Friday, October 17, 2014

Review and Giveaway: Broken

Broken (Cavanaugh Brothers - Book 2) by Laura Wright

Publication Date: 10/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Signet Eclipse
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 0451464990
ISBN-13: 978-0451464996

(Received for an honest review from Signet Eclipse)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Laura Wright on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series

Cavanaugh Brothers

1. Branded
2. Broken

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.



Synopsis:

The Cavanaugh brothers left behind River Black, Texas, long ago. But after their father dies, bequeathing them the Triple C, a cattle ranch that sustains their small town, they return—and confront the painful memories of their childhood home and the truth about their sister’s murder…

For years, James Cavanaugh has traveled the world as a horse whisperer, but even the millions he’s earned hasn’t healed the pain he hides behind his stoic exterior. Forced to tackle old demons at the ranch, James throws himself into work to avoid his true feelings. Until he meets a woman who shakes the foundations of his well-built walls…

Sheridan O’Neil’s quiet confidence has served her well, except when it comes to romance. Refusing to allow her heard to led her to disaster, she chooses to focus solely on work. But after Sheridan is rescued from a horse stampede by the most beautiful cowboy she’s ever met, her vow to keep her heart penned wavers. Only, as Sheridan uncovers James’s belief that no woman is safe with him, she wonders if such a wounded man could ever give in to love, or if some hearts are too broken to be healed.…


Thoughts:

If you are a sucker for a tortured hero, James Cavanaugh will have you melting! Laura Wright returns with the second Cavanaugh Brothers novel, Broken. Readers who started out with Branded will find each brother just as intriguing as the others. James is a "horse whisperer' with a tragic past. Sheridan is a woman who puts work before relationships. When they rocket into each others worlds, the combination is explosive. A great addition to the series!

What I liked:

A hero with a lot of baggage generally gets me right in the heart. Add to that, that James Cavanaugh believes himself cursed and I was hooked, big time. This is a great contemporary romance with a western slant. If you are looking for a story about a modern day cowboy, you've come to the right place with this series and this book. Laura Wright gives readers not only a love story, but an added mystery thread that runs throughout the series. 

James is carrying around a lot of demons. He would generally rather be with the horses he loves than people. Since the death of sister Cassie, he has tortured himself with guilt and believes that he is unable to protect any woman he loves. I loved the way Wright was able to show the pain that James was in. She didn't just gloss over it by providing a love interest that automatically brought him out of the shadows and back into his life. James struggles with is feeling for quite awhile before he lets a little of Sheridan's light into his heart. Seeing his growth throughout the book was achingly sweet. A fantastic character.

Sheridan was a businesswoman at heart. No time for romance and not time to get entangled with the bosses brother. But there was just something about James that drew her in. She was able to look deeper into his heart than most people. She saw his pain but also saw who he could be, the man that was hidden underneath the weight of guilt. She was perky and bright and she also had a wisdom that didn't always fit with her personality, because there was more to her than met the eye as well. It had to take a strong woman to take James on and Sheridan more than fit the bill. Another great character!

I loved the sweet romance that these two characters shared. The way that they each showed their flaws and imperfections to each other and could still see what was deep inside. It wasn't an easy road for them and I think that made it all the more realistic and believable. The sexual tension was palpable. It zinged in the air like electricity arcing on a line when they were in each others presence and when they finally do let loose, the reader will be swept up like a twister. 

It was a great romance, but it was also a story about family. These Cavanaugh boys have been through the wringer. Their sister was murdered when they were teenagers and her murder is still unsolved. Their mother blamed them for her death and their father was living a double life. It hasn't been easy for them but their love for each other is very evident. Family means everything. 

The overall thread of the series centers around Cassie's death and finding out what really happened to her and who did it. That part of the story was riveting. Each new piece of information the brothers uncover reveals more of the story along with diary entries from Cassie's diary. I can't wait to find out what happens next in Cole's story. Will we find out who really killed Cassie? Will Blue get his own book? So many questions... What a great book!

Bottom Line:

This series is top notch! Everything about it rings true. The characters are amazing. The setting is authentic and the mystery is gripping. The love stories draw the reader in and then they become fascinated by Cassie's death and finding the answers. Broken is a excellent second book to the series. Laura Wright is definitely on to something!

Broken is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




About the Author:


Laura Wright is a New York Times bestselling author who is passionate about romantic fiction. Though she has spent most of her life immersed in acting, singing, and competitive ballroom dancing, when she found the world of writing and books and endless cups of coffee, she knew she was home. Broken is the second novel in The Cavanaugh Brothers series, following Branded. Laura lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two young children, and twolovable dogs.


Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Broken by Laura Wright.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, October 31st.

1. Please leave a comment. Do you believe in animal whisperer's? What's your belief based on?

2. Please fill out the FORM.

15 comments:

Karen B said...

I think animals are drawn to some people and vice-versa based mostly on what I've read or seen on TV.

Karen B said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
traveler said...

Animals can sense, feel and know who is to be trusted and are sensitive. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

rubynreba said...

I don't really believe in animal whisperer's but I find it interesting to read about.

Victoria said...

I think that you can communicate with animals. I think it's more feeling and I have no basis for my opinion.

Kimberly Wyatt said...

I think animals just know who they can trust as well and that there are people who understand animals better than others. I base that on my experiences as a person that has always had pets.

lag123 said...

I do believe in animal whisperers but I don't have facts to go on.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Anonymous said...

I believe that some people just have a way with animals but nothing to back up my statement.

Patoct

bn100 said...

not really; not sure about it

Texas Book Lover said...

I think some people just have the right demeanor around animals...I'm not sure that is really an animal whisper though.

I read Branded and LOVED it!

Bonnie Gill said...

I believe some people are tuned into certain animals more than others. They also have a knack for getting them to do what they want. I believe it's a gift.
I have heard great things about this author.

Unknown said...

i think there is some truth it, i can tell understand my pets by their actions and sounds. i don't think they actually read their minds, but they are attune to the animals normal responses and deduce what they need or want by those actions.

Natasha said...

I'm not really sure.
It's fun to read about though.
Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

Nothing to base it on, but really do feel some people can really communicate with animals. Animals know who love them.

Helen L.

Nancy said...

I'm continuely amazed by animal responses to different situations. I caught one of our cats laying next to my DH when he wasn't feeling well. He had snuck into our house to do this. All of our kitties are outdoor cats.