WILD CAT (Leopard People #8) by Christine Feehan-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 24, 2015

A simple request for Siena Arnotto: deliver a gift to her grandfather’s friend. One look at Elijah Lospostos, hard-bodied and stripped to the waist, and Siena succumbs to a feline stirring she never felt before, and to Elijah’s reckless and pleasurable demands. But when that pulse-throbbing moment ends in the murder of an unexpected intruder, Elijah accuses the shaken and confused Siena of setting him up.

Then Siena discovers the truth of her Leopard heritage, of the secrets in her grandfather’s inner circle, and the sinister plot of revenge that has put her in jeopardy. When Siena’s grandfather is assassinated, she realizes the only man she can trust is Elijah. Now as her Leopard rises from within, Siena and Elijah share not only an animal instinct for survival—but a desire so raw and wild it may be the only thing that can save them.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: WILD CAT is the eighth installment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult LEOPARD PEOPLE paranormal, erotic romance series. This is Elijah Lospostos, and Siena Arnotto’s storyline. WILD CAT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Several of the previous storyline couples and characters have secondary and supporting roles throughout the story.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Elijah and Siena) WILD CAT follows Siena’s introduction into the world of Leopard shifters. Raised by her elderly grandfather at the Arnotto winery estates, Siena has always had the protection of several of her grandfather’s guards, but every once in awhile Siena is sent on a solo mission to deliver wine to a few of her grandfather’s ‘close friends and associates’. What Siena never knew is that she was a distraction to her grandfather’s competition, and Siena played right into the hands of her grandfather’s games. When her latest mission finds Siena delivering a case of wine to the man who has called to her heart for over ten years, Siena soon discovers that entering into a relationship with Elijah Lospostos is one of the most dangerous and humiliating situations she could ever have imagined. Siena has also attracted the interest of her grandfather’s right hand man, and the danger to Siena is dark and fatal. There is a war between the Leopard families, and each ‘familia’ is willing to kill for power, control and territory.

All of Christine Feehan’s male characters (especially the Leopards) are dominant and controlling, and Elijah is more controlling than most. His relationship with his men, and Siena is aggressive, and Elijah will humiliate the woman who will one day be his mate-Siena will never forget the humiliation and hurtful words that spewed from Elijah’s mouth, and in this Elijah knows that he has far to go to earn the trust of his future mate.

Siena is unaware of her Leopard heritage, and enters into a world that promises death, pain and the possible loss of her individuality and freedom. A relationship with Elijah promises secrets and the fear of the unknown, especially as it pertains to Elijah’s business affairs and his role within the Leopard community. Siena easily accepts the existence of the Leopards without the usual denial and need to run from her life. The world building continues to focus on the Leopard’s struggle to survive in the human world; their need to dominate and control; and the search for a compatible female to carry on the shifter lines.

The relationship between Elijah and Siena is a constant push and pull. Elijah must be in charge at all times but Siena isn’t willing to acquiesce to Elijah’s demands-both in and out of the bedroom. The $ex scenes are numerous, aggressive, erotic and intense but there is no denying that Elijah has fallen in love with Siena Arnotto.

The secondary and supporting characters include Jake and Emma; Eli and Cat; Evan, Joaquin and Tomas Estrada, Drake Donovan, and Joshua Tregre. We are also introduced to several of Siena’s grandfather’s guards including Alonzo-a man who has promised to protect Siena with his life; and Paolo-a dangerous Leopard who wants Siena for himself.

WILD CAT is a sexually graphic and aggressive erotic storyline with abusive and violent situations especially as it pertains to the female characters. I have mentioned in several previous reviews that Christine Feehan’s storylines have become more violent towards the female characters-abuse, rape, torture, assault, and with WILD CAT the trend continues for both the leading heroine and a secondary character. Siena will suffer at the hands (paws) of another Leopard, and her emotional psyche will be assaulted by the man with whom she has fallen in love. Christine’s males have always been alpha and aggressive but it is the females who are suffering an uptake in violence and abuse. The real world is not perfect and neither are the world’s of Christine Feehan’s paranormal series. But not to focus on too much negativity, WILD CAT does brings with it some of Christine Feehan’s original writing style from the early days of the Leopard series-I found myself looking forward to revisiting old friends and familiar names. Welcome back to the world of the Leopards.

BONUS: WILD CAT contains a quick peek at the next Ghostwalker installment-SPIDER GAME #12-featuring Cayenne and Trap, and the backdrop of the NOLA Bayou. But I want to address the number of previous storyline characters who have yet to have their story told. So many GW Teams and male Ghostwalkers were introduced in the earlier novels, but Christine Feehan continues to add new names and characters, focusing on a different direction for the series. I am beginning to wonder if any of the original team members will ever have their stories told.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy