Audiobook Review: The Vow (Black Arrowhead) by Dannika Dark, Narrated by Nicole Poole

The Vow is the first book in the Black Arrowhead series by Dannika Dark. The audiobook is narrated by Nicole Poole. Melody is an ambitious entrepreneur who has always loved the thrill of a new adventure, but she's about to get more than she bargained for when the only way to save her business is to secure a deal with a powerful tribal leader. Running Horse, Oklahoma, isn't on the map, and Mel is about as lost as a Shifter can get. When she unexpectedly runs into her best friend's brother, her friendly visit quickly turns treacherous. Lakota Cross is a man with secrets. While tracking a killer, he reunites with Melody, and their friendship sparks into a passionate affair. But if he doesn't quell the fire soon, it might burn out of control. Once again, fate brings these two Shifters together in a moment of need. But will the sacrifice be greater than the reward? Murder, mayhem, and a mating ceremony.

The Vow is a roller coaster ride of world building, character development, and mystery- and I was all in from the very start. I liked Mel and Rose from the very start of the book, and was thrilled to see how trying to do the right thing for others got our main characters their happy ending. While I thought her connection with Lakota and their ending up together was a little predictable, I very much enjoyed the journey that they took to get there. The town and tribe dynamics and cultures were well built, and sadly the prejudice, mistrust, and resentment all too believable. The mystery of the murders was very well done, although I have to admit that the culprit was not a big surprise to me- everytime they popped up in the story I had my suspicions that they were up to something.  The narrator did a wonderful job with the book. She captured the heart of the story and characters in her performance using inflections and slight changes in her cadence to capture the difference in characters. I enjoyed the book and look forward to more.

The Vow is a solid start to a new urban fantasy and romance series. I look forward to reading (or listening) more as it continues.