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Colby Agency #1
Safe by His Side
No one could find special agent Jack Raine if he didn't want to be found. So who was the beautiful amnesiac on his doorstep, and how had she gotten to his hideaway? When a killer soon followed, Jack suspected a trap - so he took the lady and ran...
"Kate" couldn't remember her own name, but she wanted the strong and silent Jack Raine the moment she saw him. Even as a slow heat burned between them, Kate knew she risked falling for this stranger who'd saved her life - a man her flashes of memory suggested she might have been sent to capture...
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
About the author
Debra Webb
551 books2,432 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 11, 2019
Taking a break from the Orsini Series by Sandra Marton to read this romantic suspense by one of my favourite authors, Debra Webb. Her Colby Agency series boasts of 59 titles with the last one published in 2018, starting from 2000. Wow! I had read only one of her books, Book 2 of this series, The Bodyguard's Baby, before this. Reading only that one book made her my favourite author! You can find my review here.
Victoria Colby of Colby Agency, a private investigations firm started by her late husband, hands over a task to a twenty-five-year-old woman - the new recruit, a tracker - Katherine Robertson. That of tracking down Jack Raine, former CIA operative who went rogue following a deep cover assignment with the FBI which resulted in prominent mob leader Sal Ballatore's son's death and a huge amount of missing money. The Agency has been hired by one Lucas Camp, friend and colleague of Jack. As is the rule of Harlequin Intrigue, the characters with brief descriptions have already been introduced among whom are also Dillon (one of Ballatore's hired guns) who wants that money for himself, and Raymond Cuddahy under whom Lucas works and in whose organisation there are moles.
The author gives accurate and asked for explanations to keep the story flowing without any bumps. And the heroine is a little more vulnerable than others, she has a heart condition. The prologue introduces Kate. She has amnesia from when the story starts, due to an accident. She only remembers her name, and nothing else.
Jack opens the door to his isolated cabin in the mountains only to be met by a woman who's freezing. When she wakes after getting warmed up (nope, nothing happened - she was unconscious), she can't remember who she is. Jack finds out from her driver's licence that she is Kate Roberts.
I love amnesia stories, especially those which have action sequences. It was as scary as it was hilarious to see Raine frightening Kate. And also what was interesting were Kate's memories, which were trickling back at a slow pace, though not enough that could help Raine, they rather made him seem like a danger to her. Also, Kate just seemed to me like an adorable baby, poor dear, with all her memories lost, running around with a possibly dangerous man, not knowing whom to contact, who to trust.
I wonder how dangerous amnesia is to a person with a heart problem. And the most suspense I felt in this book was when both of them were navigating the treacherous mountains. What an apt title, she is literally safe by his side, safe from his enemies, safe from the cold. Ha! Even I hated Jack at that point, he was, again and again, ordering about Kate. I can't even imagine, having to walk that much in a day! And that too in that cold.
The one thing I like about amnesiac stories is the trickle of information that comes back gradually throughout the story. The author has done a wonderful job of hitting the readers with information at the right places. Raine continuously tries to leave an amnesiac Kate behind but can't. And the climax was explosive with a perfect ending.
P.S. We're also introduced to Nick Foster, who is the lead in the second book. Victoria appears like a mama bear, though I sniffed something brewing between Victoria and Lucas Camp, I wonder if they get their own story? After all, they go way back.
Victoria Colby of Colby Agency, a private investigations firm started by her late husband, hands over a task to a twenty-five-year-old woman - the new recruit, a tracker - Katherine Robertson. That of tracking down Jack Raine, former CIA operative who went rogue following a deep cover assignment with the FBI which resulted in prominent mob leader Sal Ballatore's son's death and a huge amount of missing money. The Agency has been hired by one Lucas Camp, friend and colleague of Jack. As is the rule of Harlequin Intrigue, the characters with brief descriptions have already been introduced among whom are also Dillon (one of Ballatore's hired guns) who wants that money for himself, and Raymond Cuddahy under whom Lucas works and in whose organisation there are moles.
The author gives accurate and asked for explanations to keep the story flowing without any bumps. And the heroine is a little more vulnerable than others, she has a heart condition. The prologue introduces Kate. She has amnesia from when the story starts, due to an accident. She only remembers her name, and nothing else.
Jack opens the door to his isolated cabin in the mountains only to be met by a woman who's freezing. When she wakes after getting warmed up (nope, nothing happened - she was unconscious), she can't remember who she is. Jack finds out from her driver's licence that she is Kate Roberts.
I love amnesia stories, especially those which have action sequences. It was as scary as it was hilarious to see Raine frightening Kate. And also what was interesting were Kate's memories, which were trickling back at a slow pace, though not enough that could help Raine, they rather made him seem like a danger to her. Also, Kate just seemed to me like an adorable baby, poor dear, with all her memories lost, running around with a possibly dangerous man, not knowing whom to contact, who to trust.
I wonder how dangerous amnesia is to a person with a heart problem. And the most suspense I felt in this book was when both of them were navigating the treacherous mountains. What an apt title, she is literally safe by his side, safe from his enemies, safe from the cold. Ha! Even I hated Jack at that point, he was, again and again, ordering about Kate. I can't even imagine, having to walk that much in a day! And that too in that cold.
The one thing I like about amnesiac stories is the trickle of information that comes back gradually throughout the story. The author has done a wonderful job of hitting the readers with information at the right places. Raine continuously tries to leave an amnesiac Kate behind but can't. And the climax was explosive with a perfect ending.
P.S. We're also introduced to Nick Foster, who is the lead in the second book. Victoria appears like a mama bear, though I sniffed something brewing between Victoria and Lucas Camp, I wonder if they get their own story? After all, they go way back.
January 21, 2018
I have been looking for that one great book, and found it in this story. The last few months I have read lot of books, which were good, but not anything wonderful. This book will be added to my favorite’s list. It had it all, suspense, action, and sizzling romance. I really connected with Kate, and Raine.
Kate wanted to be a cop, but because of a heart defect she failed the physical. Instead she became a private investigator. Her mission was to find Raine, and bring him in. He had worked for the FBI, CIA, and other agencies in deep cover. He was the best in the business. The government needed to know if he had turned. Kate found her man by pure accident. She had a wreck right before getting to his house. Afterwards she stumbled to his house to use his phone. She had amnesia and couldn’t remember anything. He took her in, and took care of her.
Very bad people were after Raine, and he took Kate with him as they dodged bullets, and hid within the shadows. The adrenalin that fueled their need to stay alive, also fueled their passion for one another. Their connection to one another was intense. They both tried to fight against it, not understanding how they could be so attracted to one person.
This is by far one of the BEST books I have read!
Kate wanted to be a cop, but because of a heart defect she failed the physical. Instead she became a private investigator. Her mission was to find Raine, and bring him in. He had worked for the FBI, CIA, and other agencies in deep cover. He was the best in the business. The government needed to know if he had turned. Kate found her man by pure accident. She had a wreck right before getting to his house. Afterwards she stumbled to his house to use his phone. She had amnesia and couldn’t remember anything. He took her in, and took care of her.
Very bad people were after Raine, and he took Kate with him as they dodged bullets, and hid within the shadows. The adrenalin that fueled their need to stay alive, also fueled their passion for one another. Their connection to one another was intense. They both tried to fight against it, not understanding how they could be so attracted to one person.
This is by far one of the BEST books I have read!
May 31, 2022
A beautiful romance and a mystery. I had read this series a while ago and decided to go back and reread it and I am so glad I did. I love Kate and Jack and the fact that neither knows if they can trust the other but they fall in love anyway. I also like that there are two kind of bad guys and that some have honor and some don't. It was a book I couldn't put down a great story and great characters.
March 30, 2017
Like this book A LOT!! Keep me going til the end! Would of loved another couple pages but maybe there will be more? And does Lucas and Victoria have a thing for one another?
April 17, 2018
September 20, 2000
New Intrigue author Debra Webb continues the "Secret Identity" series while starting her own in "Safe By His Side." It's a good sign of things to come. The author pens convincing action sequences and keeps the romance steamy. The love scenes are hotter than usual for Intrigues and the sexual tension consistently high. Her villains are also appropriately chilling (One irritating point: With the language toned down for series romances, it's better if some curses are avoided altogether. It's obvious "crap" would not be the villains' swear word of choice and it just sounds strange.) Altogether, "Safe By His Side" is a solid tale full of danger and desire.
So why only four stars? If I was unable to muster more enthusiasm for the book, it was because there is little here we haven't seen before. The increasingly common secret agent hero. The amnesia, which seems particularly contrived coming when it does here. (So far, the "Secret Identity" series seems to be nothing more than a continuation of the "A Memory Away" promotion under a different title.) The heroes are on the run in the type of story Gayle Wilson and Rebecca York have told better. The comparison isn't a fair one to make with a new author, but it does go to show Webb is in good company. As solid as it was...well, that is what it was. Not unique or inspired in any way. A solid reuse of familiar elements in a story that comes across like one we've seen before. Webb has done an admirable job absorbing the hooks the editors love, but she doesn't do much to make them seem fresh and new this time around.
I also never really warmed up to the heroine. For much of the first half, Kate is very childish. A grown woman who stomps her feet, sticks her tongue out and never stops complaining doesn't earn high points for maturity with me. The ending also falls a bit flat. Part of the plot involves Raine finding out who inside the government blew his cover. We're given two suspects (savvy readers can likely guess who it is early on), but we're never introduced to either character, never get a chance to meet either of them over the course of the book, so we have nothing invested in either of them turning out to be the traitor. In the end we find out which one it was but it could have gone the other way and it wouldn't have made any difference in terms of impact.
Despite those quibbles, "Safe By His Side" is a well-told tale sure to be enjoyed by those who haven't had their fill of stories like this and perhaps some who have. Webb is an author to look for. A more original tale will likely make better use of her talent.
New Intrigue author Debra Webb continues the "Secret Identity" series while starting her own in "Safe By His Side." It's a good sign of things to come. The author pens convincing action sequences and keeps the romance steamy. The love scenes are hotter than usual for Intrigues and the sexual tension consistently high. Her villains are also appropriately chilling (One irritating point: With the language toned down for series romances, it's better if some curses are avoided altogether. It's obvious "crap" would not be the villains' swear word of choice and it just sounds strange.) Altogether, "Safe By His Side" is a solid tale full of danger and desire.
So why only four stars? If I was unable to muster more enthusiasm for the book, it was because there is little here we haven't seen before. The increasingly common secret agent hero. The amnesia, which seems particularly contrived coming when it does here. (So far, the "Secret Identity" series seems to be nothing more than a continuation of the "A Memory Away" promotion under a different title.) The heroes are on the run in the type of story Gayle Wilson and Rebecca York have told better. The comparison isn't a fair one to make with a new author, but it does go to show Webb is in good company. As solid as it was...well, that is what it was. Not unique or inspired in any way. A solid reuse of familiar elements in a story that comes across like one we've seen before. Webb has done an admirable job absorbing the hooks the editors love, but she doesn't do much to make them seem fresh and new this time around.
I also never really warmed up to the heroine. For much of the first half, Kate is very childish. A grown woman who stomps her feet, sticks her tongue out and never stops complaining doesn't earn high points for maturity with me. The ending also falls a bit flat. Part of the plot involves Raine finding out who inside the government blew his cover. We're given two suspects (savvy readers can likely guess who it is early on), but we're never introduced to either character, never get a chance to meet either of them over the course of the book, so we have nothing invested in either of them turning out to be the traitor. In the end we find out which one it was but it could have gone the other way and it wouldn't have made any difference in terms of impact.
Despite those quibbles, "Safe By His Side" is a well-told tale sure to be enjoyed by those who haven't had their fill of stories like this and perhaps some who have. Webb is an author to look for. A more original tale will likely make better use of her talent.
March 17, 2019
Carino ma troppo corto e troppo poco sviluppato, con cento pagine in più avrei dato quattro stelle
April 25, 2025
Mysterious
This was an awesome book. Kate and Rains were drawn to each other from the beginning. A lot of mystery and intrigue.
This was an awesome book. Kate and Rains were drawn to each other from the beginning. A lot of mystery and intrigue.
January 26, 2026
Great start to the series. If you like Harlequin mystery, romance, suspense stories then this is the series for you.
May 5, 2025
didn’t age well
I read this when I was a teenager and loved it then. I thought it would be fun to reread, but it simply wasn’t as good as I remember it. Raine’s inner monologue was unpleasant, especially in the beginning when he’s caring for a woman he doesn’t know that’s been in an accident and all he can think about is her body. Kate was built up to be someone who could take care of herself, even with the amnesia but spent most of the book crying in Raine’s arms about any and everything. Overall, I was disappointed not just in the book but in my teenage self for enjoying it. Should have let this one be, I think.
I read this when I was a teenager and loved it then. I thought it would be fun to reread, but it simply wasn’t as good as I remember it. Raine’s inner monologue was unpleasant, especially in the beginning when he’s caring for a woman he doesn’t know that’s been in an accident and all he can think about is her body. Kate was built up to be someone who could take care of herself, even with the amnesia but spent most of the book crying in Raine’s arms about any and everything. Overall, I was disappointed not just in the book but in my teenage self for enjoying it. Should have let this one be, I think.
September 26, 2014
Special agent Jack Raine was good at losing himself. He's suspicious when a beautiful amnesiac turns up on his doorstep followed by a killer. The two of them go on the run, finding themselves becoming more and more attracted over time. Can the relationship survive the truth?
I really enjoyed this story and the characters, the romance felt right and I was enjoying how they became more and more involved with each other and realising how they felt about each other. I want to read more in this series.
I really enjoyed this story and the characters, the romance felt right and I was enjoying how they became more and more involved with each other and realising how they felt about each other. I want to read more in this series.
September 17, 2007
#117 08/27/06
SAFE BY HIS SIDE by Debra Webb
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Romantic Suspense, 2000, 250 pgs
CHARACTErS: Jack Raine/special agent; Kate Robertson/intestigator
TIME/PLACE: TN/NC -- Smokey Mtn's/late 1990's
COMMENTS: 1st in the Colby Agency series. Nice mix of action, adventure & romance.
SAFE BY HIS SIDE by Debra Webb
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Romantic Suspense, 2000, 250 pgs
CHARACTErS: Jack Raine/special agent; Kate Robertson/intestigator
TIME/PLACE: TN/NC -- Smokey Mtn's/late 1990's
COMMENTS: 1st in the Colby Agency series. Nice mix of action, adventure & romance.
August 30, 2013
Really good story. The romance and suspense were really well written. I really wanted to give it a 5 and it could have been a 5 except Kate and Jack become intimate without knowing if Kate is in a relationship because of memory loss and later not caring even if she was. Another thing, near the end Jack helps the guy that is supposed to be bad guy.
July 15, 2013
I have the whole series, they are really good
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews