Laura Wright (1)

Mackenzie Byrd has been foreman at the Triple C ranch for years, but now that Everett Cavanaugh has died, her position and her life seem less certain. Deacon Cavanaugh harbors a hatred for his father which has fueled his desire to destroy the ranch that is the root of the pain that has infected himself and his brothers since their sister, Cass, was abducted and killed. Now that his father is dead, Deacon has the chance to bulldoze the ranch and his torment along with it. Mac mourned the loss show more of her best friend, Cass, but has managed to move on with her life. Mac's crush on Deacon eased when he left, and she remained on the land and with the people that she cared about. Now Mac and Deacon are at odds and battling over the fate of the ranch, while at the same time, they battle the attraction that they have for one another.
Branded is a well-written western romance with a depth of emotion charged by revelations from both the past and present. However, a story line involving a business takeover, reminiscent of Pretty Woman, seems to have a fairly weak resolution. Also, the romance between Mac and Deacon intensifies almost too quickly but can be explained by their history and feelings they shared from their past. The mystery of Cass's death seems to be a thread that will run through the entire series as a few clues including entries from her diary are revealed throughout this book. Overall, this is a good story with likable characters, lots of conflict, and profound emotion, making it an enjoyable read and hard to put down. show less

Original post: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/07/book-review-eternal-kiss-mark-of.htm...

Oh Nicholas, how I love thee? I am absolutely obsessed with this series. Alex's book was a great debut and this sequel was even better. I couldn't put this book down. It was such a rush, a very sexy rush. If you are a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, you will be a fan of the Roman brothers.

I love that this book really gave us more backstory. I felt like we missed some of that from the first show more one with Alex. We heard a little bit of Nicholas' story in the first book. Here, we get a bunch more of him and his past. We find out his past was very dark and destructive. What's worse, is that he hasn't really escaped his past and he has kept it from his brothers specifically Lucian. He was the one who saved Nicholas in the first place so many years ago. I really enjoyed the first book, but due to the intensity of this story, this one was much better.

We also have our heroine, Kate, who is definitely going on my badass chick list. She is a prisoner at a place named Mondrar, but they let her because she teaches in their vampire-gated community. Tragedy strikes when looking over one of her students who is Nicholas' long lost son. She escapes to take his son to him, but Nicholas doesn't believe her. I love how tough Kate is. Nicholas was giving her a lot of crap and she manages she give it right back to him. She may not be a trained warrior like him, but she was very smart and cunning. I love how we see her transition in the story and hearing her story about how she ended up in prison. Kate and Nicholas aren't all that different. They were an amazing match, truly perfect for one another.

Besides the story of Kate and Nicholas, we have more from creepy Ethan and from his master. His master will do whatever it takes to force the Romans through Morpho (the change that makes them Breeding Males and makes them full vampires). We do learn who it is and I was correct in my assumption of the culprit. We just need to know why he wants them changed so badly. He is definitely planning something, we just don't know what.

Now this may be Nicholas' book, but the highlight for me was Lucian. I knew from book 1 he would be a favorite. That couldn't be more true now. The dialogue between him and his brothers is just so much fun. He cracks me up even though his brothers talk about how dangerous he is. He definitely seems more bloodthirsty than the others, but we are yet to see why they call him the devil. I love how he keeps fighting his feelings for Bronwyn. She is the scientist we meet in book 1. They have great chemistry even though they act like they hate each other. But given the way this book actually ended, I think eyes will be opened. Seriously, that was a great ending. My jaw dropped then I burst out laughing.

This is a wonderful sequel. It was better than the first book. The storylines were amazing and flowed together beautifully. We get a couple of twists that are very exciting and I can't wait to see how they will develop. We get more laughs and amazing steamy scenes that will have you fanning yourself. Whether you are a hardcore BDB fan like myself or you really love PNR, I highly recommend you check this series out. You are sure to get a treat. show less

~ 5 Branded Stars ~

Branded is book one in The Cavanaugh Brothers series by Laura Wright. I’ve been a fan of Laura’s since I picked up my first book the Bayou Heat series and have been wanting to try her other works for some time. I’m not a contemporary reader by heart, but WOW baby, Laura Wright blew me away with Branded and I am most defiantly going to be picking up the rest of the books in this series. I feel in love with the Cavanugh Brothers and really, who can resist a sexy hot show more cowboy?

Branded is filled with emotion, conflict, drama, suspense and scorching romance, the plot is captivating. I was captured and could not put the book down. I really enjoyed how Ms. Wright put the diary passages of Cassandra Cavanaugh into the story. The emotional suffering everyone went through and are still going through after the loss of Cass, and then to learn about secrets the Cavanugh’s father has kept as well, as the Sheriff who investigated Cass’s death. It’s all so well written and hooks the reader. The characters are fabulous, they have such intense emotional connections. The chemistry between Mac and Deacon scorches the pages and the sex scenes are hot and steamy. I love how there relationship is portrayed along with the snarky dialogue. Mac is amazing. I love how strong and tuff she is. Deacon was also amazing, with his tortured past and hard headed attitude.

The author has created a delightful heartfelt romance with sexy cowboys. We are kept on our toes with some twists and surprises that add spice and depth to the story. I am hooked and can’t wait to read the next book.

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Tall, dark, handsome and a cowboy....OMG my fantasy come true. Flawed but still able to love his brothers and let himself find love Deacon comes back to his hometown to settle the score once and for all after his father passes away. His plan to destroy, literally, the ranch where he grew up (and not in the best frames of mind) starts to fall apart when he reconnects with Mac...his murdered sister's best friend and now ranch forewoman.
Mac, she's adored Deac since she was a small girl trying show more to capture her best friend's oldest brother's attention. She stayed after tragedy hit and has grown into a strong willed, opinionated, fierce woman. Willing to fight, dirty if she has to, to save those she loves and the ranch she calls home.
Along the road to their HEA more family skeletons are revealed, arguments threaten to tear folks apart, and an old man's fading memories stir up old wounds.
The heat and chemistry between Mac and Deac extends past the bedroom and into their day to day dealings giving us some great one liners and a few tears shed. They declare their love midway through the story but that doesn't mean one is going to lay down and roll over for the other. No it just means each is going to fight for what they believe to be right even harder to save themselves and those they love. Sometimes misguided but love is never in doubt.
We also get a glimpse of the other brothers. James and Cole. Both with their own issues but cole hurting most of all....after all it was his twin, Cass, who was murdered and the killer never brought to justice. Will they heal, will they find a woman to help them want to live again, can the ranch be saved? Oh, and will Sam ever not have an opinion on the shenanigans these youngins get themselves into?
i shed a few tears during the book but then again picked up the book to escape some emotional goings on in my world so guess the book help me escape and connect so that I could find a release of my own. Isn't that what books are supposed to do, carry us away and make us feel for the characters. This one did it for me and can't wait to read the next one....James' story....the horse whisperer. show less