Lair of the Lion

I adore this book. Feehan's writing style is perfectly suited for gothic novels. Although I generally hate how domineering her heroes are vs how limp her heroines are, this book is a huge exception. Right from the beginning they start out on even ground. The heroine is the beauty, strong and caring, with a solid streak of honesty that makes her stand out. The hero is the tortured beast who knows he shouldn't keep the heroine for himself but can't seem to walk away from her.

Everything about this novel works for me. The dark and gloomy castle, the strange howling in the night, the ghosts, the beasts, the dark and stormy weather. But mostly it's the romance I love. I love that Nicolai falls in love with Isabella in spite of his good show more intentions, and that Isabella brings out the best in him. They way they care for each other is fabulous, and really brings home what romance is all about. All-in-all a great read. show less

This a beauty and the beast story without much plot or action and absolutely no characterization. On the other hand, once the sex scenes start, they're lusty and frequent, but unforunately not very original.
Probably the most irritating aspect of the book is Feehan's use of italicized Italian words. signora, famiglia, palazzo, aristocratizla, cara....If we are to assume that the characters are speaking Italian, why then would some of their words be in Italian and most in English? Endearments would be one thing, but if I have to read the words 'mio fratelleo' one more time I am going to growl.

I gave it one star because I had to force myself to finish it. And had it been a library book, I would have just taken it back.
I enjoy fantasy show more plots, but the requisite word here is PLOT, something LAIR OF THE LION lacks.

I used to look forward to Christine Feehan's books. But this is my last one. show less

I have to admit I was a little skeptical when I began this book. I’m not usually a “romance” reader. It was suggested to me by someone who knows my reading habits. She told me that Feehan was “paranormal before it was cool”. She was dead on in her recommendation. I loved the book!! My best description is a mash up of Beauty and the Beast and Adult Romance with a paranormal theme. Once I had read the first 30 pages or so I was hooked!

Disclaimer: I got this book from the public library and have received no compensation from the author or publisher for this honest review.

My paranormal romance reads so far this last half of the year have not been disappointing. See, browsing a library can bring good things your way.

This is not one of her more recent works (Lair of the Lion was published in 2010) but it still has all the hallmarks of Feehan's style that I enjoy.

The heroine in this story is not shrinking violet which was fun to watch as she pitted her will against the hero/antihero, Don Nicolai DeMarco's "cursed" existence. The characters were complex and pretty well developed so that I didn't feel like I was reading about "token fodder" for the sake of the plot.

There show more were a few twists that I honestly didn't see coming and can't list because they would spoil the book.

Would I recommend this? Yes, especially for those who love saucy heroines. show less

The DeMarco family lives with an ancient deadly curse in a secluded valley high in the mountains, in a land filled with magic. Damned by their very own ancestor to never be seen as a man by others and to repeat the history of betrayal and brutally murdering the one they love.

Isabella Vernaducci, determined to save her brother's life, has overcome every obstacle set before her to beg the elusive Don Nicolai DeMarco to save Lucca from the twisted Don Revellio. Vowing to trade her life for his and to serve the dangerous Don in whatever way he sees fit.

An evil entity awakens as soon as Isabella enters the DeMarco valley, determined to destroy her. Can Isabella and Nicolai break the centuries old curse or will she be slain, her soul trapped show more in the valley for eternity, never finding peace, along with all of the others?

I really enjoyed this book. It is a beauty and the beast type scenario with enemies turning up around every corner. Danger and romance fill this page turner. show less

Seeking help for her imprisoned brother the heroine makes the trek up to the forbidden and secluded valley of the hero. She's immediately aware of an evil presence and heavy black cloud that surrounds the house. The hero agrees to free her bother only if she agrees to marry him. He's aware that he's cursed to live as a beast and has shut himself away to avoid frightening his people. When people look at him they see a frightening lion but not the heroine. Immediately, they develop a connection and lust for one another but they have to deal with the evil presence that wants to kill the heroine before she can lift the curse. It's a very dramatic story and at times I found myself rolling my eyes. Every chapter the heroine finds her life in show more danger and afterwards the hero is pushing her away and demanding her to leave the valley. This series of events repeated itself so many times that became stupid. One time, the heroine found herself in danger from being hit by a broom stick. And the hero acted like she had a knife to her throat! Also, the damn lions are running around completely free, terrorizing the heroine but nobody ever thinks to lock them away until they figure out what's making them crazy!! They only put them away when the other Don comes to valley to deliver her brother. No, instead they just let them run free and hope that when they do attack the heroine the hero will be there to control them. The heroine became quite stupid as the story went on. At first I liked her honesty, her backbone and her willingness to see the hero as he truly was. But she had this habit of becoming angry when the other people were afraid of the hero. He's told her and everyone else has told her that he's crazy, he looks like a lion to them and he's destined to hurt or even kill her. Wouldn't you be afraid of him too? I did like that this book was set in Italy but my god it's they are a bunch of dramatic characters. show less

Can she see him as a man or as a lion?
A good read on historical paranormal romance. Feehan has such a vivid imagination and she has told it in such a captivating way.