Christine Feehan - Shadow Rider

Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses—both legitimate and illegitimate.
While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone—until now…
With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her...

Comment: As soon as I've read a certain book in the Carpathian series that was a long time coming, I've taken the decision to not read more books by Christine Feehan. There are some books by her I've loved, but the last books didn't convince me and I struggled to go through them. This meant I only went forward with reading this one because it was the choice for my book club and maybe - don't we all always hope for magic - this book was a return to her best work and it would be amazing? After 4 or 5 chapters I knew it wouldn't be fun...

This book is the first of a new series and will certainly feature the Ferraro family. This first book presents the oldest of several siblings, Stefano Ferraro and how he recognizes the woman for him when someone from his family's neighborhood brings a unknown woman to ask for a job at a deli. The new woman seems to be struggling, her clothes aren't appropriate for the cold weather and she clearly needs help. More important than that, she is a Rider like Stefano.

Francesca is hiding from a dangerous man, she has nothing and was one step from being homeless but her friend Joanna said she could help and got her an interview at a deli. Meeting Stefano was a shock because he is everything Francesca is not, sophisticated, rich, attractive, confident... but there's a deeper connection between them. Can Francesca accept to be a part of Stefano's world?

Where to start? While I was reading, I kept thinking about things I should mention in this comment because they annoyed me to no end. It seems incredible to me how so many readers don't see the flaws in this book the way I did. Thankfully, diversity exists and everyone can have an opinion, otherwise, poor author!

Let me try to go by topics so I can convey why this book felt like such a disappointment to me.

1) The concept of the book is quite good. Strange people that can ride the shadows like if they were a special route or path only some can take. How could this influence others' lives and how did it work were things barely addressed in the story, and to me there wasn't much development about it. Sure, maybe this will become more and more important as future installments come out (as it seems to) but then why did it took around 400 pages to tell us this?

2) The heroine was first described as someone poor, in need of help and a job and overwhelmed by the new rich family she meets. She soon realizes the new people are overly protective and controlling. Sure, she's hiding from someone dangerous but would someone who's already burned just accept a stranger controlling her life, her steps, her routines? And more, not only accepting but embracing it? Not to mention the little detail but that hugely annoyed me that Francesca simply didn't ask questions, would anyone in this modern age just accept the word from a stranger, especially if she had reasons to be suspicious and not demand explanations about him, the weird behavior of others and all the apparent secrets that were being hidden from her but that affected her current daily life?

3) I know the point is to see how well matched Stefano and Francesca are and how trust is important but Stefano takes this too far, he acts as if Francesca can just assume everything about him and it has to be a positive thinking, she has to accept his ideas, behavior, knowledge, control, protection because he knows best, he does not explain things to her as he should but if she tries to leave to think about it or if she's suspicious about this or that, he immediately accuses her of running and not trusting him! How can this be considered romantic or acceptable?

There are more little things I could point out but this got to my nerves. It's repetitive, all secondary characters' POV about the Ferraro family is understandable considering the mafia-like environment, but where's the personality in everyone?

I can understand why some readers appreciate this, I don't mind if a hero wants to help and prove his superiority somehow but the relationship has to be reasonable, balanced. Both parts must act sanely and Stefano was too demanding and  at some point even told Francesca "you're never going to be independent". I don't consider me a radical feminist, but this made me angry. Francesca didn't seem to gain a backbone and despite all the right she has to want to raise children, she keeps saying she doesn't want to be a kept woman, but then easily accepts to be something like it.

The shadow business disappoint me too and even the talk about Francesca being one was almost put aside. It fit the need for her to be a mate for Stefano but then, nothing.

I'll stop now. I wanted to scream at the characters not to act like that. I know mrs Feehan said her books always will have a darker tone/setting/environment because it's the way her wok is, but everything is always too gloom and the fun or lighter moments seem mechanic actions meant to distract. I don't know, but I miss a better base and a strong, believable development.

Fans will still like it, many have, but for me...it is over.

Grade: 4/10

Christine Feehan - Dark Wolf

He is Carpathian. Ancient and unassailable. She is human. Young and vulnerable. Without her, he will not survive. Caught between two warring species, Dimitri has spent centuries hunting the undead to keep his people free and humans safe. He has survived honorably when others have chosen to give up their souls. Now, marked for extermination by the Lycans, Dimitri finds himself alone, and fearing for his life. But salvation is coming…
No Lycan would ever suspect someone like Skyler to dare mount a secret rescue operation. A teenage girl. A human of untested abilities. But she has something no one else does. She is predestined for Dimitri—as he is for her. And there is nothing stronger for Skyler than her desire to see her life-dream come true. Whatever the risk.

Comment: Ever since I read Dark Legend back in 2008 or something, I got interested in Skylar's story and how would she deal with a romance. This is that book, Skylar's story with her lifemate Dimitri, who's been waiting for her to grow in years - if not in maturity - and now it's finally their time. I had some expectations about this story...

 

Skylar is now a 19 year old, very wise for her years who's decided to save her lifemate from torture as soon as she realized he was in danger. She travels with her friends Joseph and Paul and they make up a plan to save Dimitri. But, at the same time, Mikhail and the other important Carpathians are dealing with a pack of lycans about a treaty and they don't need problems, especially when Skylar realizes the ones torturing Dimitri are from the shifters' clan. In a race against time, saving Dimitri will have personal consequences Skylar might be ready for... or is she?

 

I will admit it right away, I was expecting something else. Not much better or much worse, only slightly different. The series has gone on an interesting path but after more than 25 books are the Carpathians closer to solve the problems they had in the first books? I don't think the answer is that closer...and to be honest, it's tiring to keep reading about the same personalities, the same actions, the same moods, even if the characters and their circumstances change.

 

I've stopped reading two books ago and only came back because this is Skylar's book, a character I've felt interested in since the beginning. But in terms of world development, despite the new types of characters, ideas, etc., I still don't feel the author is closer to closure on important subjects. I understand the need for dragging and certainly other readers don't feel the same way, but for me it's all so repetitive and static...

 

That said, this is Skylar's book so I felt a special interest in knowing what would happen. I wanted to see what kind of grown up she is (although 19 is...well, she might be older mentally but it's still weird) and how she would be with Dimitri, as a couple, after her awful past. Somehow, the books in between have diluted the impact of that first meeting Skylar because I didn't feel as emotionally affected as I thought I would. Or maybe my impression of the general series has impacted my POV on this particular story too... I only know that the book's content wasn't as special as I always imagined. Skylar and Dimitri's relationship is balanced yes, he did wait for her, they talked and established a platonic relationship until she got older and that helps in their connection, but I wanted more feelings, more passion, I don't know, everything felt so polite, so perfect it's hard to imagine a young, damaged person now feels so calm about everything, despite the situations were we see she acts doubtful. I just don't think the author convinced me of their love, even while I was reading about it.

 

Skylar had an interesting evolution, she is a brave young woman...I liked her relationship with other characters, how things progressed in terms of socializing.

Dimitri isn't as focused on, his moments with Skylar and even with others are classic Carpathian and that's fine but he doesn't feel different from any other Carpathian and I saw that in the book where he and Skylar met. I think something was lost in the years until this book.

 

The general feel of this book is difficult for me to specify. For me, things got different, the books coming out now feel so far away from the first ones... maybe it's me who feels this way... the author certainly inserts all the necessary elements, the writing and content is recognizable but it just doesn't feel the same. I didn't dislike this story, I'm still happy Skylar and Dmitri got their HEA but it wasn't as magnificent as I always envisioned.

I don't plan on reading more...or at least not in buying any more. Maybe in the future I can get them for free in one of the exchange sites I visit, or if not, I honestly don't feel that bad about it.

Still, for hard core fans, I'm sure this is amazing. And it is good to see the author trying to make some characters look different, act different...just not enough for me.

Grade: 6/10

Christine Feehan - Burning Wild

Bred by capricious parents for his innate leopard-shifting abilities, billionaire Jake Bannaconni has spent his life in an emotional vacuum -- especially after a tragic twist ,of fate left hi to raise his infant son alone. But when his path crosses that o an enigmatic young woman, Jake's life takes a detour he never fathomed.
There is something irresistible about Emma Reynolds -- some thing Jake can't live without. Hiring her as his son's nanny will keep her close. And warm. And under watch. She's the first human to stir something in Jake, something he's never felt before But Emma may not be at all what she seems. And what's raging between them is pure animal instinct -- out of control, burning wild and as hot as the lick of a flame.

Comment: I've got this book since it was released. It is one of the few English written books I actually bought at a bookstore and didn't order on line. At the time I was really following the author's work and the second I saw it, I grabbed it. Then other books came in the way and my taste for the author's writing had a decrease and it got lost in the pile. Well, not lost, just....a bit overlooked.
I meant to read it last month but there wasn't time, so I put it as the first of August.

This is the third story in the Leopard series. It's the story of Jake and how he grew up to be vicious and cold but found people to help even when telling himself he was using them.
There's Emma, someone he rescues after a car crash and from that moment on he wants to own her but doesn't realize how far his feelings have gone until things can't turn back anymore.

To be honest, I liked this book enough. I'm at a place in my reading preferences where this author's stories no longer play an important part like they used to at some point in the past. My issue is, and has been all this time, the same. The characters just can't seem to be happy and relaxed. Al the times they do things that are meant to be funny there's always this feeling it's all an act and there to just fill the space.
I know the author's goal with her books is to tell things from a darker point of view, it's just the way her writing is wired apparently. But this gets boring and repetitive after a while.

This book, however, was easy to read and apart from the sex scenes - which I skipped mostly - the story moved along quite well. There's still the darker vibe in the story, the male protagonist acts like a caveman lots of times but considering I knew sort of what to expect, this one wasn't so bad. Fans surely loved it.

I liked the protagonist, Jake, despite his obviously Neanderthal tendencies, hidden under the guise of a leopard, but still. When he wasn't bossing around everyone, he was quite likable mostly because of his past, which we see in the first chapters. That shaped him into the person he is, even if his inner self is fair and helpful. I'd like to think anyone would be able to see bad influence for what it is, but the believable part in all this is how we can't always ignore the impact of what others do to us has in our mind. So I get hi even though I wish he could have been more balanced when dealing with Emma, for instance.

Emma is very likable, just like any heroine by this author, she is an innocent, quiet thing, but with something strong too. She acts almost complacent towards Jake before sexual attraction comes up. I found that behavior a bit stupid but even more annoying is how she can't resist him further along. I know, it's all part of the leopard tendencies, but can't women have more self will and intelligence to try to stay away from dangerous men?

These two together seem OK, of course, although I always find this author's couples unbalanced or maybe it's just the way she portrays them together. Jake and Emma don't seem to have much in common in terms of interests but they are put together because it all fits conveniently for the story's purposes...I mean, we see them for the role they are playing but that's it. I think there's a bit of a lack of more depth to the characters.
In fact, I found troublesome how Emma's past relationship was so minimized and seen as lacking interest to the story, it seemed that if that was so, why making her have one in the first place...just to be a means to compare with her and Jake together? Oh well...

Still, I think this book was OK enough because like I said, I managed to read the story fast enough too. I can't really remember anything from the first two stories in the series, which I've read five years ago I think, but I recall being bored at some points and with this one I only avoided the sex scenes, which were more of the same and meant to fill the space in my opinion.
In the end, an interesting enough read, many things to wonder about in terms of execution, still a good surprise after a while without anything by the author.
Grade: 6/10

TBR Challenge: Christine Feehan - Water Bound

The last thing Lev Prakenskii remembered was being lost in the swirling currents of the ocean and getting sucked deeper into the nothingness of a freezing black eddy off the coastal town of Sea Haven. Just as quickly, just a miraculously, he was saved—pulled ashore by a beautiful stranger. But Lev has no memory of who he is—or why he seems to possess the violent instincts of a trained killer. All he knows is that he fears for his life, and for the life of his unexpected savior.
Her name is Rikki, a sea~urchin diver in Sea Haven. She has always felt an affinity for the ocean, and for the seductive pull of the tides. And now she feels drawn in the same way to the enigmatic man she rescued. But soon they will be bound by something even stronger, and their tantalizing secrets will engulf them both in a whirlpool of dizzying passion and inescapable danger.

Comment: It's time for the challenge book of the month. October has the theme of paranormal or romantic suspense. I chose this book because it's been in my TBR list for three years and I thought it would suit the paranormal part, the romantic one and even the suspense as well! So, three in one on this one. It might not be most fascinating pick but it will be one out of the pile, so...

This book is a spin off of the Drake Sisters series and it focuses on another set of sisters, not biological, but from the heart. 
This story is about Rikki, she has an affinity with water and her work is all about catching sea-urchins to sell. She has a troubled past and has been running from fire all her life since her parents died. She found safety with her new sisters who take care of her and made possible for her to have a good life and close to the ocean, which she needs to be around.
Lev Prakenskii is found by Rikki after a huge wave rocks her boat. He was on another boat and escapes from an explosion barely alive. Rikki rescues and helps him and while he recuperates, he starts seeing the possibility of a live with her, but only if he takes care of who's after her first.

This book wasn't that bad, and it provided  good enough storyline and scenes. It had some changes from what I'm used to from her other novels. This book was a bit more easy to follow in terms of plot and character building, something not always easy in other books because most times, the author wants to delay things.
I thin this book wasn't as prolonged as others and I think it wasn't so bad in the plot development; it was possible to see where things were going in a more decisive way. Still, when the book was over and I had turned the last page I had the immediate thought the 443 pages used could have been less and I'm pretty sure one hundred pages less would have gotten the job done as well and probably not all that bad either. The author takes a long time writing things that could be shorter. But I guess for those hard core fans this is also part of her appeal as a writer, so... it's just that, for me, after all the books by her I've read it can become a bit tiresome.

The characters were likable enough too. Lev is the image of her trademark heroes, mysterious, dark and dangerous when not with people he trusts. You now, the usual. A big part of the plot was about his new identity and how he coped with the things he did in the past.
The real surprise was Rikki, she is a heroine I don't remember seeing in the author's novels and I liked her a lot. She has a disability and has managed to build up her life despite that and even after many hard times and experiences. She was quite the refreshing heroine and it was very interesting to follow her and her mental processes and way of life. I liked her a lot and she saved he book for me.

The plot isn't new or surprising. It's about two people surviving a wave at sea, then she helps him, he wants a new life, he helps her and she shows him he is worthy of love while telling her she has the right to be loved as well. Simple.

Apart from the usual elements expected in this author's books and the prolonged size of the text, I actually had a good time reading because what was predictable I didn't hate and in the end some things were different enough to grab my attention. I think this is an author whether you like and set your hopes on a good routine thus loving her work, or you like some things and find other annoying (like it happens to me).

All in all, a good enough book, strong elements and a solid enough story to base the plot and voilá, the usual trademark by the author in an emotional and hopeful story.
Grade: 6/10

Christine Feehan - Samurai Game

In an underground club, a high-ranking public official spends his secret nights indulging in fantasies as exciting as they are depraved. For a seductive employee of the Dungeon, it’s her job to fulfill them. But she’s playing a far more dangerous game -- one of blackmail, politics, and murder that reaches into the shadow world of the Ghostwalkers, and the creation of a spectacular, one-of-a-kind new weapon of defense. 
But when a dictator makes his own catastrophic moves, the Ghostwalkers have no choice but to bring in two major players -- a man and woman both driven by passion and revenge. Both expendable. Both with nothing left to lose.

Comment: Another installment in the Ghostwalker series by this author.

Although this series isn't the only one I currently follow, it's still the only one I truly await for. I've said before that most books by this author don't advance that much and they take too much space with explanation of feelings instead of developing the plot.

Anyway, this is the story of Sam and Azami. We learn soon the Azami is a ghostwalker that Whitney didn't think worthy and he sent her away like trash. She was saved by a Japanese family and trained in the martial arts and with her bothers, created a millionaire communications company.

Sam is another of the ghostwalkers in the government programs and he's part of team one, with Ryland as his team leader.

So, basically this story is Azami and her brothers going to the ghostwalkers compound to make a deal to make a business deal. There they are attacked and Sam and Azami fall in love and later on save the day and decide to marry.

And this is it, in three lines I've made a quick summary of what happens. But like always, the author takes many pages to say something and not moving on. After so many books, in terms of advancing plot, we can't say we've seen hat many things happen, the bad guy is still on the loose, there are too many things to solve and with each book there's the romance and just a thing or two about what happens and lots of information about what needs to be done. I mean, I like this series, is still my favorite, but after 10 books it would be good to have the plot starting to get solved. Unless the author plans to write the series until a very large number of books, which would just be saying the same things over and over. I guess the promise it's there, with the countless hints about some characters that might show up, about people that would be important. I just think that if the author said she has a number in sight and this is it, I'd prefer that to the continuation of unsolved issues without a finality. I think a long series is fun and it keeps us with beloved characters, but if the plot doesn't move long...it becomes boring and repetitive. The thing is, the plot is continuous, which means we follow the same plot lines since book 1. We don't have a different set of action with each book like it happens in some series.So, I think that, after a while, it would be better to just finish something.

This book in particular was a good addition to the series, especially Azami's scenes. She goes after people that help Whitney being the bad guy he is and she takes those people out of the action and I love the scenes where she looks like some ninja shadow doing her thing without a trace, loved it. At least she is fast in her thing.

The romance was ok, too fast to my taste, but sweet. They had doubts I don't think were treated the way they should considering the time it took them to start having feelings for each other, but it's the author's trademark together with the series "rule" of instant attraction and mate recognition.

I also liked how we got to know many details about the lives of some of the characters that were protagonists in previous books. I particularly liked knowing "my" Ken and his Mari were going to have babies lol

Also good was to watch the growing friendship between the ladies in the compound and how they were becoming friends even with those who were new there, like Azami. I love this part in books.

In the end, a satisfying book, if one doesn't think too much about the huge amount of time it takes for anything to actually happen and finish in there.

Christine Feehan - Dark Predator

As brutal as the undead he hunted, Zacarias De La Cruz was a master executioner. Now his stark and savage journey has ended. For his brothers, Zacarias had walked to the edge of madness, but with centuries as a killing machine now left to the past and without a hunt to define him, Zacarias wonders, for the first time in his life, who he really is.
The answer awaits him back home, in Peru, in the betrayal of a woman who is readying her trap, in the vengeance of an old enemy, in the inevitable consequences of a bloody family legacy-and in the deliverance of a lifemate he never could have imagined...

Comment: This is a series I'm getting too tired of. It's always the same thing and the novelty of seeing the couple admitting they love each other is no longer a winning point to make me faithful to the series.
After so long, I think the author can't offer anything new at this point. Fro 25 books, we've seen always the same problems, we read over and over how things are difficult for the Carpathian people and how close to extinction they are. After 25 books we know something that will help them. 25 books.
I wonder if another 25 will be needed for us to see something more happen in the Carpathian world.
I understand the series, the dedication the author feels for and gave to it, but it's repetitive. Too repetitive.
Right now, only the story of Skylar compels me. I'll read that one, when it comes out but to be honest nothing else is making me eager to read. I won't buy anymore books, I'll wait for friends who like them to borrow them to me, because I've spent a lot of money already but I no longer feel it's being well spent.
About this book, as usual, the male is possessive, a caveman, he doesn't let the woman do anything and I no longer see it as romantic and a need. The girl excuses him for almost everything and even accepts what I see as rape because she loves him. This no longer feels right to me, so I'm thinking of giving up before I really hate the series. It's too bad because I've dedicate hours to the books I've read and I feel sorry but I don't want to hate them. I'll wait and hope for Skylar's anyway....and I wish it actually brings something good.

Christine Feehan - Ruthless Game

Ghostwalker Kane Cannon is pure male—animalistic, sexual, protective, instinctive—and his past missions have prepared him for anything. But his newest assignment, to rescue hostages in Mexico , plunges him into a hot zone he never anticipated: the hiding place of Rose Patterson—fugitive, ex-lover, a fellow Ghostwalker pregnant with his child.

Rose is in flight from the insidious experiments that still live in her dreams, and from the madman who’d do anything to take her child. Of all the Ghostwalkers enlisted to hunt her down, Kane is the only one she can trust. But as their passion reignites, the stakes are raised. Because Kane is now a wanted man as well. And together they’re about to face the most desperate challenge of all: staying together and staying alive.

Comment: My favourite series by this author is this one. I think the premise is not that unimaginable as that and I like to see how the characters behave. Although one must say it's quite repetitive how each one faces their predictament, I'd like to see something different in that aspect, to spice things...

This story follows Kane and Rose and their baby. I loved the book mainly because there's a baby in there and it so much fun to see others interact with him, especially because all of them are fighters in a certain way, and not used to affection and simplicity. I also liked to see more of the interaction between them all, it's good to see them united like that.

The end is happy but I'm afraid this will be another life long series, where the bad guy keeps getting away...

But I'll dutyfully wait for the next book.