Contract Bride (The Colby Agency, Book 8) (Harlequin Intrigue Series #683) [Mass Market Paperback]

Debra Webb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

Jennifer Ballard never anticipated her wedding day to be an intricate setup. Her fiancé plotted to kill her, then take over her family's pharmaceuticals business--and Jennifer's first instinct was to turn to the prestigious Colby Agency for help. Suddenly she found herself in the protection of Ethan Delaney, the larger-than-life investigator assigned to her case. But in the midst of their clandestine mission to uncover the conspiracy that threatened to destroy her life, Jennifer was unwittingly drawn to her tough-as-nails bodyguard. And now, with only each other to trust, they must overcome danger--and desire--to unravel the dangerous plot designed to destroy Jennifer's life....

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373226837
• ISBN-13: 978-0373226832
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,799,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been a story teller for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first story when I was eight or nine. Now, with my husband as my partner, I create gritty, sexy romantic suspense and chilling thrillers.Look for my debut thriller series, the Faces of Evil.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work!, January 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Contract Bride (The Colby Agency, Book 8) (Harlequin Intrigue Series #683) (Mass Market Paperback)

Debra Webb is a fantastic author and she never lets me down. The intrigue, the suspense, it's just amazing! She is on her way to the top! Don't miss this story (or any of her others)!!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Contract Bride, January 24, 2003

By 

Penny Griffin ([e-mail]) (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contract Bride (The Colby Agency, Book 8) (Harlequin Intrigue Series #683) (Mass Market Paperback)

Debra Webb's "Contract Bride" is a fast and entertaining story with an evil villain and nonstop action. On her wedding day, Dr. Jennifer Ballard's fiance orders her killed, forcing her to go on the run. She turns to the Colby Agency and Agent Ethan Delaney for help. Jennifer has no identification and can't prove who she is. Ethan doesn't know whether to believe her story, or if she's trying to use the agency to cause trouble for the Ballards' pharmaceutical company. Can she convince him to help her save her and her father from her fiance's evil plan before it's too late?

It's interesting. I had many more problems with "Contract Bride" than Webb's other books this year, yet I enjoyed it more. Like most of Webb's heroines lately, Jennifer does some very stupid things for a woman who is supposed to be a genius. Her uncle bursts into her dressing room, shot in the back, and tells her not to trust her fiance. What does Jennifer do? As soon as her fiance comes in, she thinks, "Oh, he'll help us!" She's the kind of woman who complains the hero is driving too fast when he's trying to outrun the killers chasing them. He's trying to save your life. Why are you complaining? Ethan is worse. He's sexist and rude. He keeps referring to the much younger Jennifer as a little girl at the same time he's lusting after her. It's a little weird and off-putting, and gives his attraction an almost perverted feeling.

The story was still good enough that I got past the characters. After that opening prologue with Jennifer thinking her murderous fiance is going to help her, I thought I was going to hate this book. Surprisingly I enjoyed it a great deal. There are a number of satisfying twists and turns. The book moves faster than the author's last few, like "Personal Protector" and "Physical Evidence." The constant action makes for a fun read. Jennifer may be stupid at times. She's also tougher and less of a victim than most of Webb's heroines. She shows a good amount of determination and courage. By the end she seems more like a full participant and equal partner in the action than someone waiting around to be saved. "Contract Bride" is told with Webb's usual gritty tone. She has a unique, almost mainstream voice. That helps heighten the suspense.

If I hadn't had so much fun reading the story, I probably would have gotten hung up on the annoying things the characters sometimes did. Other readers may not be able to do the same. For me, Contract Bride was a fun read.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Colby Agency book!, December 31, 2004

By 

Nebraska Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contract Bride (The Colby Agency, Book 8) (Harlequin Intrigue Series #683) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is a fabulous example of what romantic suspense is all about. Ethan Delaney is a hero you can really sink your teeth into (loved him!), and the heroine--Jennifer Ballard--is smart enough to keep up with him. There's non-stop action, nail-biting danger--and enough twists and turns to challenge even a seasoned suspense reader.

If you haven't read any of Ms. Webb's Colby Agency books yet, this is a great place to start.