Shadow riding family Ferraro are under attack. They don’t know why or who is after them. It may be from past history in Japan. ARC.

Christine Fernando is the queen of paranormal romance and this series proves why! I would love to know how she thinks of these things! Following this family and their unique abilities as they find their life mates is a journey you don't want to miss.

Shadow Reaper is the second book in Feehan’s Shadow series, featuring the Ferraros, a Chicago family who are Shadow Riders – they’re able to slide and travel via shadows. They’re thought to be a crime/mafia family, but in truth they’re vigilantes. As Shadow Riders, the Ferraro brothers and sister can only mate/marry someone who can also ride the shadows, otherwise they won’t be able to produce shadow-riding children.

Ricco is one of the wilder brothers. He’s known as a playboy who races cars and often goes crazy partying. He’s into the art of Shibari – Japanese erotic bondage. After a terrible crash takes him out of commission for awhile, he reevaluates his life and decides to focus more on Shibari and finding a mate, and less on acting the playboy. When the perfect woman answers his ad for a rope model, Ricco figures it’s too good to be true, but he can’t stop himself from falling for her.

I enjoyed the first book more. This one was slower paced and didn’t hold my attention as much. I really like the Ferraro family, along with their neighborhood. I liked the heroine and her backstory, but the romance wasn’t as exciting. Nor was the overall story. I wanted to like it, but I was mostly just bored.

Although this one didn’t work as well as the first, I’m hopeful the next book will pick up.

3 out of 5

Christine Feehan has done it once again! She has given this reader another favorite book! Her talents are wonderful! I can’t wait to read more from her! She brings the reader into her books at the first page and transplants the reader into the book as if the reader is a character in the book.

Ricco has been in the hospital for two weeks after an epic car accident after crashing his car into a wall at two hundred plus miles an hour. Ricco and his family all can not only shadow ride, meaning they can use shadows to get from one place to another, but the family can also tell when someone is lying to them. It is a handy ability one which this reader would LOVE to have! Ricco is a ropes master, it is an art one that Ricco has perfected over his life time. After rounds of Rope model’s being seen over the course of three sessions, Ricco is ready to admit defeat when Mariko timidly comes into the room believing that she was too late. Something about the musical notes in Mariko’s voice shot through Ricco so hard that he was unable to breathe, but he suspects that she is there to kill him. Can he convince her to not kill him all the while trying to woo her so that she doesn’t leave him?

Mariko Majo, she was trained from birth to be a shadow rider, and she became very good at it. When she gets a message saying “Kill Ricco Ferraro, a rider in the States, or your brother Ryuu dies. You have three weeks to complete this task.”, she takes a position as a Rope model for Ricco to get close to him to decide if she really must kill him or if there is something else going on where someone has Ricco on a “hit list” and they don’t want to be the ones to take him out on their own. There are things that will amuse and will discourage her from completing her task but can she keep emotions out of the equation where her heart is concerned?

Over the course of many adventures and some misadventures Ricco and Mariko find themselves asking each other what they want and what they don’t want? Can you be truthfully when everything you have read points to misleading truths? What will happen in the end if one side can’t deal with the other’s past? Could true love really be out there for everyone?

I give this book a 5-star rating and can’t wait to continue reading the series!!!!!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers’ copy of this book.
Reviewed by Danae

Finally the second book is out! I have been thinking of this series for a while after the first book caught my interest and hooked me in. The second book does not disappoint. Whilst it could be read as a standalone, my preference is to read this series in order.

This book features the brother, Ricco. He has a limited time before he needs to find his mate. Ricco suffered during his time training in Japan. It is horrific what happened to him and I'm stunned. What he did to survive and become the kind of guy he is now is pretty amazing. The fear he still lives with is a bit breath taking. So when a girl comes into his life, Mariko, he is obviously suspicious. Especially as he knows she is the girl he saved when he trained in Japan.

Mariko is my kind of girl. She is a lethal assassin with hair sticks. What more do we need? She does meet the stereotypical Asian dragon lady American males seem to fantasy about. I can not lie, her exotic name and physical description is part of her allure and attraction. Is she very Asian or Japanese? Not really. She's kind of white washed to me. Essentially a white girl with a Japanese name and "background". Still, I'm okay with it because she is an interesting character and one I admire. And I'm okay with faux Asian characters. It isn't meant with disrespect but with admiration.

What really sold this story to me are the characters. The pain and suffering Mariko and Ricco have gone through yet they are still honourable. They still are loyal. My heart does go out to Mariko though. What happened to her and her brother was a travesty and the set up for this book. It's interesting how two people can take an event and go in different directions. About half way through the book, I started to figure out the end game and it did not sit well with me. It was a train wreck I could see miles away and I couldn't stop it. With much trepidation, the climax blew up as I expected and it broke my heart. This ending and what happens to Mariko brought the story down a bit for me. It made me mad as the punches just kept coming for Ricco's family and the final hammer down upon Mariko is just soul crushing. I'm a sucker for bittersweet endings. And true to my Asian heritage, it is not a good story unless people die and ones that are least expected. This book sets the stage for the next one and I can't wait to see what Ms. Feehan does with the next brother to be hit by cupid's cruel arrow. This paranormal romance is recommended to readers who enjoy killer females with a painful past.

With SHADOW REAPER, Feehan has managed to improve a series I already enjoyed. The part I liked, the sexy and dark vibe, was maintained, but the main characters felt more realistic and not so over-the-top. Also, the very original world continues to grow, and I find myself looking forward to all of the Ferraro siblings' stories!

Ricco was sweet and definitely a dominant character, but without the ridiculous levels of stubborn and bossy that characterized Stefano in the previous book. Mariko is completely different from Francesca's more submissive personality and she is a handful. She's got the shadow rider skills to match Ricco, but she lets herself be tied up by him. She's an enigma and a very interesting character. While Ricco's transition from playboy to crazy-in-love doting boyfriend was a little bit of a stretch, and the instalove he feels for Marik0 is mildly annoying, the development of their relationship outside of that is lovely to watch, as they get more comfortable with each other and learn more about each other.

While the storyline was a bit crazy, it kept me on the edge of my seat, with a twist I didn't see coming until the end! We learn more about the shadow rider world, and a little bit more about the various families, which is interesting. Plus, we learn what happened to Ricco in Japan, which was only hinted at in SHADOW RIDER. One aspect of the plot line, Ricco's interest in shibari and Marik0's desire to be a model for him, was really cool, as that is not something we frequently see in paranormal romance novels and it added a very sexy edge to the relationship.

All in all, SHADOW REAPER is a great second installment in the Shadow series. I devoured this dark, suspenseful novel, and I can't wait to read more about the Ferraro family.

Oh my do I love the way Christine Feehan writes. She is simply a master of words and world building. This is the second in the Shadow series. The premise is simply creative: the Ferraro family can ride shadows to dispense justice.

This is the story of Ricco who was sent away to be trained with other riders, but something happened to him while he was away. That’s something we have to find out and, of course it’s not good. And, we also meet our heroine, Mariko who was a part of that past. Mariko is also a shadow rider, with a tragic childhood and of course this makes these two perfect for each other.

I had some trouble keeping interest in some parts of the book, particularly the Shibari aspect of the story. The story wasn’t as knock-your-socks off as some Feehan stories, but it’s still beautifully written, fast paced and just in general a good read. Looking forward to the next in the series.

I definitely enjoyed this installment in the series more than the first one. At least our leading lady is strong and isn't stuck with a domineering prick like in the last one. But was it necessary to tell the story of the Tanaka Family's demise twice? What a total waste of pages. We were already told the story once in it's entirety, then we have to read it AGAIN, in it's entirety. Please don't assume your reader is stupid and can't remember what happened less than 100 pages before, it's insulting and slows the story down.

I absolutely loved the first book in the series so I was very excited to read SHADOW REAPER. While I liked the story, I didn't really like Ricco and Mariko. I felt that their relationship developed too fast and was missing something. I had a difficult time liking them. They weren't written badly, I think it boils down to the phrase: "It's not them, it's me."

I did enjoy the storyline very much and I am hoping against hope that Emme's (the only Ferraro sister) book is next! She has a complicated past with one of the characters in this, and the previous book. A sort of Romeo & Juliet/West Side Story kind of vibe that I'm DYING to find out more about!

I definitely think readers will enjoy the book. Please don't let my nit-picky hangups about Ricco and Mariko stop you from taking a chance on this exceptional and exciting book! SHADOW REAPER can be read as a standalone but I'd recommend you check out book 1, SHADOW RIDER, first. Stefano is super dreamy!

***I voluntarily read a Net Galley copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own***

<a href="http://amzn.to/2secQ0e" target="_blank">Shadow Reaper</a> is the second book in The Shadow Riders series. This is Ricco's story. He's been hiding a secret for many years about his time in Japan. Each Rider, at some point during their young life, is sent somewhere to train for a few years while living with a host family. Ricco spent some years from about the age of twelve, training in Japan. The incoming Riders and female Riders were not treated well by the instructors or other children. Then there comes a night where Ricco's life comes crashing down around him. The incident caused the instructors and their families to threaten Ricco with the death of his family if he ever reveals the truth of what happened that night. So Ricco went home after his time was up, and did everything he could to not only keep the secret, but to keep his family members from being attacked. During his time in Japan, he was taught the skill of Shibari, or rope tying. He finds it helps relax him. After a crazy accident with his car, Ricco decides he is going to hire a rope model and really get into his hobby. Maybe even produce a book of his art. What he really wants is to meet someone he can be with. He wants what Stefano and Francesca have.

Mariko needs this job as a rope model. She has arrived in Chicago with a mission and this job will give her the access she needs. Mariko is honorable and will do her own investigation before actually performing the task given her. It leaves her with a very hard choice between her morals and her family. Her choice gets made pretty early on and her true reason for applying for the job of rope model gets revealed to Ricco and the family.

However, Mariko is not the only person that has been sent to destroy the Ferraro family. They are attacked, each family member at the same time. The main members of the Chicago Ferraro family are descended upon and not all survive.

I fell in love with Ricco. He is so patient and protective. He carried around so much guilt for something he just couldn't have prevented. It maddened me that it took awhile for it to sink into him that although he didn't do things that night in the past, he was still a hero for what he accomplished. I love that even though Ricco and Mariko feel a strong connection when their shadows meet, they didn't just fall into bed. Ricco was so aware of what Mariko was thinking and feeling that he didn't push. He took things slow, trying out the Shibari slowly with her.

Mariko had such a low self-esteem and Ricco had to really work on that. It drove him crazy. But Mariko, being the strong, determined Rider she is, really stepped up and put a boatload of trust into Ricco. Being a rope model puts her in a pretty vulnerable position, but Mariko really starts to flourish.

Sometimes I felt like the Shibari scenes were kind of slow reading for me. They almost felt like too much information, but I think that was meant so we could understand the art. The action scenes were fast paced as the family gets attacked and I sped through trying to make sure everyone was alright. That trailer showing a Ferraro tombstone had me scared to death so I was just waiting for the awful deed to find out who it was. I love how kick-ass Mariko is and how she helps out Ricco during the attack on him.

I'm still curious about Nicola and how they are going to train her. I hope we get to see her heal more and become more trusting of the Ferraros. She is still being hunted, so I'm hoping the family gets her into some kind of training, even if she can't use the shadows she should have been trained to use since she was a toddler.

I really enjoyed <a href="http://amzn.to/2secQ0e" target="_blank">Shadow Reaper</a> and can't wait for more. The build up of the romance, despite how frustrating Mariko was about it sometimes, was nice and the action was fast paced and breath stealing. Shadow Riders are a different kind of supernatural and the skills they have are truly unique. Shadow Reaper is a great read and if you haven't given this series a try yet, I strongly urge you to.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro

The Shadow books is one of Christine Feehan’s new series where fans are just starting to meet the Ferraro family and all of their cousins (believe, me they have A LOT). The first book centered on Stefano Ferraro’s story, how he is the head of the Ferraro family, takes care of his own, and finds his love interest.

In book two, fans find themselves knowing more about another sibling within the Ferraro family, Ricco, the playboy and car racer. Ricco has a dark past and secret he keeps hidden from his siblings in order to protect them. Then along comes Mariko, a shadow rider from Japan who has an agenda of her own to follow.

There are a couple of aspects that I liked that the book focused on: 1) Mariko’s story, particularly how she was physically, mentally, and emotionally abused by her adopted family, making her think that she wasn’t good enough as a person and female, worth anything, or beautiful. Throughout the book she goes through the process of finding and learning to love and accept herself, just like accepting Ricco’s love for her and in any case another person in general caring for her. 2) The strong family bond between the Ferraro’s and everyone around them. There are several scenes where the Ferraro’s are in need of a helping hand and in exchange they receive many helping hands. The bond they share with those they protect and care about is present in who they least expect.

I liked the flashbacks that detailed Ricco’s past just like Mariko’s in order for the reader to understand the events that lead to the Ferraro’s present problems. The main fight/action scene was one of my favorite parts of the book. It’s divided in different POVs of the Ferraro siblings and it is perfectly sequenced, something I have really come to like about Feehan’s fight scenes. One more thing I really enjoy are scenes with several characters interactions, like family dinners, you get a lot of information from those scenes.

As much as I’m trying to predict the next book’s main character, I just can’t guess, but I do have my eye on Giovanni or Emmanuelle. I don’t know if my predictions are right about these characters, but if they are, it would be really interesting to see how their stories develop. But time can only tell.

If you’re new to Christine Feehan I recommend you start the Shadow series from book one, there are several characters to keep track of and even I would get confused at times, but if you’re a fan then you know what you’re getting yourself into: hot guys, romance, and drama, and Shadow Reaper has it all.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Shadow Reaper is book 2 in Christine Feehan’s Shadow Riders series. Ms. Feehan has built an incredible, original, intriguing and sexy world with the Shadow Riders series. I do strongly suggest you read bk 1 to get a better understanding of the Shadow Rider’s world.

Ricco and Mariko are both strong individuals with horrible experiences in their past, I felt they were perfect for each other. Their chemistry was intense and each provided the other with something that they needed to start moving on from their past hurts. There are many twists and turns in Shadow Reaper that kept me on the edge of my seat and some shocking me so much I thought to myself “Did I just read what I thought I did?” I found that this is one of the few times I have actually enjoyed the action and suspense in a book more than the sex scenes. Now this could be because I’m not a huge fan of Shibari and found the scenes to be a tad long, making me skip through them, don’t get me wrong there are part of the scenes that are truly hot and I would say some of the best Shibari scenes I’ve read. The only other issue I had was I thought explaining how the Riders felt each time they entered the shadows got repetitive. I can 100% say that I totally understand what happens when entering the shadows and don’t need to be reminded each time. (Wait was I just repetitive?)

I absolutely fell in love with the Shadow Rider world and the Ferraro siblings and cousins in book 1, my love for both only increased while reading Shadow Reaper.

All in all in I really did enjoy reading Shadow Reaper, just not as much as Shadow Rider. But don’t we all have at least one book in a much loved series that we don’t like as much as the others? I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in this innovative, original series Ms. Feehan has shared with us!

ARC provided for a voluntary and honest review.

Secrets, lies and love…

The Ferraro family are back! Was I stalking the shelves, haunting my kindle? Well, yes, but for very good reason! And Ricco and Mariko’s story is it!

“He wanted Mariko there with them. His woman. He just had to find a way to seduce her without being killed.”

Their stories are complicated. Painful, full of blinding grief and hurt, they both have lived their lives in the shadows of haunting events from years ago. Their coming together is shrouded in sexual tension, secrets, and the comforting feeling their souls were meant for each other…

“He would always be dominant, scary to enemies and yet gentle with those he loved.”

The Ferraro family members are alpha men and women. They are shadow riders, by birth, by blood, by family. There is a price to be paid, however, and Ricco knows that only too well. His story, Mariko’s story, unfolds in one devastating revelation after another. Their hearts are firmly in the right place as their minds try to keep up with each blow that comes their way. Trust and control, compassion and love wind their way through Ricco and Mariko’s relationship, binding them together one thread at a time…

This author knows paranormal. She can write unique stories, entire series that feel fresh and new each time. Family and love are at the center of each, however, and this series proves it in entertaining detail. I am almost giddy knowing there are many more Ferrero stories to come – and they have a heck of a lot of extended family. *insert happy dance right here* -Diane, 4.5 stars

I absolutely loved SHADOW RIDER and couldn't wait to get my hands on SHADOW REAPER. Although book two didn't blow me away, I still enjoyed jumping back into the Shadow world and revisiting some of my favorite characters from book one.

I really liked both Ricco and Mariko as characters and they worked well together as allies and a couple, but their relationship didn't seem to resonate as deeply with me as Stefano and Francesca from book one did. I don't know why, I just felt like their romance was missing that all consuming connection that I was looking for. On top of that, I wasn't really into the Shibari aspect of their relationship so those moments bored me more than pulled me in. Their back stories however pulled me in like their relationship didn't. Both of their stories were very interesting and heartbreaking at times.

The pace in SHADOW REAPER was on the slower side, but I really loved all the action scenes. I really enjoyed the fact that Mariko was bad-ass on her own and was able to completely and fully protect herself and those around her and although Ricco wanted to protect her, he LET her protect herself.

Although SHADOW REAPER wasn't the home run that SHADOW RIDER was for me, it was still a great addition to the shadow world. I learned a lot more about the world and the characters and it made me love all the characters even more than I did before. I will be stalking Goodreads until book three goes up so I can add it to my wishlist.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't a huge fan of the first book in this series but that didn't stop me from wanting to read this book because I was a fan of Ricco's and I wanted to get to know him better. In the first book, Ricco goes through some stuff and you can tell because he keeps getting himself into scrapes that the family has to get him out of and you know that there's a story there so I requested this book to find out that story.

This book starts off with Ricco in the hospital after getting into a car wreck that was damn close to ending his life. His siblings are a) pissed at him for putting himself in danger again and b) worried as hell about him. He's going through some stuff and things are starting to spill over and I could tell that he was close to the brink which made me interested in continuing this series just to read his story.

I wish I could say that the story lived up to what I was hoping it would be but the whole thing was slow going for me and I ended up putting this book down for good after about a week and a half of trying to get interested in what was going on. Between the slow story telling and not being able to connect to either Ricco (that was a bummer, too) or Mariko, I gave up and don't know if I'll give it a try later on. I doubt it.

<strong>Grade: DNF</strong>

Although Christine Feehan has been around in the romance world for years, I had not had the pleasure of reading one of her novels until I read Shadow Rider last year. I was absolutely enthralled with the Ferraro family and this entire world and cast of characters Christine has created! She does a great job of painting the scenes, making you feel like you are right there with the characters.

Shadow Reaper picks up shortly after Shadow Rider ends, but this time, we are following Ricco, one of the other Ferraro brothers. I loved that while a new story, some themes and story arcs carried over from Shadow Rider. Ricco was a bit of a mystery in Rider, but in Shadow Reaper we get to see why he is the way he is. And when you find out why Ricco is the way he is, your heart just may break for him!

Ricco meets Mariko very early on in the book, and you can see the chemistry from the first sight! One thing I loved about the relationship between them is the complexity. Without spoilers, all I will say is that nothing is always what it seems, and people can have conflicting agendas and still make it work.

Ricco spent a long time studying in Japan, and while there, he learned an ancient art form that he practices still. He was looking for a model when he met Mariko, so they are able to share in this love of the art. It added another layer of intimacy and trust between the two.

One of the main reasons I was hooked immediately with Christine rang true for Shadow Reaper as well, and that was her ability to write an extremely intricate and detailed action sequence. I LOVE a good action scene, but so many authors end them earlier than I want them to. Christine nailed it with this book, and I was stuck glued to my Kindle FOREVER (it only felt that way) trying to get to the outcome!

I really loved Shadow Reaper, and I cannot wait for more books from Christine in the future!

4.25 stars--SHADOW REAPER is the second installment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult SHADOW paranormal, romance series focusing on the Ferraro family-a Chicago crime family that uses ‘shadows’ to move about in secret. This is Ricco Ferraro, and Mariko Majo’s story line. SHADOW REAPER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Shadow Reaper contains scenes of graphic violence that may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from several third person perspectives including Ricco and Mariko SHADOW REAPER focuses on betrayal and revenge, as it follows the building relationship between billionaire playboy and shadow rider Ricco Ferraro, and Mariko Majo-a woman whose past is mired in blood and death. The darkness in Ricco is closing in, and our hero is desperate to find the one woman to calm his soul. Ricco is a master in the art of Shibari rope play and hopes to find a ‘rope model’ that is worthy of his ministrations and strengths. Enter Mariko Majo, a shadow rider, but also a woman from a long line of woman who have also modeled for the art of rope. What ensues is the fated romance between Mariko and Ricco, and the search for the people targeting the Ferraro family for sins of the past.

SHADOW REAPER is a story about one woman’s search for the truth, and one family’s battle with ghosts from the past. The Ferraro family is a well-respected Chicago crime family who take care of their own but when the entire family is targeted, not everyone will survive to see retribution and revenge.


Christine Feehan’s SHADOW series is similar in context to her Dark (Carpathian) series in that the male must find his mate-a woman who is capable of riding the shadows-or at the very least with the ability to bear children with the shadow riding gene. SHADOW REAPER contains scenes of graphic violence, blood shed and death; the $ex scenes are limited but long and intense although there are numerous sexual situations including the erotic art of Shibari rope play that is both sensual and seductive.

There are a large number of secondary and supporting characters including all of the Ferraro siblings, their extended family of cousins and relations, as well as an assortment of international shadow riding clans from Europe, Asia and Russia. The requisite evil has many faces and is very familiar to our story line couple.

SHADOW REAPER is an intense story of betrayal and revenge; family and blood; revelation and retribution. The premise is inventive and captivating; the characters are animated, colorful and dramatic; the romance is fated, passionate and energetic. Christine Feehan has created a sultry world of shadows and the supernatural where one family is bound by honor and code.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

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Shadow Reaper was fast, fun and full of some really steamy romantic scenes.

Ricco, playboy, racecar driver has become a serious topic of concern with siblings. Recently, he barely survived a deadly crash and they aren’t sure he did it on purpose.

Mariko’s brother was kidnapped and the only chance she has at saving him is to carry out the worst crime by a Shadow Rider, kill another Shadow Rider, Rico.

Unfortunately for the both, they are destined mates. Rico must uncover Mariko’s secrets before it’s too late. While Mariko must choose between Rico and saving her brother.

This is second book in the Shadow Rider series, and I feel like we are barely scratching the surface of this “Shadow Rider” world.

Feehan fan girl here. I've read everything that she has written and that is no lie.

To say I was pumped about a new Shadow Rider series installment would be an understatement, so with greed anticipation, I delved right back into the Shadow world with Ricco's story.

I love the family dynamic of Ferraro family and highly enjoyed the romance.

My only complaint, I did find the telling a little repetitive. I mostly found the character's emotional/internal issues caused this hangup.

Pushing that little issue aside, I can't wait for more and didn't want the book to end...with it being over 400+ pages that is saying something.

I received this ARC copy of Shadow Reaper from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Shadow Reaper is set for publication May 30, 2017.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Christine Feehan
Series: Shadow Riders Novel, A (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Original edition
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
ISBN-10: 0399583955
ISBN-13: 978-0399583957
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense

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Now that eldest brother and head of the Ferraro family Stefano has found the one woman meant to be his there is hope for his generation of shadow riders. Next up is dark, smoldering, troubled Ricco Ferraro with his love for Shibari and his desire to find a rope model to help soothe his spirits.

Ricco had almost given up hope of find the perfect rope model when she walked in. With her Asian features she soothed something deep in Ricco's soul and most importantly her shadow connects with him. Can both of them find a way to handle the blackness of their past and find a future together?

It's quick apparent that she's the little girl he once sold his soul to save. Unfortunately her life has not exactly been a bed of roses. Brought up in hate, deprived of her true name she has survived against all odds with a sweetness of spirit and compassion. She's been planted in Ricco's home to search for his vulnerability and taken him down but it soon turns out that she truly is a white hat and determined to save Ricco.

This story takes unexpected twists and turns as Ricco finally deals with the darkness of his past and confronts old enemies in order to free himself to walk in the light with his rightful mate by his side. Readers will enjoy how the story unfolds and of course in true Ms. Feehan style there are enough steamy erotic scenes to keep readers happy along the way.

Shadow Reaper continues the story of the Ferraro family, and in this case playboy race car driver Ricco Ferraro. Ricco, recovering from a horrible racing accident has realized that he has nothing to live for. His reputation as a playboy is a sham, and he can’t seem to care for anyone or anything anymore. When looking for a model to practice the art of Shibari (more on this later), he meets Mariko and his shadow immediately connects with hers and he knows he finally has finally found someone worth living for. He also knows that she has come to kill him and his past has caught up with him and his family and the women he now cares deeply for may be in danger.

As with the first book, Shadow Rider, Christine Feehan creates a really interesting dark and dangerous world. One I can’t help but feel fascinated by. The Ferraro family, although mafia like as a comparison, may be more super hero. They fight for the unprotected and underprivileged, and kill to make their people safe. The Ferraro’s use a particular skill, shadow riding, that enables them to use shadow’s as a means of traveling quickly from one place to another. Also using those same shadows to hide in and step out to fight or kill when necessary. It’s really a neat creation and I wish the author had not gotten sidetracked into the art of Shibari because to me that was a distraction from an otherwise good storyline. Part of the distraction was in trying to figure out the descriptions I was reading. I’ll admit to stopping while reading and googling Shibari, looking at photographs, reading about it and internally going “huh”. Then skipping those pages which were supposed to be a dramatic romantic hook to the storyline just to get to the good parts where the Ferraro’s were fighting for their brothers honor, Mariko’s life and their own lives.

Now, on to Shibari. In layman terms and skipping the history lesson, Shibari uses rope to create erotic imagery and is considered an art form. In some cases, I’ll agree, it can be quite lovely, but also kind of scary. Because I found the visuals helpful, here are a couple of pictures on either end of the spectrum.


You can tell by these photos that I was a little confused by what I was supposed to be visualizing when Ricco was tying up Mariko. Although she did seem to like it, it just wasn’t my thing. However, I am positive that there will be huge fans of what Ms. Feehan was trying to achieve in this book. In fact I bet there are a few of you who will google Shibari right after your done reading this blog. You’re welcome! However, it just kind of got lost in the translation for me. I did enjoy the other portions of this book. The storyline was great and I love the imagery of shadow riding.

I received an ARC of this book for my honest review, and it was honest.