Operation: Enduring Angel: Shepherd Security, Book 19

by Margaret Kay, Michelle Thompson (Narrator)

Shepherd Security Operator, United States Marine Raider Rich ‘Handsome’ Burke was assigned to protect team member Laura Lee ‘Lah-lee Saxton’s civilian sister, Donna, and her three young children a year earlier. During that mission, he became close to the family.

Despite his attraction to Donna, Burke has not pursued a romantic relationship due to agency rules and her inability to handle the job they do. He remained her friend and acted as a father figure to her children. When pressed about his relationship with her by colleagues, he’s insisted, “It’s not like that.”

If there is one thing that Donna Saxton knows, it’s that the men in her life abandon her. The pattern began when she was just twelve years old, when her father—a police officer she idolized—was killed in the line of duty, leaving her reeling with grief. Later, each of the three fathers of her children walked away. But Rich Burke stayed in her life, a friend to her, a father to her children. Unfortunately for her, her feelings for Rich extend far beyond friendship.

After witnessing something horrific, Donna calls Rich for help. His protective feelings for her go far beyond friendship, something his teammates and Donna clearly see. She knows she has a chance to prove to Rich that she can handle the job he does, but will she have the courage to put her feelings out there and risk more abandonment?

this story is realistic, with adult language and content on the way to the HEA. This is book 19 in the Shepherd Security series. It is highly recommended that you listen to this book 14, Reluctant Angel, before this book. Even though the story does continue from book to book, each is a stand-alone story and can be listened to without listening to the prior book(s), but they are best enjoyed in order.

Audible Audio

Published August 3, 2026

About the author

Margaret 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.

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

Burke and Donna

This story was unusual as there was two cases for Shepherd Security covered that Rich Burke investigated. The first, in which Burke and Donna thought about their relationship and the second where they cemented their relationship. The two cases didn't link otherwise, they were apart except for phone calls and texts and that puzzled me.
The series is always well written but I struggled with this one, especially all the details in the first case. Interesting though

[Sue]

Shepherd does it again

I love to read and when I see a story written by Margaret Kay, I know it's going to be a best seller with Shepherd Security! From the beginning of the story you're caught up with the drama, full of action packed pages that you may as well forget sleeping! You become engrossed in this family of all the operators that it's hard to be waiting for the next story to arrive.

[Nancy]

Operation Enduring Angel by Margaret Kay

This is the 19th book in this series. This is Handsome and Donna’s story. The two of them met in the last book when he had to protect both Donna and her children. They remained close for a year as friends. That friendship evolved in to a relationship. Donna had to accept his job with its dangers. They got their HEA but it took a while.

[CHANDRA RENEA FIELDS]

Chandra's Review

I truly love this series it never disappoints! From the beginning to the end it is intriguing, mysterious, loving, and full of action! I would definitely recommend this book to read! 🤗🤗👏🏾👏🏾

[Angela]

A fantastic series

This was an intense, complex, and suspenseful story, and a terrific addition to the series. It's a definite must read book and series.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.

[Tom Prejsner]

Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you

[Beth Jones]

Great read

This book is a romantic suspense novel about Richard Burke and Donna Saxton getting together with each other. This book is a great story. HEA

[Fran]

Enduring Angel

This book was really good just like rest of the book in the series Fast paced. Action packed , and romance awesome!!

[MaryAlice Goss]

Great book

I couldn't wait for this book. I wanted...needed to know Rich and Donna's story! Can't wait for the next book in the series! !

[Linda schwarz]

Great!

Just enough action to keep it interesting with a little love and a change in relationship between Handsome and Donna.
This is another great read.

[Abby]

My reading: 3-3/4 stars

[Melinda]

I felt like this book was back in the groove. Good writing.

[Steven Greebel]

Mission Overload

Too much time spent on boring mission details and not enough focus on the characters. Quickly trying to throw together a convoluted story at the end of the book for more drama and wrapping it up in one chapter is confusing and unnecessary. I expected much better.

[barbara boone]

Love, love this author and this series. Would never give any spoilers.

[Susan]

I almost always give 5 stars in this series, but this book just isn't for me. It never really drew me in. Too many characters, too many threads. It didn't hold my interest.