If You Deceive by Kresley Cole

Book Description:
Ethan MacCarrick was a heartbreakingly handsome rake until a powerful nobleman ordered him brutally beaten and his face scarred for a crime he didn't commit. Ethan's reprisal - bankrupting the nobleman and forcing his exile - does little to appease his wrath. Ten years later, a haughty, mysterious beauty enchants Ethan - the daughter of his enemy. At last, Ethan will have the revenge he's craved; he'll promise her marriage, seduce her, then cast her aside.

Bitter hardships...
When Madeleine van Rowen's family was suddenly plunged into destitution and dishonor, she steeled herself against further heartache. She never weakened, never trusted, until a towering, scarred Highlander relentlessly pursues her, breaking down her defenses.

At what price forgiveness?
The passion between them burns hotter than Ethan's fury, and soon he finds he can't let her go. But when Madeleine uncovers the truth about him, can Ethan convince her to accept all he now offers -- when he once destroyed everything she had?

A great finale to the MacCarrick trilogy!  I loved this book, which was the most compelling - and sexiest.  Ethan's story is right up my alley since I have a thing for scarred heroes.  Brutally tortured ten years earlier, Ethan bears a horribly scarred face forever.  He finds his mate, Maddie, only to realize she's the daughter of the two people responsible for his mutilation.  The vengeance he enacted upon her parents greatly affected her life as well.  She had to fight and fend for herself in a cruel world - but she did it!  How can he live with the knowledge of what he did to her and not tell her the truth?  Trust me, this was a great story!

To be honest, the first two books in the MacCarrick Brothers series didn't wow me.  But all along while reading them, I was very curious about Ethan.  The references to their eldest brother with his scarred face and bad boy persona made me want to read his story!  I'm so glad I didn't give up on the series (I admit I was thinking of it.) 

The old Ethan MacCarrick had once been tall, dark and handsome.  Rich and known as a ladies' man he could have any woman he wanted - and did!  But one night he wound up in the wrong place at the wrong time and he paid for cuckolding a husband one too many.  The irony is, he didn't even sleep with the wife, he almost did but changed his mind for he instinctively felt like it would mean trouble - and Ethan's instincts were right on target.  He was found with the wife and taken away and tortured, his face horrible carved with a knife, never to be handsome again.  He's lucky that's all that was cut.   He took his vengeance on the man who was responsible, bankrupting him which led to his suicide.  The faithless wife remarried in Paris and their sole daughter, Maddie wound up suffering the most.  Her mother barely gave her a care and Maddie grew up in the Paris slums, fending for herself, doing what she could to earn money without selling her body. 

Ten years later Ethan meets Maddie having no idea who she really is at first.  He is bowled over by her beauty and the way she makes him feel.  Ever since his mutilation he's never been able to recapture the thrill of a conquest with a woman nor has he ever felt so attracted to a woman - until Maddie.  Throwing cares to the wind, they have a sensual moment at a masquerade (convenient for him with a mask on).  Even though he is on a mission (he works as an assassin for the Crown) he can't get Maddie out of his head.   She has bewitched him. 

If You Deceive overlaps with the other two previous books in the series, and it helps to have read them first, but it's not absolutely necessary, this can be a standalone.  Ethan and his brothers all work for the Crown as undercover spies.  Ethan is the fiercest and most ruthless of the three.  After meeting Maddie he completes his mission for the Crown yet he cannot stop thinking about her.  He discovers all he can about her and learns who she is, the daughter of his old nemesis.  He is determined to find her in Paris (where she has returned after their meeting in London) and trick her into thinking he'll marry her, even though he has no intention of doing so (all the MacCarrick brothers think they're cursed and cannot marry or fall in love for fear their brides will die.)  It's complicated.  He thinks her mother is still alive (whom he loathes) and feels that by hurting Maddie, he'll be getting back at the mother.  Yes, I know, this is a despicable way of thinking, but as we see, Ethan cannot go through with his plan.  Once he gets to know Maddie and realizes all the hardships she's gone through and how strong and fearless she is, he wants to help her instead of hurting her - but... there's that sticky family curse hanging over his head. 

The sexual dynamics between Maddie and Ethan is what makes this book so good.  Their lovemaking is hot, although Maddie refuses to let him make love to her until they are married.  It creates a great sexual tension between the two.   Their relationship is complex but they're so right for one another.  Maddie has seen so much in her lifetime, his scarred visage means nothing to her.  It doesn't frighten her when she sees him.  That alone makes her unique to him.  I loved Maddie.  She is strong and resourceful and she doesn't take sh*t from anyone.  She's ready to move on and leave Ethan (when he's being a complete prick to her) if need be.  She loves him and cares for him but she is a realist.  When it looks like he's leading her on and is not going to marry her, she knows when it's time to leave.  I like that.  Of course, he's only being that way because he's warring with the guilt going on in his head.  He loves her and he's afraid if she finds out that he was the one that ruined her father she'll hate him for keeping the secret from her for so long.  Again, it's complicated.  Ethan is a big, brawny Scot.  He's proud, arrogant and larger than life.  He's a tortured hero (literally) and cannot deal with the fact that he's madly in love with Maddie, whom he wronged unknowingly.  It's killing him.  Miscommunication and big misunderstandings! What would a romance be without them - right?

Without going further into the plot and giving too much away, I highly recommend this book.  Great relationship between the strong hero and heroine.  The emotions are high with plenty of passion and angst that sizzle off the pages.  I simply loved it!  A great wrap up to the whole series! 

4.5/5

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If You Desire by Kresley Cole

Book Description:
How much temptation can a Highlander resist? He tried to run... In his youth, Hugh MacCarrick foolishly fell in love with a beautiful English lass who delighted in teasing him with her flirtatious ways. Yet he knew he could never marry her because he was a second son with no prospects, shadowed by an accursed family legacy. To avoid temptation, Hugh left home and trained as an assassin. She tried to forget him... Jane Weyland was devastated when the Highlander she believed would marry her abandoned her instead. Years later, when Hugh MacCarrick is summoned to protect her from her father's enemies, her heartache has turned to fury - but her desire for him has not waned. Will passion overwhelm them? In hiding, Jane torments Hugh with seductive play. He struggles to resist her because of deadly secrets that could endanger her further. But Hugh is no longer a gentle young man - and toying with the fever-pitched desires of a hardened warrior will either get Jane burned... or inflame a love that never died.

Second in the "If You" trilogy of three Scottish Highlander brothers who think their family is cursed.  They believe that a prophecy found in a book about their family legacy will prevent them from ever finding the love of a woman.  If they marry and consummate the marriage, that woman will die. Due to the death of their father and an accident that befell the fiance of the eldest brother, they truly believe this ridiculous prophecy.

This is Hugh's story, and he is just as gullible as his brothers regarding this curse.  The middle brother, Hugh is a trained assassin.  He is trying to prevent another dope addicted assassin, bent on revenge, from killing Jane, the love of Hugh's life. Yet, Hugh cannot admit she's the love of his life for fear he'll inadvertently cause her death.  But it seems like everyone (except Jane) is aware that Hugh has loved her forever! *rolls eyes*

Jane's father is basically Hugh's boss.  He trains, hires and oversees assassins who work for the Crown.  One of the best of the best assassins has turned rogue and wants to get back at Jane's father - and Hugh.  He also happens to be a psycho killer hooked on drugs.  He knows how important Jane is to both of them, so that's why he's out to kill her.  As part of the plan, Jane's father orders Hugh to marry his daughter in order to keep her safe and remove her from London, out of danger.  Jane has secretly loved Hugh all her life though Hugh has had no idea.  As much as there is a strong attraction between the two, the curse stands in their way of consummating the marriage.  Jane has been angry with Hugh for the past ten years because he disappeared without ever saying good bye to her.  She thought she'd marry him back then, so she's been carrying a grudge ever since.  That's why she's getting back at him now, by being a brat and a tease most of the time while they're on the road fleeing London to go into hiding.  I didn't exactly like Jane, but I could relate to her feelings for Hugh.  She'd grown up with him and had always loved him.  She had expected that he'd wait for her to grow up and marry her.  Instead he disappeared (working for her father) and had to leave the country with no explanations.  He was afraid for her life due to the curse.  Now, she's a grown up modern woman with vengeance on her mind.  She's going to get him back for what he did to her, even if it kills him! She wants to entice him and make him pay for her broken heart.  Of course, she still loves him too, even more reason to hate him!

At first they are at odds with one another and she's a royal pain in the neck after their quickie marriage.  But, they have to go on this long journey to the Scottish Highlands from London and he saves her life a few times.   He finally clues her in to the whole hunted by the assassin reason for marrying her, and he keeps making it clear to her that their marriage is one in name only.  As soon as the assassin is killed, he will leave her.  Well, this really pisses her off.  Frankly, I don't blame her, but she doesn't know about the dumb curse yet.  They become closer, but it was just so damn annoying with this curse and their lust for one another that they can't act upon.  They wind up at his brother's house that is nearly falling down.  They get to know one another and play house while fixing it up.  She's hoping she can change his mind about leaving her eventually.  Meanwhile this menacing psycho assassin is getting closer.  The worry about him was always hanging over their heads and ruining any fun they might have.  Finally, they give in to their passions and Hugh tosses the curse out the window.

For an eighteenth century aristocratic young lady, I thought Jane was much too modern and independent for me in her thinking. I didn't like her at first, but she grew on me eventually. Hugh, who was supposed to be this ferocious highlander seemed to always be at Jane's beck and call, writhing from un-quenched desire. She knew just how to press his buttons and lead him on to the brink of no return, although often it backfired on her, since she'd be so overcome herself from their kisses and what have you. I found the whole predicament unworthy of him, although it was fun to read! ;) Sometimes I felt like slapping Jane at the way she led him around by his nose. I softened towards her finally when she admitted her love to him and explained how hurt she'd been when he left her and why she was so angry these many years later. He was clueless and had no idea. He marveled at the thought she had always loved him.  Once the assassin is taken care of eventually Hugh learns the curse is not what he thinks it is.  I sympathized with Jane's reaction when Hugh finally tells her about the curse.  She was like "What? You've got to be kidding!"  It's how I would have reacted too!  She didn't believe it, and found it hard to understand that her beloved Hugh did!

I love Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark Series, but this one is just plain annoying.  It's not nearly as good, the chemistry was off, and it didn't help that Jane was so bratty most of the time, although she had her reasons.  As a whole, the book wasn't bad, there were some sexy love scenes and tense moments with the assassin, but it just didn't grab me.  I do kind of wonder what has happened to the third brother who is presumed dead or missing by the drug crazed assassin.  Of course, he isn't.  The third and last book is his story, so I'll probably read it for closure.

Not a bad nineteenth century historical, though I prefer Cole's modern paranormals better.  I think she has a better handle on them.

3.5/5

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If You Dare by Kresley Cole

Book Description:
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 fiancee.

Noble heiress Annalìa Tristan 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 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 has 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. If they survive, can this hardened soldier of fortune convince the only woman he's ever loved that she's meant to be.

If You Dare is a delightful, on the run, historical romance that involves a stubborn Scottish Highlander, Courtland MacCarrick, who has a family curse hanging over his head and proud noblewoman, Annalìa Tristan Llorente, who is descended from Castilian royalty and has a distinct dislike for plaid wearing, arrogant - and hairy - Scotsmen. In somewhat of a convoluted plotline, Annalìa and Courtland are thrown together unwillingly. Annalìa detests the brawny and uncouth Scot, but she is forced to help him when she finds him near dead on her property. She recognizes he is one of the notorious mercenaries that are terrorizing the Andorran countryside, but her good conscience cannot leave him to die. Soon enough, he gets better and takes over her household while her brother, Aleix is held captive by the evil Pascal, a man determined to become the next ruler of Andorra.

There's no love lost between Courtland and his former employer - Pascal. Having someone try to murder you will do that to do. Since Pascal tried to have Courtland murdered, Annalìa assumes he'll come to her aid to help rescue her brother from Pascal's clutches. Courtland by this point has had enough of Annalìa's insults and haughty attitude in regard to his Scottish background. Her proud disdain is neverending, and it doesn't help that he's fighting the strong attraction he has towards her. To teach her a lesson, he acts the brute towards her and teases her, pretending he will not help her unless she sleeps with him. She finds him unbearable (although, he's starting to grown on her as well) and takes matters in to her own hands and goes to Pascal herself. Pascal has stated he will only release her brother if Annalìa will marry him - a fate worse than death. Annalìa walks right into Pascal's trap and basically hands herself over to him. Tsk tsk, silly girl.

Ultimately, but too late, Courtland rues his unecessary teasing, and he and his crew must dash off to rescue Annalìa and her brother. Meanwhile, Aleix has already escaped with Pascal's alleged daughter, Olivia, who has been waiting for a chance to escape from the clutches of her would-be father. By the time Courtland and his crew get to Pascal's retreat, they only find Annalìa, but no brother. They escape but not from Pascal's Rechazados - legendary and deadly assassins who have Annalìa in their sights. Now on the run to evade the ruthless assassins who are bent on murdering Annalìa, Annalìa and Courtland must make their way through the French countryside en route to the safety of London together where Annalìa hopes to be reunited with her brother, Aleix.

I told you it was convoluted!

En route to England all sorts of things happen to Annalìa and Courtland, but most importantly, they fall in love with one another, though both must overcome their own strong barriers to accept it. Annalìa has no idea what this curse is all about, and Courtland cannot ask her to marry him, for he fears if he will, Annalìa will be struck down dead because of the curse. It's a long, bouncy roller coaster ride of a journey together, but sexy and amusing. I loved the interplay between them, much of it sassy and fun. Annalìa is no shrinking violet, she does what she wants and eventually learns how to "play" Courtland like a violin - I really liked her! She's strong and brave, a gunshot wound doesn't even stop her! He, of course, finds himself helpless to her charms. This strong and brawny Scottish warrior is brought to his knees by this tiny, yet fearless Castilian.

Once in London, Courtland's two older brothers come to his aid and certain revelations take place regarding the curse. Courtland will not ask Annalìa to marry him, he loves her too much to risk her life. By this point, madly in love with him, she is bewildered, sad and irate as hell that he won't marry her! An unlikely alliance develops between Aleix and Courtland and the men return to Andorra to get Pascal out of the picture once and for all. Once Pascal is out of the way, Annalìa will be able to return to Andorra and her brother - albeit, she is not the same woman she had been before Courtland MacCarrick came into her life. Will she and Courtland ever be together again? Will Courtland overcome his family's curse and marry Annalìa in the end? If not, will her brother accept their love - even if Courtland cannot marry her? How will Annalìa and Courtland overcome this obstacle? Fortunately, fate steps in, as well as Courtland's mother - and some common sense.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy about Courtland's brothers and how they each deal with the curse in their own way. This really was a fun book, and as confusing as the plot may seem, it makes sense while reading it. I was rooting for these two lovers and was completely satisfied with the happily ever after ending that had both humor and tenderness. I highly recommend this series, it assuaged my Scottish Highlander craving 100% and gave me a chuckle throughout as well!

4/5

P.S. I've had this on my TBR list forever, I'm sorry I waited so long to read it, chalk up another book finished for my TBR Challenge!

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