{"product_id":"2940014016421","title":"Black Diamond","description":"Introduction:\u003cbr\u003eOn the fast track to the top rung of the corporate ladder, Nathan is a junkie and money is his drug.  Sent to Appalachia to thin out the herd and rid the company of coal miners and close mines where productivity has fallen short of expectations, Nathan poses as one of their own in an effort to win the trust of the miners.  Assumed to be new to the industry he is quickly taken under the wing of the son of a proud mining family.  As his identity becomes divided, Nathan feels as if he has been split down the middle.  Is he Nathan, the money hungry executive, or is he Nathan, the coal miner who is falling hard for a man whose way of life is in jeopardy?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExcerpt:\u003cbr\u003e“You new to the mines?”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo that was what the man thought.  I can do that.  I will fit in by being the new guy.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Where are you from?”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThinking fast, he said a quick, “Been different places, wherever I can find work.”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e******\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Nathan, up ahead.”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe light flickered as the flashlight began to breathe its last.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Holy crap!”  He held his hand over his mouth to keep from vomiting.  He knelt on the ground and wrapped his arms around the young man who needed him now more than ever.  The memory of the crushed body of his father would be forever seared upon Mike’s brain.  Within minutes the waver of lights could be seen behind them as Mike’s fellow miners approached.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Take him out, Nathan.  We’ll take care of the rest.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e******  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis was coal mining country.  Every business served the needs of the industry in one way or another.  The ugly truth about the lucrative business of mining was well hidden by the majesty of the mountains.  To the tourist or occasional businessman passing through, the heart of Appalachia could have easily been mistaken for paradise or a reasonable facsimile thereof.  If one dug deep beneath the surface of the beauty, these mountains held an ugly secret.  The riches of the mountains did not lie within their beauty.  To the owners, the riches of the mountains were buried deeply beneath the surface.  Yes, these mountains were for sale and in the eyes of their owners, so were the people who risked their lives to harvest the black diamond that was found deep within.  Like the slaves that toiled before them in the Confederate South, the men who worked in the mines were not afforded the luxury of reaping the rewards of their efforts.  They toiled for their corporate owners.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e******\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“You hear about Mike?”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“No.  Where has the kid been?”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNathan felt as if time stood still.  What were they talking about?  Where was Mike?  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“He better get back to work soon.  How many days he missed?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Three, I think.”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree days!  Nathan downed his beer and drove along the narrow road to the mine, turning onto the old road that led upward into the mountains and along the winding path to Mike’s house.  The old truck was there but the house was dark.  He walked inside and found Mike in his bed.  \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“What’s going on here, Mike?”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Oh hey, this is Chase.”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe man in Mike’s bed looked too young to be a grown man.  He looked like a kid. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“How old are you?”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe young man got out of bed, naked, gorgeous, and much too young for either of them.  “I’m old enough and what is it to you, anyway?” \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Put your clothes on.”  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe young man, obviously a twink, ran his hands along his smooth well muscled chest and downward.  He took a step closer to Nathan and began stroking himself and making fake sex noises.  “Ever seen one like this?  Mike likes it.”","brand":"B.K. Wright\/Beau to Beau Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47083483791600,"sku":"2940014016421","price":1.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940014016421_p0.jpg?v=1763603303","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940014016421","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}