"Black Hills" by Nora Roberts is a fantastic book which should be enjoyed in a comfy seat with lots of time to read because there is so much to take in.
Dr. Lilian Chance is living her dream. She built up the Chance Wildlife Refuge in the Black Hills where she cares for animals. She lives a satisfying and happy life but could never forget her first (and only) love Cooper Sullivan. They met as children on her parents farm in the Black Hills, fell in love as teenagers and broke up some time later. While he ended up in New York as a cop Lil never left her home.
Even today, 12 years later, Lil is still in love with Cooper. When he comes back to the Black Hills to stay he wants another chance with Lil. He's still in love with her and when someone starts making trouble for Lil and her Refuge he is there to help. Soon they find out that there is a serial killer on the loose who likes to hunt his prey and who plans to make Lil his next victim. Cooper is there to make sure that Lil stays safe and to win her back.
But in the end it's up to Lil to decide if she can trust Cooper again and to outwit the killer.

I love everything about "Black Hills". The characters are great and the scenery (Black Hills plus the wildlife) is so lively described that sometimes I felt like I was actually there.
Lil is an awesome heroine. She is a strong and caring woman who has been fascinated by the wildlife since she was nine. She is very sure about her goals in life and works hard to achieve them.
She loved Cooper practically from their first meeting and never thought that they could break up. Cooper also never stopped loving Lil but growning up with cold and uncaring parents made him uncertain about himself. He needed more time than Lil to build up his life and to become the person he wanted and needed to be. He never intended to break her heart, he honestly thought that ending their relationship was the best for Lil and him.
I enjoyed reading about their relationship as children, teens and adults a lot. Especially because the changes in their relationship aren't rushed and I can understand Lil's fear to be hurt again but I also love how Cooper stays steady in pursuing her and is solid as a rock but also very sexy.
Furthermore the book contains a really sweet second lovestory, all the characters are great and very likable (ok, all besides the creapy and crazy serial killer) and the end is breathtaking. So all in all "Black Hills" is an outstanding book that you shouldn't miss.

The Queen of suspense-filled romance novels once again treats her loyal fans to a thrill ride of intrigue that twists and turns through the Black Hills of South Dakota. As expected, this ride has well-defined backdrops, with all the sights, sounds, and smells, culminating to give the reader an experience of a life time. Enough with the standing in line...let's get to it.

When Lillian Chance was a teenager, a chance meeting would introduce her to a young man named Cooper Sullivan. During a dinner between Cooper's grandparents and the Chance family, the two would form a bond that spans a lifetime. Years later, both would go on and pursue their dreams. Lil Chance is a world-renowned biologist that specializes in big cats and founded the Chance Wildlife Reserve in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Cooper Sullivan is a cop that also works security. That is, until a colleague of his is murdered. Coop, has finally had enough and returns to the small town in which he grew up.

Hold on tight, 'cause here comes the drop. Just as Coop returns home, he discovers a murderer lurking within the town, and with each new murder getting closer to Lillian, his feelings toward her grow deeper and deeper. Will he be able to protect her? Will the love they once shared be rekindled? Lil still has bitter feelings toward Coop, can she put them aside? I could tell you, but what fun would that be? Nora Roberts has an uncanny ability to build suspense and she does just that in her newest novel. This is a romance, however, and unlike rollercoasters that whip the reader around at breakneck speeds, Black Hills allows the reader to enjoy every aspect of the ride.

Nora Roberts has put great detail and research into the backdrops and this ride is more reminiscent of a themed-coaster and not an old-fashion raise your hands and scream-coaster. That is Nora's style: depth, quality, and substance. Normally, I like to recommend a few books that fans of this book will equally enjoy, but aside from one of Nora's earlier works, the only novel that is as equally impressive is Clarence Cage's Ashes Divide: Ashes Divide (highly recommend) both entrance the reader in a world of intrigue, and suspense, while suppling wonderfully detailed backgrounds.