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Colby Agency #5
Personal Protector
Personal Protector by Debra Webb released on Mar 25, 2002 is available now for purchase.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
9 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Debra Webb
544 books2,342 followersDEBRA 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.
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 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 11, 2012
Yes, this is a Harlequin romance, but there was a mystery involved also.
As far as the romance, it was typical, beautiful independent woman can't resist hunky guy.
But the mystery part was interesting, with hunky guy protecting the beautiful woman. One by one reporters are killed. Will the beautiful woman reporter be saved? Who is behind this terrorism?
I guess I have to finally admit, I like these happy ending romances.
As far as the romance, it was typical, beautiful independent woman can't resist hunky guy.
But the mystery part was interesting, with hunky guy protecting the beautiful woman. One by one reporters are killed. Will the beautiful woman reporter be saved? Who is behind this terrorism?
I guess I have to finally admit, I like these happy ending romances.
December 23, 2013
I have read several books by Debra Webb about the Colby Agency, and they have all been really good. Each book in the series is a stand-alone book, so you can read them out of order.
This book heats up quickly, and doesn’t slow down till the last page is read. I love the action, suspense, and romance. The twist and turns blew me away. I love reading books and something big happens, that I didn’t expect. There were small things that happened throughout the book that I did predict. When I watch movies that have action or that are scary, I find myself yelling at the TV. This book was no different… I found myself wanting to crawl into the book to warn, or yell at the main characters.
Piper is a rising star working as a news reporter in Atlanta. A few of the other reporters are dead, or hiding in safe homes. She refuses to hide away. She will not put her life on hold for a group of terrorist. Her Uncle Luke hires the Colby agent to keep her safe. He does not tell Piper that he hired her a body guard. She is lead to believe that Ric Martinez is her new camera man. The two annoy one another, but there is defiantly hot steamy chemistry between Piper, and Ric. Will they stay alive long enough to find true love?
Here is a few snap shot samples from the book
Sample from chapter 1 – The sound of someone attempting to open her car door jerked Piper’s attention to the driver’s side window. Her gaze collided with the black barrel of a pistol. She blinked, uncertain for a moment that she was actually seeing what her brain told her she was. Seemingly in slow motion she lifted her gaze up to the cold, determined eyes of a man who stared at her with complete, unadulterated hatred. Before the scream could rip from her throat, a big body, unidentifiable but decidedly male, slammed into the man holding the gun. The loud report of the weapon and the shattering of glass echoed around Piper. Fear wrapped around her and squeezed the air out of her lungs.
Sample from chapter 4 – Martinez slid one arm around her waist and pulled her close against his lean, hard body. He tangled the fingers of his free hand in her hair. “I know I’m going to regret this.” Before she could protest, his mouth covered hers. His lips were hot, and firm, yet soft, and gentle somehow. Her heart seemed to stop beating all together only to jolt back into an erratic rhythm.
Sample from chapter 6 - He carried a gun that he no doubt knew how to use. She stared at the bowl in her hand. He cooked. She glanced toward the kitchen. He cleaned. She moistened her lips. He kissed like no man she’d ever been kissed by before.
Sample from chapter 8 – Piper heard it then, the whizzing pop of a bullet as it flew by and then hit the sidewalk only a few feet away. Someone was shooting at them. Her heart pounded so hard, she could hear the blood rushing through her veins.
This book heats up quickly, and doesn’t slow down till the last page is read. I love the action, suspense, and romance. The twist and turns blew me away. I love reading books and something big happens, that I didn’t expect. There were small things that happened throughout the book that I did predict. When I watch movies that have action or that are scary, I find myself yelling at the TV. This book was no different… I found myself wanting to crawl into the book to warn, or yell at the main characters.
Piper is a rising star working as a news reporter in Atlanta. A few of the other reporters are dead, or hiding in safe homes. She refuses to hide away. She will not put her life on hold for a group of terrorist. Her Uncle Luke hires the Colby agent to keep her safe. He does not tell Piper that he hired her a body guard. She is lead to believe that Ric Martinez is her new camera man. The two annoy one another, but there is defiantly hot steamy chemistry between Piper, and Ric. Will they stay alive long enough to find true love?
Here is a few snap shot samples from the book
Sample from chapter 1 – The sound of someone attempting to open her car door jerked Piper’s attention to the driver’s side window. Her gaze collided with the black barrel of a pistol. She blinked, uncertain for a moment that she was actually seeing what her brain told her she was. Seemingly in slow motion she lifted her gaze up to the cold, determined eyes of a man who stared at her with complete, unadulterated hatred. Before the scream could rip from her throat, a big body, unidentifiable but decidedly male, slammed into the man holding the gun. The loud report of the weapon and the shattering of glass echoed around Piper. Fear wrapped around her and squeezed the air out of her lungs.
Sample from chapter 4 – Martinez slid one arm around her waist and pulled her close against his lean, hard body. He tangled the fingers of his free hand in her hair. “I know I’m going to regret this.” Before she could protest, his mouth covered hers. His lips were hot, and firm, yet soft, and gentle somehow. Her heart seemed to stop beating all together only to jolt back into an erratic rhythm.
Sample from chapter 6 - He carried a gun that he no doubt knew how to use. She stared at the bowl in her hand. He cooked. She glanced toward the kitchen. He cleaned. She moistened her lips. He kissed like no man she’d ever been kissed by before.
Sample from chapter 8 – Piper heard it then, the whizzing pop of a bullet as it flew by and then hit the sidewalk only a few feet away. Someone was shooting at them. Her heart pounded so hard, she could hear the blood rushing through her veins.
April 18, 2018
Personal Protector
April 24, 2002
Debra Webb's Colby Agency takes on another case in "Personal Protector," when Ric Martinez is called in to protect Atlanta reporter Piper Ryan. A terrorist group is killing reporters who aired negative stories on them, and Piper is on the list. Ric goes undercover as Piper's cameraman to keep close to her. Can he save the life of a woman he's also drawn to with a fierce passion?
This is another expertly written tale by Webb, an author with a strong, sure voice and a true way with words. The characters and the romance in "Personal Protector" are flawless. Ric and Piper are both fully-fleshed, realistic people who come to life for the reader. There is real character conflict they must overcome and strong development in their relationship. The sexual chemistry is high and the love scenes sizzle. This is a romance to thrill.
At the same time, the suspense in "Personal Protector" is so frustrating that I had to keep putting the book down to keep from getting too annoyed. From the start I had basic questions about the premise that went unanswered for a long time. For instance, it was almost a hundred pages in before Webb revealed that this was a domestic terrorist group and what their cause was. It could be a sign of our times that I would assume that a terrorist group would be foreign. This does seem to be a basic element that should have been spelled out at the start.
The biggest problem with "Personal Protector" is that the plot development is too contrived. This isn't a story where we wonder how the villains will strike next. It's one where we wonder how the heroine will put herself in danger this time. It bothered me to no end that so many of the threats to Piper were avoidable. The only reason they took place was because of Piper's insistence on putting herself in dangerous situations. Ric tells her over and over that she should not be doing certain things. He keeps warning her about safety and makes suggestions that make perfect sense. She never listens. I wanted to shake her and say "Listen to him!" Perhaps I'm not driven enough to think a career is more important than staying alive. I couldn't work up much sympathy for a woman who thought that way. When he's trying to keep her alive and all she cares about is getting an interview, my patience ran out. The best and worst example comes near the end. The climax of "Personal Protector" is very creative and exciting, but again, Ric saw it coming. It was avoidable. He made a specific point to Piper that would have prevented it from happening. But no, Piper blows off his concern. While very tense and frightening, I couldn't completely get into the final action sequence because I kept thinking, "This didn't have to happen." If Piper hadn't been so stubborn, it wouldn't have. There's a problem with a suspense plot when the heroine does more to set up the danger than the villains do. She reminds me of those dumb girls in horror movies who are always running right toward the killer when the audience knows she should be going the other way. Then the audience doesn't feel bad for her, they cheer because she's so stupid she's getting exactly what she deserves. Reading the story became like anticipating a train crash you know doesn't have to happen but can't stop. I grew weary seeing this woman throw herself into dangerous situations again and again. She was asking for every terrible thing that happened to her.
Although "Personal Protector" is one of the best-written Intrigues of the year, I couldn't lose myself in the story. Some readers may not have the same problem. I know many people enjoyed Webb's "Protective Custody," where I thought the supposedly strong heroine was merely stupid for placing herself in danger over and over and over again and insisting she didn't need the hero to keep her safe when her actions said she did. "Personal Protector" has the same problem, though without the nasty edge and downright meanness between the hero and heroine. One of the pleasures of "Personal Protector," and there are many of them, is the way the characters' initial hostility gives way to a meaningful, emotional love story.
"Personal Protector" is a book that can be enjoyed for its romance, good characters and sensual scenes. This is a rare Intrigue where the couple meet, have personal issues to overcome in their relationship and convince us their love will last. Some readers may find the suspense more frustrating than satisfying. Beautifully written, I thought for a while this would be Webb's best book yet. For me it needed more of a plot than "What stupid thing is Piper going to do now?"
April 24, 2002
Debra Webb's Colby Agency takes on another case in "Personal Protector," when Ric Martinez is called in to protect Atlanta reporter Piper Ryan. A terrorist group is killing reporters who aired negative stories on them, and Piper is on the list. Ric goes undercover as Piper's cameraman to keep close to her. Can he save the life of a woman he's also drawn to with a fierce passion?
This is another expertly written tale by Webb, an author with a strong, sure voice and a true way with words. The characters and the romance in "Personal Protector" are flawless. Ric and Piper are both fully-fleshed, realistic people who come to life for the reader. There is real character conflict they must overcome and strong development in their relationship. The sexual chemistry is high and the love scenes sizzle. This is a romance to thrill.
At the same time, the suspense in "Personal Protector" is so frustrating that I had to keep putting the book down to keep from getting too annoyed. From the start I had basic questions about the premise that went unanswered for a long time. For instance, it was almost a hundred pages in before Webb revealed that this was a domestic terrorist group and what their cause was. It could be a sign of our times that I would assume that a terrorist group would be foreign. This does seem to be a basic element that should have been spelled out at the start.
The biggest problem with "Personal Protector" is that the plot development is too contrived. This isn't a story where we wonder how the villains will strike next. It's one where we wonder how the heroine will put herself in danger this time. It bothered me to no end that so many of the threats to Piper were avoidable. The only reason they took place was because of Piper's insistence on putting herself in dangerous situations. Ric tells her over and over that she should not be doing certain things. He keeps warning her about safety and makes suggestions that make perfect sense. She never listens. I wanted to shake her and say "Listen to him!" Perhaps I'm not driven enough to think a career is more important than staying alive. I couldn't work up much sympathy for a woman who thought that way. When he's trying to keep her alive and all she cares about is getting an interview, my patience ran out. The best and worst example comes near the end. The climax of "Personal Protector" is very creative and exciting, but again, Ric saw it coming. It was avoidable. He made a specific point to Piper that would have prevented it from happening. But no, Piper blows off his concern. While very tense and frightening, I couldn't completely get into the final action sequence because I kept thinking, "This didn't have to happen." If Piper hadn't been so stubborn, it wouldn't have. There's a problem with a suspense plot when the heroine does more to set up the danger than the villains do. She reminds me of those dumb girls in horror movies who are always running right toward the killer when the audience knows she should be going the other way. Then the audience doesn't feel bad for her, they cheer because she's so stupid she's getting exactly what she deserves. Reading the story became like anticipating a train crash you know doesn't have to happen but can't stop. I grew weary seeing this woman throw herself into dangerous situations again and again. She was asking for every terrible thing that happened to her.
Although "Personal Protector" is one of the best-written Intrigues of the year, I couldn't lose myself in the story. Some readers may not have the same problem. I know many people enjoyed Webb's "Protective Custody," where I thought the supposedly strong heroine was merely stupid for placing herself in danger over and over and over again and insisting she didn't need the hero to keep her safe when her actions said she did. "Personal Protector" has the same problem, though without the nasty edge and downright meanness between the hero and heroine. One of the pleasures of "Personal Protector," and there are many of them, is the way the characters' initial hostility gives way to a meaningful, emotional love story.
"Personal Protector" is a book that can be enjoyed for its romance, good characters and sensual scenes. This is a rare Intrigue where the couple meet, have personal issues to overcome in their relationship and convince us their love will last. Some readers may find the suspense more frustrating than satisfying. Beautifully written, I thought for a while this would be Webb's best book yet. For me it needed more of a plot than "What stupid thing is Piper going to do now?"
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January 27, 2021Not very good. Typical lush book
January 17, 2024
Honestly the plot twist on this one was pretty good
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews