I enjoyed this addition to the Shadow Riders series. It was interesting to see the progression of the characters romance. I like this author's writing stye and I am definitely going to read her next book.

Elie Archambault has been fascinated with Brielle Couture since she was a teen and totally off-limit to him. He knew she was his, but she came along at a time in his life when he was tired of being controlled by his family. He said some hurtful things that she overheard and she has wanted nothing to do with him ever since. However, she longs for him just as much as he longs for her. They both realize the futility of wanting something that will never work, and so they each decide to put their preferences into the ‘pot’ for an arranged marriage. This may be a slight spoiler, but it happens in one of the earliest chapters, so it’s not a major spoiler. Regardless, guess who ends up matched together? And the work begins here. Elie has to convince her that she is the one for him, and he can only do it with deeds. His words are meaningless at this point, and his pride won’t let him say the words anyway. Brielle has pride as well, and is afraid to give her heart to someone who was so careless with it when she was younger. The give-and-take of their interactions and the relinquishing of their egos make for a fascinating read. When you have messed up as badly as Elie did, it’s hard to come back from it. Nevertheless, he persists. And after years of being let down by her family, and being fed ‘unworthy’ messages, Brielle has some maturing to do as well, and some confidence to gain.

It turns out that Brielle is an incredible computer hacker (for good, not evil), and those skills make her the target of someone who wants her dead. Elie obviously wants her alive, and is doing everything he can to keep her that way. This gives readers a very tense and un-put-down-able storyline! Elie is a good guy for the most part, but he has his own flaws. The surprise of this whole series is that it is written about a family of what can technically be called ‘criminals,’ but they live by a code of honor, and they really are good people who value family, loyalty, and honor. They are ridding the world of the worst of the criminals that they can find. So even though they kill criminals, there are checks and balances to keep them from going off of the deep end. The tension stays taut throughout, and the pacing is fast. It really is hard to put this book down! The family interactions add color and depth to this story, as do the dialogue between the protagonists and their family members. This is a well-constructed tale from a master storyteller!

Another steamy entry in the Shadow Rider series from Christine Feehan. Elie Archambault has is faults and his kinks. Can his bride live with his needs. The minute he sees his bride he knows that destiny has intervened. Brielle can not believe that it is him. The one man she does not want to have anything to do with. Great chemistry between these two characters.

Returning to the Shadow Rider world, now that all the siblings have their shadow mate, we move on to their auxiliary friends. This one is focused on Elie Archambault. This can be read as a standalone. Full disclosure, I didn't read the blurb and nabbed the book because I adore this series. I am pleased to say, this newest addition flat out did it for me. I enjoyed it and read it right through the night.

In this book, we learn about what happened to Elie's lost love and it isn't pretty. We also learn about his original intended, Brielle. As with most of Ms. Feehan's stories, Brielle is an abused child who lived through atrocious parents and a toxic drama queen sibling. Ms. Feehan consistently stays with dysfunctional families as a plot device. I am okay with it because I keep reading her books. It does create a darker feel to many of her recent books. For those who shy away from the dark, I think the title is an appropriate indication of how this story is going to be.

What I liked about this book is learning how the Shadow Rider's new generation is trying to change some of the older traditions that have been handed down for generations. Perhaps it wasn't always like this, but it seems somewhere, as power tends to corrupt and twist people, the raising of shadow riders has become cruel, sadistic, and inhumane. If they want compassionate shadow riders who believe in justice, creating psychopaths and causing unintentional brain damage is probably not the way to go.

Elie's broken relationship with Brielle makes it difficult for the two of them to be married. I guess when going into an arranged marriage, eyes wide shut describes these two. Elie has to work hard to overcome what he's done to Brielle. I expected this story to have more BDSM kink to it and was a bit let down that it was mostly referenced to, instead of actually implemented. There are quite a bit of sexy times between Brielle and Elie but they didn't really capture my attention. I enjoyed instead their banter and how they worked to fix their relationship. I liked Brielle and how steadfast and loyal she comes across. I also like how she is a defender at heart, even if it could hurt her. She is brave even when she's been beaten down. I really liked these two together. This erotic romance is recommended to paranormal readers who love second chance themes.

Author Christine Feehan does not disappoint!

I was so excited to dive into Elie's story and it definitely didn't disappoint. It opened in Elie's POV and pulled me straight into the story as it began with his wedding to a woman he didn't even know the name of his bride. If you've head the previous books you're familiar with his story of being a complete arse to the love of his life. This being a romance it's no surprise that said love of his life also turns out to be his bride. Even if she hates him and does not want to wed him. After the necessary back and forth in low pitched voices it's no surprise that they get married. And then the adventure begins.


I enjoyed Shadow Fire. Great chemistry and a fun new "power". I loved seeing cameos of the rest of the family as well as learning a bit more about Dario.

Back in the Shadow world, we finally get to see Elie Archambault, of the famous Archambault family of riders, fall in love. He settles for arranged marriage after his disaster of a love life left him separated from Brielle, his one true love, so many years ago. Only fate has stepped in and brought them back together.

While the Shadow world is just as perilous as always, I felt this story had some quick and easy action that didn't live up to previous novels. Feehan gets caught in the romance, which is stunning and spicy, but leaves the adventure and action a bit slow paced and lacking. Sometimes the amount of explanation of who characters are ( which is repeated throughout the book no matter how many times the reader has met them in the novel) become repetitive and lose the narrative focus. While I enjoyed this adventure with Elie and Brielle, I wish there was a return to Feehan's early writing style which focused more on the story and less on the myriad characters to be introduced.

First Impressions
Shadow Fire is the latest installment of the Shadow Riders series and I had a blast with this book so dearly and it contains one of my favorite tropes of all time. I was so stoked to read this book because well I just have adored what this author has done with this series and how family-focused it is. I was thrilled to see that she was expanding these books to members outside of the primary Ferraro family so we can get their stories as well. This story focuses on a second chance romance that builds on a foundation of an arranged marriage. I absolutely adored how Feehan handled this trope for this story. It’s so rare to see this trope anywhere but historical romance. Although on occasion I will see it in dark romance if you are dealing with mafia romance. Feehan has blended the dark and paranormal sub-genres so well in this series but especially in this book and tossed in some thrilling suspense elements that worked so well.

Summary
Our story begins with our hero, Elie Archambault, who has decided to enter into an arranged marriage. He has been known to rush into things so why would his marriage be any different. Elie is good at what he does and is one of the fastest and most efficient shadow riders in the business. The family he is connected to has been pushing for him to get married and why not. There is no one he can see matching up in his life and even though those he calls family believes he is out of his mind for entering into a marriage with a complete stranger, he knows it is the path for him. What he doesn’t expect is that the woman he once hurt years ago, a woman who could have held his heart, is the very woman that he will be marrying but she despises him and wants out of their marriage. Through the connections of working with a mediator, they come to an agreement and find the truth of their past and connect in a way they don’t expect. Both Elie and Brielle find common ground and work through the misunderstandings in their past, and share a bond with each other that will only strengthen a marriage that was originally just business and obligation to their families. But as the enemy draws close to them, will they be able to overcome the challenges ahead?

What I Loved
There was such beauty in this book and I couldn’t put this one down at all. It’s one of my favorites of the series although in honesty I have adored every single book in this series. I had such a blast seeing Elie and Brielle come together in this one. I will say fair warning in the beginning though because you will see them confront the painful past that has linked them for years. My heart just broke for the heroine who has been taken advantage of by her family so horribly and seeing her hurt because of Elie was a challenge but as we dig deeper to the truth, you only respect these two people that need something sweet and beautiful like the love they learn to embrace. They are both so capable with their individual talents and seeing these being expounded on throughout the buildup of the plot was quite interesting and delivers depths that only Feehan can deliver. We see that while they are different, they click in the ways that matter. I was so intrigued with seeing this pairing together, because they just become so united so quickly, despite their past and the way that Elie just fights for Brielle and will encourage her but also set boundaries in the relationship was a delight. Christine Feehan definitely knows how to write her alpha males and I was entranced by the intensity of devotion he has for Brielle. Brielle on her end of the relationship was all in for Elie. She was just as invested in the relationship but also has certain aspects to her personality where she makes her share of mistakes but also grows in learning to live and work with a man like Elie. There was such realism to the relationship that just connects the reader on a deeper level to the various layers of intimacy that is built within this story. We also get some plentiful aspects to the story of side characters that become involved in the story. I truly couldn’t get enough of the Ferraro family in this one, and seeing them take such an active role was such a catnip for this reader. We also get hints that Dario may be the next one to have a story ( I really want to because I have a feeling he will fall so hard when he falls in love). If you are a fan of this author and especially this series, then you will adore what Feehan delivers with Shadow Fire.

What I Struggled With
Honestly, I loved this book in every way, there wasn’t anything I really struggled with at all.

Overall View
Shadow Fire is a thrilling, angst-filled romance that will tear you to pieices in the most beautiful of ways. Its a story of struggle, layers of intimacy that can be found in a relationship, and a side plot of suspense that will keep you on edge. AN EDGY WORK OF ART THAT WILL MAKE YOU SPEECHLESS

I have always enjoyed Feehan’s books. I have no problem with the strong sexual scenes interspersed along the storyline. This time, despite liking the main characters a lot, I felt that we got lost in their sexual stories and felt that more of the story itself (plot, action) was therefore lost to the wayside.

Magical, romantic and funny. Once again a fantastic book from a fantastic author. I love this series.

I'm on a bit of a Christine Feehan kick right now, bouncing back and forth between her Ghostwalkers and Shadow Riders and it's just thing to cure my winter blahs :)
I'm so pleased Elie got his book - I've loved him since we met him! And Brielle is perfect for him! I love their communication, as hard as it was for them to get there - plus his determination to fight for his second chance. The sex scenes were hot and uninhibited, inventive and intriguing.
Dario played a huge part in this book- Dario and Emme's byplay was almost as featured as Elie and Brielle's love story - in all honesty it might have been a bit *too* much. I admit to skipping parts of their banter, as I was more interested in Elie and Brielle at this time. I'm very much looking forward to Dario's own story - I just personally prefer the focus to not be quite so divided. That's just me though :) Thank you!

CW human trafficking, child abuse, consensual BDSM & exhibitionism

I was so excited to dive into Elie's story and it definitely didn't disappoint. It opened in Elie's POV and pulled me straight into the story as it began with his wedding to a woman he didn't even know the name of his bride. If you've head the previous books you're familiar with his story of being a complete arse to the love of his life. This being a romance it's no surprise that said love of his life also turns out to be his bride. Even if she hates him and does not want to wed him. After the necessary back and forth in low pitched voices it's no surprise that they get married. And then the adventure begins.
I enjoyed Shadow Fire. Great chemistry and a fun new "power". I loved seeing cameos of the rest of the family as well as learning a bit more about Dario.
I do wish the villains had a few more dimensions rather than just being horrendous people. They feel a little flat, but they are not a key element to the story, just an obstacle to our heroes.
Overall another fabulous addition to the series!