Product Description

In 1854, high in the Pyrenees in the tiny country of Andorra, a band of mercenaries lead by highlander Courtland McCarrick wages war under ruthless general Reynaldo Pascal. Though Court is a cold-hearted merc, who was cursed years ago to "walk with death or walk alone," even he balks when he learns how vicious Pascal's campaign against the people of this region really is. He removes his men from the fray, demanding only to be compensated for the time they'd spent under the General's leadership, but the man refuses. This Scottish leader will exact his revenge-by kidnapping the general's exquisite Castilian fiance and forcing her back to his highland home. Annalia Tristan Llorente, staid, beautiful, a noblewoman to her toes, despises the fierce, barbaric highlander. Because of his cadre's skills, her own brother's resistance was crushed and he was imprisoned-only to be freed once Annalia weds the general. Distrusting Court's seemingly mercurial loyalties, she tells him nothing of her brother's imprisonment, allowing Court to think Anna is more mercenary than he, since she longs to return to the rich general to wed.With every mile further from her home, she plots to escape, hating the highlander more with each thwarted attempt, outrage bubbling in her every time he captures her in his powerful arms. Annalia's fury only increases when she finds herself attracted to the dark, commanding warrior. But if she succumbs and loses her innocence, she signs her brother's death warrant, as well as her own. From the moment Court sees that Anna's prim facade masks fiery, passionate lass beneath, his heart's ensnared. He realizes he will never let her go, and for the first time he dares to defy the curse that has shadowed his life. Until it comes true when the general vows he'll hunt the two, never stopping until he's destroyed them both.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21858 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 384 pages

About the Author
Kresley Cole has a Master's degree in English from the University of Florida and a lifelong interest in nautical literature and sailing. You can visit her website at www.kresleycole.com.

Customer Reviews

Remember when Romance Books were Oh So Sexy & Fun?
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.

a pure romance tale
I love all Cole's work but when i picked up "If you dare" the first book of the MacCarrick Bothers series, i was hooked from cover to cover.
Cole took us through Anna's battle with head and heart with the right amount of sensitivty and humour. i loved how at the beginning Anna didn't want Court and tried every trick she had to get away from him, and how he always brought her back, over his shoulder, with her pawing at him.

I also loved Courts "payment" idea. his help and protection for the freedom to kiss Anna whenever he likes. That idea got them into tricky situations!

i could sympathise with Court and how his need for Anna was always bubbling below the surface. Cole created the tension so well, and as a reader, i was almost shouting at Anna to be submissive for once.

The nearer the end of the book, there was a turn of the tables. Court holding back on his need and lust for Anna, and it turned out she took Courts place, begging him "tae touch her".

For those who love romance, but also like the heroine to fight a little, for the relationship to have complications and for the sex scenes and tension to be sky rocket, this book is for you!

A def 5 stars- i would have given more if i was able to!

Captured my interest but did not hold it.
I like reading romance books but I find my attention wandering with this one. Can't seem to hold my interest for very long. In the end I have to force myself to finish it just because I don't like not reading a book through. I keep expecting it to get better, probably towards the end you know... but it was hardgoing instead. The story has all the elements, feisty leading lady, alpha hero, nice setting... but somehow the way the story was told did not keep my interest... Not one of those loose-yourself-in-the-story kind of books.