Helpful Score: 5
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.
*** 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
*** 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
Great trilogy about the MacCarrick Brothers, but this was the least favorite of the three for me. At least the first 120 pages or so. I won't say why to avoid spoilers, but then the remainder of the book picked up, became a little more humane and normal and was just as good as the other 2 books. =) Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 3
~ Reminded me why I love romance - and romance heroes especially - oh so very much! (4.5 stars) ~
Wow. This book was an amazing read and came at just the time when I really needed an HR winner. I bought this book awhile ago, but just couldn't commit to reading it. I was convinced from some of the summaries that the heroine was a TSTL spoiled brat who would annoy me to no end and having never read Kresley Cole but knowing that she writes pretty sizzling stories, I was afraid it would be choc a bloc full of excessive lust and gratuitous sex (pardon my blunt-writing ;-).
It turns out that it was very good that I waited and I am SO unbelievably glad I decided to pick it up today of all days. I have been down about the recent romance duds that I've read and was really starting to despair, thinking I was going to be stuck from now on with having to reread my favorites, because nothing was left undiscovered and the new ones coming out had all been mostly horrible. After reading If You Dare though, I was reminded of why I became a romance book devotee ten years ago and why I love - no, adore! - the genre; nothing beats a good romance read. (Except probably having your own personal hero, which I don't currently, so book heroes have to do for now!)
MAIN CHARACTERS, COURTLAND (Court) AND ANNALIA (Anna):
This particular hero is to die for, *especially* in the second half: somebody please tell me where I can find my own Courtland MacCarrick and I will give you everything I own! At first I was a little wary because he came off a little dictatorial, stubborn, and rough, but I quickly fell in love with him and in the second half of the book ::sigh:: ... well, just thinking about it makes me want to reread it. He becomes so romantic and possessive and sweet, though still retaining enough of his difficult, rough-around-the-edges, serious qualities - it's just delicious. Gotta love those tortured bad boys. He definitely made it on to my list of all-time favorite heroes, and I'm pretty picky about those - just because I give a book 4 or 5 stars does not mean the hero is necessarily going in that category.
My two biggest reservations were not for nothing, and though they obviously didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book, they do have to be mentioned. Court does almost immediately feel lust for Annalia - and it is lust, not just 'oh, wow, she's attractive. moving on.' However, because of his character and just how he is, it is almost expected and was not really off-putting. Most importantly, I felt that his attachment to Annalia quickly developed into something more. It's odd because this was not really a meeting of the minds - they don't have very many (if any) intellectual discussions, are completely different and come for vastly different experiences/histories, and are in many ways polar opposites, however here, for me, it just worked! Actually a little puzzling to me why I did feel it worked, but what can I say?
The second and main problem, which ended up knocking half a star off, was the part of the book where my fear about the heroine did come true: for about the second quarter of the book, she completely becomes the spoiled, annoying, bratty TSTL heroine that I thought she was going to be. Honestly, I wanted to slap her upside the head several, several times. Anna does redeem herself - though the turnaround is very abrupt - and come around for the second half, but I do wish that transformation period of hers could have been left out altogether. Honestly, had I not loved the rest of the book so much, it would have brought the rating down far more than half a star.
EVERYTHING ELSE
I loved Court's crew and brothers - am interested to see how their stories turn out - and thought the side romance for Anna's brother was a nice addition, and I'm normally not one for secondary romances. I actually feel that that could have been its own interesting book, because their pairing is pretty rare in romances in that the hero had a lot of the qualities heroines often do and vice versa. Here, the man is the one who is trusting and nice/sweet and loyal and all that good stuff and the woman is the one who has had the difficult upbringing and the betrayal and has had to be tough and rough and duplicitous to protect herself.
It is an action-type romance, more because of battles and fighting than any mystery subplot. It set the story, so I thought was done well, didn't take away at all from the romance, and added just what it had to to give the plot shape.
And last, but by no means least ;-), the chemistry is sizzling off the charts and has some romance scenes where you will definitely be fanning yourself.
THE MACCARRICK BROTHERS TRILOGY
Book 1 - If You Dare, Courtland's story
Book 2 - If You Desire, Hugh's story
Book 3 - If You Deceive, Ethan's Story
BOTTOM LINE
I'm glad I waited until now to read it. Really needed one of those amazing romance reads right now and it absolutely 100% delivered. Despite the seriousness of its backdrop and of some of the underlying themes, for me it did not read like a very heavy or serious romance. But I guess sometimes I don't need that - I just need enjoyment.
Wow. This book was an amazing read and came at just the time when I really needed an HR winner. I bought this book awhile ago, but just couldn't commit to reading it. I was convinced from some of the summaries that the heroine was a TSTL spoiled brat who would annoy me to no end and having never read Kresley Cole but knowing that she writes pretty sizzling stories, I was afraid it would be choc a bloc full of excessive lust and gratuitous sex (pardon my blunt-writing ;-).
It turns out that it was very good that I waited and I am SO unbelievably glad I decided to pick it up today of all days. I have been down about the recent romance duds that I've read and was really starting to despair, thinking I was going to be stuck from now on with having to reread my favorites, because nothing was left undiscovered and the new ones coming out had all been mostly horrible. After reading If You Dare though, I was reminded of why I became a romance book devotee ten years ago and why I love - no, adore! - the genre; nothing beats a good romance read. (Except probably having your own personal hero, which I don't currently, so book heroes have to do for now!)
MAIN CHARACTERS, COURTLAND (Court) AND ANNALIA (Anna):
This particular hero is to die for, *especially* in the second half: somebody please tell me where I can find my own Courtland MacCarrick and I will give you everything I own! At first I was a little wary because he came off a little dictatorial, stubborn, and rough, but I quickly fell in love with him and in the second half of the book ::sigh:: ... well, just thinking about it makes me want to reread it. He becomes so romantic and possessive and sweet, though still retaining enough of his difficult, rough-around-the-edges, serious qualities - it's just delicious. Gotta love those tortured bad boys. He definitely made it on to my list of all-time favorite heroes, and I'm pretty picky about those - just because I give a book 4 or 5 stars does not mean the hero is necessarily going in that category.
My two biggest reservations were not for nothing, and though they obviously didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book, they do have to be mentioned. Court does almost immediately feel lust for Annalia - and it is lust, not just 'oh, wow, she's attractive. moving on.' However, because of his character and just how he is, it is almost expected and was not really off-putting. Most importantly, I felt that his attachment to Annalia quickly developed into something more. It's odd because this was not really a meeting of the minds - they don't have very many (if any) intellectual discussions, are completely different and come for vastly different experiences/histories, and are in many ways polar opposites, however here, for me, it just worked! Actually a little puzzling to me why I did feel it worked, but what can I say?
The second and main problem, which ended up knocking half a star off, was the part of the book where my fear about the heroine did come true: for about the second quarter of the book, she completely becomes the spoiled, annoying, bratty TSTL heroine that I thought she was going to be. Honestly, I wanted to slap her upside the head several, several times. Anna does redeem herself - though the turnaround is very abrupt - and come around for the second half, but I do wish that transformation period of hers could have been left out altogether. Honestly, had I not loved the rest of the book so much, it would have brought the rating down far more than half a star.
EVERYTHING ELSE
I loved Court's crew and brothers - am interested to see how their stories turn out - and thought the side romance for Anna's brother was a nice addition, and I'm normally not one for secondary romances. I actually feel that that could have been its own interesting book, because their pairing is pretty rare in romances in that the hero had a lot of the qualities heroines often do and vice versa. Here, the man is the one who is trusting and nice/sweet and loyal and all that good stuff and the woman is the one who has had the difficult upbringing and the betrayal and has had to be tough and rough and duplicitous to protect herself.
It is an action-type romance, more because of battles and fighting than any mystery subplot. It set the story, so I thought was done well, didn't take away at all from the romance, and added just what it had to to give the plot shape.
And last, but by no means least ;-), the chemistry is sizzling off the charts and has some romance scenes where you will definitely be fanning yourself.
THE MACCARRICK BROTHERS TRILOGY
Book 1 - If You Dare, Courtland's story
Book 2 - If You Desire, Hugh's story
Book 3 - If You Deceive, Ethan's Story
BOTTOM LINE
I'm glad I waited until now to read it. Really needed one of those amazing romance reads right now and it absolutely 100% delivered. Despite the seriousness of its backdrop and of some of the underlying themes, for me it did not read like a very heavy or serious romance. But I guess sometimes I don't need that - I just need enjoyment.
Helpful Score: 3
at first it starts out like a nice little country novels and then it gets in to the action and romance i really enjoyed it i am reading book 2 now and i am waitin on someone to post three you should read very good series
Helpful Score: 2
Summary: High in the Pyrenees, a band of mercenaries led by Courtland MacCarrick wages war for General Reynaldo Pascal. When Court turns on the evil general, Pascal orders him killed but Court narrowly escapes and exacts revenge by kidnapping Pascal's exquisite Castilian fiancee. Lady Annlia Tristan Llorente despises her towering, barbaric captor almost as much as she does Pascal. Her inexplicable attraction to the Highlander only fuels her fury. But nothing will stop her from returning to Pascal-for if she doesn't wed him, she signs her brother's death warrant, as well as her own. From the moment Court discovers that Anna's prim facade masks a fiery, brave lass, his heart's ensnared, and he dares to defy the curse that had shadowed his life-to walk with death or walk alone. But Pascal vows that he'll hunt the two, never stopping until he's destroyed them both.
I am so utterly disappointed by this book I LOVE Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series, but this series, OMG, I can't even keep reading the first book, and I have read some bad books. The plot line seems forced, not only is an evil general after the two lead character but the lead male is cursed and the lead female doesn't like him. Oh wait, after about half way through the book, she immediately and very oddly changes her mind after staying with him in the same bed overnight, drunk, at that. I haven't even begun on the other plot lines, it completely ridiculous. I like a good highlander romance story as well as the next girl but I am sorry to say, with this book, I have lost like 4 hours of my life that will never return, and I was only half way through the book when I stopped.
For more information or for purchasing visit Kresley Cole's webpage.
Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/10/book-review-if-you-dare-by-kresley-cole.html
I am so utterly disappointed by this book I LOVE Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series, but this series, OMG, I can't even keep reading the first book, and I have read some bad books. The plot line seems forced, not only is an evil general after the two lead character but the lead male is cursed and the lead female doesn't like him. Oh wait, after about half way through the book, she immediately and very oddly changes her mind after staying with him in the same bed overnight, drunk, at that. I haven't even begun on the other plot lines, it completely ridiculous. I like a good highlander romance story as well as the next girl but I am sorry to say, with this book, I have lost like 4 hours of my life that will never return, and I was only half way through the book when I stopped.
For more information or for purchasing visit Kresley Cole's webpage.
Also posted: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/10/book-review-if-you-dare-by-kresley-cole.html
Helpful Score: 2
Can a highlander steal his enemy's bride and make her love him?
Barbara F. (daylilylover) reviewed If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers, Bk 1) on + 768 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent book, can't wait for the next one!
Helpful Score: 2
I found out about the MacCarrick brothers from reading Ms. Coles new series, The Immortals After Dark. I liked the book, but think that she does a much better job at her new series. It took me a while to get into it, but was overall a good read. Looking forward to reading the other two in this series to see if they are better.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this book was ok. It has the typical romance plot, but I like how clever and feisty Annalia turns out. The author reminds the reader again and again being small does not mean being weak. You go Annalia!!
Helpful Score: 1
I started out having a little trouble getting into this book - it was not what I was expecting. It wasn't long until I was hooked, and could not put it down. I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy.
Helpful Score: 1
Courtland MacCarrick is rescued from death by an Andoran beauty Annalia Llorente, who is betrothed to his enemy. He rescues her & her brother, goes back to England, then back to the Pyrennes with his brothers to battle the bad guys.
Helpful Score: 1
I thought the book was good enough that I collected all 3 in the MacCarrick Brothers series. "If You Dare (Bk 1), "If You Desire" (Bk 2), and "If You Deceive" (Bk 3). Enjoyed them and have decided to keep them in my collection.
Helpful Score: 1
Great Read! Twists and turns to the plot with strong characters. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Mercedes (mercedesveronica) -
Helpful Score: 1
Loved it! Definitely different and not what I expected! Cole can really write and I love it!! Can't wait to finish the trilogy!
You felt as though it was love, the love scenes were great, and you couldn't really guess the plot! After reading the back, I thought I had the story all figured out and I would just see how well she wrote...nope, it was more than that! Good read, good use of your credits!
You felt as though it was love, the love scenes were great, and you couldn't really guess the plot! After reading the back, I thought I had the story all figured out and I would just see how well she wrote...nope, it was more than that! Good read, good use of your credits!
Courtney C. (AcidBlackCat) - reviewed If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
So far my favorite in the series! The banter between the characters, and the tension is delightful. Miss Cole is a fantastic author. This is definately a great read, and not a raunchy as her demon series. This is definately one i will read again and again!
Iloved reading this book. Both the mains characters were strong willed. The heroine was not presented as this meek weakling. I loved her personality and how she challenged the hero often.
This is the first of three books about the MacCarrick brothers. Cursed to never know love have children etc... I believe it is a re-release if that's the right phrase. I haven't read the other two, but I plan to. Not a terribly intricate plot, but fun.
This book was very good. I enjoyed it.
Really enjoyed this book from beginning to end!
Andrea J. (PaperbackDiva) reviewed If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers, Bk 1) on + 44 more book reviews
This another of Kresley Cole's sizzling stories with a heroine who's bright and personable and a hero who'll die for you. I loved this book. Breath-taking adventure, sensual loving, and fun characters.
Cover Blurb:
High in the Pyrenees, a band of mercenaries led by Courtland MacCarrick wages war for General Reynaldo Pascal. When Court turns on the brutal general, Pascal orders him killed. Court narrowly escapes and exacts revenge by kidnapping Pascal's exquisite Castilian fiancée.
Noble heiress AnnalÃa Tristán Llorente despises her towering, barbaric captor almost as much as she does Pascal. Her inexplicable attraction to the Highlander only fuels her fury. Yet nothing will stop her from returning to Pascalâfor if she doesn't wed him, she signs her brother's death warrant, as well as her own.
From the moment Court discovers that Anna's prim façade masks a fiery, brave lass, his heart's ensnared and he dares to defy the curse that has shadowed his lifeâto walk with death or walk alone. But Pascal vows that he'll hunt the two, never stopping until he's destroyed them both. If they survive, can this hardened soldier of fortune convince the only woman he's ever loved that she's meant to be his?
Cover Blurb:
High in the Pyrenees, a band of mercenaries led by Courtland MacCarrick wages war for General Reynaldo Pascal. When Court turns on the brutal general, Pascal orders him killed. Court narrowly escapes and exacts revenge by kidnapping Pascal's exquisite Castilian fiancée.
Noble heiress AnnalÃa Tristán Llorente despises her towering, barbaric captor almost as much as she does Pascal. Her inexplicable attraction to the Highlander only fuels her fury. Yet nothing will stop her from returning to Pascalâfor if she doesn't wed him, she signs her brother's death warrant, as well as her own.
From the moment Court discovers that Anna's prim façade masks a fiery, brave lass, his heart's ensnared and he dares to defy the curse that has shadowed his lifeâto walk with death or walk alone. But Pascal vows that he'll hunt the two, never stopping until he's destroyed them both. If they survive, can this hardened soldier of fortune convince the only woman he's ever loved that she's meant to be his?
a different storyline from cole's usual with a alikable hero
Mercedes (mercedesveronica) -
I love me some Kresley Cole. This chick can write! Loved the whole series! She has yet to disappoint me!
I really enjoyed this book. Although I think that a lot of the dialogue was not particularly period-appropriate, I liked the characters and their romantic dynamic and the build up to their relationship. I thought the story was engaging and the side characters interesting. I did think the book was rather longer than it needed to be, perhaps the pacing in the beginning was rather slow, but glad I stuck it out and read the whole book. There are some steamy love scenes but not until late in the book. If you've read any of Cole's paranormal romances, you are probably accustomed to her introducing a lot of heat fairly early in the story, this books doesn't "put out" until near the end. I will certainly be reading the other two books in this series.
I was a tad disappointed with this book, the storyline was a little bland and predictable. However that didn't keep me from reading it cover to cover in a little over a day! This is my first book by Kresley Cole and I am looking forward to trying out her other series.
This book started out REALLY slow . . .I didn't like any of the characters. I was disappointed as I really love the Immortals After Dark Series. It got better as the book went on . . . but had I read this first and not had a positive opinion of the author, I'd have quit reading mid-book.
Sandra M. (Lighthouses4Sandy) reviewed If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers, Bk 1) on + 145 more book reviews
A good book. Her paranormals as much better, however. But if you like Scottish historicals, this one and books 2 and 3 will do it for you.
good historical romance involving a family curse
Stephanie C W. (stephanie13w) reviewed If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers, Bk 1) on + 300 more book reviews
Good story & I look forward to reading the next in the series.
A Scottish mercenary, a spanish general and a beautiful Castilian princess wanted by two men.
Wonderful historical romance novel. Well worth the read.
Diana C. (princessdiana34691) reviewed If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers, Bk 1) on + 361 more book reviews
very enjoyable. sweet characters.
A favorite!
As always, Kresley Cole does not disappoint!
The heroine was so likeable and had so much fiesty-ness that she just came off as incredibly bad-ass. Well, as bad-ass as a young lady in the early 17th-19th century can be.
The male lead in this book was so hot, you almost wanted to smack the heroine in the head just so she could wake up and smell the Scottish sexiness that was within her grasp. God.
I did feel like a good portion of the novel was spent on them fighting each other and that there wasn't so much developing romance. I didn't really feel like the novel was progressing at the pace it needed to be until the second half of the novel and then it just got sooooo deliciously good.
The ending was perfect along with the twists. The characters were definitely likeable. For those who have read this novel, I gotta say I like Olivia more this time around. She's a spunky one. :-) I also liked how the novel didn't revolve around the MacCarrick's curse. It was just kind of there, in the back of everyone's mind and only became relevant when it needed to be. Love that! So very often, there are stories where a curse or tragedy takes over the entire story and it hinders everything about it. But not this one, thank you!
I can't wait to continue on with this series. Overall, such a great story!
The heroine was so likeable and had so much fiesty-ness that she just came off as incredibly bad-ass. Well, as bad-ass as a young lady in the early 17th-19th century can be.
The male lead in this book was so hot, you almost wanted to smack the heroine in the head just so she could wake up and smell the Scottish sexiness that was within her grasp. God.
I did feel like a good portion of the novel was spent on them fighting each other and that there wasn't so much developing romance. I didn't really feel like the novel was progressing at the pace it needed to be until the second half of the novel and then it just got sooooo deliciously good.
The ending was perfect along with the twists. The characters were definitely likeable. For those who have read this novel, I gotta say I like Olivia more this time around. She's a spunky one. :-) I also liked how the novel didn't revolve around the MacCarrick's curse. It was just kind of there, in the back of everyone's mind and only became relevant when it needed to be. Love that! So very often, there are stories where a curse or tragedy takes over the entire story and it hinders everything about it. But not this one, thank you!
I can't wait to continue on with this series. Overall, such a great story!
