A Reader's Opinion: BLACK HILLS by Nora Roberts
THE BOOK
A READER'S OPINION
Nora Roberts knows how to turn up the heat and keep the suspense at full-throttle. This is a longer book, and somewhat reminiscent of her novel, MONTANA SKY in terms of length and plot. What sucked me right in and held me tight from start to finish were Cooper Sullivan and Lillian Chance. Coop is a sexy-as-all-get-out guy with enough baggage to make a woman crazy to love him and crazy not to—he's just wonderful, flaws and all. I'm a sucker for a smart, hard-working man who doesn't take the easy road through life, and loves enough to not give up—this is Coop. Lil is strong despite being wounded by the boy who broke her heart and came back to her as a man. There was plenty of anger, annoyance, and guilt during their years of separation, and plenty more when they found each other again, but it wasn't too much drama. They made it work, respected each other, and found a way back.
The suspense level is great! You find out halfway through the book who the bad guy is, but there's still the sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat tension that makes you wonder when he's going to strike next. I'm a long-time fan of Nora's. Some of her books I love, others I just like, but what I've always enjoyed is that I can usually count on her characters to deliver a satisfying story, and BLACK HILLS is no exception. There's way too much swearing and sex for my tastes, but I've learned to skip over that. I also thought the secondary story line could have been skipped altogether and the length would have been perfect. I ignored work for a full day just to finish the book, so Roberts certainly did something right.
Note on the wildlife aspect: The animals almost stole the show a time or two, and I found myself rooting for them more often than the people. I like the way Roberts gave them a larger-than-life role in the story, and how they became so integral, that without them, the good guys might not have won in the end. I'm an animal lover, especially wildlife, and it helps if the readers starts this book with the understanding that there's a stark reality to dealing with wildlife. I thought Roberts dealt with the subject quite well.
Star Rating: 4 1/2 Stars | Content Rating: 5 Hearts | Reviewed by: MK
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Cooper Sullivan spent the summers of his youth on his grandparents’ South Dakota ranch, sharing innocent games and stolen kisses with the neighbor girl, Lil Chance. Now, twelve years after they last walked together hand in hand, fate has brought them back to the Black Hills. Coop has left his fast-paced life as an investigator in New York to take care of his aging grandparents and the ranch he has come to call home. Though the memory of his touch still haunts her, Lil has let nothing stop her dream of opening the Chance Wildlife Refuge, but something...or someone...has been keeping a close watch. When small pranks and acts of destruction escalate into a heartless attack on Lil’s beloved cougar, memories of an unsolved murder in these very hills have Coop springing to action to keep Lil safe. Lil and Coop know the natural dangers that lurk in the wild landscape of the Black Hills. But a killer of twisted and unnatural instincts has singled them out as prey.
Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Jove; Reprint edition (May 25, 2010)
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Format Read: Mass Market Paperback | Source: Reviewer's Personal Library
