New Release Goodness: Black Gold

Black Gold
By: Vivian Arend
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: 09-13-2011
Length: Novel (Ebook)
ISBN: 978-1-60928-525-8
Series: Takhini Wolves #1

SUMMARY: Lone wolf Shaun Steven’s automatic response to the words “happily ever after”? Kill me now. Yet with all his friends settling down he’s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap.

One thing’s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin.

When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it’s about more than her research project. It’s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there’s something in the air she can’t quite define—something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts.

Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done—and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don’t belong together become painfully clear.

It’s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words…

Warning: Two strong wolves getting exactly what they deserve. Includes wilderness nookie, shifters being naughty in public places, the Midnight Sun as a canopy for seduction and grizzly shifters on the loose. Oh, and don’t forget the sarcasm.

MY THOUGHTS
First I must say that the cover is amazing-- geesh, did it help me visualize while I read Black Gold. Probably why I was sweating. I've read every one of Vivian's Granite Lake Wolves stories, and she has this wonderful way of blending action, location, humor and romance together in a perfect combination. I know you've all read stories where the descriptions were lovely but simply too much, and others where it wasn't enough. The same can be said for over the top humor/snark or all sex and no plot. As a reader I was completely satisfied with all of the elements in Black Gold. I loved the characters, and it was cool to not only read about Shaun and Gem, the main characters, but also Evan, the Takhini Pack alpha and Caroline, who kicks butt and surprises the reader and Evan at every turn. If you haven't read Vivian's Granite Lake stories, you can read Black Gold as a stand alone without a problem. Fans of Moira Rogers, Shelly Laurenston, Kelley Armstrong or Lori Handeland should love this series.

One last thing I really enjoyed about Black Gold were the quotes from Robert Service. I didn't know who he was, but I found some cool information on the man that inspired many writers with his poetry. He often wrote of gold prospectors, nature and the Canadian wilderness. There is a scene between Gem and Shaun where they are sitting by a fire and talking about one of his famous poems, The Cremation of Sam McGee. You can find the entire poem and more here:
http://www.cowboypoetry.com/robertservice.htm

Black Gold on sale at Samhain right now because it's a new release, so it's the best time to pick it up before it goes to full price! http://store.samhainpublishing.com/black-gold-p-6454.html

For more information on Vivian's books visit her here:
http://vivianarend.com

~Brenda