Title: Black Diamond
Author(s): Susannah Sandlin
Series: Wilds of the Bayou #2
Narrator(s): Elizabeth Godley
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Source: Netgalley, Kindle Unlimited
Format: Audio Book/ebook
Release Date: October 18, 2016
Length : 9hrs 20mins
Reading Challenges: 2019 Audio Book Challenge, COYER Winter 2018, Netgalley and Edelweiss 2019 Challenge and 2019 Blogger Shame
Black Diamond is the second book in the Wilds of Bayou series. I enjoyed the first book, but this is my favourite. I received an eArc from NetGalley, but never got the chance to review before now. When I discovered I could listen to the audio via Kindle Unlimited, I went the audiobook route.
The story began out on a chilling note. It gave me the chills, and of course, I had to continue, as I had to know how the story would unfold.
Jenna has been through so much and she bears the physical and emotional scars of her experiences. She has returned to fieldwork after the accident that left her with those scars. She gained a new partner, a new home.
A new drug has taken Terrebonne Parish by storm. This drug is addictive, and it makes users’ behavior violent and out of control. Jenna is invested in the investigation as someone close to her has been exposed to the drug.
Cole lives his life in recluse determined to escape his past. His story will break your heart. After hearing his story, I understood his reasons for choosing to live as a hermit.
There was literally no romance. This is one of biggest peeves when it come to this genre. It is classified as a romantic suspense but when you get between the pages, there is suspense served with a pinch of romance. The characters did not spend lots of time together, so there was no time for their romance to blossom. They were drawn to each other because they recognised they had emotional pain in common. I sensed the magnetic pull between them and I believed they had a connection.
The story moved at a pace. There was never a boring moment. At the eighty percent mark, the author stepped it up and at this point, the nail biting feeling came over me. I figured out the mystery from early in the story and as to the parties involved, this too came as no surprise. This however, did not diminish my enjoyment of the book. Instead, it piqued my curiosity as to what their next move would be.
Narration
I enjoyed the narration. The narrator’s voice was an easy listen. I loved her accents, and I felt she captured the voices of the characters well.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, I enjoyed this installment. I will definitely read more from this author. Fans of the genre will enjoy Black Diamond.
STORY
NARRATION
Overall Rating
For some people, the untamed beauty of the bayou is a place to hide. For Louisiana wildlife agent Jena Sinclair, it’s a place of refuge—one where she can almost forget the tragedy that scarred both her skin and her soul. But when the remains of yet another fisherman turn up, Jena realizes that Bayou Pointe-aux-Chenes is not safe for her…or anyone else.The mysterious deaths aren’t her only problem. A dangerous drug known as Black Diamond is circulating through Terrebonne Parish, turning addicts into unpredictable sociopaths. Jena’s investigation leads her to Cole Ryan—a handsome, wary recluse struggling with his own troubled history—who knows more than he’s willing to admit. If they want to stop the killer, Jena and Cole must step out of the shadows of their pasts and learn to help each other…before the evils lurking in the bayou consume them both.
Nadene's addiction to reading began at an early age, when a family friend gifted her a copy of Wuthering Heights. From that moment she was never without a book.She will read anything as long the material is compelling enough to hold her attention. She gained many experiences through the pages of the books she had the opportunity to read.She created this blog to share her love of books with like minded individuals hopes that in sharing reviews of the books read visitors to the blog will discover their next addictive read. When not reading, Nadene enjoys cooking, listening to music and watching television.
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Oh that’s frustrating on the romance. If it’s a rom-suspense it needs to have both. Otherwise just label it accordingly, right? smh I love the audible feature on KU. Will check this out.
If they call it a romance there should be romance in the story. That irritates me too. This story sounds good though.
It was good indeedd.
Sweet, I am glad you enjoyed this. I read the book but I am glad to hear the narration was good.
I wouldn’t mind the lack of romance. This sounds like a series that I should check out. I love books that are fast paced.
I’ve got the first book on my Kindle, but I like what you’re saying about the narrator getting the accents right. Hmm, good to know that its more suspense than romance.
I had a great time with this series as well. I love the author’s books!
I will be reading more of her books.
Oh Nadened this is fantastic looking, love the setting and the story sounds FAB plus your review and I’m like sign me up So should it be read/listened to in order?
Reading in order is not necessary. It is just a matter of preference.
I have heard that her books are great! I do mean to try one day
I hope you do.
Happy New Year Nadene! Because I’ve been reading more suspense and thrillers, I’m okay with the minute romance. You know I can’t do the audio reads, but I’m going to see if I can grab this from the library because it sounds really, really good, and the title is perfect. Thanks for the great review! Hugs…RO
Happy New Years, Ro. I understand about the audio. I am still trying to get the hang of it myself.:) I do hope you get the chance to read it.
I do like this author and I love a good chill giving story. This is one I definitely need to check out!
Yes, she is good.