Chicago’s Ferraro crime family will do anything to protect one of their own in this thrilling entry in the Shadow Riders series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.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 … 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.
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Three years ago, Taviano Ferraro helped rescue 18-year-old Nicoletta Gomez from her three horribly abusive uncles and the leader of the Demons, a gang that traffics young girls. From the time he met her, he has known about her past and the abuse she suffered because of living with her three uncles from the ages of 15 to 18. Because she feels shamed by what happened to her, Nicoletta has acted out and behaved poorly at times. Nevertheless, Taviano knows that Nicoletta belongs to him. Their shadows are intertwined and he is perfectly content with that. He has been impatiently waiting for her to get old enough for him to claim her as his own. She and her friends are attending a concert in LA. During the concert, one of the Demon gang members recognizes Nicoletta and makes a grab for her and her friends. In the ensuing chaos, one of them gets caught. Since Nicoletta knows firsthand how horrible they are to females, she doesn’t want to leave her with them for any longer than needed. She persuades Taviano to let her help with rescuing her friend. This means that Taviano has to fill her in on ‘secrets’ about his life that only spouses should know. Since Nicoletta isn’t yet a spouse, Taviano expects repercussions. Nevertheless, she adapts to shadow riding eventually, and helps to get her friend back.
This book moves at a breakneck pace. Be prepared to put everything else aside and focus on this story until the end. The tension is high and the action is relentless. In case you were wondering, ‘justice is definitely served!’ This book gives a bit more backstory about the Ferraro family, and it helps the reader understand just a little bit more about why Eloise behaves the way she does toward her adult children and their significant others. This doesn’t excuse it, but it does give it some deeper perspective. Ms. Feehan does an excellent job of presenting the motivations of each character and laying them out for examination by the reader. It all fits together beautifully! This is an excellent addition to the Shadow Rider series, and is one of her most heartfelt entries in this series. She makes the reader truly care about the fate of these protagonists.
I’ve done my usual jumping into a series instead of starting with book one. I have done no research on this series because I do like to have honest reactions as uncover the details. I gotta say this is one storyline I don’t think I have read before. It was different and unique in a way that made me really enjoy finding new discoveries. After finishing this book, I am pretty eager to go back to book one and see what unveiling I have missed in those books.
This unique storyline is enough to peak my interest in the series, but what really pushed me to loving Shadow Flight was Taviano Ferraro. In the beginning he had this intense focus on Nicoletta Gomez that I love to see in a hero. I know there is more of a back story with these two after reading this and I’m excited to be able to go back and see their beginning even if they were only side characters in previous books.
Taviano’s devotion to Nicoletta is an addictive thing to read. I’m such a softy when it comes to heroes who clearly know who they want and will treat that woman like a treasure. Nicoletta has had a very horrible thing done to her in her past and the way he loves her, and focuses on her healing above his own desires was incredible.
Nicoletta is also a character easy to really like. I don’t know if I will feel the same with the version of her before her change, which is mentioned in this book. This is one thing I am glad is spoiled for me because I can tolerate bad behavior if I know it is also the catalyst to their change…well, most of the time. It really does depend on the bad behavior. In Nicoletta’s case, I know enough that she didn’t do anything unforgivable. Her devotion to Taviano was just as intense, and good, and positive. She was a heroine worth this hero.
The hardest part about this book is the constant mention of the violence done to woman. That is something that is heavily mentioned and could be hard for some readers, myself included. What I do like is seeing these woman get their justice, to see these women heal at the hands of a loving male to show that there is good in the world. For me there has to be a balance like that and I do think the author accomplished this.
Overall, I just really like many things about the main characters, side characters and the uniqueness of the story line that I will be pursing the rest of this series.
Shadow Flight is a stunningly breathtaking masterpiece that is sure to leave you with happy tears and a full heart. This story tackles a brutal topic with such gentle hands and endless hope. I couldn’t get over just how tender this wonderful story handles every facet of Nicoletta. It more then proved just how precious and powerful love and hope can be on a destroyed life. We can easily the beauty and potential in others but we can never see it in our self which is why we need each other in this life to lift up and encourage each other. This journey was a very hard one to endure, but it was so worth the pain and emotion that ripped right through me. It is worth everything!
Nicoletta was raised a happy, content little girl who watched her world fall apart one day. She was thrown to the lions, and they devoured her bit by bit until there was almost nothing left of the girl she once knew. Her demons were content to watch her suffer as they took everything from her and then left her in the shadows to lick her wounds. Taviano has been restless for as long as he can remember, but once he sets eyes on Nicoletta his mind settles and his heart locks on her. Only with her is his patience and love endless. No matter what she does to push him away, he continues to hold on and hold her even closer as she wrestles with her demons in order to exorcise them little by little. He will have to decide if he will rick it all for her, or walk away let another claim her for their own. When her past dares to come calling for her, he finds his decision has already been made. Will Nicoletta accept Taviano and all he wants to lavish on her, or will she turn and run not wanting to disappoint a good man with a broken woman?
I couldn’t help but fall in love this with marvelous family that took in this scared and battered girl who wanted nothing more than to live in peace. They helped to build her back up into the fearless fighter that she was born to be. Being surrounded by their patient love is the only thing that held her together and helped her to fight her way up from the black pit she found herself in. Like a phoenix, she rose from her ashes and began to unfolder her delicate wings to show the world just how strong and resilient she truly is. What a fantastic family of incredible people! This is one magnificent couple that I will not be forgetting for a very long time.
Christine Feehan is a phenomenal author who shattered and rebuilt my world so meticulously and methodically that I was left in awe of what the end result was. I never saw this coming, and while I had a hard time with it, my emotional distress was countered by the wonderful family she surrounded Nicoletta with. They didn’t leave her alone to suffer. They built her up and gave the means to find her strength and courage and hope once again. That is true beauty! This is a story that will etch itself on your heart for all eternity!
Awesome read and I love the series.
I’ve been waiting for this match since we first met Nico. So much unexpected happened in this novel. I really liked the exposing of secrets and the deep connection between Nico and Tavi. I wait with bated breath for the conclusion to this series. This is a steamy romance.
A great paranormal romance series
I wish this series could go one forever
I thought this was a great addition to the Shadow Rider series. There was lots of action and some new possible revelations on the effects of being a Shadow Rider to their bodies. I really thought there was going to be a lot more angst and tempers flaring between the hero and heroine. However they both showed a lot of respect, patience, and love for one another which was truly sweet and awesome. I was truly surprised by the circumstances of what happened to Taviano during his childhood and it nearly broke my heart when Stefano found out what had happened. Such a great story of two people being able to overcome such horrendous things that happened to them and yet still be able to give so much love and accept love and trust in theirs lives and hearts. I can’t wait for the next book (Emme’s story). BTW Ms Feehan is most surely keeping Emme’s story under wraps …no hints or teasers on how that is going to play out…lol.
We first meet Nicoletta in Book 1 of the series. The Ferraro family rescue her from a horrible situation and find her adoptive parents in their neighborhood. That way they can watch over her. Now we’re in Book 5 and she’s all grown up, but still struggles daily with the horrors of her past.
Taviano, the youngest Ferraro has had a soft spot for Nicoletta ever since her rescue. When evil comes for Nicoletta again, Taviano and the rest of the Ferraros circle the wagons.
I love reading about the Ferraros and I always enjoy revisiting the series. Taviano is so protective and patient with Nicoletta. I thought they paired well together. Nicoletta has suffered so much but she refuses to give up. Her quiet strength and core of steal help her fight her demons and hold her own against Taviano’s fierce stubbornness.
I’m hoping against hope that Emmanuelle’s book is next! She’s the only sister and last of the Ferraros to pair up and her book should be a doozy! She’s in love with the nephew of an enemy family. Will she follow her heart or her duty to the family? We need to know!
I enjoyed the book and I’m looking forward to the next one.
***I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects or influences my thoughts and feelings about the story***
Love the Shadow Rider Series, with its romance, action, suspense, family bonds and life codes. All centered around the unique paranormal twist of riding the shadows to deliver justice. Shadow Flight does not only uphold this expectation, but I do believe it amps it up another notch. Truly a heart touching romance that brings a lump to your throat several times for Taviano and Nicoletta. One of the most powerful romances I’ve read this year.
Nicoletta Gomez, Survivor of severe abuse, has had quite the journey through this series. Beautifully written we experience her struggle to overcome the life she’d been forced into as a teen. Rescued, by the Ferraros, meant she now depended on those who knew her horror and all she’d gone through. Which added to her struggle to accept that she deserved the life and family that met her on the other side. To realize that she was worthy of love and could be important to anyone. This was no quick fix trauma, there will always be times it will haunt her. But she came to realize that the love of her foster family, Lucia and Amo, was not going away. That the support and direction from the Ferraro Family could not be shaken. Through counseling she learned her choices on how to react to everything were hers and hers alone, to recognize her triggers, to make her life mean something to her. She focused on that and decided to work to become the woman she knew she could be, the woman she remembered her mother to be, the woman she strived for by the examples of Lucia and the Ferraro women. The women good men, like the Ferraros, respected and loved.
Her story with Taviano although threaded through the other books, takes off just shy of her 21st birthday when her past comes back bringing danger to her and those she cares about. She needs Taviano to protect them, she needs to help. He would do anything for her even go against family code, sacrifice his calling to ride the shadows. Nicoletta would do anything for him, anything to spare him giving up the shadows, including marry him…
Taviano Ferraro, known for his quick temper, had secrets he kept from even the family he loved, including the reasons behind that temper. Issues dealt on him through his dysfunctional parents that will break your heart. Trauma he suffered, passions he enjoyed, anything he couldn’t do perfectly or would have them look at or treat him differently. Then he found Nicoletta. He could be for her what he needed for himself. And he was her guardian angel all through the night. From the moment he first saw her to the moment they almost lost control are revisited and shared as Taviano finally opens up to Nicoletta about who they are to each other.
Christine revealed all the behind the scenes goings on during the three years Nicoletta had been in his life, beautifully, in heart felt emotions and revelations you have to read to experience. Nicoletta becomes to him not only someone he protects but someone he can finally share his demons with, share his passions and his imperfections. She brings him love, acceptance, and sees him as he is, not the face he wears. His patience, learning all he needs to help her, and ability to reel in his Alpha personality for the woman he loves, builds her confidence and opens her to believe his love is for her. He was her guardian and she became his. They were a team once they figured it all out, with Nicoletta’s quick mind and hunger to give love and be loved it would be easy for them to fall into place if the danger that was coming after her could be stopped.
Through the story, it’s revealed how special Nicoletta’s bloodline is and her capabilities and intelligence reveal she is truly one of them. She shows over and over what a strong woman and warrior she is. Eloisa reveals issues that makes them aware there might be more of a cost to excessive shadow riding. The fight brought to them by the Demons and Benito Valdez’ obsession with Nicoletta, call the Ferraros to arms, Danger coming from all directions, toward those who are family, has all the Ferraro family riders called to action. As they move to stop Benito we are introduced all the cousins, their riding skills and justice delivered, hints and possibilities through out making me excited and hopeful that this series will continue on to all the families in the Ferraro and Shadow Rider universe!
Another great book by Christine Feehan. I especially like this series of books, but I like all of her books. When I’m finished reading (for the second time, of course), I can’t wait for the next book in the series to continue the story.
Good read
I enjoyed this book because finally we get Taviano and Nicolletta’s story but I just felt like this was so drawn out. There was so much in this book that seemed unnecessary and I didn’t really care to read. I found myself skimming and skipping certain sections. But it was still the same overthetop controlling alphas that one would expect and love from a Ferraro.
Love this series!
Absolutely amazing to love a series even more with every book. Shadow Flight had me hooked from page one. We met both of the main characters in previous books, Nicoletta as a younger girl with so much bad history, not knowing if she’d ever get over it. And the man that has loved her since the moment he met her, Taviano Ferraro. Not only is this book exciting and dangerous, it is also about family, and knowing there’s someone so special for you, accepting everything about you including your past. And willing to help you heal. This series is probably the most original series I have read in a while, and I am a big reader. It is an amazing series, but I suggest starting with book one, and keep on reading. I cannot wait for the next book, now that Nicoletta and Taviano have their happily ever after, who is going to be next with another exciting story?
I love this book. The series is a very good read.
Strong female lead in this book ..
Taviano is a playboy, a racing car driver, and racing engine designer. He lives life to the fullest, a beautiful woman on his arm to all the best restaurants and
Nicoletta’s a broken doll. The obsession of a mad man, a vicious killer and leader of a huge gang. He’s had a taste, but wants more, and he won’t stop until he gets her back!!
She’s trying to get her life back together, the Ferraro family have been so patient with her. Teaching her self-defence, sending her to school to finish her education, finding her a family to love and cherish her.
At first she rebelled, she didn’t know what to do with all these people wanting to help her. Her family were ripped away from her, the uncles she was placed with were suppose to love and protect her, not abuse and beat her, they weren’t suppose to hand her over to a violent man to abuse.
The Ferraro family rescued her from that hell, saw her beaten and abused body, but never blamed her.
So she acted out, tried to run away, drank too much, and made her adopted family’s life a misery. But they still loved her, and slowly Nicoletta began to believe in herself……
Taviano has always known Nicoletta would be his, the night he rescued her changed him forever. To see his shadow mix with hers was a shock, but he promised the family and to himself he would be patient, he would wait until she was ready.
*when shadows move towards each other and mingle, it means they’ve found the woman meant to be theirs, it means she can bear children to become riders. Riders of shadows, dispensers of justice.* Their story has been a slow build up from book one, we’ve seen snippets of them interacting with one another, and Taviano telling his brothers about his feelings towards Nicoletta. This is the fifth book in the series. And my favourite so far. The patience our hero had with her. The romance (where most of the books in this series go straight to the sex) in this book was lovely to read, he knew she’d need care and to be treated as a partner and not just a wife. I do have to admit the ending was a little quick, I would have preferred a confrontation between Nicoletta and her tormentor. Maybe she could have served justice herself. We also get lots of new names for potential books (cousins coming in from all over America) so let’s hope this series goes on for a while.
Love all of Feehan’s books.
Shadow Flight by Christine Feehan is book # 5 of the Shadow Riders series, and it is about explosive chemistry between Taviano Ferraro and Nicoletta Gomez and the danger from her past threatening them both. Although I have enjoyed the book, I am disappointed at the outcome. Throughout the story, there has been so much buildup with Benito character, the leader of the Demon gang and his obsession with Nicoletta that I was expecting to see him confront Taviano or at least see Nicoletta face-to-face but poof! He is dead. Do not get me wrong, Christine Feehan excels in building up the suspense around the sweet romance between Taviano and Nicoletta and bringing the family and cousins to rally around them. Shadow Flight has the potentials of being a dark, romantic suspense thriller of the Ferraro clan, shady characters, and the need for justice, but somewhere along the way, it falls short without the usual tension and mayhem found in previous books. I congratulate Christine Feehan for creating situations to bring attention to human trafficking and mistreatment of women.