Helpful Score: 3
I have taken a break from reading Nora for awhile, but this peaked my curisoity and Nora did not disappoint. This was a great read.
Helpful Score: 3
The romance between Lil and Cooper is beyond romantic. The distance is hard on them - NYC and South Dakota are miles apart in both distance and culture. The everyday ups and downs of their relationship brings a dose of reality to the romance. These are characters that you can really dig into and enjoy their lives.
Lil's parents (Joe and Jenna) and Coop's grandparents (Sam and Lucy) are the definition of good samaritians. There isn't a mean or immoral bone in any of them. They are the family we all wish we had for their goodness, generosity, dependability, trust and faith in what we do.
What wonderful characters Nora Roberts has created for this stand alone novel.
Cooper - a child with indifferent/difficult rich parents and endearing/loving grand parents.
Lil - a huge animal lover who puts her passion for preservation to work for her. Here spirit guide - the cougar - always has her back.
Jenna, Joe, Sam, Lucy - fabulous familial support.
For all you animal lovers, the Refuge and its animals take center stage for a good part of the story. I'm a huge animal lover and really enjoyed the Refuge and all the activities involved especially pertaining to Baby and Cleo. When I was younger, I always wanted a black panther. No I see how impractical that dream really was.
Even when Nora Roberts isn't writing her traditional romance, her books are spectacular. This one has some dark moments but then again most of her books have some type of adversity between hero and heroine. It wouldn't be any fun if they didn't.
Lil's parents (Joe and Jenna) and Coop's grandparents (Sam and Lucy) are the definition of good samaritians. There isn't a mean or immoral bone in any of them. They are the family we all wish we had for their goodness, generosity, dependability, trust and faith in what we do.
What wonderful characters Nora Roberts has created for this stand alone novel.
Cooper - a child with indifferent/difficult rich parents and endearing/loving grand parents.
Lil - a huge animal lover who puts her passion for preservation to work for her. Here spirit guide - the cougar - always has her back.
Jenna, Joe, Sam, Lucy - fabulous familial support.
For all you animal lovers, the Refuge and its animals take center stage for a good part of the story. I'm a huge animal lover and really enjoyed the Refuge and all the activities involved especially pertaining to Baby and Cleo. When I was younger, I always wanted a black panther. No I see how impractical that dream really was.
Even when Nora Roberts isn't writing her traditional romance, her books are spectacular. This one has some dark moments but then again most of her books have some type of adversity between hero and heroine. It wouldn't be any fun if they didn't.
Helpful Score: 3
I am a huge Nora Roberts fan, but I think this book is one of her best! Good romantic story-line, great supporting characters, mysterious murders, and superb story/information about animals, especially big cats. One of the things I like best about Roberts's books is her excellent research into an area. Her prose depicts not just general filler information, but actual, authentic references to flora, fauna, customs, architecture, etc. of the area in which the story is set.
Helpful Score: 3
As a Nora Roberts fan, I looked forward to this book and I was not disapointed. It's rich and entertaining, a nice blend of suspence and contemporary romance. Lil is the owner of a wild-life refuge who's heart and soul are dedicated to the protection and preservation of wild animals. Cooper is her first love, come back after ten years apart to win his way back into her life and her heart. Lil's life and occupation are threatened by a deranged killer with a grudge.
The characters are well-fleshed out and compelling. We are given their basic histories, attitudes, flaws, etc--and I enjoyed learning about them. Lil was especially interesting--motivated, self-assured, and independent. She's an adventurer and a care-taker. Cooper is a strong match for her as a determined protector and lover. The romance between them is both realistic and sweet. Additionally, the cast of secondary characters add fun and depth to the story. Even the villian, a lone killer seeking imaginary revenge, is a well-written and complex character.
The plot is admitedly slow in points, perhaps a bit predictable. It's the people and their thoughts and emotions that really take center stage, and I felt that was for the better. The inclusion of the animals and their stories also help to fill in the slower bits. Wild life lovers will really enjoy this book. Furthermore, fans of Nora Roberts, and romance in general, will find this story satisfying.
The characters are well-fleshed out and compelling. We are given their basic histories, attitudes, flaws, etc--and I enjoyed learning about them. Lil was especially interesting--motivated, self-assured, and independent. She's an adventurer and a care-taker. Cooper is a strong match for her as a determined protector and lover. The romance between them is both realistic and sweet. Additionally, the cast of secondary characters add fun and depth to the story. Even the villian, a lone killer seeking imaginary revenge, is a well-written and complex character.
The plot is admitedly slow in points, perhaps a bit predictable. It's the people and their thoughts and emotions that really take center stage, and I felt that was for the better. The inclusion of the animals and their stories also help to fill in the slower bits. Wild life lovers will really enjoy this book. Furthermore, fans of Nora Roberts, and romance in general, will find this story satisfying.
Helpful Score: 2
Well, she has done it again. An excellent book placed in the Black Hills of South Dakota. You think you know what is going to happen, but the ending is a nice surprise! I must say I may be a little partial to this book since I do live in SD.
This was suspenseful and good.
This was one of my favorite Nora Roberts books! Loved the story line, the characters, the setting. I kept thinking about it even days after I finished reading it. I highly recommend it!
Enjoyed reading this book after visiting the Black Hills last year.
Not as good as she usually is.
This was my first Nora Robert's book and I'll be reading more! This book definetely held my intersted and was impressed with the knowledge of the subject matter. I love the strong, independent women in this book. The portrayal of the black hills was very interesting and I love the conservation theme of this book, although not too overpowering. Of course, their is the underlying love story and love of family that makes this book endearing.
I really liked this book. The characters, the setting, and how they come back together after all the years apart.
Great reading
This is my first book by Nora Roberts, but it won't be my last. "Black Hills" was one of the best stories I have read in a very long time. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good read.
Great read!!
Great book....keeps you guessing at all times! Loved it!
Loved it! It was really fun getting to know the h and H while they were kids, then adolescents, and again when they come together as adults. Thats one of my fave romance themes. I also really enjoyed the h's family.
*****
Loved this book! I started it on a bus trip to the Black Hills and surrounding areas. I didn't want to put it down. Suspenseful, full of twists and turns. One of my favorite Nora Roberts to date.
Loved this book! I started it on a bus trip to the Black Hills and surrounding areas. I didn't want to put it down. Suspenseful, full of twists and turns. One of my favorite Nora Roberts to date.
Excellent book, one of her better ones.
I'm not a Nora Roberts fan, but this one was great.
This was a very fast and enjoyable read.. Everything you would expect from a Nora Roberts book. :)
I am a Nora Roberts fan and I would give this a good but not great rating. There's a thrilling ending and her writing with the voice of an 11 year old boy is remarkable. However, I just can't see the "I broke up with you for your own good" argument as romantic. If you don't mind that the hero left to prove himself (and "give her space") for 10 years, you'll probably love the book.
I enjoyed the setting for this book. It was very easy read that took me there and made me want to move to the Black Hills :) Classic Nora Roberts
This was a very good read. A little slow until you got into the first and second chapter. Once I got reading I couldn't put it down.
At eleven years old Coop Sullivan was sent for the summer to his grandparents' South Dakota ranch. Although he objected as he never wanted to go, he meets Lil Chance there and he learns to love his relatives who shower him with love back. This was the most wonderful summer of his life and he repeated it for years until he and Lil fell in love. However, they went their separate ways to attend colleges many miles apart until he deserted his Lil and their love.
Now almost a decade later, Coop is at the ranch caring for his grandmother and Lil is back too. The wildlife biologist wants no part of her former lover, the ex police officer turned private investigator. However she needs him when uncontroversial proof surfaces that the man who killed some animals and a man waits for her on her animal refuge. Coop risks his life to keep his beloved Lil safe and hopes the time will give him a chance to make amends for his failure as he now knows with maturity she is the one.
BLACK HILLS is Nora Roberts at her magical best as she constructs what seems on the surface as a formulaic romantic suspense, but in her words turns into a thrilling love story. Lil is terrific as she understands her peril and turns to the only person she trusts to keep her alive when the High Noon confrontation she (and readers) anticipates occurs. Coop would be resolute anyway, but has the additional motive of regaining and retaining Lil in his life. In some ways the killing predator steals the show as he hunts two and four legged beasts. Ms. Roberts shows why she is consistently a best seller author with this super thriller.
Now almost a decade later, Coop is at the ranch caring for his grandmother and Lil is back too. The wildlife biologist wants no part of her former lover, the ex police officer turned private investigator. However she needs him when uncontroversial proof surfaces that the man who killed some animals and a man waits for her on her animal refuge. Coop risks his life to keep his beloved Lil safe and hopes the time will give him a chance to make amends for his failure as he now knows with maturity she is the one.
BLACK HILLS is Nora Roberts at her magical best as she constructs what seems on the surface as a formulaic romantic suspense, but in her words turns into a thrilling love story. Lil is terrific as she understands her peril and turns to the only person she trusts to keep her alive when the High Noon confrontation she (and readers) anticipates occurs. Coop would be resolute anyway, but has the additional motive of regaining and retaining Lil in his life. In some ways the killing predator steals the show as he hunts two and four legged beasts. Ms. Roberts shows why she is consistently a best seller author with this super thriller.
A good Nora Roberts book, a little bit predictable, and a lot of environmental stuff, but still would highly recommended it.
Not one of her best. Slow in middle and dragged out way to long.
It is an excellent book, Nora Roberts is a very good writer.
great conditions. great story just what you would expect from a nora roberts book.
Awesome! Great combination of mystery, suspense and romance.
Lillian Chance and Cooper Sullivan met as teenagers when he visited his grandparents at their ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They became best friends and later lovers. But distance tore them apart. Lil started a career as a Biologist and soon opened a Wildlife Refuge on family land. Coop returned to New York to become a cop, then a private investigator. But when Coop's grandfather is hurt in an accident, he sells his business and returns to South Dakota. Seeing Lil again makes him regret leaving her years ago. His homecoming is marred by the murder of a caged cougar. His investigative instincts tell him that Lil and her wildlife preserve are being targeted. His heart tells him that he will do anything to keep Lil safe.
Nora Roberts has written a wonderful story set in the Black Hills. The atmosphere is terrific. Reading this makes me want to go back to visit the Black Hills again. Her characters are well-drawn and complex. We know Lil and Coop love each other, but can she trust him again after he broke her heart? I usually don't care to get into the villain's head, but in this case it gave the readers insight into his plans which made the suspense portion of this book more interesting. My rating: 4 Stars.
Nora Roberts has written a wonderful story set in the Black Hills. The atmosphere is terrific. Reading this makes me want to go back to visit the Black Hills again. Her characters are well-drawn and complex. We know Lil and Coop love each other, but can she trust him again after he broke her heart? I usually don't care to get into the villain's head, but in this case it gave the readers insight into his plans which made the suspense portion of this book more interesting. My rating: 4 Stars.
Good read - loved the animals!
Im a bit torn about this book. I thought the characters were great and the storyline was fantastic! I loved how Nora Roberts gave personalities to the animals in the Wildlife Refuge. And I liked how the story started when they were young kids and how you get to watch them grow and see their relationship change but as a couple I didnt think they had much chemistry! They spend the majority of the book either angry at the other or trying to seem uninterested. And I got very tired of the repetitiveness. We get it Copper thought he was doing the right thing! Ok we get it Lil isnt going to forgive him just like that! We dont need it said a hundred times!
Really good book!
This was not one of NR's best works. Too much plot, not enough romance. Felt like lots of filler and no substance.
This was a very good mystery in Nora Roberts style of writing. I would recommend this book.
Absolutely one of her best!!! Kept me right on the edge to the end!!!!!
I was disappointed. This book reminded me of Montana Sky set on an animal reserve, only without the interesting back story involving sisters and without the tension/suspense. The book was not really a romance, the killings were the main focus of the story, and the killer did not turn out to be believable in my mind. It was just like many of the other books that she has written in the past, just insert new character names in. Hope the next effort is going to be more interesting.
Loved the book! Couldn't put it down.
Mysterious and suspenseful this book held my attention into the wee hours of the night just to see how it would end.
Good suspense
