What do you think?
Rate this book
Red Starr #0.5
Starr's Awakening
From USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne comes a thrilling hostage rescue series that will lead you down perilous paths of passion, intrigue and suspense...Catori Starr has been lost in a crippling grief since losing her husband, Red. Since learning he went MIA on a rescue mission abroad, she has existed more than lived. She's a shell of who she used to be. Restarting Red Starr HRT is a last-ditch opportunity to overcome her pain--and keep her husband's legacy alive. With a team of cherry-picked men, she must now decide if she's willing to set aside a years-old grief to begin a new life filled with the potential of fated dreams...or deadly peril.Series Red Starr HRT is a paramilitary hostage rescue team that was originally formed years ago by two retired Marine Master Sergeants. Upon the death of Catori Starr's husband, Brendan "Red" O'Neill, she took a much needed hiatus to deal with her guilt and all consuming grief. Two years later, Starr is clawing her way back and ready to lead a fresh team of five cherry-picked former Force Recon Marines. Red Starr HRT takes cases the FBI and other agencies won't touch, from domestic assignments bordering on the grey edges to missions abroad against savage terrorist regimes. Follow along as Kennedy Layne conveys each of their stories as they work together on high risk rescues that lead them down perilous paths of passion, intrigue and suspense...
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2014
89 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Kennedy Layne
156 books661 followersKennedy Layne is a USA Today bestselling author. She draws inspiration for her romantic thrillers in part from her not-so-secret second life as a wife of a retired Marine Master Sergeant. He doubles as her critique partner, beta reader, and military consultant. Kennedy also has a deep love for cozy mysteries, thrillers, and basically any book that can keep her guessing until the very end. They live in the Midwest with their menagerie of pets. The loyal dogs and mischievous cats appreciate her writing days as much as she does, usually curled up in front of the fireplace.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3qrizgV
Facebook: http://bit.ly/3qwLzUz
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3ceSHQ9
Amazon: http://amzn.to/3qrizgV
Facebook: http://bit.ly/3qwLzUz
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3ceSHQ9
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 15, 2025
Finished Reading November 3, 2015
Starr's Awakening by Kennedy Layne
Genres: Adult, Crime, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
4.75 Stars
You know a series is going to be great when a short 100 plus page prequel makes you ravenous for more.
I love the character Catori Starr & can't wait to read the 1st book in this series, which I have already downloaded to my Kindle.
Kennedy Layne has me salivating to read both her CSA & the Red Starr series. One of the things I love is the characters from both series interact with each other, yet they are 2 entirely different series.
Red Star HRT is a Hostage Rescue Team, while CSA is a Security Agency. Both are run by ex-military.
I am impressed by Kennedy Layne. Her writing pulls you in and seduces you. You can't put it down.
Her details are no more nor less than what the story needs.
Her characters are developed and feel real.
Her situations are tense. There is mystery & suspense.
Definitely going on my Favorite Authors List & Series Following List.
Purchased from Amazon October 25, 2015
Starr's Awakening by Kennedy Layne
Genres: Adult, Crime, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
4.75 Stars
You know a series is going to be great when a short 100 plus page prequel makes you ravenous for more.
I love the character Catori Starr & can't wait to read the 1st book in this series, which I have already downloaded to my Kindle.
Kennedy Layne has me salivating to read both her CSA & the Red Starr series. One of the things I love is the characters from both series interact with each other, yet they are 2 entirely different series.
Red Star HRT is a Hostage Rescue Team, while CSA is a Security Agency. Both are run by ex-military.
I am impressed by Kennedy Layne. Her writing pulls you in and seduces you. You can't put it down.
Her details are no more nor less than what the story needs.
Her characters are developed and feel real.
Her situations are tense. There is mystery & suspense.
Definitely going on my Favorite Authors List & Series Following List.
Purchased from Amazon October 25, 2015
July 30, 2016
After getting through Catori Starr's pity party, I was able to appreciate and enjoy the start of this series from what it seems like it will be…an exciting adventure. As Catori continues to mourn her late husband Red, she finally decides to join the living and get back to Red Starr HRT business with a bit of coercion from Gavin Crest. Catori sets out to assemble a new team of men for the company. Obviously each man agrees to join the team after meeting with her and receiving her cryptic email to give their answer in 48 hours. Aside from the constant mention of the full details of Catori's wardrobe, I think I'm gong to enjoy this series and am on to Hearths of Fire.
July 18, 2015
3.5 Stars. Starr's Awakening is the prequel to Kennedy Layne's Red Starr Series. This book centers around Catori Starr who lost her husband, Red, two years ago in a mission that went wrong. In fact, she lost the entire team. Now two years later, with the encouragement of a family friend Gavin Crest she is finally picking up the pieces and starting over by getting a new team and a new operations center. She is also having very realistic dreams about her dead husband who seems to be communicating something to her.
I enjoyed this book, but not a lot really happens in it. Basically Catori picks her new team and we get a quick introduction to all the team members. They all come with some baggage especially her team leader.
I thought this book was well written and I had no trouble with the terminology (but to be far I spent 20 years in the military so it's second nature to me). I was intrigued by the characters and by the dreams that Catori is having which lead you to believe that we'll be hearing more about the mission Red was on.
I've already picked up the next book and look forward to reading it.
I enjoyed this book, but not a lot really happens in it. Basically Catori picks her new team and we get a quick introduction to all the team members. They all come with some baggage especially her team leader.
I thought this book was well written and I had no trouble with the terminology (but to be far I spent 20 years in the military so it's second nature to me). I was intrigued by the characters and by the dreams that Catori is having which lead you to believe that we'll be hearing more about the mission Red was on.
I've already picked up the next book and look forward to reading it.
January 31, 2015
Well done
As the wife of a retired Army NCO, I get that little tingle of excitement when I read Kennedy Layne's books. SitReps, SNAFU' s and CUBA's were never said in front of me, I was to be shielded from many situations that my Paratrooper, Com Spec -, high level clearanced husband did everyday, but things at the wives club...well...we had our own methods of gaining Intel...
Catori Starr lost Red -her husband, two years ago in a mission gone FUBAR. Now, she is picking up the pieces with the assistance and encouragement of Gavin Crest...you know him, right? and starting again... New team...New digs...old dreams that are becoming real...oh so real.
The team is assembled and now her lead has brought their first mission with him, in a way.
Training, bonding, solidifying is first ...want to read the next book. One question, is Starr dreaming because there is something she needs to know? Does she have such a strong connection to Red, that he is telling her something beyond the grave or did she miss something?
Now on to book 1...oorah!!
As the wife of a retired Army NCO, I get that little tingle of excitement when I read Kennedy Layne's books. SitReps, SNAFU' s and CUBA's were never said in front of me, I was to be shielded from many situations that my Paratrooper, Com Spec -, high level clearanced husband did everyday, but things at the wives club...well...we had our own methods of gaining Intel...
Catori Starr lost Red -her husband, two years ago in a mission gone FUBAR. Now, she is picking up the pieces with the assistance and encouragement of Gavin Crest...you know him, right? and starting again... New team...New digs...old dreams that are becoming real...oh so real.
The team is assembled and now her lead has brought their first mission with him, in a way.
Training, bonding, solidifying is first ...want to read the next book. One question, is Starr dreaming because there is something she needs to know? Does she have such a strong connection to Red, that he is telling her something beyond the grave or did she miss something?
Now on to book 1...oorah!!
June 17, 2024
No action because it is a prequel to the series (teaser). The h is setting up a team in hostage rescue that the government doesn't want to handle.
The h lost the love of her life two years ago. She goes back to the beach home they shared to feel his presence. The author does a great job, pulling you into their love story and feeling her loss. I wish, that is where she left it. But, no... she picks up a stranger, a lot younger than she is and has sex, in the bed she shared with her husband. The h states she ruined their special place, well it did for me too. That bothered me immensely!
This is a short novella of her assembling a team. We meet the team and discover what each will bring to their unit. Lovemaking outside of marriage and dreams of sex with her deceased husband - heat level 3 out of 5.
No cheating, no suspense or villains, crude words used. (ljb)
The h lost the love of her life two years ago. She goes back to the beach home they shared to feel his presence. The author does a great job, pulling you into their love story and feeling her loss. I wish, that is where she left it. But, no... she picks up a stranger, a lot younger than she is and has sex, in the bed she shared with her husband. The h states she ruined their special place, well it did for me too. That bothered me immensely!
This is a short novella of her assembling a team. We meet the team and discover what each will bring to their unit. Lovemaking outside of marriage and dreams of sex with her deceased husband - heat level 3 out of 5.
No cheating, no suspense or villains, crude words used. (ljb)
December 31, 2017
This is a pre novel to the series. This starts the story of the owners of a business which goes into hibernation, along with the woman who owns it, after the woman's husband his is team fail at a mission. This story goes to show you just how the woman is surviving rather than living.
This all changes when a friend cannot sit by any longer and watch her act like she has been. He suggests, along with a men for her team, restarting her business again. She flip flops around if she'll do it or not.
This book is great because it lets you into the entire series and gives you a great background at the people who owned the business. I couldn't put this down and went directly to the next book in the series.
This all changes when a friend cannot sit by any longer and watch her act like she has been. He suggests, along with a men for her team, restarting her business again. She flip flops around if she'll do it or not.
This book is great because it lets you into the entire series and gives you a great background at the people who owned the business. I couldn't put this down and went directly to the next book in the series.
August 21, 2021
Catori two years ago she lost Red husband, and partner. The grief and the guilt would always be apart of her. Could she restart the organization again. Crest had done the work, selecting the qualifies men and now for her final say so. The plot is captivating as you meet the men and the description draws you in as the team is formed. They had a purpose to use their talents, and the rewards for the five year contracts was a bonus.
Outside of the pages of sex and cussing, the author has once again give us a new series .
Outside of the pages of sex and cussing, the author has once again give us a new series .
January 1, 2025
Starting at the beginning
Starr has a sad start to this story, but that evolves into her strength as well. The story is a good background of the new team and some of its members, but doesn’t seem like a full story. The ending creates the team mission of sorts, but the team isn’t all there yet and we haven’t met all the members. I feel as though it will be bigger though bc Reds death doesn’t seem quite clear either. A good read I just was surprised when it ended since I thought it was still just introducing the team members and origin.
Starr has a sad start to this story, but that evolves into her strength as well. The story is a good background of the new team and some of its members, but doesn’t seem like a full story. The ending creates the team mission of sorts, but the team isn’t all there yet and we haven’t met all the members. I feel as though it will be bigger though bc Reds death doesn’t seem quite clear either. A good read I just was surprised when it ended since I thought it was still just introducing the team members and origin.
April 2, 2023
Catori Starr is a widow of Red Starr. They had the best history until his last mission. Now she is on her own and drowning in memories. When someone from her past comes with a request. Resurrect Starr HRT. And now she is on a mission to do just that. With her new team there will be healing and a reason to keep on living. This is just the first book and the men she now has under her new beginnings. They each have reason to keep on going since their own past needs healing.
freebie-owned-to-read
March 3, 2021Also have in Starr's Awakening & Hearths of Fire
August 3, 2017
Really enjoyed this series. Great characters and story along with some hot sex and mystery
April 2, 2015
Prequel to the companion series of the CSA Case Files. Red Starr is a sanctioned, non-governmental Hostage Rescue Team. Brendan (Red) and his wife Catori (Starr) ran this operation until Red was killed along with his team in a FUBAR op. After two years of paralyzing grief, Catori is convinced by Gavin Crest that she should restart the team.
With a push, she begins by selecting and notifying the new members of the team that they have been selected and in all cases except one, that they have 48 hours to sign on. The non-conformer? The Team Lead, Kane Taylor. Catori is walking away with his verbal agreement.
Interesting beginning - the team is made up of interesting individuals, all former military, who walked away for specific reasons. Catori will not let their talents and skills go to waste.
With a push, she begins by selecting and notifying the new members of the team that they have been selected and in all cases except one, that they have 48 hours to sign on. The non-conformer? The Team Lead, Kane Taylor. Catori is walking away with his verbal agreement.
Interesting beginning - the team is made up of interesting individuals, all former military, who walked away for specific reasons. Catori will not let their talents and skills go to waste.
January 31, 2016
A Fantastic Start to the Red Starr Series
This series came highly recommended by some of the group's that I belong to on Facebook. After just reading the prequel, I hope someday there will be more about what happened during the mission that Red Starr didn't come back k from.
Catori Starr has decided that grieving for her husband has gone on long enough and has restarted Red Starr HRT. She's hand picked her new team of agents, retrofitted a warehouse to become the new hub for the business. With the addition of a ship and new helicopter, she decides to meet each of the new team personally. Including Kane who wants vengeance for his sister who was killed after a mission that went FUBAR quickly.
Hopefully, the rest of the books will be as good as this one because this beginning prequel was awesome.
This series came highly recommended by some of the group's that I belong to on Facebook. After just reading the prequel, I hope someday there will be more about what happened during the mission that Red Starr didn't come back k from.
Catori Starr has decided that grieving for her husband has gone on long enough and has restarted Red Starr HRT. She's hand picked her new team of agents, retrofitted a warehouse to become the new hub for the business. With the addition of a ship and new helicopter, she decides to meet each of the new team personally. Including Kane who wants vengeance for his sister who was killed after a mission that went FUBAR quickly.
Hopefully, the rest of the books will be as good as this one because this beginning prequel was awesome.
March 6, 2015
Love these kind of introduction novellas where we get to learn a bit more about the main characters before the first full length novel.
Catori Starr (an ex Marine which is just too cool) is putting back her Hostage Rescue Team after letting it go two years earlier after her husband and the team were killed in a mission gone wrong.
This novella starts out with Starr being talked into restarting her business, and continues with her meeting with each of the guys she has selected to offer them a job while still dealing with the loss of her husband Red and the memories that are being brought back. It ends with a bombshell regarding one of the team members families which I can see may be an ongoing arc.
Now, if you will all excuse me, I'm off to start book one.
Catori Starr (an ex Marine which is just too cool) is putting back her Hostage Rescue Team after letting it go two years earlier after her husband and the team were killed in a mission gone wrong.
This novella starts out with Starr being talked into restarting her business, and continues with her meeting with each of the guys she has selected to offer them a job while still dealing with the loss of her husband Red and the memories that are being brought back. It ends with a bombshell regarding one of the team members families which I can see may be an ongoing arc.
Now, if you will all excuse me, I'm off to start book one.
June 16, 2015
This interesting story is the beginning of the series "Red Starr"!! I love Kennedy Layne stories. They are very well written, full of deep feeling characters, hot sex, and lots of action. Catori's husband and partner in Red Starr HRT, died two years earlier. She needed something to snap her back into life, and a friend does just that. New members to interview and hire for their Hostage Rescue Team. So, she travels to each new location to get them to sign up. We see a tough, qualified bunch of ex military with awesome skill sets, and a chance to do their jobs they were trained so well for. The facility is top notch, secure, and elite. Looking forward to the first mission. Highly recommend. ENJOY !!!
June 30, 2015
EXCITING!
Having just devoured the CSA series, I immediately went out and bought all of the RED STARR series.
I had a very contradictory relationship with Kennendy in the beginning but she has become one of my fav writers.
RED STARR -- HRT looks to be a very exciting journey and this book gives a little glimpse into the men of the team, how they were picked, a little peek of their back stories and let's not forgot the most important factor for me -- the FEMALE is leading. I love nothing more than a strong, well written female MC.
Let's get this journey on the road and and see where this leads!
Having just devoured the CSA series, I immediately went out and bought all of the RED STARR series.
I had a very contradictory relationship with Kennendy in the beginning but she has become one of my fav writers.
RED STARR -- HRT looks to be a very exciting journey and this book gives a little glimpse into the men of the team, how they were picked, a little peek of their back stories and let's not forgot the most important factor for me -- the FEMALE is leading. I love nothing more than a strong, well written female MC.
Let's get this journey on the road and and see where this leads!
July 23, 2015
A great start
Kennedy Layne is one of my favorite author's and her writing about paramilitary personnel and their involvement in tense rescue situations strikes a chord with readers whose family members have had longer enlistments. Add in the significant element of protracted spousal grieving and you have a novella that is tense and emotionally charged, page after page. It's a fine beginning to another terrific series, I have no doubt. Layne fans will love it.
Kennedy Layne is one of my favorite author's and her writing about paramilitary personnel and their involvement in tense rescue situations strikes a chord with readers whose family members have had longer enlistments. Add in the significant element of protracted spousal grieving and you have a novella that is tense and emotionally charged, page after page. It's a fine beginning to another terrific series, I have no doubt. Layne fans will love it.
November 14, 2014
Starr's Awakening by Kennedy Layne
The making of team RED STARR HRT!! This book is the back stories to all of the main team characters and about Catori Starr. Hoping for crossover from characters from CSA CASE FILES please!!!!! Great read!! let the journey begin....
Looking forward to the next book!!!
December 10, 2014
I wasn't going to buy this prequel to the author's new series, but I'm so glad I did. It gives us background and insight to all the main characters of the Red Starr, HRT series. We also get a couple of cameo visits from one of my very favorite alphas, Gavin Crest from her CSA series.
Next up on my Kindle: Hearths of Fire, Red Starr HRT Book 1.
Next up on my Kindle: Hearths of Fire, Red Starr HRT Book 1.
October 12, 2015
Very good book
Characters were very interesting a lot of the lingo with weaponry bypassed me. I did know quite a few words because I was in the Army for 11 years but to a person who was not in might find the acronyms disorienting. I usually read paranormal but this series looks like it would be great considering how everything flowed.
Characters were very interesting a lot of the lingo with weaponry bypassed me. I did know quite a few words because I was in the Army for 11 years but to a person who was not in might find the acronyms disorienting. I usually read paranormal but this series looks like it would be great considering how everything flowed.
February 28, 2016
The beginning
Be sure too read this series before you read the CSA series.
If you like military , now civilian, rescue missions, their brotherhood and of course sex when they find their loves, then you will thoroughly enjoy this book and this series.
Fantastic beginning, Kennedy!
Be sure too read this series before you read the CSA series.
If you like military , now civilian, rescue missions, their brotherhood and of course sex when they find their loves, then you will thoroughly enjoy this book and this series.
Fantastic beginning, Kennedy!
June 10, 2015
A delightful Delightful Start
This like Chapter One of a nice reading novel. The stage is set, the team leader has been selected, and now we are awaiting the team members to appear.
This like Chapter One of a nice reading novel. The stage is set, the team leader has been selected, and now we are awaiting the team members to appear.
June 11, 2015
a grieving widow takes up her late husband's work and legacy. he haunts her dreams. is he really dead? and what exactly happened on that last mission? Hope she finds her answers. eventually. I suspect her team's stories will come first. really promising.
August 3, 2015
Wow I must read the rest of this series. This is an awesome introduction to what will be on amazing series. Shows a strong woman coming back from losing the love of her life. Watch her as she starts the journey back. Meet the outstanding men she picks to join her team at Red Starr HRT.
December 6, 2015
Interesting book
Well written and the story draws you in as it goes along. It looks to be ongoing, so don't expect it to end for a while. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of them.
Well written and the story draws you in as it goes along. It looks to be ongoing, so don't expect it to end for a while. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of them.
July 30, 2016
This is the Prequel to the Red Starr series. Tells you how the Red Starr HRT came back together after Catori lost her husband who died during a mission . Each man is handpicked by Catori and this tells you a little about each of their backgrounds.
July 31, 2021
3.5 Stars!
Great intro to this series.
Great intro to this series.
June 7, 2015
Liked the story, but the sex scenes did not ring true for me.
June 10, 2015
Couldn't wait to get to the first book. I'm not a huge fan of series, but I am of these that can stand alone and you get to know the characters like family, cannot wait to get to know these.
July 24, 2015
Starr's Awakening
Gave it a five star rating. Good story. Can't wait to read the next in the series to see what happens next.
Gave it a five star rating. Good story. Can't wait to read the next in the series to see what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews