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Book Review-Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan

by | Jun 29, 2016 | Book Reviews | 13 comments

Book Review-Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan

Book Review-Shadow Rider by Christine FeehanShadow Rider by Christine Feehan
Also in this series: Shadow Reaper, Shadow Keeper , Shadow Warrior , Shadow Flight
Series: Shadow Riders #1
Published by Jove on June 28th 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Psychic Abilities
Pages: 480
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 0515156132
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four-half-stars

The #1 New York Times bestselling “queen of paranormal romance”* is back with a sexy new series starring a Chicago crime family that hides a dark, mystical secret...
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...

My Review Updated

Summary

Stefano Ferraro has always been able to get access to fast cars, women with zero commitment, and keeping his family secret from everyone apart from those closest to the family. Stefano has always known duty and honor, he lives up to what is expected from him. But he is keeping a secret, a secret that allows him to seek justice for those that the law is unable to protect. Stefano has everything he could want (or atleast in the view of the public) except one thing, a woman to love and a family. He dreams of finding the one woman for him, that will match him and be his in every way. Until one day he catches a woman’s laugh, a stranger who has just come to town. Shaking from the cold, weak from hunger and hiding from her past, Francesca Cappello isn’t ready for this stranger who intimidates her in every way possible, but makes her feel safe. Francesca has had it pretty rough, and doesn’t trust anyone except her close friend who brought her to Chicago. She doesn’t trust especially men with money, especially those that have it easy like the Ferraro family. But soon Francesca has gained the attention of dark and dangerous Stefano and doesn’t know if she has what it takes to handle him…and she soon realizes that their love is worth fighting for!

The Hero

Stefano Ferraro is one of the few shadow riders left in the world. He is the oldest brother, and will do anything for his siblings. Each of them are shadow riders, and went through rigorous and for some horrible training. Their family has a great legacy, one that isn’t easy to live up to. Stefano is the toughest of them all, he is the leader and he has made it his life’s mission to protect his family. He has dedicated his whole life since he could walk to being a shadow rider, protecting the innocent, and seeing to his family’s needs. He does what is necessary and doesn’t apologize for actions he has had to commit. Stefano isn’t a easy hero, but he is a hero you want by your side. He is tough, intimidating and pretty scary at times. He is alpha male, but is patient when he needs to be.He can be intense but is loyal and devoted once he commits!!  I really liked this hero quite a bit, much more than the more recent ones that Feehan has created.

The Heroine

Francessa Capello has had a rough time of it lately. Her parents were killed when they were younger, and she only had her sister. They took care of each other. But then her sister was murdered and the man to blame, has power, police and the law behind him. He has destroyed everything she worked for, and has to be living on the streets to stay one step ahead of him. But now she has a fresh start, somewhere new and hoping to have time to gather what she needs to fight him to get justice for her sister. What she doesn’t expect is to be bull dozed over by the most compelling man she has ever met, Stefano. She fears what he is a part of, but can’t deny the magnetism, or the sizzling chemistry she feels for him or how safe he makes her feel when he is close. What a heroine this one turned out to be. Probably one of my favorites that Feehan has created. She has some issues to work through, especially when it comes to self confidence, however she has her own strength and I like how sassy she becomes with Stefano and stands on her own feet. She doesn’t let the fear control how she handles him. We see her become stronger throughout the story and I liked seeing her inner strength come shining through.

Plot and Story Line

WHAT a book!! Christine Feehan has done it with this one and I fell in love with so many aspects of this story. Before reading it, I had browsed a few ratings and reviews just to get an idea of what to expect but all I heard were positive things about this new series!! I will admit I was a bit nervous to read this one. Mostly because the past two books from this author I have read, the heroes I had a hard time with, they were jerks and I couldn’t stand how they treated their women. However this book completely blew me away!!! First off, the world-building is pretty wonderful. It is still full of mystery and intrigue but I loved what Feehan has shown us so far.  This book pulled me in with the first page and I couldn’t put it down!! So compelling and I loved the chemistry between these two. I did like that they didn’t have sex until half way, it really built it up just right!! Now the heat is pretty high, and some scenes weren’t my favorite. Not a big fan of the BDSM style and it was lighter than typical BDSM but it did have some elements that might not be for everyone. Frankly, I skimmed over those parts, since I didn’t feel the need to read them but many will enjoy how Feehan did these scenes. The family that Feehan introduces to us is freakin’ AWESOME!! I loved each and every sibling. They each are a bit different, have unique personalities. The sister was my favorite though, she is kick ass but I have a feeling she has quite a few vulnerabilities we haven’t seen yet. What is so wonderful about this family is the way they protect each other, watch over one another and support each other in ways that is mind boggling. Seriously, this family almost brought me to tears. All of them have been through hell of training, and each suffer the scars from the past, but they are strong and hilarious at times. What was most admirable is the way they look out for Francesca. The moment that Stefano finds her, they treat her as their own. It really creates the perfect setting because Francesca has no family left and they fill that gap she craves. The actual romance between Stefano and Francesca is beautifully written. I loved the depth and rich tones you feel with these two.

Trust that always, always, before any other, I will have your back. I’ll keep you safe. I’ll make you happy and give you the world.

They have some hurdles to cross, but their story is quite tender yet intense at the same time!! And the bad villain gets his just deserts which I felt was just perfect seeing that. I am curious to see which sibling will be next!! 🙂

The Cover

Interesting, it definitely gives the feels that the book conveys so I do like the shadow effect here!!

Overall View

Shadow Rider is a thrilling tale that will have you on edge, a romance that is tender and a story you don’t want to miss out on!! A TRUE JEWEL!!

About The Author Updated

About Christine Feehan

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 50 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, & the Sisters of the Heart Series. All five series hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.

IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself.

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13 Comments

  1. LilyElement

    I was already thinking yes I need this one, but you confirmed it. Gonna have to go buy it now.

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      oh you need to get this NOW Lily!! She did so well with this one. It felt more old school Feehan instead of what she has been writing the past couple years. I am super excited to see what you think of it.

      Reply
      • LilyElement

        You’ve convinced me *goes to Amazon* <3333

        Reply
  2. Michele H

    Yay…I’m so glad you loved it too! Great review! Wasn’t the family wonderful? I adored them all as well while they protected each other and Francesca. The ‘final showdown’ with the bad guy was such a well done scene. Funny in ways and so satisfying how it worked out.

    Reply
  3. Anna@herding cats&burning soup

    Oo a little BDSM? I didn’t know she did any of that. One day I’m really going to have to try her out. Yay for it being a good start!

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      She never used to. It was mostly more “rough sex” type stuff,,,just more intense. But the past few books I have seen this crop up more lately. I think you would like this one. 🙂

      Reply
  4. kimbacaffeinate

    Fantastic review, I really need to revisit this author and ooh this is a little smexier than I thought!

    Reply
  5. Sophia Rose

    This was actually the first of her books for me. Overall, I was impressed and loved it. Now, the BDSM stuff was a niggle for me b/c it was there w/o safeguards and that worried me a

    Reply
    • Lover Of Romance

      I am glad you liked her writing and had a good overall experience first time around, and this is a good book for your first Feehan read. Yeah I will be honest I didn’t notice lack of safeguards, but I skimmed over most of the more intense sex scenes. I do think you would like her other books. 🙂

      Reply
      • Sophia Rose

        I probably wouldn’t have minded, but she was so lacking in self-esteem b/c of the mental and emotional abuse. I didn’t feel her mind was in a good place so it made me nervous that she kept telling him ‘anything’ in the bedroom. But it wasn’t an issue of dub con or anything like that, just me going all ‘social worker’ here. 😉

        Reply
  6. Eva

    Great review! I’m seeing a lot of good reviews of this one so it sounds like a great start to this series — excited to read it

    Reply
  7. Ann Lorz

    I am so behind on her books but this sounds so good that I’ll have to add it to my TBR mountain. Nice review!

    Reply
  8. Blodeuedd

    I might be one of the few that has not tried Feehan

    Reply

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