The #1 New York Times bestselling “queen of paranormal romance” (USA Today) is back with a sexy 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 … 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…
more
Another great book by Christine Feehan. I cant wait to read the others. I couldnt put it down. Loved it.
Original new series. Loved it.
Out of the shadows there rose a man
I truly enjoyed this book. The concept of a Shadow Rider is new and the details are amazing, showcasing the authors imagination. Like all of her books, this series has a specific couple and plot for this book, but an underlying thread with a lot of detailed characters that mean a long running series. The love between this ultimate alpha male and his woman rises steam from the pages, and yet is so sweet that you envy the lucky lady. If you are looking for a new series with the ultimate alpha males, this is the perfect book for you. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I loved, loved, loved this book and I am going to read everything she wrote! This is a paranormal romance at its best and the start of a new trilogy. Stefano is wealthy and get whatever he wants. He meets his match in Francesca, who is not wealthy but a vey strong personality. The sex scenes are sizzling but not uncomfortable as they are essential to the characters and the story. A beautiful love story, about family love and friendship too. Highly recommended, I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
The fifth book in this series caught my eye on the library shelf and after I grabbed it I saw that it was part of the series so I figured I would start at the beginning. I subsequently found out that it is a paranormal romance. Now, it’s not the thing I normally grab, but I have read a few I enjoyed. This is my first from this author. I also don’t normally read from the crime family type of books. This book drew me in from the beginning. Deliberate and delicious and sweetness through the danger. The word stalking and predator come to mind. Like a lion – fiercely protective of his own, his family, his pride. And, that’s probably the most admirable part about mafia and any other organized crime – even drug running south of the border – the heavy and absolute emphasis and dedication to family. And, this is a highly steamy novel. It’s a bit of a slow burn at first but then there are pages of the stuff. Now, I highly prefer to read sweet and clean romances. However, the steam aside, I really did enjoy this book and it’s characters. The unusual paranormal abilities and how things are tied together. Honestly, if it was any other series, I would stop at this book because I don’t care to flip through all of the steam to get to the story. However, this family and these brothers really got to me and I really enjoy the suspense and danger aspect. So, I am planning to continue reading the series.
An interesting and intense beginning to a paranormal series. I enjoyed the listen and the characters. Though the main heroine was TOO stubborn and prideful, I think. But I still enjoy it.
I’m not one to like every book in a series. But Shadow Rider series did it and worth the time. This in one of my favorite series from Christine Feehan Action packed and full of suspense!
A great paranormal romance series
As all the shadow rider books, a great read. I have read the whole series so far, and loved them all. This can stand alone but also carries on the story of the family, how each finds that one. Loved it.
Love the Ferraro series!!!
Really enjoyed this book definitely a page turner
It’s Christine; what’s not to like/LOVE!
SHADOW RIDER is an awesome start to what’s to be an extraordinary series!
Christine Feehan blew my mind with this exciting and engaging read! I loved every word of it! You can’t go wrong with unapologetically stubborn alpha males with unwavering loyalty, unfailing protectiveness and a family legacy vital to each and every family member.
Stefano and the rest of the Ferraro family are protectors of their community and deliverers of justice for those who desperately need it. I LOVED this close knit family.
Stefano is almost too intense/overprotective/dominant/pushy. When he found Francesca, he went WAY overboard in his pursuit of her. It was romantic and yet intense. Thankfully Francesca is a strong female but even she could get railroaded by Stefano and his desperate need for her and for her safety. That being said, I thought they both fit each other well and their relationship worked with the storyline. I couldn’t put the book down!
There is a lot of violence and tough abuse themes in the book that may make some readers uncomfortable. I didn’t have too much trouble with it because I knew the shadow riders would get justice, but the graphic scenes are still in there, in case readers need the warning.
Ms. Feehan is an extremely gifted author. I loved the story and can’t wait for the next one!
***I was gifted an early copy from the publisher in August 2016 in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
I’ve had Shadow Rider on my Goodreads TBR list for a while now and finally gave it go due to the fourth book that came out earlier this month (June 2019). I’ve had a hit or miss with Christine’s books I’ve noticed. I enjoy her writing style though but sometimes can’t connect with the characters. This book, in particular, I didn’t connect well with either character (hero or heroine). Although, I enjoyed the storyline of this book and where Christine is taking it.
The story follows Stefano Ferraro and Francesca Capello. (I love the heroine’s name since it’s close to my first name, but I have a ‘J’ instead of a ‘C.’) Francesca’s best friend Joanna helped her get from California to Chicago to get away from a bad guy who has it out for her. Joanna and Francesa met in college, so they are close to each other. Francesca gains the attention of one of the Ferraro family members, and she’s very suspicious of him at first. He comes off as being part of the mafia and being into illegal things. Everyone is scared of the Ferrao family or respect them. Once she gains the attention of one of the family members, Stefano Ferraro then he won’t leave her alone. He’s always getting on her for things she has no control over at first, or she is no clue of, especially in being in parts of a city that are protected by the Ferraro family. Here’s when the characters drive me crazy. Stefano is very bossy and controlling. He’s used to getting his way, and Francesca is not used to his personality. She comes off of being scared and naive at times. She has really low self-esteem of herself and she shouldn’t. She’s a fascinating character on how Christine describes her, but she’s been put through a lot. She doesn’t have family, but then she has the Ferraro family stepping up to help her.
Stefano can’t believe she’s one of him since she’s a female. Stefano is considered a Shadow Rider. He can manipulate light and dark. I found this part of the book fascinating and loved how Christine wrote and went into detail of Shadow Riding. This is not something I read before, and I was intrigued by it.
Now there is a lot of characters introduced in Shadow Rider that I wrote down everyone’s name in a book so that I can remember them all. Christine has a way of adding quite a bit of characters, which I don’t mind at all because that tells me lots more books to be written. I was interested in learning more about the other Ferraro family members. The mother drove me crazy though in the story. You find out a lot about how the brothers and sister of the Ferraro family were treated in this book. Stefano has some family drama that he is dealing with on top of keeping Francesca protected by the bad guy that has it out for her.
Overall, I enjoyed the first book. It didn’t get a higher rating from me, but I will be checking out the rest of the series. Oh…and if you are audiobook listener then you will find out the narrator is Jim Frangione who also narrates the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. He’s one of my favorite narrators, so I devoured the audiobook in no time when listening to it. He always manages to bring characters to life for me.
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of series, but a different couple for each book.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Fated Mates; Suspense
Hero: Shadow Rider; Sexy; Rich; Bossy; Controlling; Jealous
Heroine: Orphaned and sister was murdered; Very low self-esteem; Scared
Why haven’t I known about Christine Feehan until just now?
I’m so excited to find a new-to-me author who has such an extensive catalog of books. Can’t wait to go back and read more.
But now for Shadow Rider. Stefano Ferraro is the ultimate in bossy and dominate. He is the glue holding his family together. He wants to find a woman who can share his life, but he is a shadow rider, and he can’t have just any woman. He needs the perfect one.
Franchesca doesn’t know she was born for Stefano. She has had a hard life, and everyone she has ever loved has been taken away. She has a target on her back, and Stefano is the only man who can save her. If she lets him…
This book has lots of sex! If you don’t like reading about dominate men who are bossy- you’ll probably want to skip this one.
The basis for this story, SHADOW WALKING, I felt was underutilised and under-explained.
I had stopped reading MS Feehans books when the stories were not worth the asking prices.
I saw this new series in my library and thought why not.
It was a great idea with a different and enjoyable plot with the families abilities to shadow walk, tell truths, etc, all of which I felt was underutilised and under-explained.
This started well with a strong alpha hero Stefano and a heroine Francesca, with a troubled past she was hiding from.
I was quite happily reading when we then get an apparent dominating manwhore with ex’s coming out of the woodwork.
The heroine never grows much as a character, she dithers, keeps relevant information from Stefano and his family, even though she knows her past will be coming after her. (She doesn’t tell them on two occasions about seeing the man making threats to her.)
Though she sort off stood up to Stefano’s domineering ways, she caved every time she looked into his eyes.
Lots and lots and lots of pages of them having rough sex. Stefano obviously has no other speed or routine even with a practically virginal woman. But what I found funny, was this destitute woman, who was on the run, starving and had been living on the streets, was able to afford to keep taking the pill. Not a reality for me, sorry. Unless they are given free in the U.S. which I doubt.
At 70% into this story the shadow walking had still not been explained to her, nor had Francesca been told about her own abilities.
Reading this I gather most off the other brothers are manwhores too but I suspect they will just be as bad.
The best friend Joanna seemed immature in her hero worship of the Ferraro’s. So many WOWs came out of her mouth.
I will probably get the next book from the library.
Shadow Riders are people who can literally ride a shadow. They are born that way, and are rare, so riders HAVE to marry other riders (or the gift dies out) if not, then they may have other gifted children, but highly unlikely.
Stefano Ferraro is the eldest child and the head of the family. His brothers and sister love him dearly, and would follow him Into hell. But Stefano is missing something, he’s being pressured into marrying another rider (but he will marry when he’s ready) he heads up his family and to outsiders it’s looks like they are a mob family, but Stefano has rules, and the family follow it rigidly, no drugs, no guns, no human trafficking, they are dispensers of justice, if the law can’t punish you, then you get in touch with the Ferraro’s and they may help.
They look after the community that they live in, everyone feels safe, and if you have an issue, they know who to go to.
Francesca is down on her luck, her one chance is to move to Chicago where her best friend lives. Fortune has not been kind, living on the streets Francesca has to survive on her wits. All she wants is a break, and maybe this town will provide that for her.
Stefano is walking through the streets of his town, when he hears a voice? His shadow seems to attach and entwine with a young woman’s shadow….. it’s a shock, but Stefano is certain she’s going to play a major part in his life.
Francesca is fascinated and frightened by the attention of Stefano Ferraro, he is the head of a family that has dubious connections, but when Francesca is with Stefano, all she sees is a man who cares deeply about his family, she wants that attention for herself, being alone for so long is a tempting offer, but Stefano is so dominant, she’s worried he will just railroad over her feelings.
And the reason why Francesca had to leave her old life comes barging back into her life, fearing for her life, she turns to Stefano, will he help? And if so, what’s the price?
A great start to a new series.
These are people born to travel through shadows (like a tunnel) but they need to meet and marry other “riders” to have children, all the Ferraro siblings have been trained from the age of two to be Assassins. Stefano is the head of the family (they don’t get on with their parents)
It’s interesting to read that if they divorce, then the “rider” loses that ability, and the spouse will lose their memory of the family.
We have a large family to meet (and possibly cousins that feature in the book)
I have loved all of her books that I have read. She catches you attention and keeps it until you have finished. I have most of her books.
Great series. Loved it.
me encanto este libro es una delas mejores compras que he hecho en mi vida, desde el inicio de la historia quedas atrapado y no puedes parar de leer ademas los personajes son misteriosos y te envuelven en su mundo de sombras