Christine Feehan's Blog, page 8

Leopard Shifters and the Mob

Leopard’s Rage is the 13th book in my Leopard Series .

I’ve always thought about how ruthless the mob is. Dangerous, unpredictable and untrustworthy let along criminal, the mob makes for great villains and lots of danger. And in its own way the mob is a pack. They stick to their own and there’s a hierarchy. How do you fight something like the mob?


My thought? From within. And from someone equally ruthless, dangerous and unpredictable.

In nature it’s the strongest that survive and that lead. But, you can’t just be strong and ruthless. You have to be smart. You have to know your enemy. You have to be willing to use deadly force.

Leopards have all the attributes needed to get in and out quickly, quietly and without being seen. Leopards are known for being elusive. They’re apex hunters and they are known to be man-eaters. Strong, fast and calculating, imagine combining those traits with that of a human.



Sevastyan Amurov is an Amur leopard from Russia. His upbringing is one of violence and danger. He’s a trained killer as a leopard and as a man. He’s the perfect bodyguard for his cousin Mitya who he would die for. Who he would kill for. Other leopard shifters are careful to show their respect and stay the hell out of his way.

My guys aren’t typical mob. They are trying to keep some of the mob’s worse offenses from happening. They’re doing their best to protect people from the inside. That means being stealthy. Being smart.

As danger reaches out for Mitya, Sevastyan is pulled in different directions, not because his loyalty waivers, but because he’s found a woman, Flambe, who comes with her own set of challenges. Her own dangers. Sevastyan is about to be tested and he’s not a patient man.

There are a few surprises in this book that I don’t think readers will see coming.

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The Leopard Series: Leopard’s Rage

I always wanted to write a shapeshifter story and in 2002 I got my wish. I wrote a story called The Awakening in a novella entitled Fantasy along with Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly and Elda Minger. I enjoyed writing the novella so much I thought I’d try my hand at writing a full novel. Wild Rain was my first full novel in the Leopard Series and the hero and heroine, Rio and Rachael, were in the forest surrounded by danger. What fun!



Now, I’ve written my 13th Leopard series novel – Leopard’s Rage ! The leopard shifters are still in danger but now we’ve add a mob element and so much more!

We’ve seen many different types of leopards over the years. Cloud leopards, Amur leopards and now a Strawberry leopard just to name a few. I’ve been writing a lot about the Amur leopards lately and the hero of Leopard’s Rage, Sevastyan falls into that category. He’s Amur leopard from Russian with a horrific past that he has fought hard to survive and overcome. I thought it would be fun to pair him with Flambe, a woman who helps rescue others like herself, an ultra-rare Strawberry leopard. Flambe is courageous and smart. She owns her own landscaping business. But, she’s never been mated before and something more is at play with our heroine that will challenge Sevastyan and may surprise the reader!



I love how this series has flowed over the years. Before Leopard’s Rage is the story of Sevastyan’s cousin, Mitya in Leopard’s Wrath. Before that is another Amurov relative – Timur in Leopard’s Run. You can see the progression of where these characters are going and danger follows them. And in Leopard’s Rage the danger is overwhelming in a way that brings the adventure in this story to a 10!

Let me know which of the Leopard books have been your favorite. (It’s okay to pick more than one!) LOL

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October Update - Christine Feehan News

I thought I'd just update everyone on what's going on in my world at the moment.



I'm looking forward to Leopard's Rage releasing in just a few short weeks!



I was told that the ebook for Dark Prince, which has the extra 100 pages is on sale for $3.99. I don't know how long that will last, but for those interested you can purchase it HERE (Dark Prince Author's Cut)



You can find the audio book for Dark Gold on sale for $3.99 HERE (Dark Gold audiobook)

In case you missed it I've announced several 2021 books already.
Reckless Road - Feb. 9th
Dark Melody Re-issue with new cover April 13
Lightning Game March 2nd
Shadow Storm May 11th
Murder at Sunrise Lake June 29th
Annihilation Road (no release date yet)
Dark Tarot (no release date yet)
We will get some re-issues with new covers but I don't have dates yet - Dark Destiny, Deadly Game (Walmart), Predatory Game (Walmart).



I'm currently writing my new standalone- Murder at Sunrise Lake. I love writing about strong women who stand for each other!

As you can see, I'm very busy.



It's just starting to turn cold here and the Fall colors are on their way. I love sitting out and looking into my gardens, listening to the sound of the ocean and watching the wildlife.

Let me know which book you're looking forward to the most and how you're doing!

Seven Scary Feehan Books - Celebrating Horror Week on Goodreads!

Since it's Horror Week here on Goodreads I thought I'd share my picks for my scariest books. Below is a list of books from each series and the title I felt was the scariest in the series.



My question for you is- Do you agree it's the scariest in the series? Which would YOU choose as the scariest?




Dark Series-Dark Carousel



GhostWalker Series- Murder Game




Leopard Series- Wild Fire




Shadow Rider Series-Shadow Warrior




Torpedo Ink- Reckless Road




Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart-Air Bound




Drake Sisters- Hidden Currents

Now tell me your picks!

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What Defines Courage- Lethal Game

When I think of Malichai, the hero in Lethal Game, I think of his courage. He had a particular fear. A real fear he had to face. Then, he had to decide how much that fear controlled him.

Sometimes we pay a price for our fears. Sometimes we have to deal with those fears being as bad as we imagined. You may think you can’t conquer your fear, but people are resilient. And if you have courage, you face your fear whether you feel you’ll conquer it or not.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” – Nelson Mandela

Lethal Game, to me, is a story of courage. Malichai faces his own fears, but so does Amaryllis, our heroine. She’s running from something terrifying, but she’s needed where she is. Do you stay or do you go? Fight or flight? Then, the two meet and there’s off the charts chemistry. Is love, or the promise of love, enough to make you want to overcome your fears?

“Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision,” – Sir Winston Churchill

Even as they work together they are faced with the challenges of their fears. But, having someone strong at your side allows you to lean into that strength and face your fears head-on in a way you could never have imagined before.






Courage manifests in different ways for different people. Whether it’s a fear of heights, a fear of spiders, a fear of dying or a fear of living, they are require courage to move beyond that fear. Perhaps that’s just to take a step, move beyond the place you thought would be outside your comfort zone. Maybe it’s something even bigger. Malichai and Amaryllis are examples of what I feel courage is. I hope you’ll enjoy their story.

What is your favorite quote about courage and personal strength?




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Dark Song Giveaway on Goodreads!

It's not too late to win a signed copy of Dark Song! We're doing a giveaway here on Goodreads and five lucky winners will get a signed copy of Dark Song as well as a bunch of fun swag!






The giveaway runs starting today, Sept. 9th and ends Sept. 27th. Winners will be emailed, but everyone will be notified one way or another.

The giveaway includes the following:

Signed copy of Dark Song
Carpathian bookmark
Dark Series pin
Dark Song collector card
GhostWalker pin
GhostWalker temporary tattoos
GhostWalker card holder
Lethal Game collector card
Shadow Rider pin
Torpedo Ink pin
Desolation Road collector card
Vendetta Road collector card
Torpedo Ink sticker
Leopard's Rage collector card
Leopard's Rage sticker

You must be a member of Goodreads to participate. You can find and apply for the giveaway HERE.

Good luck everyone!

The Song: Dark Song

In Dark Song Ferro and Elisabeta talk about each other’s “song”. It’s what they hear in the other’s soul. It’s like an aura of soul music that sings of that person’s character, intent and spirit. This isn’t the first time I’ve written about someone having a song or music around them. Even in other books music has always played an important role in my stories.






Sometimes a character can see notes playing or feel an aura of music coming from someone. Sometimes my characters play an instrument or sing, and the music reflects who they are or how they feel. Dark Melody and Dark Symphony both include music in the story. In Dark Peril the song is in small stanzas at the top of each chapter. And let’s not forget the Dark Troubadours!






For Dark Song I knew I wanted to include music and I asked my talented son, Caedyn to help write a song that could represent the book. We collaborated with me writing a chapter and sending it to him to write a verse that would match the mood of that chapter.
I loved the song so much it is included in the book at the front and then lines from the song appear at the top of each chapter like in Dark Peril.





I’ll be the bright star, in the dark hour of night;
When you’re feeling lost, I will be your light.
I am by your side with every step you take;
Fighting every demon, your love I won’t forsake.
When evil seeks a place, deep within your mind;
I will be your shield, protecting what’s inside.
I can’t heal your scars or take away the pain;
But I can be your shelter, a refuge all the same.

I’ll teach you the words, and show you the way;
You’re strong on your own but tell me you’ll stay.
A symphony of power rolling through the land;
You and I together, here we make our stand.
Once blinded by the wicked, now your eyes are clear;
Look inside yourself, there’s nothing left to fear.
The cage has collapsed, the prisoner stands tall;
The battle is ours to end, once and for all.
Now tell me this and tell me true;
Say you’ll choose me, as I chose you.

What once was a blaze, grows stronger than before;
A metal in the forge, turns a sword for the war.
A life of hope sings to you, melodies of devotion;
A world of love awaits, vaster than the ocean.




Do you have a song that speaks to your soul? Tell me what it is!

Dark Song Game: What's Your Song Title?

Celebrating the upcoming release of Dark Song with a fun game. Let me know what your song title is!





Dark Song will be out Sept. 1st!
You can read the first chapter HERE






In case you can't read those bottom words here they are in text-

First initial of your first name
A – Desire
B – Love
C – Whimsy
D – Looks
E – Smiles
F – Faith
G – Longing
H – Passion
I – Sex
J – Touch
K – Kiss
L – Caress
M – Devotion
N – Taste
O – Tenderness
P – Wildness
Q – Rapture
R – Readiness
S – Heart
T – Ecstasy
U – Ardor
V- Reverence
W – Warmth
X – Friendship
Y – Kindness
Z – Magic

The Quiet Strength: Dark Song

I think it’s easy to see acts of courage when there’s a battle raging all around. It’s easy to see when the villain is obvious and engaged in evil. Our hero and heroine show their courage when they fight that evil either physically, psychically or perhaps with magic. But, there’s another kind of courage and strength that is often overlooked and that’s the courage of emotion.

If you think about it, being brave in light of overwhelming vulnerability can be the hardest fight of all. The scars can be the deepest. Losing an emotional battle can change you just as a physical fight can.






There’s a quiet strength to both Ferro and Elisabeta in Dark Song. Hers is perhaps more obvious. She’s fighting years and years of abuse. Years of being told she’s worth nothing. Years of head games and horror. Now, she’s escaped and every day, every decision she makes for herself, is an act of courage. Sometimes the greatest courage is not giving up. And smoldering beneath that vulnerability and fear is a quiet strength few see. But before it’s all over, her courage will surprise them all.

For Ferro his quiet strength is even more subdued. He’s a fierce warrior and even the other ancients fear him. He has a reputation from centuries of fighting. So, when his lifemate needs him as her shield he becomes that without fanfare. Without thought. He simply becomes what she needs regardless of how that makes him appear outwardly to the others.


As a couple their strength is in their patience with each other. And later, when everything falls apart, it is in the total trust they must give each other in order to survive.

Waiting in the Dark: Dark Illusion

InDark Illusion Isai Florea is an ancient Carpathian warrior who fought vampires, keeping the human race safe, for centuries before he finally realized he may never find his lifemate and he’d become extremely dangerous. So dangerous he made his way to a monastery high up in the Carpathian Mountains where others, like himself, sequestered to keep people safe. Though some Carpathians decide to meet the dawn, to end themselves instead of turning vampire, Isai and the ancients of the monastery felt that was not the honorable thing to do. He and his brethren decided to wait.

Waiting was a double-edged sword. During that time, he and the other ancients carved a promise into their skin to hold out for their lifemate. But, waiting in such a remote place did not offer much hope. So, when outsiders came offering the hope of lifemates out in the world, Isai and the others took that call and went to the United States.

There, Isai would help keep humans safe, continuing his fight against vampires. He would continue to wait.



When he came across the woman who’d helped them save a long-lost Carpathian he wondered why she’d not talk to him. What was she up to traveling the mountains all alone?

When she finally spoke Isai’s wait was over.

He’d fought evil. He’d remained honorable. He’d sequestered himself to keep others safe. He’d carved his promise into his skin. When the wait was finally over…she rejected him.

I always knew Isai and Julija’s story wouldn’t be an easy romance. There would be struggle and doubt. Not all love stories are easy. Some required patience. Some required them to fight for it. Julija had her own reasons for what she did. They made sense to her. That didn’t make Isai’s long wait easy.

Of course, true love always prevails. It’s just not always predictable.

I hope you’ll enjoy Isai and Julija’s story.