SHADOW STORM by Christine Feehan

(Shadow Riders #6)
Piatkus Books, May 2021
Softcover
ASIN:  B08FZL8Q9D
Paranormal Romance
***

The book all Feehan fans has been waiting for, Emmanuelle & Valentino’s story, SHADOW STORM, is finally here.  The first five books in the Shadow Riders series have all been leading up to this book and readers can’t wait to find out how Val is going to fit into this interesting and unique family dynamic.

A longtime feud between the Ferraro and Saldi families comes to a head in the sixth Shadow Riders book, SHADOW STORM.  The youngest Ferraro, Emmanuelle has watched each of her brothers find love with their mates while she is left feeling betrayed by the man she loves.  For two years, she has avoided anything associated with Val until she learns he’s been shot during a takeover attempt of his family’s territory.  When Emme calls her big brother for help, the entire Ferraro clan comes to help and protect the Saldis from further attack.  Emme’s decision brings her back into Val’s circle and his arms.  It also puts her and her family in the middle of a private war.  Only time will tell who survives the SHADOW STORM that is brewing.

This reader has enjoyed just about every book that Ms. Feehan has written to-date.  Some have been better than others, but all of them are well written and filled with suspense.  SHADOW STORM follows suit.  That said, this reader’s expectations were very high for Emme’s story.  Perhaps a little too high.  Emme’s character and Val’s have been fully developing over the course of the prior books in this series.  The storyline is realistic (well, maybe not the traveling through shadows part, but…), and emotions are running high.  Emme has really matured over the span of the series and it is a welcome surprise to see her finally stepping up for her man.  The way her family rallies with her to help Emme (and through extension the Saldis) defines the heart of this series.

While this reader was hoping for something more, something I can not define, Ms. Feehan certainly did not let her fans down with SHADOW STORM.  Fans of Ms. Feehan’s entertaining writing style and the paranormal romance genre are sure to enjoy finally getting to hear Emme & Val’s story.  The Shadow Riders remains among Ms. Feehan’s best series to-date.

Review by Tammy (TammyLRM@gmail.com)
*This is an objective review and not an endorsement*

VENDETTA ROAD by Christine Feehan

A Torpedo Ink Novel, Book 3

Berkley

January 28^th, 2020

978-1-9848-0356-6

Romantic Thriller Romance

Mass Market Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

2 Hearts

 

Isaak ‘Ice’ Koval is part of the Torpedo Ink Motorcycle club and is on a mission for the club when he spies a woman who stops him in his tracks. Soleil is innocent, sweet and he wants her with every fiber of his being. Soleil Brodeur is a woman on the run, drifting from one thing to the next and when she tries to take charge of her life, she finds danger in a broken relationship that sends her fleeing into the night. Finding Ice at a Vegas biker bar, she finds a man worth loving and safety but she has no idea what she has gotten herself into for when Ice claims her as his, he will protect her with all that he can.

Okay first off I want to make a point of mentioning that I haven’t read this author’s books in years as it felt like she was just taking same type of characters and plots and just dumping them in another story with different names, etc. I got bored so I decided after several years of not reading her books to see if this one can keep my attention. All I can say is with me trying to give it a chance, VENDETTA ROAD, just made me cringe and I could not finish this at all. Too much sex, not enough plot and characters that had me cringing in horror as they moved along the pages of the story. With each page I turned, I really wanted to just toss the book aside and scrub myself off in the shower. I felt like the characters were just there to move along the sex scenes and not the storyline at all. Plus, the graphicness of the abuse and child sex trafficking portion of the plot left me cold and ready to scramble under the covers to hide. I wasn’t sure what the author was trying to convey with that, but it turned me off on more than one occasion as I stumbled my way through VENDETTA ROAD.

Christine Feehan is a talented author and I used to enjoy her books but lately it has felt like she is writing just for form and to see how much sex she can pack into a book plus she missed the boat in regards to fleshing out the con artist storyline that interested me far more than the sex scenes. This was not a comfortable read whatsoever and I felt like I had to stop reading midway just to find a light, happy book to enjoy after trying this one. I am sure others may disagree with me, but VENDETTA ROAD is dark, borders on porn and has no plot at all. I enjoy sex in books as much as the next one but with pages upon pages of it, in graphic detail, unfortunately turned me off and I won’t pick this one up again to finish it. It just did not keep my interest and with characters as flat as these, I am not bothering trying any other by this author unfortunately. It’s a shame because this book had promise but the author just wasted it.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

DARK ILLUSION by Christine Feehan

Dark #29
Berkley Books, September 2018
ebook
ISBN:  0349416540
ISBN13: 9780349416540
Paranormal Romance
*****




After almost thirty Dark series books, you might think that Christine Feehan would run out of ideas for this series, but this twenty-ninth book shows she still has fresh material just waiting to be put to page.  DARK ILLUSION takes readers to the world of the mage and gives us a peek into the often frightening life our heroine has had to leave behind to warn her family’s enemies of the threat heading their way.

Julija is a direct descendant of the evil mage triplets, Xavier, Xaviero and Xayvion.  She is Xavier’s daughter with a kidnapped Carpathian.  She was born for the purpose of providing Carpathian blood to her evil uncles and father.  Tortured and demeaned her whole life, Julija still finds the fortitude to run from her family in order to warn the Carpathians of the plans her family has for them.

Isai is an ancient on the trail of his brother, whose loyalty is somewhat in question, after he steels an evil book of spells before Xavier’s shadow cats can steel it for him first.  And just when he thinks he has found the a traitor in their midst, she turns out to be his long awaited lifemate.

Christine Feehan once again manages to capture readers’ interest and hearts with her latest Dark offering, DARK ILLUSION.  While the complex characters, both with a good amount of magic up their sleeves, provide the meat of the story and keep the action pumping, it is the shadow cats that really stole the book.  These cats are a wonderful addition to the Dark family and as well-defined and full of personality as any cat can be.  While they were created as a super weapon of the mages, Julija is the only person who has ever treated them with kindness and compassion.  And when she needs their help, they remember that kindness and return it tenfold.

This reader really enjoyed the back and forth between the characters as they learn to trust each other, just as the cats are learning to trust them as well.  But when our new couple and these cats get together, it seems the evil mages haven’t got a chance.  Wonderful story and even better story telling.


Review by Tammy (TammyLRM@gmail.com)
*This is an objective review and not an endorsement*

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LEOPARD’S BLOOD by Christine Feehan

Publisher: Penguin Random House
Date published: October 2017
ISBN: 9780399583971
Paranormal Romance
Print

Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee@yahoo.com)

Weblink: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/544554/leopards-blood-by-christine-feehan/9780399583971

Obtained via publisher

Rating: 3.5 Hearts

Sonia finds her life turned upside down with her mother’s death and the murder of her father. The mob and their wish for her death is more than she can handle. She has been in hiding and making her own way as best as she can until her past cones calling. Not something Sonia wants to deal with on top of her heat and her mate laying claim to her. Can Sonia keep herself safe? Is Joshua a man she can truly trust and rely on or is he just another liar like the rest?

I enjoyed coming back to the world of the leopards that Christine Feehan has created. Sonia is a strong woman and I liked that she could stand on her own. Joshua may be very alpha, but he loves her with all his heart. The two make a good couple and it was nice to watch their relationship take shape. Their story is full of emotions and the author does a nice job of combining them with the action. Sonia goes through so much and she must make some hard choices. Watching her fight through things and deal with it all makes for a good read. There is quite a bit of sex in this book so readers who may take offense may want to be wary. As strong and opposite as these two are they find a way to be together and work towards a happy ending. Joshua is very domineering but cares for Sonia and gives her what she wants and the only thing that he truly demands is for her to look into her heart and see the love that they have. It was nice to see a strong woman and a good man that she could trust.

This book moves at a good pace and kept my attention all the way to the end. Christine Feehan continues to keep this series exciting and fresh.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.


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LEOPARD’S BLOOD by Christine Feehan

 

Leopard People #10
Piatkus Books, September 2017
ebook
ISBN:  0349416540
ISBN13: 9780349416540
Paranormal Romance
*****



The tenth book in Christine Feehan’s Leopard People series, LEOPARD’S BLOOD, evokes warm sultry evenings on the bayous of Louisiana as the perfect mix of romance and violence.

A leopard shifter born in the bayou, Joshua Tregre made his mark in the rainforests of Borneo before being asked to take over a crime syndicate in his home state of Louisiana.  He wasn’t looking for a mate, but when the fates decide to put Sonia in his path, Joshua will do whatever he has to in order to keep her safe.

Sonia had no idea of her dual nature until the day her leopard, Gatita, rose to Sonia’s rescue and saved her life when Sonia’s husband tried to kill her.  Now Sonia is hiding in the bayou, trying to put her life back together.  Joshua and Sonia are thrown together when she is sent on a construction job to Joshua’s estate and Joshua’s leopard recognizes Gatita/Sonia as their mate.  Now, what are the chances that the very man Sonia is running from will end up crossing paths with Joshua?

Christine Feehan is definitely back on her game.  The last few books that this talented writer has penned have really taken her readers’ comments to heart.  Feehan has let up on the constant sex to give her fans a whole lot more storyline to go along with all that passion and it has really put her books back on top.

Sonia is a strong female lead on the run from the Russian mob, determined to put her life back together in the quiet of the bayou.  When Sonia’s cat goes into heat, she ends up attracting the interests of Joshua’s leopard who immediately recognizes her as his mate.  Weary of getting Joshua involved in her mob problems, Sonia is reluctant to give into her strong feelings for him even while her cat is mating with his.  But Joshua is one of the good guys and he has no intention of allowing anyone to take what is his.

A wonderful storyline, strong multifaceted characters and the beautiful backdrop of the Louisiana bayou all come together to make this fast paced romantic adventure another possible best seller.  This reader is super happy she stayed with Ms. Feehan and all her wonderful supernatural tales.  LEOPARD’S BLOOD is just that good.


Review by Tammy (TammyLRM@gmail.com)

*This is an objective review and not an endorsement*

Leopard's Fury by Christine Feehan

Publisher: Jove
Date published: November 2016
ISBN: 9780515156225
Paranormal Romance
Print
Reviewed by Gabrielle  (meingee@yahoo.com)

Weblink: http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318693/leopards-fury-by-christine-feehan/9780515156225

Obtained via publisher

Rating: 4 Hearts

Evangeline has worked hard to find a little peace and safety in her life. She understands how difficult it can be for a woman of her kind and is always on guard. Life has not always been good to her but she is a fighter and does what she can. When Alonzo enters her world Evangeline keeps her distance and does not act on her desires. It is safer for her that way but it is hard to deny the attraction to the man. Alonzo knows that he is not good enough for the woman that is his other half but he cannot stay away from her and when danger comes knocking Alonzo is ready to answer.

I enjoyed watching Evangeline and Alonzo's story play out. Evangeline is a strong woman who stands up to her man just as much as she stands by him. Alonzo is an alpha man who loves and supports his woman. The two make a good couple,  each one understands the other and is ready to fight for their love. They both have pasts that they must deal with before they can even think about a future.  As they try to find their way through their emotions and attraction danger finds its way to them.  Their story is a nice mix of romance and action. The love that they have for each other is strong and shows in all that they do. I loved seeing the two come together and fight for the bond that they share.  It was nice to see the man that Alonzo is with Evangeline. He needs her submission but he also needs her love and he will stop at nothing to show her just how special she is to him. 

 

Leopard's Fury is a wonderful addition to this series and I am excited to see what will come next in this world.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SHADOW RIDER by Christine Feehan

Shadow #1
Jove Books, June 2016
Hardcover
Obtained via:  publisher
ISBN:  0515156132
ISBN13: 9780515156133
Paranormal Romance
****


 

The first book in Christine Feehan’s new Shadow series, SHADOW RIDER, is a contemporary paranormal romance series about a family of shadow walking vigilantes revered by the people that they protect in their Chicago hometown.

Christine Feehan has surprised her fans once again with her newest Shadow series of books about a family that is able to move from place to place by walking through shadows as if being transported via Scotty on the Enterprise.  In SHADOW RIDER, we meet Francesca Cappello, who has come to Chicago to escape the evil man who murdered her sister and to start over.  One of the first people she meets is Stefano Ferraro, leader of the Ferraro family business empire.  From the moment Stefano spies Francesca, he declares her under his protection.  They both have secrets they are afraid will come out, but their attraction is undeniable.  As danger approaches from every direction, Stefano must prove to Francesca that he is exactly what she needs in her life.

There is no denying that SHADOW RIDER is a Christine Feehan story.  The supernatural family that is front and center in all these books is full of strong, arrogant, alpha males that know what they want and go after it full steam ahead.  The series has an interesting twist to it.  The Ferraro family has an air of mystery and a mafia quality about it because of their paranormal abilities and their ability to seemingly be at two places at one time.  Yet, undeniably, this family’s objective is to protect the people of their town, and the people that live there absolutely revere them for that protection.  They are wealthy and handsome and every girls’ prince charming. 

The storyline has a good dose of mystery, a good balance of sex scenes and some really complex characters.  This reader thoroughly enjoyed every page and can’t wait for the next installment.  Kudos to Ms. Feehan for sticking to her paranormal romantic roots while at the same time branching out into another area.  Feehan fans are sure to embrace SHADOW RIDER and the Shadow series as they do all her other bestselling books.


Reviewed by T. Barringer
tammyLRM@gmail.com

"This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book."