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Lightning Game (Ghostwalkers)by Christine Feehan-Review & Excerpt

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Lightning Game (Ghostwalkers 17) by Christine Feehan-Review & Excerpt

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 2, 2021

Danger and passion fuse in this electrifying GhostWalker novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

GhostWalker Rubin Campo’s rough upbringing made him into the man he is today: strong, steadfast and wary of outsiders. When he and his brother return to their family’s homestead in the Appalachian Mountains, he can immediately sense that a stranger has taken up residence in their cabin—a woman who just happens to be a GhostWalker too.

Jonquille looks deceptively delicate but is clearly a fighter. She also doesn’t seem to care that Rubin could kill her where she stands. She sought him out, wanting to connect on their shared interest in electrical charges. As one of the first failed GhostWalker experiments, Jonquille can produce lightning with her body—but she can’t control it.

Their connection is magnetic, their abilities in sync. Rubin knows she’s his match, the answer to a lifetime of pain and intense loneliness. But Jonquille came to him with hidden intentions, ones that threaten to destroy their bond before it can truly begin.…

•••••••

REVIEW:LIGHTNING GAME is the seventeenth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult GHOSTWALKERS erotic, paranormal romance series focusing on an elite group (4 teams) of enhanced men and women known as the GhostWalkers (GW). These ‘super soldiers’ were once part of an unauthorized government experiment performed by Dr. Peter Whitney but several soldiers have, since, opted into the program on their own. This is US Army Colonel and GhostWalker Rubin Campo, and female GhostWalker Jonquille’s story line. LIGHTNING GAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Jonquille and Rubin) LIGHTNING GAME follows GhostWalker Team four members, psychic surgeon Rubin Campo, and his brother Diego, on their return to their family homestead in the Appalachian Mountains where they will come face to face with an enhanced female GhostWalker Jonquille. For months, our heroine has passed herself off as a lab assistant in an effort to uncover the truth about herself, and her ability to absorb the power of lightning. Rubin Campo has been studying the possibility of directing lightning, and in this our heroine is desperate to learn to direct the use of her own powers. Rubin Campo knows immediately that Jonquille is the female whose DNA has been matched to his own, and in this Ruben is immediately protective of the woman with whom he will fall in love but all is not well for our story line heroine as another group of enhanced soldiers, this time controlled by another madman working for the US government, is determined to take down our story line heroine. What ensues is the slow building romance and relationship between Jonquille and Ruben, and the potential fall-out as a group of US soldiers has gone rogue, in an effort to protect our story line heroine.

Meanwhile, Oliver Chandler, a former associate of Peter Whitney, is trying to develop a new group of super soldiers, but in doing so, all but destroys the men he is hoping to control. Someone, only known as ‘Swamp Man’ gives the GhostWalkers pause, and in this, the rescue of a familiar face and name, bring the GhostWalker Teams together.

The relationship between Jonquille and Ruben is slow to build as Ruben’s brother Diego struggles to trust our story line heroine. Ruben knows that Jonquille is his fated mate, and in this, Ruben and Jonquille will work together to direct the lightning and energy for a better cause. The $ex scenes are limited, passionate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Unlike several of the previous instalments in the GhostWalker series, and some of the author’s other series, LIGHTNING GAME does not focus on the sexual needs and wants of our story line hero. Ruben Campo knows Jonquille is the woman that calls to his heart, and in this, he doesn’t force his power, his alpha-ness, or an over the top attitude regarding a woman’s place, and the man she must serve. The growing love between our couple is heart warming and intimate, sweet and consuming.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and familiar characters including several members of other GhostWalker Teams–Ryland Miller, and several members of Team one; Ezekiel (Bellisia), and Mordichai Fortunes, Colonel Joe Spagnola, Gino Mazzo (Zara), Wyatt Fontenot, and everybody’s favorite grandmother Nonny Fontenot. We are introduced to Ruben’s brother Diego, and a new group of GhostWalkers, who may or may not have future story lines: Harris Ledes, Sean O’Connell, and Kevin Morris

LIGHTNING GAME is an energetic and spirited story line. The premise is riveting; the romance is inspiring and captivating; the characters are intense and dynamic.

As I had mentioned in my review of LETHAL GAME (#16), LIGHTNING GAME is also a bit of a departure from the author’s usually graphic violent and sex obsessive story lines. With the addition of several psychic healers, the GhostWalkers takes on a bit of the Dark (Carpathian) feel, paralleling the earlier works of the author’s series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

Rubin turned to look at his brother, not knowing how to feel about someone invading their cabin and actually working on it. No one had ever done anything to the Campo cabin other than a Campo. He stepped into the middle of the room and took a long, slow look around, taking in everything. His brother took his back, doing the same. It was a familiar position, but they were looking at a very unfamiliar cabin.
Their cabin didn’t even smell the same. Coral honeysuckle was rare to find in the mountains and yet the cabin definitely held the subtle fragrance mixed strangely enough with the scent of daffodils. His mother called them jonquils. All along the neighboring holler where they grew freely, they referred to them as Easter lilies. There was no hint of a musty smell at all. The loft held a new mattress. He could tell because it didn’t stink of the usual rodents that had burrowed their way inside the foam. A sleeping bag covered the top of the mattress.
Someone hadn’t been taking things from their cabin. Someone was living there. That someone was female. There were no flowers, but that fragrance told both men the occupant was a woman.
“I’ll get rid of any sign outside that we were anywhere near the place,” Diego said.
Rubin nodded. He was uneasy. When he was uneasy, it usually meant something was very wrong. “Be careful, Diego. I’ve got a bad feeling.”
“I’ve got the same bad feeling. Stay away from the windows.”
Rubin didn’t need the warning. He waited until his brother had slipped outside. Once Diego was out of the cabin, he felt better. He had never seen anyone who could match his brother’s ability in the forest. At least he knew Diego would be safe. He crouched low, squatting, the way his father had taught him, relieving pressure on his spine while he studied the interior of the cabin, inspecting every corner.
The floors were spotless. There was a handwoven rug at the foot of the ladder leading to a loft where the bed was. Four years earlier, they had roughed in a shower and toilet. It had been very rough. They had been used to an outhouse and an outdoor shower when they came to the mountains. The shower was still open, but it was much nicer. The floor of the shower had been set in smooth, polished stones over the plastic around the drain they’d roughed in. They had packed in a brand-new porcelain toilet when they came that year and it was spotless.
The kitchen sink was immaculate. The small gas stove had been thoroughly cleaned. That had been brought up only last year. Ordinarily, they made do with a small grill they kept in the shed around back. The woman who was living in their cabin believed in cleanliness. She hadn’t made things worse, but she had made changes to the kitchen and the bathroom, and even fixed the ladder going to the loft.
Rubin glanced up at the ceiling. They were planning on reroofing this trip. There had been water damage and they hadn’t been able to do more than patch the roof before they had to leave last time. There were no water marks on the ceiling. The wood had been replaced. That wood had been there since he was born. Even with water stains, his father and brothers had hauled that wood from the forest, trimmed it, notched it and put it in place. It had lasted all these years. An outsider had taken it down and replaced it. It didn’t matter that she’d done a damn good job. That was part of his family legacy—all he and Diego had left other than the graveyard behind the cabin.

 

Excerpt courtesy of Berkley Publishing

 

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have 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.

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Reckless Road by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Excerpt

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Reckless Road by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Excerpt

 

 

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Description:
While Gedeon “Player” Lazaroff is one of Torpedo Ink motorcycle club’s roughest members, he’s also one of the calmest. Little rattles Player, except for the times his gift gets the better of him. When that happens, he has to just lie down in the dark and hope for the best. But on a night when he’s on the verge of losing it, he meets a woman who manages to soothe his fractured mind.

Zyah is a striking, ethereal beauty who seduces him with every word and move. Their night together is one of pure, exquisite bliss. But when Player gets confused and thinks their intimate encounter was nothing more than a dream, his careless dismissal leaves her humiliated and angry.

Now, Player will have to devote his every breath to convincing Zyah to give him a second chance. Because she might be the only one who can save him from himself….

••••••••

Sandy’s Review:

RECKLESS ROAD is the fifth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult TORPEDO INK erotic, paranormal, MC romance series, a spin off from the author’s Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart series which in turn is a spin off from the Drake Sisters series. This is Gedeon ‘Player’ Lazaroff, and Zyah Gamal’s story line. RECKLESS ROAD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

WARNING: RECKLESS ROAD contains scenes, and makes reference to voyeurism, graphic violence, rape, murder, torture, child prostitution, and abuse against children, women and men, and may not be suitable for more sensitive readers. The violence is a part of the history and lives of the Torpedo Ink crews. The eighteen original Torpedo Ink members are the sole survivors of a Russian pedophile ring, and as such work towards rescuing children and women in similar situations.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Zyah and Player) RECKLESS ROAD follows in the aftermath of Player’s return to the Torpedo Ink compound following a recent road trip. With the ability to create lifelike illusions, Player’s mind continues to fracture, and his own grip on reality begins to falter. Believing his ‘brothers’ have procured him the services of an exotic dancer, Player indulges for one night, only to discover the woman, Zyah Gamal is no wh*re but his fated mate. Hoping to make amends, Player enlists the help of his Torpedo Ink family but all is not well in the seaside town of Caspar when a series of home invasions escalates, and Zyah and her grandmother have been targeted on more than one occasion. With the Torpedo Ink members keeping watch over Zyah and Mama Ant, Player is ambushed, and spends his recovery with Zyah and her grandmother but the psychic fall-out of his injury worsens, and threatens the people he knows and loves. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Zyah and Player, and the potential fall-out as Player’s mind continues to deteriorate, and the break in reveals a familiar pattern and foe.

Gedeon ‘Player’ Lazaroff believes his psychic gifts have caused more heartache and pain than have done any good for his brothers and sisters in Torpedo Ink. As the fall-out of his psychic gift continue to haunt and further destroy what’s left of his mind, Player will get some much needed healing and help from the woman with whom he is falling in love. Zyah Gamal moved to Caspar in an effort to be closer to her beloved grandmother but Zyah never expected to fall for a man who would break her heart, a man who is broken both inside and out. Time spent with Player reveals a man whose tortured past continues to inflict wounds that refuse to heal.

The relationship between Player and Zyah begins as a one night stand that quickly spirals out of control. Believing she had found the man that called to her heart, Zyah would be pushed aside by a man whose demons rode very close to the surface. Player never expected to find his own happily ever after but making amends to Zyah is about to push our hero over the edge. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful powerful and energetic secondary and supporting characters move of whom we have met throughout the previous series or two. We are introduced to Zyah’s grandmother Mama Anat, as well as Hannah Drake ’s (Sea Haven series) assistant Sabelia. The requisite evil has many faces.

RECKLESS ROAD, like the previous instalments, continues to focus on the graphic details, rape, torture and abuse inflicted upon the characters as children, children trained to be killers and assassins. The PTSD and constant reminders push at the members of Torpedo Ink, leaving guilt, grief and loss in its’ wake.

RECKLESS ROAD is a story of family, relationships, secrets and lies; of pain, tragedy and heart break; of betrayal, vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic, dark, staggering and raw; the romance is edgy ; the characters are broken, wounded, and tragic.

_______

Barb’s Review:
Reckless Road by Christine Feehan is the 5th book in her Torpedo Ink series. Brief refresher: Czar, who is married to Blyth, is the president of Torpedo Ink, and together with the men and women he brought with him to Sea Haven they built their Torpedo Ink MC club in Casper, which is close to Sea Haven.  Each of these members have suffered terrible abuse in their childhoods in Russia, being forced to all become lethal assassins; each still very much trying to find the light inside their darkness.  They are all determined to protect each other, and in each book, one of our heroes meets their mate.

Gedeon (Player), our hero, has a hard time dealing with his migraines and after returning to Casper and the Torpedo Ink MC Club, he quickly goes to his room, as he feels unstable.  Upon arriving, he sees a girl dancing in his room, which seems to calm him, and learns she was waiting for a friend in this private room, since she was a designated driver.  With his brain in overdrive, Player finds himself enjoying the girl’s company, and when he gets up in the morning, she is in the bed with him.  He thinks he is dreaming, and pushes her away, only to learn later on that it was not a dream, and when she left one of the members saw her crying.

Zyah, our heroine, is a beautiful young girl, who left her successful job, to come to Casper and take care of her grandmother.  Her love of dance promotes her special gifts of being able to read and heal fractured minds, especially those in dire need of help.  Zyah knew she had some king of bond with Player, but was hurt how he mistreated her when he pushed her away, after a wonderful night and leaving money on the table for her, which she did not take.

When Player finally explains to his club members why Zyah was crying, and how she was able to rid the horrific memories while she was with him; they insist he needs to find her and apologize.   In a short time, they discover that Zyah was working at Inez’s Country store, which they begin to notice some bad people hanging around the local neighborhood, and especially the homes being ransacked. The Torpedo Ink group take turns to spending time at both the store, and at Zyah’s grandmother’s house to protect them.  When a couple of the villians approach Zyah, Player steps in to protect her, and in doing so, gets shot in the head. 

What follows is an exciting and violent adventure, as well as a highly sexual erotic romance between two people who ended up needing each other.  I did love Player and Zyah together, as they made such a great couple, and her ability to heal Player, also brings them closer into solving a puzzle as to why Player was creating illusions of bombs.  This was a very interesting concept to this storyline. 

I love all the members of the Torpedo Ink family, including the equally lethal female members (Lana & Alena), and the ladies who become part of them (Blythe, Anya, Breezy and Soliel).  Each book we get to see how all our heroes were tortured as children, and suffered, with each of them doing all they could to protect each other.  I absolutely loved the scenes with Player and Hannah Drake (as well as Jonas), they were pretty funny.  Always great to see any of the Drake Sisters, which has always been one of my favorite series.

Reckless Road was so very well written by Christine Feehan, as well as being exciting, tense, and emotional story line.  The entire Torpedo Ink members are an amazing and wonderful group of characters that we fully care for.  Again, I will note that Feehan does have a lot of sex scenes, but at least the story was mostly in the forefront. Reckless Road was a great read, with a fantastic group of recurring secondary characters. If you have not read this series, you need to start with the first book.

Copies provided by Publisher

 

Excerpt provided by Random House Publishing

 

 

 

Zyah tried not to let her mind go back to that night of pure bliss, of perfection. Everything about Player had been exactly what she’d wanted it to be. Her complete fantasy man. Their connection had been so strong, on such an intimate level, she hadn’t even considered holding back. She’d surrendered everything she was to him.
Zyah’s hand crept to her throat. She could barely admit the truth to herself let alone to her grandmother. She whispered it, stroking the faint marks of possession he’d left on her body. She had them everywhere. She thought they meant something to him when he put them there. He’d acted like they did, but she knew better now.
“Can you come and sit with me, child?” Anat patted the bed beside her.
Zyah’s heart clenched. “I might cry, and I cried so much after the interviews, I thought my eyes would burn out of my head. At least I had enough discipline to get through both before I broke down. He isn’t worth more tears.” But she knew she would shed more. When she was alone in her bed, craving him. He’d set up some kind of terrible addiction.
“Tell me about him.”
Zyah closed her eyes against the sudden wash of sensation pouring over her skin. She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed at her skin as if she could rid herself of his touch. “He felt like fire every time he touched me. He could be so gentle and then turn rough and wild, like he couldn’t get close enough to me or get enough of me. I couldn’t get enough of him.” She made her confession in an even lower tone.
Her grandmother remained silent, something she often did to encourage Zyah to continue telling her something important. Zyah swung around to face her, a little defiantly, this time deliberately looking her straight in the eye. She knew there was no getting around what she was revealing. Anat would understand that she was talking about having been with her partner sexually when she barely knew him. There was no judgment, but then her grandmother wasn’t a judgmental person. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, that had always remained a constant trait in her—one Zyah counted on now.
“He was so beautiful. Everything about him was beautiful to me, Mama Anat. His body was covered in scars. So many they made me want to weep. I didn’t ask him about them, or the tattoos he had, which covered quite a few. The tattoos were intricate and intriguing. I just talked with him because he seemed to need to hear the sound of my voice. We laughed so much. He loves music the way I do. He loves working with wood. His voice . . .” She broke off again, waving her hands in the air in despair.
Looking straight into her grandmother’s eyes she asked the question that mattered the most, the one that nagged at her continually. “How could I have been so wrong?”
Anat regarded her just as carefully, never breaking eye contact. “You were so certain he was the one for you?”
Zyah nodded without hesitation. There hadn’t been any doubt in her mind or heart. Player had connected with her on such a level she felt complete. Soul to soul. She’d been that certain of him.
“I felt his heartbeat. When I danced. I was barefoot. He was barefoot. Something was wrong with him when he came into the room. His heart was straining. His mind was chaotic. His rhythm was off, but we were in perfect harmony. Movements, and the pitch of my voice—we connected, I know we did.” She faltered. “I was wrong. I connected with him, but he failed to connect with me. He didn’t. Not at all.”
“Tell me about him before you tell me what happened.” Again, Anat patted the bed beside her.
Zyah couldn’t help herself. She accepted her grandmother’s comfort. Her grandmother had been through hell, beaten and then robbed by intruders, but it was so like her to think only of Zyah and her anguish over losing what really had only been in her mind—an illusion caused by her reckless behavior. She wasn’t like that with men. She was cautious as a rule. Her last relationship had been two years earlier, and it had been a disaster in spite of the fact that she’d entered into it very slowly, taking her time, waiting to be physical with her partner for weeks. She hadn’t been with another man since until Player.

 

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Leopard’s Rage by Christine Feehan-Review & Excerpt

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Leopard’s Rage by Christine Feehan-Review & Excerpt

 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 10, 2020

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

Leopard shifter Sevastyan Amurov has an anger inside of him that burns so hot it’s almost impossible to control. His barely leashed rage relentlessly threatens to break free, until he meets a woman who soothes his restless soul.

Sevastyan wants Flambe Carver with every breath. He’s determined that the fiery-haired woman will want to be his completely. But his would-be mate comes with strings attached—a relentless stalker who intends to claim her for his own.

They barely know each other, but with a very real threat looming just out of reach, Sevastyan takes Flambe under his protection. And as their connection grows, the embers of desire sparking between them soon burst into an inferno that will consume them both.

••••••••

REVIEW: LEOPARD’S RAGE is the twelfth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult LEOPARD PEOPLE erotic, paranormal, romance series focusing on leopard shifters. This is Russian leopard shifter Sevastyan Amurov, and landscaper/ strawberry leopard shifter Flambe Carver’s story line. LEOPARD’S RAGE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

WARNING: LEOPARD’S RAGE contains graphic scenes of violence and abuse, as well as scenes of bondage and Shibari rope play that may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Sevastyan and Flambe) following several paths, LEOPARD’S RAGE focuses on the building relationship between, and the claiming of landscaper/ strawberry leopard shifter Flambe Carver, and Russian leopard shifter Sevastyan Amurov. Rare strawberry leopard shifter Flambe Carver was hired by our hero to design and landscape his most recent acquired property but Flambe missed two previous appointments causing concern bordering on anger for Sevastyan Amurov until he discovers that our heroine is being stalked and threatened by another leopard shifter. In an effort to protect Flambe, Sevastyan and his leopard Shturm claim our story line heroine and her leopard Flamme, a claim to which Flambe agrees but struggles with in the ensuing days. What ensues is the building relationship between Flambe and Sevastyan, and the potential fall-out as Flambe has been targeted for what she is, and the work she does rescuing endangered and abused strawberry leopard shifters

The relationship between Sevastyan and Flambe goes downhill rather quickly as Flambe struggles with a claiming that was meant to protect her from another shifter. Flambe battles between head and heart, enjoying the Shibari rope play with our story line hero but our heroine fights her own leopard for control, and the unending pain and recoil with every touch. Flambe suffers with a series of physical and emotional issues, and in this, her relationship with Sevastyan continues to suffer. Sevastyan grew up knowing pain and rejection, and his earlier years resulted in the barely veiled rage and anger for our story line hero. Never expecting to find his own mate, Sevastyan struggles with Flambe’s inability to let go, to accept who she is, and accept the male shifter who is unable to love. The $ex scenes are intimate, aggressive, erotic, raw and intense with scenes of Shibari rope play and $ex.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including many we have met in previous instalments including Sevastyan’s cousins and extended family: Evangeline and Fyodor Amurov (Leopard’s Blood #8), Timur and Ashe Amurov (Leopard’s Run #10), Mitya and Ania (Leopard’s Wrath #11), as well as shifters Jake Bannaconni, Drake Donovan, Joshua Tegre, Elijah Lospostos, Eli Perez, Kirill Chernov, Matvei Bykov, Vikenti, and Zinoviy. The requisite evil has many faces.

LEOPARD’S RAGE is a story of betrayal, vengeance, power and control; a story of violence and abuse; anger and rage; struggle, acceptance, understanding and love. The premise is dramatic and intense; the romance mainly focuses on the Shibari rope play, and the couple’s highly and aggressive sexual needs due to Flambe entering the Han Vol Dan (heat); the characters are numerous, energetic, and edgy.

Now to address the elephant or leopard in the room…what’s with the author’s choice of names? Flambe? Flamme? Sure, the heroine is a strawberry shifter with red/ginger hair but I had a difficult time trying not to laugh every time I read the name. This is not the first time the author has chosen to use abstract names but Flambe is almost comedic in nature, and ill-suited for the intense and dramatic storyline premise.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Wild Rain
Burning Wild
Wild Fire
Savage Nature
Leopard’s Prey
Cat’s Lair
Wild Cat
Leopard’s Fury
Leopard’s Blood
Leopard’s Run
Leopard’s Wrath

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Excerpt courtesy of Berkley publishing

 

 

(Chapter 1, page 6-8)
Sevastyan was unprepared for Shturm’s furious reaction. The leopard leapt at him, raking and clawing for freedom as if he would go hunting right then and find Flambé’s stalker. Sevastyan remained absolutely expressionless but he couldn’t stop himself from stepping in to her and circling her the way his leopard would, inhaling as he did so. The moment he did, his leopard went crazy. He felt a little insane himself. Her stalker was leopard. He wasn’t Amurov. He wasn’t from Russia, or from one of the lairs Sevastyan was familiar with, but none of that mattered, he was leopard and he was stalking Flambé for a reason.
“He struck you. Hit you. Did he do anything else to you?” Sevastyan forced himself to take a step back when he wanted—no—needed—to yank her closer, spin her around and see for himself.
Flambé frowned and touched the swelling on the side of her head, her hand trembling. She looked confused. “The moment he tried to throw me against the car, I fought him. He punched me and I went down to the pavement and hit my head very hard.”
Sevastyan wanted to pull her close to him, even on the pretense of just steadying her, but the attack had shaken her. Shturm was acting crazy, one minute rolling over and the next struggling to get out. He had to be careful with her.
“He straddled me, grabbing me by my hair, and I kneed him hard, managed to get to my feet and ran for your property. I’d been here a few times with my father so I knew approximately where the trees were the thickest. He’d planted them when I was really young.”
Sevastyan swore to himself. “Is this man someone you know? Someone you were promised to by your father?”
She tilted her head and studied his face for long moment before answering him. “No. He didn’t know my father. Clearly, you’re aware of what we are or you wouldn’t have been so set on hiring our company.”
“Before we go any further, if I ask you inside, will you be uncomfortable alone with me? There is no one else here. I didn’t know how much you knew about shifters and I wanted a chance to tell you what I needed from you when it came to landscaping without anyone around, but I don’t want you to be in the least uncomfortable. We can discuss this and then business on the outside patio if that is easier for you, but you need to sit down.”
Flambé hesitated, faint color stealing up her neck into her face, surprising him. Sevastyan studied her averted face as she once again peered over her shoulder before looking back at him. He had the feeling this time her hesitation wasn’t because she feared whoever it was that had struck her. She was avoiding looking at him.
“I’m not afraid of you. Your family has a certain reputation and there is honor and integrity involved.”
There was the smallest hint of untruth in her voice. She wasn’t afraid exactly, more like intimidated and he was okay with that. Sevastyan had been intimidating people nearly his entire life.
“And criminal activity,” he prompted.
For the first time a faint smile lit her face, doing extraordinary things to her eyes. “That too.”
He stepped back and held open the door. “Come in then. I’ve had a lot of work done to the interior, but it’s by no means finished.” He stayed where he was, forcing her to move past him. He took up a lot of space and that meant her smaller body would have to slide next to his, touching his briefly. He wanted to see what reaction his leopard would have. He already knew what reaction he had to her.


 

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have 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.

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Dark Song (Carpathain) by Christine Feehan – Dual Review

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Dark Song (Dark / Carpathian #30) by Christine Feehan – Dual Review

 

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Description:
Stolen from her home at a young age and tormented for centuries, Elisabeta Trigovise is scared to show herself to anyone. Even though she has been rescued and is now safe within the Carpathian compound, she has lived in fear for so long she has no idea how to survive without it. She wants to answer the siren call of her lifemate–but the very thought terrifies her.

Before he found Elisabeta, Ferro Arany was an ancient warrior without emotion. Now that his senses have come alive, he knows it will take more than kind words and soft touches to convince the fractured woman that they are partners, not master and prisoner. For now, he will give her his strength until she finds hers, allowing the steady rhythm of his heart to soothe Elisabeta’s fragile soul.

But even as she learns to stand on her own, the vampire who kept her captive is desperate to claim her again, threatening the song Elisabeta and Ferro are writing together.

•••••••••••••••

Barb’s Review:
Dark Song by Christine Feehan is the 34th book in her wonderful Carpathian series. I was thrilled to find out that Elisabeta was our heroine in Dark Song, and could not wait to read it.  I am happy to say I loved the story and both lead characters, Elisabeta and Ferro.

Elisabetha Trigovise was rescued in the last book, and takes center stage in this one, as does Ferro Arany, an ancient who was close to death when he discovered she was his lifemate. Ferro comes across as hard and cold, but he turned out to be a fantastic hero and mate to Elisabeta, as he patiently protected her while she was slowly healing in the rich soil, and he would reach her mind singing a song that would become their own.  Elisabeta has been held prisoner for centuries by the evil Sergey Malinov, as he tortured, terrified and ruled her all those years.

Ferro was very gentle with Elisabeta, as he slowly brought her out of the soil and began to teach her how to cleanse and dress herself, as well as to learn to trust him and become confident in herself.  It would take awhile before Elisabeta can get past the memories of her suffering and terror, especially of Sergey coming back for her. Everyone in Tariq’s compound at first feared that Ferro was too strict and rigid for Elisabeta, but he was determined for her to rise up, and learn to use her powerful capabilities.   They really were the ultimate lifemates, with a strong bond that Ferro helped her build with his gentle patience.  I loved when he taught her to learn to shift into an owl and fly.  Despite her continued fears, Elisabeta’s growth over time was amazing, and she became such a powerful asset to all the Carpathians.

It was nice to see many of our favorites, with Gary, Tariq, Julija, Lorraine, and a few of Ferro brethens. But it was great to see an old favorite, Traian and Jolie, who came to the compound with Josef; especially for Traian to finally see his sister (Elisabeta) after all these years of trying to find her.  I also loved seeing many other favorites who came to help fight the vampires; such as Julian, Darius, Tempest, Desari, Maxim, Blaze, Charlotte, Dragomir, Emeline, etc. 

Elisabeta was a wonderful heroine, who despite her many years kept captive by Sergey Malinov, was able to use her memories to help the Carpathians be ready for the vampire attack, and stop them from destroying the compound.  What follows is an exciting, intense story line where both Ferro and Elisabeta have to be one step ahead of Sergey and his vampire cronies.  To say too much more would be spoilers, and a lot happens in this book.

Christine Feehan outdid herself with how she handled the romance between Ferro and Elisabeta, which was so wonderfully done.  The Malinovs have been villains’ throughout many of the books, as well as Xavier.  Will Dark Song be able to stop Sergey?  You need to read this book to find out.

___________

Sandy’s Review: DARK SONG is the thirtieth instalment in Christine Feehan’s adult DARK / CARPATHIAN paranormal, erotic, romance series. This is ancient Carpathian warrior Ferro Arany, and Elisabeta Trigovise’s story line. DARK SONG can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. Elisabeta is Traian Trigovise’s sister (Dark Descent).

SOME BACKGROUND: All Carpathian males must find their lifemates before they turn vampire or greet the dawn. Without a lifemate, the males no longer see in color, feel pain or experience emotions. A lifemate is the light to their dark. She is the keeper of his heart and the keeper of his soul. As the unmated Carpathian male ages, the darkness begins to envelope his soul, eventually turning the male vampire or forcing him to greet the dawn.

Told from numerous third person perspectives including Ferro and Elisabeth DARK SONG follows the building romance and relationship between ancient Carpathian warrior Ferro Arany, and Elisabeta Trigovise. Centuries earlier a teenaged Elisabeta was abducted by a Carpathian male nearing the end of his life of honor but in the ensuing years the male would turn vampire using and abusing our heroine, starving her in the hopes of recapturing his soul. Upon her rescue and recovery in the healing soil, Elisabeta would trigger Ferro Arany’s emotions, and find herself waking as the lifemate to an ancient warrior but all is not well as Elisabeta’s rescue has angered the master vampire, the remaining Malinov brother, and his vengeance will target many people at Tariq’s Carpathian compound. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Ferro and Elisabeta, as the master vampire enacts a well conceived and intricate plan of revenge against the Carpathian warriors.

Elisabeta Trigovise grew up never knowing how to be a Carpathian female. Stripped of her memories of a time before her violent abduction, a fragile and broken Elisabeta struggled to perform the basic of needs yet within days of her claiming, our heroine would become one of the Carpathian’s most powerful females. As an ancient warrior, Ferro Arany knew very little about the modern world and battled to accept the rise of feminism in the Carpathian community thusly, Elisabeta, from a time long ago, is the perfect foil for a man who prefers his woman submissive and meek.

The relationship between Elisabeta and Ferro is a fated mating. Elisabeta’s rescue and ultimately her voice would trigger Ferro’s colors and emotions, and in this there are no questions as to the reality and truth of who is her lifemate. Elisabeta struggled with her freedom, preferring or opting to have Ferro speak when spoken to including the inability to acknowledge her brother’s love. Ferro ids a warrior who never thought he would find his fated mate. His patience and need to protect the woman he loves manifests with songs of love, nature and a time long ago. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters. All of the Carpathians remain guarded at Tariq’s American compound. Several of the original Carpathians return to help fight the master vampire including Josef but much of the other’s presence is more by way of acknowledgement and mention. As to the master vampires, once again, Ferro recognizes a number of his former warriors and friends-the list of names and connections are many.

If you are a long time reader of the Carpathian series you will recognize a familiar format and pattern to the author’s latest story line-reminiscent of Xavier’s attempts to destroy the Carpathian’s and of one woman’s ability to heal the wounded. Saying that, when an author recycles and repeats a previous formula, I question the author’s lack of innovation and imagination as he/she is relying on the success of a former story line arc. I also struggled with the heroine’s earlier fragility and inability of comprehend basic personal needs and survival skills, yet within days she is one of the most powerful females with abilities beyond comprehension, and is able to direct the most skilled of warriors. The information she reveals and her competence and skill level is a complete shift in direction to her initial introduction and behavior yet there is no mention of hidden abilities that seemingly manifested overnight. She waffled between powerful or apprehensive on numerous occasions.

I would also like to note how Feehan’s vampires have evolved to modern day IT techs and wizards….something I didn’t see coming !

DARK SONG is an intoxicating tale. The premise is familiar yet captivating; the romance is seductive.

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Desolation Road by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Excerpt

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Desolation Road by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Excerpt

 

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Description:
Torpedo Ink is Aleksei “Absinthe” Solokov’s whole life. They’re his brothers, his family—his everything. But that doesn’t stop him from wanting something that only belongs to him. That’s why the tough biker has spent the last six weeks at the library, reading every book he can get his hands on and watching the prim and proper librarian who makes his blood rush. 
 
For the past six weeks, Scarlet Foley has been fantasizing about the handsome, tattooed man whose eyes follow her every move. She senses he’s dangerous. She wants him to get close enough to touch. She wishes she could let him know the real woman, not the one she pretends to be. But Scarlet has a plan to carry out, and she can’t afford any distractions.
 
Absinthe is well aware that Scarlet is hiding something. She’s a puzzle he intends to solve, piece by intoxicating piece….

•••••••••••••••

Barb’s Review:
Desolation Road by Christine Feehan is the 4th book in her Torpedo Ink series. Brief refresher for this series:  Czar is the president of Torpedo Ink, and together with the men and women he brought with him from Russia, they created their Torpedo Ink MC club in Casper (near Safe Haven).  Each of these members have suffered terrible abuse in their childhoods in Russia, being forced to all become lethal assassins; each still very much trying to find the light inside their darkness.  They’ve all been through a horrible ordeal since they were children, with continued nightmares/demons. But they are never alone, their brothers and sisters always have their back, as they are determined to protect each other.

Absinthe, our hero, has psychic abilities that allows him to tell if people are lying, not to mention the pain and suffering he endures as he can hear or feel the pain in all his brothers and sisters. There are times when he goes into the memories of the past, that finds him having issues on coming out of them.  With the men starting to find the women of their dreams, Absinthe never thought he would have the chance to find his own, until he goes to the library for quiet time.  Meet Scarlet Foley.

Scarlet, our heroine, is the local librarian, and she immediately can feel the attraction to the handsome man who has been coming to the library daily.  Scarlet is determined not to allow herself to act on her feelings, especially since she has her own agenda, which she has worked on for many years. 

Absinthe finds himself having fantasies about Scarlet, with her red hair and green eyes, but most importantly somehow being near her quiets all his demons.  Eventually Absinthe will ask Scarlet out for dinner, and a very short time their relationship becomes sizzling hot.  Of course, Absinthe’s brothers and sisters secretly watch out for him, to make sure he is ok.  Torpedo Ink always investigates any newcomers, and soon Absinthe will learn how hard Scarlet’s life has been, and how she is planning her revenge.  They will eventually bring her to their club to protect her, and learn more about her, and the hit contract on her life.   I loved Scarlet, as she was really a badass, who worked hard to get into shape and plan her revenge for what someone did to her and her family.

What follows is an exciting and violent adventure, bringing the entire team together to stop the evil clubs from the horrible abuse to women and children; as well as teaming together with Scarlet to finally finish her plans.  I did have some mixed feelings, as Desolation Road was also highly sexual erotic, with Absinthe’s ‘kinks’, which seemed to carry over to too many scenes. Needless to say, I was not a fan of the ‘kitten’ play side. I do enjoy sexy romances, but I do feel the story should be more into the forefront.   

I thought Scarlet and Absinthe made a great couple; Scarlet was perfect for Absinthe, as well as the team.  I loved seeing all the Torpedo Ink family, as well as their wives we loved from the previous three books.  I love the concept of this wonderful group that are loyal together, and determined to save the abused children. 

Desolation Road is a dark romantic story, that is also very emotional, as we continue to learn through the eyes of the members what they had to endure in Russia (abuse, rape, torture, and murder).  But they are survivors, who are totally loyal to each other, and it’s fun to watch as each will slowly find their way to love.  Despite the dark violent story, Desolation Road was a great read, exciting, sexy, with a fabulous group of characters.

 

Sandy’s Review: 

DESOLATION ROAD is the fourth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult TORPEDO INK erotic, paranormal romance series focusing on the men and women of the Torpedo Ink MC. This is Aleksei ‘Absinthe’ Solokov, and librarian Scarlet Foley’s story line. DESOLATION ROAD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. The TORPEDO INK series is a spin off from the author’s SEA HAVEN SERIES but you do not have to have read the original series to follow Torpedo Ink.

NOTE: Most of the characters including Torpedo Ink club president Victor ‘Czar’ Prakenski, and his wife Blythe Daniels were introduced in the final instalment of the author’s Sea Haven Series BOUND TOGETHER.

WARNING: DESOLATION ROAD contains scenes, and makes reference to voyeurism, graphic violence, rape, murder, torture, child prostitution, and abuse against children, women and men. There are also scenes of animal role play, food play, anal play and the use of other items during sexual activities and therefore, Desolation Road may not be suitable for more sensitive readers. The eighteen original Torpedo Ink members are the sole survivors of a Russian pedophile ring, and as such work towards rescuing children and women in similar situations.

Told from several third person perspectives including Absinthe and Scarlet DESOLATION ROAD follows Torpedo Ink’s Aleksei ‘Absinthe’ Solokov as his need for librarian Scarlet Foley helps calm the demons that continually run through his head. For six weeks Absinthe has ‘stalked’ our storyline heroine in an effort to get to ‘know’ the woman that calms the beast but Scarlet Foley is so much more than a sexy librarian, Scarlet is not without some supernatural abilities of her own. Years earlier, a horrific attack against Scarlet, and ultimately her sister Priscilla, led to the loss of Scarlet’s entire family, and in the ensuing years, Scarlet swore vengeance against everyone involved but meeting Aleksei Solokov meant Scarlet was about to place the Torpedo Ink family in danger, a danger the family was certain did not apply. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Absinthe and Scarlet, and the potential fall-out as Scarlet’s past is determined to finish the job.

At seventeen years of age, Scarlet Foley lost everything including her innocence, her family and the life she once knew. Years would pass wherein our heroine made preparations to enact revenge against the men who destroyed our heroine’s life, preparations that will now involve the men and women of Torpedo Ink.

Aleksei ‘Absinthe’ Solokov struggles with demons, the memories, and the PTSD of a time long ago. With the ability to ‘see’ into the mind of the people he loves, Absinthe is empathic about the pain, the suffering, and the horrendous acts that no child should have ever been exposed but it is the guilt of so many losses that continue to pull Absinthe into the abyss.

The relationship between Absinthe and Scarlet is one of immediate attraction; a highly sexual, demanding, intense role playing relationship in which the independent, strong willed and determined Scarlet Avery quickly bends to the will of the man that she loves. As per my warning, Desolation Road contains scenes of animal role play, food play, anal play, and the use of items not necessarily designed for sexual activity.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, broken and determined secondary and supporting characters including most of the Torpedo Ink family of survivors, who endured but barely survived years of torture, abuse and rape of the body, mind and soul.

As per my previous reviews, I have remarked on the author’s increasing violent story lines and abuse against men, women and children but in the case of the Torpedo Ink series, the violence is part of their history and lives-ingrained and imbedded –into their very existence, but their need for vengeance is as equally violent and abusive towards their intended victim-eye for an eye and so on. Like the previous instalments, DESOLATION ROAD focuses on the graphically detailed violence, abuse and rape, the sexual torture of children, and in this, I believe the author is going for shock value as opposed to dramatic affect. There is plenty of redundancy and repetition, leading to more fluff (albeit graphic) than substance. At times, the writing style flips as though there is more than one ‘person’ writing the book.

DESOLATION ROAD is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and revenge; of survival and loss; of heart break and love. The premise is dark, haunting and gritty; the romance is tragic and intense.

 

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

Absinthe opened the door to the restaurant for her, scanning the room quickly for potential trouble before allowing her to do the same thing while he turned back toward the street and gave that another quick once-over. Certain no one was paying attention to either of them, he closed the door and followed his librarian’s amazing ass. She was in a black skirt with small white polka dots scattered over it. The material clung to her curves. He appreciated that particular skirt very much.
Absinthe held the back of her chair for her, ignoring the waiter who looked as if he might conk him on the head and abscond with the girl. She looked regal as she took the seat, smiling up at Absinthe, nearly taking his breath away. Whatever it was that she had affected him like some kind of aphrodisiac. Her small teeth. That mouth with her full, pouty lips that were made for a man’s dirtiest fantasies. He hadn’t had them until she came along. Not like this. Mostly he’d had nightmares. The erotic, very graphic dreams were a welcome change.
“Are you a wine drinker?” Absinthe didn’t know the first thing about wine. He could make her any kind of drink she wanted, or talk beer, but wine eluded him. If she loved wine, he was going to be taking a crash course. It wouldn’t take him long to catch up.
She shook her head. “I actually don’t drink very much. Once in a while, if it’s really hot out, I’ll have an ice-cold beer. But other than that, it’s a very occasional drink and usually I go for something girly like a cosmopolitan.”
“I don’t drink wine,” Absinthe admitted. “Like you I’m not a big drinker, but mostly that stems from wanting to be alert all the time.”
“You don’t put your feet up, relax and have tons to drink?” There was the merest hint of amusement in her voice. Mostly she was serious.
He loved the look on her face when she gave him her full attention. He focused completely on her once he was certain the few couples already eating or waiting to be served weren’t interested in them in the least.
“No, that wouldn’t work for me. I do like to put my feet up though,” he admitted. “I’m going to be very up-front with you.” It was confession time. If he didn’t say it straight up, she’d find out anyway. “I’m not good at this. I never know what to say and I come off stilted and awkward, but I don’t want to be that way with you.”
Her green eyes were hard to stay still under. She seemed to see right through his skull into his mind where chaos reigned—thanks to her.
“I’m not so great at this either,” she declared. “I guess we’re going to have to learn. I’m very competitive and I have a fast learning curve. Very fast. Wait.” She frowned at him. “You weren’t reading a help book on dating, were you?”
“Do they have those in the library?”
Her lashes swept down and then back up. A small smile teased the curve of her mouth, causing his heart to accelerate. He found himself staring. Shit. He was going to lose before he got started because he couldn’t stop staring at her.
She laughed. “I’m not telling you. I’ll read them and turn into a scintillating conversationalist in minutes, leaving you in the dust.”
He instantly learned three things. There were multiple self-help books on dating, she read extremely fast, and she really was competitive. He flashed a small grin, looking at her with hawk-like eyes, giving her the predator look just for a moment. Just to see the shiver that crept down her spine.
“I’ll have to be there first thing in the morning before your shift.”
“You know my shifts?” The smile faded, and she sounded uneasy.
He shrugged. “How was I going to ask you out? I went multiple times without seeing you, so clearly you had a shift and only came into the library during those times. I kept having to trade work with friends, and drive here from the coast, so, I found out when you worked. I came as often as I could, and just waited until we’d established a very tentative woman can charm the socks right off a shy man any day of the week.”
“Is that what we established?”
Her laughter got him every time. He found himself actually relaxing. The waiter hovered, and both guiltily studied the menu. She ordered a pasta dish and he ordered a steak. Fresh-baked bread was put on the table, and he suddenly realized he was very hungry. 


 

 

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Shadow Flight (Shadow Riders #5) by Christine Feehan-dual review

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Shadow Flight (Shadow Riders #5) by Christine Feehan-dual review

 

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 5,2020

Nicoletta Gomez was a terrified teenager when Taviano Ferraro and his brother saved her life. Ever since, she’s been trying to rise above what was done to her, molding herself into a survivor under the protective eyes of the Ferraro family. All the while, she’s been falling hopelessly in love with the man who knows her darkest secrets.…

With one look, Taviano knew that Nicoletta was his, just as he felt their shadows connect. But no matter how much he wanted to claim her, he knew she needed time to become her own woman. When Nicoletta once again finds herself in the sights of dangerous men, a split-second decision has Taviano breaking all of the Ferraro family’s rules to keep her safe. And as far as he’s concerned, the reward is more than worth the risk.

•••••••••

Sandy’s Review

SHADOW FLIGHT is the fifth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult. SHADOW RIDERS erotic, paranormal romance series focusing on the Ferraro family. This is Taviano Ferraro and Nicoletta Gomez’ story line. SHADOW FLIGHT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Shadow Rider male must find his mate –a woman who is capable of riding the shadows-or at the very least with the ability to bear children with the shadow-riding gene. Within the family, the Ferraro siblings are tasked with finding a mate, fated by DNA, who is capable of continuing the family line. People with the ability to ride the shadows are few and far between, and future generations are at risk if no mates are found with the shadow-riding gene. The Ferraro’s are also part of the Chicago Underworld-a crime family linked to both legal and criminal activity.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers. Nicoletta was first introduced to the readers in book one Shadow Rider.

Told from several third person perspectives including Tatiana and Nicoletta, and Ricco and Mariko (Shadow Reaper #2) SHADOW FLIGHT focuses on the building relationship between soon to be twenty-one year old Nicoletta Gomez and Taviano Ferraro. Years earlier, following the death of her parents, Nicoletta found herself in the custody of her step-uncles, who ritually raped and abused our heroine. At the age of eighteen, Nicoletta was rescued by the Ferraro family, and placed in the hands of a loving foster family, where she began to act out against the people in charge. Fast forward to present day wherein, a now almost twenty-one year old Nicoletta, once again, finds herself struggling to survive when her past, in the guise of Benito Valdez, the leader of the gang who call themselves the Demons, specializing in human sexual trafficking, sets a plan into motion to reclaim our heroine, as his personal $ex toy. What ensues is the quick building relationship and romance between Nicoletta and Taviano, and the potential fall-out as the Demons come searching for Nicoletta Gomez, and Taviano’s actions and claiming of Nicoletta are called into question by the family leadership.

Taviano Ferrera has known Nicoletta Gomez to be his mate from the moment of her rescue by the Ferraro family, three years earlier. With their shadows entwined, and continually tightening with each encounter, Taviano knew it was only a matter of time before he claimed Nicoletta as his own but trying to outrun Benito’s men found Taviano pulling Nicoletta into the shadow world, a world she knew very little about, but had begun to experience a few times on her own. Using the shadows to travel causes immense pain and anguish for those not ready and untrained in the world, and for this reason, Taviano is called to task for exposing Nicoletta to potential harm, and revealing the truth about the world in which they lived.

Meanwhile, matriarch Eloisa Ferraro continues to cause problems for the Ferraro family with her ongoing hatred of her sons’ mates. The vitriol and anger directed at the females, who will produce the much needed heirs to the world of the shadows, is called into question as Eloisa struggles with her sons’ choices, and the loss of her power as the Queen of the Chicago Underworld. Secrets will be revealed that will affect everyone involved.

The relationship between Taviano and Nicoletta began as a rescue but Taviano quickly discovered that Nicoletta was a shadow rider when their shadows entwined. Refusing to claim his underage mate, Taviano watched from the sidelines as Nicoletta acted out, all the while, continuing to protect the woman with whom he would fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

If you are a fan of Christine Feehan, you will notice the many similarities between Taviano and Nicoletta, and Dimitri and Skylar (Dark/Carpathian). Both females had been raped and abused; the heroes bide their time before claiming their under-aged mates; and their treatment of their mate is gentle and loving.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including all of the Ferraro siblings, their mates, their mother Eloisa Ferraro, numerous cousins from all over the world, as well as Nicoletta’s foster parents Lucia and Amo. The shear number of members of the Demons is overwhelming- naming every member about to face his death was unnecessary and time consuming.

I did have a couple of other issues including the authors need to reveal Taviano’s continuing relationship with other women knowing Nicoletta was his mate-apparently just knowing someone is your mate does not guarantee monogamy or faithfulness in the world of the Shadow Riders ;and Ricco and Mariko’s need to perform Shibari sexual rope play, on the roof of a diner, immediately before and after killing several members of the Demons gang-although the author explains the overwhelming sexual need and excitement over the kill, but on the roof of a dirty diner, in the middle of a killing field, is questionable on so many levels but I suspect added to the story for the titillation factor 😉

SHADOW FLIGHT is a story of family and blood, obsession and determination; retribution, murder and revenge. The slow building premise will captivate your attention; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic; the romance is seductive and impassioned. If you are a fan of Christine Feehan, sit back and enjoy the world of the Shadow Rider.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shadow Rider
Shadow Reaper
Shadow Keeper
Shadow Warrior

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Barb’s Review
Shadow Flight by Christine Feehan is the 5th book in her fantastic Shadow Riders series.  I love this series, as each and every book has been great.  With that being said, Shadow Flight may be the best one yet, though I loved Stefano and Francesca in the first book.  Refresher:   Shadow riders have the ability to blend themselves to the shadows wherever they are, making themselves invisible to anyone.  They have been in existence for centuries, with all members of their families trained to use those abilities.  The family runs a legitimate business; they use their ability to help others in need to solve various problems and dispense justice.  They are an extremely powerful and close-knit family that is totally loyal to one another, also protecting the people that in live in their community.

Taviano, our hero in this story, has always privately loved Nicoletta since he helped rescue you her from an evil gang leader, who ran a sex trafficking ring.   Nicoletta, our heroine, thinks Taviano is wonderful, but has no idea that he loves her.   When he offers the Ferraro plane to take Nicoletta and her three friends to a concert, things will drastically change, when at the concert, she is recognized by a gang member, and her three friends are kidnapped, as she manages to escape and get to Taviano.  Nicoletta remembers vividly her time in captivity and the abuse she had to endure; she desperately convinces Taviano they need to save her friends.   In doing so, Taviano needs to take her through the shadows to help save her friends, which is considered a no-no, as being a shadow rider is a Ferraro secret; after the rescue, he decides to go to Las Vegas and marry Nicoletta, in order to be able to keep his being a shadow rider.   Nicoletta was shocked at first, but she knew that she had some ability to travel through shadows from her family growing up; she also loved Taviano, but worried that he didn’t love her.  In a short time, she would learn how wrong she was.  

The story does revolve around Nicoletta’s past, her sexual abuse, and her determination to be a strong shadow rider. Taviano was a great hero, his love of Nicoletta was wonderful, and he was so patient and understanding with her.  Nicoletta was also a great heroine, who as the story continued, she was even more so as she stood up to the nasty matriarch, Eloise.  I loved them together, and Christine handled the sex scenes very well.  We got to spend time with some of the other cousins, who are part of the Ferraro family, and I am hoping Emme’s story comes soon.  It really was awesome to see everyone take part of fighting the gang members, who are trying to get to Nicoletta and bring her back to the evil leader.

What follows is an intense, pulse pounding, exciting adventure, where Nicoletta is in constant danger, and Taviano, with the entire Ferraro family trying  to be one step of the gangs coming and stopping them from getting anywhere near her. I will not give spoilers, as I do not want to ruin it for you; especially since this was a masterpiece.

What I love the most about this series is all the wonderful characters that Feehan has created.  I love all of the Ferraro’s, and those they fall in love with that join the family.  They are an awesome family, with amazing abilities that make this so much fun.

Shadow Flight is a captivating, exciting, suspenseful, action packed story, with a wonderful couple that we couldn’t help but love.  This was an awesome addition to this series, and loved how Feehan ended with the last 1/3 of the book.  This is a fantastic paranormal series that you should be reading, and very well written by Christine Feehan.


Copy supplied by the publisher

Excerpt Kindly supplied by Berkley Publishing

 

Taviano carried Nicoletta down the aisle of the plane to the bedroom. He cursed with every step as he hurried to get her to the bed where he could examine her for injuries. “Get us into the air, Franco,” he called out. They needed to get the hell out of Los Angeles. “Drago, the first aid kit, the large one,” he added, his voice clipped.
He set Nicoletta down on the comforter and she instantly turned on her side, trying to curl into the fetal position away from him. He put a hand to her belly to stop her. “I’ll need washcloths and towels and warm water.” He took the large case from Drago and put it on the bed beside Nicoletta.
“Piccola, stay still. Let me see how much damage there is. How bad is the headache?” Thankfully the lights were dim, and the shields were down on the windows in the bedroom. She had her eyes closed and her hands over her face, but between her fingers he could see trickles of blood sliding down her face. “You’re going to have to move your hands.”
“I can’t.”
He wanted to smile at her protest, that soft little voice that came at him out of the dark. Very gently he laid his hand over hers. She didn’t try to stop him when he enclosed her smaller fingers and pried them loose, uncovering her face. Even so, it was difficult to see her pale face in the dim lighting of the plane.
The jet gave a shudder as it began to move on the runway. Franco spoke, telling them to prepare for takeoff. Demetrio Palagonia leaned in from the other side of the bed to hand Taviano a warm washcloth.
Taviano took it with a brief smile of thanks. This was supposed to be an easy, casual run to a concert, not a dangerous mission that put them all in jeopardy. They’d handled it, but Stefano wasn’t going to be happy. Taviano had left his phone on the plane. He couldn’t take it into the shadows, and he wasn’t going to see what his brother had to say to him yet.
By now, his LA cousins would have told him that Pia, Bianca and Clariss were safe and staying with them until given the word that they could go home. When Stefano asked why there was no mention of Nicoletta, he would be told that their sister had provided clothes for her to ride the shadows, so no worries on that score and Stefano would lose his ever-loving mind. Taviano couldn’t blame him, but he didn’t want to hear about it, not yet.
The plane was in the air and Taviano breathed a sigh of relief as he wiped away the blood. Thankfully the twin trickles came from Nicoletta’s nose, not her eyes and ears. He had mostly been afraid of a brain bleed. she’d seemed to handle the last ride better than all the others put together. He wasn’t certain why, when this ride should have been the worst, but her body had moved with his, as if they’d been born to ride together.
He cracked an ice pack, wrapped it in a cloth and applied it to her forehead after sweeping back her hair. “Drago, there’s an eye mask in drawer right beside the bed. Would you mind getting that out for me?”
“No problem.”
Drago pulled it out and helped lift Nicoletta’s head so Taviano could slip the mask over her head to cover her eyes.
“You’re good, il mio tesoro. Just relax. We’re in the air. Your friends are fine. You’ve got a small nosebleed but that’s all. Not as bad as before, and you weren’t even sick.”
“Don’t say the word sick,” she cautioned.
“I’ll be more careful,” he promised, exchanging a relieved grin with his cousins and nodding when they indicated they would leave him alone with her.
He waited until both left the room before he removed his shoes and slipped up onto the bed with her. He was damned tired, and it was going to be a very long night. He had some explaining to do.

 

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have 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.

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Lethal Game (Ghostwalkers #16) by Christine Feehan-Review & Giveaway

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Lethal Game (Ghostwalkers #16) by Christine Feehan-Review , Excerpt & Giveaway

LETHAL GAME
Ghostwalkers #16
by Christine Feehan
Release Date: March 3, 2020
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romantic, paranormal, suspense

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 3, 2020

When Malichai Fortunes attacks a problem, he does it full force–a habit that earns the GhostWalker a painful injury and a forced vacation in San Diego, California. With nothing but physical therapy on the horizon, Malichai is starting to get restless…until a striking blue-eyed blonde makes all his senses come alive.

Amaryllis is kind and warm and sees beyond Malichai’s rough exterior, but he can tell there’s something she’s hiding. Her innate healing abilities indicate she might be a GhostWalker–albeit an untrained one. Malichai doesn’t think their crossing paths is anything more than coincidence, but he can sense that one wrong word could send Amaryllis running.

When strange events at his temporary retreat put Malichai on high alert, he knows he won’t be able to deal with the threat and keep his woman safe in his weakened state. But calling in his brothers means telling Amaryllis what he really is, and revealing that he knows the truth about her too..

••••••••

REVIEW:LETHAL GAME is the sixteenth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult GHOSTWALKERS erotic, paranormal romantic suspense series focusing on an elite group (4 teams) of enhanced men and women known as the Ghostwalkers (GW). These ‘super soldiers’ were once part of an unauthorized government experiment performed by Dr. Peter Whitney but several soldiers have, since, opted into the program on their own. This is US Air Force pararescue medic Malachai Fortunes, and B&B employee Amaryllis’ story line. LETHAL GAME can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

Told from several third person perspectives including Malachai and Amaryllis LETHAL GAME follows in the aftermath of a rescue that went horribly wrong. Shot several times while trying to rescue a number of American soldiers injured and caught behind enemy lines in Afghanistan, Malachai Fortunes would use a second-generation ‘zenith’ patch to stop the bleeding before seeking medical help but Malachai would quickly discover that not all was going according to plan when a forced leave would reveal the continuing deterioration of his injured leg. Meeting Amaryllis, at a B&B in San Diego, California found our hero instantly attracted to a woman who was obviously part of Whitney’s orphan’s experiment. What ensues is the quick building relationship between Malachai and Amaryllis; the discovery of a home-grown terrorist plot; and the on-going breakdown of Malachai’s leg.

The relationship between Malachai and Amaryllis is one of immediate attraction but Amaryllis knows to reveal the truth could mean imminent death if anyone were to find out our heroine had enhanced, super powers. A psychic healer injected with several animal and insect DNA, Amaryllis knows it is only a matter of time before Dr. Peter Whitney discovers her whereabouts, and forces her into his breeding program. Malachai Fortunes knows Amaryllis is a Ghostwalker and his mate, and is immediately drawn to the feisty female but Amaryllis is reluctant to reveal her true powers, lest Malachai is a member of Whitney’s extraction team. The $ex scenes are limited but intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large familiar and colorful cast of secondary and supporting characters including several Ghostwalkers from the other three Teams. Ken and Jack Norton make a cameo appearance; most of Malachai’s team and their significant others (Diego Campo, Ezekiel Fortunes, Gino Mazza, Team leader Joe Spagnola and Mordichai Fortunes, Draden Freeman, Trap Dawkins, Rubin Campo and Wyatt Fontenot) join our couple to take down a government led home-grown terrorist attack, as well as the return of Dr. Trap Dawkins and his mate Cayenne. Christine Feehan continues to address Trap’s behaviour by way of Asperger’s syndrome, found on the high end of the autism spectrum, an address meant to assuage the character’s deplorable behaviour in Spider Game (book 12).

LETHAL GAME is a bit of a departure from Christine Feehan’s recent style of writing in that the detailed, graphic violence, or mention of abuse and torture, are limited especially as it pertains to women and children. Our hero is not a manipulative, controlling, oppressive alpha male like many of the author’s more recent leading male characters but he is desperate to protect the woman with whom he has fallen in love.

I would also like to address the similarities between the author’s Dark Carpathians and the Ghostwalkers as it pertains to the ‘healer’s in both of her series. From the ability to ‘see’ into the body, and heal by psychic energy, alongside one or more additional healers is very reminiscent of the Dark Series, and their ability to heal. The descriptions and graphic details regarding the psychic surgery are familiar and comparable, almost parallel to the earlier works in the Dark series.

LETHAL GAME is a story of family, friendships, relationships and love; a story of power and control; of fate and love. The premise is engaging, entertaining and intriguing; the characters are energetic, dynamic and courageous; the romance is emotional and captivating.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Malichai made his way to the dining room. A prickle of awareness crept down his spine and his gaze swept the nearly empty room. One other person sat by herself at a table in the corner. She was reading a book—a romance—and he smirked when he saw it. She was a gorgeous woman and he tried not to stare at her. She was a blonde, but her hair was so thick, he doubted if the color could be natural. Most blondes just had finer or thinner hair than that. He must have been looking too closely because she glanced up. He could tell that first glance was simple idle curiosity but then she stiffened, and her gaze wholly focused on him.
Her eyes were gorgeous, a startling blue, like jewels. So deep blue they were almost certainly contacts. She glanced back down at her book, but he could tell she wasn’t reading it anymore. He’d probably scared her. He wasn’t like some of his fellow GhostWalkers, who seemed to walk into a room and have half the female population enthralled—and that had nothing to do with their enhancements and everything to do with their good looks, charisma, or both, none of which he had.
The breakfast was set up buffet style with a long row of warmers laid out on a table. He would have his back to the room when he served himself food, but he seemed to be the last man to breakfast. The moment he’d walked in he became uneasy, but no one was there but the two of them—the blonde and him. Was the threat coming from her? Was it even a threat? He was on vacation. Didn’t that mean there was no threat? Hell if he knew.
He dished himself food, standing sideways to keep her in sight. Her gaze jumped to him and she lowered the book partway, both feet coming to the floor, when she’d been relaxed, one leg curled up under her. He sent her a cocky grin.
“See you’re readin’ my favorite book.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You have no idea what I’m reading.”
He was an enhanced GhostWalker with the very sharp eyes of an eagle. “It’s a romance titled Toxic Game.” He hoped he didn’t have to describe what the book was about because he didn’t have a clue.
She glanced down at the book as if she couldn’t believe he knew the title. When she looked back up at him, his heart went a little crazy. The sun hit her just right, turning her blond hair into a waterfall of ice and gold sparkles. The strands actually dazzled his eyes for a moment, so that he lost sight of her. Her image blurred. He could only see that amazing, overpowering shine.
He blinked to bring her into focus. When he managed to get her back in his sight, he found himself staring into her vivid jeweled eyes, eyes blazing blue flames at him.
“You do not read romance books.” Her chin went up. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to read about men who believe in monogamy. I doubt you’d know anything about that.”
He took a chair facing her and drank his coffee slowly, studying her furious little face. She was beautiful all riled up. His heart was going a little crazy and all at once he felt very much alive. Maybe this vacation thing wasn’t going to be so bad.
“What makes you think that? If I read romances, clearly I like happy endings and I prefer books where men and women are faithful to one another.” It was all about thinking fast on one’s feet. Any GhostWalker should be excellent at that.
“I think you’re so full of—” she broke off as a woman came into the doorway, clearly agitated, so much so that she seemed to completely miss that Malichai was even in the room.


 

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have 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.

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

The Reading Cafe is offering a paper copy of LETHAL GAME to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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Vendetta Road (Torpedo Ink #3) by Christine Feehan-Review & Giveaway

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Vendetta Road (Torpedo Ink #3) by Christine Feehan-Review & Giveaway

VENDETTA ROAD
Torpedo Ink #3
by Christine Feehan
Release Date: January 28, 2020
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, erotic, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 2020

Isaak “Ice” Koval is on a club mission when he sees a woman who stops him dead in his tracks. Soleil is a sweet, sexy, girl-next-door type. She’s an innocent who should be nowhere near the rough-and-ready world of the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club. But Ice knows Soleil belongs with him—and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

After a life of drifting from one thing to the next, Soleil Brodeur is determined to take control of her life. When her breakup with her manipulative fiancé turns ugly, Soleil searches out the stranger who offered her a lifeline and ends up in a Las Vegas biker bar where she meets a gorgeous, dangerous man straight out of her most secret fantasies.

High on adrenaline, she finds herself falling faster than she thought possible. But Soleil knows little about the territory she’s stumbled into, and even less about what it really means to be Ice’s woman.

•••••••••

Sandy’s Review:VENDETTA ROAD is the third instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult TORPEDO INK erotic, slightly paranormal, MC romance series focusing on the men and women of the Torpedo Ink MC. This is club member Isaak ‘Ice’ Koval, and heiress Soleil Brodeur’s story line. VENDETTA ROAD can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary. The TORPEDO INK series is a spin-off from the author’s SEA HAVEN SERIES but you do not have to have read the original series to follow Torpedo Ink.

NOTE: Most of the characters including Torpedo Ink club president Victor ‘Czar’ Prakenski, and his wife Blythe Daniels were introduced in the final instalment of the author’s Sea Haven Series BOUND TOGETHER.

WARNING: VENDETTA ROAD contains scenes, and makes reference to voyeurism, graphic violence, rape, murder, torture, child prostitution, and abuse against children, women and men, and therefore, may not be suitable for all readers. The eighteen original Torpedo Ink members are the sole survivors of a Russian pedophile ring, and as such work towards rescuing children in similar situations.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ice and Soleil VENDETTA ROAD follows the insta-lust/love relationship between Torpedo Ink club member Isaak ‘Ice’ Koval, and heiress Soleil Brodeur. About to be forced into a Las Vegas marriage with a man she does not love, a man who has become abusive and bad, Soleil Brodeur finds herself at a local biker bar where she will come face to face with Isaak ‘Ice’ Koval. Ice, suspecting something is wrong, pulls together his brothers in arms, in an effort to protect the woman he knows to be his soul-mate and love. What ensues is the quick building romance and relationship between Soleil and Ice; the search for a pedophile and human trafficking ring in Las Vegas; and the potential fall-out as Soleil’s past is demanding her return in an effort to claim what is not rightfully his.

Soleil Brodeur was orphaned at an early age, and the resulting investment from her inheritance has left our heroine a wealthy young woman but Soleil has been pulled into a high stakes scheme wherein she will become the next victim of a group of men hunting women with sizable bank accounts. Ice Koval doesn’t do relationships but something about Soleil finds our hero claiming ownership when first they meet, an ownership initially based in $ex and need.

The highly sexual relationship between Soleil and Ice is one of immediate attraction whereby both are successful in their attempt to seduce one another. Soleil, on the run from her abusive fiancé, finds instant comfort and security with a man who demands everything and more- a demand, of which, I struggled in the face of the abuse and assault perpetrated not minutes before. The $ex scenes are numerous, erotic, and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including most of the Torpedo Ink family who have survived and endured years of torture, rape, abuse and an education in the world of the deviant and sick.

Once again, VENDETTA ROAD, like the previous instalments continues to focus on the years of abuse suffered at the hands of a group of Russian pedophiles. Groomed to kill and seduce, the members of Torpedo Ink use their skills to exact revenge against the people who continue to abuse and destroy.

As per my previous reviews, I have remarked on the author’s increasing violent story lines and abuse against men, women and children but in the case of the Torpedo Ink series, the violence is part of their history and lives-ingrained and imbedded –into their very existence. But saying that, Vendetta Road reveals a need for vengeance, by the Torpedo Ink family, that manifests as equally abusive and sadistic against the people who have perpetrated the crimes, in this, there are some questionable actions and ‘vendettas’.

VENDETTA ROAD is a story of power and abuse; of pain and survival; of betrayal, vengeance and retribution. The language, descriptions of violence, and text are graphic and gritty; the premise is edgy and raw.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Judgement Road
Vengeance Road
Vendetta Road

 

Barb’s Review:
Vendetta Road by Christine Feehan is the 3rd book in her Torpedo Ink series.  Brief refresher for this series:  At the end of the Sea Haven series, Blythe married Viktor (Czar). Czar is the president of Torpedo Ink, and together with the men and women he brought with him to Sea Haven they built their Torpedo Ink MC club in Casper, which is close to Sea Haven.  Each of these members have suffered terrible abuse in their childhoods in Russia, being forced to all become lethal assassins; each still very much trying to find the light inside their darkness.  They are all determined to protect each other, and also work secretly to save children they have become part of human trafficking, as well as pedophiles.

In Vendetta Road, the Torpedo Ink Club is in Las Vegas to attend Steele and Bree’s (previous book heroes) wedding.  Ice and Storm and others from the club, are following people they suspect to be part of a group kidnapping and sexually abusing young children.  Ice, our hero, notices a girl being manhandled by her boyfriend, and has to stop himself from interfering, as he needed to concentrate on his mission; Ice did feel some kind of strange attraction toward that girl.

 Soleil Brodeur, our heroine, is a very wealthy woman, having inherited everything from her deceased parents.  Soleil is upset because her boyfriend lost his temper and beat her up because she did not want to marry him.  She overhears the boyfriend talking to others, and realizes that she is in danger, and they have plans to eventually take her money and kill her.  Soleil manages to run away, and she ends up looking for help from a girl she just met, Lana (one of the Torpedo Ink members); and enters a bar where she sees that they belong to the same club.  Ice automatically sees her enter, and is surprised that it is the same girl who caught his attention, and he immediately introduces himself to her, noticing her bruises.  The chemistry between them sizzled immediately, as they both were attracted to each other.

As Soleil begins to spend all her time with Ice, she learns more about how all of the Torpedo Ink members were trained to be assassins, as well as sexual slaves.  Her relationship with Ice, brings her fully into the club, whose loyalty to each other, will have them go through any lengths to find those responsible for trying to kill her. 

What follows is an exciting and violent adventure, as well as a highly sexual erotic insta romance between two people who ended up needing each other.  I thought the story line was terrific, but I did have mixed feelings.  I enjoy sexy romances, but as I have said before, I want the story to be in the forefront, with the sex scenes as part of the story.  In Vendetta Road, it seems like every scene was sexual, with the story line just thrown in here and there. 

I love all the members of the Torpedo Ink family, including the female members (Lana & Alena), and the ladies who become part of them (Blythe, Anya, Bree and now Soleil).  I love the concept of this wonderful group that are loyal together, and determined to save the abused children.  The previous books were also very steamy, but the storyline remained in the forefront, which did change in Vendetta Road. 

Vendetta Road is a dark romantic sexy story, that is also very emotional, as we continue to learn more about what they all had to endure in Russia.  This is a great series, but again I would like the story in the forefront.

 

 

 

Soleil ran through the lobby, uncaring of turning heads. One didn’t run in a very swank hotel. She wanted to grab security, but Winston had a way of talking that made her look hysterical or childish and him look totally controlled, the adult having to put up with tantrums. She wasn’t about to take chances, not when she knew they planned to kill her.
Who would believe her? Her own fiancé? A lawyer? A policeman? All conspiring to kill her? She would look crazy and Winston would explain she’d lost Bennet, the only one she had as family. He would get sympathy and understanding, and they would all look to him to take care of her. He’d probably sedate her. Did he have a doctor involved too? It was possible. She’d met one through him, one he considered important.
She burst out onto the street, her lungs hurting. Clearly, she needed more exercise if she was going to have to run for her life. Her thoughts were wild and a little hysterical. She couldn’t have that. It would only play into Winston’s hand. She raced to the crosswalk, and fortunately the light changed and there were few people in her way. She was able to cross quickly and get into the relative shelter of the hotel-casino on the next street.
Noise erupted all around her. The concentrated smoke from cigarettes threatened to choke her. For a moment, she paused, a little disoriented. The whiskey she’d drunk was making her feel a lot better. Clearer. She knew exactly what to do. She made her way through the casino with more dignity, not wanting to draw attention to herself.
The casino floor was set up so that the exits were difficult to get to. Every little turn put her in front of card tables, the roulette wheel, craps, or, when she managed to find her way through the maze, machines. A sea of them. They didn’t matter. The drinks had finally steadied her, and she was feeling as if she was in control and could do this.
Still, it was a good distance to the exits and it took her a few minutes to make her way to the other side of the room. The casino was enormous, so much so that she knew she’d probably covered a block at least. She had to have. But she walked with more confidence and less panic. Every now and then, just to be certain, she glanced over her shoulder, or paused at a machine to see if Winston was behind her. So far, her plan had worked. Most likely, he’d gone out onto the strip and worried she’d hailed a cab or taken one of the hotel’s private limos. She was afraid to do that. He could trace a cab and he’d talk any driver into coming back for him.
She thought about getting another drink, but she hadn’t eaten. Already she was much clearer in what she had to do. She felt very courageous. It only took a couple of times going in a small circle before she mastered the maze of machines and was able to push open the door that let her out onto the street. The lights were much dimmer, but still illuminated the sidewalk.
She looked left and right. She was right in the middle of the block. Across the street, neon blue signs flashed, and the sound of music was loud. Each of the bars seemed to be playing a different song, but she loved to dance and the one on the end at the right blared the best music. She headed in that direction and then changed her mind, a little shiver going through her. She knew Winston. He would hire men to find her. He would call the police and report her missing, saying she had a mental disorder and he was worried for her safety. This street was still too close.
She hurried down the block to the next line of bars. The streets seemed darker, and as she came around the corner, a few men standing on the sidewalk in front of a bar looked up, nudging one another. Alarms went off and she paused to get oriented. Just in front of her was another bar blaring dancing music and in front of it were motorcycles, instantly reminding her of Lana. Her heart jumped. Lana. She hurried toward that one without hesitation. If Lana was there, she would know what to do. She was that kind of woman.


 

Excerpt provided by Berkley Publishing 

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have 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.

Follow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

The Reading Cafe and Christine’s Feehan’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of VENDETTA ROAD to ONE lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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