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?
Reviews for Broken Hero
"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." - 5 hearts, Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio
"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
Visit Anne Whitfield's web site
Read an excerpt from Broken Hero
About Anne Whitfield
Anne Whitfield has been writing for ten years and been a reader for a lot longer. A love of historical fiction started at an early age and soon the stories in her head demanded to be heard. While researching for her hobby, genealogy, she began to write her first novel and, the stories that had been company for years, suddenly became real on the page.
Having written nine novels and several short stories, she's also active within the writing and reader community. Anne's a member of Romance Writers Australia, Romance Novelists Association UK, Historical Novel Society.
Back list:
Broken Hero, 2008
Her Shadowed Heart TBR 2008
Woodland Daughter TBR 2008
A Noble Place, 2007
The Gentle Wind’s Caress, 2007
Kitty McKenzie, 2006
Kitty McKenzie’s Land, 2006
Long Distance Love, 2006
Gossamer Wings, 2006
Short stories
To Love Again
Avenue Of Dreams
India Dreaming
A note from Anne...
Two release coming out in the next few months, Her Shadowed Heart, a Victorian historical family drama and Woodland Daughter, another family drama set in Edwardian times.
An Interview with Anne Whitfield
By Katie Raines, Assistant for The Romance StudioKR: Anne, thank you for joining us at TRS. Please tell us about your
featured book, Broken Hero. AW: Broken Hero is set in England. Actually, it's in East Yorkshire, along the coast. It's war time. The second world war has been raging for some time and the people are growing tired of it and the changes it's brought to their lives. This story is about Audrey Pearson and her family, how they have been changed. It's also about Audrey falling in love with a dashing army doctor, who has problems of his own.
KR: You have a heroine whose life has been drastically altered by war and a hero broken by a great loss in his life. What gave you the idea to bring these two special people together? AW: I've always been interested in the war years and how people must cope with terrible things happening. Falling in love can be difficult and challenging enough, but imagine doing it in war time? The story grew from a few ideas and the characters worked perfectly.
KR: What made you chose this particular setting? Did the story come the setting? AW: Well, my family is English and from Yorkshire, though West not East, and I've grown up listening to stories Mum and Dad have told about when they were children in the war. I had visited East Yorkshire many times and knew that the coastline of England had to be defended against attack. It seemed a natural setting.
KR: What sort of research did you do to make this story come to life? AW: I spent a lot of time at the BBC websites that have people sharing their experiences through the war. Their stories were wonderful. I also read books and watched documentaries.
KR: What did you like best about Audrey and Jake? AW: I like Audrey's strength and determination. She was great to write.
I loved Jake's vulnerability. He had to be strong for his men, but inside he was a mess, and of course he needed Audrey only he didn't realise it.
KR: What else do you have in store for readers? AW: Another new release which has just come out. A Victorian historical titled, Her Shadowed Heart.
Set in Yorkshire England 1864, Her Shadowed Heart is a historical saga of family secrets, betrayals, love, and of new beginnings.
Plus I have another historical release, Woodland Daughter, coming out in July 2008.
KR: How did you get your start as a writer? AW: In 2005 I sold two historical novels to one small press, but later terminated those contracts. I then sold my first short story, and then a few weeks later sold my first contemporary novel to Samhain Publishing.
KR: How have things changed since then? AW: Yes, for me they have changed a lot. I'm with a UK agency and have had 3 historicals sold in the UK, plus I've sold more short stories, and more historicals. I'm now writing my 11th book,with 9 sold so far.
KR: What's the most important thing you've learned from your writing career? AW: Never give up. Learn all you can about your intended agent or publisher. Ask questions. Always. Join a good critique group that will help and guide you, not strip you of your confidence and style.
I've also learned that there are some lovely people in world and writers and readers make up a good percentage of them!!
KR: What would you like to tell readers out there? AW: That if you've never tried one of my books, do so. They are great! LOL
Seriously, I'd like to thank those readers who have sent me lovely emails over the last couple of years about how much they enjoyed my books. They will never know how much that means to me.
Thanks again, Katie!
KR: Thank you!
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