Sandy M’s review of Broken (Cavanaugh Brothers, Book 2) by Laura Wright
Contemporary Western Romance published by Signet 7 Oct 14
While the first book in this series had its ups and downs for me, I did enjoy this second time around with the Cavanaugh brothers a bit more. I was intrigued by the first meeting between James and Sheridan in Branded. They each have their issues to overcome and they’re so very different in the lives they lead. What I like the most between them is how upfront they are about everything. Well, everything except perhaps their hearts.
Sheridan is Deacon Cavanaugh’s assistant. She’s one who knows her stuff, deals with hard-headedness and all business matters quickly and efficiently. She’s also a city girl and can’t wait to get back to her life in Dallas. But the longer she’s on the Triple C and just in the country in general, and the longer she’s anywhere near that James Cavanaugh and his blue eyes, it seems she may give up everything else to stay put.
James is also anxious to get back to his life. He even has the chance to do a reality TV show – he’s a horse whisperer and is being hounded to sign on the dotted line. Now that most of the issues involving the ranch are taken care of, he only has to find a place for the horses his soon-to-be sister-in-law sprung on him in an attempt to keep the Triple C from being destroyed. He can’t walk away if they’re not in the best place he can find for them. And he can’t seem to walk away from Sheridan.
This time I could feel the intensity and chemistry between James and Sheridan. I never really got that with Deacon and Mackenzie in Branded. There was too much contention going on in their book that it seemed to take a back seat. But here it’s front and center, and once they’re sharing a bed, Sheridan truly does come to life. She doesn’t hold back and instigates their lovin’ as much as James does. This is one of those stories where love comes slowly but surely and blind sides both of them.
There’s still the mystery of the murder of their sister, Cass, years before. James feels he’s not deserving of love nor taking on the protection of someone he loves, mostly at the hands of his parents when their loss was so new. The brothers feel at times they’re getting closer to solving the mystery, but there’s one lone woman standing in their way, the local vet, who is going to be featured with Cole in the next book, Brash. That should be an interesting pairing due to the pain on both sides of their shared tragedy. I’m also curious about the new-found brother, Blue, and hope there’s plenty of emotional interactions between the siblings in his book.
With this story, this is a good series so far. The mystery of Cass and my curiousness of how Ms. Wright will handle the inclusion of Blue into the Cavanaugh family will keep me reading at this point.
Grade: B+
Summary:
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. Tired of rejection, she’s ready to swear off men. But after being rescued from a horse stampede by the most beautiful cowboy she’s ever met, her resolve 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…
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
