Scottie Barrett
Erotic Historical Romance
Published in 2016 (Originally 2004)
H/h - Slade Dalton/Lacey Jarrell
Setting:Colorado, 1874.
Read in December, 2016.
My rating:
[spoiler alert]
This is gonna be a tough one. I’ve been on a roll, devouring the leftover Scottie Barrett books, and Branded
was the latest on my list. I just wanted to read it cause I love me
some good western historical; if it’s steamy, all the better! Branded
was all that and more. So much more, it left me quite a bit hot and
bothered. But then, Slade Dalton has that effect on most women. ;)
TBH,
I’ve been on a reading slump for a long while. Of course, there have
been some good books but nothing quite held me glued like Branded. From
writing to the storytelling, the chemistry between the H and the h,
which was undoubtedly sizzling from the moment they met, to their
banters (both hot and cold), there was no shortage of entertainment in
this book. I’m only sorry it ended cause I would’ve loved for it to go
on. Slade Dalton can never be boring. I feel exactly how Lacey felt
about him so I can totally understand! :o
When his partner dies
in a sudden attack, bounty hunter Slade Dalton decides he’s had enough
of this life. It’s time to head back to Colorado where his family ranch
lies, to see how it’s faring. Or has Grady, his snobby brother, has run
it down already. The ranch, Lone Heart, used to be Slade’s father’s
pride and joy. But 10 years ago, an incident that’ll forever scar
Slade’s memory because it directly involves him, their father lost his
life in a gunshot meant for Slade. It was a woman related thing because
even at 18, Slade was tall, extremely goodlooking and the women of the
small town didn’t hide their appreciation. We find out later, much to
Lacey’s chagrin, that things haven’t changed in that regard. :P
Slade
left home and hadn’t looked back because he was ashamed. He was
guilt-ridden. He learned hunt down criminals, been really good at too,
gathering big rewards. Most of it he’d send home for Dora, his
step-mother and Tait, his youngest brother. Grady hated his hide, which
he’d made sure Slade knew, blaming him for every single trouble,
including their father’s death. It was also apparent that Grady had no
interest in ranching or farming. He wanted to be out of there and have a
“gentleman’s life”.
So, Slade was coming home but after so long,
he had no idea what he’ll find what once used to be his “home”. Sadly,
his gut feeling about a rundown ranch prove to be correct. Grady had
abandoned the it a while ago, leaving the kettle to be stolen, not
taking any care. Dora and Tait lived well enough with the money Slade
send but this is not what their father would’ve wanted for his pride and
joy! Slade knew he had a tough task ahead of him, to make this ranch up
and running again if he’s going to stay and do something. The task
would’ve proven to be super monotonous had Lacey Jarrell not come by to
stay with them. But, unfortunately, she was engaged to the wrong Dalton;
Grady.
Lacey and Slade’s meeting was as hilarious as it was hot.
Lacey’s mother died when she was young, and since then, her father
tried his best to ignore her. All her attempts to grab her father’s
attentions went wrong. Banished by her father for something she’d done,
Lacey wanted to escape England however she could. She was initially
meant to marry a horrendous older guy that her father chose for her.
Grady happened to be the convenient escape route, who was in England at
that time on some business, who also seemed quite eager to help her out.
We find out later why that was.
On her way to the unknown
Colorado territory, to ‘Grady’s own ranch’, Lacey first loses her maid
who was not happy with the “backwater” of America. It was simply too
much for the snooty maid. But Lacey had no options left and Grady wasn’t
here to take her to his farm so she pushed on ahead despite all the
troubles and niggling fear of being alone on this unfamiliar territory.
When she came closer to her supposed destination, highwaymen, as raggedy
and ugly as they were, stopped the coach on gunpoint. But Lacey wasn’t
scared, she was irritated. She was already super annoyed with all the
problem she’d faced after coming here. It’s hot and sweaty out here,
nothing like she was used to in England. Obviously not the bustling town
she’d hoped she’d be in. Lacey just wanted to reach the ranch in time.
Grady said he’d meet her there in a few months from wherever he was
working and proceed to the wedding. And now, this?
But then,
someone comes to her rescue. Not much of a Knight in Shining Armor, this
raggedly handsome man, obviously a rancher from the way he was dressed.
But there was something about him that made those hooligans run for
their lives ASA he showed his face. Lacey was intrigued by everything
about this man. The way he looked, talked as if he knows how to push her
buttons. But what made Lacey so hot and bothered was the way he looked
at her like he’s going to devour her alive. Being attractive with silky
dark hair and amber eyes, Lacey had seen her share of fawning from men
while her way here. But this man’s stare didn’t irritate her or made her
uncomfortable. It’s as if her body knew what she didn’t in her
innocence. It answered to him. ;)
When Lacey reaches the ranch,
Dora and Tait welcome her. While she was trying to get comfortable, the
shock of her life slaps her on the face when Slade Dalton, Grady’s
older, no-good bother (as Grady described him), walks into the house. Oh
my! It was the same man who she met on her way here!! Who made her
wanna go jump him! Uh, this is not good. Lacey knew it even more when
Slade looked at her and drawled to her in a voice that suggested he was
thinking what she was thinking. How the hell she’s gonna live here for
the next few months being so insanely attracted to her would be
brother-in-law??? :|
Lacey tries her best to settle down and make
herself familiar with the ranch, which was not much. But Dora still
managed to get everyone fed quite well. Lacey also learned that the
ranch was actually Slade’s, not Grady’s, which should’ve been the first
red flag about Grady’s character. But Lacey was grateful to him for an
escape and she’d wait until he returns. Meanwhile, she only hope she can
ignore this push and pull she seemed to be having with Slade Dalton,
more often than not liking it too much.
Slade was just minding
his business, trying to get the ranch on its feet. He had plans but not
enough money to work on them. His investigation told him that his sneaky
‘neighbor’ was the one who stole their prized kettle. He even tries
some rescue stunt with the few Ranch hands he still had left but those
fail miserably. These ranch hands still believed in him and would work
despite the fact that he may not even be able to pay them. He went as
far as to try and capture wild buffalo’s and try to get the creatures
back to the ranch, a venture that also pretty much fails, despite the
insane hard work. So Slade needed some divine intervention, not
temptation beyond his control in the form of Lacey Jarrell—his brother’s
fiancée no less. What a mess!
But their intense chemistry
wouldn’t let them be. It was one of those things you just can’t ignore,
especially when you’re living in the same house. Strike that, living
next room to each-other! Their banters were full of playful jibes,
sometimes even full of innuendoes, thanks to Slade, even though at first
he was an a$$hole to Lacey and taunted her. Then felt extremely bad for
doing so. But he had a reason. To say Slade was sexually frustrated
wouldn’t even explain the state he was in. He was going pretty much
nuts, and no one will do but Lacey. I was so glad he didn’t even try to
get another woman to take off the edge. He wanted Lacey, plain and
simple and no matter how much he tried to reason that she’s out of
reach, it didn’t work. It didn’t help the matter to know Lacey returned
all that and more. It was a hellish mess for them both.
Soon
though, living under one roof, working together, gave their relationship
a new route. Even though Slade tried hard to ignore it all by immersing
himself in work, it wasn’t enough. Even hurting Lacey and pushing her
away wasn’t an option. He couldn’t stand to see Lacey down, or her
tears. He was extremely protective of her. Slade was sure there was only
one woman who can bring him down if she chose to. Well, there was Dora,
his step-mother, who had been more of a mother than he’d ever known and
Slade loved her deeply. But with Lacey of course, it was different.
Slade had never felt like this for another woman, and the fact that
she’s engaged to no-good Grady only was crushing them both. Lacey, in
her innocence, would do things that’d more taunt him that anything and
Slade brain would fire up. His chosen outlet more often than not was his
ranch and the roof of the kitchen he was making for Dora.
At
this point, Slade admits that he has no options left to do anything. He
didn’t have any money saved as he’d send all home. He had no other help.
But he didn’t wanna sell the ranch, certainly didn’t want to go back to
his bounty hunting ways. When all it seemed there was no options left,
Tait drops the bomb on him! They haven’t wasted away Slade’s money. From
the very generous amount of money he send, Dora made sure she saved the
big chunk of it. And now, she had enough tucked away for Slade to now
spend it on brand new kettle! That improved Slade’s prospect on ranching
quite a bit, with that a renewed vigor to make the ranch as prosperous
as it used to in his father’s days.
While reading, I so enjoyed
seeing them together, loving their interactions. Most of the time it was
full of craving, and hot eyeing of one-another. There was just
something about these two that was undeniable. I DID NOT want it to end.
When
things were like this, Grady suddenly returns earlier than expected. It
surprises both Lacey and Slade, but turns out to be Dora’s handiwork
who was worried about something developing between Lacey and Slade.
Well, it was quite plain that they were extremely attracted to
each-other so I could guess Dora was worried. Things pretty much go
downhill for Lacey and Slade from there. Grady was insufferably snooty,
highhanded and treated Lacey like how he viewed her—a prize he own, a
product to show off. Her father even send him her dowry in advanced,
which Lacey had no idea about, which he’d already spend in “investment”.
Again, without Lacey’s knowledge, something that angers her a lot.
Soon, Lacey couldn’t help but compare the brothers and found Grady
lacking in every single thing. Well, even Grady knew he doesn’t stand a
chance against Slade, which is the reason behind all his enmity and
bitterness. Unfortunately, he didn’t try to work on it in a positive
manner. Instead, his way of dealing with it was to be rude and nasty. He
had an inclination what was going on between Lacey and Slade, which
angered him even more, and led him to treat Lacey like a chattel. Slade
was fuming but he couldn’t do anything.
Trouble for them was,
both were unsure of what the other wanted. Also, what they can do to
resolve their issues. Lacey wasn’t sure if Slade wanted to marry her or
not. She wanted a family of her own, not just a fling. She also felt
indebted to Grady, while Slade always thought he’s not good enough for
his “Duchess”. Plus he’s practically got nothing to give her. Both were
so miserable that I felt extremely sad. Was all hope lost? How can Lacey
and Slade resolve their differences and find a way?
Grady was
determined to have the wedding ASAP and Slade still had only a rundown
ranch. Enmity between the brothers, at this point, reaches its highest
peak and Slade just leaves. Rather forced to leave due to Grady’s nasty
insinuations about his past with women, plus his bounty hunting days,
which to Grady was a form of disgrace. Worse was, Slade knew he was no
saint and most of it was true. Sadly, with that, Lacey was sure her fate
was sealed. What she deemed her escape when she left England, would
soon become her nightmarish prison. Grady wasn’t the person she thought
he was. Then again, she didn’t know much about Grady like she knows
about Slade. It always came down to that, the comparison. And Slade
always won. How can she live with a man all the while pining for his
older brother?
I also wasn’t sure how things were gonna resolve
but the author sure does find a way to do it. It was kinda nuts too,
their whirlwind courtship when Grady leaves for a few days to attend
some business. Some would say ‘cheating’ and in literal sense, it was
but it’s one cheating I had no problem with. That was coming for sooooo
longgggggggg. I waited, and waited for them to do it but there was
always some form of interruption or the other. Grady was not a nice guy
getting hurt. He was an a$$ and would’ve made Lacey miserable.
Anyway, to wrap it up, I can only say give it a try if you can. My reaction remains the same as it was initially:
“Someone tell me where can I find me Slade Dalton?” :(
5
stars. I wish there was a follow up novella or something. Or maybe a
book for Tait? Even for Grady, cause I like to think that there’s a
strong woman out there somewhere to change his perspective of life, and
of himself. I’m already missing everything about this book. *sigh*
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