Scan barcode
anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Branded (Ignite #2) by Tara Sivec, Second in a series of interconnected standalones
Contemporary romance
4.5 Stars
Burned by Tara Sivec was one of my Favorite Books of 2014. So when Branded came out, I jumped on it right away, looking forward to another mix of hot, suspenseful, unputdownable Tara Sivec. This time it's about DJ and Phina and takes place right after Burned.
DJ and Phina were both in Burned. They are the best friends of the original characters, so while Branded can stand alone, you will get it a lot more if you read Burned first. DJ had been crazy about Phina since high school, but when the fireman/paramedic sees her again, all she does is express total hatred for him, though he doesn't know why. Still, there is a major undercurrent of lust between the two that can't be denied.
"I fucking HATE you!"
Phina had a really rough childhood, growing up with a dad who would burn her with cigarettes. Though he's been in jail for years, Seraphina still brands herself as a way of coping with the rough times in her life.
"I can feel the rage simmering just below the surface, building up inside of me, making me crave the burn. I know that eventually, I'll be forced to light a cigarette and add a few more ugly marks to my skin just to relieve the pressure."
This is Phina's ugly, shameful secret. She thinks she is not good enough for anyone, and that nobody will ever accept her as she is. She never lets any man get close enough to her, because she never wants to have to take her panties off in the light where they could see her burns. But she likes sex, and DJ, in an effort to have her any way he could, offered to fulfill her wildest fantasy, and he did.
"I always wanted to know what it was like to be with two men at once, and he gave me that fantasy."
DJ can't handle it. Thinking back on that night just fills him with rage. She has pushed him away since, and that was the only way she would have him, but his jealousy is eating away at him. He knows she is fucked up, but he can't stay away. She is nasty and hates him for an unknown reason, but he still can't stay away, and refuses to give up.
"She was full of fire and piss and vinegar even back then. Now all of that fire is intermingled with something dark and twisted. It should make me want to run in the opposite direction, but I'm a fireman. We like to race right into the flames, not giving a shit if we got burned. Something tells me if I spend any more time with Phina, she's going to leave me with more than a few scars."
But when Phina starts getting threats and notes sent to her, of course, alpha-man DJ needs to take care of her, no matter how much her self hatred makes her push him away.
Likes:
- •I absolutely LOVED DJ.
- •The banter.
- •Lots of Collin and Finnley from the first book.
- •Hot angry sex.
- •Amazing chemistry between the couple.
- •I never fully guessed what was going on.
- •The happy/sad twist.
- •The alternating POV's with slight overlap. Often this can bug me, but I really like to see both feelings about the same scene, and Tara never made it seem like your read something twice.
- •Dax. I can't wait to read more about him.
- •It seemed to be very well researched.
Dislikes:
- •It is a little too much like Burned.
- •I would have liked to see them channel a little of the need for pain into sex. I thought Tara was going there, but it didn't.
- •Not as hot as the first.
Rating: 4.5 stars, 4.25 heat
The Down & Dirty:
While I didn't love Branded as much as Burned, it was still an amazing read from Tara Sivec. It wasn't quite as epic, and was a bit too similar to Burned to earn it another 5 star rating in my book, but I still loved DJ and Phina's story. While Burned was more erotic romance, I think this is more contemporary. I just love a book where true love can help heal a damaged person, and Tara did a beautiful job of doing just that. There was a lot of Tara's specialties in Branded: some funny lines, sexy times, loads of suspense and romance. I can't wait for Dax's story, next.
Purchase Branded by Tara Sivec
Amazon | BN.com
(Coming soon)
Please Follow Ana's Attic
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Google+ | Pinterest | Tsū | Goodreads | bloglovin' | Daily email newsletter
emmarj's review against another edition
3.0
Branded started off so well but I think having the same main chick in your trilogy on her deathbed twice in two books is just a little too dramatic for me.
daisybox's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVED this book so much !
Phina is now on my favorite female characters top list. She is strong, vulnerable, sassy, and one complex and lovable woman. Tara Sivec's best character ever written !
The only thing that prevented me to rate the story 5 stars was the drama part. I didn't like that it was linked to the first book. A bit redundant.
I enjoyed seeing Finnley and Collin again, and I hope in the next book we will see everyone. Gotta love Dax, can't wait for him to fall on his knees for Harley !
myendlessshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking
This book is so full of emotion that I cried through most of it. My heart went out to DJ and Phina and I think the author does a fantastic job.
This book is so full of emotion that I cried through most of it. My heart went out to DJ and Phina and I think the author does a fantastic job.
nina4five's review against another edition
4.0
A great short novella
A must read for the continued character Phina! This author is can really spin a wonderful story detailing her life!
A must read for the continued character Phina! This author is can really spin a wonderful story detailing her life!
smuthutbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Sigh....
So good and heart breaking.
Second time I've read this and I still got emotional.
Tara writes a great book no matter the genre.
LOVE IT!
So good and heart breaking.
Second time I've read this and I still got emotional.
Tara writes a great book no matter the genre.
LOVE IT!
kkecreads's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning
Branded by Tara Sivec
Published: January 12, 2015
Tara Sivec
I purchased this book on Amazon.
Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when all three of them become adults and move out.
“What’s the point of masks if you can’t use them to your advantage?”
Phina has a dark past. She has a dark present, and she is convinced she has a dark future. She carries her secrets alone. It’s safer this way. DJ flitters from a good time to a good time, always keeping his eyes on the next adventure. When a blast from his past blows back into his life, he isn’t prepared for the backdraft.
As much as I love the lighthearted romcoms, TSiv is known for, and this book is far from light. It’s heavy and deep and emotional. And I love that. The weight of this book, the complexity of the contents is anything but lighthearted.
Yes, there is some witty banter. And yes, there are excellent characters, which we know we can count on from Tara. But there is such an emotional rawness and human vulnerability in these chapters. The emotion and the hurt, the anguish, is palpable. It is all-consuming.
I love that Tara isn’t afraid to tackle trauma. That she fearlessly dives headfirst into the fire and doesn’t shy away from the residual aftermath. She isn’t scared to write the ugly and the brutal aspects of humanity and love.
These characters are all so vivid. They have so much depth and such sharp angles. But there is also such a beautiful vulnerability and a romantic notion that finding the one thing worth holding on to may be the last thing we expected.
While there are some scorching steamy scenes in this book, I love that that wasn’t the primary focus. The human connection, the need for understanding, love, and forgiveness are the focus.
Reading TSiv’s catalog of work has made my brain explode. The dynamic range this woman creates is insane. This series solidifies her talent and may be the best character development I’ve ever read.
Branded by Tara Sivec
Published: January 12, 2015
Tara Sivec
I purchased this book on Amazon.
Tara Sivec is a USA Today best-selling author, wife, mother, chauffeur, maid, short-order cook, baby-sitter, and sarcasm expert. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two children and looks forward to the day when all three of them become adults and move out.
“What’s the point of masks if you can’t use them to your advantage?”
Phina has a dark past. She has a dark present, and she is convinced she has a dark future. She carries her secrets alone. It’s safer this way. DJ flitters from a good time to a good time, always keeping his eyes on the next adventure. When a blast from his past blows back into his life, he isn’t prepared for the backdraft.
As much as I love the lighthearted romcoms, TSiv is known for, and this book is far from light. It’s heavy and deep and emotional. And I love that. The weight of this book, the complexity of the contents is anything but lighthearted.
Yes, there is some witty banter. And yes, there are excellent characters, which we know we can count on from Tara. But there is such an emotional rawness and human vulnerability in these chapters. The emotion and the hurt, the anguish, is palpable. It is all-consuming.
I love that Tara isn’t afraid to tackle trauma. That she fearlessly dives headfirst into the fire and doesn’t shy away from the residual aftermath. She isn’t scared to write the ugly and the brutal aspects of humanity and love.
These characters are all so vivid. They have so much depth and such sharp angles. But there is also such a beautiful vulnerability and a romantic notion that finding the one thing worth holding on to may be the last thing we expected.
While there are some scorching steamy scenes in this book, I love that that wasn’t the primary focus. The human connection, the need for understanding, love, and forgiveness are the focus.
Reading TSiv’s catalog of work has made my brain explode. The dynamic range this woman creates is insane. This series solidifies her talent and may be the best character development I’ve ever read.
nbiblioholic's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series. Collin and Finnley were amazing. Although Finnley was weak in some instances, overall she had so many redeeming characteristics that she won me over completely. The same cannot be said of Phina. I gave this book a 5 star rating based on my love for Collin, Lee, and Drake. DJ carried this book. He was amazing!! I'm just glad Phina got a clue and finally gave him what he deserved.
I'm excited to read Dax's story. He really intrigued the crap out of me in this book. I loved how Harley was introduced lol.
I'm excited to read Dax's story. He really intrigued the crap out of me in this book. I loved how Harley was introduced lol.
bookhoarder76's review against another edition
4.0
Only 4 stars from me I so wanted this to be another 5 star Tara Sivec read but I just did.not.like Phina! I tried and tried I just couldn't. She got on my nerves more times than not and her poor pitiful me crap drove me nuts. I guess I like my female leads more kick ass and tough with very little woe is me. That said I LOVE all the other characters and the story is great even though I totally had it all figured out lol It's well written and I look forward to the next in the series. For those reasons it gets a 4 star rating from me.
theficster's review against another edition
3.0
Good book on audio. Lots of angst and misunderstanding. But I loved the end
More...