If You Deceive (The MacCarrick Brothers Book 3)

WOW!!! Kresley Cole is such an incredible talent! I love a book you can't put down. I've read 3 of her books (so far) and though they are a series, each was completely different...ie different plots and characters...even the steamy parts (hot...HOT hot) were so well written and not a bit redundant as are in other novels by other authors.

I also enjoyed how the three stories intertwined and that we discovered how, in the Epilogue, we were left with a happily ever after for the three MacCarrick brothers. So excited to read everything else this author has written.

This is the third installment of a series and I didn't read the other two, so I didn't get the part about the villain who was killed by someone other than the hero. Although it seemed important, I couldn't really figure out what the villain had done that made him so villainous. And then the villain shot the hero, and then the story shot ahead six weeks, so that was not terribly satisfying.

The hero, Ethan, was really an awful person. His redemption was questionable. Besides lusting after and eventually loving Maddy, did he do anything that was not self-centered? He was ugly and scary and in the habit of intimidating people. I didn't see much that was good in him.

But the worst part, for me, was the sexual encounters. Maddy insisted on marriage before further intercourse, so Ethan takes matters into his own hands, so to speak, with many variations on the theme. There is a point where sexual encounters are more icky than romantic. I think an ugly, unpleasant fellow making a young girl do gross things to his private parts crosses the ickiness line.

I loved Ms. Cole's Immortals After Dark series, but this one just left me cold. I couldn't get into the story, couldn't empathize with the characters, couldn't get myself to give a care about any of them. Read IAD, skip this series.

I'm barely into the book, but the constant references to La Marais, where the heroine lives, are annoying me.

Pourquoi?

Because it is LE Marais, not LA Marais. For heaven's sake, it takes a one second Google search to confirm. It's just sloppy and distracting, especially considering that the author went to the trouble to include other French phrases that so far, as far as I can tell, are grammatically correct.

Fifty pages in, my kindle book copy kept jumping ahead. I could not get it to go back. Tried starting from the beginning, no go.
Are they all like this or did I get a bad copy? Doesn't even deserve one star.

This is book three in the series "The MacCarrick Brothers". In book two "If you Desire" it touched on their story a little and also this book brought you up to what is now going on in with our characters in book 1 (If you Dare). But overall this is a stand alone book, so don't worry if you are reading these out of order. I have just started reading some of the books by Kresley Cole but I can tell you that I am hunting more down. I had to read this book and book 2 in one sitting...yes I did have a book hangover going into work the next day...but I just could not put this book down! This book made me cry, made me mad and most of all made me fall in love with their story!
Our heroine is Madeleine van Rowen, who has had a hard life after her parents death. She is having to fight, steal and do whatever she can to survive. She tries to go visit some of her friends to try and find a rich husband to help her and her other friends that live in the slums. She meets our hero, Ethan MacCarrick who is just as hard core at fighting and trying to survive as our heroine. Ethan is not so trusting after being scared by unjustly by our heroine's parents. Which she don't know anything about, nor does she know he is the reason she has loss so much. So, starts our story of love overcoming the hurt and pain of the past. Bewared this is a up and down book that will make you cry and will make you fall in love too. Ethan does have some good and bad points but once in love he is nothing but devoted to her. The love scene are really hot too!! I hope you enjoy this book and the series as much as I did!

I find it difficult to write reviews for books I absolutely loved, I can't ever say quite the right thing or express adequately how much it affected me. How I loved the characters, the heartache, the passion and the drama. It always ends up sounding like a big pile of cheese, and really how many different ways are there to say amazing?

This was fantastic (there's one) placing as one of my top historical reads ever. I only wish now I hadn't waited so long, because Ethan stole my heart. What a great hero. To watch someone as cold, damaged and emotionally shut off as Ethan fall and allow someone into his heart was just... sigh. His confusion, his denial and in the end his willingness to do anything to have her, to keep her, borders on obsession. And then there's this big lie hanging over him and his guilt over how he's inadvertently destroyed her life which he then tries to make up for which only succeeds in pushing her away just when he's realized he can't live without her. Gah, this is how romances are meant to be -not necessarily reviews though.

What a great love story, what a great couple because as much as I fell for Ethan I equally adored Maddie. These two are equals, Their banter, flirtation and verbal sparring is some of the best I've ever read and sexy, jeez that carriage ride after the masquerade ball and oh let's not forget the shopping extravaganza homage to Pretty Woman in Paris. Yeah.

Not many books have the ability to give me actual emotions but Kresley Cole managed it here in spades; smiling, sighing, cheering, crying and at one point yelling at Ethan (you fool) to get away from those two floozies and go the hell home.

I should also mention that I read this as a standalone and other than Cole's odd way of backtracking the story and then doing a whole lot of showing not telling (of events that happened in the previous 2 books yet took place during this one) I had no real issues.

Ethan MacCarrick has been out for revenge for the past 10 years, seeking to destroy the Von Rowen family who tortured and viciously scarred his face for a crime he didn't commit. Once a handsome and successful philanderer, woman now shun him, turning away from his brutal scar with disgust. As a consequence he's hardened his heart and sworn off women altogether. After bankrupting and exiling the Von Rowen's Ethan still finds that his anger has not been appeased, so when their daughter comes of age he makes it his mission to seduce and ruin her then cast her aside as his final act.

However when he meets Madeline he's also met his match, she's unlike anyone he's ever known and he's confused by his feelings. This is where the story takes on a Beauty and the Beast quality because Maddie doesn't care about his scar or his hostile demeanour. She's only out out for herself, trying to ensnare a husband of means before she faces a life of squalor and ultimately prostitution. So who's playing who here? And what are they to do when the heart has a mind of its own? Taking us from London through the slums of Paris and inside Scottish country manors. We witness gun fights, cholera epidemics and some of the sweetest, heart wrenching dialogue written. This is a story I won't be forgetting. Cheers 309jb5

"You canna do this--take my goddammed heart and then leave me! You think I will no follow"

"Somewhere along the way, he's fallen in love with her--or as much as possible for a man like him, with the lies between them."

Because I’m on a bit of a Kresley Cole kick (and really, why the hell not?), here’s your throwback uhh Sunday review of If You Deceive, the third and final installment of the MacCarrick Brothers trilogy. The story concerns the eldest MacCarrick brother, Ethan, who is arguably the most surly and dark—which suits me fine, I’m all about a dark horse hero! Ethan, whose face was scarred years previous after some trumped up claims, unwittingly becomes besotted (oh, I must be reading a lot of romantic fiction if my brain is throwing out a word like “besotted”) with the daughter of the family that scarred him—and the family that Ethan ruined.

Enter Madeline van Rowen (Maddy), plucky, poor, and living in le Marais which, during the period this book was set in, was a pretty unsavoury district home to whores and Bohemians (though, incidentally now, it’s freaking gorgeous and one of the better places to live—ahh, I miss Paris). Typical romantic fiction high jinks ensue. Lovers quarrels, Maddy not trusting Ethan (with relatively good reason), typical possessive and jealous Scott, but it was a really fun and fast read.

Cole really does get better with time and, with this book, I found the settings and characters more fun to read about than the previous two books. I really felt like Cole captured the essence of Paris in the 1800s and the characterization of a woman who has, for the most part, only ever been able to barely scrape by. As I’ve complained before, I get tired of reading about guileless virgins. Women are interesting and powerful people and should be treated like it (and men are more interesting than some writers give them credit for). I know it’s a romantic convention to write a certain way, but it does get tiresome—so it’s nice to have writers like Cole that I can count on for fun and varied characters that often buck convention.

Overall, solid story, solid characters, and great settings. Definitely a fun read and something to fill the gaps between all the other stories I read (easy to pick up, harder to put down). If you’re into Highlander fiction in foreign settings, this is for you. Solid 4 stars.

This was the the third book in a trilogy, and the second Kresley Cole book I've read (missed the first in the trilogy). I enjoyed the previous book If You Desire (The MacCarrick Brothers, Book 2), and appreciated that the stories somewhat overlap but don't repeat major sections. Timewise, this book starts very close to where the last book does, but time passes on a different pace. I didn't feel like I need to read the first book in the series to appreciate the second, likewise, I think I could have enjoyed this one just as much had I not read the second.

The story revolves around Ethan and Maddy. In the opening, a flashback to ten years before this story takes place, we see how Maddy's parents wronged Ethan, leaving him with a horrific scar on his face and negatively impacting his view of the world and how others see him. Ethan not only destroyed Maddy's parents, he also was responsible for her growing up in the slums of Paris, though he hadn't really thought about the child of the couple he was responsible for destroying.

Ethan's actions are sort of justified. On the one hand, he was punished for something he hadn't done. But on the other, he should not have been in the position in the first place. Ethan has no remorse for his actions until he realizes that he is responsible for the suffering Maddy endured as a child. This is also the primary conflict in the story--he realizes that he's fallen for her, but is afraid that if she learns the truth, she will want nothing to do with him.

There is quite a bit of deception going on in the story, and it works at times, but at other times, I just wanted them to talk already.

This was an enjoyable book. Kresley Cole is masterful at writing steamy romance. Would I read this book again? Probably not, but I enjoyed it enough while I was reading. Would I read Kresley Cole again? Most definitely!

This is the second book of Kresley Cole's that I've read, after If You Dare a week ago, which I greatly enjoyed. I had stayed away from most of Cole's books for awhile because I was afraid they were too lust-driven as opposed to character- and personality-driven, but I really enjoyed IF YOU DARE and was looking forward to reading the rest of the series - this one arrived at the library before Book 2, so I went ahead and read it next.

*slight spoiler*
I realized after starting that I had actually began it a few years ago and ended up returning it to the library unfinished, because the fact that their first sexual interlude is at the beginning of their acquaintance before they know each other really turned me off. Don't get me wrong, I like sizzling chemistry as much as the next girl and I loved the intensity that Cole brought to IF YOU DARE, but for lust to be the beginning/basis of the relationship has never been my favorite thing in the romance genre. Having already read a book by her and enjoyed it though, I tried not to let it bother me this time and was able to get past it. Yes, their attraction is instantaneous - the "coup de foudre" - and they are immediately, inexplicably drawn to one another (which is what I dislike), but their relationship felt to me like it did develop more substantial aspects and their love and emotional need for one another is genuine.
*spoiler ends*

HERO, ETHAN (33):
Having met Ethan in Book 1 and read reviews and mentions about him, I was really expecting a very bad boy, and while he was compared to some characters, he was no Caire, for example, from Elizabeth Hoyt's Wicked Intentions (Maiden Lane) ... whom I seem to be comparing a lot of heroes to after having read that book also a week ago - guess he made an impression ;-). Anyway, I think what most left me with this impression was really that Ethan's character begins to change almost right when he meets Madeleine - by no means a bad thing, just saying. Even as he's resisting it, he subconsciously knows and the reader very consciously knows that he's falling for her - hard and fast. He struggles with his emotions and still tells himself he'll chase her only to enact revenge, but at no point was I really believing that: not because it's a romance, so of course that's not going to happen because we'll have a HEA, but because I already felt like he had changed to the point where he was just using this as an excuse and to hide his own emotions from himself.

HEROINE, MADELEINE (21):
Maddy was a wonderful and refreshing character, and she didn't have a period of me wanting to slap her upside the head like I felt with Anna, the heroine of Book 1. I do get a little sick of the heroines always being unbelievable beautiful, drop-dead gorgeous, but she's by no means vapid and though you're told repeatedly about her beauty from Ethan's POV, it's not the center of her appeal for others or always mentioned in other people's comments and thoughts about her. She had a very tough upbringing and was an unusual heroine, because of what she had to live through - making her own way since she was 14, having to steal things, sell cigarettes, etc. just to get by. Because of all this, she comes off as very strong and never has any TSTL whiny, spoiled moments. Also, while normally I don't like heroines to be this young - especially with such a big age gap - Madeleine is very mature and comes off more as the mid-20s heroines do.

Another thing that I have appreciated in both of the Cole books I have read so far is that the heroine is just as aggressive in her pursuit of the hero as he is of her - in different ways, because the men are rough and somewhat domineering and very, umm, lusty. The heroines, on the other hand, often see through the barriers that the hero is putting up - usually those that are making him push her away or be (slightly) cruel to her, in an attempt to protect her and himself. So many times, that's used and becomes another Big Misunderstanding ploy that drives me crazy. Here, the heroines, once committed to their men, don't take any crap and really fight for their man, giving as good as they get. Very nice change!

CHEMISTRY AND (LACK OF) A SUBPLOT:
Two big surprises for me were that ...

(1) It wasn't *as* intensely sensual as I had expected. Now don't get me wrong, it's still a steamier and more detailed read than a lot of the author historical romances and romance authors out there, however in contrast to If You Dare, which just got steamier and steamier - already starting off pretty hot - in some ways the steamiest part here is at the beginning and things get shorter and briefer as the book goes on. Again - still definitely ranks as a sizzling read, it just wasn't as sizzling (IMO) as Book 1.

(2) There is not really a subplot, with the story focusing only on Ethan and Madeleine. Having not read Book 2, I thought the whole "capturing Grey the assassin" was going to be the subplot and mystery/action part of the book, just like If You Dare had its own subplot of that variety. It doesn't take long for that entire thing to be wrapped up (happens through Hugh's story, in Book 2, so I would have known that had I read it). I was then waiting for something else to develop, but it didn't, which was a nice change and the book by no means suffers from just being about their relationship - I think that can often be a plus.

MACCARRICK BROTHERS TRILOGY
Book 1 - If You Dare, Courtland's story (4.5 stars)
Book 2 - If You Desire, Hugh's story (unread)
Book 3 - IF YOU DECEIVE, Ethan's story (4 stars)

Though it's part of a trilogy, I don't think it suffers if you haven't read the others. Having read Book 1 was good because I already understood about the curse and I think that if you read Book 1 and 2 beforehand, the change and transformation that Ethan undergoes is probably more dramatically felt, however it can be read as a stand-alone.

P.S. One thing that has always driven me crazy in romance books is when they have phrases in other languages and they are glaringly wrong! I don't understand how the editors or publishers cannot afford to have someone quickly look it over - simple things that any speaker would immediately identify. The only time I know this is with French, because I'm bilingual, so let me tell you how pleased I was to have finally found a book that has several phrases in that language and not one that I noticed was wrong! :-)

"If You Deceive" is as of now #1 on my list of top romance books, along with "Lover Eternal" by J.R. Ward. I didn't think one book could rival how much I LOVED LOVED LOVED "Lover Eternal" but I'm so glad this book did and at times I feel like this book could possibly be my most favorite book ever...If there is any book a Romance enthusiast should read, it is this one. HANDS. DOWN.

The story of Ethan and Madeleine is written with such vigor and possesses such fierceness, and passion it knocked me over constantly and left my eyes so tired because I disliked ever putting it down =) It constantly overwhelmed me and I loved being submerged in such a burning romance.

These kinds of stories are the ones that always leave their mark on me. When you read of the most unlikely candidate to fall in love for whatever reason... {Ethan being known as the most cruel of his brothers, his selfishness, cruelty, roughness}...and then you see them meet someone who challenges them to possibly fall in love; {Madeleine's unique beauty, strength, wittiness, spirit}...It's the stories where the far worse the guy is, the more compelling and enthralling it is to see them journey to finding and sustaining love. Because they have SO far to go, they endure change...

And Ethan has to undergo a lot of changes but it's all for the better because goodness, how he tugged at my heart. When Maddy smiled at him, he looked back behind himself thinking someone whose face wasn't scarred was what she MUST be smiling at. How his chest would tighten at the sight of her sleeping curling position and when she woke up crying from nightmares.

This book is just ridiculous. The pacing was flawless. I felt no rush towards the end. I felt so comfortable with each page because I felt that the author truly wanted to do justice to this story.

The characters were written so richly with care and details. The different settings take you on a pleasing visual journey. The story of Ethan and Madeleine will seriously sear your vision. This WHOLE book made my heart sing with hope, cry with pain, dance with joy.

And the romance??? My goodness. Steamy and beautiful. I wish there was more. And I wish the story never ended. And God, but the last passage of the book leave me in tears. I just kept clutching the book, not wanting to let go.

"If You Deceive" struck so many chords in me and left my heart pounding. You have to read this book, lads ;D

"If You Deceive" is the 3rd book in Kresley Cole's sexy Highlander series surrounding the MacCarrick Brothers. This installment focuses on the eldest brother, Ethan. Like his brothers, Court and Hugh, Ethan believes the family is cursed... the brothers never to marry or have children. If any were to open his heart, the object of his affections will suffer or die. Ethan feels like he is most intimately acquainted with the curse, as his old fiance killed herself years ago, shortly before their wedding.

10 years ago, Ethan was a handsome rake, who went home with a different woman every night. But one evening, he went home with the wrong woman. She was married, a little older, and thought to seduce him. Once in her bedroom, he changed his mind. The woman became enraged. And when her husband came home early, she said Ethan tried to rape her. The husband had him beaten and his face slashed. Ethan made it a point to ruin the man and his evil wife. He bought up their debts and called them in. The husband killed himself. The wife and her daughter, Maddy, were driven into abject poverty. Anyone want to take a guess who that daughter will become to our hero?

Ethan meets Maddy in the novel's present day, at a masquerade ball. They are inextricably drawn to each other. So much so, their passion escalates to sex in the carriage after the party. Ethan doesn't know young Maddy is still innocent and he is a little too forceful with her. She leaves with a healthy dose of fear about sex. And Ethan is disconcerted by his intense feelings for the woman.

They go their separate ways... Maddy back to her seedy French apartment and Ethan on an assassin's job. But after it's over, he realizes he must find her again. It's after he starts making inquiries that he figures out who she really is.

He pursues her anyway, thinking to find new ways to punish her mother. He asks Maddy to marry him. But he begins to truly fall for her. And he soon learns her mother is long dead -and he is to blame for the hard live Maddy has led.

Ethan and Maddy's feelings for each other are real and deep, but the secret between them creates a huge chasm. Ethan has so much baggage surrounding his scars, his curse and his past. He clearly doesn't know how to love, but with Maddy, it's inevitable. Their encounters are steamy. Their story is captivating. I couldn't put it down.

And I loved the Epilogue, that gives us a glimpse into the future of all three brothers.

5 stars.

By far, If You Deceive is the best book I have ever read by Kresley Cole. This story is incredibly moving, an emotional one two punch that catches the reader unaware. Right from the start, I was drawn into this story and I was never bored because the characters are so compelling.

Ethan MacCarrick, is a young Scottish Earl sowing his wild oats but he has crossed the wrong lady. She becomes enraged with the young Scot when he cries off and to save her own skin she lies to her husband when she is caught with Ethan. A drunken Ethan is tortured and disfigured by this couple's decree, Ethan's handsome face is viciously scarred but even more his soul is damaged and he is never the same man he was. He is certain though that this cruel couple will pay for their misdeeds and he sets a plan into motion which bankrupts them.

Years later, Ethan is working for a British Espionage group. He follows a group of revelers to a bawdy masquerade party and spies a beautiful woman. Wearing a mask he approaches her and rescues her from a police raid.

Maddy Van Rowen is intrigued by the big Scot and trusts him to get her out of the mad crush leaving the party. Maddy is an amazing heroine. She lives in the slums of Paris alone but she is refined hinting at a background that is noble. She lives by her wits and pocketing shiny objects. She is virginal but not innocent as she has seen all kinds of vile deeds in her neighborhood. She is in London for the sole purpose of marriage, she longs for respectability and security and feels that her British friend's brother might be a good match but he is uninterested in matrimony.

Ethan has no interest in ever marrying and he lets Maddy know this but still he takes liberties with her person and later feels trapped. Maddy's initial experience with Ethan is fraught with bitterness and disillusion, she returns to Paris hoping to forget him. Ethan cannot forget Maddy and when he discovers her past, he determines to use her and leave her. The problem is he absolutely admires her and he can feel his priorities shifting, being with her is more important than punishing her.

These two are such a winning couple. I loved that Maddy stuck to her guns; she was adamant that she would not sleep with Ethan unless they were married, period. She is smart and sophisticated yet very vulnerable. Her sweet nature comes through with friends and even her enemies. She knows how to be merciful. Ethan is like a wounded lion, growling and loud but wanting someone to help him overcome his hurt soul. Maddy recognizes his better nature way before Ethan does. This book is absolutely engaging and memorable, five stars.

Ethan (the scarred eldest of the MacCarrick brothers), while helping his brother hunt down a madman, sees Maddy for the first time in a mask and about to enter a masked courtesan ball. Immediately enthralled he steals a mask and follows her in, surprised at her worldliness. After all, shouldn't a well to do young woman at least blush at some of the debauchery within? An even bigger surprise is his reaction to her. Since he was scarred years ago and forced to pay women to "attend" his needs he began to lose his desire, believing no woman would willingly look at him with desire without being paid to do so...but he finds himself responding to her. As this is a situation to good to resist he is determined to have her before the night is out. But even with the mask the night does not go as planned and Maddy is left angry and hurt while Ethan only wants more. This was Maddy's last effort to get out of the slums. She had gotten herself into an immense debt in order to afford the gowns so she could travel to London and snatch herself a rich husband. Of 2 prospective grooms, 1 has turned her down and the other is old enough to be her grandfather and then here comes Ethan. Ethan immediately lets her know he will never marry and so Maddy makes a decision...with being able to control so little she can control who her first lover is. If she is forced to marry an old man she wants to at least experience true passion that she believes she can have with Ethan. But after her first experience with him she is left with a bad taste for passion and goes back to the slums. Almost immediately after they go their seperate ways Ethan is shot and spends quite a bit of time recovering, but when recovered he goes in search of Maddy, only to find out her full name and to realize that her family is responsible for his horrible scar. As his heart has been filled with plans and thoughts of revenge for years (many of which had been carried out) he sees this as the perfect opportunity and sets out to seduce and then dismiss Maddy...but what he does not expect is her indifference to his scar and the strength of character he finds in her. Can he carry out his plans?

***This 3rd installment to the Maccarrick trilogy has a great ending...you even get a little more of Court and Anna's story (just a few pages, but it was sweet). While I am not a huge highlander fan I thought this trilogy was good and a worthy read. Even though I do not find these stories as enthralling as the IMMORTALS AFTER DARK tales Kresley is able to paint a great picture with her writing. I feel this story jumped around a bit, for example you would begin a chapter and it would be a couple of weeks later and you would get a little hint of what happened...I think it would have been better if the timeframe had been shortened and the story more detailed about their relations before the marriage and after. Despite this fact I thought this was a great ending to the series and I recommend this trilogy, as long as you are not comparing these to her IAD series I believe you will enjoy. You really should read these in order.

I truly enjoyed this book. I haven't read historical romance in awhile - my book shelf has been taken over by paranormal romance/urban fantasy.
The characters were colorful, real, and full of life. The story line was new to me. (There are so many regency era romances out there that I have given up on the sub-genre. Truth be told, I bought this book about 2 years ago and was just so regency romanced out that I couldn't even look at it, but I am very happy that I got over my historical overdose.)
Ethan, the leading man, is hell bent on revenge and he intends to use Maddy to full his evil plans. Though, once he sees what his revenge plot has already done to her, he begins to falter and, naturally, falls for her.
Their sexual chemistry is there from the beginning and I LOVE the way they meet...sigh...romantic.
The only reason I did not give this book a full 5 stars is that I feel she dragged out the ending chapters. Though, the ending (trying not to add a spoiler here) was very...heroic and I could feel Ethan's anxiety.
This is the 3rd book in the series: MacCarrick Brothers. I would recommend it and the previous 2.

I was in a very bad mood when I started reading this and although at first I thought this was too dark for the case, I actually found it engrossing and captivating. It managed to lift my mind of my troubles, which was exactly what I needed, when other lighter and funnier books sorely failed (that would be Lady Be Good).
The hero is a strong Scotsman, working for a spy network (not much action or spying exists in the story which I didn't mind at all since I'm no fun of the genre). The heroine is a gentlewoman, living in Paris and has no money at all. She is tough, strong, determined and clever. She is clever enough to suspect the handsome (though badly scarred), rich, scottish lord who asks her to marry him after spending just one night with him. As the reader knows, she is right to suspect him, since he starts out to get revenge from her because it was her parents that had him scarred. He may start out this way, but he slowly comes to care for her and becomes enchanted by her. To admit that he loves her is another story though...
It was certainly a fast paced book with tight plot and intriguing characters who acted as real persons and not idiots. I enjoyed reading it and it managed to grab my interest. I did not love it as many reviewers did since I did find the settings dark (the most part takes place in the slums of Paris) and the heroes spent too much time apart to make it a keeper.

This was one of the all time best romance-historicals I have ever read. I see no need to go into the plot..so many others have. So I just want to encourage anyone who loves a really great romantic historical then this is the one. I was totally, completely, and absolutely mesmerized, captivated, and enthralled. The last chapters had me on the edge of my seat literally. It is action packed. It had some humor. It had wonderful well drawn characters....the character development is fantastic. It grabs your heart like a small bobby pin to the biggest magnet in existence. My heart was pounding at times and when it was over I was out of breath and sad at the same time. I just didn't want it to end. It leaves you sooo wanting more it hurts. I might throw in too that the love scenes were amazing and the tenderness that develops between the hero and the heroine is heart wrenching. You feel almost what they feel and you are grateful for it because this book takes you on a wonderful and incredible journey. I forgot about everything else because I simply could not put it down. I can't wait for Ms. Coles next historical. Wow what a writer!

This romance was pretty good, not bad, but it had some problems. The first fifty pages are very choppy and you won't know what on earth is going on unless you have read the first two books in the series. I had no clue who people were and why they were stalking some girl named Jane when the heroine of the story was named Madeline. Lots of stupid plot twists led me to almost give up & put the book down permanantly, but luckily I stuck with it (and went back & re-read the first pages again so I could try and piece together the prior story). Once Ethan got to Paris & started trying to convince Madeline to marry him, I got into the story. It was sweet & romantic watching an emotionally repressed alpha-male trying to deal with his emotions for Maddy and fall in love with her. The constant threat of her finding out that he had ruined her family and thrown her into dire poverty in the slums of Paris was intriguing and added some spice to their romance. Maddy is wonderful! She's brave, sassy, smart & unwilling to give up one iota of her independence. She has Ethan by his metaphorical nose--truly fun! So why didn't I give this book five stars? As you can probably predict, Maddy uncovers the secret towards the end of the book in a very clumsy and hard-to-believe way. Then, in a move that totally out of character, she rushes away back to her slum in Paris without confronting Ethan--yeah, right. Someone who's totally in-your-face and willing to stand up for herself suddenly becomes a wimp and ducks out with the man that singlehandedly destroyed her family. Uh, huh,maybe when pigs fly. The very end where Ethan finds her & redeems himself is a good save, but the choppy beginning and the dumb way the secret is revealed to Maddy soured it for me. Also, some of the sex is quite graphic for a book of this genre, unless you're into erotic fiction. I still highly recommend the book, but don't plan to read the other two because now that I know what happens to everyone in the end, I don't really care how they got there in the first place.

This is my favorite book series in the world. I think so highly of the series. I've read it 6 times within 4 months, yep, it's that good. Ethan and Maddy are once again opposites, but that is classic Kresley. The plot and twists really make this book great, and of course the steamy love scenes. And I think Ethan is a sexy stud, plus he's Scottish.That accent is to die for. ;)

I simply adored Ethan. His growling, grumbling, bad-tempered coldness was just waiting for a pert little waif like Maddie to melt it all away and teach him how to love. There was so much chemistry between these two I can't believe the book didn't scorch my hands.

At the beginning when Ethan was injured I was cringing at him being so unfairly abused and scarred. I didn't blame him one bit for wanting to waste his enemies and salt the earth for his pain. Watching his surprise as Maddie began to wean him away from his bitterness was truly heart warming. And no one deserved it more than Ethan. I wanted someone really special for him and Maddie is all that and more. What a delightfully written love story this was. I haven't read the other two brothers yet but I'll be buying those books immediately.

Ok this was my favorite out of the series. Ethan is the tortured older MacCarrick brother, scarred horribly when he was a young man he has grown embittered, and cruel. Maddie is a woman fallen on hard times through no fault of her own making one last bid to marry someone she could like rather than an old rich man who's outlived three young wives. Ethan decided to have Maddie the moment he sets eyes on her regardless of the consequences. Then Ethan finds out that Maddie is linked to the man who ruined his face and decides to get his final revenge by using Maddie and discarding her. Maddie however has other plans. The story that ensues is a page turner full of chemistry and action. I thought Maddie was great and for all his heartlessness I yearned for Ethan finally find peace. I loved this book, it too goes on the keeper shelf!

I don't ever read historical romance, I just don't like them. But I enjoyed Kresley Cole's paranormals, and thought I'd try this one. It hooked me in from the first few pages. Cole has very good characters, gets inside their heads quickly, and the dialogue is to die for. I adored the female character, she was spunky and didn't take any crap. But Ethan is who I truly adored; he reminded me of Lachlain from "A Hunger Like No Other", except he's even more bull-headed, if that's possible. Absolutely adorable, even though, granted, I'm a sucker for the accent.

I immediately went out and got the other two Highlander books, because I have to read more. In fact, I got her other historicals, too. And I don't like historicals!

The love scenes are extremely well-written and erotic, not only for the acts themselves, but the emotion behind it. The conflicts are believable and serious (a problem in some other romances, frankly) but the characters act in understandable ways. In quite a few instances I was very pleased with the way Madeleine reacted to Ethan, and cheered her on.

Kresley Cole is amazing.

I must first start off to say Ms. Cole,out of all three brothers (Court,Hugh and Ethan ) Ethan was definitely my kind of man! Wooooo-Weeee!
Don't get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed all three series but this one was my favorite!Im glad all 3 brother's found true love outside of the fact they were plagued by that god-aweful curse that they let dictate most of their lives..the brother's each had a true-love to over-shadow their belief in the curse.
Maddy was just the right kind of lass Ethan needed by his side( besides myself)lol...

I believe if I had been portrayed in this story..If Ethan and I would have had those wicked love-making scenes, I wouldn't have even noticed the scar on his face just as Maddy hadn't!!(smile)
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MS. COLE!!

This final book in the MacCarrick Brothers' Trilogy features the most tortured hero of the three brothers. Ethan feels because of the scar on his face, no woman would want to love him let alone marry him. He is a loner and has no zest for life. And the fact that his family is cursed also makes his life very unsettling. But when he meets his heroine Madeline, his heart thaws and he finds a reason to live. All it takes is one look across a crowded room and Ethan has lost his heart.
Madeline is one heroine that is strong willed and tries to make the best out of her life. What she doesn't realize is Ethan is responsible for her parent's downfall because of her mother's lying ways. But when Ethan and she meet during a masked ball (yes, another lovely typical scene from any historical romance) they are so hot together that there is no going back.
Kresley Cole had written one hot and passionate book. Even though Ethan comes across as tortured, he is so unsettled by Madeline who gives as good as he does. It is a real joy to see these go at it. They insult each other every chance they get and Madeline won't allow him into her heart until she can trust him.
These two lead the reader on a merry adventure with undertones of despair and lying that doesn't let up till the very end.
Madeline is very witty and one woman you would want to have at your back during a fight. Ethan is her equal in everyway. And he has this lovely Scottish accent that is also intriguing.
Passion and erotic love scenes are throughout this novel and they are scorching. But overall this story is simply about trust and letting go of deception and finding the right person to spend your life with. By the end you are routing for Ethan and Madeline so they both can become worthy of each other.
Another excellent historical romance from Cole.

Katiebabs
If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy #1)
If You Desire (MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy #2)

I've been reading romance books for 4 years non stop now and I was weary of the same old stories over and over. I would say only a hand full of books still remain in my memory or left me feeling the impact of the book. This is one of them. From the opening quotes of the book to the end, I could not put this book down. I loved the characters, Maddee and Ethan. The book had it's funny moments and their love story was believable. You never feel pity for Ethan or Maddee because their characters are strong and fighters. Ethan, what can I say is strong, passionate and dangerous. Maddee is quick witted, smart and spunky not annoyingly so. Thank goodness. I would recommend If you deceive. This is a keeper.

In the third installment of Kresley Cole's MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy, it's time for Ethan MacCarrick, the oldest of the brooding Highlanders, to take a wife. Scarred at the age of 23 for a youthful indiscretion, Ethan has forsaken women for the last few years while he carries on his duties as a spy for the Crown. Ethan knows that women find his visage appalling, and for that reason he has chosen to focus his attentions elsewhere. That is, until he spies a beautiful blond while he's out looking for his brother. The girl is young and curious and there's something about her that catches Ethan's eye. He seeks her out and gets more than he bargained for.

Madeleine Van Rowen is in London looking for a rich husband. Though her friends believe Maddy is visiting them from the rich Parisian neighborhood of St. Roch, in truth Maddy is on leave from her home in a Paris slub called La Marais. When her hopes of meeting a rich man are dashed, Maddy believes that she'll have to return to La Marais and marry an aging count just to repay the debts she accrued for her trip to London. Before sacrificing her future, Maddy wants one last thing for herself, a moment of pleasure that she can remember during her cold, lonely nights in the arms of a man she doesn't love. When Ethan MacCarrick presents himself, it's an opportunity she can't refuse...

If You Deceive is my favorite of the MacCarrick Brothers stories, but that isn't saying a whole lot. I didn't really enjoy these books as a whole, though I'm a huge Kresley Cole fan. I like the heroes. The MacCarrick Brothers are strong alpha males willing to fight to the death to protect the women they love. Ethan is arguably the most brooding of the three, with his scarred face and respect of tradition. It's hard to beleive he could be brought to his knees by a wee Parisian pickpocket. Maddy, likewise, is my favorite heroine of the three stories. She gives as good as she gets and her love for Ethan transforms her from a dirty little girl from the slums to a respectable countess. Still, I didn't LOVE this story the way I love Cole's Immortals After Dark stories. Don't get me wrong, the MacCarrick Brothers trilogy will fill a void while you're waiting for the next IAD story, but it's not up to par with that series.

I'm giving this book five stars because it so far outshone the other two in the series. Maddy and Ethan had amazing chemistry and once KC dropped the silly plot line of the curse keeping the couples apart, it left the story open to really be developed. That plot line drove me nuts in the first two books, but the problems that Ethan and Maddy dealt with were much more interesting. I loved the witty dialogue and Maddy was a fantastic heroine. Smart, resilient, intuitive, funny and brave. If you only read one book about the Maccaricks, it should be this one.

Ten years ago Ethan was horribly scarred and beaten at Van Rowen's order. Now Ethan has sworn revenge and what better way than his enemy's beautiful daughter Madeline Van Rowen? Very steamy and romantic story. I cried at one point it was so sad and Ethan's reaction was heartbreaking. Although at one point I wanted to hit Ethan,well if you read the book you will know...oh heres a hint lipstick in an odd place. But everything works out in the end. Steam level would have to be a high eight. And of course it ends in a happy ending.

Overall Ethan's story was nothing special but there were a handful of moments spread throughout the book that I will probably reread. A plot summary has already been provided so I'll just go into what I liked and disliked about "If You Deceive".

I tend to be a person who enjoys a more character driven book so the fact that I read "If You Deceive", the third book in a trilogy, before the other two didn't hinder me in the least in understanding Ethan. However, if you're a person who just has to know what happened and must understand everything leading up to this book then you might want to read the other two books first. I read summaries for the other two before picking this one up so I had enough of a general idea.

The romance in this book was very refreshing. I had grown tired of the bad boys who STAY bad boys so Ethan transitioning from wanting to push Maddy away to his strong declaration of love was a nice shift for me. He had a realization that I haven't seen in a while and he was able to stop himself BEFORE doing something stupid, which I'm soon discovering to be quite rare in this genre. I'm also glad that Maddy believed it. It's hard to find characters with common sense anymore.

It was also refreshing that there were no misunderstandings that seemed to drive the plot. Maddy had every right to be upset. I was also glad that she was able to see through Ethan to know his motives. She knew he was trying to push her away on purpose and it ended in some sweet scenes when she called him out on it.

I liked the final climatic scene when Ethan goes after Maddy when she left. For spoiler sake I won't mention what happened but I liked how love and caring overcame hurt and anger.

Ethan was more verbal in his insecurities than most heroes I've read and I liked how Maddy was able to pick up on that. Ethan said he was use to people staring at him but it was obvious he didn't like it.

I've also found that the love scenes in romance books have gotten very stale. Sure, they use more graphic language but they're all still saying the same things. Not with this one. Ethan and Maddy had a few extra scenes that I hadn't read in any books before. I have to admit that I really rather liked them.

One tiny detail I liked was how Ethan had given up drinking and had turned down glasses offered to him. That was new for me.

I was a bit disappointed by how much the book seemed to skip ahead. Ethan was severely wounded for several weeks which only covered a few pages in the book. I would have liked to have read a bit more about that, especially since he almost died. Also, once Maddy and Ethan had gotten together the book fast-forwarded many months. I understand why the author did this, I just didn't like it.

I was also disappointed by the lack of interaction between Ethan and his family. I would have loved to have seen a moment where Ethan's brothers realized that he wasn't all that bad of a guy, or even just a private moment between Ethan and his mother.

Overall this book is okay and I'll probably reread a few parts here and there. I wouldn't rush this up to the top of your "To Be Read" list but it is worth checking out.

If You Deceive (The MacCarrick Brothers Book 3)I think this was the best of the 3 book series.
You really never knew what was going to happen next.
The romance & passion between Ethan and Madeleine was searing hot.
Awesome read!

This one kept me up reading late late into the night. I can't remember when a historical grabbed me the way this one has. Kresley Cole didn't hold back on these characters. How many writers would have the nerve to make their leading man a ruthless assassin? - and make it work no less. In so many other stories, writers have quickly defanged & watered down their strong characters or just made them completely unlikable. Her herione was one of the smartest, strongest females I have ever read in historical romance. These characters were really sexy and they came alive. The author made me love these characters alone and together. The beginning of their meeting introduced two people up front and honest about their needs. I did subtract a star because I would have liked to see more interaction with Ethan/Maddy and his family as he takes his big fall. I have recently stumbled onto Kresley Cole's historicals and had given up finding anything of this caliber. This one is the best! Finally, a paperback I purchased new at full price that I didn't regret. This is a keeper. I will definitely be on the lookout in 08 for her new round of historicals. There's a lot of romance writers out there, but I haven't found many that have the talent displayed in this book.

...especially heroes with a Scottish brogue, you will love this book! I stayed up 'til 3 am just to finish it, it was that good. I haven't read any other Kresley Cole books, and I was a little confused with situations in this book that obviously referred to events in the other two, but that in no way diminished my enjoyment of the book. Certainly not a "light" romance as our hero is traveling on a road to redemption, but it's a worthwhile journey to take along with him.

I LOVED this book. I actually introduced myself to the McCarrick Brothers after reading The entire Immortals After Dark Series over the Holiday break. I was wary to read something outside of the realm of Paranormal Romance (PNR) but I loved her writing style, wit, sense of humor, and the HAWTNESS of her love scenes so much that simply I couldn't stop myself. I've read all three of the books in order and I have to say that this one was my favorite. I loved all of them, but something about Ethan was just so PERFECTLY TORTURED. And Maddy was a great heroine. She NEVER lost her strength as so many romance heroines do once she got involved with her guy. In fact, I think she had more of an affect on him than any heroine I've ever read. I loved the plot line, and how well it was woven together. The end of the book was simply heart-wrenching, and I was riveted. And yes...the SEX was hot...I usually don't get, you know...excited, reading a romance novel...but I gotta tell you...it was pretty intense! I will re-read this book many times, I'm sure and I HIGHLY recommend it.

This a great conclusion to the Maccarick brothers trilogy! Kresley cole is one of the best storytellers! This trilogy is fast-paced and full of adventure and passion, not a dull moment! What I hate the most is books where characters will often contemplate their feelings over pages and pages! So boring! But these books are fast-paced without leaving behind character and emotional development (just without the tediousness of many other books...such as mary balogh novels). I just wish Kresley Cole has more books to read!!! GREAT GREAT AUTHOR!

This probably sounds really silly coming in the midst of all these glowing reviews, but I have to say this book left me feeling a little depressed. It had the prerequisite HEA, but the road to getting there was a downer for me. Maybe some will say that added depth to the book, but I just was left feeling sort of depressed. Depressed because of Maddy's horrible way she had to live and Ethan because of his physical suffering. I read this book quickly, but when I finished it, I just didn't feel uplifted.
Maybe it was because I read this book on a rainy, dreary day, but it did leave me sort of sad.

I love all of Cole's books and this series was really enjoyable. But out of the MacCarrick Brothers Series I believe this is the best one. I didn't want it to end. You want to hate Ethan but you can't and Maddy is a wonderful character that you want so badly for her to be happy and I admired her determination and independence. For all of Ethan's terrible intentions he always seemed to redeem himself. The romance was smoking hot. Cole can really write a sex scene.

I tell you, this Kresley Cole can write one heck of a love scene....wooo momma! The second book is my favorite of the 3 but this was really good as well. I love a torn hero and a spunky heroine. It had a great epilogue at the end that let you know what all the characters have been up to from all 3 books.

I loved this trilogy. This and the first ones were my favorite. I didn't want to put it down but I didn't want it to end either. It was a wonderful set to read. I would recommend it to any romance reader. This author is right up there with my other favorite Bertrice Small.

I felt so sorry for Ethan to be denied love for so long. I am glad that his revenge was stifled by Maddy's bubbliness and love. I am glad his love came to the surface, finally. This is was a fantastic series. Kresley is just that good.

I just finished this book which is the 3rd in the series and I loved all three. I actually finished all 3 books in 3 days so that should tell you how good I thought they all were. Kresley Cole is an awesome writer!

I really enjoyed this tale of deceit and romance. I found the heroine to be high spirited and fun and the hero to be quite interesting with his more unusual than normal back story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Intense, very satisfying, can't put it down type of book.
I usually do not care for historical books, read this because I like Kresley Cole's paranormal series. Glad I gave it a try. Great story, period.

Alright let's just say it again Kresley Cole is my favorite author. I am usually just a paranormal romance reader but Kresley has got me reading anything she writes and I'm never let down. All of her books are great, let's hope she keeps them coming.

I just LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book! By far my favorite book in the series. If you read the first two books and enjoyed them, you will absolutely love this one!! You can't help but fall in love with both Ethan and Maddy. I'm sad that it ended and wish KC would write another series like this. It was wonderful!!

I have never felt the need to write review before...but "If You Deceive" is too beautiful to pass by. the last time i cried so hard was when i read once and always by judith mcnaught...and i still think this is better:)

This book will be much loved and cherished.
I had to wait until it arrived all the way from England to New Zealand.
Postage and handling where done with care and all arrived earlier than scheduled.
Great.

I honestly do not know who are the people writing these reviews, but by God they must have been paid for by the authors. This was probably the worst book ever written. What a load of BS! Please readers, don't fall into the same trap I have.