WARNING: Contains Spoilers

This is a really nice romance novel if one likes thrillers. The protagonist is witness to the murder of her employer and friend who is an undercover police officer in the world of illegal substance trading. It is thought by the authorites that she is dead but she isn't and a character from Colby Agency; a handsome man with a cowboy background is sent to be the protagonist's protector. They have sexual intercourse on a saddle in her bedroom because she is obsessed with cowboys. That scene could have been better written. Happy ending, thrilling plot and sexual tension makes the near perfect recipe in Agent Cowboy.

This addition to the Colby Agency series comes between Webb’s Harlequin-published single-title Striking Distance (ISBN: 0-373-83557-4), and Harlequin Intrigue #801, Situation: Out of Control (ISBN: 0-373-22801-5). It may be only because it comes between these two excellent reads that this one comes across as somewhat lackluster. That said, it is still a must read for Colby devotees, and, coming from Webb, it is still a cut above a lot of what’s out there.

Kelly Pruitt (not Parker as is printed on the back of my copy) is a standard all-alone-in-the-world heroine (standard for most fairy tales and many romances). She’s an educated young woman paying her dues as a receptionist with the promise of greater things to come. Right away, through a seemingly bizarre happenstance, she is witness to the brutal execution of her boss, a client, and her best friend whom the killer thought was the receptionist. Kelly panics and goes into hiding before the killer finds out about his mistake. She realizes belatedly that her flight has possibly made her a suspect in the triple murder. She must find a way to discover what her seemingly honest boss could have been into that would make them a target, clear her name, and make sure the killer doesn’t find her to finish the job.

Meanwhile, back at the Colby Agency…

A Texas senator and former Colby client believes there’s something rotten in his state and that members of local law enforcement and even the FBI may be in on it. He asks the Colby Agency to quietly investigate his suspicions, and former Texas bounty hunter, Trent Tucker, is dispatched to look into the murders.

Kelly is posing as her late best friend Ann. Trent introduces himself as Ann’s internet Romeo. Trent knows that the woman he calls Ann is really Kelly, but Kelly doesn’t know he knows, believes his cover story of being an investigative reporter on sabbatical to write a novel, and thinks he’s helping her because he’s in love with the real Ann.

What will happen when all the truths come out? And will Kelly discover that her best friend was not who she seemed to be?

For a great start to the Colby Agency saga, read Webb’s Safe By His Side (ISBN: 0-373-22583-0), Harlequin Intrigue #583. Webb’s next Colby book is Harlequin Intrigue #801, Situation: Out of Control (ISBN: 0-373-22801-5). ( )