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Colby Agency #24
The Hidden Heir
Ashley Orrick would protect her son at all costs. But escaping her all-powerful ex, whose infinite resources seemed almost impossible to elude, was one thing — shaking Victoria Colby-Camp and her exceptional agents was another.
Keith Devers had finally made the leap from analyst to investigator only to be presented with a conflict of interest. Something didn't add up about Ashley. Was it her long scarlet hair or emerald-green eyes…? More than that, it was her maternal ferocity that made Keith break all the rules. Because with this inheritance came a more costly price.
But fleeing from danger could only get them so far from the one thing they couldn't escape — runaway passions.
Keith Devers had finally made the leap from analyst to investigator only to be presented with a conflict of interest. Something didn't add up about Ashley. Was it her long scarlet hair or emerald-green eyes…? More than that, it was her maternal ferocity that made Keith break all the rules. Because with this inheritance came a more costly price.
But fleeing from danger could only get them so far from the one thing they couldn't escape — runaway passions.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
30 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Debra Webb
547 books2,380 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 6, 2012
I loved this! I chose it because of the "metro" hero, and was immediately happy I picked it up. It might be a bit closer to 4.5/5 stars, actually. I've read others in the Colby Series, and this was by far my favourite one, and it exceeded all expectations.
The story centers around a young woman, Ashley, hiding from an abusive ex-boyfriend, and the somewhat geeky research-pro-turned-PI who is sent to find her and the child she's been sheltering. The PI has been told the ex has only months to live, and is desperate to see his son, who's being ruthlessly withheld from him by a gold digger. Through the course of the story, he realizes all Ashley needs is someone to believe her side of the story and help her free herself from her fugitive state.
The story has some extremely hot moments, and the need and chemistry leaps off the page at you. The hero was quite distinct from your typical romance PI, though we learn oddly little about him beyond his character under pressure (and, on the score, he's pretty wonderful). The writing is quickly paced and modern, and the editing strong. The secondary characters are fine, and the world feels lived-in. Ashley's struggle as a mother is heartbreaking and touching, while still realistic and pragmatic, with very little excess emotional manipulation. There is also one hell of a horrific twist that ties in some minor details throughout the book and makes for a rather exciting climax. All in all, both the romance and the suspense elements are quite vivid for such a short, quick story.
I read it practically in one sitting, even though I knew I had a cart load of work to do! It was that good.
In many ways, this book is a rather timely read. I've been watching the 50 Shades of Grey trend, and have noted the horror some critics have expressed over the abusive and controlling nature of the "hero" - misogynistic domination veiled as romance. In this book, we see a more realistic image of a billionaire sadist, and the lengths the heroine must go through to free herself from his abuse once she discovers his nature. Cheers for her!
While there are aspects of this book that might read like "poor girl must wait in purgatory until saved by a big strong man," this is not the totality of the book. True, the entrance of the PI, Keith, is what brings about the resolution to her troubles, but it's less about sexist stereotypes than it is about how difficult it is for an impoverished person to stand alone against the wealth and cruelty of her hunter. It's about what having extra help willing to listen to her story and trust her can mean to someone in a jam. Aside from this, Ashley is one seriously resourceful heroine who is depicted as far from helpless, and Keith becomes more of her partner than her rescuer. This is a refreshing change from many HQ Intrigue "damsel in distress" storylines, and one that should appeal to many women.
My quibbles are quite minor, including a wish that we'd learned more about the hero, and a stronger hook at the beginning. The first pages were rather weak, mostly dedicated to establishing a link with the rest of the Colby series. Since I am not a fan of series in general, I skimmed a lot of it, along with the final pages, which returns to the Colby theme. If you're into the series, you might not feel the same way, but if you're not a series fan the first chapter might leave you cold. Nevertheless, it's a book well worth staying with past this slow opening.
Recommended, enthusiastically, for fans of shorter, m/f contemporary romantic suspense with sensual heat.
The story centers around a young woman, Ashley, hiding from an abusive ex-boyfriend, and the somewhat geeky research-pro-turned-PI who is sent to find her and the child she's been sheltering. The PI has been told the ex has only months to live, and is desperate to see his son, who's being ruthlessly withheld from him by a gold digger. Through the course of the story, he realizes all Ashley needs is someone to believe her side of the story and help her free herself from her fugitive state.
The story has some extremely hot moments, and the need and chemistry leaps off the page at you. The hero was quite distinct from your typical romance PI, though we learn oddly little about him beyond his character under pressure (and, on the score, he's pretty wonderful). The writing is quickly paced and modern, and the editing strong. The secondary characters are fine, and the world feels lived-in. Ashley's struggle as a mother is heartbreaking and touching, while still realistic and pragmatic, with very little excess emotional manipulation. There is also one hell of a horrific twist that ties in some minor details throughout the book and makes for a rather exciting climax. All in all, both the romance and the suspense elements are quite vivid for such a short, quick story.
I read it practically in one sitting, even though I knew I had a cart load of work to do! It was that good.
In many ways, this book is a rather timely read. I've been watching the 50 Shades of Grey trend, and have noted the horror some critics have expressed over the abusive and controlling nature of the "hero" - misogynistic domination veiled as romance. In this book, we see a more realistic image of a billionaire sadist, and the lengths the heroine must go through to free herself from his abuse once she discovers his nature. Cheers for her!
While there are aspects of this book that might read like "poor girl must wait in purgatory until saved by a big strong man," this is not the totality of the book. True, the entrance of the PI, Keith, is what brings about the resolution to her troubles, but it's less about sexist stereotypes than it is about how difficult it is for an impoverished person to stand alone against the wealth and cruelty of her hunter. It's about what having extra help willing to listen to her story and trust her can mean to someone in a jam. Aside from this, Ashley is one seriously resourceful heroine who is depicted as far from helpless, and Keith becomes more of her partner than her rescuer. This is a refreshing change from many HQ Intrigue "damsel in distress" storylines, and one that should appeal to many women.
My quibbles are quite minor, including a wish that we'd learned more about the hero, and a stronger hook at the beginning. The first pages were rather weak, mostly dedicated to establishing a link with the rest of the Colby series. Since I am not a fan of series in general, I skimmed a lot of it, along with the final pages, which returns to the Colby theme. If you're into the series, you might not feel the same way, but if you're not a series fan the first chapter might leave you cold. Nevertheless, it's a book well worth staying with past this slow opening.
Recommended, enthusiastically, for fans of shorter, m/f contemporary romantic suspense with sensual heat.
May 19, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Ashley was one strong heroine, and smart too. She had evidence that would send her ex to prison. He was a very wealthy man. He somehow had a spotless reputation. I guess if you had enough money you could make anything you did go away. Ashley had been running from him for years. She knew if he ever found her, he would kill her. She also had her son hidden away. Her ex had tried to kill him, when he was only a baby. That sent Ashley on the run with her son. Her ex hired the Colby agency to find his son. He gave them a sob story that he was dying and wanted to see his son. Keith Devers was giving the task of finding Ashley, and bring her in. He thought she was a gold digger. Her actions proved otherwise. Why was she so scared? What can he believe? The man that hired him, that didn't have long to live, or Ashley that had kept her son away from his father?
The action, and suspense was really good. I loved all the ways Ashley got away from Keith. She was a planner. She had plans, and back up plans. She could get out of almost every situation. She had too, she was fighting for her life, and her son's life. This was one mama that you didn't mess with. She would protect her cub with everything she had in her.
I loved the romance between Keith, and Ashley. Parts of the story had me laughing. This was just a really good book.
The action, and suspense was really good. I loved all the ways Ashley got away from Keith. She was a planner. She had plans, and back up plans. She could get out of almost every situation. She had too, she was fighting for her life, and her son's life. This was one mama that you didn't mess with. She would protect her cub with everything she had in her.
I loved the romance between Keith, and Ashley. Parts of the story had me laughing. This was just a really good book.
June 29, 2021
A simple case for the Colby Agency. Victoria had worked on cases for this family before. So she did not turn down the chance to help the son fulfill his dying wish. He wanted to get to know his son that Ashley had stolen from him 10 years ago.
Ashley disappeared with the son ten years ago because she believed they were in danger but the family had money to buy off the right people so she stayed hidden and kept her son hidden as well.
Keith has become the newest investigator for the Colby Agency and he is using this as his first assignment to get some experience in the field under his belt. The one thing he didn't count on is how far this Mother would go to make sure her son stayed safe.
Ashley disappeared with the son ten years ago because she believed they were in danger but the family had money to buy off the right people so she stayed hidden and kept her son hidden as well.
Keith has become the newest investigator for the Colby Agency and he is using this as his first assignment to get some experience in the field under his belt. The one thing he didn't count on is how far this Mother would go to make sure her son stayed safe.
March 21, 2022
Book of 💘
Typical man meets distressed women can,t take his eyes off her falls in love help,s her with her problem
All is well end of story good night
Typical man meets distressed women can,t take his eyes off her falls in love help,s her with her problem
All is well end of story good night
October 7, 2024
Great story!
March 30, 2017
Once again - another favorite. Sometimes a story can be overdone, over worded - but Mrs Webb took care with this story. After not trusting each other, her thinking he was one of her ex's goons, he, just some one trying to keep their son away from their father. But little by little, trust envolved into feelings of not just lust. In fact, he knew after 2 days, he admired and was in love with her! I think after the break down if their car their car the 2nd time, things were sealed for both of them!
He shut her up with his mouth. He hadn’t meant to let things go there, but, hell, he was only human. He couldn’t take any more of her talk…but her lips, well they were a different story.
She shoved at his chest once, as if she didn’t want him kissing her, but her resistance only lasted two or three seconds. She melted against him. . .
Ashley couldn’t take any more of this. “Stop!”
She pushed at his massive shoulders. His weight felt so good pressing against her, but it just wasn’t enough.
"What’s wrong?” She glared into those amazing blue eyes glittering in the darkness as need, desire and flat-out frustration pushed her over the edge.
"Look,” she said breathlessly, “I haven’t had sex in ten years. If you don’t get down to business right now, I’m going to lose my mind.”
It was great point of humor/or point to make you smile! Enjoyed it, it was a an easy in about 1.5-2 hours.
He shut her up with his mouth. He hadn’t meant to let things go there, but, hell, he was only human. He couldn’t take any more of her talk…but her lips, well they were a different story.
She shoved at his chest once, as if she didn’t want him kissing her, but her resistance only lasted two or three seconds. She melted against him. . .
Ashley couldn’t take any more of this. “Stop!”
She pushed at his massive shoulders. His weight felt so good pressing against her, but it just wasn’t enough.
"What’s wrong?” She glared into those amazing blue eyes glittering in the darkness as need, desire and flat-out frustration pushed her over the edge.
"Look,” she said breathlessly, “I haven’t had sex in ten years. If you don’t get down to business right now, I’m going to lose my mind.”
It was great point of humor/or point to make you smile! Enjoyed it, it was a an easy in about 1.5-2 hours.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews