Christine Feehan's Blog, page 10

Forbidden Love- Shadow Flight’s Taviano and Nicoletta

She was too young when Taviano saved her from her uncles. Taviano and Stefano brought her back to Chicago and found her a home. They knew immediately Nicoletta was a Shadow Rider. Taviano knew immediately that she belonged to him, but he would have to wait for her.









Sometimes a love is forbidden because of circumstance, like Romeo and Juliet. Sometimes it has to do with culture or religion, ethnicity, or class. There are times a love or relationship is forbidden because of family objections or timing. In Shadow Flight , for Taviano and Nicoletta, it had to more to do with suspending the possibility of a relationship because Nicoletta had been traumatized and she was too young. But, there was always a chemistry between them. One that evolved as Nicoletta got older and more mature.



Once Nicoletta began to mature the issue became whether or not she was ready for a mature relationship. Her trauma made Taviano, and the Ferraro family, very careful with her. Even though Taviano knew not to press the issue of a relationship, Nicoletta wanted him, and she became more and more difficult to resist. Then, a small indiscretion ruined everything.

It's fun to write a fated love story against the backdrop of not knowing if it is the right time. To find a way to cross the line from forbidden to an explosive love affair when there were so many obstacles.



I always knew I wanted these characters to be together. I also knew it couldn’t be easy. And there would need to be a catalyst to throwing them together.

So, with the backdrop of danger and difficult positions, I threw them into a situation, shook it up with some adventure and family, and watched it all unfold. I really can’t wait for people to read this book. They are an amazing couple in so many ways.

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Re-Read Wrap up with Shadow Keeper

Have you ever read a book and liked it even better on the re-read? It’s been so long since I wrote Shadow Keeper I nearly forgot how much I love Giovanni and Sasha’s story. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting them.










It was difficult to pinpoint just one scene that I loved, let alone three. But, there are types of scenes I loved throughout.




I love all the scenes with the brother. I still have readers write to me asking about Sasha’s brother. I love the closeness between Sasha and Sandlin, her big brother with a brain injury. He is childlike and she reads to him and spends time with him. And though Sandlin has a brain injury he still recognizes Giovanni as a dangerous man. I really enjoyed the brother.


I love the scenes that show Sasha’s strength. She’s a country girl with a kickbutt attitude, logical about life and very loyal. She’s not inhibited and has no problem making her own demands. She’s non apologetic about her sexuality. To me, she embodies a real woman.

I enjoyed foreshadowing and layers to the Ferraro matriarch, Eloisa. I showed a little softness to her with regard to Sandlin, but there is no doubt that she is a hardened woman. So much of how she is in Shadow Keeper comes back into play in Shadow Flight. I’ll be interested to see what readers make of her.



Now, the intriguing, fun part of the re-read for me – looking at what readers found interesting in the book. These are the top three passages or scenes readers on Kindle highlighted. I love seeing what a group of people found interesting or memorable and then trying to figure out why that was chosen or talk a bit about the idea behind that scene or passage.

Kindle Notes & Highlights

#1 -On the asphalt, she could see their shadows had come together, connecting with all the other shadows in the parking lot.
When two people come together as Shadow Riders for the first time it’s one of my favorite moments in the story. There’s an undeniable awareness between them. It’s on a cellular level, a soul level.
It’s one thing for Shadow Riders to acknowledge each other through their shadows, but when it’s a fated couple there’s more to it. That awareness is a jolt. Once a Shadow Rider commits to the relationship they are committed for life. I love the romance of that.



#2 - “Sasha Provis is a shadow rider. At least, she’s capable of being one,” Giovanni announced to his family. “She’s definitely mine. I was attracted to her before our shadows ever connected. In the club, when she spoke for the first time something in me opened up and she just poured inside.” He didn’t know any other way to describe it.

Giovanni knew Sasha was his. It was so strong he knew it even before their shadows touched. Her voice opened up something deep inside him. They were like a lock and key for one another. They are a very strong couple.


#3- “She said I was rather worthless sitting on my barren ass at home all day. She asked me point-blank if I had been tested and was I able to produce children. She made it very clear that I better be able to at least have children or I was useless to you and the family.” (Francesca is saying this)

Eloisa makes it easy to dislike her. But, she herself was raised to believe that a woman’s worth was determined by two things – The ability to ride the shadows and the ability to produce shadow riders. Francesca, though she had the ability, didn’t ride the shadows. That wasn’t something she felt she needed to do. She also hadn’t produced a child, making her an utter failure in Eloisa’s eyes.


I hope you enjoyed revisiting Giovanni and Sasha. Please let me know your favorite scenes or characters.
Revisit them in the book trailer here

Shadow Reaper Re-Read Recap!

Welcome to our wrap up of the Shadow Reaper re-read! Next week we'll be re-reading Shadow KeeperShadow Keeper!



It’s interesting going a long time without reading a book how things fade from my memory. It isn’t that I forget everything, I don’t. But, some of the details fade. So, re-reading Shadow Reaper was like adding color to a wonderful black and white picture. Everything becomes alive, vivid and detailed. I’m reminded of how much I enjoyed researching the art of shibari. I recalled them going to Japan, but not all the small details. It all came to life as I was reading it. It was a joy visiting those characters again. I love how Ricco was so willing to take a chance and I love how strong she was.
Three of my favorite scenes are-








1. There’s a scene in chapter three where Ricco has to tell his family about her and admit some secrets he’d been keeping from them. He knew Stefano might not be happy with the details of the woman Ricco had chosen, especially since that woman could be dangerous to him.




2. In Chapter 9 Ricco and Mariko had shared a past horror and it had drained them. Ricco was taking his emotions out on a punching bag as Mariko cried in the shower. I love that she realized he needed her and it was her own decision to go to him. To give herself to him. To be vulnerable to him.



3. I really enjoyed the chapter in which they go back to Japan together to face their demons. Chapter 17 shows the growth of their relationship and within themselves as well. And I enjoyed the change of scenery and culture, learning new things about shadow riders in another country.


I always like to see what passages readers choose as their favorite so I looked up on Kindle and took the top three passages. These are the most popular, most highlighted, in Shadow Reaper.
I thought it would be fun to comment on those as part of our re-read of Shadow Reaper this week.

Shadow Reaper Most Highlighted on Kindle

1. She was mixed—Japanese and American. Nothing. A nothing. A nobody. The kanji in her last name meant “female devil.” She didn’t even know what her real last name was because she’d dishonored the family simply by being born.

It’s heartbreaking for anyone who, especially when very young, has someone, who is influential in their life, degrade and debase us. Hurtful comments meant to make someone feel they are less, feel they are bad, they are unworthy, follow us even when we become adults.
Mariko was given over to a woman who hated her and who told her she was “bad” and unworthy, even giving her a name that meant “female devil”.
Every person who has ever had to endure and/or fight someone who tore them down can feel empathy for Mariko.


2. “The biggest problem is that she’s a shadow rider and I’m fairly certain she’s here to kill me.”


Ricco knew that telling his family, especially Stefano, was taking a chance. He knew Mariko was his. He needed the time to find out what she was there for, what her mission was. But, having her in his life was a high risk to him and would affect his entire family.
I love this scene. He showed his family his willingness to be vulnerable to a woman he wasn’t about to trust yet. It showed his commitment to winning her over and making her his. But, just as important as winning her was being honest and loyal to his family. He was in a precarious position, but determined to see it through because he needed her.


3. “It was Kenta Ito who killed Akiko’s father. He painted his face with her father’s blood and was dancing around Akiko and Nao. They wanted her to see that her family was dead. Nao had raped Akiko and he cut her to pieces. She was still alive, and Nao told her he was going to kill her little brother and sister. He told her he would violate her sister in front of her before he killed her. Her sister was three years old. Her brother was fifteen months.”

This was especially horrible on so many levels. What happened to the family was horrific. Nao was a leader who was able to turn his followers into these mindless, savage beasts that went into a frenzy of violence. All the while, Nao was completely cognizant of what he was doing. How he was manipulating and building everything around him to ensure maximum anguish and pain.
Throughout time there have been instances of mob/pack mentality resulting in elevated violence. Where one person may not cross a line into violence, add others to the group and someone to incite them you have cases of murder, torture or rape when, alone, it never would have happened. This family didn’t have to die. Nao orchestrated the annihilation of a family and directed his pack into a frenzy of hate.



To wrap up I thought I’d share the book trailer for Shadow Reaper and invite you to share with me what your favorite scenes were!
BOOK TRAILER LINK






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Celebrating Mystery and Thriller Week on Goodreads!

Though the week is nearly over I didn’t want to miss a chance to celebrate one of my favorite genres.



As you know, I write romance, but my books are cross-genre, many of which are considered mystery or thriller.



As far as one of my own books as a mystery, I think Shadow Keeper was one of my favorites. You just don’t know who is after them or why and I think there’s a good twist to the story.



And I love Jonas and Hannah’s story in Safe Harbor. That had both mystery and suspense.




As far as mysteries go I love so many. I can easily recommend Laurie R King’s Mary Russel and Sherlock Holmes series. I love these books so much and each one is very unique. It’s historical with a brilliant woman, easily Sherlock Holmes’ equal, and his wife. I wish I could get everyone to read at least the first book in the series - The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, I’m sure you’d be hooked!




Another series I love is JD Robb’s In Death series. Eve and Roarke never disappoint! It’s in the near-future and Eve is a homicide detective with her husband Roarke who is a billionaire with a dark past.




Some thriller writers I read and recommend highly are –
Lisa Gardner is an amazing writer. She has a new D.D. Warren book out When You See Me. It came out a couple of months ago I think.



Karen Rose has several series that I love. Her villains are multilayered and scary as hell. She just started a new series based in Sacramento and it promises to be a fantastic read!Say No More Say No More will be out in August and the first book in the series is Say You’re Sorry, which I’ve already read.





As far as authors I would like to read more of it has to be Jon Land with his Caitlin Strong series. She’s a Texas Ranger and totally the kind of heroine I love! I’ve read some of Jon’s books, but they’re so good. I’d really like to read all of them.



An author I’d really like to try is Steve Berry. So may people love his Cotton Malone thrillers and I’d like to check those out.

Your turn! What mysteries or thrillers do you love to read? Who have you not read, but you’d really like to?

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The Shadow Rider Re-Read Wrap-up

I’m doing a re-read of the Shadow Rider series preparing for the release of Shadow Flight on Mary 5th. I invited readers to join me and wanted to talk about my experience, invite you to talk about yours and do a general wrap-up of the Shadow Rider re-read before I start reading Shadow Keeper.


Reading one of my books is like visiting an old friend. With Shadow Rider I love the feeling of family and community. I put so much into the research and set-up of the Ferraro family, knowing they would have a sort of mafia feel, but they’re not mafia. And I knew they would have to be a tight-knit family because of what they do.

I come from a big family so creating the closeness and camaraderie between the siblings was one of my favorite things when writing Shadow Rider. Going back to read the book again I’m still pleased with how the family came together, with Stefano at the helm and the complexities that cause them to rely so much on each other in so many ways.

My top three favorite scenes in Shadow Rider are-

#1. The very first scene when he sees her and they first interact. I love how they were both true to themselves and especially loved the chemistry they have.

#2. I love when all the family, including the cousins, come to hear her out and she realized they are there for her. The family would protect her. SHE was part of the family now.

#3. I really loved the scene in the nightclub with Francesca and Emme. Those three horrible women accost Francesca in the bathroom and Emme comes in all badass and puts them in their place. She stuck up for Francesca and that meant something to Francesca. Then, Val comes in and Francesca can see that something about Val makes Emme feel vulnerable and Francesca is there to support Emme.



This is part of the reason I love doing the Kindle Notes & Highlights. I get to see what scenes or sentences the readers liked. You can see all ten of the reader-chosen passages and my notes about writing those passage HERE

Here are the top three on Kindle Notes & Highlights. Be sure to go and read my behind the scenes explanation of the passage or feelings about the passage and the comments from readers!

My Kindle Notes & Highlights
Shadow Rider (Shadow Riders, #1)
My Kindle Notes & Highlights
Shadow Rider (Shadow Riders, #1)
by Christine Feehan

PASSAGE #1
The door opened and a blast of cold air swept into the shop, chilling her further. She turned her head and froze. She had never in her life seen a man more gorgeous or more dangerous. He was tall, broad-shouldered, tough as nails and totally ripped. His hair was jet-black and seemed messy, but artfully so, as if even it refused to disobey him.

PASSAGE #2
“Buy some shoes and wear the fucking coat. Put him in a good mood for a change.”

PASSAGE #3
Former Shadow Riders often took jobs as greeters when they retired because all were born with the ability to detect lies.

What are your favorite scenes in Shadow Rider? Did you do the re-read with me?

Feel free to ask questions about Shadow Rider or the Shadow Reader here on Goodread’s ASK THE AUTHOR!

Catching up April 2, 2020

The first chapter of Shadow Flight is now available to the public!
You can read it HERE








The book trailer will be released on Friday to the public but it currently available on my online community! You can always sign up for my community HERE. It's free, easy and we won't SPAM you, but you get extra goodies and to see fun things early!






We had a little contest to name Hannah Drake Harrington's shop in Sea Haven. To celebrate the winner I shared an excerpt of Reckless Road! To find out the name of the shop and to read the excerpt click HERE





Kris Helt of Whiskey and Wit asked me a question here on Goodreads at ASK THE AUTHOR. Later, I talked to her and she did a blog with a longer answer that I wanted to share. The blog is Christine Feehan talks Torpedo Ink




Everyone stay safe out there!

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Love of Music

I listen to music a lot. I listen when I’m working out, relaxing, exercising and in the car. I love music! I created a playlist for one of my Torpedo Ink books last year and that was a fun blog! So many of you recommended music to me on that blog and I enjoyed finding new music to add to my playlist!



My top 3 love songs I’d recommend are-

She’s Got A Way by Bryan Adams

It’s Just Me by Bon Jovi

Once in a Lifetime by Keith Urban


My top 3 heartbreak songs are-

Every Word Was A Piece of My Heart by Bon Jovi

Need You Now by Lady Antebellum

Always by Bon Jovi


My top 2 retribution for breaking my heart songs are-

Tornado by Little Big Town

Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood



One of Malichai and Amaryllis’ song might be-

Once in a Lifetime by Keith Urban
If you’ve read Lethal Game you can listen to the lyrics of this song and see why this is such a great fit for this couple.



Now it’s your turn!

Lethal Women: Amaryllis and the GhostWalker Women

Some women are born warriors. Some become warriors. Without a doubt the GhostWalker series has a lot of very strong, courageous, intelligent women that I am proud of.



Did you know there are three types of female “GhostWalkers”? There are those who are soldiers and were physically enhanced just as their male counterparts were. Marigold “Mari” Smith is a sniper who was forced into Whitney’s breeding program. She started out as a soldier. So did Jaimie Fielding and Rhianna Bonds.

Some were orphans who Whitney did experiments on like Lily, Flame, Briony, Tansy, Zara, Shylah and even Violet.

Some were created in the laboratory like Bellisia, Pepper, Cayenne and others. They were genetically altered and had their DNA spliced from different animals or even insects.



These are just examples, each woman has her own story, but fits into one of these categories.

Regardless of where they came from or how they got into the program, each has her own set of abilities and is just as dangerous as any of the male GhostWalkers.

Amaryllis (Lethal Game) was one of Dr. Whitney’s orphan girls who he’d spliced a variety of DNA into. Her ability as a healer was unusual and a great gift and made her a target. She had to make some hard decisions in order to save herself. It took courage. It took stealth. She had to be self-reliant. All just to escape Whitney. Being around Malichai, loving him, put her in danger. She had to decide for herself if that danger was worth staying with him. Everything about being with Malichai was a push-and-pull. She needed him in a way, wanted him, felt a connection that was unlike anything she’d ever known. She felt cared for. But, she knew he was a dangerous man. Being around him put her in the crosshairs of Whitney’s men. Staying meant potentially being discovered and taken back to the lab. It was complicated right up until he needed her. And then, she knew what to do. I loved her for that.



The women of the GhostWalker program had varying levels of aggression. Some, like Zara (Covert Game), could kill, but really wanted to have a normal life, a family, and didn’t want to kill anyone. Her strength was in her intelligence and her loyalty. But, there was never any doubt that she could kill someone if she had to. And that she’d be willing.



Some women had no problem whatsoever taking someone out if they perceived them as a threat, like Bellisia (Power Game) or even Shylah (Toxic Game).
Which of our lethal heroines do you like best? Which one would you like to be if you could be a GhostWalker?







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Lethal Game Release Day Celebration with Goodreads Goodies!

It’s release day for my newest GhostWalker novel, Lethal Game!



Lethal Game is Malichai Fortunes’ story and is filled with action, romance and suspense. We have tragedy, comedy, love, family, terrorists, bombs, unexpected guests, military strategy, brotherhood, scifi elements and all the twists of a GhostWalker novel. I can’t wait for you to read it!

In celebration we’re doing some fun things here on Goodreads!




I created my first ever quiz here on Goodreads and I wonder how many of the ten questions you’ll get right? Play along and then let me know how you did!



GhostWalker Quiz









I went to San Francisco to visit Goodreads in person. What wonderful and welcoming people there! They did some video of my answering questions from readers and from their staff. You can find those videos here.

Goodreads Visit and fun caught on video!

As you can see from the Goodreads videos, I love to hear from you and be able to answer questions from readers. Some of your questions have inspired future blogs! This week I will be answering questions about my GhostWalker series. If you have a question about the GhostWalkers you can ask on ASK THE AUTHOR!



ASK THE AUTHOR- GhostWalker questions are answered all this week!

If you’ve watched the book trailer for Lethal Game you probably already know that there’s a little hint there about something surprising you can expect in the book. The trailer will give you a little taste of things to come in the story.



Book Trailer

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Lethal Game – Man Down

Leaving a man behind is the very last thing any GhostWalker, or anyone in the military, wants to do. Soldiers will risk their lives for one another. They’ll risk their lives to go back for a soldier who has been hit or otherwise left behind. Time and time again the GhostWalkers have proven this to be so. Even in Toxic Game when there was a chance Draden was infected with a deadly virus, they didn’t give up on him. When Malichai is wounded in Lethal Game , his team brings him out under heavy fire, risking their lives. This single event will change Malichai in ways he, his team, his family, could never imagine.

Malichai is told he has to take time off to recuperate and he finds himself in San Diego, California at a bed & breakfast. But, some men just attract danger and Malichai is one of those men.



Even though what he finds causes him to call in his team, it’s not enough. They need more help, fast. And just like his team would never leave him in a dangerous situation alone, the GhostWalkers are more than just one team.

I created the GhostWalker creed long ago when I wrote Shadow Game. It represents the GhostWalkers and tells everyone what they can expect. Even in the creed they swear never to leave a man behind.

The GhostWalker Creed:


We are the GhostWalkers, we live in the shadows
The sea, the earth, and the air are our domain
No fallen comrade will be left behind
We are loyalty and honor bound
We are invisible to our enemies
and we destroy them where we find them
We believe in justice and we protect our country
and those unable to protect themselves
What goes unseen, unheard, and unknown are
GhostWalkers
There is honor in the shadows and it is us
We move in complete silence whether in jungle or desert
We walk among our enemy unseen and unheard
Striking without sound and scatter to the winds
before they have knowledge of our existence
We gather information and wait with endless patience
for that perfect moment to deliver swift justice
We are both merciful and merciless
We are relentless and implacable in our resolve
We are the GhostWalkers and the night is ours

Malichai finds himself in dangerous territory right at home. His brothers-in-arms will come to help him. But in the end, his decision has to be made entirely on his own. How big of a sacrifice will he make, now that he’s finally found love, to save thousands of innocent lives?

What do you think is the most important part of the GhostWalker creed? What else do you feel heroes promise us whether they say it or not? Who is your favorite GhostWalker hero so far? Male or female? Or both!