Customer Reviews

If You Dare (The MacCarrick Brothers, Book 1)

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Kresley Cole has once again taken this reader on another romantic adventure romp with the first book in a new trilogy featuring the three MacCarrick brothers. Three adventuresome and darkly dangerous Scottish brothers who live life on the edge since believing an age-old family curse that predicts that the family line would end with them.

Setting the first book in the principality of Andorra, 1856, in a startling and attention grabbing opening, Courtland MacCarrick, youngest of the three brothers, was discovering that hiring himself out as a mercenary for the very evil despot General Reynaldo Pascal was not a good thing! As Pascal was about to have Court's heart carved out of his body, Court opted to propel his bound body into the water and take his chances with the raging torrent below him.

Days later, on her morning ride, Lady Annalia Tristan Llorente discovered the half dead beat up body of Court, and realizing by the remnants of plaid that remained on his body that he was one of the despised Scots barbarians that had been hired by Pascal to subjugate the surrounding villagers she fought her initial feelings to leave him rot on the banks of the river. In spite of the fact that he was an enemy, kindness won over her fear, and she dragged Court to her home setting his broken bones and caring for his wounds. When Court regained consciousness, the battle lines were drawn as Annalia's scorn set the tone of their relationship insisting he leave. The beautiful, fiery and tantalizing Castilian aroused feelings in Court he'd long since thought he'd conquered and her feelings of superiority also raised his hackles so the fur certainly did fly! When Courtland realized that she was about to sacrifice herself to marry, his enemy Pascal in order to save her brother, Court kidnapped her, if only to save her from herself - or so he thought! The journey along the way proved to be a rollicking sensual adventure that gives new meaning to the word `steamy'!.

*** I thought this was a deliciously entertaining read that kept the sexual tension high; the adventure exciting; and culminated with a fabulous love story. Annalia and Court were really great together providing entertainment both when battling and definitely when loving. Court thought Anna petulant and spoiled; she thought of him as an ungentlemanly barbarian; definitely the ingredients for a lively romance. When Court finally discovered that Anna, the petite dainty beauty had courage, strengths and a passionate nature it brought out both the best in him as well as bringing him to his knees. The lively mixture of secondary characters, from Court's brothers, his crew of comrades, and Pascal's daughter Olivia, were all well-defined adding additional layers of depth to this very sexy romance. The dialogs, not only between the main protagonists but also between the numerous secondary characters were wonderful adding one more layer to this superb read! The only thing I must say I don't like is having to wait another year for Hugh's story, which judging by the sneak peak at the back of the book looks to be another fabulous read and a worthy addition to this newest trilogy which is going to end up on my keeper shelf! --- Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com

This book has it all! It has a very likable Hero and Heroine, great secondary characters, a tightly woven adventure story that is very fast paced, and sizzling HOT HOT romance scenes that are very passionate. Even the ending was the most satisfying ending I've read in a romance in a long, long time. Wow, GREAT book!! "If You Dare" is a great adventure story that unites two very different people into a deeply passionate romance. Though the romance takes time to build, by the time it does it becomes sizzling. Court (our hero) is a solid HE-MAN. There is nothing soft or wimpy about this guy. Love him!! Though all romance novels have the predicable "happily ever after" ending, this one makes it really hard to guess HOW they are going to make it. The dilemma they face is based on their love for each other, which just tugs at the heart. I am very impressed with Kresley Cole's writing. I now have all her other books on rush order so I can start devouring them this weekend.

If You Dare was one of the best romances I've read in a long time. Court MacCarrick is sinfully sexy and Anna is not one of those nauseatingly perfect heroines I've been reading a lot lately. The sex scenes were sizzling!! Overall, I highly recommend it and can't wait for the next in the series.

I enjoyed this book so much that I am now looking for the rest of the series and any other of her books. I found this book so engrossing that I had to delay dinner and stay up late to finish it in one day.

Draws you in on page one! I picked this up on a whim and found it to be fantastic!

I have not read much historical romance lately because they don't seem able to "grab me" anymore. So I have been sticking with contemporary. Nor do I usually write reviews. Hopefully, that is enough to indicate how much I enjoyed this book.

I would strongly recommend "If You Dare" and I will be looking for more by this author. Enjoy!

Ms. Cole has taken a different direction for her third effort and as a result we've left the high seas, and this book is set in the country of Andorra. This was fun as not many books are set in this small country and the history that it has is not only unique but interesting.

Annalia is a strong woman that has much to loose. Her small country has been put right in the middle of a military conflict and her family lines have made her a political pawn. Her brother is being held by her enemy Pascal. Pascal wants to rule and he knows that his claim will be made all that more strong if he marries Annalia since she is a descendant to the Castilian line of Spain. Annalia wants to live a quite life and is concerned about the fate of her brother. One day on the way home from a walk she happens upon a beaten man. Recognizing him as a Scot she takes the chance and brings home the severely injured man. If he turns out to be the mercenary she thinks he is...she will simply kill him herself if he brings harm to her small holding in any way shape or form. What she doesn't know is that Pascal has turned on Court and he will do all that he can to prevent him from succeeding in his quest.

Court MacCarrick's family has been cursed. He has turned to the work of mercenary in order to fill his coffers. When Pascal orders him killed he does the only thing he can in order to survive. He jumps to his "death" into a river. Washed downstream he is saved by an "angel" only this angel has a sharp tongue and seems to be a bit of a shrew. Still this does nothing to tame the attraction that burns between them despite how badly Annalia would like to believe otherwise. The devil in Court though will not give quarter to the beautiful sharp tongued Annalia and he drives her to lengths that he can't understand in order to save her brother from the evil Pascal. Court takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps Annalia before she can sacrifice herself to Pascal in marriage hoping to gain the release of her brother. Together these two people work towards the same end, protecting Annalia and her brother while at the same time bringing an end to Pascal and his evil ways. Will Court and Annalia be able to bring an end to Pascal and will they accept their attraction or will pride stand in the way?

This was a good read that was kept from being great due to our main characters. I had problems with Annalia and her attitude throughout the read. Although she is a strong character she rubbed this reader wrong. Her actions at times seemed more petulant and spoiled than well thought out. Prejudice kept her from seeing Court in any true light. Court on the other hand at times was no better. He would bait Annalia which in turn kept the spiteful behavior going. I had to put this book down several times due to sheer frustration. Still it was fun to read a book set in a location that for the most part is overlooked in historical romance fiction. For that alone I give Ms. Cole high marks for "thinking outside the box" and using her creativity. In the end I admit to not really caring what happened to these two characters. Their stubborn nature took away from the romance of this read. Secondary characters are colorful and plentiful and help to deflect some of the ridiculous actions taken by Court and Annalia. Overall this is a fair read. Come to this book with an open mind and you the reader should do fine.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

I read this series backwards and I'm glad I did that because the third in the series is just charming but if I'd started with this one I'd have never gotten to the third. This book irritated me to no end.

(Spoilerish) The heroine hates, and I mean hates, the hero for the entire first half of the book. Not just pretends to hate him while secretly desiring him but hates him all the way to the bone. It is really hard to enjoy a book when for the first 180 pages the lead character is spitting, cursing, insulting, despising, and then trying to escape the hero no matter how much danger it lands her in. She tries to escape him over and over until she finally gets herself shot rather than stay with him. This is romantic?

Then one day out of the blue she decides that he is not so detestable as the reasons she hates him turn out to be rather false. Fine, then she'll just fall in love with him. Just like that. But once she wants him? Then he remembers the curse he is under and starts avoiding her. Frustrating? Oh, yes it is. I almost pitched the book at that point but I'd paid good money for it so bore down and finished it. I'd rather had my money back.

I'm really sorry to write a bad review as Kresley Cole has written many good books that I've enjoyed thoroughly. Unfortunately I can't say that for this one.

I bought this book because I really enjoy Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. Someone recommended that I try the MacCarrick Brothers trilogy because it is supposedly some of her best historical work. If this is an example of her best historical work I'm definitely better off not reading anymore of them.

What was up with Anna in this story? Her personality was so grating and she did such stupid things. Through out most of the book she loathed Court. Now I can understand this as I found him pretty irritating, but to hate him and then suddenly decide you're in love with him? That's pretty much exactly what Anna did.

I wasn't expecting the paranormal aspect of this book. I really didn't like it either. I think I would have gone with the flow of it better if I had actually been enjoying the book. I also seriously disliked the fake Scottish accents. I had an eye twitch by the end of the book!

I don't plan on continuing with any of this author's historical novels. I think we're both better off that way.

"If you dare" is such an interesting book...somewhat different from my usual style but I trusted the author and decided to try it out...and wasn't disappointed!

The Scot, McCarrick initially appears to be a borish, somewhat uninspired mercenary with a one track mind (money). But with time, it seems there's more to him than meets the eye. He is a tortured soul, cursed not to find love in his lifetime. He is therefore wary when he starts having feelings for Annalia. Again, one of those male machismo books....McCarrick is not too different from other heroes in romance novels.

Kudos to Kresley for this rather entertaining book. She managed to do the unthinkable: make scottish brogue sexy!

Annalia didn't need Courtland MacCarrick, but she wanted him! The man was stubborn, aggressive, and deadly - and she wanted him! Forever, Annalia hated her mother's adulterous ways, she hated her mother's uncontrolled passion - but now she understood! Inside her heart, she understood! For now, shamefully Annalia Llorente "lusted" for a man - the ruthless Court MacCarrick. Quietly she wondered, why him? Why this fierce Highlander who sold his soul for money? Why this man who killed and maimed for gold? Why this man?

Courtland MacCarrick admitted she had him tied in knots. He couldn't think straight when she was near. Yet, they could never be lovers! Unfairly, Courtland MacCarrick carried a family curse! He would never be free to love a woman. He, the hardcore mercenary, could never give Lady Annalia Llorente a life!

Kresley Cole's IF YOU DARE is reminiscent of Johanna Lindsey in her heyday. This is the stuff of romance fun - a tough, sexy hero and the little lady who brings him to his knees. Kresley Cole's hero sprouted enough "ayes, doonas, and dinnas" to tantalize her reader forcefully. My, my, my . . . this hero and his husky brogue created enough desirable magic to pull the reader straight into IF YOU DARE. Moreover, Cole's heroine, Lady Annalia Elisabet Catherina Tristan Llorente, is simply wonderful. She is loveable, sympathetic, and exquisite - the stuff of romance fantasy! More important, as a heroine, she has that irresistible quality that makes the reader cheer for her eventual happiness. Nicely done Kresley Cole and yes, this reader will be checking out your next entry in this robust series - IF YOU DESIRE.
Grade A

MaryGrace Meloche.