happened to be a doctor in World War II, who
had to decide how to deal with his patients without neglecting his own needs. I highly recommend this story to
anyone who is interested in WWII and the scenery around this part of England. Ms. Whitfield has graciously
gone into detail so that I, who have never traveled, felt as if I had been in the midst of the storyline.
Overall rating: 5/5
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual
Reviewer: Brenda Talley - The Romance Studio
March 14, 2008
~ ~ Broken Hero was a wonderfully sweet story. It pulled on my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes.
I couldn't have asked for more heart warming characters which you couldn't help but suffer with and cheer
for. If you are looking for a story that will make you feel deeply and leave with you with the truth that love
conquers all, then you shouldn't miss Broken Hero!
~Reviewed by Lynda from Simply Romance reviews.
~ ~ 'Broken Hero' produces a rich, cohesive view of a few lives during the turbulent war years, and also gives
us a hint of life before the war. The writing invites us to read slowly, understand the individuals' histories, and
savor the story. Foremost; this is a really beautiful romance.
~reviewed by Long and Short Reviews.com
~ ~ Audrey believes she is in control of her life and her emotions, until Captain Jake Harding's arrival affects her in a way she
never expects. She rails against his inability to respond to her due to the demons which haunt him from his past. Does she
salve her pride and stop trying? Will he come to realise he needs the devotion she can offer, or is this broken hero beyond her
reach?
Broken Hero is an uplifting story about the unseen wounds war inflicts on the strongest and the way ordinary people learned to
adjust to cope with extraordinary situations.
Readers will sympathise at every level with Anne Whitfield's characters, the strong minded Audrey and the compassionate,
damaged Jake who needs her but cannot or will not acknowledge it.
Anita Davison, Historical Fiction Author
http://www.anitadavison.webeden.co.uk
~ ~ Anne Whitfield has done it again. She quickly became one on my 'must read' list. In this latest
accomplishment, Ms. Whitfield took us to East Yorkshire, England in Spring 1944 World War II.
Ms. Whitfield has taken a plot with horrible situations and deplorable conditions and made a beautifully
intricate story which will grab the heart of her readers. Audrey's character is strong, but vulnerable. Jake is a
man who has shut down his emotional functions. The supporting characters keep the story lively. They also
help the emotionally-struggling doctor to face his own personal problems. Jake is a strong, caring doctor who
totally rejects facing his own past horrors. Audrey not only projects her own strength, she is an encourager
and, regardless of setbacks, refuses to give up on anyone or anything.
Broken Hero is a wonderfully poignant story of a man who just happened to be a doctor in World War II, who
had to decide how to deal with his patients without neglecting his own needs. I highly recommend this story to
anyone who is interested in WWII and the scenery around this part of England. Ms. Whitfield has graciously
gone into detail so that I, who have never traveled, felt as if I had been in the midst of the storyline.
Overall rating: 5/5
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual
Reviewer: Brenda Talley - The Romance Studio
March 14, 2008
~ ~ Broken Hero was a wonderfully sweet story. It pulled on my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes.
I couldn't have asked for more heart warming characters which you couldn't help but suffer with and cheer
for. If you are looking for a story that will make you feel deeply and leave with you with the truth that love
conquers all, then you shouldn't miss Broken Hero!
~Reviewed by Lynda from Simply Romance reviews.
~ ~ 'Broken Hero' produces a rich, cohesive view of a few lives during the turbulent war years, and also gives
us a hint of life before the war. The writing invites us to read slowly, understand the individuals' histories, and
savor the story. Foremost; this is a really beautiful romance.
~reviewed by Long and Short Reviews.com