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Dangerous Protectors #1

Against the Wall

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Jana Clayton's father is dead. She believes he was murdered, but no one is listening. Worse, she is certain someone is following her, but she isn't sure she can trust her instincts anymore. Desperate for help, she reaches out to a private investigations group know as the Guardian Agency.

Dylan Parker, the sexy cowboy who answers her call, isn't at all what Jana expected. Part of her wants to send this hot cowboy packing... but when bullets start flying, she knows she can't unravel the situation alone. Trusting her protector is her one chance to survive, no matter the risk to her heart.

When there is no one else to turn to and no one else to keep you safe, a Dangerous Protector is the man you want for the job.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2014

465 people are currently reading
408 people want to read

About the author

Debra Webb

541 books2,355 followers
DEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 170 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.

With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,600 reviews1,330 followers
January 30, 2015
Quick summary
Jana Clayton is not only grieving over the death of her father, a long-time Texas state senator, but the fact that his death was ruled a suicide. She was his policy advisor and knows he was murdered but doesn't know why or by whom. Trusting no one, she reaches out to the Guardian Agency for help and Dylan Parker is the Protector assigned to her case. There's an immediate attraction they shelve as it's also immediately clear that Jana's life is in jeopardy.

What works
◾Jana and Dylan are extremely well-developed characters and you quickly get them. And, I liked them from the start.
◾The slate of potential suspects becomes clear early on, which I like because it helps in disseminating clues.
◾I also liked their relationship, even though they resisted their attraction for very good reasons and there were aspects of their personalities that annoyed each of them. It was pretty realistic.
◾There was just enough action and intrigue to keep me in the story.

Why it lost a half star
◾Jana's inner musings about her father and her feelings regarding his potential suicide were repetitive. After awhile I just wanted her to move on.
◾The timeline is short and their romance fell into the insta-love category after the wrap up. Everything about their relationship worked for me until the end.

The bottom line
I enjoyed the story a lot, even considering my issues. The pace was on target once it got going. I'm often leery of books written by two authors as they can sometimes suffer from dual voices and fortunately that's not the case here. I'm definitely continuing the series. 3.5 stars
Profile Image for Tracey Berthiaume.
33 reviews
November 20, 2014
So for those that thought Debra Webb or Regan Black on their own was amazing, well Against the Wall has those 2 amazing authors working together. The result is an amazing collaboration of mystery, romance and suspense.

Jana Clayton's father is dead. She is certain he was murdered, but no one is listening. She believes someone is following her, but can she trust her instincts anymore? An Internet search leads her to the Guardian Agency. Desperate, Jana makes the call and sexy cowboy Dylan Parker responds.

When no one else can keep you alive long enough to find the truth and no one else will fight for you, a Dangerous Protector from the Guardian Agency is the man you want for the job.
Profile Image for John W..
Author 1 book13 followers
November 29, 2014
“Against the Wall - Dangerous Protector,” by Debra Webb and Regan Black .
Webb and Black give readers a mystery suspense story keeping their interest from the very first page to the end. Readers become part of the search for answers and experience the thrills and danger the protagonists encounter as they proceed with their investigation of the sudden death of the father of female protagonist, Jana Clayton. They meet the male protagonist, Dylan Parker hired to investigate the death and to protect Jana Clayton. The authors immediately demonstrate the importance of Parker’s role as Clayton’s protector when at their first meeting there is an attempt on her life.

The story behind Jana's father's death is complicated. Webb and Black keep readers inside the heads of Jana and Dylan’s head to experience thoughts and actions as they continue their investigation. Their developing story uncovers complications creating more questions than answers for Jana and Dylan as they run into obstacles and dead ends. The investigation expands to prove her father was murdered, to find who is spreading rumors, to find motives for the break ins, and arson.

Readers are part of the investigation with authors showing what Jana and Dylan are thinking as if they are sitting in the same room. The plot of “Against the Wall – The Dangerous Protector,” is full of suspense and intrigue and Webb and Black use the development of each support character to help readers experience the twists and turns of the story. The mystery takes readers down different paths hitting bumps and dead ends as the investigation searches for answers.

As the authors pit protagonists against antagonists, readers enjoy the unpredictable story, the intrigue, suspense, and the surprise ending. The tension in Webb and Black’s first book of the “The Dangerous Protector Series” involves readers to the story’s end. Webb and Black deliver strong characters who seem to jump of the page. “Against the Wall” captivates readers creating unpredictable events. The pace never slows down and readers are always kept on the edge of their seats.

Debra Webb and Regan Black’s “Against the Wall – Dangerous Protector #1” and their readers will look for book in the series “Too Far Gone, Protector #2.” I recommend this series and give the first book a 5 star ranking.
824 reviews12 followers
November 19, 2014
This is the first collaboration by Debra Webb and Regan Black and it is a GREAT book!
This book is about Jana Clayton, the daughter of a very prominent, honest senator who died. The problem with that is Jana believes her father was murdered. Unfortunately, Jana is the only one who believes that. Everyone else believes Jana's father committed suicide. Jana decides to hire Dylan Parker to investigate her father's death. Dylan is a bodyguard who works for the Guardian agency but, decides he is going to help Jana because he believes there must be something to her theory.
This is another book that I didn't want to put down because there are quite a few suspects and quite a bit of info per the in's and out's of politics. I had pretty much figured out who did what halfway thru the book but, I didn't care because, it was that interesting a book that I didn't want to stop reading until the end!
You'll love it!
Profile Image for DeeAnn Garner Williams.
49 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2014
Against the Wall is the first book in the Dangerous Protectors series by Debra Webb and Regan Black. I have enjoyed books written by these two authors separately and together they write one incredible romantic suspense story.

Jana Clayton received a letter from her father, Senator Jefferson Daniel Clayton, only two days after his funeral. He was a respected, well-liked, long-term Texas Senator. He was found dead in his home office of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Jana is devastated by the loss of her father who was so much more than just a father; he was her best friend and mentor. He had always been there for her and it was very difficult after her mother died of cancer 15 years prior; he was her rock. She can’t accept that her father shot himself even though the evidence points to that conclusion. The letter makes her question his death even more and then talk of an affair that was going to become public is absurd. On top of all this, Jana feels like someone has been following her too. She has tried talking to her stepmother, Camille and her dad’s close friend, Samuel Maguire. Sam is like family as well as her dad’s Chief of Staff. They have accepted that her dad committed suicide. Even her ex-boyfriend, Gregory Atkins thinks she is just too distraught to think clearly. She feels so alone and reaches out to another old friend, Theodore Kingston. He tells her to contact the Guardian Agency to hire a private investigator who is neutral to politics in Washington, D.C. When Dylan Parker of the Guardian Agency introduces himself as her protector and private investigator, Jana thinks there has been a mistake. He is not what she expected at all. But it becomes apparent quickly that he is the right man for the job. What happens after their first meeting makes Jana’s theory more believable. But who would want to kill her dad and why would someone come after her?

You will love this story and the mystery that unfolds as you read.
2,072 reviews25 followers
December 18, 2014
Jana Claytons father is dead from an apparent self inflicted gun shot wound. Jana doesn't believe her Father would commit suicide but she can't get anyone to listen to her. She thinks she is being followed too. She doesn't trust anyone with any ties to her Father so she hires an outside security agency to look into her fathers death and act as her bodyguard. Dylan Parker listens to Janas story but thinks she is just a grieving daughter who can't accept the fact her father committed suicide, until attempts are made on Janas life. Dylan realizes there is much more going on and decides to take to job protecting Jana and to help her find proof her father was murdered. Mystery, intrigue, dirty politics and romance are all found in this book. I loved it and am looking forward to the next in the series!
Profile Image for Victoria.
1,188 reviews94 followers
April 16, 2015
3.0 RATING- I think Debra Webb is a gifted writer. The problem I have with this book is that I don't love political intrigue stories and I like more steam in my romance. It's hard to balance suspense and romance. Some readers prefer more of one than the other. I need things hot and that usually leaves me a bit wanting when I read a Webb book. I probably won't continue with this series because of that. Too bad, because I love the damsel in distress/protective hero set up.

Note: At the time this review was posted, this book was available to borrow through Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program.

To see other books available to borrow through Kindle Unlimited or SCRIBD, check out the Subscription Addiction group

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Profile Image for Toni.
2,124 reviews20 followers
December 14, 2014
Against the Wall is the start of a new series by Debra Webb and Regan Black. As previously proven these ladies are powerhouses when it comes to collaboration and this effort is no different. After the unexpected death of her father, Jana Clayton believes there is something bigger going on. When no one will listen to her suspicions she hires her own Protector: Dylan Parker. The sparks fly as they begin looking into her father’s death. At the same time, Parker tries to keep Jana at arm’s length as she is a client. All good intentions go out the window as the threats to Jana’s life become more serious. Together they must unmask the killer and fall in love. This novel is a must read for anyone who is a fan of romantic suspense, or even just Webb and Black’s great writing style.
39 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2014
Against the Wall is the first in this series and is a suspense story that will keep you reading until you have finished the book. Debra Webb and Regan Black are fabulous authors and together they are awesome. It has all of the suspense and intrigue that you look for in a great mystery.
Jana's father's death was unexpected and suspicious to Jana, she does not believe he committed suicide but no one believes that he was murdered.
She decides to hire a Protector and Dylan is the person for the job. They will take you through the secrets and relationships that surrounded both her Father and her to finally get to the truth.
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one in the series.
Profile Image for Tessa -Poised Pen Productions.
128 reviews12 followers
December 18, 2014
You Won't Be Disappointed !!!

A great beginning to the "Dangerous Protectors Series" by the amazing Debra Webb and Regan Black! Against The Wall is a suspenseful, fast-paced read. If you are a fan of romantic suspense, you won't be disappointed with this book. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.



300 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2014
A must read

Finished the last Faces of Evil a while ago and really enjoyed the mystery and romance. So glad to start this new series after really getting involved in this first installment. Already pre- ordered the next book
170 reviews
December 18, 2014
This is the beginning of a new series by Debra Webb and Regan Black. A super good read. Lots of action and suspense. Eagerly awaiting the next one.
1,353 reviews38 followers
November 17, 2018
Dylan Parker’s vacation is cut short when he gets a message that a client needs him. Jana Clayton’s father’s death has been deemed a suicide, but Jana knows he was murdered. The police won’t listen to her, she feels she’s being followed, so she contacted the Guardian Agency. Dylan’s appearance surprises her: she didn’t expect a handsome cowboy to help with her investigation. But who would want Senator Clayton dead and why? Dylan, at first, thinks Jana’s wrong, that her father wasn’t killed, but when attempts are made on her life, Dylan has to believe she is the one who is right.

Regan Black pulled me in right from the start and the real world vanished for a few hours. The author’s eloquent, elegant, and crisp writing propels the story along, giving enough details without needlessly burdening the narrative with superfluous information. We learn some of Dylan’s past early on, but his startling backstory makes it evident why he understands Jana’s predicament so well. I love that Dylan and Jana had their priorities straight before letting their mutual attraction take over: there’s a murderer to catch, a mystery to solve, and a time for intimacy, and everything happened at the right place and the right time. Speaking of time, I thought it was brilliant that the timeline is this year’s, leading up to Thanksgiving, and I was reading on one of the days mentioned; I don’t recall this ever happened to me before.

DYLAN is a solid suspense novel with a lovely and believable romance, and I love the sparkling witty bits sprinkled here and there. I had some inkling as to who the guilty party might be, but I certainly had no idea why! The characters are extremely well fleshed out, and I was particularly intrigued by the elusive Claudia – Dylan’s technical assistant – who is but a presence working somewhere in the background doing her hi-tech thing; I hope we get to see more of her in future instalments of this series, and that she eventually gets her own story. Regan Black has never failed me before, and somehow I don’t think it will ever happen because she writes romantic suspense the way I like it. Always!


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jo Ann Reinhold.
424 reviews44 followers
February 17, 2015
What a great start to a new series! Strong and sexy, Dylan Parker was defiantly NOT what Jana Clayton expected when she contacted the Guardian Agency for help. Jenna Clayton proved to be more then Dylan thought, strong and resilient
and sexy as hell, with a determination to find her fathers murderer! Dylan wasn't sure he was the right man for the job, jaded as he was by his past but no matter how many times he told himself it was just a job his strong attraction to his client might just be his undoing.
In the world of politics, Jana was used to the games but the extent of the betrayal she was soon to discover knocked her for a loop, and pissed her off!
Together these two fight to find the truth and find that opposites do attract!
I love every step of this journey....Great job Debra Webb and Regan Black!
Profile Image for Vicki.
400 reviews43 followers
December 20, 2014
Both Debra Webb and Regan Black.are favorites of mine but put them together and you get a must read story full of romance and suspense.
Jana Clayton is convinced her Dad, Senator Clayton, was murdered and did not Commit suicide like the official record states. She needs someone totally impartial to help prove it. Enter Dylan Parker. He's there to help protect Jana and find the truth. In the process will they find more than the real killer. Buy your copy and find out. Great read!
Profile Image for Spring Adams.
73 reviews
December 11, 2023
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Debra Webb or Regan Black.. These are two of my favorite authors. And they didn't disappoint. I can't wait for the next book in this series. To say together these ladies are amazing is an understatement. This is defenatley a must read.
2,513 reviews16 followers
July 18, 2021
Good book

A new author for me. Also I'm new to the brotherhood protectors too. I definitely need to read more from this series now.
Profile Image for Grammy 1.
805 reviews18 followers
January 27, 2015
I know I am a paranormal nut, and have been for a long time, however, something different comes along and I am shouting from my Kindle, and need to tell you about it. Regan Black has been on my radar for years now with her Matchmaker Series and her UF futuristic Justice Series. The Unknown Identities Series was recently introduced by her, showing us a different side of Ms Black. Now the teaming of Regan Black and Debra Webb has established them as The Dynamic Duo in my book with two great debut series, The Specialist and Dangerous Protectors.

This first in the Dangerous Protectors series brings us a maze of political intrigue and possible murder. Jana Clayton, a daddy’s girl, was in deep shock. Her father Texas Senator Jefferson Daniel Clayton was found dead in his study at home, a victim of suicide. Her step mother, Camille, and her Dad’s closest friend Chief of Staff Samuel Maguire, all accept the police investigations report. When Jana receives a letter from her Dad after the funeral telling her to trust no one and be careful, Jana calls an old family friend someone she trust since childhood. Theodore Kingston gives her the name and number of The Guardian Agency.

Dylan Parker is a tall handsome cowboy who is sent by the agency. Jana is not sure he is what she needs until the first problem occurs. She realizes she needs all the help she can get. She is now running from someone who wants to kill her, too, and has no idea what secrets she holds. The story is fast paced and holds your interest. The sizzling fire between the two is great, and the mystery gets better as the story progresses.

The second book in the series Too Far Gone just got downloaded to my Kindle before I started this review. Will fill you in soon. A 5 Star Read all the way.

Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild



Profile Image for Gail.
441 reviews25 followers
December 23, 2014
Against the Wall is the first book in the Dangerous Protectors series by Debra Webb and Regan Black. I have enjoyed books written by these two authors separately and together they have written a romantic suspense story.

The story start off with Senator Jefferson Daniel Clayton, who was a respected, well-liked, long-term Texas Senator. He was found dead in his home office of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His daughter, Jana Clayton is devastated by the loss of her father who was more than just her father, he was her best friend and mentor. She does not believe that her dad committed suicide like everyone else does. In the meantime she is having these feeling that someone is following her. Jana, decided to talk to another old friend, Theodore Kingston. He suggest that she try contacting the Guardian Agency to hire a private investigator who would be more neutral than the politics in Washington, D.C.

Dylan Parker of the Guardian Agency, is there to be her protector and also as the private investigator into her father death. In Jana mind she felt that there must be a mistake. He is not what she had expected at all. Well it soon becomes apparent very quickly that he is the right man for the job.

This was such a page turner that I could not put this book down. If you looking for suspense, and romantic than you need to order this book right now. So you will be able to find out who is behind her father death, and why they want her out of the way?
Profile Image for Sarah.
969 reviews8 followers
December 21, 2014
Fast paced book packed full of action and romance. This was a writing dream team that suspense fans would have on their dream team pairing if we had a list of people we would like to see team up to write together and Webb and Black did not disappoint in the first book of their new series they are writing together. The action started right away and never let up until the end of the book and the heat between the main characters was hot enough to fry my Kindle. If you want a fast read full is suspense, action and romance this is a book for you. I can't wait to see what goes on with the other Gaurdians.
29 reviews
January 8, 2015
Against the Wall is the first book in the series by Debra Webb and Regan Black. The book introduces you to the Protectors, and the first one is Dylan Parker who is sent to help Jana Clayton after her fathers death that was ruled a suicide. Jana is convinced that it was murder. At first Dylan thinks he will just have to convince her to accept the death of her father but quickly he learns he is going to have to protect her and find out who did kill her father.
This is a really good book and I am looking forward to more books for the series. It is a mystery/thriller/romance that will keep you guessing until the end.
1,116 reviews23 followers
December 25, 2014
This was a really good romantic suspense and a great start to a new series. Jana is a senator's daughter and a member of his staff. When her father supposedly commits suicide, she doesn't buy it. She sets out to prove it by turning to an old friend. He puts her in touch with Dylan, a top-notch investigator and bodyguard. Once they start digging for answers, several attempts are made on Jana' s life, proof she's on the right track. Things also begin to heat up between the two of them. Very nicely written. Keeps you wondering up to the end how everything will play out.
1,353 reviews
December 25, 2014
The first in a new series. Jana Clayton's father is dead. Everybody says it is a suicide but Jana thinks he was murdered. Jana wants to prove her theory, and now she fears for her safety as well. A friend suggests an agency to her, and Dylan Parker is assigned to her case. He doesn't think this is anything more than a suicide either, until they get shot at in broad daylight. This is one of those books you can't put down.
Profile Image for Davia.
832 reviews13 followers
October 4, 2019
Excellent

This was one of the best plot lines in this series. I absolutely love betrayal across the board. So many attempted shootings to end the daughter of the original victim. You never know who is really involved until the very end.
Profile Image for Joy.
188 reviews2 followers
December 21, 2014
Good read

I have found a new series. Cannot wait to read the next one.

I have already read many of Debra Webb's books and enjoyed them all.
Profile Image for Tulay.
1,202 reviews2 followers
January 11, 2015
Texas politics and more.

Father and daughter love, trust. Texas politics, how deals are made. If you did see the movie "Bodyguard" this book is very similar to that.
Profile Image for Penny Heart.
Author 14 books86 followers
February 24, 2024
I read this book because the Guardian Agency was mentioned in a series of novellas I was also reading (the Never Too Late for Love: Heartbreak Key Series, also by Regan Black).

The Guardian Agency is apparently a loose coalition of investigators, protectors/bodyguards, and researchers all around the country or perhaps worldwide. They go where they're assigned, and I can only assume since this is the first in a series of a dozen books that each one will feature a romance between the person in danger and the Guardian assigned to protect them.

I'm a sucker for that particular style of romantic suspense, so I am very eager to read the remaining dozen or so books as well as the other two spin-off series that brought me to this series in the first place.

This book was an interesting political thriller/romantic suspense. It was very fast-paced and enjoyable to read. I don't read a lot of political thrillers, but I do pay attention to politics in real life, and I felt that this book was a very intriguing storyline as well as depressingly plausible. I gobbled it right up very quickly.

It had all the elements that I associate with political thrillers I have seen in movies and in the few books in that genre I've read, including secret alliances with political foes, backstabbing betrayals, electronic bugs, break-ins, nasty surprises, secret hiding places, and hidden evidence. Like I said, it was fun to read!
Profile Image for Marie.
5,167 reviews52 followers
January 2, 2021
'Even blockbuster movies only give you a teaser'

Awesome! Can Dylan keep Jana safe whilst helping her prove her father's death was murder not suicide, especially when he proves to her it could only be someone close to the family who could have done it. Will destroying her faith in those around her also mean he will loose her trust, trust he didn't realise he wanted but now realises he craves, along with her love....could he ever survive in her world?
Jana knows just how fickle the political world can be, but she never thought it could be one of their own that would kill her father and target her. She finds Dylan intrusive, abrupt, cynical, overbearing and sexy....wait! WHAT! No way she could be attracted to someone so rugged and Alpha...could she? The longer they spend together and the deeper they dig, the more she sees his integrity and appreciates his calm but blunt demeanour.
They come from two very different worlds, both worlds have disappointed them and left them reeling, can they find a new world and a future together?
I love the Brotherhood Protectors and this book was no exception, a great addition to the Brotherhood Protectors World and The Guardian Agency which I read on Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Catlou.
1,415 reviews15 followers
November 19, 2018
No one believes Jana Clayton’s father’s death was anything but a suicide, and she’s determined to prove them wrong. Dylan Parker’s with the Guardian Agency, with whom she’s contracted to help her find the truth. As Jana and Dylan dig deeper into her father’s death, hidden truths and deceptions come to the surface, and someone’s becoming more and more desperate to stop them. While searching for that one vital missing piece to her father’s murder, not only are they putting their lives on the line but also their hearts.

This is an exciting and engaging tale, full of intrigue and a delicious build to a night of steamy passion. The characters are well developed, and the story is packed with fast paced, near lethal action. It’s a quick, exciting read that will keep you turning the page from start to finish. I recommend this appealing tale of deception, suspense, and romance!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,887 reviews27 followers
November 25, 2018
I started reading this and knew immediately I had read it previously, so I knew who the culprit was. But this version was fleshed out that I appreciated reading it more this time :) I like the fact that no matter what occurred or what Janas thoughts were, she knew she had to bring in an outside source to investigate and evaluate her fathers death. Stoic Dylan, be still my heart. When he shares what brought him to the Guardian Agency I wanted hold in my arms, and how about the Guardian Agency,
how they bring him in,and Claudia with her mad computer skills. Looking forward to finding out more as the series continues. This takes place in the political arena but it is by no means a bogged down oafish political book so do not let the arena detract you from buying the book. Thank you Regan Black for the arc! All thoughts an opinions are my own and unsolicited.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews

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