Review: To Claim a Ghost :The Ghost Protectors Book 2 by Annabella Stone

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

Buy link

Book 2 of 3: The Ghost Protectors

Blurb

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?

Embers Romance LLC

Publication date

January 30, 2022

Language

‎English

Print length

288 pages

Book 2 of 3

The Ghost Protectors

Review: Temptation’s Tango: MM Romantic Suspense (Delta Force: Team Lynx Book 3) by Annabella Stone

Rating: 4🌈

“Delta Force: Team Lynx is the US Governments newest weapon in the battle against former military personal gone rogue. Led by former Delta Force Team Lynx’s Castello Moran and his team, they have recruited members from the CIA, FBI, NSA, ATF, and other Law Enforcement Agencies.”

I’ve read and really enjoyed other books by Annabella Stone. She focuses on military/black ops characters stories and their relationships. Primarily contemporary but with the occasional exception of a fantasy or paranormal twist.

And there’s multiple series set within the same connected law enforcement universe. This is one of them.

I picked up Temptation’s Tango primarily due to the inclusion of a K-9 main character, Balas, and the accuracy of the relationship between handler,Rafe Anderson, and his WMD/working military dog.

For me, this was the absolute best thing about the book. From his commands in the language used in every scene (Schutzhund) with Balas that not only enforces the depth of training but their own understanding of each other from years together. It’s a credible, deep and genuine relationship between a man and his canine partner.

Same goes for the team when they assemble in Rafe’s old home in Pine Bush due to the criminal activity he’s encountered and the seriousness of the situation that needs further investigation. They have the feel of a field team, which has been together a while and is found family.

Aspects of the story that I feel needs further exploration or more depth towards the ending are with the villains of the plot. And the romantic lead.

He’s cute and it helps that there’s some prior history as children growing up. But the timeline feels rushed.

And without giving away any spoilers, there’s no confrontation with the “real culprits” here. The boo hiss baddies. And that leaves the ending feeling less than satisfying.

The reader sorta “listens” into a gunfight that happens. Then there’s drama. Then a romantic relationship HEA.

So the story is sweet but military wise or law enforcement wise, not great. As I said, the partnership between Balas and Rafe for me stood out from everything else here as the best written and well defined.

And the teamwork is well done as well.

Haven’t read the other books but I’m sure I’ll get to them eventually.

Cover Art: Golden Czermak

Delta Force: Team Lynx (4 book series)

Salvation’s Sinner #1

Redemption’s Rebel #2

Temptation’s Tango #3

Absolution’s Assassin #4

Buy link

Temptation’s Tango: MM Romantic Suspense (Delta Force: Team Lynx Book 3)

Blurb

It was only supposed to be one kiss…

After his K9, Balas, took down an intruder on the White House lawn, former Secret Service agent, Rafe Anderson, didn’t count on his life changing quite so much. With Balas now the face of MWDs across the globe, Rafe lost his faith in the people he worked with when they decided Balas would be better off with a handler who wanted to be in the public eye and not one who shunned notoriety at every opportunity. He swore he’d never serve his country again, and he kept that promise for nine long lonely months until Delta Force Team Lynx offered him a job, using the one thing Rafe could never refuse to sweeten the deal. A chance to have Balas back in his life. Rafe agreed—Lynx delivered—he and Balas are once more a family, a team, and nobody is going to separate them again. With a month of leave in his back pocket, Rafe and Balas are going home to finally buy the house his mother sold before he could afford to buy it. His grandparents’ home in sleepy Pine Bush will make the perfect retreat from the ravages of working in war zones and the horrors of the dirty side of chasing former military members gone rouge…right?

Parker Frost loves his hometown, and unlike his brother, he doesn’t want to shake the dust of Pine Bush off his shoes. He’s happy living over his mom’s garage and working at The Hoot Owl. Slinging beer, running karaoke night, and making people laugh is his jam. If only he could avoid the unwanted advances from the man who keeps asking him out. Seriously, who offers you a thousand bucks a week just to date you? With that insult ringing in his ears, he takes matters into his own hands and begs the hottest man he’s ever seen to pretend they are a couple. Kissing Mr. Sexy Stranger will prove he’s not available, even for that much money…right?

It was only supposed to be one kiss—then one sleepover—now Rafe and Parker must figure out why their hometown is in the crosshairs of a drug lord. But before either can act on the desire pulling them together, Rafe really needs to figure out if his Temptation can really be a Tango.

Embers Romance LLC

Publication date

September 3, 2022

Language

‎English

Print length

248 pages

Book 3 of 4

Delta Force: Team Lynx

Review: Operation Caldera: PNR/Special Forces/Military MM Fiction (Operation Volcano Book 2) by Annabella Stone

Rating: 4.5🌈

Did I lose it over the turns in this book? Why yes I did. Had zero clue Stone was going to take the series in this amazing direction. I’m so excited and in for this series.

If you haven’t read this or are familiar here, author Annabella Stone is taking black ops, military top secret missions, explosive situations, alpha military training forces, fated mates, magic, outstanding use and twists on Irish mythology and lore. Legends come to life. I feel like I’m forgetting something.

If that wasn’t enough.

Stone packs her storytelling with a found family of a black ops unit called Volcano. Then starts expanding her characters and universe with Irish mythology and folding in magical powers and fated mates in a way that’s entirely different. It’s pulled together by the steel, strength , and love for the fight for doing the right thing, for loyalty, and brotherhood.

Stone bridges the worlds between humanity and mythology and makes it powerful and believable in the men and their bonds. To the one they love and to the group they call brothers.

It’s not without elements that had me asking for more exploration or explanation about some areas. Like what happened to the supernatural training that was supposed to happen.

However, I’m betting it will be a part of the next book to come out next year.

But here? The yes, explosive story begins with *Viper* Dare and his rescue of Archaeologist *Ward* Sutherland while on a secret mission with his unit.

It’s one wild and crazy thing after another. I absolutely won’t spoil the twists and surprises but Stone’s rich lush descriptions bring to life such incredible characters and scenes that you can hear the songs, smell the banquet, and take in the atmosphere that Viper and Hank are watching and are a part of.

Great twists, outstanding characters, and action sequences, vividly captured details and beautiful use of magic and mythology.

There’s an Irish dictionary for some of the words and phrases. Loved that.

I only wish I could zoom ahead for the next book’s release date.

A fantastic book, grand series and one I’m highly excited to recommend.

Cover Design By: Golden Czermak

Operation Volcano :

Operation Magma #1
Operation Caldera #2
Operation Fuego #3 – April 30,2026 (argh!) – Reaper’s story

Buy link

Operation Caldera: PNR/Special Forces/Military MM Fiction (Operation Volcano Book 2)

Blurb

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒, 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒!

Navy SEAL Kelvin *Viper* Dare was born to be a frogman. He’s pretty much seen it all over his fifteen-year career, and nothing surprises him anymore. Nothing except an unexpected natural disaster, which sends his team’s latest mission to hell in a handbasket. Volcanic blasts were not even on his radar when he and his men deployed to search for the newest terrorist to dare bring war to US soil. Now he must figure out how the hell he can protect not only his team, but also the American they find deep in the cave system, which offers their only chance of survival.

Archaeologist Howard *Ward* Sutherland was supposed to be on the trip of a lifetime to study the ancient markings found at a cave entrance on an unnamed island in the Indian Ocean. The further into the cave he moves, the more of the witch symbols he deciphers, and the louder the island rumbles and shakes under his feet. He may not be able to see what is happening on the surface, but the sudden appearance of a Special Ops team, and its growly, bossy leader, tells him things are very, very wrong.

When an ancient power stirs and the veil between worlds cracks, they must choose between duty and destiny. Because some doors, once opened, demand more than loyalty—they demand your soul.

Magic, legends, and a brotherhood who’ve been waiting for their High King!

PNR/Special Forces/Military MM Fiction packed with Irish myths and legends, alpha heroes, raw emotion, fated mates, and more.

Publisher: Embers Romance LLC
Publication date: July 31, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 360 pages
Book 2 of 2: Operation Volcano

Review: Don’t Come For My Night Stalker: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 2) by Annabella Stone

Rating: 4.75🌈

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker is the second book in Annabella Stone’s excellent Black Squadron duology. A political intrigue , intense combat and suspense filled story that focuses on a long standing unspoken love between elite op Grady Montreux, and Claudio Stancanpiano, Black Squadron’s commander.

Stones series ’ series and books, which are heavily intertwined with each other as they are part of this overall agency and oversight task force, have the same locations and repeat characters/couples. It’s a densely populated and complex military universe where the protocols and procedures are rigid and complicated.

Stone gets this and layers it beautifully into her characters and their storylines.

It’s a soldier’s story. Complete with nightmares, PTSD, trauma and fears of committing due to the fact that the job makes any future tenuous. So a realistic based storyline for two soldiers who have been in many campaigns and are still fighting, but in yet another capacity.

A international arms and drug dealer who has been an ongoing major villain in other stories appears here. Another key element of Stone’s’ series and ability to maintain a high energy and realistic flow in the universe.

The scenes between Claudio and Grady are moving and intense, especially due to the circumstances. I love the communication between them that finally allows them to see a future or at least a HFN as a couple together. That’s believable.

As, frustrating as it is, so is the ending. Claudio and Grady’s relationship story had wrapped up but an even larger story and plot is just beginning.

Stone’s books are extremely well written, extraordinarily detailed, with explosive action sequences and suspense filled moments. Loved it and waiting for the next!

Cover Design By: Golden Czermak Cover Image By: James Critchley Cover Model: Carlo di Carlo

Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

Don’t Come For My Operator #1

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2

See all connected series below.

Buy link

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 2)

Blurb

War forged him:

Former Italian Special Forces Commander Claudio Stancanpiano has spent his life on the battlefield, where love is a luxury and attachments are a weakness. As the leader of one of the world’s most elite covert Task Forces, he’s used to making impossible choices—ones that leave no room for second chances. But when his Squadron’s latest mission goes sideways, and the man he nearly lost is the only thing grounding him, Claudio is forced to face the truth he’s been running from for years.

Love found them:

Former Night Stalker Grady Montreux has always lived in the shadows—flying into the deadliest war zones, slipping past enemy lines, doing whatever it takes to bring his team home. But after a near-fatal mission, one thing is clear: the only fight that truly matters is the one for the man he refuses to lose.

When the battle stops, love me more

Bound by war, scarred by the past, and tangled in a love they can’t escape, Claudio and Grady finally surrender—to desire, to trust, and to the future they never thought they could have. But love is its own kind of battlefield, and staying together will take more courage than any war they’ve fought before because this time, neither of them is walking away.

A high-stakes, slow-burn military romance packed with heart-stopping action, raw emotion, and the kind of love that refuses to be denied.

Publisher: Embers Romance LLC (March 20, 2025)
Publication date: March 20, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 332 pages

Full list of Crossover Series of Connected characters/couples and Agencies in the same universe in order:

🔹DELTA FORCE: TEAM PANTHER Jonah’s Compass

Tied Up In Steele

Malik’s Redemption

Micah’s Promise

Christmas-Panther Style

Grif’s Salvation

Jason’s Justice

🔹TAGS OF HONOR: RED SQUADRON

Zenko

Noble

Don’t Let Go

Drax

Roman

Saxon

Rees

🔹DELTA FORCE TEAM LYNX Salvation’s Sinner

Redemption’s Rebel

Temptation’s Tango

🔹THE GHOST PROTECTORS

To Love A Ghost

To Claim A Ghost

To Tame A Ghost

🔹Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

Don’t Come For My Operator #1

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2

🔹SHORT STORIES

They Won’t Ask If We Don’t Tell (Delta Force Team Panther)

Review: Operation Magma: A PNR / Special Forces / Protector MM Romance (Operation Volcano Book 1) by Annabella Stone

Rating: 4🌈

I just recently finished my first LGBTQIA military suspense romance book from Annabella Stone when I noticed she had taken her love and passion for military service relationships and turned it towards a PNR series. Operation Magma is the first in her new paranormal black ops special forces series. I really enjoyed it, especially as Stone approaches the shifter character element from a very different and interesting perspective.

Taylor *Trace* Reeves is an ancient warrior who fought for the honor of being the one left behind to guard the gate after the King of the Fianna and all the others left for Tyr Na Og. He is the Hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, both man and fearsome wolf, two distinct beings in one.

Most shifters have their beasts an integrated aspect of their characters. They might shift from one form to another but the basic “personality” remains the same. Here they are completely separate, two different personalities, right down to their own names. The man is Travis, and the wolf is Bran. They coexist within the same body and have conversations about their situations.

It might take some adjustment for readers who are more familiar with shifters of the first description but once you have made the connection, it’s fascinating and easy to invest in this aspect of the story.

Stone’s creativity about the Hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the mythology and foundation behind his life is layered and fascinating. I’m hoping that because of the storylines, the connections to the other characters, we will get further exploration to fill in some of the gaps left here.

This is a fated mate’s romance built in with a special forces operation that’s also , I expect, finding a new mission. So many elements and characters have to be introduced in this story that it’s a bit jam packed. Some holes are bound to be left open.

But the important elements are all there. All the characters are great, not just the main characters and couple. I love the journey of Travis/Bran and John “Juice “ O’Leary, his fated mate take. Really it’s just getting started as this book ends. There we see a new tighter unit being developed in special forces Volcano with the great characters we have gotten to know.

I’m assuming each getting their own story. Viper is next up.

I’m highly recommending this book and series.

Volcano unit:

CO Kelvin “Viper “ Dare Volcano 1

John “Juice“ O’Leary,Volcano 2

Kazan “Kaze” Black Volcano 3

Michael “Reaper” Rodriquez 4

Zane “Zero” Morgan Volcano 5

Taylor *Trace* Reeves/Bran , Volcano 6

Cover Art: Golden Czermak

Operation Volcano series:

🔹Operation Magma #1

🔹Operation Caldera #2 – July 1,2025

Buy link

Operation Magma: A PNR / Special Forces / Protector MM Romance (Operation Volcano Book 1)

Blurb

Taylor *Trace* Reeves has served in various branches of the military, and in multiple human wars over his life time which spans millennia. Once the faithful hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Trace continues to protect the innocent and fight the wars of man. He will continue to keep his presence a secret from humans, even the ones he calls brothers.

Over time, the return of Fionn and The Fianna has faded out of the memories of man and into their myths and legends. Yet Trace and his wolf, Bran, still wait for the sound of the Dord Fiann, the hunting horn of the Fianna, to sound three times.

When the call comes, The Fianna will arise and Trace and Bran will once more be the hound of The Fianna. Until then, his mission is to keep the men he guards alive, by any means necessary.

Operation Magma is the prequel novella to Operation Volcano.

Publisher: Embers Romance LLC (November 5, 2023)
Publication date: November 5, 2023
Language: English
Print length: 178 pages

Review: Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1) by Annabella Stone

Rating:4.75🌈

I came into this book absolutely not having read any of the many connected series and books in this complicated black ops universe but I still found myself throughly invested in the gripping story and the complex characters.

Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1) by Annabella Stone is part of a black op universe of multiple stories, series and characters that cross over into each others lives and missions as they often work together and for the umbrella agency.

While not having a deep understanding about how the foundation of the universe works or all the various aspects of the characters dynamics, Stone lays down the basic concepts and gives the reader a clear explanation of how they interact and work in the field so it’s believable and meaningful.

Whether as a lone operative or as part of a team, these men come across as exactly what Stone is trying to accomplish.

Throwing the reader right into a tense undercover black ops mission seen first hand from both perspectives of Black Ops Reconnaissance Operative, Black Squadron, Elijah *Rogue* Dunmore, in Afghanistan because of a caravan on its way to a fragile peace mission. Inside one of the trucks is CIA Ground Branch Operative Travis *South* Zimmer, escorting tribal leaders to a peace meeting he helped broker.

The tension starts building immediately, then everything goes explosive. The scenes are realistic without being raw , gritty and suspenseful. From then on out these men are on the move, danger is literally everywhere, and nothing is safe.

There’s a mystery, escape, battles, and a red hot romance between Travis and Elijah that develops as they travel through Afghanistan , back to the US, and as the plot gets more complicated, beyond the US boundaries.

Stone brings in characters and teams from all parts of the agency which helps solidify the relationship and world that’s being created around Travis and Elijah.

If I had a quibble, it would have been to have drawn out the dramatic scenes at the end so it felt as though the villain(s) were fully aware of the situation as well as taken down.

I definitely can’t wait for the next book in this series to be released.

I’m definitely recommending this and will be running back to catch up on it other series.

Cover Design: Golden Czermak

Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

🔹Don’t Come For My Operator #1

🔹Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2 – Feb 28,2025

See all connected series below.

Buy link

Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1)

Blurb

If you come for him, you deal with me!

Former Navy SEAL, and current Black Ops Reconnaissance Operative for the elite agency, Black Squadron, Elijah *Rogue* Dunmore has spent most of his adult life running ops and working solo missions in some of the worst places on earth. Working alone adds the edge of danger he craves to keep his life interesting. He has one last mission to complete, overwatch for a peace talks convoy at a border crossing on the notorious AfPak border, then its crunch time. He must decide if he takes the offer to rotate into a desk role, or if he hangs up his weapons and walks away from the world of Special Operations which defines who he is. This mission on a border which has cost him so much over his career, may take that decision out of his hands, by sneaking temptation right into his world.

Former SEAL and CIA Ground Branch Operative Travis *South* Zimmer, has one final task to complete before he’s up for promotion. Escorting tribal leaders from Afghanistan to peace talks in Pakistan sounds doable. But peace talks have the potential to stop wars and stopping wars costs arms dealers’ money. When Travis’s mission goes to hell in a handbasket because someone is determined his convoy will not make it through the Hindu Kush, rescue comes from an Overwatch Operative who calls to the one thing Travis has always guarded—his heart.

Blindsided by an attraction neither can resist; Elijah and Travis need to make it to safety, and they need to do it without compromising, their jobs, their teams, and most of all their hearts.

Can these Tier One Operators find it within themselves to say, ‘when the battle stops, let me love you.’

Publisher: Embers Romance LLC (October 16, 2024)
Publication date: October 16, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 372 pages

Full list of Crossover Series of Connected characters/couples and Agencies in the same universe in order:

🔹DELTA FORCE: TEAM PANTHER Jonah’s Compass

Tied Up In Steele

Malik’s Redemption

Micah’s Promise

Christmas-Panther Style

Grif’s Salvation

Jason’s Justice

🔹TAGS OF HONOR: RED SQUADRON

Zenko

Noble

Don’t Let Go

Drax

Roman

Saxon

Rees

🔹DELTA FORCE TEAM LYNX Salvation’s Sinner

Redemption’s Rebel

Temptation’s Tango

🔹THE GHOST PROTECTORS

To Love A Ghost

To Claim A Ghost

To Tame A Ghost

🔹Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

Don’t Come For My Operator #1

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2

🔹SHORT STORIES

They Won’t Ask If We Don’t Tell (Delta Force Team Panther)

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