Title: Gold Lust
Series: Wild Alaska, Book 1
Author: Sky Robinson
Genre: Historical Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: August 2, 2013 by Ellora’s Cave
The 1901 gold rush brings people and excitement to Alaska, and recently widowed Emma Smith is in the middle of it all, ready to make her fortune. She's definitely not interested in love or lust, but that all changes when she rescues her neighbor James Armstrong from an icy creek and she's forced to lie naked with him to save his life. She'd been fighting her attraction to the burly mountain man for a long time, but with him so close, touching, skin against skin, she can't deny it any longer. And soon sex with James is an addiction, something to warm every Alaskan night. Emma is sure a traditional man like James couldn't accept an independent woman like her permanently. But as the dangers of Alaska keep bringing them together, the reasons to stay apart begin to fade.
Reviewed By: J9
In a Nutshell: Good characters and wonderful setting but the emotional resolution was woefully inadequate for my taste.
The Set Up: Emma Smith lost her husband to a bear attack when they were working their Alaska gold claim. Since then she’s been an independent, if poor woman, working her claim and fighting her attraction to her neighbor, James. James is a burly mountain man who wants independent Emma but doesn’t trust she’ll stay with him. As summer closes, both James and Emma will have to make a decision about their future together.
Why I Read this Book: I love historical books set in Alaska and this synopsis fit that.
What I Liked: I really liked both of these characters. Emma’s drive and independence really appealed to me. In my opinion she was a real woman with believable thoughts, needs and actions. Even her initial resistance to starting an affair with James made sense. James is the classic man who wants to have sex and doesn’t understand why it’s just Emma who draws him. But the nice thing the author did is explain why James was leery of expecting more from Emma. These are two likable, everyday characters with a spicy romance that I enjoyed.
What I Also Liked: I’m a sucker for Alaska as it seems so exotic, especially the historic gold rush Alaska of this book. Emma’s enjoyment of the Alaskan mountains as well as the challenges of living there were wonderful additions to this book. I also liked Emma’s two tenants: Opal, the society-born prostitute and poor Irish immigrant, Kate. These women form an unlikely friendship that I liked.
What I Didn’t Like: As much as I liked the characters and setting of this short novella, the emotional resolution was horrible. Emma and James both have believable issues that in mere sentences are fixed. Sure, I enjoyed James’ offer of letting Emma decide on their future but her capitulation and his easy offer just happen too quickly. I wanted more of a conversation between the leads, especially after the entire novella builds up their issues on why they can’t have a lasting relationship.
IMO: The emotional denouement let me down on this novella big time, especially since I liked the characters and setting.
J9’s Rating:
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