10 Oct 2015

GUEST POST REVIEW: BLACK HILLS.

Today I'm pleased to once again be sharing a book review by Leanne.


BLACK HILLS by NORA ROBERTS.

Black Hills is set in the dramatic hills of South Dakota, where the narrative begins in 1989, before moving to 1997 and then 2009.

Cooper 'Coop' Sullivan and Lil Chance's relationship is at the heart of this book: Robert initially describes how a chance encounter with a cougar cements the youngster's burgeoning friendship and ignites a lifelong passion for big cats in Lil, before they fall in love as teenagers and grow apart ad adults. When ex-cop and criminal investigator Coop returns to South Dakota in 2009, he that Lil is now Dr Lillian Chance and has opened a successful big cat reserve.

Black Hills is very much a coming of age tale, which is diversified with the added danger of a hunter who is lurking in the Black Hills. Who is he and why is he prowling the hills? Lil and Coop begin a new journey as they fight to not only to protect the animals in the reserve, but to stay safe themselves as they struggle to also safeguard their increasingly fragile relationship. Can things ever return to the way they were before they feel in love?

Power and nature are huge themes throughout Black Hills. from the might of Coop's Harley Davison motorbike to the natural intensity of the hills and creeks surrounding the Chance Reserve, Roberts uses continuous symbolism to create huge impact throughout the story. 

I enjoy reading crime books and felt that the cover of Black Hills may attract attention and encourage those who don't read regularly to give it a go. I do, however, personally feel that despite Black Hills being portrayed as a crime thriller, I would feel that its genre is actually a modern romance. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it will certainly encourage me to read more of Nora Roberts' offerings in the future.


Leanne.




11 comments:

Unknown said...

I read one of her books, and it was pretty good. surprised i haven't read more since i own quite a few of them.

The Bookworm said...

I used to read alot of Nora Roberts years ago. Hers are like comfort reads. This one sounds good.

Kelly said...

I'm not sure, but I may have read some Nora Roberts books in the past. I don't usually like much romance, but this still sounds like it might be pretty good with an interesting setting.

Brian Joseph said...

This sounds really good.

I like the fact that it seems to cover a big arc of the characters' lives.

I also love cats, both big and small.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Leanne,

I have read a few of Nora Roberts books and whilst I find them good as short infill reads between more serious books, I am always rather confused by the genre classifications she seems to apply.

Like yourself, I tend to classify most of her books under modern romance and certainly wouldn't rate any of them as hard core crime or thriller stories!

Nora also writes under the pseudonym of J.D. Robb and some of these books are a bit more of what I would describe as murder/mystery or suspense/crime stories.

Never an author to be ignored, as you know exactly what you are going to get with her books!

Great to have you back for a visit and thanks for sharing your excellent review :)

Yvonne

So many books, so little time said...

I have only read one of her books before but I quite liked it and have a few on the tbr. May bump it up now, this sounds good.

Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

Nikki-ann said...

I'm sure I own a Nora Roberts book, but I don't think I've read it yet. I like a good crime novel, but I've really got to be in the mood for romance.

Melliane said...

It's been a while since I haven't read a book by the author but I used to really enjoy them and I have many of them to read. Soon maybe! THis one sounds good!

Gina said...

Haven't taken the plunge into her works as of yet but Mom is a huge fan. Thanks for the share!

Literary Feline said...

Thank you for your great review, Leanne. I have yet to read a Nora Roberts outside of one she wrote under J.D. Robb. I am not surprised this one reads more as a romance given the types of books Roberts writes. I am curious about her books--especially now that I've gotten back into romance. And I do love a good thriller. If I do read this, I'll keep in mind the thriller portion is weaker than the romance.

Stephanie@Fairday's Blog said...

About 15 years ago I read a lot of books by Nora Roberts and enjoyed them. I haven't read anything by her recently- but this sounds good. I should pick it up and read it! Thanks for sharing. :)