{eARC Review} Shadow Rider (Shadow #1) by Christine Feehan

Shadow Rider (Shadow #1) by Christine Feehan

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... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 480 pages. Expected publication: June 28th 2016 by Jove. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it!

{Review}

Over the last year I've been devouring Christine Feehan's novels. A prolific author, she creates strong alpha males - sometimes too alpha - equally strong women, unbreakable bonds of family both of blood and the family you choose, dramatic storylines and danger and suspense. The first installment in Shadow, her newest series, Shadow Rider, is everything I've come to expect from Feehan.

I loved the way Stefano looked out for his family and friends, for everyone he considers under his protection. He's a dictator but there is a reason for it. He grew up in harsh circumstances, has endured loss, has the weight of many lives on his shoulders and his past has molded him into the man that can bear the weight.

Francesca has been through hell. She's lost everything, been betrayed, she's hungry, she's just dollars away from being back on the street, but she's also the kind of person who would give the coat off of her back to a homeless woman because at least she has a roof over her head. She's generous, kind, stubborn and willing to stand up for herself even when facing off with the head of the Ferraro family.

I liked Stefano and Francesca together, the way they balanced each other, filled in empty spots, and their very awe at finding each other when neither expected something so wonderful. Their journey isn't an easy one, Stefano is overbearing and dictatorial, Francesca is afraid of losing another person she loves and feels like there is too big a gap between their financial circumstances.

This installment has a lot of exposition and setting the stage for the rest of the series - explaining the how and whys of the Ferraro family and their abilities as well as introducing tons of new characters but there's room for action and suspense. I'm already a fan of the Shadow series, I can't wait to see which Ferraro sibling is featured next.