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    Branded
    Branded
    Branded
    Audiobook13 hours

    Branded

    Written by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

    Narrated by Jorjeana Marie

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole, where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.

    Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I've been accused of a crime I didn't commit, and now the Hole is my new home.

    Every day is a fight for survival. But I won't die. I won't let them win. The Hole can't keep me. The Hole can't break me. I am more than my brand. I'm a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateNov 25, 2014
    ISBN9781494576691
    Branded

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    Reviews for Branded

    4/5

    43 ratings15 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This book blew me away. I am not a fan of dystopia novels, but this book was the perfect blend of suspense, romance, action, and horror. I was immediately drawn to the characters and the awful world they live in. My heart was racing while reading this book just from the fear of what might happen next. The imagery used to describe The Hole made me feel like I was stuck in there right along with the main characters. I can't wait for the next novel in the series to come out!
    • 5/5
      Since the book starts, it leaves the reader glued to the pages and wanting so much more. A few readers have said they didn't like Lexi's character because she was weak. I don't find her weak at all. The authors wrote her life in such great detail that you can feel every emotion she went through, every pain she endured. She is not a weak character. Lexi stayed true to what she believed in, she woke up every day hoping for a better future. I honestly believe Lexi is one of the strongest characters I have ever read.Lexi is judged for being lustful, but it is a mistake, one that she can't escape from no matter how hard she tries. The government takes her to the Hole, which is where they keep the branded and where they work; let me tell you, it is not a place you want to work and/or live in. Seeing as Lexi has lust wrapped around her neck, she would've had the job of working as a prostitute, but she is being protected.Enter Cole, Lexi's hot guard. He was given orders to protect Lexi but no one knows why, not even the reader until the very end. Cole started out to be a mysterious character, one that I couldn't figure out, but I love that because it made me want to keep reading and find out more about him. Lexi is attracted to Cole from the moment she sees him, and even more so when she sees him shirtless, which left me breathless when the scene described.Lexi is Cole's assignment. His job is to make sure she isn't harmed. As mentioned before, Lexi has the brand of lust. When people notice her, they automatically see her as someone to have fun with, someone to use as a toy, but she obviously isn't like that. That is why Cole is there to protect her from harms way, from men AND women's dirty hands.The story isn't centered in ONLY Lexi. Yes, the story is in her point of view, but it doesn't focus only on her. It focuses on everything as a whole. It focuses on the life in the Hole, how it is, how the people are, how the government treats those that are judged. It focuses on survival, trying to survive every day, not only for Lexi but for Cole, Sutton, the hospital doctor, Alyssa, a patient in the hospital that Lexi gets attached to... While it is in Lexi's point of view, she is not the center of attention, everyone and everything is.As the story developed, I found myself drawn to every character, especially Cole and Lexi. I believe they got attached because they were a part of a few sane people in that place, plus Cole would be with her everyday and would spend time with her, leading him to see her for who she really is, not for the branding that dictates her life.When I say this book has a climax that no one can expect, I mean it. When I found out who is the Commander and who tipped him off, I was mind blown completely. I totally did NOT see that coming; I got blind-sided. I enjoyed reading this book because the authors wrote the book with details. Those details were the ones that got me submerged into the Sinners world. I imagined every scenery, every character and felt every emotion the characters had. This doesn't happen with every book that I read. It is rare to find a book like this one.Another reason why I love this book is because it is different than any other book I have ever read. The branding, the seven deadly sins, the government...everything was so new to me. I loved that I could enter a new world that I hadn't experienced before and you can too!
    • 4/5
      My Opinion: This was a very powerful book! I just have to say that right off because you need to be prepared for violence and the worst that people can do when you read it. In the society of Branded, anyone can be accused of one of the seven deadly sins, and if they are accused then they are sent to The Hole and branded without ever having a trial or being able to speak in their own defense. The Hole is a prison that is nothing better than a slum that the prisoners are forced to live and work in, with guards everywhere who would just as easily shoot you as look at you. The guards are sadistic animals for the most part, although there are a few good ones, one of which is Cole, the guard assigned to Lexi when she is falsely accused of the sin of Lust and is branded with a blue ring around her neck (the color that lets everyone know what her sin was) and thrown in the Hole. This book moved very fast at times, and then at other times I felt the narrative bogged it down. I felt that the threat of death over both Lexi and Cole if they ever got close would have caused them to fight their feelings a bit more, but once you get past the slower parts, the book picks up again at an almost break neck pace, hurtling the reader to the conclusion.Overall I enjoyed Branded and was able to deal with the violence because it wasn't gratuitous - it simply let the reader in on what it was like in The Hole, the "realness" of it is what kept me reading even when I was uncomfortable with it. I look forward to reading the next installment and recommend it to readers who don't shy away from violence in a messy dystopian world. I give this book 4 stars :DI received a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
    • 4/5
      Okay let me give you the lo down on Branded: It’s a book set in this dystopian world fifty years after World War 5 (OMG!) where a ruthless man called The Commander uses the seven deadly sins to punish criminals. Said criminals are branded around their neck with the color of their sin.Lust – BlueGluttony – OrangeGreed – YellowSloth – BlackWrath – RedEnvy – GreenPride – PurpleThese criminals are then cast out by society and thrown into The Hole. In comes Lexi Hamilton. She’s an 18-year-old girl who’s been branded with lust and must live out the rest of her days trying to survive in the Hole. She’s immediately paired with Cole, a mysterious yet compassionate guard who has to protect her from the horrors of the Hole. As The Hole keeps descending into chaos, Cole and Lexi discover things about the system that’ll make them question everything. Soon they’ll learn that maybe, the only ones they can really trust are themselves.What I liked the most about this book was the way that it started. It immediately jumps into the action and we’re discovering Lexi’s rebellious and strong spirit from the get go. While she wasn’t necessarily the strongest of the lot (she would faint or throw up or cry), she definitely tried her absolute best to survive.“You’re a sinner,” they say. […] I stand defiant. I refuse to bend or break before them, even as I shiver with fear.Lexi is compassionate and headstrong, and at times much too curious for her own good. However I really enjoyed seeing her journey throughout this novel because Lexi began as a scared little girl trying to battle some ghosts from her past and at the end she’s a strong and determined girl willing to fight for what she believes in.When Cole enters the picture, you could immediately notice that he’d be the love interest in this book. I honestly can’t complain. Cole is a brave warrior and he’s determined to protect Lexi, even if her brand says she’s a… loose woman. He sees past Lexi’s mark and learns to love her regardless.Their romance was definitely well developed. It was a forbidden romance (guard and prisoner) and it was so fun seeing them fight against their feelings. It was slow and even when it was painfully obvious that they were definitely falling for each other, the authors put it aside for a while in exchange for more world building and mystery and whatnot.There was a wonderful cast of side characters; they all left their own special mark on the story. My favorite character was Alyssa because her storyline was so emotional and definitely one of the things that defined Lexi’s actions most of all.A thing I didn’t like in the story was the fact that Lexi seemed to have so many privileges throughout: a guard to protect her, a relatively safe place to live, allies, and all around conveniences for her. At the end it is explained why, but it was hard to believe at first. I also didn’t like that while the romance isn’t insta-love; once it finally surfaces it’s kind of all encompassing. Suddenly Cole and Lexi get super intense, which kind of threw me off for a while. Also, the writing didn’t sit well with me at first because I could feel when one author would end writing and the author would begin. Nonetheless after the initial chapters the writing became seamless.Overall, Branded is a surprising debut novel by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki that introduces a brand new dystopian world with a forbidden romance and a refreshing main character. It’ll leave you breathless for more after you pass the last page.
    • 4/5
      “You can overcome anything…short of death.” –C. Hamilton, Branded When I read the book description for Branded, I knew I wanted to read this young adult dystopian novel that is set in a fictitious world where our current judicial system has been turned on its head. No longer are citizens considered innocent until proven guilty. Instead, the accused are immediately arrested, found guilty, and sent to spend the rest of their life in the “Hole”. No evidence is needed, no trial is conducted; all it takes is an accusation of wrongdoing to condemn a person and sentence him or her to a lifetime of imprisonment and persecution. Furthermore, our concept of what constitutes a criminal offense has been redefined to include the seven deadly sins: greed, gluttony, wrath, pride, envy, sloth and lust. The accused are actually branded around their necks with a colored band that signifies their sin. The authors have created a dreadful society where no one is completely safe, including the teenage Lexi Hamilton who is arrested for lust. The basis for this plot is certainly thought-provoking and was a deciding factor in my choice to read this book.From the opening lines of the book, I was immediately pulled into Lexi’s terrifying situation and horrified by injustices inflicted upon the citizens by a sadistic dictator known as “The Commander.” Although he rules with an iron fist and eliminates anyone who opposes his authority, ironically, he remains elusive to the citizens who consider him their savior, the one who restored order and peace in the aftermath of World War V. Very few have ever seen him, and he lives in seclusion, supposedly to protect himself from being tainted by the sinful, corrupt nature of everyone else. Maybe he must keep his distance from others to hide his own sins? I was flabbergasted that he has been able to brainwash so many with his perverse propaganda. How can these citizens be so oblivious to the fact that the leader is sinning with his methods to eradicate sin from the country? Perhaps it’s just easier to look the other way, as long as you aren’t the one being accused and arrested. The story is narrated in first person from Lexi’s point of view and describes her experience trying to survive in the Hole, which is a prison without cells or bars. It’s an enclosed structure isolated from the rest of society where violence, rape, torture, and theft run amuck unless the guards choose to intervene. No one can defy the guards and walk away unscathed. Many of the guards are depicted as evil and depraved, behaving as they please, often taking pleasure in stripping away each prisoner’s dignity and humanity. Make no mistake, life in the hole is brutal, and not even Lexi can escape the pervasive violence surrounding her, even though she is assigned a personal guard, Cole, to protect her. There are advantages to having the story narrated solely from Lexi’s perspective. I was able to connect with her on an emotional level and empathize with her fear, shame, and trauma. However, she has also erected mental blocks that keep readers in suspense about the events that led to her arrest and her reasons for remaining quiet about her innocence: “My neck radiates with burning heat from the brand that permanently labels me a whore. I drop my eyes to the dusty ground, feeling ashamed even though I know it’s not true. But they think it is.”Her mysterious backstory isn’t revealed until much later in the book although her nightmares hint at the truth behind the loss of her innocence. On the other hand, because I was limited to Lexi’s POV and could only see this oppressive environment through her eyes, the underpinnings of this society were vague, and I felt the world-building could have been stronger and more vivid to help me imagine the Hole and the rest of this fictitious society in greater detail. In addition, this single POV hindered my full understanding of the motivations driving these characters. For example, Cole is an enigma. It doesn’t take long for Lexi to realize he’s different from the other guards. He’s compassionate and caring towards others, even though he has to hide his feelings so that he can do his job. Since Cole becomes Lexi’s love interest, I want to know his backstory. Why did he become a guard if he disagrees with the injustice inflicted upon prisoners? The plot is full of action and violence that are graphic. There are also some tear-jerker scenes that touched my heart.The climax is suspenseful, with unexpected complications and surprises, and the forbidden romance between Lexi and Cole adds another element of tension that provides greater depth to the storyline. Although the overall mood of the novel is dark and somber, Alyssa’s character offers a bit of brightness by lifting Lexi’s spirit, and the loyal and lovable Great Dane, Zeus, provides some much needed moments of comic relief to cut through this bleakness of the situation. To sum up, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to older teens and adults because of its violence and brutality. If you enjoy dystopian fiction, check out the start of this new series.I received an ARC of this book from the author to provide an honest review.
    • 5/5
      I heard all the hype about this book and read all the quotes that people were sharing and thought to myself I gotta read this book!!!! Can it really be as good as everyone says it is? Let me tell you they were all right. This book is AWESOME!!!

      Lexi is the heroine in this story and has been unjustly found guilty of the sin "Lust." Punishment is a blue brand around her neck so everyone knows what she's been convicted of. Before the Guards came to take Lexi in the night she had a hard life of torture and betrayal. Due to how she grew up after the death of her father and her brother ran away, Lexi doesn't trust anyone. She has plenty or reasons not. Until she meets Cole. Through out the story you see Lexi grow and get her but kicked at times. That's all part of living and surviving in the place she now has to call home. She experiences fear, heart wrenching sadness, hope and love.

      Cole is the Guard that gets assigned to watch Lexi when she arrives at The Hole. Something about her tells him that she isn't like the others and he just wants her to trust him. As he spends more time watching her and protecting her, Cole begins to develop feelings for Lexi and eventually falls in love with her. Which may be fine anywhere else but here in The Hole it's one of the biggest N0-NO'S there is and is punishable by death. Not just his but Lexi's too. A horrific and painful and very public death. Lexi knows it's wrong to love Cole and that if they get caught their dead but without him she's dead on the inside anyways.

      Zeus is Cole's dog and I love him to pieces. Once he meets Lexi for the first time he appoints himself her guardian. Whenever he's not out on assignment with Cole and they are in their apartments he's right there with Lexi. He comes to her defense on more than one occasion and prevents her death. Zeus may appear to be a loveable and friendly dog but he can turn dangerous and lethal in a minute. Especially when it comes to defending and protecting Lexi.

      The Hole is like a prison but bigger and more dangerous. Every prisoner upon entering gets branded with one of seven colors depending on their sin. This place is horrific and the Authors don't shy away from any details. They make you feel like you are in a place where there's no hope and you just wonder if you will ever make it out alive. Those who have a weak stomach may want to shy away from this book which would be awful because they would really be missing a great read.

      This book took me on an emotional ride from the beginning to the end. I was angry and pissed at the treatment of the prisoners. There were times when I cried so hard the tears poured down my face and I had to put the book down just so I could gain some control of my emotions before I continued with the story. I laughed, prayed, and routed for love to win out in the end.

      Abi and Missy thank you for such an emotional story. It's been awhile since I've read such an emotionally charged book. I see great things in both of your futures and look forward to the next book in the series. This is a must read for all types of readers. I will definitely recommend it to all my reading friends. If I could I would have given you 10 stars. Go out and get yours now you won't be disappointed I promise.
    • 3/5
      I had high hopes for this one but somehow it fell a bit short for me. Using the Seven Deadly Sins as the framework for this totalitarian society is a great setup but its use here is titular, at best. Lexi, our heroine, is branded with a blue tattoo about her neck for being accused of the sin, Lust. Honestly, I basically remembered the color association because the book cover shows it. The only other two color coded sins I recall are red for Wrath and purple for Pride. The rest remained simply that blurb within the first pages and entirely forgettable. The reason for this, is that there are no other characters Lexi truly interacts with who are branded, so it never becomes very real. Lexi’s major interactions with those branded, are mostly those trying to kill or rape her every time she dares leave her hovel or the hospital, in which she works. To be fair, this begins as soon as she’s set foot in The Hole. People were literally trying to pull her out of the vehicle she was being driven in because according to her guard/protector Cole, “you’re the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen”. Ok then.Moving on. Sadly, I never completely connected with Lexi and that’s unfortunate. There were too many unexplained happenstances (in that Mary Sue way) that bothered me and I found my suspension of disbelief was too taxed here for me to just give in. I had too many plot relevant questions that upon finishing the book, still hadn’t been answered and while I know not everything is answered in the first book of a series, they do usually serve to set the stage in a more cogent & coherent way. This book just tossed things out and kept moving. Admittedly, it made for a page turner but the questions & logic niggles just kept stacking up.It was also very clear from the first that Cole was going to become “the love interest”. I can deal with telegraphing but I do still need the character to have some kind of depth and personality. For the life of me, I’ve no idea who Cole is other than “the love interest”. I can see, in a way, why Lexi, his charge, would fall for him. He saves her life, he’s in a position of protector and authority, he’s more knowledgeable about this hell hole she’s been banished to and he’s the only other human contact she has when this sets off. Why he falls for her so quickly and completely is a conundrum. The whole romance angle fell completely flat for me and I felt none of the angst that I know I was supposed to. Here’s the thing about insta-love: There are instances where it can work for me but only after I’ve been given time and reason enough to care a lot for the characters (or even one of them). If I’ve not got that, then they can proclaim from the first page to the last and it’ll still feel empty for me. Lexi and Cole had all of the proclamations and none of the feels. On the upside, the descriptions of The Hole & the harrowing things going on were vivid and well done. I think the violence was well done (not a simple thing to pull off) and it was grim and grisly without feeling gratuitous. The action scenes in the second half of the book & especially near the end seemed well done even if I thought it was a little too easy for the mains. I do wish more had been done with the reveal of the Commander (because I’d figured out who it likely was fairly early on) and his fate while well tied off, felt a bit rushed given all that build up. This book is definitely a case of, I came for the characters but stayed for the environs. For me, these instances were the story’s strengths and really held my interest and made me want to know more. Hopefully, there will be more explanation in subsequent books about WWV and how society turned into what is laid out here.I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone looking for deeply rendered characters but I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast paced (only in the second half, really), harder edged weekend read. 3.5 stars. I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher, to read in exchange for my honest review.
    • 2/5
      I'm not sure how to review this book. I thought it was an interesting premise, but the book needs some careful editing. The author does a horrible job showing the passage of time. She will describe two days in excruciating detail and then in the next paragraph it says that a week has passed. In one chapter, Lexi has a serious head injury with over a dozen staples. Moving makes her nauseous and dizzy. Two days later she is doing some serious heavy duty physical training without any problems. I also lost track of the number of times Lexi vomited. Seriously, not everything needs to end with vomit. Overall, not a book I can recommend.
    • 5/5
      I read this book on a suggestion from a friend. She said,” You have to read it. It amazing!” So I read it. And you know what? She was right.Plot: This story reminds of the old times where anyone accused a girl of witchcraft. But instead of witchcraft its your sin. Have too much money? Your GREEDY! You looked at a guy the wrong way? Your LUSTFUL! Get mad too fast? Your RAGEFUL! And once accused of these sins you are taken to a hole. And underground jail that is filthly and hard to survive in. Once there, you are branded with color of your sin. And once everyone knows your sin, they will eat you alive if your aren’t strong enough. This plot is amazeballs! Super entertaining that is able to quickly grab the reader, holding the reader till the last page.Love/Friendship: Despite the heavy, dark themes in the story, there is HOPE! I really wasn’t expecting this to happen since the story is so different, but it gave me happiness to know what has been establish between these two. An unlikely friendship forges and it sprouts into an amazing selfless love. It is forbidden. Which makes me cheer on this couple even more. They make hard decisions that leaves me heart-broken at times but in the end, they are fighting for each other.Ending: WOW! That’s all I can say. I want more. And I want it now. There are several revelations at the end of the story, that leaves the reader hunger for more. Take it from me that you will enjoy this book so much, that you can’t even get it out of your head. It’s just an amazing story that will blow you away. Branded is a success!
    • 4/5
      This one will leave you on the edge of your seat, desperate for book two!Synopsis:In this world people are divided into three people, the wealthy, living in high society and affluence, the poor - struggling to keep alive day after day and those that live in the hole. Those that live in the hole are sinners, people who have sinned or done wrong. As punishment for this wrongdoing they are branded according to their crime - lust, greed, envy etc. They are kept separate from everyone else in society and must slave away at whatever job is assigned to them. Life is tough in the hole, and surviving is the most difficult thing of all.Lexi is a young girl living in high society, although she is wealthy her living is made a living hell by her stepfather who torments her at every turn. She is then accused, branded as lustful and sent to the hole. But all is not as it seems, her father was a well known advocate for the rights of the people living in the hole, her older brother mysteriously vanished and her own mother appears to be the person that accused her. All these questions Lexi takes with her to the hole, but will she find the answers? Not only is she fighting to answer these questions, she’s fighting to stay alive.Review:I absolutely loved this one! What a thrill ride! I had never heard of it before but after seeing what a huge following the book has on instagram, I thought I’d give it a whirl, and I’m so glad I did. It’s so exciting, so addictive and you most definitely won’t be disappointed. “You can overcome anything...short of death.”“I spent the majority of my life between four walls. I was abandoned, neglected, starved, betrayed and abused. I've already been treated like the scum of the earth, so the Hole is nothing new.”This book is just so exciting, and there’s so much going on. You won’t for a minute be bored, I promise! A dystopian novel that covers so many interesting themes and ideas. It covers abuse, relationships, friendships, dictators, violence crime and just about everything else in between! There’s also a wonderful dog called Zeus, who is mischievous and gets into trouble and I would absolutely love to have as a pet! The characters are fantastically written, Lexi is so sweet and has had so many hardships in her life, you feel so sympathetic for her and just hope that her future has something bright in it. There are so many characters in it that I love, Sutton, Cole and so many others are just brilliant, you really get attached to them all!Unfortunately for me I read this book at a particularly hectic period during term time which resulted in my having to stop and start the book more than once, I think this diminished my enjoyment of the story a little bit, but despite this, it’s still an utterly brilliant book and I’m itching for book two to be released, so make sure you read Branded before it’s released in march!
    • 3/5
      Preachy with weak females and a plot that only picked up in the end.
    • 4/5
      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 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.
    • 3/5
      The premise of this steamy story was pretty good but it moved kind of slow and I skimmed a lot. The hero was either angry or having sex. I didn't feel the build up of the relationship rather everything just happened at the end. Deacon wants to demolish family home after his father dies but ranch forewoman Mac fights him on it.
    • 4/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Deacon Cavanaugh will do anything to destroy the Triple C Ranch. Mackenzie Byrd will do anything to stop him. Add in a sizzling attraction to each other, and that makes matters extremely complicated.Opening Sentence: Today it took five dollars to get the cowboys to look the other way when Mac and I saddled up one of Daddy’s prize cow horses.The Review:This book was just what I needed, as I’ve been going through a bit of a reading slump lately. I do find it funny that a book I normally wouldn’t have picked up (I’m not always a huge contemporary romance fan) is the one that pulls me out of my slump. I’m incredibly grateful for it though!Growing up, the Cavanaugh brothers had a great life on their father’s ranch. That all changed when their 13-year-old sister went missing and was later found murdered. Life on the ranch changed, and it was no longer a place any of them felt safe or loved. All three brothers left as soon as they were able and never looked back. Since then, Deacon Cavanaugh has made himself into a very successful businessman. What he wants more than anything is to tear down the Triple C Ranch and move on with his life. He’s made numerous offers to buy the Triple C, all of which have been refused. When his father dies, Deacon sees his chance. What he doesn’t foresee is the fight he will have on his hands with the ranch’s foreman, Mac. Mac was his sister’s best friend and cannot understand the hatred Deacon holds for his father and his ranch. She will everything in her power to stop Deacon’s plan from going forward. Who will win in this battle of wills? Will Deacon and Mac’s burgeoning romance be able to withstand the fallout?The book is told mainly from Deacon and Mac’s perspectives, although we do get a couple scenes with the other Cavanaugh brothers as well as Deacon’s assistant. Spending so much time in the heads of our hero and heroine really helped me forge a connection to the two characters, although I felt more connected to Mac. In the first part of the book, Deacon comes off as a bit of a jerk, making it very hard to like him at first. Thankfully, this changes once the romance really takes off. Mac, on the other hand, is likable from the start. She’s incredibly strong and doesn’t need a man to make her life complete. At the same time, she’s not afraid to open up and make herself vulnerable. She’s just very easy to identify with.While I will say the romance did seem to move a little quickly, it honestly didn’t bother me too much. I think this is due to the fact that the chemistry between Deacon and Mac is just perfect. You could practically see the sparks and steam come off the pages. That chemistry greatly made up for any rushing of the romance that occurred.This was an incredibly enjoyable, quick read. I think fans of contemporary romance will be greatly pleased and those that aren’t normally into this type of book will be pleasantly surprised. I know I was!Notable Scene:“Everett Cavanaugh was good to this town,” he said in a deep, controlled voice. “No question about it. His success shows in every building, every business, and every home. But his failures were just as impactful. And like his successes, they shouldn’t go unobserved.”Beside Mac, Elena gave a tiny gasp. The rest of the room, however, fell silent and still. Clearly captivated by Deacon Cavanaugh’s audacity. Even the members of the congregation with fans held them aloft and immobile.“A town can be built on the destruction of others,” he said, his voice near to ice now. “But that kind of foundation ain’t strong. It won’t last. It can’t. I won’t allow it.”Without warning, his eyes dropped to the front row, hitting Mac with a dark, quizzical look that turned her insides lava. Will you be the one who gets in my way now? he seemed to be asking.Damn right, she wanted to shout back at him. But she had no voice. No goddamn voice. Staring up at him, she felt as if she were completely alone–on the bench and inside the church. She felt like a prisoner to his stare and that if he wanted to take something from her, not only would she let him, but she might just be inclined to fall to her knees when she handed it over.After a few long seconds, he pulled his gaze from hers and settled it back on the crowd again. As Mac regained her mind and chastised herself for shrinking under the weight of that intense look, Deacon continued with his backward eulogizing, undaunted.“Today you buy Everett Cavanaugh,” he said tersely. “Tomorrow I bury everything he’s ever worked for.”FTC Advisory: Signet/Penguin provided me with a copy of Branded. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 5/5
      Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Alluring Angel - Kathy:*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest reviewBranded, the first book in Laura Wright’s new series, The Cavanaugh Brothers, is a keeper. The emotions are intense, the sexual steam is sizzling hot, and the storyline never lags. Branded features the eldest of the Cavanaugh brothers, Deacon. And the one thing that this urban businessman wants is to destroy the ranch that he grew up on. The land and everything on it are reminders of an unsolved murder, betrayals, and old family secrets. Mackenzie is the foreman of the Triple C Ranch, and she will do what ever she can to stop the destruction of the place that she loves and calls home. Deacon and Mac clash something fierce, but the attraction that they both feel can’t be denied. The dialog in Branded is smart and realistic. The sex will have you fanning yourself. I can’t wait to read the next in this series. The remaining Cavanaugh brothers, Cole, James and Blue, are men that I’ve just got to know better.