Christine Feehan

I know there's an audience for Christine Feehan, I'm not it and I need to stop trying to convince myself that I am indeed it.
I'm done, I'm tired of how the rug keeps getting pulled out from under the feet of female characters and how they're supposed to be grateful that a male is around to help them and they're also supposed to put up with bullying and gaslighting. I'm tired of it and I need to stop reading it becuse it causes me to feel upset rather than enjoying it. I keep reading them show more because Christine is feted and praised and because she is a good writer and I keep hoping against hope that the story will not turn out like every other one. I keep reading because I still have abandonment guilt over books
This story features babies and a woman who is crossed with snakes (with a scary libido) and a Ghostwalker who has feline traits and has rescuing people from evil and lots of sex and I didn't care.
Your mileage may vary. I need to stop doing this to myself. show less

Reviewed for www.bookchickcity.com

If it was up to the hero, I’d give this book one star. He made me furious.

Firstly, I do really like this series. The relationships are always full of powerful attraction and strong emotion, and the hero and heroine of this book were no different. In many ways this was one of Christine Feehan’s most engrossing books, as Ilya has a strong presence, and he truly does seem to care deeply for Joley. So it was very disappointing that some of his actions were show more despicable.

I’m a little perplexed why Ilya Prakenskii has such a fan following. Sure, he’s all sexy and stuff, but I could never overlook his lies and deception.

Anybody who knows about the Drake sisters knows that there are seven in every generation. The poor seventh daughter is fated to have seven daughters; she has to take sex very seriously because birth control will not work for her. More than once in this series the seventh sister – Elle – has expressed her unhappiness at her situation. Thoughtlessly, other characters have implied she would be doing the wrong thing by not having the babies. It seemed to matter little to anybody that Elle had a great career and her own dreams. I think that’s a horrible expectation to place on someone.

The heroine of this book, Joley, is the sixth sister, and has no intention of settling down and having children. She’s quite unique for a Christine Feehan character, and one of those rare romance novel heroines who resists the relationship. I enjoy Feehan’s books, even though there are many similarities between them. All her female characters, from the ‘vampires’ to the shapeshifters to the enhanced soldiers, to the magical sisters in this series, are fated to be with one man, and they almost always give in without much of a fight. I admire Joley for wanting to maintain her independence, and disliked the hero immensely for finding ways to force her hand.

So how does this seven babies business relate to the hero? Well, Ilya is from a family of magical sons. He’s the seventh son of a seventh son, and birth control won’t work with him. In the third book of the series, he ‘marks’ Joley’s hand, binding her to him. She has no say in this matter. He then proceeds to begin a sexual relationship with her – not telling her about the fact he’s trapped her into his fate and made her pregnant.

I don’t know about anyone else, but if some guy made me pregnant I’d kinda like to know about it!

Essentially their magical connection means Joley cannot live without Ilya. It also means she has no choice but to spend the rest of her life as his broodmare. Independent, world-travelling, rich and famous singer Joley has everything swept out from under her and the hero doesn’t even bother to tell her.

Call me crazy, but I don’t find a man who forces seven pregnancies on an unwilling woman to be a particularly appealing hero.

When Joley finds out the truth, it’s because her sisters bring it up in a conversation with Ilya, not because he makes the decision to come clean with her. At Joley’s stunned reaction, Ilya simply kisses her and says,

“I told you not to rely so much on your birth control.”

When she replies that she doesn’t want children, and that she doesn’t want to go through seven pregnancies and labours, all Ilya says in his defence is, “We'll be fine.”

Uh, no Ilya. YOU might be fine. You’ve got a famous, multi-millionaire wife to pay the bills, lots of sex and a big family on the way. Too bad Joley wants other things from life, because now you’ve trapped her. What’s worse is Joley never gets an opportunity to show her uncertainty or – more importantly – her anger at being lied to by omission and caged into a life she’s said all along she does not want.

Big families are a big favourite with Christine Feehan; so many of her books focus on the theme. In this book she does not show any real understanding of women with different ideas of what makes a good life. I honestly don’t think she comprehended the mindset of a woman who REALLY DOESN’T WANT CHILDREN. She won’t simply capitulate when she finds the ‘right’ man to knock her up, any more than a woman desperate for babies will happily let go of that dream at the drop of a hat.

I’ve read about many readers becoming annoyed with Joley for not immediately giving in to Ilya’s seduction. Here’s the thing: Joley didn’t get the memo Ilya was the hero of the book and she was the heroine. He should have to convince her he’s worth being with. Why should Joley just drop at the feet of the man so determined to dominate her and dictate to her? I liked Joley all the more for behaving like a real and intelligent person rather than a silly romance novel heroine.

All that said, this is an emotional and engrossing romance, and though Christine Feehan’s wordy writing style can take a little getting used to, I am a big fan. Feehan’s heroes are always extremely alpha, and almost always very appealing; in principle Ilya fits nicely into that category. If situations had been different – if Ilya has been honest from the outset – I would really have liked him as a hero. He might have been one of Feehan’s best. The story flowed nicely and I identified with Joley. I especially like the sense of family that runs throughout this series.

But how could any woman forgive what Ilya does to Joley in this book?

I certainly can’t.

VERDICT:

This is another solid entry in the romantic and sometimes charming Drake Sisters series, however I cannot rate it as highly as I’ve rated the other books because I consider the hero’s behaviour to be unforgivable. Even so, there is much to like about the second last Drake Sisters entry. show less

Introduction
Shadow Dance is the eight installment in the "Shadow Riders" series and there is something so delectable about these books. In all honesty, I think in some ways, these are some of Feehan's best work. I love the feeling of Mafia surrounds them but with a Feehan twist to the them but also what is even more empowering is the way in which the sense of family is so well focused on. In Shadow Dance, we get a serial arc (or I am guessing that is what is delivered on this one) where we show more get to Geno's book, and I am guessing we will also get his brother's books. I wouldn't mind Dario's book but to be honest I have a feeling that Feehan will drag that out a bit, but maybe I am wrong haha but I just know whatever Feehan has chosen to do next, will be just as wonderful.

Summary
Shadow Dance starts off, with our heroine, who is a professional ballerina, is caught in the wrong place wrong time trying to help out a teenager, and gets put in the cross eyes of the Ferraro men. While Amara poses as a dancer, she also is a shadow rider, but one of special abilities who is more the "special ops" of their kind and she works for the council themselves. When Geno first meets her he knows that there is something more to Amara, but when their shadows touch in the interrogation, he knows that there is so much more to the story. As Geno and the Ferraro men come to the truth, Geno realizes that he has found the one woman for him. As Gena and Amara work on getting to know each other but also trying to figure out who is after the Ferraro men and their territory, there are secrets to be revealed and workings of the heart to be conveyed and bared open...

My Outlook
Shadow Dance was such an empowering story of harsh realities of their world but finding love when you least expect to find it. I honestly had no clue what to expect with this one, I actually went into this one blind. I have literally loved every single installment in this series, and I knew that Shadow Dance would deliver. But I have to say that Christine Feehan really upped her literal game on this tantalizing read. Shadow Dance is a story that takes two shadow riders, who are both experienced and lethal in their own rights and puts together a match of fiery sensuality that takes the reader on one wild ride from beginning to end.

This is such a action packed read, like many of her books, but there was so much poignant emotion that just endears the reader completely. The connection that Geno and Amara have together was so captivating. I honestly didn't want to put their story down, the depths of their bond is so beautifully developed and seeing these two fighters find their way towards their own HEA was quite a sight to see. Amara herself was adopted when her family died and has never known love or affection. Geno, had to take over his family as a young teen and has had to be the leader and strength of the family but when he meets Amara, his whole world changes and will do anything for Amara. Both Geno and Amara aren't ready for the torrent of emotion that will come with their bond but seeing the ways in which they come together and so readily accept their connection was beautiful in the small intimate moments we see them cultivate.

Overall View
Shadow Dance is a story that will breathe fire into your heart, its a story of sacrifice and harsh realities, but the beauty in perseverance and honor and the ways in which love and family reigns supreme... show less

DNF 25%
I have never given a review before finishing a book before, but after reading a quarter of this book I just don't think I can read anymore. It is so uncomfortable.

Normally I am fine with the possessive men in books, but Mikhail is just creepy. And he sees nothing wrong with what he's doing. He makes her fall asleep against her will, won't let her leave the house and then guilt her when she tries to explain she needs some space.

"Where is all that marvelous respect a man as powerful as

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myself deserves?"

"Is it that you still want to run away from me? Am I really so terrible?"

She was comforting him, yet she didn't know of his crime. She was bound to him, could not be away from him for long. He had no words to explain it to her without giving away more about their species than he could safely do.

He is trying to take over her life, deciding what she can wear, where she will live, when she'll sleep, making sure she eats. He went through with a mating ritual without telling her, and without even explaining what he is to her. He makes her drink his blood and lies about it being a 'herbal concoction'. And don't get me started on him calling her 'little one'. show less