Branded by Stacy Gail

You want my hands on you, Celia. Making you shiver, making you moan, making you scream. Admit it.

Celia Villarreal had wanted those things with Ryland Brody, Bitterthorn’s golden boy—and wanted them badly enough to make a fool of herself one idiotic night months ago.

Naughty children shouldn’t touch what they don’t own.

Rejection always stings, but putting a move on Ry had devastating consequences. Now her regret burns as bright as her need—until Ry, as glorious as ever, makes her an offer that might finally be her ticket out of town.

I’m not your enemy, darlin’. If you give me half a chance, you’ll see that I can be your hero.

When working together leads to grinding all naked-like with the very cowboy who’s seen her at her worst, Celia is afraid she’s made a mistake.

Until the truth comes out.

This is who we are from now on. Say it. Feel it.

Once Ry’s past motivations come to light, Celia must decide if she can give him another chance or turn her back on Bitterthorn—and the one man who’s always wanted her—for good.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Carina Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 stars isn't even enough – I loved this book! Ry and Celia's story had me sucked in from the very first chapter and now that I've finished, I'm left wanting more!

Celia grew up in a super-small town, always having had a crush on the Brody brothers. At her 21st birthday celebration, Cel gets drunk and grabs the butt of one of the eldest brothers, Ry. Ry embarrasses Cel and after the incident, no males in their town will so much as look at Celia, having her believe she’s a complete pariah. When Ry finds out Celia is planning to move out of their small town to get away from the dirty looks being thrown her way, he decides to hire her... and claim her as his.

I'm not sure bossy is a strong enough word to describe Ryland. He pretty much dictates his and Celia’s life from their very first encounter. Though I really did love this book, there were a few parts that I was so frustrated with. It seems like every time Ry was trying to explain something he'd keep telling Celia "you're not hearing me" and it made me want to jump into the book and punch him. Plus, he's overwhelmingly bossy at times, it's hot most of the time but others it was just... a bit much. Other than that though, the author does such a great job not only keeping this book steamy, but it has a terrific and interesting storyline as well. It left me definitely wanting more of the Brody brothers.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Not your typical romance. Both Celia and Brody have trust issues and they have to learn to trust each other in order for any relationship between them to work.

Ry is high handed and tends to order instead of ask. Celia is wanting to get out of their little town because she's tired of being the town pariah. Celia doesn't take orders very well so they each must learn to compromise.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, and it sets the scene for the future books, but maybe not quite quickly enough for me to really appreciate this one. I do now understand why Ry is such an idiot with Celia, but I was close to giving up a few times in anger. I still have my reservations, but at least more understanding. So, if you feel the same, just give him a chance, and then another, and possibly a third!

I like strident, take charge men in stories, and the cowboy category regularly fits the bill, but the line is clearly one which can be crossed into arrogance and offence, and this fell over the line at times. Even when Ryland was given Celia's viewpoint, he gave a reason which excused him, rather than really vowed to change to support her.

Although I had a mainly negative reaction to his character, I am really glad I read this book, because it did make me conscious of just where my push points are. Interestingly, Celia managed to maintain a strong personality even when he was being an idiot, and for one so young she did stand up for herself. I would have been in Dallas in a flash!

A competitive figure skater from the age of eight, Stacy Gail began writing stories in between events to pass the time. By the age of fourteen, she told her parents she was either going to be a figure skating coach who was also a published romance writer, or a romance writer who was also a skating pro. Now with a day job of playing on the ice with her students, and writing everything from steampunk to cyberpunk, contemporary to paranormal at night, both dreams have come true.

Connect with Stacy

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Branded (Brody Brothers #1) by Stacy Gail to read and review.