SHADOW RIDER (Shadow #1) by Christine Feehan-Dual Review and Giveaway

SHADOW RIDER
Shadow #1
by Christine Feehan
Release Date: June 28,2016
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 28, 2016

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

Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses—both legitimate and illegitimate.

While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone—until now…

With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her.

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Sandy’s REVIEW:

SHADOW RIDER is the first installment in Christine Feehan’s adult, contemporary SHADOW paranormal, romance series focusing on a species that is able to ‘use’ shadows, to move about in secret. This is the head of the Ferraro Family Stefano Ferraro, and Francesca Cappello’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Stefano and Francesa) SHADOW RIDER introduces a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters who are driven to protect Stefano’s mate. Broke and on the run, our heroine, Francesca Cappello, finds herself in Little Italy where her best friend Joanna Masci has offered her a job and a place to stay. Enter Stefano Ferraro, the head of one of Chicago’s most powerful and secretive crime families, and the man who will lose his heart to the new stranger in town.

Stefano and the Ferraro family are ‘shadow riders’; a group of supernatural beings able to manipulate light and dark; able to use shadows to hide in plain sight, or enter a world where vengeance is enforced, and peace is restored. The ‘shadow riders’ carry out that which cannot be controlled by any other means, and Francesca’s appearance is a promise for the future for the entire Ferraro clan. But Francesca is on the run, and her past is about to catch up and seek revenge.

SHADOW RIDER is a detailed story line; an engaging and intriguing tale introducing some of the background and the many members of the Ferraro family. The characters, although numerous (requiring a spreadsheet to keep track) are fascinating, energetic and protective; vibrant, transcendent and powerful.

The attraction between our leading couple is immediate and palpable; the sexual tension is taut and unmistakable but our heroine is unaware of who and what Stefano Ferraro commands. Herein lies my concern with the story: the explanation as to the ‘shadow riders’ is limited, and Francesca’s connection is never completely explained or fleshed out. Francesca is Stefano’s mate-she is the woman ‘made’ for him but her ‘shadow rider’ capability is never discussed or rationalized-let’s hope the next installment clarifies and acknowledges some of the missing information. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and provocative-Stefano’s ‘alpha tendencies’ are not as violent or sexually aggressive as some of Christine Feehan’s other male leads in her previous and past series.

SHADOW RIDER is a magical story about family and love; betrayal and revenge; fate and the future. The premise is imaginative; the characters are heartwarming and intense; the romance is impassioned and electrifying. Congratulations Christine Feehan on a powerful new series with memorable characters and fated loves.

 

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Barb’s Review:

Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan is the 1^st book in her new Shadow series.  Shadow Rider is a different and cool paranormal theme, which takes place in Chicago modern times.  It is a fantastic start to a series that will revolve around the Ferraro family, their business, the town where they live and protect, and their own hidden powers.  The Ferraro family is not your usual crime family, as they run legitimate business, and use their ability to help others in need solve various problems and dispense justice.  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 the Ferraros for centuries, with all members of their families trained to use those abilities.

Stefano Ferraro, our hero, is the leader of the Ferraro family and immediately we learn how powerful, strong and tough he is.  On his way to a meeting, he senses something that calls to him.  Stefano knows everyone in their area that is under the family protection; everyone respects and fears him; though they know he will always watch out for them all.  He sees a young lady walking with one of the local people and follows.  Francesca Capello is our heroine, and she has just arrived in town to get a job with her college roommate’s father.  Francesca is broke, and is running away from a powerful enemy who has destroyed her life.

Stefano abruptly introduces himself to Francesca, makes sure she gets the job and tells her to buy a coat and better shoes, as the weather is bad. He senses her fears, and is determined to find out why. He also knows she is the mate he never thought he would ever find. No matter how much she fears him, he will not let her go.  Early on Stefano would curse a lot, but he cared about the well being of everyone under his protection, including now Francesca.  The Ferraro family, are all loyal and dedicated to each other, especially the older brother who has taken care of them.  They are all powerful and shadow riders, and they take their responsibility to help others seriously.

What follows is a romance that will heat up fast, even if the heroine fights any attraction or attention from Stefano.  But he is very persistent. Despite her determination not to let anyone know the truth of her past, Francesca finds herself slowly falling for Stefano, even when he is annoying dominant in protecting her at all times.  We learn when and how the family uses those powers, usually to help those in dire situations that even the police cannot help.  What a family.  I loved all the Ferraros , they were all hot, including the sister,, and how they protected and loved Francesca, too.  They knew she was destined for Stefano, and they treated her like their sister. 

This was also a captivating & exciting story, as Francesca’s past comes back to haunt her, and she tries to run away to protect her newfound family.  But no matter how powerful the enemy is, the Ferraros will always protect their own.  I loved loved the exciting climax when Francesca’s life is in danger and out of the shadows will come her saviors.   Fantastic!

Christine Feehan has a fabulous start to a series that I cannot wait to continue.  A great new premise, a great sexy couple, super powerful family and very steamy.  If you are a Christine Feehan fan, and even if you are not, you need to read Shadow Rider and get in on the fun.

 

Copy provided by Publisher

Christine’s publisher and The Reading Cafe are offering a paper copy of SHADOW RIDER to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9.. Giveaway runs from June 28 to July 2, 2016

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