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The Dare
Mousy and just plain boring…Tired of self-denial and being cloistered by her father's over-protectiveness, wealthy painter Isabella takes a vacation alone.Tough and way too cocky...Police officer Luca Angello is self-confident, powerfully sexual, and on the trail of a serial killer.Isabella thinks Luca is shallow and only out for a good time. Luca thinks Isabella needs some loosening up.Fear brings them together…When danger throws her into his arms, she discovers that he can reach her depths in ways she never could have imagined.Review quotes for The Dare by Denise A. Agnew"Isabella and Luca explode on the pages of THE DARE...I fell in love with her characters..."~Reva Moore, Just Erotic Romance Newsletter"Well-written and extremely erotic.....interesting suspense, taut dialogue and rich development of the main characters will have you glued to THE DARE." ~Astrid Kinn, Romance Reviews Today"Steamy sex and a serial killer. The sexual tension between the two was high and I loved their bantering back and forth. I'll be on the lookout for more by this author."~Sara Andrade, Sensual Romance
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
51 people want to read
About the author
Denise A. Agnew
109 books162 followersDenise A. Agnew is the award-winning author of over 70 novels and several optioned and produced screenplays and TV pilots.
Denise’s record proves that with paranormal, time travel, romantic comedy, contemporary, historical, erotic romance, romantic suspense and horror writing under her belt, she enjoys writing about a diverse range of subjects. Her experiences with archaeology and archery have crept into her work, as well as numerous travels through the UK and Ireland.
Denise is also a Writer/Producer (Where’s Lucy? Productions), a paranormal investigator (SOS Paranormal Investigations), Reiki Master, Certified Creativity Coach and Medium. As a Creativity Coach, Denise assists anyone in the creative arts, including writing and acting, to maintain lifelong creativity. Denise lives in Arizona with her husband. She is represented by Gandolfo Helin and Fountain Literary Management.
Visit Denise’s websites at www.deniseagnew.com and www.agnewcreativemedium.com
Denise’s record proves that with paranormal, time travel, romantic comedy, contemporary, historical, erotic romance, romantic suspense and horror writing under her belt, she enjoys writing about a diverse range of subjects. Her experiences with archaeology and archery have crept into her work, as well as numerous travels through the UK and Ireland.
Denise is also a Writer/Producer (Where’s Lucy? Productions), a paranormal investigator (SOS Paranormal Investigations), Reiki Master, Certified Creativity Coach and Medium. As a Creativity Coach, Denise assists anyone in the creative arts, including writing and acting, to maintain lifelong creativity. Denise lives in Arizona with her husband. She is represented by Gandolfo Helin and Fountain Literary Management.
Visit Denise’s websites at www.deniseagnew.com and www.agnewcreativemedium.com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 27, 2015
*I received a free copy to read & review for Wicked Reads Review Team*
I really enjoyed the beginning of The Dare, it was steamy and fun. Isabella is taking a break from her family, trying to find her "muse", and is staying in her families Duplex far away from them. She just so happens to look through her kitchen window to find her neighbor aka SERIOUS man-candy!
An Alpha, through and through, Luca Angello meets his neighbor and you can feel the sparks fly. He's also on leave from the police force, which is exactly what Isabella needs.
This story contained some action, a slow building romance, and a touch of suspense. This wasn't a nail-biter, the suspense was very "light", I found myself a bit distracted and wishing for more clues to put together.
The erotic scenes were drawn out and gratuitous, but eventually everything came together.
This was a decent story, just not my cup of tea.
I really enjoyed the beginning of The Dare, it was steamy and fun. Isabella is taking a break from her family, trying to find her "muse", and is staying in her families Duplex far away from them. She just so happens to look through her kitchen window to find her neighbor aka SERIOUS man-candy!
An Alpha, through and through, Luca Angello meets his neighbor and you can feel the sparks fly. He's also on leave from the police force, which is exactly what Isabella needs.
This story contained some action, a slow building romance, and a touch of suspense. This wasn't a nail-biter, the suspense was very "light", I found myself a bit distracted and wishing for more clues to put together.
The erotic scenes were drawn out and gratuitous, but eventually everything came together.
This was a decent story, just not my cup of tea.
February 20, 2009
Bella is a woman with issues, most of which I can relate to. She’s struggling for independence from an overbearing father and a prudish older sister. She’s far too easy-going for someone who supposedly knows she’s in danger. There’s a serial-killer on the loose, one who has followed her to her vacation spot. She knows someone is after her and yet she goes out shopping alone? She even refuses to leave her condo because she’ll be out money for leaving early. She starts out as prudish and a bit hard (and not that sensible of the danger she’s in), but she softens up by the end of the story, becomes much more human, and easier to like.
Luca is sexy and likable, though there could be a little more to his character at times. He’s in the middle of an undercover investigation, but he never seems to do any investigating outside of protecting Bella and trying to sleep with her. Other women are being killed on his turf, but he can’t leave Bella because she’s the obvious target. It just comes off as plot contrivance to get the two of them together.
The sex was extremely hot with just the right amount of tension build-up. If only the suspense element had been that way. The suspense storyline turns on and off as needed for the main characters to interact and have sex. By the time the serial-killer plot line wound up, I felt a little cheated. There just wasn’t enough time spent on building it up or sustaining it throughout the story.
Bella and Luca have some very nice banter, most of the dialog is natural and believable. When they finally admit their feelings to each other, it’s very sweet, without the usual second-guessing. I just went “awwww” for a moment.
http://iheartpaperbacks.wordpress.com/
Luca is sexy and likable, though there could be a little more to his character at times. He’s in the middle of an undercover investigation, but he never seems to do any investigating outside of protecting Bella and trying to sleep with her. Other women are being killed on his turf, but he can’t leave Bella because she’s the obvious target. It just comes off as plot contrivance to get the two of them together.
The sex was extremely hot with just the right amount of tension build-up. If only the suspense element had been that way. The suspense storyline turns on and off as needed for the main characters to interact and have sex. By the time the serial-killer plot line wound up, I felt a little cheated. There just wasn’t enough time spent on building it up or sustaining it throughout the story.
Bella and Luca have some very nice banter, most of the dialog is natural and believable. When they finally admit their feelings to each other, it’s very sweet, without the usual second-guessing. I just went “awwww” for a moment.
http://iheartpaperbacks.wordpress.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2015
3 Stars
This book held a lot of promise... Former Green Beret with a rich girl who escaping some issue back home. However, for me, it fell flat. The mystery/suspense was kind of cheesy and not half as scary as what she makes it out to be... unless she was 5. The naughty scenes were so drawn out it ruined any part that could've been sexy.
The plot didn't have much development and neither did the characters as much of the book is naughty scenes with easy resolution to any tiny bit of disturbance that comes up between the couple or anything else.
However, other than the naughty scenes I felt the book was pretty well written and flowed smoothly so I would read this author again.
I received a free copy to read & review for Wicked Reads Review Team
This book held a lot of promise... Former Green Beret with a rich girl who escaping some issue back home. However, for me, it fell flat. The mystery/suspense was kind of cheesy and not half as scary as what she makes it out to be... unless she was 5. The naughty scenes were so drawn out it ruined any part that could've been sexy.
The plot didn't have much development and neither did the characters as much of the book is naughty scenes with easy resolution to any tiny bit of disturbance that comes up between the couple or anything else.
However, other than the naughty scenes I felt the book was pretty well written and flowed smoothly so I would read this author again.
I received a free copy to read & review for Wicked Reads Review Team
October 28, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
This book has all the elements that I love. Hot alpha man, woman longingly watching from behind the blinds…it’s like me, looking at a Michael Stokes book. Throw in a mean father who’s her boss and a stalker no one else believes her about and you’ve got this sexy novel in a nutshell.
Isabelle has been watching her sexy neighbor from the safety of her kitchen and backyard. He’s smoking hot–but she’s really unsure around men and has been taught never to trust them. She’s on vacation anyway and has no intention of getting involved with him, but he’s sure wonderful to watch. Yum! Unfortunately, her mind keeps getting pulled back to the reason she left her dad’s estate–the uneasy feeling she’s being watched and isn’t safe there.
One afternoon, Luca hears his pretty temporary neighbor fall in her backyard and rushes to help. In the ensuing conversation-flirtation, he tells her about the attacks that have been happening in the area. She’s very suspicious of him, so he brings her his police ID to prove his intentions are honest and to continue the flirtation they’d started on the backyard.
When she takes the bait and they fall into a tumultuous affair, where’s it leading? She’s on vacation and intends to go home soon; he’s not the kind who commits to a woman.
Before they can contemplate their future, Isabelle’s problems from home show up on her doorstep. While Luca’s been warning her to watch out for local gang violence, will he be able to protect her from the danger he’s unaware of? The malignant shadow that’s been menacing her at home has joined her…right next door.
Interesting, sexy read. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel the connection to the characters that I’d hoped for, especially with the plot devices and character types seeming to be really up my alley.
This book has all the elements that I love. Hot alpha man, woman longingly watching from behind the blinds…it’s like me, looking at a Michael Stokes book. Throw in a mean father who’s her boss and a stalker no one else believes her about and you’ve got this sexy novel in a nutshell.
Isabelle has been watching her sexy neighbor from the safety of her kitchen and backyard. He’s smoking hot–but she’s really unsure around men and has been taught never to trust them. She’s on vacation anyway and has no intention of getting involved with him, but he’s sure wonderful to watch. Yum! Unfortunately, her mind keeps getting pulled back to the reason she left her dad’s estate–the uneasy feeling she’s being watched and isn’t safe there.
One afternoon, Luca hears his pretty temporary neighbor fall in her backyard and rushes to help. In the ensuing conversation-flirtation, he tells her about the attacks that have been happening in the area. She’s very suspicious of him, so he brings her his police ID to prove his intentions are honest and to continue the flirtation they’d started on the backyard.
When she takes the bait and they fall into a tumultuous affair, where’s it leading? She’s on vacation and intends to go home soon; he’s not the kind who commits to a woman.
Before they can contemplate their future, Isabelle’s problems from home show up on her doorstep. While Luca’s been warning her to watch out for local gang violence, will he be able to protect her from the danger he’s unaware of? The malignant shadow that’s been menacing her at home has joined her…right next door.
Interesting, sexy read. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel the connection to the characters that I’d hoped for, especially with the plot devices and character types seeming to be really up my alley.
September 4, 2015
Bella has been staying at her family’s vacation home in Colorado to get away from her father’s overbearing nature. She is a doormat – too naïve and vulnerable for someone whose life is in danger. Luca is on vacation from the police force. He decides to spend that time fixing up his rental and gives Bella an eyeful while in his kitchen. Bella things he is grade A, alpha male, sex on a stick and imagines what it will be like in his arms (and bed), but danger brings them together and he becomes her personal body guard and promises to keep her safe.
The Dare is full of suspense and steamy love scenes. I really enjoyed the first half of the book a lot. However, the story fell a little flat for me after Bella and Luca’s first love scene. What a sexy, steamy, scene it was! After that, the suspense part of the storyline was rushed and didn’t keep my interest. But, the banter and push/pull between Bella and Luca was enough to keep me reading. I enjoyed how down home he was, even if he was arrogant and full of himself, against her polished, proper, girly self. I also enjoyed the fact that Luca became her muse when she started painting him. Her art captured her true feelings for him in a way that her heart couldn’t explain. Overall, this was just an ok story with some hot sex.
*Copy provided for review
The Dare is full of suspense and steamy love scenes. I really enjoyed the first half of the book a lot. However, the story fell a little flat for me after Bella and Luca’s first love scene. What a sexy, steamy, scene it was! After that, the suspense part of the storyline was rushed and didn’t keep my interest. But, the banter and push/pull between Bella and Luca was enough to keep me reading. I enjoyed how down home he was, even if he was arrogant and full of himself, against her polished, proper, girly self. I also enjoyed the fact that Luca became her muse when she started painting him. Her art captured her true feelings for him in a way that her heart couldn’t explain. Overall, this was just an ok story with some hot sex.
*Copy provided for review
September 21, 2015
The Dare by Denise A. Agnew is a contemporary mystery type story with lots of erotic heat. Isabella or Bella as she would prefer to be called, she is being hunted. She doesn’t feel safe anywhere. Not even at her father’s compound. She is hiding hoping to stay safe. She cannot keep her eyes off her sexy neighbor and his antics. She is part voyeur part innocently sweet. I liked her daring nature too. She has strength she doesn’t even know she has.
Luca is a Detective. He has always had a dream about a woman with red hair. When he sees her in the flesh he is stunned to find out the attraction is not all in a dream. His work has always come first but with Bella that is all changing. He finds out she needs his protection and he knows he will do anything he can to make her safe.
I loved this one, has a sweet, naughty nature to it. Pretty sure might singe the fingers as you turn the pages. When you want a fun, contemporary, erotic romance, this is the one to pick up.
Four Twinkling Stars
Luca is a Detective. He has always had a dream about a woman with red hair. When he sees her in the flesh he is stunned to find out the attraction is not all in a dream. His work has always come first but with Bella that is all changing. He finds out she needs his protection and he knows he will do anything he can to make her safe.
I loved this one, has a sweet, naughty nature to it. Pretty sure might singe the fingers as you turn the pages. When you want a fun, contemporary, erotic romance, this is the one to pick up.
Four Twinkling Stars
July 22, 2009
I enjoyed this romantic suspense, although it was a little short for a suspense novel and parts of it were just too rushed. Be that as it may, the story between undercover cop Luca and rich, artistic Bella was sweet and real, particularly the car wash encounter. I have to agree with an earlier review that the serial killer plot was not fully thought out and felt contrived in places, but hey! it's a romance, too, and as such, it fully merits a higher ranking than a pure suspense novel. Hats off to the author for keeping me up late at night to finish this book.
March 1, 2011
This book was a very sweet and sometimes hot book that seemed to have the mystery thrown in second handed. I didn't mind that though as it added to the story. I would have liked a little more on each of the characers but it was still a good read. I finished it in a day.
March 11, 2008
It was alright. I felt it needed a little more character and plot development at times. The ending felt rushed.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews