Shadow Reaper (Shadow Riders #2) by Christine Feehan – Dual Review & Giveaway
Shadow Reaper
Shadow Riders series – Book #2
by Christine Feehan
Release Date: May 30, 2017
Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository
Description:
Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood – but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own…
Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her – a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She’s someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco’s embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them…
Barb’s Review:
Shadow Reaper by Christine Feehan is the 2nd book in her fantastic Shadow Riders series. Having read just about everything by Christine Feehan, I am amazed that this series is quickly becoming my favorite. I love the first book, Shadow Rider, and I must say that Shadow Reaper was equally great. I am loving every moment of this series. Now to my review. 🙂
A quick refresher on Shadow Riders:. Shadow riders have the ability to blend themselves to the shadows wherever they are, making themselves invisible to anyone. The Ferraro family run a legitmate business, live and protect the town where they live, and use their ability to help others in need to solve various problems and dispense justice
In Shadow Reaper, Ricco Ferraro is our hero, and at the start, his family (they are all elite shadow riders), are watching over him in the hospital. Ricco, who had a violent crash, which almost cost him his life, was determined to go home to recuperate. But his family, especially Stefano, the leader of the family, know Ricco has been reckless, and they suspect he is hiding a terrible secret. It will take Ricco, to see how happy Stefano is with Francesca, and know that he needs to find a woman who is capable of mating with a shadow rider, which will bring him out of the darkness that consumes him.
We meet Mariko, when she applies to be a rope model (shibari) for Ricco, who when interviewing her sees she is also a shadow rider. Ricco knows that the innocent persona presented by Mariko is hiding that she is there to kill him. Mariko has had a difficult life, and we learn early that she has been ordered to kill Ricco. But someone else is also plotting against Ricco and the entire Ferraro family, which becomes a major mystery throughout the story. Mariko will find herself attracted to Ricco, and knows he is a good man, which enables her to tell him the truth. The family will stand by Ricco and Mariko as the danger escalates for all of them. Slowly Mariko begins to feel like part of the family, and wants to help them fight off the enemy.
The romance between Ricco and Mariko was scorching hot, with even the rope modeling being very steamy & intense. Besides the sensual romance, the overall story line was very exciting. I loved seeing all the Ferraro’s work and bond together to fight their enemy, with many of them becoming injured. They are a powerful team, but they are all so much fun to spend time with. What I also love about this close-knit family is their loyalty, protection and care giving to their surrounding townsfolk. It will be Stefano & Ricco who will bring in other Shadow riders to help find the one behind the attacks, and it is a surprise ending as to who is behind this.
Shadow Reaper was such a fantastic story; nonstop action, suspenseful, steamy romance, great couple, awesome family and very exciting. As I have said before, this series has become one of my favorite series by Christine Feehan very quickly.
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Sandy’s Review
SHADOW REAPER is the second installment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult SHADOW paranormal, romance series focusing on the Ferraro family-a Chicago crime family that uses ‘shadows’ to move about in secret. This is Ricco Ferraro, and Mariko Majo’s story line. SHADOW REAPER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: Shadow Reaper contains scenes of graphic violence that may not be suitable for all readers.
Told from several third person perspectives including Ricco and Mariko SHADOW REAPER focuses on betrayal and revenge, as it follows the building relationship between billionaire playboy and shadow rider Ricco Ferraro, and Mariko Majo-a woman whose past is mired in blood and death. The darkness in Ricco is closing in, and our hero is desperate to find the one woman to calm his soul. Ricco is a master in the art of Shibari rope play and hopes to find a ‘rope model’ that is worthy of his ministrations and strengths. Enter Mariko Majo, a shadow rider, but also a woman from a long line of woman who have also modeled for the art of rope. What ensues is the fated romance between Mariko and Ricco, and the search for the people targeting the Ferraro family for sins of the past.
SHADOW REAPER is a story about one woman’s search for the truth, and one family’s battle with ghosts from the past. The Ferraro family is a well-respected Chicago crime family who take care of their own but when the entire family is targeted, not everyone will survive to see retribution and revenge.
Christine Feehan’s SHADOW series is similar in context to her Dark (Carpathian) series in that the 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. SHADOW REAPER contains scenes of graphic violence, blood shed and death; the $ex scenes are limited but long and intense although there are numerous sexual situations including the erotic art of Shibari rope play that is both sensual and seductive.
There are a large number of secondary and supporting characters including all of the Ferraro siblings, their extended family of cousins and relations, as well as an assortment of international shadow riding clans from Europe, Asia and Russia. The requisite evil has many faces and is very familiar to our story line couple.
SHADOW REAPER is an intense story of betrayal and revenge; family and blood; revelation and retribution. The premise is inventive and captivating; the characters are animated, colorful and dramatic; the romance is fated, passionate and energetic. Christine Feehan has created a sultry world of shadows and the supernatural where one family is bound by honor and code.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
Christine Feehan’s publisher is graciously offering a paper copy of SHADOW REAPER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe
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