Gary

Starke Private Security #5

by Kate Stone

Why does the past always come back to haunt you?
It was hard work to get past being dumped by the only woman I'd ever loved but I'd done it. All that went out the window when she came to me asking for help. Now everything is on the line - personally and professionally - and I can't afford to screw this up.

I didn't want to go to Gary for help, but I knew he was the only man I could count on. He was the only man I could ever count on, and that's why I left him all those years ago. Can we make it through this threat without me telling my secret and ruining everything?
***
Gary, the fifth book in Kate Stone's Starke Private Security series, is an instalove romance with an alpha male who will do anything to protect his woman...and make her his. Of course these two have a happy ending, with no cheating and no cliffhanger. Books in the Starke Private Security series can be read in any order.

132 pages, Paperback

Published January 8, 2021

About the author

Kate Stone has always lived for romance. From the time she was very small, waiting for her Prince Charming to come and take her away, she has looked for the healing, redeeming power of love.

She drinks far too much coffee and loves sparkly things. She's convinced she survived breast cancer because she was unwilling to let tiny little cells tell her when to die. The chemo may have helped, too.

She lives in New England with her long-suffering husband and their four children. She spends her days as a graduate student and her weekends writing.

You can visit her at www.AuthorKateStone.com or on twitter @KateStoneAuthor

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Starke, owner of a private security business, is a strong, dependable person. For that reason, his ex-girlfriend Davina Lake knows she can trust him and count on him to keep her friend Toni Morris, a senator’s personal assistant, safe. Toni had just missed being blown up in an explosion blamed on a gas leak… but that was only a cover story. Davina is convinced that “they” were after Toni and not the senator.

Gary and Davina have a painful past because she walked out on him and broke his heart. Those feelings were never resolved. Gary will have to deal with the dirty politicians and bad guys putting everyone in danger. But when everything is hopefully resolved, is there a chance to get Davina back in his life?

This was a good, suspenseful story with great characters that the reader could feel still had that chemistry together just by watching their interactions and hearing the dialog they exchanged. It just felt comfortable. And Gary no longer ignored her intuition and gut feelings. They both had changed in subtle ways. Grab your copy and hang on for an exciting story and maybe a very good ending… or a beginning?

[Escape to the pages · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been great - though I haven’t read any of the other books in the series the blurb states that this is “a happy ending, with no cheating and no cliffhanger. Books in the Starke Private Security series can be read in any order”
Yet there were major elements to the story missing - the ending feels unfinished and I’m not sure if there are further books that will follow but I’m certainly not sure how the author can call it a happy ever after...

Very confused - I feel like I’m missing a chapter or 5!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary works for Starke Private Security and when it brings him to his ex who just walked away and broke his heart he has to take the job. Davina is mixed up with her friend and a senator and now needs security. She does not want to ask Gary but she knows he will keep her safe like he has always done. She never told him why she left, could that be the cause to derail there second chance. This is an great story line and the characters are wonderful. Absolutely love this series and this book. Great short ish story with plenty of action and twists and turns.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patti Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good series. Gary is in the business of security. Davina needs help for her friend. Not really wanting to go to Gary for help but she really didn't want anyone else. She wanted the best and knew Gary was.
Gary was glad to see Davina but the two had a past. Hoping they can get past it. Someone was threatening her friend who was staying with her. Gary needed to protect the only person he had every loved. Every time they got together their feelings grew stronger. Gary finally had tracked down the person threatening her friend. Once the threat is gone. Gary and Davina rekindled their love.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M_82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good ex-lovers reunited story. Gary is everything you want in a man. He’s sweet, protective, and still in love with the one that got away. Davina rubs me the wrong way a little bit because she is the one that walked away but she continues to struggle with her feelings and how to act with Gary. She comes to him for help when someone she knows is in danger so now danger is following both of them. I enjoyed it and hope to read more about this couple in the future. They have a HFN but I’m interested to see how their unresolved past would play out and affect them. I would love an epilogue!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

When they were younger, Gary and Davina could see their future, but was it together? Now Gary owns his own security company and Davina is a investigative reporter. When Davina comes to Gary to ask for help, will they be opening a box that should remain closed?

Gary is a wonderfully written second chance with the twist of suspense and danger as Gary and Davina try to find out who is trying to hard their friend. I loved this tale, it kept me on the edge of my seat with each turn of the page. It did leave me hanging about what actually happen in the past.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra Soehner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary is in the security business and Davina needs help protecting a senator’s secretary. Problem with Gary helping her is that they were together and Davina broke his heart and refused to marry him. A great story with criminal politicians and bad guys, can Gary protect Davina and save her in time? Needed more information in this book about their past.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing second chance romance and book five in the Starke Private Security series! It will keep you on the edge of your seat with the twists and turns, danger, suspense, and mystery. The storyline is well written, consistent, engaging, well-developed, and emotional. Amazing characters you will enjoy getting to know. Strongly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary runs a security business and his ex shows up to ask for his help. Davina and Gary had a painful past and it broke Gary's heart when she walked out. This story has plenty of twists and turns, mystery, danger, suspense, and dirty politics. Loved the storyline and the characters were well written, engaging. Will Gary be able to protect Davina and save her? Will he stay when he finds out why she left? I received an ARC copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary owns a security firm. Davina calls Gary to help her friend. At first he did not want to get involved as Davina qas the forl who got away. She refused his marriage proposal. However, being the guy he us he could not refuse to help someone in need. While bRrlimg corrupt cri.i.al politicians will he and Davina reconnect? Great story with great characters and a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

Gary Starke has just heard from his ex, Davina, she knows he has a private security firm and needs someone to keep her friend safe, the chemistry between them still sizzles but their past hasn't been cleared up properly. I really liked Gary, he's strong, kind and totally dependable,unfortunately I didn't connect with Davina.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary, the fifth book in Kate Stone's Starke Private Security series is a well written short story and kept me turning pages. Gary and Davina’s story has suspense, drama, danger, villains, twists, turns, and romance. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary never expected to see Davina after she walked away from him. However, she's in need of security help. This book is full of criminal activity, action, suspense, great characters, politicians, heat, etc.

With the content of this book there's no way you won't enjoy it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary and Davina has a past together, however when she asks for help, he cannot deny her. The story pulls you in and does not let go with, memories of the past, danger, suspense and action.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lacinda Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, second chance romance. There was some mystery/ action mixed in. Can't wait to see what she does next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the storyline with characters that are engaging and well developed. The easy flow in the storyline made it worthwhile.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story about Gary and Davina, told in the dual, first person point of view, which is always a deal breaker for me. If you like stories abou an ex-couple this one will be perfect for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary & Toni had an entertaining read. Good characters. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.