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If You Dare by Adrianne Byrd
Once the world's most notorious thief, Damien Black retired at his peak rather than risk taking a wrong step that could cost him his freedom...or his life. Now a seductive proposition is tempting him again--a multi-million dollar heist that would be smooth as black silk...if it wasn't for Angel Lafonte.The new director at an Atlanta museum, Angel is smart, sophisticated, and a stunning beauty, exciting the daring thief even more than the possibility of a big-money payday. But when the heat reaches sizzling, Damien's going to have to choose between a life of larceny and the passionate lady he's suddenly growing to love.
Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2004
20 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Adrianne Byrd
60 books279 followersNational Best-selling author Adrianne Byrd has always preferred to live within the realms of her imagination where all the men are gorgeous and the women are worth whatever trouble they manage to get into. As an army brat, she traveled throughout Europe and learned to appreciate and value different cultures. Now she calls Georgia home.
Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.
In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.
Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.
Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.
In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.
Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.
Looking back, Adrianne believes her passion for writing began at the ripe old age of thirteen. It was also the age when she was introduced to romance novels by a most unlikely source: her fifteen-year old brother. The book was probably given to keep her out her brother’s hair, but it was a gift that changed her life.
In books, Adrianne found a way out of her awkward teenage years and into a world of fictional friends that would stay with her for a lifetime. It wasn’t long before her imagination took flight and she was writing her own love stories. Within a year, she completed her first book, which she vowed would never see the light of day.
Writing remained a hobby until 1994 when a co-worker approached her with an article on Romance Writers of America. Who knew there was an organization of women just like her? By 1996 she sold her first novel, Defenseless, to Kensington Publishing.
Her first release received rave reviews by Romantic Times and fans. Her other novels were consistently selected as the Magazine’s Top Pick. In 2001 Slam Jam nominated, Say You Love Me, for best romance. Her 2003 release Comfort of a Man won Romantic Times Best Multicultural Romance, Romance in Color’s Readers Choice Awards for Favorite Book, Favorite Hero, and Favorite Heroine; Shades of Romance’s Best/Arabesque Romance Book; Slam Jams Emma Award for Favorite Traditional Romance; Romance in Color’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Author of the Year, Book of the Year and Best BET/Arabesque Book. And lastly Comfort of a Man was a 2003 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie finalist for best Contemporary. In 2004 she released her first romantic suspense novel, If You Dare, with HarperCollins. In 2006 her novel Measure of a Man was nominated for Best Multicultural Romance while her Harper Torch novel Deadly Double was nominated for an Emma. In 2007 she won an eharlequin.com Joey Award.
In 2006 Adrianne along with fellow writer Niobia Bryant penned her first Urban Novel, DESPERATE HOODWIVES, writing as De'nesha Diamond. The book is set for release February 2008 from Simon and Schuster. For more information, visit http://www.deneshadiamond.com.
Ms. Byrd has been featured in many national publications, including Today’s Black Woman, Upscale, and Heart and Soul. She has also won local awards for screenwriting. For the future, she looks forward to continue creating characters that make people smile, laugh, and fall in love.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 24, 2007
This is an excellent piece of erotica writing. A perfect case of judging a book by the cover, and the description in the back. Looking at the cover and reading the back, I thought I was picking up a mystery/thriller. Wow, was I wrong! The first three fourths of the book or more is all very descriptive erotic sex between the hero and heroine. The action thriller part is only three chapters long if even that. So if you want a good mystery, stay away from this one, those three chapters were also pretty predictable. But if you want a good romance with a lot of erotica, then this is the book for you!! AS a romance it was fun, flirty, and good story line. If that is what you are looking for I reccomend this book.
March 28, 2023
The ending...
The book started out kind of slow for me but I am glad I didn't give up on it. If you hang on until the end, it will be worth it.
The book started out kind of slow for me but I am glad I didn't give up on it. If you hang on until the end, it will be worth it.
November 13, 2012
First book I read by this author. I was very impressed and loved the storyline. Great book!
January 9, 2010
Grabbed this at my library and thought I'd just read a few pages to check it out. Next thing I know I'm done. It was a great story of finding love and an art thief.
Damien Black is the son of a convicted art thief and found the life fit him perfectly as well. Although now he's retired, someone's offered him a lot of money to come out of retirement and help him out on a big $ job. While wandering around a museum one day he spots a beautiful woman, Angel Lafonte, and cannot take his eyes off her. He quickly finds out that she's the sister of the man who's asked Damien in on the heist. But, even though he knows he should stay away from Angel, he can't. Nor can she ignore her growing feelings for him.
A retired police detective, who spent most of his career trying to catch Black, has found out that another gallery has been hit and he's positive Black's responsible. He has trouble convincing the local PD without any proof, but that doesn't stop him from trying to prove his "gut instinct" is right.
The story moves quickly. You get a "who done it" cat/mouse suspense, new love and romance. All in all this is the perfect "beach novel" and one that has made me want to take a closer look at Adrianne Byrd's other books.
Damien Black is the son of a convicted art thief and found the life fit him perfectly as well. Although now he's retired, someone's offered him a lot of money to come out of retirement and help him out on a big $ job. While wandering around a museum one day he spots a beautiful woman, Angel Lafonte, and cannot take his eyes off her. He quickly finds out that she's the sister of the man who's asked Damien in on the heist. But, even though he knows he should stay away from Angel, he can't. Nor can she ignore her growing feelings for him.
A retired police detective, who spent most of his career trying to catch Black, has found out that another gallery has been hit and he's positive Black's responsible. He has trouble convincing the local PD without any proof, but that doesn't stop him from trying to prove his "gut instinct" is right.
The story moves quickly. You get a "who done it" cat/mouse suspense, new love and romance. All in all this is the perfect "beach novel" and one that has made me want to take a closer look at Adrianne Byrd's other books.
June 20, 2011
Wow this book had it all. Mystery, suspense, and hot hot sex scenes. I'm so glad I came across this little gem while looking through Ms. Byrd's books. This book had so many surprises, and had me thinking on my toes, and shocked by the turn of events at times. Ms. Byrd had yet to disappointment me and I'd love to read a sequel featuring the Black's!
April 22, 2012
This was a great novel, romance and suspense together is always good..It was definitely a page turner and a very good one, I loved Damien and Angel's characters, and the way the author kept you wondering throughout the book. Although it didn't leave you hanging, it left you wondering will there be a sequel....:-))
September 27, 2013
This was a very intriguing love story about the mysterious Damien Black and Ms. Angel LaFonte! It had loads of suspense as ex-cop Broche from France thought he was onto the infamous art thief, better known as the LaFantome. Hold on tight as while this couple have you weaving in and out of this spectacular story. Hell, it made me want Damien for myself! Awesome job, Ms. Byrd as always!!!!!
January 16, 2016
Read...If You Dare?!!!!!!
A great romance/suspense novel. This book had it all, adventure, love, romance, mystery, good guy/bad guy...I couldn't put it down. I want a Damien Black, too! He really knew how to romance a woman! Way to go, Adrianne. Can't wait to read more from her!
A great romance/suspense novel. This book had it all, adventure, love, romance, mystery, good guy/bad guy...I couldn't put it down. I want a Damien Black, too! He really knew how to romance a woman! Way to go, Adrianne. Can't wait to read more from her!
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October 9, 2008nice
November 15, 2008
Another great Adrianne Byrd novel!!!
January 31, 2010
OMG LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK
January 29, 2012
Great suspense!! I love Black and Angel two kindred souls!!
April 23, 2013
loved everything about this book!
July 12, 2016
Very good one. Not crazy about the lovemaking scenes, but the mystery plot was enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews