It will take more than desire to tame the animal within in this Leopard novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan. 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 …
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.
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Leopards’s Rage is a fabulously gritty, marvelously raw, and so very real story that will make your heart hurt and soar. It will steal your attention and hold you captive as it seeps into your very soul. Nothing will tear you away from the provacative storyline as you lose yourself within its unforgettable and heart-wrenching soul filled with fierce love and heart pounding terror.
Sevastyan had survived a cruel and unforgiving upbringing to become an impossibly hard and demon driven man. He lives life the only way he can while looking out for his family. Most people steer clear of him, but one woman stumbles helplessly into his life. Flambe enjoys her small and comforting life. She has gained success and wants nothing more then to help others. When these two impossibly different people meet, a firestorm is created and threatens to end anyone that crosses its path.
My heart shattered for both Sevastyan and Flambe. Neither had a good life, but both are fierce fighters who refuse to give in. Although very different in every way, they both long for love more then they will ever admit. When convenience turns into feelings, nothing is easy or welcome. However, Sevastyan will not lost the best thing he has ever found in his life. He will fight to the death to keep his heart close for all time.
I found my heart became incredibly lost within the pages of this book. I couldn’t get over how stunning and extraordinary both the story and the characters are. They kept me guessing and put my heart through a meat grinder. Nothing was easy, but that made it so worth wading through the pain to get to the light and love on the other side. Christine Feehan is a phenomenal author who demolished my heart and made my soul crave these beautiful chacters no matter how stubborn or unworldly they became. She showed me how love can sprout and bloom within even the most hostile of environments.
*3.5 stars*
Leopards and love…
I was so happy to start reading Sevastyan’s story! He and his brother leopards continued to build a new future for their families, each one finding their other despite all the danger they faced. They wore both black and white hats (I like to think the white was the larger) so convincing someone of their true intent while hiding it at the same time was more than difficult. Sevastyan’s love wasn’t going to be an easy one to win over (none of them have been!) but he wasn’t a protector for nothing… Flambe was a protector as well but instead of might she dealt in stealth and cunning. Her hat was pure white and nothing was going to stand in her way. She would not lose anyone on her watch…
As I’ve come to expect from this series, their courtship was anything but smooth sailing. Deadly enemies, mysterious betrayals and a lot of unanswered questions between them, meant finding truth was difficult on every front. The chemistry that defined their relationship, began with the physical, between them and their leopards, yet the heart connection was much harder to achieve. Told from alternating points of view, understanding the struggles that went into their many decisions was easier for me as a reader than for them…
At the end I was struck by how well-matched they were even though their differences could fill this book and more. I may have wished for more of the heart-zinging emotional highs and lows I’ve read before in this series but their story was a true courtship with all the loving back and forth I craved…
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
**Thank you to NetGalley
Leopard’s Rage by Christine Feehan is the thirteenth book in the Leopard series. It combines paranormal romance and supernatural suspense in a contemporary setting near Austin, Texas. Leopard shifter Sevastyan Amurov is a bodyguard to Mitya Amurov, his cousin. Sevastyan has a deep anger inside of him and has to maintain control at all times. The reasons are many, but to understand one needs to read the book. Flambe Carver has her own landscaping company and is on her way to discuss a job at Sevastyan’s place when her stalker ambushes her. Sevastyan takes her under his protection and their lives are turned upside down.
This book follows the normal pattern of two very strong characters, lots of action, and plenty of passion and steamy, explicit scenes. Arrogance, respect, trust, and raw chemistry abound.
The plot is good and the characters are compelling and definitely have their own flaws and virtues. Their motivations are believable. However, you have to be able to read about a very dominant alpha male and a strong female lead that complements the alpha male and accepts his ways. It also contains a lot of danger and violence. I would have liked more time spent on the various
investigations and things that led to the set-up of the finale rather than quite so much detail in the steamy scenes. Some additional themes include crime, communication, child abuse, infidelity, murder, sport hunting, and betrayal.
Overall, this book had great potential, but came up somewhat short for me. There were too many dominance/submission rope bondage scenes and not enough of the dual suspense story lines.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Cristine Feehan offered a wonderful mix of everything in her latest Leopard Novel. I was completely caught up in this one from the first page and couldn’t put it down until the end.
I was very happy with the story itself. The author introduced a new rare breed of leopards into the mix, and there were some bondage scenes. Flambe was a natural submissive and even more sensual than most female leopards, which if those who are familiar with this series will probably find this a treat. I certainly enjoyed it. Sevastyan and his leopard were strong dominants. It is this author’s way to pair her couple’s to perfectly compliment each other in every way so the readers can expect a certain level of heat in her books. This one was off the chart hot ! I loved the tension between Flambe and Sevastyan. Flambe had a submissive side but she was headstrong in every other way. She had trouble accepting Sevastyan due to some things in her past, but that was not their biggest threat. As always the author layered a complex thread of suspense and action throughout the story. I really enjoyed catching back up with the Amurov leopards in this book. I’m hoping that we won’t be seeing the last of them any time soon.
I loved it ! The story was fluid. It was hot. It was loaded with action. The characters were amazing. You simply cannot go wrong with a Christine Feehan book. Can’t wait for the next one.
I have read most of Christine Feehan’s books in most of the series she writes, and I look forward to the next book in each one of them. She just grabs my mind and drags me into the world of the book. Her Leopard World is a great escape from mine, and she makes it seem impossibly possible, with strong characters and exciting plot lines, that keep you guessing. I don’t want to give anything away, but don’t assume you’ve got it figured out! I always make sure that I buy her books in physical form, the best way to get lost in a book, in my opinion. Enjoy!
Another fantastic installment of the Leopard series by Christine Feehan. I have been a huge fan of the series since the beginning and Leopard’s Rage is as thrilling as the first book. I fell for Sevastyan as Mitya’s head of security and was excited he was getting his own book. The love story between him and Flambe (yes, I hated her name like the other reviewers) was a fresh take on fated mates. I loved it. My only knock on the book is the number of explanations on Shibari erotic rope-tying art. I had never heard of this before so I needed the intricate explanations during their first session but those continued for every session. I found myself scanning over most of them to get back into the scene between Sevastyan and Flambe.
Flambe is a prickly heroine who is in her first leopard life cycle. This means her leopard doesn’t recognize her predestined mate and could be compatible with any first cycle leopard. Along with her involvement in harboring abused shifters, she is filled with preconceived notions and doubts of Sevastyan in both human and leopard. I love this twist. It’s not a matter of him saving the day and she goes along with it, like most shifter books. He must court her, and she must open her heart to him.
If a shifter has to work for his mate, Sevastyan is the man for the job. He is attentive due to his job as well as his rope tying hobby. He is thoughtful, protective, and of course, gorgeous. I mean all fighting leopards work hard to stay in shape when they are in a mob-busting operation. I love how Feehan builds worlds made for hot guys, but this book shows him jogging and realistically keeping in shape. Also realistically portrayed, he’s a modern partner who offers her a distanced relationship if it makes her happy. Even when Flambe is at her worst, Sevastyan doesn’t pull the “caveman protector” act on her. He is willing to do anything for his leopard’s mating to be successful because his leopard kept him safe during his childhood. To recap, we have a hot, wounded hero with equal partnership views, a healthy sex drive, and an acts-of-kindness love language. Swoon!
Overall, I highly recommend this book to all readers who love shifter romances. The plot is action-packed, but it is the twist in the relationship between Flambe and Sevastyan that makes this book unique.
Leopard’s Rage by Christine Feehan was an Intriguing Shifter Story that culminated into a sweet HEA!
Sevastyan Amurov, the H, was the bodyguard, and Head of Security for his cousin Mitya, and a formidable Dominant Alpha Male.
I liked that Sevastyan’s Leopard, “Shturm”, didn’t hesitate in delivering his brand of justice, being simultaneously vicious, and strong.
Flambé Carver, the h, was a rare Strawberry Leopard, with an excellent head for business, and exotic plants.
Although she possessed a variety of insecurities, her character was strong, with hidden complications.
OMG the Amurov men are hot!!! They each have their own kink or preference when it comes to sex… not one has a violent tendency towards their women when it comes to sex. Which when you read their past is amazing in itself! Sevastyan is into the rope tying and if I remember right so was one of Feodore’s brothers (just can’t remember which one). The art of Shibari sounds interesting have never heard of it until these books. The bad guy Franco tries everything he has to get Flambe back. Rolan, Svastyan’s father comes to the USA to try and kill Svastyna, however he fails epicly. Flambe finally learns to trust and believe in Sevastyan. Sevastyan’s brother Mitya comes to respect his decision and see that Flambe is the perfect partner for Sevastyan. At the start of the book and in previous ones we all believed that Sevastyan was Mitya’s cousin but the truth comes out in this book and it’s interesting how they see and fix things when they were in the lair’s in Russia.
I love that they are each finding true mates and learning what a real and loving relationship can be!
Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
Y’all this is book 12 in this series so if you have stuck with it this long you know you are going to read it so just accept that and move on. It was everything you wanted it to be and more. I mean, BOOK TWELVE. She has this series on LOCK now.
This is Sevastyan’s story and it was one I had been waiting for. I loved seeing this family grow and this book was everything. I mean this book was action and chaos, but you shouldn’t expect anything less with one in this series. It has the sexy and it had the heart facing moments. I can’t wait for the next book.
I really loved this book. I know everyone has their opinion on the Leopards Series, but it is actually my favorite, or at least one of my favorites. I go into the leopard series the same way I go into the Torpedo ink series. I know what to expect, I know how the violence will be, and I also know the word ‘steamy’ is putting the sexy scenes lightly. Sevastyn and Flambé are perfect together. There’s so much danger around them, that it is hard to find any peace between them. The only peace there ever is and the only way flambé makes her connection with Sevastyn is through her style of sex, which also happens to be Sevastyn’s. The problem is that Flambé is always ready to run, her thoughts and feelings on all male leopards is so ingrained in her that Sevastyn has his work cut out for him. His feelings of not being good enough is not helping. Add that to the extreme danger they are in and it makes for an excellent story. It is a love story and it’s own way. May not be everyone’s book of choice, but I loved it.
LEOPARD’S RAGE is Christine Feehan’s 11th book of the Leopard People series. A dark, sensual romance filled with heart-stopping action and danger. Christine Feehan’s Leopard series are unforgettable tales of suspense and sizzling passion in the shapeshifters’ fight for survival.
Book was a page turner didn’t want to put it down always love reading Christine Feehan books
I love all of Christine Feehan’s books. I own them all. Her characters and world building are out of this world. This author is brilliant. I loved this book as well. I was a bit surprised at the ending. It felt a bit abrupt. In my opinion it needed another chapter. Despite that it was a great book.
Some spoiler alerts throughout-
Sigh, Sevastyan – where to start….
I have loved Sev’s character since he was introduced. Moody, somewhat of an a** ( in Mitya’s story) but in a way that once explained- his reasoning was understood.
I figured Sev and Mitya would be half brothers because of how close they were- i did not see the strain between them coming and wanted to go a little further in that direction to really grab hold of emotions they were portraying.
I love that Christine introduced the art of Shibari into this book ( it is not for everyone and can be dangerous- as is mentioned several times in the book) i love how she put the realistic expectations of the art ( it showed she researched and didn’t just throw a kink in)
I love Flambe’s character and the strawberry leopards- I did want more from her. I understood why she was so afraid of a relationship, but at the same time I needed just a little more.
I liked that she was helping other shifters get free ( wonder if Drake knows Char was helping her with that and if the serum he has is as strong?) Wondering if the shifters she has help will make an appearance sometime.
I hate that there were no scenes of the leopards together- usually there are scenes of them out playing, sometimes disagreeing, their first look at each other once transformed. ( I feel that Flamme’s coming out was such an important part, but the chapter ended and didn’t go through the leopard’s time together at all)
I still give this book a 5 star because I love the storyline, details, characters and so much more that Christine brings to the table, but I will say this won’t be my top favorite of the series like I was hoping it would be (although the Shabariand true aspects of it make it a solid 3rd- just needed more leopard action)( that title goes to Mitya’s story and Fyodor’s/ Jake’s/Elijah’s coming in tied at second.
Now- who’s going to find their mate next?
I love this series. Great research! Makes it feel as if the world could be real!
Sevastyan and Flambe’s story is the latest addition to Christine Feehan’s Leopard Series. And what an addition it is! The Lore goes that these leopard shifters find mates over nine lifetimes, each becoming easier to recognize each other, knowing when they found a mate.
Not only are Sevastyan and Flambe’s leopards both choosing to mate for the first time, which makes the relationship tentative, both unsure of themselves and each other, but you also throw in their pasts. Pasts full of trauma and estranged relationships and horrors they have seen and experienced. Connections they’ve been denied, giving them little to stand on in the way of relationship or trusting in emotions felt and expressing them. This journey hits you in the heart. Both want to be loved one afraid they can’t give it in return, one afraid to accept it. Not sure they would recognize it.
Sevastyan, chief of security for the Amurov family, his family, and it’s a lonely, dangerous, and demanding service he provides. He wants what his cousins have, a mate of his own. Someone to accept him for who he is, be a partner to share his life with. Someone his leopard can find peace with take their leopard as a mate. He doubts he will be able to find one or if he can give love they need after the abuse and deviant behaviors his past instilled in him, the rage that is part of him and the control he needs.
Then he finds Flambe, a brilliant woman, a landscaper and one who rescues those of her kind from poachers, from abusive mates, giving them a fresh start. A Leopard woman who needs his protection, his strength. Craves the things his special touch can bring her. And their leopards choose each other. But because of her past, she is unable to trust him with who she is and why she needs him, accept he is who he tells her he is, and afraid to open her heart waiting for him to reject her; for the other shoe, her upbring taught her exists, to drop.
So many times I yelled at them, and other characters, not because it was a” too stupid too live” choice but because they had not learned what they need to do, what they could be to each other, how important communication is, when communication in their past had what they wanted removed from them, destroyed… and then cheering as they grew to begin to understand…
Of course with each step forward, something surfaces to push them two steps back, at the worst possible times. Her stalkers, the price tags on her head and possible betrayal; his family, bratya, issues. Her need for independence and not wanting to risk what she can do by allowing him in. Poor Sevastyan has to walk a fine balance of bonding with her and protecting those he’d sworn to protect… battles to protect and end threats, and physical issues, psychological issues finally faced when brought to a head bring a sense of hope for these two. They finally work together, she finds a way to trust he is there for her, at this moment loves her… They are on their way to a Happily ever after.
I hope there are future books and we can see Flambe grow more to believe Sevastyan is always her other half, his love is unshakable. The love she knows they share by the end of the book, will no longer be shadowed by her past trauma. Thankfully, Sevastyan now knows how to push it away! However, He deserves to be seen as the wonderful mate he is all the time to her, they both deserve it. This is a heart touching story that has you rooting for them to form the bond their leopards will search for again and again over their nine lifetimes…I think they achieve that course on their first journey.
The heat level in this story is very high. The shabari element brings it off the charts. It is beautifully written as an integral part of their journey. It’s a part of them as what they need as individuals and grows into something they share as a couple. At first something to let them avoid opening to each other, keep a distance, denying the emotions, intimacy and love they start to feel. It becomes something that knocks walls between them down and builds the connection between them.
Sevastyan Amurov was leopard. Not just any leopard but Amurov. Born and bred in a brutal lair known for such cruelty and savage practices that other lairs wanted nothing to do with them. Because of the way he was raised an anger grew in him that got harder and harder to control. Even watching his cousins find their mates gave him no hope that he would ever find his own.
Enter Flambe Carver, gardener extraordinaire. After cancelling two previous appointments Flambe finally shows for this one. This first meeting sets off a storyline that I found totally enthralling. The book starts with a bang and the momentum never lets up until the end.
Any reader of Christine Feehan’s Leopard series knows that none of the stories goes along without lots of ups and downs. Leopard’s Rage is no exception. Not only are storylines begun in previous books continued and we are introduced to a new leopard species, we get a possible new storyline to be continued. Characters from previous books make appearances and we have some unexpected revelations. I really hope we get more books so we can experience how things will eventually play out.
I’m going to end with if you have been reading this series, you will most definitely want to add Leopard’s Rage to your collection. Make sure you have a cold drink or two and lots of quiet time as once you start reading you won’t want to stop.
My review of Leopard’s Rage:
Leopard’s Rage is a very sexy read. Sevastyan, and Flambe set the pages on fire as they find their way to each other. But, they both have doubts as they experience their first lifecycle. Is she my mate? Is he my mate? Did I make a mistake in my choice of a mate? We get to experience the misunderstanding between our couple brought about by their mutual childhood abuse, as well as their personal feelings of inadequacy, that have closed them off to each other. Add in the doubts of being mates intensify it. Sevastyan’s determine to have Flambe’s love, while protecting his own vulnerability. Men! Flambe in turn doesn’t trust male shifters, and wants to keep their relationship sexual. Mates! I enjoyed the introduction of Shibari that really helped this couple communicate honestly with each other, and the ropes actually helped Flambe with a severe medical problem that threatens the life of her, and her leopard.
Flambe’s being stalked by another leopard shifter that hunts his own kind for sports. She also has info that her stalker wants, and he won’t let Sevastyan stop him form getting it. Sevatyan’s has to earn Flambe’s trust to help her achieve her goal of rescuing abused shifter mates. But like many men, Sevastyan makes mistakes by his thoughtless actions, but he’s up to the challenge to win his mate’s trust, and love.
We get to see many old friends, and meet many new ones as they come together to aide Sevastyan, and Mitya Amurov. Rolan Amurov has arrived and wants them all dead.
Christine Feehan, give us a beautiful, romantic read, but also give us car chases, as well as two battles, as Sevastyan protects the ones he loves.
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.
DNF 40%
This book was not working for me so I am just going to stop. The characters were just ok. I never felt the connection between them. Lust, yes but not much love. The overall story wasn’t very interesting for me either, it was mostly just a lot of sex with somewhat repetative conversations in-between/during the sex.
*ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.*