Book Review: Branded by Laura Wright

Title: Branded
Series: The Cavanaugh Brothers, Book 1
Author: Laura Wright
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: June 3, 2014 by Signet

In the small town of River Black, Texas, sits the Triple C—a working cattle ranch that sustains the town. But it also holds painful memories and shocking secrets for the Cavanaugh brothers...

When the Cavanaugh brothers return home for their father’s funeral, they discover unexpected evidence of the old man’s surprising double life—a son named Blue, who wants the Triple C Ranch as much as they do. The eldest son, Deacon, a wealthy businessman who couldn’t wait to leave the ranch and move on with his life, is looking to use his powerful connections to stop Blue at any cost. He never expected the ranch’s forewoman, Mackenzie Byrd, to get in his way.

Mac knows Deacon means to destroy the ranch and therefore destroy her livelihood. But as the two battle for control, their attraction builds. Now Deacon is faced with the choice of a lifetime: Take down the Triple C to feed his need for revenge, or embrace the love of the one person who has broken down every barrier to his heart.

Reviewed By: Lita

This gives the perfect meaning of country: Hardworking, manly, sexy men and some fun in the sun.

I always fall in love with country-vibe setting stories. The added bonus was that it all happened in Texas in particular, so basically in my backyard. Laura Wright has the cowboy and billionaire wrapped into one, making it even hotter. Stories that take place far away are great, but the ones closer to home make it all seem more real and exciting. Its as if having front row seats to something happening right next door! Thus, my reason for reading this book.

I liked how steady and unwavering the story is written, especially when it traverses from the past to the present, it was done really well. It gives a bit of a backdrop of the Cavanaugh's tragic past directly from Cassandra 'Cass' Cavanaugh's diary as to why problems took place in the present for the Cavanaugh brothers and the working hands on the Triple C Ranch, as well as the reason for the behavior of the main characters, Deacon Cavanaugh and Mackenzie 'Mac' Byrd.

The storyline of Branded flows really well with the romance between Mac & Deacon and the ever-present mystery of Cass' murder. When things start to blend, that is when things get rocky and interesting for the Cavanaugh gang and Mac. A never-ending cycle of secrets being revealed, more secrets being made and deals taking place. And they will all get a shock of their lives, more than once.

When I got near the end, I was hanging onto every single word, and then I was just left hanging, but it left me wanting more! I, for one, do not hate cliffhangers, but I do dislike them if it does not seem promising. This one has completely got me hooked.

Overall this was a great, steamy, and hot-as-heck read, fell in love with it from the start, and I definitely look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Lita’s Rating:

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