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Shepherd Security #5
Operation: Departed Angel
Gary ‘the Undertaker’ Sloan, Navy SEAL, sniper and corpsman on Shepherd Security’s Delta Team, left the Sloan Family Mortuary and Funeral Home in Cleveland, Ohio in the hands of his brother and joined the Navy after the death of his father. When he left Cleveland, he also left his high school sweetheart and fiancé, Kennedy Bristow, who was more interested in pursuing a career in music than she was in being a military wife. The parting was somewhat mutual, at least that was what Sloan told himself over the years.
When Gary gets a call from his brother that Kennedy is laying on their prep table, the victim of an execution-style shooting, he immediately returns home. He soon discovers that things are not what they seem. It will take all his skills and the help of the entire Shepherd Security Team to get to the bottom of the murder and bring those responsible to justice.
Shepherd Security recruits only the best. They can protect someone in trouble like no other because they work in the shadows, invisible, and outside the system where the rules don’t apply–just the oath they took. They don’t exist. That’s also why they can break any suspect and can get answers out of anyone accused. That’s when they’re called in, when someone must be protected at all costs, or when answers must be obtained, by any means necessary.
Warning, this story is realistic, with adult language and content on the way to the HEA. This is book 5 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.
When Gary gets a call from his brother that Kennedy is laying on their prep table, the victim of an execution-style shooting, he immediately returns home. He soon discovers that things are not what they seem. It will take all his skills and the help of the entire Shepherd Security Team to get to the bottom of the murder and bring those responsible to justice.
Shepherd Security recruits only the best. They can protect someone in trouble like no other because they work in the shadows, invisible, and outside the system where the rules don’t apply–just the oath they took. They don’t exist. That’s also why they can break any suspect and can get answers out of anyone accused. That’s when they’re called in, when someone must be protected at all costs, or when answers must be obtained, by any means necessary.
Warning, this story is realistic, with adult language and content on the way to the HEA. This is book 5 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.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2019
623 people are currently reading
65 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 21, 2024
4.5 stars
Margaret has given us a bit of everything to make this a page turner. There is action, suspense, drama, danger, tension, angst, emotions, secrets, and a hell of a lot more. Twists and turns abound that you don’t see coming.
The action starts right from the beginning and keeps on coming. It is also a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but this is one series you will get addicted too. It did take me a while to get into the story and used to Margarets storytelling but once I did it is easy to enjoy the stories.
Make sure to start at the beginning as characters do cross over. The stories are told through multiple POV’s as you really get inside the characters heads and know what they are thinking and learn who they are better. These wonderful characters are well written, complex, and fully realised. These alpha men and women are saviours and will do anything to protect those who they love and those who need it to fight against evil and those who wrong others.
There is religious overtones which often had me wondering if I would continue, and the sexual references are left more to the imagination, but the stories soon outweighed all that.
Margaret has given us a bit of everything to make this a page turner. There is action, suspense, drama, danger, tension, angst, emotions, secrets, and a hell of a lot more. Twists and turns abound that you don’t see coming.
The action starts right from the beginning and keeps on coming. It is also a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but this is one series you will get addicted too. It did take me a while to get into the story and used to Margarets storytelling but once I did it is easy to enjoy the stories.
Make sure to start at the beginning as characters do cross over. The stories are told through multiple POV’s as you really get inside the characters heads and know what they are thinking and learn who they are better. These wonderful characters are well written, complex, and fully realised. These alpha men and women are saviours and will do anything to protect those who they love and those who need it to fight against evil and those who wrong others.
There is religious overtones which often had me wondering if I would continue, and the sexual references are left more to the imagination, but the stories soon outweighed all that.
October 10, 2025
This book switches from Alpha Team to Delta Team. Some of the guys were introduced in the previous books, but this is the first time for them to be main characters. I didn't dislike the book, but I didn't love it either. I think I got used to the dudes from Alpha Team 🤷♀️
Sloan had some shit takes on things, but I am glad he was called out on them.
I did wonder if the mission they went on in the beginning will come up later? What is the reason for it? If it's not, it could have been summarized instead.
I did have some thoughts on their crappy handling of WITSEC stuff though -
Delta Team
Landon ‘Lambchop’ Johnson
Danny ‘Mother’ Trio
Gary ‘the Undertaker’ Sloan
Brian ‘the Birdman’ Sherman
Sloan had some shit takes on things, but I am glad he was called out on them.
I did wonder if the mission they went on in the beginning will come up later? What is the reason for it? If it's not, it could have been summarized instead.
I did have some thoughts on their crappy handling of WITSEC stuff though -
Delta Team
Landon ‘Lambchop’ Johnson
Danny ‘Mother’ Trio
Gary ‘the Undertaker’ Sloan
Brian ‘the Birdman’ Sherman
November 22, 2019
This one just just felt "off"
I have liked the Shepherd Security series so far. There have been plot and story issues but they were still enjoyable with a good cast of characters.
This one though, just felt like a step back and not better, especially for the 5th in the series.
It does have a sensitive underlying theme, but many things were just not developed well. How Kaylee/Kennedy delt with what she had gone through for over 10 years. Gary's seeming issues with her backstory just kind of resolved with no depth.
It has a lot of potential but also a lot of side stories and frankly the whole first chapters with the Delta team's mission to south america did not add anything to the story. It seems to have just been added for word count.
Count that have been put to better use with the ACTUAL storyline. I will continue to read the stories but I really hope the potential Ms Kay has develops more in future stories.
I have liked the Shepherd Security series so far. There have been plot and story issues but they were still enjoyable with a good cast of characters.
This one though, just felt like a step back and not better, especially for the 5th in the series.
It does have a sensitive underlying theme, but many things were just not developed well. How Kaylee/Kennedy delt with what she had gone through for over 10 years. Gary's seeming issues with her backstory just kind of resolved with no depth.
It has a lot of potential but also a lot of side stories and frankly the whole first chapters with the Delta team's mission to south america did not add anything to the story. It seems to have just been added for word count.
Count that have been put to better use with the ACTUAL storyline. I will continue to read the stories but I really hope the potential Ms Kay has develops more in future stories.
September 20, 2024
Sloan is a medic and sniper for the Shepherd Securities. Shepherd Securities does jobs that the military or local law enforcement cannot do. He left the family business, Sloan Family Mortuary and Funeral Home. He joined the Navy and became a SEAL, and then was recruited to work for Shepherd Securities. His brother calls him and explains that his ex-finance is on slab. Sloan immediately leaves for home. He sees the body and realizes it is not Kennedy. The body is missing a scar, tattoo, and a birthmark. He finds Kennedy in their old love nest (an apartment over the business). From there the story starts to find out why she is hiding. It also helps to renew their relationship. This is the fifth book in the series and it is just as good as the first one. I had to download all 15 of them after reading the first one. This series should be on your list.
July 26, 2021
Gary ’Undertaker’ Sloan is extremely upset when his brother called and told him his ex-fiancée, Kennedy had been murdered. Full of disbelief, Undertaker rushes to his home town and has a strained reunion with his brother before going to the family funeral business office. Undertaker, quickly realizes it’s a professional hit and it’s not Kennedy.
Working through her feelings of self-disgust and guilt, an emotional, petrified Kennedy gives them a viable lead on sex trafficking. Meanwhile, Undertaker has to find a way to deal with his raw judgmental feelings about Kennedy, the crime and himself. As the team investigates Kennedy’s case, they have to deliver her another emotional blow.
Rating: 4.5stars
Working through her feelings of self-disgust and guilt, an emotional, petrified Kennedy gives them a viable lead on sex trafficking. Meanwhile, Undertaker has to find a way to deal with his raw judgmental feelings about Kennedy, the crime and himself. As the team investigates Kennedy’s case, they have to deliver her another emotional blow.
Rating: 4.5stars
March 21, 2024
Gary and Kennedy
This is an exciting, action packed and emotional read. Gary gets a call from his brother that his ex fiancée was murdered and at his funeral home. When Gary examines the body he knows this isn’t his ex, Kennedy. She looks like her but is missing a tattoo, scar on her chin and a birthmark. He finds a dehydrated Kennedy in his old “shag pad”. She was hiding from the assassins and got trapped in their attic get away by a self locking door. The team takes on the mission to find who put the hit out. It involves perverted L. A. music moguls who used and abused singers looking for stardom. Kennedy was really messed up, snarky, and immature at times and she and Gary are not communicating. Grab this one to see if these two can make it.
This is an exciting, action packed and emotional read. Gary gets a call from his brother that his ex fiancée was murdered and at his funeral home. When Gary examines the body he knows this isn’t his ex, Kennedy. She looks like her but is missing a tattoo, scar on her chin and a birthmark. He finds a dehydrated Kennedy in his old “shag pad”. She was hiding from the assassins and got trapped in their attic get away by a self locking door. The team takes on the mission to find who put the hit out. It involves perverted L. A. music moguls who used and abused singers looking for stardom. Kennedy was really messed up, snarky, and immature at times and she and Gary are not communicating. Grab this one to see if these two can make it.
November 21, 2019
Ok read
First time read by this author. It was ok. I would check out more but I wouldn’t reread this again. The names are all over the place. People are referred to by first name, last name or call sign all within a scene. When multiple teams are around it downright mind boggling trying to understand what’s happening.
Also the POV changes from paragraph to paragraph within a scene so watch out. Entire book could have had chunks removed that were unnecessary to the story. It dragged on and on at points.
First time read by this author. It was ok. I would check out more but I wouldn’t reread this again. The names are all over the place. People are referred to by first name, last name or call sign all within a scene. When multiple teams are around it downright mind boggling trying to understand what’s happening.
Also the POV changes from paragraph to paragraph within a scene so watch out. Entire book could have had chunks removed that were unnecessary to the story. It dragged on and on at points.
August 22, 2020
Operation Departed Angel (Shepherd Security Book 5)
Once again I enjoyed this book from the Shepherd Security series, although it was a little tame compared to the earlier books. I keep hoping for a miracle for Sam Shepherd to walk again in each new title. I am hoping this series doesn’t fall into a writing formula with same plot different characters as some other series I have read. That would be a huge disappointment, so hopefully Margaret Kay will continue to keep each title exciting and different from its predecessor.
Once again I enjoyed this book from the Shepherd Security series, although it was a little tame compared to the earlier books. I keep hoping for a miracle for Sam Shepherd to walk again in each new title. I am hoping this series doesn’t fall into a writing formula with same plot different characters as some other series I have read. That would be a huge disappointment, so hopefully Margaret Kay will continue to keep each title exciting and different from its predecessor.
November 18, 2019
Excellent book with plenty of plot twists and turns. It has everything you are looking for in Suspense/ Romance book. Margaret Kay has developed very strong characters though out the series and that continues with this book.
This is the 5th book in the Shepherd Security series, each book is a stand-alone book, however I would highly recommend reading them in order, to enjoy the character development at its fullest.
This is the 5th book in the Shepherd Security series, each book is a stand-alone book, however I would highly recommend reading them in order, to enjoy the character development at its fullest.
November 23, 2019
Love this series!
Great story, exceptional characters! Love the interface that all the characters do and new characters are put into play, the only part left hanging was who sent the phone call to the killers? If it was important enough to be part of the story close it out! Can’t wait for Brian’s book,
Great story, exceptional characters! Love the interface that all the characters do and new characters are put into play, the only part left hanging was who sent the phone call to the killers? If it was important enough to be part of the story close it out! Can’t wait for Brian’s book,
December 29, 2019
Fantastic book
I have read the Shepherd Security books 1 thru 4 then this one came out. I started reading and had to finish it. Each book is about different men. I highly recommended you read them all. You can read them in order or as a stand alone book. I can't wait for the next book I believe it will be as good as all the other books.
I have read the Shepherd Security books 1 thru 4 then this one came out. I started reading and had to finish it. Each book is about different men. I highly recommended you read them all. You can read them in order or as a stand alone book. I can't wait for the next book I believe it will be as good as all the other books.
December 29, 2019
Loved this book
Captivating sensual and full of twists.. Loved the characters along with the continuing stories of Shepherd Security people. Only problem is how it jumped around. This time story focused more on the man than Kaylee. Author may have tried to do too much and tightened story lines too much otherwise great read.
Captivating sensual and full of twists.. Loved the characters along with the continuing stories of Shepherd Security people. Only problem is how it jumped around. This time story focused more on the man than Kaylee. Author may have tried to do too much and tightened story lines too much otherwise great read.
April 16, 2020
Amazingly Dramatic and intriguing!
This unbelievably imaginative and compelling drama of the Shepherd Security forces is filled with action and intrigue. It's a none stop ride into the operations of a special operations command force that fights for justice to catch the criminals who prey on the weak and innocent civilians.
This unbelievably imaginative and compelling drama of the Shepherd Security forces is filled with action and intrigue. It's a none stop ride into the operations of a special operations command force that fights for justice to catch the criminals who prey on the weak and innocent civilians.
October 2, 2022
Didn't even finish reading the entire book. I was so fed up with Kennedy. I understand some authors like to write books with facts pertaining present day climate, but I hear enough of the news channels about sex predators I don't need to hear it again in books. Gary was great from what I read, but Kennedy no.
November 18, 2019
Always amazing
I love this series so much!! The drama situations are so real you just know it can and does happen in our real world. I am always say emotional reading this series. I laugh and cry , which tells me this is a 5 star read every time!!!
I love this series so much!! The drama situations are so real you just know it can and does happen in our real world. I am always say emotional reading this series. I laugh and cry , which tells me this is a 5 star read every time!!!
December 14, 2019
Can't wait for book #6!
I have read all 5 of this series now. Each one stands alone as great reading! I am a fan of Christine Feehan, J D Robb, Nalini Singh, etc., and just like their books I couldn't put this down until I finished it!
I have read all 5 of this series now. Each one stands alone as great reading! I am a fan of Christine Feehan, J D Robb, Nalini Singh, etc., and just like their books I couldn't put this down until I finished it!
January 23, 2021
I read several books in this series, and found I just couldn't bring myself to finish any more. I kept hoping they would get better, but they are written with very little respect for women, and not enough continuity.
February 13, 2021
Another great addition
This has been a fantastic series, and this story was no exception. I have really enjoyed this series, and can't wait to read more.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
This has been a fantastic series, and this story was no exception. I have really enjoyed this series, and can't wait to read more.
I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.
November 10, 2021
Suspense and romance
This is the 5th book in this series. I love the characters with the things they have gone through. The suspense and action are so entertaining. I love the happy endings. Those are essential to me. Very enjoyable book!
This is the 5th book in this series. I love the characters with the things they have gone through. The suspense and action are so entertaining. I love the happy endings. Those are essential to me. Very enjoyable book!
January 20, 2022
Departed Angel by Margaret Kay
As this series continues you (the reader) becomes more immersed in the teams and can’t wait for the next book. This romance has all the sex, love and angst that you need in a romance. It is well written with believable characters.
As this series continues you (the reader) becomes more immersed in the teams and can’t wait for the next book. This romance has all the sex, love and angst that you need in a romance. It is well written with believable characters.
February 19, 2024
Awesome
I loved this book. This series is awesome. If you haven’t given this series a try, you need to. The stories are really interesting and the characters are always interesting. The stories have a way of grabbing you and not letting go. I highly recommend this series.
I loved this book. This series is awesome. If you haven’t given this series a try, you need to. The stories are really interesting and the characters are always interesting. The stories have a way of grabbing you and not letting go. I highly recommend this series.
September 11, 2025
operation : Departed Angel
Once again Margaret Kay has produced a great book, fast moving with terrific characters. The old characters blend in with the new ones seamlessly. The Shepherd security family is second to none.
Once again Margaret Kay has produced a great book, fast moving with terrific characters. The old characters blend in with the new ones seamlessly. The Shepherd security family is second to none.
November 19, 2019
I love Margaret Kay books. All full of suspense and romance. Can’t wait till her next book
November 20, 2019
If you have read any of the previous books, don't miss this one...
If you have not read any, start now!
This book has everything good: suspense, romance and lots of action. Don't miss it!
If you have not read any, start now!
This book has everything good: suspense, romance and lots of action. Don't miss it!
November 25, 2019
Keep'em comin!!!! Love them all, might have to start back at the beginning again. 😍
December 16, 2019
Another good book
Another great book to this series. Loved Gary and Kennedy's story. There story has lost love, intrigue, very good friends and their happy ending.
Another great book to this series. Loved Gary and Kennedy's story. There story has lost love, intrigue, very good friends and their happy ending.
December 25, 2019
Operation:Departed Angel:Shepherd Security Series
I really loved this series I can't wait for more books from this series. I recommend 18 and up .
I really loved this series I can't wait for more books from this series. I recommend 18 and up .
January 1, 2020
❤️❤️❤️
January 4, 2020
This book was ok but of all the books in this series so far, book 1 is still the best.
November 24, 2020
Shepherd security
Loved the book love the series so far I have read 5/8 . They can all be read separately or as a collection
Loved the book love the series so far I have read 5/8 . They can all be read separately or as a collection
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews