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Wild Mountain Men #1

Mountain Darkness

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A brawny detective. A protective district attorney. A beautiful murder suspect. The perfect match.

Kit Lancaster is The One. Me and Donovan have always wanted her. We had one night, but then she fled town. Left Cutthroat, Montana� and us, behind.
Now she’s back. The woman of our dreams, of every dirty fantasy, is mixed up in murder.
As police detective and district attorney on the case, we shouldn’t get involved with the prime suspect. But we’re the only ones who can keep her safe while we find out why she left us. We’ll get our second chance and make it right. Make her ours.
We also have to find a killer.

Don’t miss Nix and Donovan, the wild mountain men in Book 1. They fall first, fall hard and claim Kit together.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2019

827 people are currently reading
1047 people want to read

About the author

Vanessa Vale

280books2,469followers
A USA Today bestseller, Vanessa Vale writes tempting romance with unapologetic bad boys who don’t just fall in love, they fall hard. Her books have sold over one million copies. She lives in the American West where she's always finding inspiration for her next story.

You can find out more about Vanessa at VanessaValeAuthor.com

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5 stars
706 (29%)
4 stars
711 (29%)
3 stars
654 (27%)
2 stars
244 (10%)
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93 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
Profile Image for Debra Johnson.
11k reviews172 followers
June 18, 2022
2 stars.

If I hadn't been desperate to read something! I would have DNF'd this right along with the other book I just dnf'd.

More later.
Profile Image for ⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven•.
1,388 reviews266 followers
July 29, 2021
A Small Town, Cute & Hot MFM Romantic Suspense! This was my 1st book by Vanessa & I'll be checking out more by her�. I read this slowly throughout days & I adored Kit, Donovan & Nix!

Kit; Hardworking & Sweet; is an event planner by profession & came back to her town to work as a partner in her bestie Erin's company & is rooming with her, Erin's rich parents think bad of Kit. Her mom's agoraphobia led Kit to be independent, as she took care of her own mom from young age.

Nix is the Sexy Dependable Sheriff/Cop of this town WHILE Donovan is the Domineering & Charming Prosecutor (D's dad's the mayor & so controlling, Glad that D breaks free of that). These two are besties, Know Kit since childhood & been in love with her forever. They'd even thought that they've a chance with her, but then she'd left. Why?

Kit's been back for a few weeks, then chaos happens... Erin's Murdered *Oh no!*. Kit becomes the prime suspect (even though she's innocent). This incident led Nix & Don to meet her again. Of course, due to case, being with her will be frowned upon, but they're not letting her go again!

When the 3 finally talk, Truths & Reasons are found, Things clear. She'd always loved & wants them too, So Nix & Don show her how much they're into HER. Cue hot🔥 threesome! They keep their relationship a secret due to the case, but...It's forever. Marriage, Kids, A family. All In.

Things go well, the 3 spend time together, she settles into a new normal, finds a job in the local cafe, Reconciles with her old friends. The guys don't like keeping her a secret BUT their jobs are on line, it tenses Kit. She doesn't want them to sacrifice for her, So she does for'em, leaves them. It's hard on all 3, Nix & Don love her dearly...So make choices & tell their bosses the truth *Yay!*, Plus I'm glad D's free from his dad's clutches now! Even better? The murderer's found!!!

With everything out of their way, Nix & Don doesn't wait a moment to claim her! They're hers & She's theirs. Free to live & love. We get lovely🔥 3some & I LOVE how it works out for them, A new start together. Finally, A family.

But that Epilogue just left me on a hangup...The guy who confessed doing the murder, was lying?! The real killer is still out there....Why? How? Wtf?!
Kit, Nix, Donovan got their HEA...But this murder mystery is just starting! The next book is Lucas' story. He's good (I liked all the side Characters here) & I'm excited!
Profile Image for Jacqueline.
1,711 reviews158 followers
March 22, 2021
Meh. For a romantic suspense featuring a menage it was all a bit tame for me. Bit disappointing.
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews360 followers
September 23, 2019
description
This kick off to Vanessa Vale's new series was definitely enough to pique a reader's interest in the series. While it has its own story line and main characters, there's also a lot more going on. I really like the fact that it's set to unfold more in the next book.

I also really liked the main characters who were separated for a year due to misunderstanding and lack of communication. Normally I'm not a fan of story lines that could have easily been resolved by talking to each other. This time however this fact didn't leave a bad feeling for me. I liked that it wasn't the only thing that needed to be figured out for these three.

This book had a small town feel which I have come to like from this author. Overall I really enjoyed the book. I would recommend it, especially to menage fans who don't mind their stories short but satisfying.
Profile Image for Kimmylongtime.
1,262 reviews120 followers
December 9, 2024
Well hot damn this was a crazy book. 📕 Murder and Ménage’s !! Sign me up for MF book 2!!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
805 reviews19 followers
September 30, 2019
This book absolutely surprised the heck out of me! I've read a lot of books by this author, so I'm used to her brand of steamy, dirty romance. But this story started off with a bang, and ended with an even bigger bang! It wasn't exactly a cliff hanger, because the characters got their HEA, but there is a mystery, that didn't end like I expected, and I'm thinking it will probably be carried over into the next book in the series. I CAN'T WAIT!

If Kit didn't have bad luck, she wouldn't have any luck at all. She grew up with a mother that was immersed in a world of mental illness, and practically raised herself. This led to her being looked down on in the small town she grew up in. It was a dreadful way for a young girl to grow up, and I think led to her feelings of inadequacy and not being good enough. She loves Donovan and Nix, but something drives her away. When she comes back for a job opportunity, she doesn't let them know. Until tragedy throws her in their path. And boy, they really don't let grass grow under their feet! They know what they want, and do everything in their power to get it!

This book was a typical VV romance. Hot men, hotter chemistry, and explosive connections! But there is this added feeling of uncertainty, of danger, that really gives this book a little extra something, that pushes it from a good book, to a great book! Definitely one of my favorites by this author!

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Profile Image for Kat.
910 reviews95 followers
January 21, 2022
Probably a bit higher than three stars but I do think the tension kind of fell apart at the end. There is technically a murder mystery in this story but it doesn't get a lot of attention and is mostly resolved off-page. I tend to like MFM books and I did enjoy the relationship here. I wish we had gotten to see a bit more development between the characters. A lot of the feelings rely on events that happened prior to the start of this book, which tends to annoy me a bit because it means we don't actually see the characters develop feelings. I wish there had been more of an element of danger in this book that actually affected the main characters rather than just the people around them. I also found the writing in the sex scenes to be slightly cringy. It just didn't really work for me. I would definitely read more by this author but I won't be immediately seeking out the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Kay H.
628 reviews52 followers
October 26, 2024
Read it for the cover and the blurb, but should have read reviews. Romance moved too fast, MMCs were one dimensional, FMC was an "I'm not good enough for you, I'm going to break us up to *protect* you" girlie.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,668 reviews63 followers
September 27, 2019
I found Vanessa Vale's books last year and have been reading them as time permits. This new series intrigued me so I read it and wow.............so much like her other menage books but then totally different. I don't know how to explain it. This story is a little darker with a murder involved and Nix and Donovan trying to help Kit from being accused of the crime. And just when you think things are good.....bam!! I loved the ending, even though it's a bit of a cliffhanger. The trio is together and you know they will be but the crime has not be solved yet!!! You can bet I will be waiting for the next book in this series to see what happens.
Profile Image for Angel (Bradford) Tweed.
46 reviews5 followers
February 7, 2022
Omg what a book. There was alot of steamy romance in it. I loved it. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy romanc.
Profile Image for Floripiquita.
1,449 reviews163 followers
December 21, 2022
Con este título parece una cosa que no es para nada. Y la montaña no la he visto por ningún lado. La autora ha mezclado un trío con una trama de suspense un poco meh. Olvidable.

#popsugar22 Reto 26: Un libro con un título engañoso.
Profile Image for Chalice.
3,546 reviews105 followers
June 29, 2023
The couple: Kit, Nix, and Donovan

Romance genre: ménage; mystery
Series: Yes (Wild Mountain Men)
Length: 162 pages

Plot: Kit has moved back home after being gone for about a year. She left because she had a crush on both Nix and Donovan, but she saw them through their window one night at one of their homes, and she assumed they were together. Heartbroken, she left. She came back to work for her best friend's event planning company (and she's been staying with her too), but she wakes up after a late night at work, and finds her friend has been murdered, and she's the main suspect. To make matters worse, Nix is the lead detective and Donovan is the ADA. But they've let her know in no uncertain terms that no, they're not with each other, but they do both want to be with her - together. So they begin a relationship, but have to keep it quiet because of the whole murder investigation, which causes some problems and leads to at least one career change.

Commentary: I thought the misunderstanding that caused Kit to leave was funny (a little sad, but funny too). I mean, the guys are clear in their own thoughts more than once that they're not in this relationship to be with each other, but because they both want Kit and she wants them. Poor Kit was beating herself up thinking there was something wrong with her for wanting both of them and for coming in between them. The only thing that was annoying was that the murder mystery wasn't cleared up; you'll have to read the next book in the series to find out. Or the book after that - I don't know. I hope it's the dad. He should go to jail. Forever.

Next book in the series:
Profile Image for Red Reader.
527 reviews19 followers
March 2, 2021
What was that?! That was the fastest insta-love I've ever read. TWO days and talk of marriage?? Nope.

The story starts off great with a murder and the hot detective Nix showing up but then heads to warp speed with Donovan jumping in on the threesome bus. Apparently they've had a thing for little Miss Kit before she took off running--a year ago! I'm sorry, having a thing, stopping by the diner for lunch and chat with the waitress, and wanting her to be yours doesn't make it an actual love history. And don't even get me started on the murderer all of a sudden being found and how it's all wrapped up in a pretty bow and now they can be together FOREVER (in like FOUR days!!)-and then... CLIFFHANGER! Gah!! Nope.
Profile Image for Christopher.
991 reviews3 followers
August 16, 2021
So...this is bad. I knew it would be going in, but I've been doing some research on romance novels recently, and this one was free. The book is a murder mystery, and it bounces back and forth between the POV of the female lead and one of the male characters.

Not a thing in it makes a lick of sense. Not the relationships between the characters, or the murder mystery, and when the guy is describing his POV, he barely talks about the woman other than how much he wants her. He talks about his own penis instead. I know this is written for women, but still. Also, the second male character is such a blank slate, I wondered what he was doing there.
Profile Image for Gergana.
5 reviews
May 4, 2020
Couldn’t finish it, the plot wasn’t for me. Too predictable and I didn’t like the characters...no integrity among them at all
Profile Image for Ann Hupe.
500 reviews9 followers
May 7, 2021
WARNING: I CAN'T DO THIS REVIEW WITHOUT REVEALING SPOILERS!! CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

New series. Same State. Modern RH in her usual... but not usual storyline now...

Of all of the RH series I've read, I'm not sure why I like Vanessa Vale's material. Maybe because I need a jab of RH candy now and then. Maybe I agree that we should have polyandry legalized since women are sorely disenfranchised upon the death of a single spouse. (Boy! Did my mother find that out!!)

What makes this story (and following stories) different is that this is an arc (not ARC!) which isn't her usual. This story kicks off a murder mystery which is definitely not her norm (based on my own readings of her material. This girl's written a lot!). There is definitely and HEA, but the murder mystery won't be solved.

I loved the main characters in this tale, and the two heroes are absolutely delicious. Vanessa Vale does do her job in working on their characters so that we do see dimension. Unfortunately, I only wish the usual antagonists had more dimensions, but maybe that was not necessarily meant to be. It certainly does set the scene on what kind of small town game of thrones is definitely going on.

My only problem was that maybe at the time, I wasn't in the mood for my heroine to be held suspect to her employer's death... until I figured out her alibi. (Vanessa Vale still has yet to specify. You would have to be familiar with pathological psychology to figure out. Once I did, I felt a lot better as I finished the book. Apparently, she must have concurred.)

I have read Mountain Delights, #2 in the Wild Mountain Men series, and it was awesome, too. And, no, the murder has yet to be solved despite a big red herring, but a bigger mystery was revealed at the very end. Augh!!!

Yes, I would definitely buy this book. And Mountain Delights! I'm rereading this one for the third time at the writing of this review!
Profile Image for Sassy Angel.
2,767 reviews
September 25, 2019
I loved this story! It was amazing and I couldn't put it down. I have been a fan of Vanessa Vale for years. I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out.

Kit is back home after being away for a year. She is trying to keep a low profile to make sure that Donovan and Nix don't that she is back. She has been in love with them but doesn't believe that they could ever return her feelings. She ends staying with her best friend before she is brutally murder. Kit becomes a suspect because she was staying there. Nix is a detective and Donovan works for the DA's office. They know that they shouldn't start something with Kit but she is the One for them. They don't know why she left. Will they be able to make a relationship work?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for April Symes.
5,013 reviews447 followers
September 25, 2019
Mountain Darkness, book 1 in Vanessa Vale’s new Wild Mountain Men series has a darker side than her other series. It's more intense, forbidden, dark, mysterious and suspenseful. You still have the 2 heroes and 1 heroine like her previous books but
Mountain Darkness is the story of Kit and her two mountain men, Donovan and Nix.Book 1 centers around the main characters and a murder mystery. I liked the plot and the chemistry and the characters are very good. Sizzling hot and intriguing. I can't wait for book 2.


My Rating: 4.5 stars *
Profile Image for Vania Nunes.
2,303 reviews49 followers
March 26, 2020
Depois de morar um ano longe, Kit volta com a promessa de prosperar em seu novo trabalho como organizadora de eventos. Entretanto, seus sonhos vão por água abaixo quando a dona da empresa, vinda de uma das famílias milionárias da região, é encontrada morta. Mas não foi um acidente.
Se a vida de Kit não ficaria bem por agora estar desempregada, junte o fato de que, como estava vivendo como hóspede na cada da chefe, Kit torna-se a principal suspeita de assassinato.

Entra, então, em ação o detetive Nix Knight. Bonitão, exalando seu jeito de macho alfa, ele sente atração por Kit há muito tempo, e nunca entendeu por que ela havia ido embora da cidade.
Encarregado do caso, ele precisaria encontrar provas para inocentar a mulher que povoa seus sonhos eróticos.
Seu melhor amigo, o procurador Donovan Nash, filho do prefeito, sente-se igualmente pressionado, politicamente, a enquadrar Kit.
Só tem um problemão: ele também está completamente fascinado por Kit.

Daí, você pensa: com qual dos dois ela vai ficar?
Por que não com os dois?

Pois é, pessoal. Para quem gosta de erótico (menage), esta é a pedida.
O legal é que o pano de fundo - o assassinato e quem é o culpado - faz a trama ficar interessante.
Leitura rápida - e façam suas apostas: quem é o verdadeiro assassino?

5 estrelas
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,379 reviews309 followers
May 15, 2022
This was a short quick read that I also listened to on audio. Detective Nixon "Nix" Knight and best friend, Donovan Nash from the DA’s office to learn that Kittredge "Kit" Lancaster is back in town they have wanted her for years. Kit was in love with both Nix and Donovan but she misunderstood what she saw before she ran away and now it is time to lay the facts out and clear the air. When Erin Mills is murdered Kit becomes a suspect both men will do anything to protect her. This was a good read the sex scene was hot. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling I also liked the narration of this book. I am looking forward to listening to the next book in this series as this book left off on a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Courtney.
786 reviews
June 7, 2023
Vanessa Vale's quick steamy stories plus a murder mystery? Umm, yes, please! I finished this in one sitting. It was so good, and I definitely plan on reading the rest of this series.

We first meet Kit when she finds her roommate, who is also her best friend, dead. She messed up and went to touch her even though she knew she was dead. Which is what got her in a big mess. She is reunited with Nix and Donovan, the DA and officer, managing her case. Also, the two men Kit always wanted. Little did she know they wanted her as well. In the end, all three got to be happy together. The case is not solved, though, because the person who killed her is still out there. I wish they went a tad bit more into the crime aspect, but it was still really good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Metalkarin.
470 reviews21 followers
April 29, 2021
3.5 stars round up to four.

While I like the story and the characters, this book felt rushed to me. I’ve noticed spots where the flow is off � like parts are missing.

Although the romance in this book has a (satisfactory) happy ending, there are a couple of loose ends. Like who murdered Erin, why does Mr. Mills hate Kit so much, and will she succeed in her business or will she have to keep waitressing?
Profile Image for Valerie Torrence.
127 reviews26 followers
August 17, 2023
It was like, 2.8 stars
I'm actually curious about who committed the murder that opens this story, so I think I finish the series.
Profile Image for Shontaye Harkness.
1,260 reviews5 followers
May 18, 2022
What a roller-coaster of feelings! We're brought up, leveled out and then sent crashing down. Hanging on for the next sharp turn!
Profile Image for Shan ~A~.
3,063 reviews63 followers
August 5, 2020
Kit, Donovan, and Nix, oh my!!!

I love menage stories of any variety. This was pretty hot, except it didn't light my fire. I found myself wanting to fast forward (audio book obviously) to see who the culprit was.

Since the mystery seems like it is going to be ongoing, I wish there were more people in this town to like. I live in a town with about the same amount of people and we are not all up in one another's business like this. I believe she 20,000, not 2,000 (unless I heard that wrong).

Anyway, it was short and to the point. I wish the men would have done more to prove to me that they loved Kit, because after everything she had been through in her life up this point, she deserved it.

That being said, I'm curious enough about what happened to Erin to listen to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Korbyn.
14 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2021
Definitely erotica

Great book but short. On to learn what happens next in the mountains!!!! Do NOT read if you cannot handle wild sex scenes!!!
Profile Image for Kat Crumb.
771 reviews6 followers
October 24, 2020
Its a great read but not sure worth buying the series. I'll have to think on it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews

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