If You Dare (The MacCarrick Brothers, Book 1) Mass Market Paperback – May 1, 2005

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 TRILOGYBook 1 - IF YOU DARE, Courtland's storyBook 2 -  If You Desire , Hugh's storyBook 3 -  If You Deceive , Ethan's StoryBOTTOM LINEI'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.

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 [...]

I really freaking adore historical romances and this one just ticked every single box for me. It was like the Andre Segovia of historical romances, the Leonardo Da Vinci of enemies to lovers. Honestly one of my favourite historical romances to date.Beaten and left in the river for dead, Courtland MacCarrick finds himself saved by Annalia Tristan, the soon to be fiancé of the very man responsible for his predicament. Ruing the day she ever pulled the drowning Scot out of the river, Annalia finds herself a captive and heading to England. As she fights to return home to ensure her brother’s safety and Court being determined to keep Annalia safe, whether she likes it or not, the two find themselves at the centre of chaos with assassins hot on their heels. When their animosity towards one another disappears and their passion burns brighter, Court has to consider whether he’s really protecting Annalia from danger, or is simply the cause of it.Court was an alpha-hole hero, surly, a little bit tortured, a lot possessive and protective just *chef’skiss*. Annalia was such a spitfire, underneath that prim mask of etiquette and decorum she was such a fiery strong heroine. I just adored everything about these two; the push and pull, the banter, the chemistry, the connection it was just everything. The book had that signature KC wit and humour that never fails to have me genuinely laughing out loud.I found the story to be really well written, not only with the world building, but the progression of their connection from hate to love and their own individual character development. Just all in all a truly great read.If you’re looking for an enemies to lovers historical romance, honestly look no further because this book is definitely a must read.

I don't normally read historical romances but I read the Sutherland Brothers series and MacCarrick Brothers series as I am a massive fan of Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. I believe Captain of All Pleasures and Price of Pleasure were Kresley's first books she wrote which were then closely followed by the MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy. I am glad Kresley found her niche with the Immortals After Dark series (which are amazing) however her historical romances are still brilliant and I really enjoyed reading them. I am glad I took the risk and read the Sutherland Brothers and MacCarrick Brothers books and can honestly say if you haven't read them and are a fan of Kresley's IAD then they are definitely worth the read. The scenes in the books are both steamy and well written and these books have taken pride of place on my bookshelf next to the IAD series.The book If you Dare is the first of the MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy and features Courtland (Court) MacCarrick and Annalia Tristan Llorente. If you Desire is the second in the trilogy and features Hugh MacCarrick and Jane Weyland. If you Deceive is the third in the trilogy and features Ethan MacCarrick and Madeleine Van Rowan. The trilogy is absolutely brilliant, well written and I couldn't put them down. I love the brothers characters featured, all with their own individual bits to love and my favourite out of the three of them has to be Ethan. Despite his scarred face he was definitely the brother for me. If you love the IAD series or historical romances then you will love this trilogy. A fantastic storyline and definitely worth the read. If You Desire (MacCarrick Brothers) If You Deceive (MacCarrick Brothers) Captain of All Pleasures Price of PleasureIf You Desire (MacCarrick Brothers)If You Deceive (MacCarrick Brothers)Captain of All PleasuresPrice of Pleasure

I am a fan of Kersley Cole and have read and liked many of her books and this did not disappoint.The three McCarrick brothers were very close and loyal to each other and they also lived with a curse. This book was very romantic even though there were betrayal and obstacles along the way.In this book Courtland McCarrick met his match, who was not deterred by his stubborn and aggressive personality. This book was very romantic even though there were betrayal and obstacles along the way.I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I am now going straight to the next one in this Trilogy about the brothers.

I've read nearly all of Kresley's books the only downside is once you pick a book of Kresley 's up, you resent putting it down - my kids have to fend for themselves until I've finished ( the 2year old is getting really good at making mac and cheese - joking!)This is boy meets girl and has to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to finally win her, with steamy scenes inbetween, but you won't mind because it is so engaging and well written. Buy this book - but make sure you've hired a baby sitter!

Loved it from start to finish. So glad I bought this book having been given (but not read) the last two in this trilogy.Was looking for a new-to-me author and I’ve found her. Such a pity that she’s not written any more historical lately ...