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Ashlee Bishop is a bar owner. She was a happy bar owner until a bunch of pixies turned up demanding protection money. As a garden-variety human, she knows she doesn't have the ability to deal with the pixies, so she calls in the Paranormal Protection Agency to sort the problem out.

What she doesn't expect is for the pixies to come back before the agency can get to the bar, or the hot as hell werewolf who shows and starts teaching pixies how to fly. The hard way.

She certainly doesn't expect to be able to command his wolf... or to have to when the shit hits the fan.

54 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2013

80 people are currently reading
367 people want to read

About the author

Mina Carter

268 books2,363 followers
Mina Carter is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of romance in many genres. She lives in the UK with her husband, daughter, a puppy who pays no attention to her whatsoever, and a bossy cat.

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5 stars
226 (32%)
4 stars
213 (30%)
3 stars
215 (30%)
2 stars
40 (5%)
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7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Ana.
2,038 reviews6 followers
October 14, 2018
The Better To Eat You With.....

If you want to get a super sexy hot shifter to watch your back Paranormal Protection Agency is the place to call.

Ashlee is up to her last bat with this pixie that thinks he's all that, well he does look hot if he wasn't such a jerk. She decides enough is enough and she calls PPA and Zane comes to the rescue, only Ashlee may have to be guarded from him, or him from her?

Man are these agents of PPA hot to trot!
Profile Image for Demoness Tenebrae.
262 reviews37 followers
March 23, 2014

Hot and furry...

Smart, hard-ass, capable woman? CHECK

Sexy, strong, protective werewolf? CHECK


In the fifth short story "Close Protection" from the Paranormal Protection Agency series by Mina Carter, the main characters are Ashlee Bishop, a human bar owner in need of protection and Zane Holder, a bodyguard and a werewolf.

Ashlee is a strong woman who can handle herself and her problems but when she encounters pixie problems she knows she needs help. Pixie gang led by Isaac Roth is in a business of extortion. They offer "protection" for the small business owners in the area for a price, money or sex. No need to say that the only protection those people need is from them. Ashlee contacts the PPA and prays that they will be able to help her fight against those vile creatures.

Zane Holder is an alpha werewolf without a pack who works for the PPA as a bodyguard. He was assigned on the Bishop business when he asked to be moved from his current assignment. He was a bodyguard and not a babysitter. The fact which eluded the Spoilt Bitch Morris in question. She thought he was hers to do as she pleases. Whether it was for protection, sex or blood. Zane was more than happy to take the Bishop business, in fact so much that he immediately went to work.

Zane did get to work immediately as he approached the bar. He sensed fighting, blood and fear in the air. As he helped Ashlee, he shifted to his wolf form. Since she didn't know him, she hit him, repeatedly. When she came to, she realized her mistake and his appearance. He shifted back and was buck naked. Ashlee liked what she saw. Just as he was inexplicably drown to her. She managed to command his wolf and that was unprecedented.


The author, Mina Carter knows how to build an atmosphere. Her short stories are packed with tension, sparks and passion. I would love to read a full length novel of hers. I wonder if she can maintain the same amount of built-up tension on more than 50 pages.

Her skill with words has remained unchanged. She manages to mix wit, steam and romance in the same sentence. Her stories always make me laugh and giggle at witty and ironic remarks.

"In all his years he'd never had a human actually attack him. Most either passed out, or ran off screaming. They didn't follow him as he tried to escape, hitting him with the damn furniture."


One thing also remaining unchanged is her description of the main female character. They continue to be of midget size or as small as a child or simply put - short or tiny. They all have luscious curves on their tiny body and their hair is mostly long and dark. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. I believe it's what makes the author most confident is what matters. And if big breasts on the tiny body with long dark hair do the trick, so be it.

Character which appealed to me the most is the dryad. I found we have the most in common. The author could just as well be describing me so I felt right at home.

"The tiny woman was a dryad, one with a chilling habit of wrapping any available wood around her opponents, idiots that pissed her off, or people who dared to talk to her before her morning coffee. The bonds then turned into living coffins that crushed them to death. To say that she wasn't a morning person was an understatement."
Profile Image for Steph.
2,151 reviews305 followers
June 20, 2013
In Close Protection, we meet Ashlee Bishop, five foot nothing human bar owner, who is being harassed by a wicked Pixie, Isaac Roth. He's trying to bully Ashlee into paying for protection. You know, the ole "pay us to protect you against people like us" kind.

Then there's Zane Holder, a packless alpha werewolf, who is sick and tired of guarding the annoying "Charlene 'I'm so fucking irresistible' Morris" supermodel. So, when Eloise offers him Ashlee's case, one that will allow him some pixie payback, he jumps at the offer.
... the chance of pounding on some pixies made him a happy little clam indeed. Vicious bastards, the lot of them. They'd once gotten hold of Zane's younger cousin just after the lad had gone through conversion. Damn near crippled him. The pack had avenged the attack of course, but Zane had been out of the country on military service, so he was still waiting for his bit of payback.
When he arrives at Ashlee's bar, he's walks in on one of Isaac's bullies attacking her. But, in his wolf form, he takes her by surprise and she starts fighting him as well. Once she learns who he is and what he's there for, she's grateful for the help.

Zane and several other members of PPA are stationed around the bar in case of another attack. There's Trent - a half-gargoyle, Destiny - a dryad, and Baron and Duke - twin dragon-shifters who do everything together. When the pixie clan returns, Zane goes a bit too deep into his wolf. No one is more surprised than Zane to learn that this little scrapper can tame the wild beast.

Sadly, there are no other PPA installments to be read at the moment, so I will have wait for the next one. Here's hoping it features the previously mentioned dragon-shifters!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
39 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2014
This was part of a bundle of books 1-5.

Let me just say, get the bundle it is way cheaper than buying the books separately. It’s almost ridiculous what is charged for the books separately.

These books are short stories and I am lenient with my reviews on short stories.

After reading this book I’ve noticed a few things about the series.

-The heroines all look and act the same. It’s like I’m reading carbon copies.
-The heroes or other males in the book smell the same. It’s weird, no one smells the same unless they all shop together for the same cologne. What bothered me about the cologne thing is these paras have heightened senses, why on earth would they want to ruin their sense of smell with cologne?
-The author uses the same phrases for almost all the characters. I can understand when people hang out together they sometimes say the same things but this happened with the heroines who did not know one another. One that bothered me was, “Why did it have to be green eyes?” That same exact phrase is in another of her series, which is completely different from this one! At least change the wording a little with the green eye fetish, sheesh.

I mean the books aren’t bad, they just aren’t good. I’ve read worse. I did notice each book was a little bit longer than the last.

If there is a volume 2 bundle for the remaining books I may get that. There is no way I am buying the rest separately, just not worth it to me.
Profile Image for Jan.
2,021 reviews10 followers
April 27, 2018
Since they released the ebooks, it comes with a new title, "Her Wolf to Command." Ashlee has had enough. She’s being bullied by Pixies in her own bar and isn’t having it anymore. Time to contact PPD and get some help. Zane has his own problems. He is babysitting a spoiled brat and she keeps making a pass at him. He wants off the case. When he meets up with his new case, it’s an all-out fight. Zane rescues Ashlee but then something unexpected happens. Is she is mate?

These two are a bit funny. Ashlee can kick butt. She took on some Pixie’s and almost brained Zane. But I think that is what draws them to the other. The strength. Although in the beginning, Ashlee is fighting her desire for him. But when they do come together, sparks are flying. The PPD stories are really fun. I cant wait to read what happens next.
Profile Image for Christyn.
587 reviews23 followers
February 1, 2013
I liked it, it was an enjoyable, part humorous, part hot, part ass-kicking novella. There was good chemistry between Zane and Ashlee. I wish it had been longer so that we could see more of Zane and Ashlee's blooming relationship, I would've liked to get to know these two more. 3.5 stars.

On a side note, there was some confusion when I saw Eloise (the heroine from Protect and Service, Paranormal Protection Agency Book 3) I think it's a typo because Iliona is the one with Cal and Gran, and the one working at PPA. The error was in both HTML and PDF formats purchased from ARe as of 1/31/13.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,276 reviews46 followers
October 7, 2019
5 stars for story but 3 stars for value for money.
This series is improving with every book. Another short good read with an actual story that kept me reading until the end. Lovely to meet more PPA agents with some action for the PPA team fighting Pixies that are trying to force protection and more onto Ashlee.
Zane is a werewolf PPA agent and is sent to guard Ashlee’s bar from the Pixie’s.
Ashlee is able to make Zane’s wolf behave which shocks him.
Ashlee has a negative view of paranormals due to her bigoted grandfather, she insults him then apologizes a few days later and has sex with Zane nearly straight away.
Buy the volume sets for better value for money.
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,276 reviews46 followers
May 13, 2019
This series is improving with every book.
Another short good read with an actual story that kept me reading until the end.
Lovely to meet more PPA agents with some action for the PPA team fighting Pixies that are trying to force protection and more onto Ashlee.
Zane is a werewolf PPA agent and is sent to guard Ashlee’s bar from the Pixie’s.
Ashlee is able to make Zane’s wolf behave which shocks him.
Ashlee has a negative view of paranormals due to her bigoted grandfather, she insults him then apologizes a few days later and has sex with Zane nearly straight away.
This was originally Close Protection, story has not changed that I could find.
Profile Image for Georgina.
Author 1 book2 followers
January 31, 2014
Read this as part of the PPA volume one anthology

I loved it. A well written and thought out story. I don't like to give out spoilers and so I won't, but I will say that it was a fantastic read.
I enjoyed the premise of this story a lot. Woman in danger from paras, calls in paras to help. Lots of past characters are in this too in varying degrees. Couldn't put it down.

Definitely suggest this to anyone who loves steamy romance.
Go... Buy... Read. You won't regret it
Profile Image for Wendy coling ( trowbridge).
615 reviews14 followers
November 4, 2014
Ashley hard hitting woman with poo Dixie problems who hire paranormal protection agency. Like Ashley more cause her character was better she was stronger but did shame as other woman in the other books but who cares it's a short book and its a good read.
Ashley tames the wolves beast and he is lucky police don't cart him away when he'll break lose.
Profile Image for Leslie.
513 reviews8 followers
June 7, 2025
Fantastic

I loved reading Zane's story. He and Ashlee had a lot of chemistry, and it was interesting she could call his wolf. The action was intense, which gave the story a deeper element, and the passion was sizzling. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Emily Lindsey.
Author 4 books20 followers
May 7, 2016
Action packed and sexy story

I loved the energy in this story. The fight scenes were exciting and graphic to read, so we're the love scenes, wicked hot. I loved Zane and Ashley s conflicted yet hot interaction. It is a quick hot read that was exciting and fun to imagine.
622 reviews6 followers
March 22, 2018
This series is well worth reading as each book has a different set of characters who have to find their happily ever after along with the originals from the first book. Highly recommend Mina Carter and her books.
1,256 reviews5 followers
June 13, 2019
Loved it

This book is another fantastic story from Mina Carter. I don’t think I have read any of her stories that disappointed me,and this one is definitely one of her great stories. I love the pixies as the bad guys. The whole story is just great, I love it
Profile Image for Lorraine.
90 reviews
April 1, 2018
I liked the original stories.. I love this updated version.. it really rounds out the stories... a must read
Profile Image for Lyndi W..
2,042 reviews209 followers
November 5, 2018
Super short, really only a couple scenes. Half sex, half action. *shrugs*
5 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2018
Shapeshifter

Paranormal protection novel. Great characters good read. I will continue to follow the author. A different kind of shifter story I enjoyed very much
17 reviews
March 8, 2018
Sexy and funny. Great short story

Great fun to read. I love the strong but funny female character. I can not wait to read the next book of the series.
127 reviews
March 12, 2019
Fabulous short story

The characters are fabulous and the action scenes amazing. The sex scene ...well let's just say they are some of the best word porn I have read in a while.
Profile Image for Starla.
934 reviews
July 19, 2019
I cannot get enough of this series! Off to read the next book.
47 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2019
Short and hot

This is the fourth book in the series and it is awesome! It can be read under an hour so a perfect quick read.
Profile Image for Maura.
3,883 reviews110 followers
September 6, 2018
Another blink and you miss it romance. Zane, a werewolf with the PPA, is called in to help Ashlee, a local bar owner being harassed by a gang of pixies. He roughs up those pixies and saves her from danger and all of a sudden they're getting hot and heavy on a couch. Then she ups and says she NEVER has sex with werewolves, revealing her speciest attitude. Zane is disappointed but too proud to beg so goes about just doing his job. Several days later, with just about no reflection, Ashlee apologizes and says she wants to have sex with him so they do. He tells her she's his mate and they HEA.

This felt quick and dirty. The sex is, again, the focus. There's a bit of something about Ashlee being Zane's mate because she can command his wolf form and basically bring him back from being near feral. This comes in handy when Zane gets angry at someone who hits Ashlee. But sure, they're mates, but they don't know each other and they certainly aren't in love. They lust for one another and that's it. So read this for the smut, not the lurve. Also don't expect deep introspection from anyone - Ashlee shows some serious tendencies towards discrimination of paranormals (and her father was infamous for it), but Zane doesn't seem to care once she agrees to sleep with him and Ashlee never considers whether her attitudes are correct or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Aurora Moore.
31 reviews
July 6, 2019
It was okay, but very short. Usually this series has epilogues, so you know they're done. This ended pretty abruptly.
Zane realizes she's his mate, but doesn't actually get around to telling her, and before that says something about how he doesn't want to date, just have sex. She realizes that he probably wants more, from the loneliness that she sees.
More about setting up the one sex scene than about a great story or romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
130 reviews
August 26, 2019
Too short.......

Too short. Would have made a fantastic full length story. Instead, I felt I was "left hanging" at the end. Definitely not a satisfactory ending. Too many loose ends not tied up, that had it been a full length story, all would have been explained in detail. The ending was too abrupt. I love the stories this author writes, but this one was lacking.
Profile Image for Sydney M Neblett.
2,655 reviews23 followers
Read
October 7, 2019
Not in my bar

It’s a good thing this is a short story because I just couldn’t put it down. The characters are fantastic, you can see yourself in the scenes and the author managed to pack so much Intensity and excitement into just a few pages. I am really enjoying this series, each book is better than the last and I can’t wait to read the next one.
159 reviews
August 28, 2017
Bar Protection

Zane was on a new assignment - protecting a bar being harassed by some paranormals, anything was better then protecting a rich spoiled brat. Ashlee was tried of Roth and his goons scaring off her paying customers. Ashlee calls in some much needed help.

Profile Image for Willi.
412 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2021
Quick but I loved it!

Ashlee was awesome. I love a heroine who doesn't wait around to be rescued. And Zane was lots of fun. Can't wait to see what happens to all the new team members that got introduced in this story.
Profile Image for Gab.
191 reviews17 followers
November 15, 2023
Light fun quick read. Likable characters. Paranormal romance with a bit of action, humour and romance. Enjoyable for what it is. Have fun.
Profile Image for Vic.
1,328 reviews5 followers
December 9, 2023
Funny cute but once again felt cut-off without an end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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