BRANDED is the story of Deacon, oldest brother of the
Cavanaugh ranching family. He and his siblings grew up on
the vast Triple C cattle ranch in Texas; but the family
split up and separated after the senseless abduction and
murder of their younger sister, Cass. There is bad blood
between the brothers and their father due to Cass's death
and a mysterious secret that tore the family apart. Deacon
is now a successful businessman, who has been trying for
years to buy up land around the Triple C in an attempt to
gain control of the ranch. His plan is to destroy the ranch
and his father's legacy. Now the brothers have all
returned, and gathered for the funeral of their father and
the distribution of his assets and the ranch.
Mackenzie Byrd grew up close to the Cavanaugh family, first
as the best friend of Cass, and now as the forewoman of the
ranch. In her youth, she harbored a crush on Deacon, who
was oblivious to her childish fantasies. Now he's back; and
Mac is no longer a child, but a grown and very alluring
woman. Their attraction is intense, and increasingly
difficult to ignore. Unfortunately, Mac and Deacon are at
odds over the Triple C. The ranch Deacon wants to destroy
is not only the lifelong passion of Mac, but the major
livelihood of River Black, Texas. Another secret comes to
light after the death of their father, in the form of a
bastard brother they never knew about; a brother who has
been left a full share of the ranch along with the
legitimate brothers.
BRANDED is the first book of the new Cavanaugh
Brothers
series by Laura Wright, in her first foray into the
contemporary cowboy romance. All the major players are
introduced in this book, including illegitimate brother
Blue; and several of the impending romantic interests.
Setting up all their backgrounds and current lives makes for
a crowded tale; which takes a bit away from Mac and Deacon's
individual story. There are a number of side stories going
on in BRANDED, and a good deal of background preparation for
each brother's upcoming book. Fortunately for the reader,
Mac and Deacon's shared past helps keep their current
budding relationship from feeling too rushed. There are a
couple of mysteries to be solved and some undiscovered
family secrets; storylines which will arc into the next
books of the series.
There is not a great deal of action sequences taking place
in BRANDED. The story is firmly based in the family's
drama; their dynamics and secrets. For fans of Laura Wright
and sprawling modern family sagas, this story and the
Cavanaugh Brothers series will certainly fit that
reader's
tastes and needs. Although there is a lot going on in
BRANDED, which is necessary to lay the series groundwork;
the next books look to be more streamlined and
self-contained as each brother gets his own story, and more
family secrets are revealed. BRANDED is an entertaining
story, and the Cavanaugh Brothers series looks to be
an
enjoyable read.
Reviewed by - Rachel Williams
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.
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