What do you think?
Rate this book
Shepherd Security #16
Operation: Valiant Angel
Possessing or showing courage or determination.
Love was not a word that Shepherd Security Operator Jimmy ‘Taco’ Wilson was acquainted with. What he was very well acquainted with was being one of the best snipers Delta Force had ever seen. He served with honor and distinction and had more confirmed kills than most. He was proud of his record. And that included his record since he was personally recruited by Colonel Sam Shepherd, a man he respected and trusted.
A humble man, he saw none of his acts as anything other than just doing his job. It had been many years since he’d had a long-term romantic relationship, which he thought just couldn’t coexist with his Special Forces career. He’d accepted that long ago and was fine with it. As a matter of fact, he loved his life just as it was.
Rae Ella Easton had been reborn into a new life not quite a year earlier when she’d helped the DEA in an operation that left her a woman the cartel would love to find and make an example of. Hence the rebirth as Reina Ellis, a clean and sober, upstanding citizen. Her entire life had been a struggle. She’d been on her own since she was fifteen when she ran away from her fifth foster home. She was a survivor who accepted all she’d been through and overcome as just what life was. Even helping the DEA when she did, she didn’t see it as a brave act. It’s what anyone else would have done had they been in a similar situation.
She had one friend who knew her past and was not a danger knowing her now because he’d helped to get her out when things got scary. He was a man who was as kind as he was attractive, a sympathetic ear who offered her solid advice. She could talk with him about anything. That man was Jimmy Wilson.
But when pushed to identify the relationship, Wilson had a hard time calling it a friendship. One of the problems was, he hadn’t told any of his teammates that he’d stayed in touch with Rae. It was his secret. The other big problem was that Jimmy Wilson did not have friendships with women.
When Reina suspects someone in her new life is in trouble, getting involved also puts her in danger. Jimmy Wilson is the only person she can call to help and that’s when Wilson has to confront exactly what the relationship they have is. And needing help from Shepherd Security, he also has to disclose the relationship he’d kept from his teammates.
Warning, this story is realistic, with adult language and content on the way to the HEA. This is book 16 in the Shepherd Security series. Even though the story does continue from book to book, each is a stand-alone story and can be read without reading the prior book(s), but they are best enjoyed in order.
Love was not a word that Shepherd Security Operator Jimmy ‘Taco’ Wilson was acquainted with. What he was very well acquainted with was being one of the best snipers Delta Force had ever seen. He served with honor and distinction and had more confirmed kills than most. He was proud of his record. And that included his record since he was personally recruited by Colonel Sam Shepherd, a man he respected and trusted.
A humble man, he saw none of his acts as anything other than just doing his job. It had been many years since he’d had a long-term romantic relationship, which he thought just couldn’t coexist with his Special Forces career. He’d accepted that long ago and was fine with it. As a matter of fact, he loved his life just as it was.
Rae Ella Easton had been reborn into a new life not quite a year earlier when she’d helped the DEA in an operation that left her a woman the cartel would love to find and make an example of. Hence the rebirth as Reina Ellis, a clean and sober, upstanding citizen. Her entire life had been a struggle. She’d been on her own since she was fifteen when she ran away from her fifth foster home. She was a survivor who accepted all she’d been through and overcome as just what life was. Even helping the DEA when she did, she didn’t see it as a brave act. It’s what anyone else would have done had they been in a similar situation.
She had one friend who knew her past and was not a danger knowing her now because he’d helped to get her out when things got scary. He was a man who was as kind as he was attractive, a sympathetic ear who offered her solid advice. She could talk with him about anything. That man was Jimmy Wilson.
But when pushed to identify the relationship, Wilson had a hard time calling it a friendship. One of the problems was, he hadn’t told any of his teammates that he’d stayed in touch with Rae. It was his secret. The other big problem was that Jimmy Wilson did not have friendships with women.
When Reina suspects someone in her new life is in trouble, getting involved also puts her in danger. Jimmy Wilson is the only person she can call to help and that’s when Wilson has to confront exactly what the relationship they have is. And needing help from Shepherd Security, he also has to disclose the relationship he’d kept from his teammates.
Warning, this story is realistic, with adult language and content on the way to the HEA. This is book 16 in the Shepherd Security series. Even though the story does continue from book to book, each is a stand-alone story and can be read without reading the prior book(s), but they are best enjoyed in order.
- GenresMilitary FictionSuspense
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2025
159 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Kay
28 books107 followersMargaret Kay is a wife, a mother of two adult children, a grandmother, a pet lover who makes her own dog food from scratch, and a writer of Military Romance Novels.
Margaret's husband proudly served 8 years in the United States Navy. She's a veteran of more than a few deployments as the spouse who took care of the family while her military member served halfway around the world.
Margaret's husband proudly served 8 years in the United States Navy. She's a veteran of more than a few deployments as the spouse who took care of the family while her military member served halfway around the world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 12, 2025
My rating 3 stars!
I was really excited reading the beginning of this series … but now? I can honestly say the last 4 or 5 books haven’t done much for me! This book didn’t pick up steam until about the last third of the book … the first 2/3 was just filler. As much as the secondary characters have been introduced in previous books, it got confusing going from their real name, to their nickname … then, to the number of people in one chapter … just became a bit overwhelming. I think if I had to put out cash for this book would certainly determine how much longer I would continue reading this series … which considering this mess might be sooner than later. The first 6-7 books were very good … but the rest were dying very slow, slow death!
I was really excited reading the beginning of this series … but now? I can honestly say the last 4 or 5 books haven’t done much for me! This book didn’t pick up steam until about the last third of the book … the first 2/3 was just filler. As much as the secondary characters have been introduced in previous books, it got confusing going from their real name, to their nickname … then, to the number of people in one chapter … just became a bit overwhelming. I think if I had to put out cash for this book would certainly determine how much longer I would continue reading this series … which considering this mess might be sooner than later. The first 6-7 books were very good … but the rest were dying very slow, slow death!
February 23, 2025
Like most of the operators, Jimmy is not thinking about having a relationship or finding love or anything permanent until it is suddenly right in front of him and cannot be denied. Still, he tries to deny his feelings for Rae and call them by many other names. Rae just wants to feel like she belongs and is having trouble doing that because the only person she feels like she can be honest with is Jimmy. There is a lot of action in this book, related to Rae’s story and not, as Jimmy goes on mission after mission but then the mission becomes to save Rae and then Lilly and while doing so he realizes he can no longer deny his feelings. Rae is brought into the Shepherd Security fold not only by Jimmy but by everyone allowing her to find her place and them to make a sweet start together.
April 12, 2025
Valiant Angel by Margaret Kay
This is Jimmy (Taco) and Rae Ella’s story. They met on an op when she agreed to testify against a cartel that had killed a DEA agent. She was wounded in their escape. They became friends as she had no one she could really talk to because she was in the witness protection program. Her life had never been easy as her mother was an addict. She became concerned about a little girl that was removed from school unexpectedly. Much drama occurs but Jimmy and Rae get their HEA.
This is Jimmy (Taco) and Rae Ella’s story. They met on an op when she agreed to testify against a cartel that had killed a DEA agent. She was wounded in their escape. They became friends as she had no one she could really talk to because she was in the witness protection program. Her life had never been easy as her mother was an addict. She became concerned about a little girl that was removed from school unexpectedly. Much drama occurs but Jimmy and Rae get their HEA.
February 16, 2025
Rae and Jimmy were a totally believable couple
Somehow, Margaret Kay creates stories where the two main characters find each other and fall in love. Most notably these stories don’t seem contrived or unbelievable. I loved the end where Rae provided grace to a character who deserved little. This book made me want to reread some of the earlier books in this series. While covering dark issues in this world, I ended the feeling optimistic about this world of ours.
Somehow, Margaret Kay creates stories where the two main characters find each other and fall in love. Most notably these stories don’t seem contrived or unbelievable. I loved the end where Rae provided grace to a character who deserved little. This book made me want to reread some of the earlier books in this series. While covering dark issues in this world, I ended the feeling optimistic about this world of ours.
February 24, 2025
A fantastic story and series
This was another fantastic addition to this terrific series. I have been hooked on this series since the first book, and although I know that there's only a limited number of stories left to be written, I can only hope for more. Lol! It's certainly not a story or series to be missed.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
This was another fantastic addition to this terrific series. I have been hooked on this series since the first book, and although I know that there's only a limited number of stories left to be written, I can only hope for more. Lol! It's certainly not a story or series to be missed.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
February 11, 2025
Another fantastic read! You
With each story in this series, I am never disappointed. This story too is full of action packed excitement, danger and horrible people but I know I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of this one! As always this Author brings out everything I want in a story and this one is every bit of that!
With each story in this series, I am never disappointed. This story too is full of action packed excitement, danger and horrible people but I know I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of this one! As always this Author brings out everything I want in a story and this one is every bit of that!
February 11, 2025
This is one of my favorite series. That being said, I didn't love the last book, and I almost didn't finish this one because the writing and feel of them was off. It felt like flipping tv channels. Every few pages, the story jumped to different stories and people. Luckily, the last 40% of this book fell back into the character relationships and style that makes this series special.
February 12, 2025
I have loved this series. I had a hard time getting into this book. The first part of the book had lots of characters and lots going on, but it didn't "hook me in" like the other books did. The last half of the book was more focused for me, I enjoyed it.
March 16, 2025
Great read
This book is a romantic suspense novel about Jimmy "Taco" Wilson and Rae Ella Ellis/Reina Ellis/Rachel "Rae" Wilson getting together with each other. This book is a great story. HEA
This book is a romantic suspense novel about Jimmy "Taco" Wilson and Rae Ella Ellis/Reina Ellis/Rachel "Rae" Wilson getting together with each other. This book is a great story. HEA
May 21, 2025
another great one
Another great story in the Shepard Security Series, honestly I don’t know how Margaret Coombes up with such intriguing plots. Brave and interesting characters brought together in bad situations.
Another great story in the Shepard Security Series, honestly I don’t know how Margaret Coombes up with such intriguing plots. Brave and interesting characters brought together in bad situations.
June 8, 2025
Shepherd Security book 16
I love this as did all the others! Action packed and romance, what more could a person ask for and a happy ending! Hope there more books coming up. Thank you so much from avid reader!
I love this as did all the others! Action packed and romance, what more could a person ask for and a happy ending! Hope there more books coming up. Thank you so much from avid reader!
February 13, 2025
thoroughly enjoyed
I thoroughly enjoyed Rae and Wilson’s story. I love the Shepherds Security books/family. I highly recommend. I look forward to the next one.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rae and Wilson’s story. I love the Shepherds Security books/family. I highly recommend. I look forward to the next one.
February 23, 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
March 10, 2025
Chandra's Review
I truly enjoyed reading this book it was intriguing, mysterious, loving, and full of action! I would definitely recommend this book to read! 🤗🤗👏🏾👏🏾
I truly enjoyed reading this book it was intriguing, mysterious, loving, and full of action! I would definitely recommend this book to read! 🤗🤗👏🏾👏🏾
May 27, 2025
GREAT TACO
Love the story. Ms. Kay had a way to use everyday life in her books and with lot of emotion
Love the story. Ms. Kay had a way to use everyday life in her books and with lot of emotion
July 26, 2025
Trust your gut
A great example of trusting your instincts especially with the life of a child and being right can save or help that child.
A great example of trusting your instincts especially with the life of a child and being right can save or help that child.
November 1, 2025
Great book!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews