Dare To Trust

I don't know what it is about this book but I fell in love with it about 10 years ago and am still crazy about it today. I used to read Harlequins when I was working the night shift at a radio station--kept me awake and entertained. I knew it was all just in fun but then I picked up a battered copy of Dare To Trust and fell head over heels for the moody hero, Colin Davies! Still can't say why I'm crazy about him and this story compared to all the other Harlequin stories and heroes. I think some of it has to do with how real he seems to me. He isn't this perfect man who can do no wrong--tons of money, perfect car, fancy dinner parties. That stuff doesn't appeal to me. I like the rugged men! I like the down-to-earth guys and that's Colin! Anne McAllister also does a great job of building an actual relationship between Colin and Anna, the heroine. They don't spend all their time fighting or being rude to each other. They LIKE each other, they ENJOY each other. Yes, they have their fights and conflicts, too but it is more realistic. I never understood the appeal of the stories where the hero and heroine spend the entire book fighting, running from each other, being downright rude to one another. Where's the attraction there? Tension is great. Conflict is necessary but not non-stop fighting, etc. I loved how Anna met Colin when he was sick with Malaria and, though he tried to push her away and take care of himslef, ultimately he needed her to nurse him back to health. And that was just the beginning. Colin and Anna actually get to KNOW one another in this book. They don't meet and fall in love within 3 days. That was never believable to me and, in turn, not appealing. If you enjoy short works of romance, I would suggest you try to get your hands on a copy of Dare To Trust. My sister and I pass the book back and forth every few years and it's now falling apart. I was sorry to see that it's out of stock. I'd like to get a brand new copy but guess I'll just have to make do with my daydreams about a certain fiercely rugged, dark-eyed archaeologist!