Adrianne Byrd, If You Dare

If You Dare

Adrianne Byrd

Harper Torch, Aug 2004, $6.99, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060565373

In Atlanta, Sean La Fonte wants art thief Damien Black to steal the Degas collection from Atlanta's High Museum of Art. Though retired, Damien visits the High Museum to case the joint when a rainstorm sends Angel racing inside the building. Damien and Angel talk but she refuses to give him her number. Without her knowledge, Damien switches cell phones with Angel so that she will have to call him. When she does, they agree to attend the Shafrazzi Charity Ball at twenty-five hundred dollars a ticket.

Dangerous Tevin Merrick arrives at Sean's restaurant to discuss the latter's gambling debt. They also converse how they will split up the loot from a planned art heist when Angel enters her brother's office. Tevin offers to write off Sean's debt if Angel becomes his mistress. Desperate Sean agrees, but loathes himself for selling the only person he cherishes. Sean asks Angel to date Tevin as a favor, but she refuses. She insists she is no one's whore, but also knows she loves Damien. However, someone steals a Rubens masterpiece with Damien being the prime suspect and then there is Tevin who will not accept no from Angel.

This exciting art of love tale stars two delightful protagonists that hook the reader the moment they first meet. The deep support cast enables the audience to understand what motivates the lead characters. However, the heroine's overly protective brother "selling" her is out of character for him when it comes to his sibling and ethical questions involving the stealing of art to sell to private collectors abound. Still, IF YOU DARE is a fun contemporary romantic suspense that fans will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner