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Leopard People #3
Wild Fire
Conner Vega, physically and emotionally scarred by his past, has returned to the lush, exotic landscape of the Panama rainforest - his birthplace, and hopefully an escape from the guilt that consumes him. Free to roam at last, the leopard in him longs to take control, but knowing how dangerous that would be, Conner must resist.However, there are more serious issues to deal with. Conner's been brought back for a specific to help save his people from an evil threatening their existence, and to avenge his mother's brutal murder. And this time he means to take care of business.
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2010
502 people are currently reading
3927 people want to read
About the author
Christine Feehan
156 books53k followersChristine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
May 28, 2015
This was an okay paranormal romance, but I didn’t like it as much as the previous books. I felt like we were just dropped into the middle of a story without much explanation, and then got random action scenes, random sex scenes, and lots of info-dumping, and I just didn’t really enjoy it. I didn’t even like the sex scenes, and didn’t really care about the relationship, bit of a fail really.
6 out of 10
May 8, 2010
Okay, I'm not even going to front and give this book less than five stars. Is it perfect? No. Is anything in life perfect? No. Does that make life less enjoyable? No. So why shouldn't a less than perfect book get five stars if I thoroughly enjoyed it? So there. I loved this book, so that warrants a five star rating, even if I could state the obvious about Christine Feehan's writing style. Wordy and dense? Yes. Using words repetitively? Yes. Hot hero guaranteed to give the reader a fever? Yes. Incendiary chemistry and love between Conner and Isabeau? Oh, yes. Well, I get what I come for out of Christine Feehan's books, so I'm more than willing to put up with her writing quirks.
To be honest, I was a little worried when I saw the blurb for this book. I don't love reunited lovers stories. I do like stories where the hero and heroine met as part of a mission, and the hero had to seduce the heroine, and they have to deal with that to be able to sort out their relationship. So, I guess that balanced things out for me.
Conner is a great, great hero in this book. He's dark and dangerous, conflicted and tortured. He knows Isabeau is the woman for him, his only woman. There's no doubt in his mind. And that is not a factor in this book. The factor is that he believes she hates him because he betrayed her by seducing her to get to her father, and being part of the group that killed her father: hence his anguish. Also, there's the fact that his father was a complete jerk, abandoning his mate because she wasn't actually his true mate, and he couldn't stand the fact that he had bred Connor on a woman that wasn't his true mate. It makes no sense, does it? Well, Conner thinks he's completely bad and unworthy of his mate, although his cat tells him that she's his and doesn't want to let her go. I love the guys who are all twisted up inside, and that's Conner to a 'T'. I also loved what a good mate Conner was. Some really messed up stuff happens in this book between Isabeau and Conner, and he never blames it on her. It's all tied into the fact that Isabeau is coming into the Han Vol Dan, which is the first heat of the female leopard shifter, when they become able to shift. Something happens with one of the villains that causes this guy to stalk Isabeau, to potentially claim her as his mate. This guy is the lowest of the low, completely crazy, and he savages Isabeau. That was a horrible scene. Believe me. But the way Conner responded was so beautiful. I really liked him before that, and I totally fell in love with him at that point. A girl couldn't ask for a better mate.
Isabeau seems young and emotionally frazzled in this story. But then, she's dealing with a lot. Her father turned out to be a bad man, and Conner and his team were the good guys. But, he died violently, and she was there to see it. In her mind, this was all she could focus on, that and the fact that Conner had seduced her under an assumed name, and she fell for him. Her latent cat comes out and she scratches his face, marking him forever as her mate. But they end up parting, until Isabeau recruits Conner for a mission she thinks he's more than suited for, seducing a terrible female drug czar to infiltrate her compound, as he seduced her. Of course, Conner is not happy that his mate is expecting him to do this. But the alternative she gives him is that she seduce a guard to get in. And no way is he going to let any man near his mate. There's also the fact that children have been kidnapped and held for ransom by this evil woman. So Conner has no choice but to take the mission. And Isabeau is part of the group. This gives them the opportunity to spend time together, and to realize that although Conner lied about who he was, he didn't lie about his feelings for Isabeau. Isabeau has some insecurities about feeling she is what a dangerous, experienced man like Conner would want. But, there's no question about him wanting her.
I thought the Han Vol Dan plot, and how Isabeau was dealing with that, was fascinating. I couldn't imagine having this cat inside of me, who was a straight up hussy, flirting with all kinds of men, and wanting to 'get some' anyway she could, not to mention grumpy as all get out at times. It was an interesting dynamic, and it really helped to contribute to the complexity of this storyline. Isabeau showed a lot of growth over this book. She's not an alpha heroine, and that's okay. I liked her, because she did have a lot of inner strength, integrity, and depth of character. Her love truly helped Conner deal with his grief over his mother, who was killed by the rogue leopard shifter who wants Isabeau, and is working with Imelda Cortez. She doesn't belabor on her resentment about her father, and quickly comes to terms with the fact that her father was not a good man, even if he was a good father to her.
The love scenes were very steamy and well done. I did have a couple of WTH moments. I don't want to be graphic, but what's up with the 'piercing the cervix' part? Ouch!!! Is that supposed to be a cat thing? I could have done without that, thanks. Also, the whole, 'I'm dominant and I want you to do exactly what I tell you in bed' thing doesn't always float my boat. I didn't mind that so much, because Isabeau was fine with it, and Conner really cared about pleasing her, too. I guess it's just a personal taste thing when it comes to the D/s aspects. It wasn't over the top or anything.
I loved all the cat-shifting parts. I thought they were fantastic. I could vividly see the characters in their cat forms. I also loved the mating dance parts when Isabeau goes into her Han Vol Dan. The way Conner's leopard chases hers, and how they play together, and do other things. So well done.
This story is pretty violent. There are some dark and gritty aspects that might not work for a sensitive reader. Imelda Cortez is a really bad woman, and so are her colleagues. They are doing some awful stuff. This is not showed in detail, but you get an idea about how bad they are. And the showdown between Conner and Ottila, the leopard shifter who wants Isabeau? It had me on the edge of my seat. It was very violent and intense, but it absolutely worked for me.
There were also really good male-bonding moments in this book, which I think Ms. Feehan is so good at writing. Sexy Elijah (Rachael's brother who we met in Wild Rain) has a big role in this book, and we meet a new character, young shifter Jeremiah, who's out to prove himself. I think he will make quite the leading man in a later book in this series. Also, Rio from Wild Rain, plays a good-sized part in this book.
So, I've seen the lower ratings this book has gotten. I don't know if I just have lower standards, but I truly enjoyed this book. Although Burning Wild stands out about this book because of the iconic nature of Jake as a hero, I loved this book just as much, because of the relationship aspects between Conner and Isabeau, because of the fascinating and likeable characters, the darker storyline, and the phenomenal action scenes in this book. I have to admit, I like the whole drug cartel storyline--not sure why, but I did. This is really good shifter romance, in my opinion. I'm excited to read the following books in the series. Personally, I recommend this book. It might not be for everyone, but I enjoyed it tremendously. Read this book if you are into cats!
To be honest, I was a little worried when I saw the blurb for this book. I don't love reunited lovers stories. I do like stories where the hero and heroine met as part of a mission, and the hero had to seduce the heroine, and they have to deal with that to be able to sort out their relationship. So, I guess that balanced things out for me.
Conner is a great, great hero in this book. He's dark and dangerous, conflicted and tortured. He knows Isabeau is the woman for him, his only woman. There's no doubt in his mind. And that is not a factor in this book. The factor is that he believes she hates him because he betrayed her by seducing her to get to her father, and being part of the group that killed her father: hence his anguish. Also, there's the fact that his father was a complete jerk, abandoning his mate because she wasn't actually his true mate, and he couldn't stand the fact that he had bred Connor on a woman that wasn't his true mate. It makes no sense, does it? Well, Conner thinks he's completely bad and unworthy of his mate, although his cat tells him that she's his and doesn't want to let her go. I love the guys who are all twisted up inside, and that's Conner to a 'T'. I also loved what a good mate Conner was. Some really messed up stuff happens in this book between Isabeau and Conner, and he never blames it on her. It's all tied into the fact that Isabeau is coming into the Han Vol Dan, which is the first heat of the female leopard shifter, when they become able to shift. Something happens with one of the villains that causes this guy to stalk Isabeau, to potentially claim her as his mate. This guy is the lowest of the low, completely crazy, and he savages Isabeau. That was a horrible scene. Believe me. But the way Conner responded was so beautiful. I really liked him before that, and I totally fell in love with him at that point. A girl couldn't ask for a better mate.
Isabeau seems young and emotionally frazzled in this story. But then, she's dealing with a lot. Her father turned out to be a bad man, and Conner and his team were the good guys. But, he died violently, and she was there to see it. In her mind, this was all she could focus on, that and the fact that Conner had seduced her under an assumed name, and she fell for him. Her latent cat comes out and she scratches his face, marking him forever as her mate. But they end up parting, until Isabeau recruits Conner for a mission she thinks he's more than suited for, seducing a terrible female drug czar to infiltrate her compound, as he seduced her. Of course, Conner is not happy that his mate is expecting him to do this. But the alternative she gives him is that she seduce a guard to get in. And no way is he going to let any man near his mate. There's also the fact that children have been kidnapped and held for ransom by this evil woman. So Conner has no choice but to take the mission. And Isabeau is part of the group. This gives them the opportunity to spend time together, and to realize that although Conner lied about who he was, he didn't lie about his feelings for Isabeau. Isabeau has some insecurities about feeling she is what a dangerous, experienced man like Conner would want. But, there's no question about him wanting her.
I thought the Han Vol Dan plot, and how Isabeau was dealing with that, was fascinating. I couldn't imagine having this cat inside of me, who was a straight up hussy, flirting with all kinds of men, and wanting to 'get some' anyway she could, not to mention grumpy as all get out at times. It was an interesting dynamic, and it really helped to contribute to the complexity of this storyline. Isabeau showed a lot of growth over this book. She's not an alpha heroine, and that's okay. I liked her, because she did have a lot of inner strength, integrity, and depth of character. Her love truly helped Conner deal with his grief over his mother, who was killed by the rogue leopard shifter who wants Isabeau, and is working with Imelda Cortez. She doesn't belabor on her resentment about her father, and quickly comes to terms with the fact that her father was not a good man, even if he was a good father to her.
The love scenes were very steamy and well done. I did have a couple of WTH moments. I don't want to be graphic, but what's up with the 'piercing the cervix' part? Ouch!!! Is that supposed to be a cat thing? I could have done without that, thanks. Also, the whole, 'I'm dominant and I want you to do exactly what I tell you in bed' thing doesn't always float my boat. I didn't mind that so much, because Isabeau was fine with it, and Conner really cared about pleasing her, too. I guess it's just a personal taste thing when it comes to the D/s aspects. It wasn't over the top or anything.
I loved all the cat-shifting parts. I thought they were fantastic. I could vividly see the characters in their cat forms. I also loved the mating dance parts when Isabeau goes into her Han Vol Dan. The way Conner's leopard chases hers, and how they play together, and do other things. So well done.
This story is pretty violent. There are some dark and gritty aspects that might not work for a sensitive reader. Imelda Cortez is a really bad woman, and so are her colleagues. They are doing some awful stuff. This is not showed in detail, but you get an idea about how bad they are. And the showdown between Conner and Ottila, the leopard shifter who wants Isabeau? It had me on the edge of my seat. It was very violent and intense, but it absolutely worked for me.
There were also really good male-bonding moments in this book, which I think Ms. Feehan is so good at writing. Sexy Elijah (Rachael's brother who we met in Wild Rain) has a big role in this book, and we meet a new character, young shifter Jeremiah, who's out to prove himself. I think he will make quite the leading man in a later book in this series. Also, Rio from Wild Rain, plays a good-sized part in this book.
So, I've seen the lower ratings this book has gotten. I don't know if I just have lower standards, but I truly enjoyed this book. Although Burning Wild stands out about this book because of the iconic nature of Jake as a hero, I loved this book just as much, because of the relationship aspects between Conner and Isabeau, because of the fascinating and likeable characters, the darker storyline, and the phenomenal action scenes in this book. I have to admit, I like the whole drug cartel storyline--not sure why, but I did. This is really good shifter romance, in my opinion. I'm excited to read the following books in the series. Personally, I recommend this book. It might not be for everyone, but I enjoyed it tremendously. Read this book if you are into cats!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2015
I am really getting into Christine Feehan’s Leopard Series and am totally engrossed with book #4 in this leopard shape shifters world.
This is Conner Vega
and Isabeau Chandler ‘s story. True mates but torn apart by past betrayals. He carries his hurtful past and sins on his shoulders.
Forced back to the Panama jungle to help uncover crimes that are being placed upon the leopard people, Conner will have to face Isabeau again and both will perhaps be given a second chance with being together. To forgive each other and move forward.
I loved these two together…..
Mystery, action, fabulous secondary characters and a great plot. I also enjoy the interaction and closeness between the different leopard people.
A great continuation to this series.
November 3, 2019
Conner Vega and Isabeau Chandler
Settings: Panama jungle
Settings: Panama jungle
June 8, 2010
Wild Fire is the fourth installment of the Leopard People series. I’m not going to go into the basic plot, you can get that information from the cover blurb, but what I will say is that I’m always impressed by how well Christine Feehan writes emotions; angst, regret, betrayal, guilt, sorrow, joy, passion, love. You name it and she makes you feel it which is one of the things I find most appealing about her stories – the ability to connect on a personal level with the characters.
Another thing I love about Christine Feehan’s writing of the Leopard People series is how incredibly detailed she is about the differences between the cat and the human, each trying to live according to their own nature’s law and doing it while inhabiting the same body. There’s this odd need for cooperation between the two species. And the shifting process is given in such detail that I can easily visualize it, and almost feel it happening.
And as cheesy as this sounds, while reading Wild Fire I had a light bulb over the head moment where the importance of being comfortable in your own body, of accepting yourself exactly as you are became even more important to me. All the self help books, deep inner reflection, well meaning friends and Dr. Phil shows have never come closer to giving me the level of understanding that Conner and Isabeau did as he encouraged her not to be ashamed of who and what she is, but to embrace it and find all the good in it. Like I said, cheesy, I know, but hey… we should take life’s positive lessons where ever we can get them!
Anyway, this is yet another great addition to the series and I can’t wait to see whose book is next, but I'd be thrilled if it were Drake's story!
Another thing I love about Christine Feehan’s writing of the Leopard People series is how incredibly detailed she is about the differences between the cat and the human, each trying to live according to their own nature’s law and doing it while inhabiting the same body. There’s this odd need for cooperation between the two species. And the shifting process is given in such detail that I can easily visualize it, and almost feel it happening.
And as cheesy as this sounds, while reading Wild Fire I had a light bulb over the head moment where the importance of being comfortable in your own body, of accepting yourself exactly as you are became even more important to me. All the self help books, deep inner reflection, well meaning friends and Dr. Phil shows have never come closer to giving me the level of understanding that Conner and Isabeau did as he encouraged her not to be ashamed of who and what she is, but to embrace it and find all the good in it. Like I said, cheesy, I know, but hey… we should take life’s positive lessons where ever we can get them!
Anyway, this is yet another great addition to the series and I can’t wait to see whose book is next, but I'd be thrilled if it were Drake's story!
May 9, 2016
I've enjoyed Feehan's Dark series (for the most part) and thought I'd give the Leopards a whirl. Don't think it's going to be my thing.
I'm not a big fan of the paramilitary/special forces type of contemporary romances. I know there's a huge market for that and not sure why it doesn't draw me in. I enjoy reading about historical warriors. *shrugs*
Also, in a PNR I like the setting to be more immersed in the fantasy world of fantasy creatures. The story/setting was anchored in the real world of evil S. American drug lords versus the paramilitary group sent in to bring them down. The paramilitary group just happened to be able to shift into leopards and they thought about sex even more than the Carpathians. Seriously.
I know I started in the middle of the series, but the plot here interested me the most. I love betrayal type romances where the hero has to win the heroine back. Sadly, there wasn't much of that here. It was just an excuse to bring the H/h back together. After that, the h was going into heat (literally) and she had to have someone to bang so WTH, why not forgive the hero and bang him. He was good in bed and obsessed with her. Definitely, a sure thing.
I did find some of the cat in heat things kind of funny. If you've ever been around a female cat in heat, you'll recognize the behavior. The heroine refers to her cat as a "hussy", which is one of those words that always makes me laugh along with "poop". I'm sophisticated like that.
A lot of Feehan books have an element about a sexual sadist (most members of the group hunting the Carpathians, the serial killer in the first Dark book, the H's brother in The Scarletti Curse...) In this book, the drug kingpins and their minions were real sickos. I found it disturbing. I'll grant they were suitably villainous villains, I just didn't relish hearing about it.
The heroine is also severely beaten by a man/leopard who wants to have her as his mate in a scenario designed to punish her for being with the hero and provoke the hero into a fight. There was no rape, but there was a disturbingly sexual undertone to it all.
Finally, and this is TOTALLY YMMV - if the characters are capable of shifting into the form of an animal, I don't want to be privy to their sexual activities while in that form. I'd rather just gloss over that bit. In fact, I'd prefer if Feehan did a lot more glossing over of sex in general. It gets repetitive and flat out boring at times.
I'm not a big fan of the paramilitary/special forces type of contemporary romances. I know there's a huge market for that and not sure why it doesn't draw me in. I enjoy reading about historical warriors. *shrugs*
Also, in a PNR I like the setting to be more immersed in the fantasy world of fantasy creatures. The story/setting was anchored in the real world of evil S. American drug lords versus the paramilitary group sent in to bring them down. The paramilitary group just happened to be able to shift into leopards and they thought about sex even more than the Carpathians. Seriously.
I know I started in the middle of the series, but the plot here interested me the most. I love betrayal type romances where the hero has to win the heroine back. Sadly, there wasn't much of that here. It was just an excuse to bring the H/h back together. After that, the h was going into heat (literally) and she had to have someone to bang so WTH, why not forgive the hero and bang him. He was good in bed and obsessed with her. Definitely, a sure thing.
I did find some of the cat in heat things kind of funny. If you've ever been around a female cat in heat, you'll recognize the behavior. The heroine refers to her cat as a "hussy", which is one of those words that always makes me laugh along with "poop". I'm sophisticated like that.
A lot of Feehan books have an element about a sexual sadist (most members of the group hunting the Carpathians, the serial killer in the first Dark book, the H's brother in The Scarletti Curse...) In this book, the drug kingpins and their minions were real sickos. I found it disturbing. I'll grant they were suitably villainous villains, I just didn't relish hearing about it.
The heroine is also severely beaten by a man/leopard who wants to have her as his mate in a scenario designed to punish her for being with the hero and provoke the hero into a fight. There was no rape, but there was a disturbingly sexual undertone to it all.
Finally, and this is TOTALLY YMMV - if the characters are capable of shifting into the form of an animal, I don't want to be privy to their sexual activities while in that form. I'd rather just gloss over that bit. In fact, I'd prefer if Feehan did a lot more glossing over of sex in general. It gets repetitive and flat out boring at times.
March 9, 2011
So… you can review individual books, but not authors, is that right? Hmm. Well, in that case, Wild Fire is the book that has made me decide to never read Christine Feehan again. (A statement like that will probably have many people decide to read every book she has ever written, just to prove me wrong wrong wrong.)
To be fair, there have been some that I enjoyed: Carpathians—Dark Prince, Dark Symphony, and Dark Slayer; Leopards—Burning Wild; Drake Sisters—Hidden Currents, Safe Harbor, and Turbulent Seas; and, like, half of the Ghost Walker books. So really, I’m not a hater. I’ve probably read a good twelve to fifteen of her books. I just reached my limit, and I don’t mean my limit of books—I mean my limit of Feehanisms. Wild Fire had them all, shamelessly. Not the obvious ones, the supernatural, one-mate-for-life, repetitive language bits. Here are my list of Feehanisms, minor and major, that I’m just completely tired of:
1. These books usually have a group of highly skilled, knowledgable men and one naïve woman. The author goes out of her way to point out (even having the characters say it) that this woman is very intelligent, yet the heroine is so ignorant about this supernatural world (in this case, cat shifting) and her sexuality. She has to be educated by the men about the former, and her mate for the latter. In a Feehan novel, the heroine is either completely inexperienced (usually being too psychically volatile to touch other people, or physically isolated from others) or her only sexually experiences are brutal ones. Because of this setup, the characters seem interchangeable because there’s so much explaining of the same explanation (you’re a leopard, you’re going into heat, we mate for life) and repetition of roles book after book.
2. Except for the Drake sisters, the heroine is usually isolated. Like, princess in a tower kind of isolated. They have no friends, family, or online community.
3. These people travel the world, and despite how exotic the locale (in this case the South American rainforest), the scenes break down to: a jungle/forest; a crowded party; a huge house with a big, central staircase; some kind of barracks/enemy fort; or a lair. If it is not one of these places, it is barely described (exception being the Drake sisters’ house). But what’s worse is the overlying sense of, um, American-ness to all these places and the people who inhabit them. In Wild Fire, the premise is that the leopard people have lived in the jungles since time out of mind, protecting the jungle and its inhabitants. Why then, do they all have names like Mary, Jeremiah, and Conner, and why are they all Anglicized in their appearance? When Connor wants to marry Isabeau, how is it that everyone there knows exactly what the wedding needs? How is it that a different species a continent away has the same WASPy traditions as a stereotypical American wedding? If the bride and groom hadn’t left because the bride was going into heat, I bet they would have done the Chicken Dance and the Electric Slide at some point. I assume they’re speaking English in Wild Fire, not Spanish, not because the book is written in English, but because the idioms are American. In the completely isolated cabin Conner and his mother lived in, they just brew up a kettle for tea and Isabeau pops into the shower—and the logistics of that are completely written off under something like “Conner prepared for the group’s arrival.” Really? Is there running water, or a catchment system for this tree house? How do they have lights? Electricity? Is the stove gas or electricity? How did he get lightbulbs, much less gas into the jungle? Etc. When part of the whole sexiness is that it’s wild and exotic, why does Feehan not bother to change up the setting in any significant way? It seems really lazy. Although I’ve never been to the rainforest in Borneo, so I could be way off on this point. It could all be suburbs down there.
3. These series never end! In the Carpathian books, even when the main evil wizard is killed, one of his minions escapes (and this is after, like, 20 books, including a Christmas special!) AND there’s the leopard/panther spinoff. Even the Drake sisters’ series, where you thought would end after seven books—seven sisters, seven books, right?—now there’s the “Sea Haven” series set in the same town, with more sisters! AND the brother of one of the Drake sisters’ husbands, who himself has six brothers. This could be ten more books! Making “franchise” a dirty word.
4. Why don’t any of these chicks wear a bra? The women do so much running and attacking, and—frankly—bouncing, and (as mentioned earlier) hanging out with groups of strange men, you’d think they’d feel more comfortable with a support garment of some sort. Or is going bra-less shorthand for being an ass kicker?
5. The sex is always rough. Sometimes, it is super hawt; other times, it’s an “it’s not rape because it’s true love” explanation; but always, always it is rough. Words like rasp, pound, hammer, grind, pummel, slap, pierce (I think in this book he pierces her cervix or enters it somehow), and “bruising force” are common. Teeth and biting also very common (hard to avoid with vampires and leopards, but still, there are some parts I would rather not think about being bitten hard enough to draw blood). One character in the Ghost Walker series is tortured and scarred over his entire—yup, entire—body and can only feel pleasure when humping is when it’s super rough, and that process is described… lingeringly. And their penises are always super huge, and they hump, like, five times a night. Even the heroine in Wild Fire feels it the next day, down in her junk, and she expects to be walking funny. It’s all very porn-y at times.
6. Finally, and this is the biggest one, is the violence, especially sexual violence perpetrated on the women in Feehan books. I mean, the men take a pounding (a beating not a “pounding”)—see above where I cite the guy who was tortured over his whole body—but the women are just abused over and above. There’s routine and systematic child abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, psychic abuse (if that’s a real term, for when psychics harass helpless innocents), torture, a whole strange wizard blood thing in the Carpathians that surely must count as incest, rape as a part of a breeding program, pregnant women who are attacked and have their throats cut—one Carpathian woman was literally torn to tiny bits and had to, I don’t know, will herself back together. In Wild Fire, the heroine is attacked by a rival leopard, who slashes her across the breasts, down the legs, and right in the cooter. I mean, really: what does all this violence mean? What is all this violence supposed to prove—that her characters are the most bad ass of all?
What all these things make me feel is that it’s all pointless—and that’s pretty bad when your escapist fiction makes you feel nihilistic.
To be fair, there have been some that I enjoyed: Carpathians—Dark Prince, Dark Symphony, and Dark Slayer; Leopards—Burning Wild; Drake Sisters—Hidden Currents, Safe Harbor, and Turbulent Seas; and, like, half of the Ghost Walker books. So really, I’m not a hater. I’ve probably read a good twelve to fifteen of her books. I just reached my limit, and I don’t mean my limit of books—I mean my limit of Feehanisms. Wild Fire had them all, shamelessly. Not the obvious ones, the supernatural, one-mate-for-life, repetitive language bits. Here are my list of Feehanisms, minor and major, that I’m just completely tired of:
1. These books usually have a group of highly skilled, knowledgable men and one naïve woman. The author goes out of her way to point out (even having the characters say it) that this woman is very intelligent, yet the heroine is so ignorant about this supernatural world (in this case, cat shifting) and her sexuality. She has to be educated by the men about the former, and her mate for the latter. In a Feehan novel, the heroine is either completely inexperienced (usually being too psychically volatile to touch other people, or physically isolated from others) or her only sexually experiences are brutal ones. Because of this setup, the characters seem interchangeable because there’s so much explaining of the same explanation (you’re a leopard, you’re going into heat, we mate for life) and repetition of roles book after book.
2. Except for the Drake sisters, the heroine is usually isolated. Like, princess in a tower kind of isolated. They have no friends, family, or online community.
3. These people travel the world, and despite how exotic the locale (in this case the South American rainforest), the scenes break down to: a jungle/forest; a crowded party; a huge house with a big, central staircase; some kind of barracks/enemy fort; or a lair. If it is not one of these places, it is barely described (exception being the Drake sisters’ house). But what’s worse is the overlying sense of, um, American-ness to all these places and the people who inhabit them. In Wild Fire, the premise is that the leopard people have lived in the jungles since time out of mind, protecting the jungle and its inhabitants. Why then, do they all have names like Mary, Jeremiah, and Conner, and why are they all Anglicized in their appearance? When Connor wants to marry Isabeau, how is it that everyone there knows exactly what the wedding needs? How is it that a different species a continent away has the same WASPy traditions as a stereotypical American wedding? If the bride and groom hadn’t left because the bride was going into heat, I bet they would have done the Chicken Dance and the Electric Slide at some point. I assume they’re speaking English in Wild Fire, not Spanish, not because the book is written in English, but because the idioms are American. In the completely isolated cabin Conner and his mother lived in, they just brew up a kettle for tea and Isabeau pops into the shower—and the logistics of that are completely written off under something like “Conner prepared for the group’s arrival.” Really? Is there running water, or a catchment system for this tree house? How do they have lights? Electricity? Is the stove gas or electricity? How did he get lightbulbs, much less gas into the jungle? Etc. When part of the whole sexiness is that it’s wild and exotic, why does Feehan not bother to change up the setting in any significant way? It seems really lazy. Although I’ve never been to the rainforest in Borneo, so I could be way off on this point. It could all be suburbs down there.
3. These series never end! In the Carpathian books, even when the main evil wizard is killed, one of his minions escapes (and this is after, like, 20 books, including a Christmas special!) AND there’s the leopard/panther spinoff. Even the Drake sisters’ series, where you thought would end after seven books—seven sisters, seven books, right?—now there’s the “Sea Haven” series set in the same town, with more sisters! AND the brother of one of the Drake sisters’ husbands, who himself has six brothers. This could be ten more books! Making “franchise” a dirty word.
4. Why don’t any of these chicks wear a bra? The women do so much running and attacking, and—frankly—bouncing, and (as mentioned earlier) hanging out with groups of strange men, you’d think they’d feel more comfortable with a support garment of some sort. Or is going bra-less shorthand for being an ass kicker?
5. The sex is always rough. Sometimes, it is super hawt; other times, it’s an “it’s not rape because it’s true love” explanation; but always, always it is rough. Words like rasp, pound, hammer, grind, pummel, slap, pierce (I think in this book he pierces her cervix or enters it somehow), and “bruising force” are common. Teeth and biting also very common (hard to avoid with vampires and leopards, but still, there are some parts I would rather not think about being bitten hard enough to draw blood). One character in the Ghost Walker series is tortured and scarred over his entire—yup, entire—body and can only feel pleasure when humping is when it’s super rough, and that process is described… lingeringly. And their penises are always super huge, and they hump, like, five times a night. Even the heroine in Wild Fire feels it the next day, down in her junk, and she expects to be walking funny. It’s all very porn-y at times.
6. Finally, and this is the biggest one, is the violence, especially sexual violence perpetrated on the women in Feehan books. I mean, the men take a pounding (a beating not a “pounding”)—see above where I cite the guy who was tortured over his whole body—but the women are just abused over and above. There’s routine and systematic child abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, psychic abuse (if that’s a real term, for when psychics harass helpless innocents), torture, a whole strange wizard blood thing in the Carpathians that surely must count as incest, rape as a part of a breeding program, pregnant women who are attacked and have their throats cut—one Carpathian woman was literally torn to tiny bits and had to, I don’t know, will herself back together. In Wild Fire, the heroine is attacked by a rival leopard, who slashes her across the breasts, down the legs, and right in the cooter. I mean, really: what does all this violence mean? What is all this violence supposed to prove—that her characters are the most bad ass of all?
What all these things make me feel is that it’s all pointless—and that’s pretty bad when your escapist fiction makes you feel nihilistic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2010
This tale revolves around a woman cruelly betrayed by her lover, and a man hopeless in his need for redemption. It is fascinating because he happens to be the conniving betrayer who actually loves her and needs her to forgive him, as well as needing to forgive himself. In addition, her true nature causes another man to believe he has the right to her love. I never thought that I would enjoy reading a description of two men physically fighting to the death over a woman, nor that I would root for one of them, yet I did find it riveting.
I found the story realistic because many things were happening overlaying each other. In real life we don't get to follow one plot at a time. Perhaps the heroine is a bit too perfect on the surface, but Feehan's descriptions of her inner struggles to come around to acceptance of truth make her one of us. I've read most of the best romance writers of our time. Never before have I seen an alpha male who sees the happiness of his woman as paramount to his inner contentment to the extent Conner does, without him ever losing his alpha power.
The plot elements are so well intertwined that at times I had to stop to consider which were subplot and which were main plot. The settings are so realistically described as to make me shudder at the creepy feel of insects. Even the secondary characters are drawn with a depth that makes them feel like neighbors. The fact that the winners do not come out unscathed makes this less like a typical romance and more like literature, which is fine with me. Christine Feehan's talent is refreshing.
Those who don't think they'd like paranormal romances should read this one and reconsider.
I found the story realistic because many things were happening overlaying each other. In real life we don't get to follow one plot at a time. Perhaps the heroine is a bit too perfect on the surface, but Feehan's descriptions of her inner struggles to come around to acceptance of truth make her one of us. I've read most of the best romance writers of our time. Never before have I seen an alpha male who sees the happiness of his woman as paramount to his inner contentment to the extent Conner does, without him ever losing his alpha power.
The plot elements are so well intertwined that at times I had to stop to consider which were subplot and which were main plot. The settings are so realistically described as to make me shudder at the creepy feel of insects. Even the secondary characters are drawn with a depth that makes them feel like neighbors. The fact that the winners do not come out unscathed makes this less like a typical romance and more like literature, which is fine with me. Christine Feehan's talent is refreshing.
Those who don't think they'd like paranormal romances should read this one and reconsider.
May 14, 2013
I read this book years ago and I couldn't remember why I disliked it. I decided to give it another try before the release of Leopards Prey. This is the most disgusting, disturbing book I have read.I usually avoid books about rape and abuse to women. The abuse inflicted on the Isabeau the female lead in this story is hideous. She was beaten repeatedly, clawed and raked, and bitten with fangs. Isabeau was horribly abused on her wedding day. What is wrong with you Christine Feehan?? It was Isabeau's wedding day!!!! Why Why?? The only thing is these horrible abuses happen at the end of the book, but it is so descriptive it made me sick. I don't understand the mentality around women loving to read about the physical abuse and cruelty done to other women. These 5 star reviews are sickening. I am surprised at Ms. Feehan writing this kind of abuse. Read at your own risk. I cannot recommend this book. If you are thinking about reading this book, just know it is not connected to the Leopard series in a way you won't understand the other books in the series. Its more of a stand alone. Its not necessary to read Wild Fire to understand Savage Nature and Leopards Prey.
January 28, 2016
Uff, que calor.
Este es bueno. Te quemas viva con toda la tensión sexual entre los leopardos en la primera parte. Me encantó leerlo. Fue algo bastante animal.
Me gustan Isabeau y Conner, me gusta que hayan podido arreglar sus cosas y no salirse por la tangente. Regalan un par de momentos muy lindos como pareja y son bastante listos para quedarse junto al otro no matter what.
Aunque el contexto que los reúne suena muy escabroso y peligroso, la villana no queda a la altura de las especulaciones. Es más lo que se dice de ella, que lo que realmente es.
Hacia el final, la parte romántica se termina y todo se vuelve terriblemente doloroso. No entiendo como es que siguen caminando. No puede haber alguien más golpeado que ellos, en serio, acabaron hechos mierdas, incluyendo Isabeau. Que horror, que dolor.
PD: Dato curioso, ella estaba todo el tiempo así: se le contrae el útero, siente un espasmo, y luego calor líquido. Y le pasa muyyyy seguido. Nunca había leído la palabra útero tantas veces.
Este es bueno. Te quemas viva con toda la tensión sexual entre los leopardos en la primera parte. Me encantó leerlo. Fue algo bastante animal.
Me gustan Isabeau y Conner, me gusta que hayan podido arreglar sus cosas y no salirse por la tangente. Regalan un par de momentos muy lindos como pareja y son bastante listos para quedarse junto al otro no matter what.
Pensaba que lo había hecho llamar para vengarse, pero la verdad era peor, lo había hecho llamar porque no podía soportar no verlo de nuevo.
Aunque el contexto que los reúne suena muy escabroso y peligroso, la villana no queda a la altura de las especulaciones. Es más lo que se dice de ella, que lo que realmente es.
Hacia el final, la parte romántica se termina y todo se vuelve terriblemente doloroso. No entiendo como es que siguen caminando. No puede haber alguien más golpeado que ellos, en serio, acabaron hechos mierdas, incluyendo Isabeau. Que horror, que dolor.
PD: Dato curioso, ella estaba todo el tiempo así: se le contrae el útero, siente un espasmo, y luego calor líquido. Y le pasa muyyyy seguido. Nunca había leído la palabra útero tantas veces.
April 5, 2010
Reviewed by me for Mandi
Favorite quote: "I activated our 'come and get us, we're fucked' button."
Leopard shifter Conner Vega is a member of one of the most lethal shifter tribes in the Amazon. He and a group of fellow shifters are part of a covert group that handles dangerous assignments to eliminate all threats to the rain forest and their tribes.
Conner meets his mate, Isabeau Chandler, on such a mission. Caught between his need to claim her as his and maintaining his undercover assignment-Conner chooses the assignment and is forced to betray his mate. Carrying the scars of his betrayal, Conner is forced to bear the memory of his shame alone forever.
Isabeau is a Borneo shifter who has never forgiven or forgotten Conner. While she despises the very ground he walks on-her body betrays her with a raging passion only he can satisfy. Now circumstances has forced them together. And hell hath no fury like a shifter scorned.
Conner Vega is a beautiful terrifying leopard shifter. He is called upon to once more go undercover for the cause. But this mission will test his very soul. Shifter children have been kidnapped by drug czar Imelda Cortez in order to force the tribes to run her drugs through the forest. Conner and his men have been asked to take Imelda and her operation out and rescue the children. Conner will have to seduce Imelda and this brings back memories of another time he seduced and betrayed a woman; Isabeau Chandler. Isabeau is his mate and he left her with nothing more then pain, humiliation, and betrayel. But his new mission brings Isabeau back into his life and gives then both a second chance at the passion they barely tasted before.
Wild Fire is a heady passionate seductive story filled with romance, suspense, and my favorite...shapeshifters. Rowr!!! Feehan puts the main protagonists Conner and Isabeau together right from the start, allowing them to start repairing their tumultuous relationship. The depth of their emotions leaps right off the page. I could feel Conner's love for Isabeau and of her conflicted feelings for Conner. Feenan has that unique ability that every writer strives for. To allow the reader to truly experience what her characters are feeling.
This story leaves you no doubt to the depth of Conner's love and his shame for what he did. Isabeau clearly reciprocates the feelings but as expected needs to over come her anger at Conner. I really love how Feehan have them come together and begin the healing in the beginning of the story. Their evolving love story is shamelessly erotic and incorporates into the plot seamlessly. Isabeau has no idea she is a shifter and Conner uses the excuse of teaching her as a way to keep Isabeau close to him. When Conner has to go through with the mission, Isabeau and the rest of the group talk Conner into allowing her to accompany them to Imelda's.
The villains of this story are some nasty depraved individuals. The kicker is, this stuff really happens. Deception is a core theme in the story so the good and bad aren't always obvious. There are some beautiful moving scenes in the book that brought tears to my eyes. There are some disturbing forces at work that test the bonds of Isabeau and Conner's relationship that I really felt went a little too far. But Feehan has them play out plausible satisfactory way. The secondary characters are a delight that I very much enjoyed meeting. Some new characters are introduced that I hope to see more of, especially Jeremiah. The banter between them is fast paced and very humorous at times. I cannot wait to read about each one meeting their mates and the story of their journey.
I only had one problem with the book. Feehan has a recurring theme in her books about dominance & innocence. Often the heroine is often overcome in some sexual fashion by a man in the book-be it her lover or enemy. Conner remarks frequently that Isabeau was an innocent when he met her and he alone taught her how to please a man. This creeps me out a little. But Conner doesn't lord the whole alpha dominance thing over Isabeau. He is respectful of her and doesn't push a side her feelings or thoughts. He treats her as his equal and that went far in me liking this story.
Favorite quote: "I activated our 'come and get us, we're fucked' button."
Leopard shifter Conner Vega is a member of one of the most lethal shifter tribes in the Amazon. He and a group of fellow shifters are part of a covert group that handles dangerous assignments to eliminate all threats to the rain forest and their tribes.
Conner meets his mate, Isabeau Chandler, on such a mission. Caught between his need to claim her as his and maintaining his undercover assignment-Conner chooses the assignment and is forced to betray his mate. Carrying the scars of his betrayal, Conner is forced to bear the memory of his shame alone forever.
Isabeau is a Borneo shifter who has never forgiven or forgotten Conner. While she despises the very ground he walks on-her body betrays her with a raging passion only he can satisfy. Now circumstances has forced them together. And hell hath no fury like a shifter scorned.
Conner Vega is a beautiful terrifying leopard shifter. He is called upon to once more go undercover for the cause. But this mission will test his very soul. Shifter children have been kidnapped by drug czar Imelda Cortez in order to force the tribes to run her drugs through the forest. Conner and his men have been asked to take Imelda and her operation out and rescue the children. Conner will have to seduce Imelda and this brings back memories of another time he seduced and betrayed a woman; Isabeau Chandler. Isabeau is his mate and he left her with nothing more then pain, humiliation, and betrayel. But his new mission brings Isabeau back into his life and gives then both a second chance at the passion they barely tasted before.
Wild Fire is a heady passionate seductive story filled with romance, suspense, and my favorite...shapeshifters. Rowr!!! Feehan puts the main protagonists Conner and Isabeau together right from the start, allowing them to start repairing their tumultuous relationship. The depth of their emotions leaps right off the page. I could feel Conner's love for Isabeau and of her conflicted feelings for Conner. Feenan has that unique ability that every writer strives for. To allow the reader to truly experience what her characters are feeling.
This story leaves you no doubt to the depth of Conner's love and his shame for what he did. Isabeau clearly reciprocates the feelings but as expected needs to over come her anger at Conner. I really love how Feehan have them come together and begin the healing in the beginning of the story. Their evolving love story is shamelessly erotic and incorporates into the plot seamlessly. Isabeau has no idea she is a shifter and Conner uses the excuse of teaching her as a way to keep Isabeau close to him. When Conner has to go through with the mission, Isabeau and the rest of the group talk Conner into allowing her to accompany them to Imelda's.
The villains of this story are some nasty depraved individuals. The kicker is, this stuff really happens. Deception is a core theme in the story so the good and bad aren't always obvious. There are some beautiful moving scenes in the book that brought tears to my eyes. There are some disturbing forces at work that test the bonds of Isabeau and Conner's relationship that I really felt went a little too far. But Feehan has them play out plausible satisfactory way. The secondary characters are a delight that I very much enjoyed meeting. Some new characters are introduced that I hope to see more of, especially Jeremiah. The banter between them is fast paced and very humorous at times. I cannot wait to read about each one meeting their mates and the story of their journey.
I only had one problem with the book. Feehan has a recurring theme in her books about dominance & innocence. Often the heroine is often overcome in some sexual fashion by a man in the book-be it her lover or enemy. Conner remarks frequently that Isabeau was an innocent when he met her and he alone taught her how to please a man. This creeps me out a little. But Conner doesn't lord the whole alpha dominance thing over Isabeau. He is respectful of her and doesn't push a side her feelings or thoughts. He treats her as his equal and that went far in me liking this story.
May 10, 2010
This is the fourth book in the leopard people series.
This review contains spoilers!
Within the series, I didn’t feel this book lived up to the strength of the other books. But, as a standalone it was a great read and I would recommend it, to any fans of Christine Feehan or shape shifter fans.
Conner Vega on his last assignment found and betrayed his mate Isabeau Chandler, getting her father killed. After spending a year in America with Drake, he’s come back to the Panama rainforest hoping to live with the scars of the way he betrayed his mate.
Only he can’t run forever, Isabeau needs Conner’s help to stop the new drug lord Imelda Cortez from killing the children from the village, that have already been taken by two rogue leopards working for Cortez.
Isabeau knows how low Conner will go to get the job done, but she can’t help the feelings she has for him. Conner will show Isabeau everything she needs to know about being a leopard shifter to try and win her trust back and show her it wasn’t just an assignment but real.
Conner’s team consists of Rio and Elijah (both from Wild Rain) and the Santos brothers: Felipe and Leonard.
Conner receives word from his father that his mother has been killed by the two rogues that work for Cortez and that Conner’s half brother Mateo, which he knew nothing about, has been taken.
So Conner has to save his brother, win over his mate and kill the rogues that murdered his mother.
Favourite Quote: Rio to Conner “ I activated our ‘come and get us, we’re fucked’ button.”
The imagery of the jungle as always was beautifully written if a bit overplayed and repetitive in sections; it still managed to bring the jungle to life in my mind with creepy crawlies and all. I enjoyed the way the new character Jeremiah was brought into the story and how he became part of the team, it also lightened some of the book with the humour.
I thoroughly liked the way Drake was mentioned throughout the book and how we got updates on his progress. I’m wondering if the next book will be about Elijah or Drake! I’m hoping for Elijah and that it will shed some more light on his ‘dark past’.
This review contains spoilers!
Within the series, I didn’t feel this book lived up to the strength of the other books. But, as a standalone it was a great read and I would recommend it, to any fans of Christine Feehan or shape shifter fans.
Conner Vega on his last assignment found and betrayed his mate Isabeau Chandler, getting her father killed. After spending a year in America with Drake, he’s come back to the Panama rainforest hoping to live with the scars of the way he betrayed his mate.
Only he can’t run forever, Isabeau needs Conner’s help to stop the new drug lord Imelda Cortez from killing the children from the village, that have already been taken by two rogue leopards working for Cortez.
Isabeau knows how low Conner will go to get the job done, but she can’t help the feelings she has for him. Conner will show Isabeau everything she needs to know about being a leopard shifter to try and win her trust back and show her it wasn’t just an assignment but real.
Conner’s team consists of Rio and Elijah (both from Wild Rain) and the Santos brothers: Felipe and Leonard.
Conner receives word from his father that his mother has been killed by the two rogues that work for Cortez and that Conner’s half brother Mateo, which he knew nothing about, has been taken.
So Conner has to save his brother, win over his mate and kill the rogues that murdered his mother.
Favourite Quote: Rio to Conner “ I activated our ‘come and get us, we’re fucked’ button.”
The imagery of the jungle as always was beautifully written if a bit overplayed and repetitive in sections; it still managed to bring the jungle to life in my mind with creepy crawlies and all. I enjoyed the way the new character Jeremiah was brought into the story and how he became part of the team, it also lightened some of the book with the humour.
I thoroughly liked the way Drake was mentioned throughout the book and how we got updates on his progress. I’m wondering if the next book will be about Elijah or Drake! I’m hoping for Elijah and that it will shed some more light on his ‘dark past’.
April 26, 2010
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite quote: "I activated our 'come and get us, we're fucked' button."
Leopard shifter Conner Vega is a member of one of the most lethal shifter tribes in the Amazon. He and a group of fellow shifters are part of a covert group that handles dangerous assignments to eliminate all threats to the rain forest and their tribes.
Conner meets his mate, Isabeau Chandler, on such a mission. Caught between his need to claim her as his and maintaining his undercover assignment-Conner chooses the assignment and is forced to betray his mate. Carrying the scars of his betrayal, Conner is forced to bear the memory of his shame alone forever.
Isabeau is a Borneo shifter who has never forgiven or forgotten Conner. While she despises the very ground he walks on-her body betrays her with a raging passion only he can satisfy. Now circumstances has forced them together. And hell hath no fury like a shifter scorned.
Conner Vega is a beautiful terrifying leopard shifter. He is called upon to once more go undercover for the cause. But this mission will test his very soul. Shifter children have been kidnapped by drug czar Imelda Cortez in order to force the tribes to run her drugs through the forest. Conner and his men have been asked to take Imelda and her operation out and rescue the children. Conner will have to seduce Imelda and this brings back memories of another time he seduced and betrayed a woman; Isabeau Chandler. Isabeau is his mate and he left her with nothing more then pain, humiliation, and betrayel. But his new mission brings Isabeau back into his life and gives then both a second chance at the passion they barely tasted before.
Wild Fire is a heady passionate seductive story filled with romance, suspense, and my favorite...shapeshifters. Rowr!!! Feehan puts the main protagonists Conner and Isabeau together right from the start, allowing them to start repairing their tumultuous relationship. The depth of their emotions leaps right off the page. I could feel Conner's love for Isabeau and of her conflicted feelings for Conner. Feenan has that unique ability that every writer strives for. To allow the reader to truly experience what her characters are feeling.
This story leaves you no doubt to the depth of Conner's love and his shame for what he did. Isabeau clearly reciprocates the feelings but as expected needs to over come her anger at Conner. I really love how Feehan have them come together and begin the healing in the beginning of the story. Their evolving love story is shamelessly erotic and incorporates into the plot seamlessly. Isabeau has no idea she is a shifter and Conner uses the excuse of teaching her as a way to keep Isabeau close to him. When Conner has to go through with the mission, Isabeau and the rest of the group talk Conner into allowing her to accompany them to Imelda's.
The villains of this story are some nasty depraved individuals. The kicker is, this stuff really happens. Deception is a core theme in the story so the good and bad aren't always obvious. There are some beautiful moving scenes in the book that brought tears to my eyes. There are some disturbing forces at work that test the bonds of Isabeau and Conner's relationship that I really felt went a little too far. But Feehan has them play out plausible satisfactory way. The secondary characters are a delight that I very much enjoyed meeting. Some new characters are introduced that I hope to see more of, especially Jeremiah. The banter between them is fast paced and very humorous at times. I cannot wait to read about each one meeting their mates and the story of their journey.
I only had one problem with the book. Feehan has a recurring theme in her books about dominance & innocence. Often the heroine is often overcome in some sexual fashion by a man in the book-be it her lover or enemy. Conner remarks frequently that Isabeau was an innocent when he met her and he alone taught her how to please a man. This creeps me out a little. But Conner doesn't lord the whole alpha dominance thing over Isabeau. He is respectful of her and doesn't push a side her feelings or thoughts. He treats her as his equal and that went far in me liking this story.
Favorite quote: "I activated our 'come and get us, we're fucked' button."
Leopard shifter Conner Vega is a member of one of the most lethal shifter tribes in the Amazon. He and a group of fellow shifters are part of a covert group that handles dangerous assignments to eliminate all threats to the rain forest and their tribes.
Conner meets his mate, Isabeau Chandler, on such a mission. Caught between his need to claim her as his and maintaining his undercover assignment-Conner chooses the assignment and is forced to betray his mate. Carrying the scars of his betrayal, Conner is forced to bear the memory of his shame alone forever.
Isabeau is a Borneo shifter who has never forgiven or forgotten Conner. While she despises the very ground he walks on-her body betrays her with a raging passion only he can satisfy. Now circumstances has forced them together. And hell hath no fury like a shifter scorned.
Conner Vega is a beautiful terrifying leopard shifter. He is called upon to once more go undercover for the cause. But this mission will test his very soul. Shifter children have been kidnapped by drug czar Imelda Cortez in order to force the tribes to run her drugs through the forest. Conner and his men have been asked to take Imelda and her operation out and rescue the children. Conner will have to seduce Imelda and this brings back memories of another time he seduced and betrayed a woman; Isabeau Chandler. Isabeau is his mate and he left her with nothing more then pain, humiliation, and betrayel. But his new mission brings Isabeau back into his life and gives then both a second chance at the passion they barely tasted before.
Wild Fire is a heady passionate seductive story filled with romance, suspense, and my favorite...shapeshifters. Rowr!!! Feehan puts the main protagonists Conner and Isabeau together right from the start, allowing them to start repairing their tumultuous relationship. The depth of their emotions leaps right off the page. I could feel Conner's love for Isabeau and of her conflicted feelings for Conner. Feenan has that unique ability that every writer strives for. To allow the reader to truly experience what her characters are feeling.
This story leaves you no doubt to the depth of Conner's love and his shame for what he did. Isabeau clearly reciprocates the feelings but as expected needs to over come her anger at Conner. I really love how Feehan have them come together and begin the healing in the beginning of the story. Their evolving love story is shamelessly erotic and incorporates into the plot seamlessly. Isabeau has no idea she is a shifter and Conner uses the excuse of teaching her as a way to keep Isabeau close to him. When Conner has to go through with the mission, Isabeau and the rest of the group talk Conner into allowing her to accompany them to Imelda's.
The villains of this story are some nasty depraved individuals. The kicker is, this stuff really happens. Deception is a core theme in the story so the good and bad aren't always obvious. There are some beautiful moving scenes in the book that brought tears to my eyes. There are some disturbing forces at work that test the bonds of Isabeau and Conner's relationship that I really felt went a little too far. But Feehan has them play out plausible satisfactory way. The secondary characters are a delight that I very much enjoyed meeting. Some new characters are introduced that I hope to see more of, especially Jeremiah. The banter between them is fast paced and very humorous at times. I cannot wait to read about each one meeting their mates and the story of their journey.
I only had one problem with the book. Feehan has a recurring theme in her books about dominance & innocence. Often the heroine is often overcome in some sexual fashion by a man in the book-be it her lover or enemy. Conner remarks frequently that Isabeau was an innocent when he met her and he alone taught her how to please a man. This creeps me out a little. But Conner doesn't lord the whole alpha dominance thing over Isabeau. He is respectful of her and doesn't push a side her feelings or thoughts. He treats her as his equal and that went far in me liking this story.
May 4, 2010
Read Full Review Here
Who Needs A Snuggie When You Have a Hot Alpha Cat to Keep You Warm
Normally I wouldn’t put cats in the alpha hotness category, but Feehan does a nice job of mixing the sensuality and grace the leopard species melded with a healthy dose of possessive uber-male which makes for an exciting combination. I’ve been on the fence regarding Feehan’s books since I’ve already broken up with the Carpathian series and am damn close to putting the Ghostwalker series in the doghouse. I was pleasantly surprised with Burning Wild and found that Wild Fire was just as good.
Conner Vega has betrayed his mate, the worst offense a leopard can do. Unbeknownst to him, he was sent to seduce information out of then virgin Isabeau Chandler, and take down her father. Unaware of Conner’s scheme, she falls in love only to find out while her father lay dying, the man she thought she knew used her and left her without a father. Fast forward a year and Conner is back in the Jungle. Called on a mission to take down and seduce Imelda he knows he’s lost his mate forever, but once a leopard finds his mate it literally sickens them to be with any other. He doesn’t have the stomach for this type of job, but children have gone missing and he is the only leopard for the job.
Isabeau has not forgotten nor forgiven Conner for his betrayal and hand in her father’s death. If he can seduce her, he should have no problems seducing Imelda. Mates are forever can she forgive Conner for his betrayal…
I’m a big fan of the shapeshifter genre but Feehan manages to put a personal touch on the animalistic side of shapeshifters that can be lacking in most stories and adds an authenticity that enhances the ‘otherness’ of her characters. As always, her stories are well-crafted and suspenseful and thank god without telepathic mind messages of sending ‘love and affection to their partner’s mind’ or any healing chants. This was a vast improvement from her latest installments from her other series. *Reference Dark series, “Please God No More Carpathian Chants”. This series is a bit darker and more ‘erotic’ than her other series and I find that I like this style of writing best when it comes to Feehan. (I put erotic in quotations because on the scale of erotic naughtiness this is pretty staid but for a Christine Feehan book it is definitely more steamy than her usual installments).
I admit, I wasn’t jumping for joy at the betrayal angle when I read the back blurb. My heart just can’t take a whole lot of angst right now and usually, past betrayal plot lines don’t appeal to me. I didn’t mind it so much in Wild Fire because I thought Feehan did a darn good job blending a been there done that your my mate plot with added suspense. I’ve been reading shift books for quite some time, so it takes more than growls, mating heat, and hissing to keep me interested. Initially I thought to myself, okay no surprises in this book, Feehan did manage to put in a few twists and “oh really(s) into Wild Fire that kept me on my reading toes. As always she is the master of writing interesting, hot alphas that make my inner feminist hide in a deep, dark, place only to appear when Mr. Smokin’ asks me to cook him dinner.
Although Wild Fire didn’t bring anything new to the shape shifter genre, I find I didn’t mind the lack of world-building, instead liking the mystery and relationship between Conner and Isabeau. Although not as good as Burning Wild (previous leopard release), still an interesting and entertaining read for those that enjoy Christine Feehan’s books. I find that I am curious to see where this series will go and am looking forward to meeting some more hot alpha-leporads.
Other Reviews
Smexybooks 4/5
Burning Wild – Kindle (Leopard #2) | Wild Rain Kindle (Leopard #1)
Who Needs A Snuggie When You Have a Hot Alpha Cat to Keep You Warm
Mating is a higher law and there’s no getting around it. You can’t pretend it away. This is between us, no one else. We’ll work it out.” Conner.
She blinked rapidly to stop the burning tears. Damn him. He’d destroyed her.
Normally I wouldn’t put cats in the alpha hotness category, but Feehan does a nice job of mixing the sensuality and grace the leopard species melded with a healthy dose of possessive uber-male which makes for an exciting combination. I’ve been on the fence regarding Feehan’s books since I’ve already broken up with the Carpathian series and am damn close to putting the Ghostwalker series in the doghouse. I was pleasantly surprised with Burning Wild and found that Wild Fire was just as good.
Conner Vega has betrayed his mate, the worst offense a leopard can do. Unbeknownst to him, he was sent to seduce information out of then virgin Isabeau Chandler, and take down her father. Unaware of Conner’s scheme, she falls in love only to find out while her father lay dying, the man she thought she knew used her and left her without a father. Fast forward a year and Conner is back in the Jungle. Called on a mission to take down and seduce Imelda he knows he’s lost his mate forever, but once a leopard finds his mate it literally sickens them to be with any other. He doesn’t have the stomach for this type of job, but children have gone missing and he is the only leopard for the job.
Isabeau has not forgotten nor forgiven Conner for his betrayal and hand in her father’s death. If he can seduce her, he should have no problems seducing Imelda. Mates are forever can she forgive Conner for his betrayal…
I’m a big fan of the shapeshifter genre but Feehan manages to put a personal touch on the animalistic side of shapeshifters that can be lacking in most stories and adds an authenticity that enhances the ‘otherness’ of her characters. As always, her stories are well-crafted and suspenseful and thank god without telepathic mind messages of sending ‘love and affection to their partner’s mind’ or any healing chants. This was a vast improvement from her latest installments from her other series. *Reference Dark series, “Please God No More Carpathian Chants”. This series is a bit darker and more ‘erotic’ than her other series and I find that I like this style of writing best when it comes to Feehan. (I put erotic in quotations because on the scale of erotic naughtiness this is pretty staid but for a Christine Feehan book it is definitely more steamy than her usual installments).
I admit, I wasn’t jumping for joy at the betrayal angle when I read the back blurb. My heart just can’t take a whole lot of angst right now and usually, past betrayal plot lines don’t appeal to me. I didn’t mind it so much in Wild Fire because I thought Feehan did a darn good job blending a been there done that your my mate plot with added suspense. I’ve been reading shift books for quite some time, so it takes more than growls, mating heat, and hissing to keep me interested. Initially I thought to myself, okay no surprises in this book, Feehan did manage to put in a few twists and “oh really(s) into Wild Fire that kept me on my reading toes. As always she is the master of writing interesting, hot alphas that make my inner feminist hide in a deep, dark, place only to appear when Mr. Smokin’ asks me to cook him dinner.
Although Wild Fire didn’t bring anything new to the shape shifter genre, I find I didn’t mind the lack of world-building, instead liking the mystery and relationship between Conner and Isabeau. Although not as good as Burning Wild (previous leopard release), still an interesting and entertaining read for those that enjoy Christine Feehan’s books. I find that I am curious to see where this series will go and am looking forward to meeting some more hot alpha-leporads.
Other Reviews
Smexybooks 4/5
Burning Wild – Kindle (Leopard #2) | Wild Rain Kindle (Leopard #1)
December 10, 2010
Pretty good book and i'm beginning to think that the Leopard Series may just be better than Feehan's
Carpathian Series . After 21 books, the plot is progressing slowly and interestingly but the love formula's gone stale with the Carpathian couples. Wild Fire was a bit different in that it started with Connor having betrayed his mate by seducing her on a mission and not sharing the matey news with her.
His team is now on a new mission rescuing leopard hostages in the jungles of Panama and there's a chance to reunite with Isabeau. But will the evil villainess ruin the day? (note to self: tone down on the drama a bit, the chocolate happy-high is showing)
I liked this book. The characters and situations are described well enough that you can imagine being a part of the leopard people in the jungle. I laughed with these leopards and was definitely touched at the mushy wiring at times. Typical Feehan style - although i have to say it did get a bit too mushy at times. Men do not get so emotional - it's a bit unreal when they do. I also thought Isabeau was a bit irritating. Her progress the entire book was somewhat like -
He betrayed me.. he betrayed me.. he killed my father
and then 10 mins after meeting Connor again she goes
i can't keep my hands off him
and then again
he betrayed me..but i want him
huh?
But other than that? Nice
Carpathian Series . After 21 books, the plot is progressing slowly and interestingly but the love formula's gone stale with the Carpathian couples. Wild Fire was a bit different in that it started with Connor having betrayed his mate by seducing her on a mission and not sharing the matey news with her.
His team is now on a new mission rescuing leopard hostages in the jungles of Panama and there's a chance to reunite with Isabeau. But will the evil villainess ruin the day? (note to self: tone down on the drama a bit, the chocolate happy-high is showing)
I liked this book. The characters and situations are described well enough that you can imagine being a part of the leopard people in the jungle. I laughed with these leopards and was definitely touched at the mushy wiring at times. Typical Feehan style - although i have to say it did get a bit too mushy at times. Men do not get so emotional - it's a bit unreal when they do. I also thought Isabeau was a bit irritating. Her progress the entire book was somewhat like -
He betrayed me.. he betrayed me.. he killed my father
and then 10 mins after meeting Connor again she goes
i can't keep my hands off him
and then again
he betrayed me..but i want him
huh?
But other than that? Nice
December 21, 2016
My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!!
I own this book in paperback, and it is the 4th book in the series and a full novel. This is for adults only due to the steamy content. I should for warn you that there is one scene that is like torture, and if you are sensitive to this type of scene, I just want you to be aware.
This is another action packed book with all the dangers of South America and shifters. If you hadn’t guessed I’m working on reading this whole series. I’ve previously read a few, but never reviewed them. I love the steamy scenes in the rainforest, but I really love that there is plenty of action and intrigue to go with the scenes. I didn’t want to put the book down. I really like Conner, and I understand the trouble Isabeau had with his work and why she is conflicted at the start.
Christine Feehan always weaves a wonderful tale especially where paranormal and romance come together. I can’t wait to see whose story is next though I hope to see my favorites again and maybe find out what happens with Mateo and his kitten.
I highly recommend this to all the fans of Feehan and especially to those who love big cats and shifters!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!!
I own this book in paperback, and it is the 4th book in the series and a full novel. This is for adults only due to the steamy content. I should for warn you that there is one scene that is like torture, and if you are sensitive to this type of scene, I just want you to be aware.
This is another action packed book with all the dangers of South America and shifters. If you hadn’t guessed I’m working on reading this whole series. I’ve previously read a few, but never reviewed them. I love the steamy scenes in the rainforest, but I really love that there is plenty of action and intrigue to go with the scenes. I didn’t want to put the book down. I really like Conner, and I understand the trouble Isabeau had with his work and why she is conflicted at the start.
Christine Feehan always weaves a wonderful tale especially where paranormal and romance come together. I can’t wait to see whose story is next though I hope to see my favorites again and maybe find out what happens with Mateo and his kitten.
I highly recommend this to all the fans of Feehan and especially to those who love big cats and shifters!
August 22, 2010
I have been pleasantly surprised by Christine Feehan's Leopard series. Now that I have read each installment that has been published so far, I don't know what took me so long to jump on board! I love Feehan's other series': the Carpathian, Ghost Walkers, and Sea Haven series', and the novels about the leopard-people are every bit as good.
Wild Fire is an exciting and interesting read. Despite being noticeably darker and with some difficult (and at times, down-right ugly) subject-matter, I fell in love with the main characters Conner and Isabeau. The chemistry between these two is explosive, and the emotional baggage they carry around around, heavy and desperate. I don't think either one could have made it much longer in life without the other one.
As with Feehan's other series, I find myself longing for another story - guessing and anticipating the direction she will take, and wishing for stories about some of the other leopards we have met along the way in this series. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series just as soon as it becomes available. Christine Feehan's stories are guilty pleasures not to be missed!
Wild Fire is an exciting and interesting read. Despite being noticeably darker and with some difficult (and at times, down-right ugly) subject-matter, I fell in love with the main characters Conner and Isabeau. The chemistry between these two is explosive, and the emotional baggage they carry around around, heavy and desperate. I don't think either one could have made it much longer in life without the other one.
As with Feehan's other series, I find myself longing for another story - guessing and anticipating the direction she will take, and wishing for stories about some of the other leopards we have met along the way in this series. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series just as soon as it becomes available. Christine Feehan's stories are guilty pleasures not to be missed!
May 24, 2017
Not as good as her other books. I thought it dragged and was repetitive. 500 pages was just too many to tell Conner and Isabeau's story. I'm a cat person and the jaguar is my favorite animal and that should have been enough to keep my interest but this story just got on my nerves. And let's not even mention the rape and abuse of the heroine towards the end. Was that really necessary? Ms. Feehan is famous for her alpha males who basically rape their mates but this was different. Too over the top and totally unnecessary to prove that Conner loves her. That was made abundantly clear in the previous 400 pages.
April 6, 2019
4.5/5.0
Almost non-stop action that keeps one up all night!
Still threads that are introduced but never addressed and the sex scenes go on for paaaggggeeeesss (seriously, for those who skim or skip... you’ll be flipping up to 10 at a time.)
BUT, even those are easy to overlook when the overall story is Feehan storytelling at her best!
Almost non-stop action that keeps one up all night!
Still threads that are introduced but never addressed and the sex scenes go on for paaaggggeeeesss (seriously, for those who skim or skip... you’ll be flipping up to 10 at a time.)
BUT, even those are easy to overlook when the overall story is Feehan storytelling at her best!
July 6, 2010
I liked this book as I do generally like anything by Feehan...However wish I would have re read the first three in this series again because I was having a hard time placing the supporting cast which just annoyed as I was reading this one
December 29, 2021
Je dois dire qu'à chaque tome, Christine Feehan s'améliore encore et encore. Je suis très satisfaite de ce livre ! L'histoire contient encore plus d'actions, la romance est toujours aussi bonne et petit bonus pour ce tome-ci, le suspense sur l'aboutissement du livre nous tient jusqu'au bout. J'aurais aimé avoir un peu plus de détails sur le couple à la fin cependant. 4 étoiles me paraît donc une bonne note !
June 3, 2019
3.5/5 stars
September 25, 2020
“He buried his face in her neck and held her in his arms, absorbing the form the shape of her, the miracle of her. It had been so long since he held her, loved her, taken all that she was and given her everything he was. "I missed you." It was a ridiculous declaration. "Missed her" didn't begin to cover at all how he felt.” Conner- Wild Fire
Just finished my reread of Wild Fire. Holey Moley! Christine knows how to put her characters through emotional and physical wringers! If Isabeau and Conner don't grab hold of your heart, you don’t have one. *g*
.
Their past already has them bearing the wounds of deception and betrayal between them. Now they are brought together again, when she hires Drake Donovan's Security to save children, to find the mastermind behind a drug cartel attacking the villages in the rainforest.
.
Conner forced to admit his actions, though he knows they hurt her deeply, were necessary. Isabeau must come to that understanding, accept the harm her family was doing. Conner himself, with her help, comes to terms with his past, adds to his future. I love their growth through the story. Yes, there is the physical heat of mates calling them together, but that isn’t what brings them beyond their past, they are healed by honesty, support and respect they find for each other as they plan the rescue. A wonderfully written action thriller, a danger at every corner plot that gives the perfect premise for their romance, the affects of recognizing and accepting real love.
.
All while combating cartels and sadistic maniacs of both species. My heart was wrung through the gambit of emotions! Dang, Christine not only knows how to write amazing protagonists but her antagonists blow me away, too! Many secondary characters from previous books return for this case. You fall more deeply in love with them through their own mini-subplots written in balance with Conner and Isabeau’s story, adding to it, not detracting from it…I Love how Ottila and Rio had similar backgrounds but through their choices and personal character...one became a villain the other a hero.
.
It’s in this book we see more of how the Leopard People live in balance with the rainforest and each other. How dysfunction is part of the species, especially if a strong leader and code of conduct isn’t in place. We see more about the balance between human and Leopard and the strength and control they share, the partnership they need to develop.
.
Dreamy sigh for Conner and Isabeau, and Rio, Elijah, The Santos Bros-Felipe and Leonardo...and of course Jeremiah and Mateo. I really love what Jeremiah adds to the series as an adolescent coming into his own! And the members of the retirement valley were so refreshing! It was a great visit! I hope when she writes more we’ll see the rainforest again or at least the secondaries we left behind.
Next, stop on the road to Leopard’s Rage (nov 10) is Drake in Savage Nature! Talk about dysfunctional lairs!
Just finished my reread of Wild Fire. Holey Moley! Christine knows how to put her characters through emotional and physical wringers! If Isabeau and Conner don't grab hold of your heart, you don’t have one. *g*
.
Their past already has them bearing the wounds of deception and betrayal between them. Now they are brought together again, when she hires Drake Donovan's Security to save children, to find the mastermind behind a drug cartel attacking the villages in the rainforest.
.
Conner forced to admit his actions, though he knows they hurt her deeply, were necessary. Isabeau must come to that understanding, accept the harm her family was doing. Conner himself, with her help, comes to terms with his past, adds to his future. I love their growth through the story. Yes, there is the physical heat of mates calling them together, but that isn’t what brings them beyond their past, they are healed by honesty, support and respect they find for each other as they plan the rescue. A wonderfully written action thriller, a danger at every corner plot that gives the perfect premise for their romance, the affects of recognizing and accepting real love.
.
All while combating cartels and sadistic maniacs of both species. My heart was wrung through the gambit of emotions! Dang, Christine not only knows how to write amazing protagonists but her antagonists blow me away, too! Many secondary characters from previous books return for this case. You fall more deeply in love with them through their own mini-subplots written in balance with Conner and Isabeau’s story, adding to it, not detracting from it…I Love how Ottila and Rio had similar backgrounds but through their choices and personal character...one became a villain the other a hero.
.
It’s in this book we see more of how the Leopard People live in balance with the rainforest and each other. How dysfunction is part of the species, especially if a strong leader and code of conduct isn’t in place. We see more about the balance between human and Leopard and the strength and control they share, the partnership they need to develop.
.
Dreamy sigh for Conner and Isabeau, and Rio, Elijah, The Santos Bros-Felipe and Leonardo...and of course Jeremiah and Mateo. I really love what Jeremiah adds to the series as an adolescent coming into his own! And the members of the retirement valley were so refreshing! It was a great visit! I hope when she writes more we’ll see the rainforest again or at least the secondaries we left behind.
Next, stop on the road to Leopard’s Rage (nov 10) is Drake in Savage Nature! Talk about dysfunctional lairs!
November 1, 2017
“Why did you bring me here?”
Her eyes slid over him, holding contempt and pure loathing. “Because you’re the only person I know who is bastard enough, deceptive enough, who might be able to get those children back."
-Conner & Isabeau
“The female leopard always rebuffs her mate, giving him a show of claws, hissing and spitting like the little cat you are. All the while she’s seductive, driving her mate into a frenzy of hunger even as she pushes him away. Her body calls to his. Like yours does to mine. Do you know why, Hafelina?” She went very still, sensing danger. Absolute danger.
His teeth slid down her neck, nuzzled at her shoulder. “Because you belong to me.”
-Conner
Everything good in his life was now simply Isabeau.
-Conner
“Are you saying you think I have foul moods?”
“I think it’s entirely possible, yes,” she teased.
-Conner & Isabeau
“Want is an insipid word, Isabeau, for what I feel for you. I’m not going to blow it with you because I can’t keep my hands off of you. That happened once and I’ll be damned if it will happen again.”
-Conner
“How the hell did I ever make it without you?” he asked.
-Conner to Isabeau
“I love you, Isabeau,” he whispered, looking down into her eyes. “When this is over, marry me and have my children.”
-Conner
He was the dominant in the relationship, yet she held him in the palm of her hand.
-Conner's thoughts
Conner stared down at her, at the long lashes once more veiling her eyes, and he started to laugh. “You’re going to be hell to live with, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, aren’t you going to talk about dresses and suits?”
“I don’t have a dress.”
“Are we getting married naked then? It has its possibilities.”
She laughed softly. “You would think that. No. We’re wearing clothes. Now go to sleep. Talking makes you hard.”
“You make me hard. Looking at you makes me hard. Lying beside you gets me hard. The sound of your voice, the touch of your skin . . .”
-Conner & Isabeau
“What do you think you’re doing?” Conner hissed.
She lifted one shoulder and sent him her best siren’s smile. “Playing with fire. I like how it burns.”
-Conner & Isabeau
He bent his head to the temptation of her mouth. Once he touched his lips to hers, it was the same flaring heat, lighting a match to an explosive. His fingers curled around the nape of her neck to anchor her to him while he lost himself in the exquisite taste of her.
“Oooh. That’s gross,” Mateo said. “Are you going to be doing that all the time?”
Conner grinned at him. “All the time,” he confirmed.
Mateo’s answering grin was slow in coming but when it did, it reached his eyes. “Guess I can live with that.”
-Mateo, Conner, & Isabeau
Betrayal, job, marks, leopards, rainforest, reunite, Mateo, friends, family, mates, Han Vol Dan, shifting, loss, & love.
🐆🐆
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Her eyes slid over him, holding contempt and pure loathing. “Because you’re the only person I know who is bastard enough, deceptive enough, who might be able to get those children back."
-Conner & Isabeau
“The female leopard always rebuffs her mate, giving him a show of claws, hissing and spitting like the little cat you are. All the while she’s seductive, driving her mate into a frenzy of hunger even as she pushes him away. Her body calls to his. Like yours does to mine. Do you know why, Hafelina?” She went very still, sensing danger. Absolute danger.
His teeth slid down her neck, nuzzled at her shoulder. “Because you belong to me.”
-Conner
Everything good in his life was now simply Isabeau.
-Conner
“Are you saying you think I have foul moods?”
“I think it’s entirely possible, yes,” she teased.
-Conner & Isabeau
“Want is an insipid word, Isabeau, for what I feel for you. I’m not going to blow it with you because I can’t keep my hands off of you. That happened once and I’ll be damned if it will happen again.”
-Conner
“How the hell did I ever make it without you?” he asked.
-Conner to Isabeau
“I love you, Isabeau,” he whispered, looking down into her eyes. “When this is over, marry me and have my children.”
-Conner
He was the dominant in the relationship, yet she held him in the palm of her hand.
-Conner's thoughts
Conner stared down at her, at the long lashes once more veiling her eyes, and he started to laugh. “You’re going to be hell to live with, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely.”
“Well, aren’t you going to talk about dresses and suits?”
“I don’t have a dress.”
“Are we getting married naked then? It has its possibilities.”
She laughed softly. “You would think that. No. We’re wearing clothes. Now go to sleep. Talking makes you hard.”
“You make me hard. Looking at you makes me hard. Lying beside you gets me hard. The sound of your voice, the touch of your skin . . .”
-Conner & Isabeau
“What do you think you’re doing?” Conner hissed.
She lifted one shoulder and sent him her best siren’s smile. “Playing with fire. I like how it burns.”
-Conner & Isabeau
He bent his head to the temptation of her mouth. Once he touched his lips to hers, it was the same flaring heat, lighting a match to an explosive. His fingers curled around the nape of her neck to anchor her to him while he lost himself in the exquisite taste of her.
“Oooh. That’s gross,” Mateo said. “Are you going to be doing that all the time?”
Conner grinned at him. “All the time,” he confirmed.
Mateo’s answering grin was slow in coming but when it did, it reached his eyes. “Guess I can live with that.”
-Mateo, Conner, & Isabeau
Betrayal, job, marks, leopards, rainforest, reunite, Mateo, friends, family, mates, Han Vol Dan, shifting, loss, & love.
🐆🐆
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
March 2, 2018
Stars: 3 / 5
Recommendation: Shape-shifting Leopards, Mobsters and Love - A weird combination right? Well, it's worth reading on those lazy days or to bring you out of any kind of dull mood.
Wild Fire is the fourth book in the Leopard People by Christine Feehan published in April of 2010. The plot revolves around Connor Vega – a shape-shifting leopard living in the Borneo Forests – and Isabeau Chandler – another Borneo shifter out on vengeance.
The entire Leopard People Series focuses on humans who have ability of shape-shifting to leopards. Each plot covers one couple that are destined to be mated in this lifetime just like so many lifetimes in the past. And surrounding this couple the plot expands on this species of leopard shape-shifters, their advantages as being so, their perils and how their lives move along in this 21st century. All of the plots are either set in Borneo Rain Forest - coast of South East Asia - and Louisiana in USA or eventually lead there. These leopards come from very hard and cruel lairs, but they come out on their own, find their mate, infiltrate the mobs and acquire the territories taking over them.
Connor Vega is called on to a dangerous mission in the Panama rain forests, his homeland. Even though he is a lethal killer among the shape-shifter tribes, he is heaved down and marked by the betrayal he had done to his mate. Isabeau Chandler. However, when their paths cross and Isabeau is out to take her vengeance against Connor, little do they know that they are falling trap into a plot that is larger than this betrayal between them. A trap that is filled with more betrayals and ultimate sacrifices. How both Connor and Isabeau traverse these treacherous path, find each other and fight the hidden enemy is what Christine weaves into the rest of the book.
With this plot, we get to see more action – packed scenes with the male leopard people that we already got introduced in the first three books – Rio Santana, Elijah Lospostos - along with new shifters, Felipe and Leonardo Gomez Santos. I am glad to see more of Elijah in this book, he keeps increasing my interest in him. Can’t wait to read his story soon. Also I am getting more and more intrigued by Drake Donovan too - leader of this rat pack of lethal shifters, what with him injured and healing away in USA at Jake Bannaconni's estate. He is working his way along-side Elijah into my heart.
I like the plot-line that Christine Feehan is taking along us especially with regards to the fact that the female leopard-shifters have choice to take whom they (the human and leopard together) want as their mate. However, there is that one everywhere who would break the rule, take advantage of it and force a female to take someone as a mate even though that male isn’t true mate to her. And the suffering that the female shifter goes through in the process is so cruel and horrendous. It aches and tugs at my heart whenever I read those scenes that Christine plays out.
Isabaeu and Connor are once again paired perfectly, with their shared past of betrayal and vengeance, it wouldn’t be hard for them to get attracted to each other. However their characters are also complementary to each other – Connor’s lethal beast to Isabeau’s wild yet thoughtful leopard. Connor being the most lethal beast, one would think the antagonist would be easily over-powered. However, this is where Christine had smartly twisted the plot. She not only created the antagonist as an equal to Connor in power, but also in beauty and mind. The only difference Christine adds in is the way the antagonist is cruel in his thoughts and ways as opposed to Connor who is lethal but true to his morals and codes. If Christine had the villain look ugly perhaps it would be easy for the heroine Isabeau to choose Connor if given a choice, but adding the charm, mind and a bit of softness to the antagonist, she pitted both of them against each other as well as made it tough for Isabeau too. Even though she knew Connor was her mate, she could easily have fallen for the antagonist if not for his nature.
I remember reading a similar kind of concept in Nora Roberts book Enchanted published in October of 1999. Nora mentions in it where the heroine Rowan comments that the villain should be handsome and equal in looks as the hero so the heroine should pick her hero not just based on looks but based on what is hidden beneath the looks. It makes so perfect sense.
Christine again points out that leopard shifters mate for nine life-cycles similar to “cat has nine lives” concept. Suits perfectly since leopards are also cats. Also, I am still waiting to see how she goes from shifters saving the rain forests by these guardians to being part of mobster families, although we see a few hints in the past books on the path she would be taking eventually.
Again, Christine brings up some of the major social evils in this plot – deforestation along with misusing the trust the forest tribes put in the outsiders, kidnapping and slavery. Something media doesn’t highlight but it is happening everywhere for real. I sincerely hope there are real people like these shifters who are true guardians of the rain forests and fight these crimes, keeping the rain forests alive.
Last but not least, some of the language that Christine uses almost makes me feel that the women are slave to their men in their sensual needs. Sentences like “He’d whispered instructions, and she had obeyed, shivering with need….” Makes me wonder if in for real would women feel so with their men. Words like “obey”, “allow”, etc. make me cringe. However, when I read the entire erotic episode they make a lot of sense. Just by themselves they are off-note. And this would be my opinion of all of her books in this regards, a bitter-sweet pill to swallow if I must say.
Another successful book I would say in the series by Christine Feehan. Definite pick if you are into paranormal stuff that includes romance, love and saving the world.
Spoiler Alerts:
1) Plot Reveals:
a. Christine mentions a famous designer named Ruth Ann Gobel who is a leopard shifter and also lives in the Panama rain forests. I was wondering if there was someone for real with her name, but couldn’t find any. Guess she is a fictional person then. J
2) Sub Plots:
a. Christine introduces us to her future heroes of this series who are yet to be mated as of this book:
i. Drake Donovan – hurt during a mission and now healing while living on Jake’s land in Texas, USA.
ii. Joshua Tregre – I have read his story in the 10th book Leopard’s Blood. My review of the book here: https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c....
iii. Shilo – a female Leopard being protected by the leopard people in Borneo Forest.
iv. Elijah Lospostos – Rachael’s brother.
v. Felipe and Leonardo Gomez Santos – brothers from Brazilian rain forests.
vi. Jeremiah Wheating – a cub shifter who accidentally joins this group. Will there be more to him in a future plot is something we have to wait and see from Christine.
vii. Evan and Jerico - security / ranch hands all rolled into one at Jake’s property
viii. Mateo – Connor’s young step-brother
ix. Dr. Abel Winters and his wife Mary Winters – Leopard Doctors who help the leopard shifters when in need.
b. Christine also introduces a few non-leopard people as the plots proceed, but a few stand-out making me wonder if she would make them shifters in future plots:
i. Susan Hindman, Senator Hindman’s daughter, was introduced in Burning Wild (My review of that book here: https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). Christine makes her character as brilliant, sharp and fast-learner at a very young age. Will Christine make her a shape-shifter in a future plot is something one has to wait and see but all signs point towards that for me.
Recommendation: Shape-shifting Leopards, Mobsters and Love - A weird combination right? Well, it's worth reading on those lazy days or to bring you out of any kind of dull mood.
Wild Fire is the fourth book in the Leopard People by Christine Feehan published in April of 2010. The plot revolves around Connor Vega – a shape-shifting leopard living in the Borneo Forests – and Isabeau Chandler – another Borneo shifter out on vengeance.
The entire Leopard People Series focuses on humans who have ability of shape-shifting to leopards. Each plot covers one couple that are destined to be mated in this lifetime just like so many lifetimes in the past. And surrounding this couple the plot expands on this species of leopard shape-shifters, their advantages as being so, their perils and how their lives move along in this 21st century. All of the plots are either set in Borneo Rain Forest - coast of South East Asia - and Louisiana in USA or eventually lead there. These leopards come from very hard and cruel lairs, but they come out on their own, find their mate, infiltrate the mobs and acquire the territories taking over them.
Connor Vega is called on to a dangerous mission in the Panama rain forests, his homeland. Even though he is a lethal killer among the shape-shifter tribes, he is heaved down and marked by the betrayal he had done to his mate. Isabeau Chandler. However, when their paths cross and Isabeau is out to take her vengeance against Connor, little do they know that they are falling trap into a plot that is larger than this betrayal between them. A trap that is filled with more betrayals and ultimate sacrifices. How both Connor and Isabeau traverse these treacherous path, find each other and fight the hidden enemy is what Christine weaves into the rest of the book.
With this plot, we get to see more action – packed scenes with the male leopard people that we already got introduced in the first three books – Rio Santana, Elijah Lospostos - along with new shifters, Felipe and Leonardo Gomez Santos. I am glad to see more of Elijah in this book, he keeps increasing my interest in him. Can’t wait to read his story soon. Also I am getting more and more intrigued by Drake Donovan too - leader of this rat pack of lethal shifters, what with him injured and healing away in USA at Jake Bannaconni's estate. He is working his way along-side Elijah into my heart.
I like the plot-line that Christine Feehan is taking along us especially with regards to the fact that the female leopard-shifters have choice to take whom they (the human and leopard together) want as their mate. However, there is that one everywhere who would break the rule, take advantage of it and force a female to take someone as a mate even though that male isn’t true mate to her. And the suffering that the female shifter goes through in the process is so cruel and horrendous. It aches and tugs at my heart whenever I read those scenes that Christine plays out.
Isabaeu and Connor are once again paired perfectly, with their shared past of betrayal and vengeance, it wouldn’t be hard for them to get attracted to each other. However their characters are also complementary to each other – Connor’s lethal beast to Isabeau’s wild yet thoughtful leopard. Connor being the most lethal beast, one would think the antagonist would be easily over-powered. However, this is where Christine had smartly twisted the plot. She not only created the antagonist as an equal to Connor in power, but also in beauty and mind. The only difference Christine adds in is the way the antagonist is cruel in his thoughts and ways as opposed to Connor who is lethal but true to his morals and codes. If Christine had the villain look ugly perhaps it would be easy for the heroine Isabeau to choose Connor if given a choice, but adding the charm, mind and a bit of softness to the antagonist, she pitted both of them against each other as well as made it tough for Isabeau too. Even though she knew Connor was her mate, she could easily have fallen for the antagonist if not for his nature.
I remember reading a similar kind of concept in Nora Roberts book Enchanted published in October of 1999. Nora mentions in it where the heroine Rowan comments that the villain should be handsome and equal in looks as the hero so the heroine should pick her hero not just based on looks but based on what is hidden beneath the looks. It makes so perfect sense.
Christine again points out that leopard shifters mate for nine life-cycles similar to “cat has nine lives” concept. Suits perfectly since leopards are also cats. Also, I am still waiting to see how she goes from shifters saving the rain forests by these guardians to being part of mobster families, although we see a few hints in the past books on the path she would be taking eventually.
Again, Christine brings up some of the major social evils in this plot – deforestation along with misusing the trust the forest tribes put in the outsiders, kidnapping and slavery. Something media doesn’t highlight but it is happening everywhere for real. I sincerely hope there are real people like these shifters who are true guardians of the rain forests and fight these crimes, keeping the rain forests alive.
Last but not least, some of the language that Christine uses almost makes me feel that the women are slave to their men in their sensual needs. Sentences like “He’d whispered instructions, and she had obeyed, shivering with need….” Makes me wonder if in for real would women feel so with their men. Words like “obey”, “allow”, etc. make me cringe. However, when I read the entire erotic episode they make a lot of sense. Just by themselves they are off-note. And this would be my opinion of all of her books in this regards, a bitter-sweet pill to swallow if I must say.
Another successful book I would say in the series by Christine Feehan. Definite pick if you are into paranormal stuff that includes romance, love and saving the world.
Spoiler Alerts:
1) Plot Reveals:
a. Christine mentions a famous designer named Ruth Ann Gobel who is a leopard shifter and also lives in the Panama rain forests. I was wondering if there was someone for real with her name, but couldn’t find any. Guess she is a fictional person then. J
2) Sub Plots:
a. Christine introduces us to her future heroes of this series who are yet to be mated as of this book:
i. Drake Donovan – hurt during a mission and now healing while living on Jake’s land in Texas, USA.
ii. Joshua Tregre – I have read his story in the 10th book Leopard’s Blood. My review of the book here: https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c....
iii. Shilo – a female Leopard being protected by the leopard people in Borneo Forest.
iv. Elijah Lospostos – Rachael’s brother.
v. Felipe and Leonardo Gomez Santos – brothers from Brazilian rain forests.
vi. Jeremiah Wheating – a cub shifter who accidentally joins this group. Will there be more to him in a future plot is something we have to wait and see from Christine.
vii. Evan and Jerico - security / ranch hands all rolled into one at Jake’s property
viii. Mateo – Connor’s young step-brother
ix. Dr. Abel Winters and his wife Mary Winters – Leopard Doctors who help the leopard shifters when in need.
b. Christine also introduces a few non-leopard people as the plots proceed, but a few stand-out making me wonder if she would make them shifters in future plots:
i. Susan Hindman, Senator Hindman’s daughter, was introduced in Burning Wild (My review of that book here: https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...). Christine makes her character as brilliant, sharp and fast-learner at a very young age. Will Christine make her a shape-shifter in a future plot is something one has to wait and see but all signs point towards that for me.
May 3, 2010
Leopard shifter Conner Vega never expected to meet - less than work with - his mate, Isabeau Chandler, again whom he'd betrayed a year ago on a mission. Wanting her forgiveness and love, Conner plans to slowly coax her by his side while taking advantage of her newly discovered ability to shapeshift as well. He'd never expected to meet his mate on his undercover mission long ago, torn between abandoning the mission or forced to betray her to complete it. Isabeau bitterly remembers his betrayal and the shame he carries. Despite that, Conner still loves her and never forgotten. Now thrown together again, Isabeau tries to resist the attraction between them and Conner will do anything to win her back.
There was a lot of angst and sexual tension between the two. It would be hot, really emotional, fighting, trying to understand but ultimately still caring for each other. Although Conner is ashamed of himself, he makes it clear to Isabeau that she's still his mate and he does act like it. It was heartbreaking for Conner to forgive himself and for Isabeau to accept the facts. Isabeau, a while on, stupidly refused to believe her father's evil deeds even though Conner repeatedly explained himself. Gad, that lady should take the hint. It began to draw on for too long that I began to skip the pointless angst. Conner, I liked. He carries a heavy baggage, horrified of what he'd done - deals with his past - and wants to redeem himself in Isabeau's eyes. Really liked his alpha, angsty, protective self.
So when shifter children began disappearing, Conner is chosen to accept the mission (actually he accepts because that time he thought he had nothing else to lose) until Isabeau walks back into his life. He's furious that she would allow him to seduce another woman. She's all he wants. That was the backstory that should have been the foundation of their rocky relationship building again, but it takes a backseat for more than halfway through the book. The first half focused on the forest, dealing with training and Isabeau's rapidly approaching Han Vol Dan - in heat - and all the emotional growth. And an immature shifter whom Conner's team train. I didn't mind it, it was entertaning watching the banter and how horny Isabeau seemed to be with so many males around. Then again, Conner takes it all. So when the action finally begins, lots of drama to deal with. No surprises as it's almost easy to predict. You already know what's going to happen so it kinds of takes away the elements of surprise.
While Christine Feehan does have some repetitive content, I still really like this book. Guilty pleasure and all. Great read with loads of heavy tension between the characters.
There was a lot of angst and sexual tension between the two. It would be hot, really emotional, fighting, trying to understand but ultimately still caring for each other. Although Conner is ashamed of himself, he makes it clear to Isabeau that she's still his mate and he does act like it. It was heartbreaking for Conner to forgive himself and for Isabeau to accept the facts. Isabeau, a while on, stupidly refused to believe her father's evil deeds even though Conner repeatedly explained himself. Gad, that lady should take the hint. It began to draw on for too long that I began to skip the pointless angst. Conner, I liked. He carries a heavy baggage, horrified of what he'd done - deals with his past - and wants to redeem himself in Isabeau's eyes. Really liked his alpha, angsty, protective self.
So when shifter children began disappearing, Conner is chosen to accept the mission (actually he accepts because that time he thought he had nothing else to lose) until Isabeau walks back into his life. He's furious that she would allow him to seduce another woman. She's all he wants. That was the backstory that should have been the foundation of their rocky relationship building again, but it takes a backseat for more than halfway through the book. The first half focused on the forest, dealing with training and Isabeau's rapidly approaching Han Vol Dan - in heat - and all the emotional growth. And an immature shifter whom Conner's team train. I didn't mind it, it was entertaning watching the banter and how horny Isabeau seemed to be with so many males around. Then again, Conner takes it all. So when the action finally begins, lots of drama to deal with. No surprises as it's almost easy to predict. You already know what's going to happen so it kinds of takes away the elements of surprise.
While Christine Feehan does have some repetitive content, I still really like this book. Guilty pleasure and all. Great read with loads of heavy tension between the characters.
November 23, 2010
This was my first Christine Feehan ever, and it was such a thrilling ride that I have added to read the rest of this series among some of her other work. Feehan makes living in the Amazon not only action packed but also sexy.
Leopard shifter Conner Vega is a leopard shifter who is part of a special group that just happens to eliminate all threats to the rain forest. On this mission Conner ends up re-meeting his mate, Isabeau Chandler. Although this isn't the first time the two have come face to face but it is the first time they are brought together after Conner's betrayal.
Conner is not only beautiful, but also very terrifying. I mean after all he is a leopard shifter. In this mission children have been kidnapped to force these tribes to move drugs through the Amazon. Conner and his men have been asked to take the operation out and rescue these children. Now that Isabeau back into Conner's life it is time for them to give their love another chance and rekindle the passion they have had since first meeting.
Filled with passion, romance, suspense, and forgiveness. The emotions Freehan brought out were just unstoppable. Everything flowed so nicely from page to page. You not only experience what the characters are feeling, but the depth of their emotions. Of course whats a great story without a surprise, but with this book surprises helped make this a wonderful read.
Old characters are brought back in and from my understanding new ones will keep this series ongoing. Like I said this was my first book but I am in a hurry to start from the beginning of the series and I am looking forward to the next installment. I cannot wait to read about each one meeting their mates and the story of their journey to get to that wonderful place.
A great read for any shifter lover!
Leopard shifter Conner Vega is a leopard shifter who is part of a special group that just happens to eliminate all threats to the rain forest. On this mission Conner ends up re-meeting his mate, Isabeau Chandler. Although this isn't the first time the two have come face to face but it is the first time they are brought together after Conner's betrayal.
Conner is not only beautiful, but also very terrifying. I mean after all he is a leopard shifter. In this mission children have been kidnapped to force these tribes to move drugs through the Amazon. Conner and his men have been asked to take the operation out and rescue these children. Now that Isabeau back into Conner's life it is time for them to give their love another chance and rekindle the passion they have had since first meeting.
Filled with passion, romance, suspense, and forgiveness. The emotions Freehan brought out were just unstoppable. Everything flowed so nicely from page to page. You not only experience what the characters are feeling, but the depth of their emotions. Of course whats a great story without a surprise, but with this book surprises helped make this a wonderful read.
Old characters are brought back in and from my understanding new ones will keep this series ongoing. Like I said this was my first book but I am in a hurry to start from the beginning of the series and I am looking forward to the next installment. I cannot wait to read about each one meeting their mates and the story of their journey to get to that wonderful place.
A great read for any shifter lover!
March 15, 2022
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Léopards, tome 3, Conner – Christine Feehan
Ce tome est LE meilleur… pour le moment. Une romance paranormale ENVOÛTANTE, entraînante, totalement et irrésistiblement ADDICTIVE. Laissez-vous charmer par la magie audacieuse, intrépide et obscure des Léopards. Ils sont possessifs, charmants et oh combien séduisants!
Notre histoire commence avec deux personnages qui se connaissent déjà. Conner et Isabeau ont un passé qui, pourrait-on dire, n’est pas de tout repos… les mots sont faibles pour le décrire. Conner a trahi la jeune femme de la pire des façons et Isabeau en a eu le cœur brisé… Séparés depuis plusieurs mois déjà, laissez-moi vous présenter leur histoire :
Conner est un guerrier dans l’âme. Depuis longtemps, il a toujours fait passer le bien-être de ses diverses missions dangereuses avant les gens d’autour de lui, surtout l’Amour. Lorsqu’il est appelé pour une mission particulière et est de retour sur ses terres natales, Conner « espère échapper à la culpabilité qui le tenaille. » Il s’en veut encore d’avoir trahi Isabeau (en se rapprochant d’elle afin d’avoir accès à son père), la femme dont il est tombé amoureux, lors de sa dernière mission.
Il n’imaginait pas que sa prochaine mission serait mandatée par nul autre qu’Isabeau… Il a enfin une chance de se faire pardonner de ce qu’il lui a fait subir. Cependant, le laissera-t-elle faire? Rien n’est moins sûr. Puisqu’elle a la rancœur tenace… Isabeau l’a fait venir à elle pour se venger. Pour le tuer. Pour le revoir.
« Elle croyait avoir pleuré toutes les larmes de son corps, mais le simple fait de le voir la déchirait de plus belle. Sa trahison avait été si terrible, la coupure si profonde, la blessure plus fraîche que jamais…
Le corps de Conner tremblait. Cet homme avait découpé son cœur en petits morceaux et l’avait laissé sans père, sans rien d’autre qu’une vie détruite. Elle n’arrivait pas à dormir la nuit sans le désirer, sans le détester. Il pensait qu’elle l’avait fait venir pour se venger, mais la vérité était pire que ça; elle l’avait fait venir parce que l’idée de ne plus le revoir lui était insupportable… »
Sachant son désir de le tuer, Conner ne pourra se résoudre à lui laisser cette rancœur et lui laissera un « moment » pour tenter sa chance. Isabeau est bouleversée. Armée d’un couteau, face à cet homme qu’elle a cru aimer et dont, aujourd’hui elle ressent toujours quelque chose d’inexplicable, Isabeau se sent plus désarmée que jamais.
« L’espace d’un horrible instant, elle crispa les doigts sur la garde du couteau, mais elle n’était pas davantage capable de le planter dans le corps de Conner que dans le sien. Il faisait partie d’elle. Elle se détestait, mais il faisait partie d’elle et elle savait qu’elle ne pourrait vivre en sachant qu’elle l’avait tué. »
Cependant, Isabeau est en plein changement. Son corps crie. Son corps la brûle et elle ne comprend pas beaucoup. Depuis plusieurs mois déjà, elle a la peau qui veut se déchirer, des frissons et des grattements. Fort heureusement, Conner est présent pour elle pour lui faire prendre conscience qu’elle est comme… lui. Un léopard qui va bientôt prendre forme et qui doit absolument se trouver un compagnon afin d’assouvir ses besoins. Conner lui apprendra tout ce qu’elle a besoin de savoir, sur son léopard et ses exigences.
« Pour une raison qui lui échappait, elle était sacrée pour eux tous. À cause de Conner? Parce qu’elle était une femme léopard? Elle ne savait pas, mais c’était une source de réconfort. Une sorte de sentiment de sécurité inédit pour elle. »
Isabeau se rapprocha, dangereusement et sensuellement, de Conner. Elle le veut autant que lui, mais peut-elle vraiment lui faire confiance après leur passé commun? Après ces quelques jours passés ensemble, elle est prête à prendre ce risque, quitte à finir encore une fois le cœur brisé.
« -Je n’ai pas envie de toi?
Il lâche ces mots dans un grondement qui vibra dans sa poitrine. Il crispa les doigts sur les bras d’Isabeau et l’attira tout contre son corps, la laissant délibérément sentir son érection rigide.
-« Envie » est un mot insipide, Isabeau, pour décrire ce que je ressens pour toi. Je n’ai pas l’intention de merder avec toi parce que je ne peux pas m’empêcher de te toucher. C’est arrivé une fois et je préfère mourir plutôt que ça se reproduise. »
Il fera tout pour la garder en sécurité, près de lui, mais il n’est pas le seul à la convoiter maintenant. Surtout depuis qu’elle a marqué par accident un autre mâle… Un léopard extrêmement dangereux et possessif. Conner assura-t-il sa convenablement sa protection, en sera-t-il assez fort?
Bon, après trois fois, je crois que vous avez compris à la suite de mes chroniques que… cette série est différente des autres. Cette fois-ci, toutefois, nous avons beaucoup d’actions, d’intrigues et de passion. Par ailleurs, il y a quelques scènes érotiques, qu’on adore toujours autant, mais on se concentre davantage sur les péripéties du romane et sur la résolution du problème. Certes, et je vois après trois romans, que l’auteure n’a pas tenu à s’approfondir davantage sur le terrain de leurs vies passées et antérieures (ce que je reprochais un peu des tomes précédents, donc je vais « laisser » tomber ce détail, puisque je ne crois pas avoir réponse à mes questions…) MAIS, même sans cela, l’histoire demeure TRÈS entraînante, intrigante, passionnante et CAPTIVANTE. Je n’ai pas pu lâcher ma lecture… Surtout cette fois-ci : il y avait tellement d’actions et de passion, que je n’ai pas me résoudre à aller me coucher.
Une romance paranormale SURPRENANTE, entraînante, sombre, CAPTIVANTE. Avec une touche de passion, d’intrigues et de suspense, Christine Feehan nous entraîne dans son univers UNIQUE de léopards. FONCEZ, lisez cette série! 14/10
#Léopards #romance #paranormal #surnaturel #secondechance #vengeance #amour #famille #violence #possession #protection #danger #métamorphes #confiance #vengeance #prédateurs #danger #peur #humaine #sauvage #désir #sensualité #âmesoeur #suggestiondelecture #lecturedumoment
Résumé :
Appelé pour une mission dangereuse, Conner est de retour dans sa jungle natale. Son coeur comme son corps portent les cicatrices laissées par Isabeau, la femme qu'il a aimée et trahie. Le léopard en lui brûle de plonger dans la forêt tropicale pour y lécher ses blessures, pourtant Conner sait qu'il lui faut se consacrer à sa mission : sauver son peuple de la menace qui plane sur eux et venger le meurtre de sa mère. Isabeau, cependant, se refuse à oublier et lorsque tous deux sont réunis, la passion risque de les emporter. Mais une nouvelle trahison, plus déchirante encore, se profile entre eux...
Léopards, tome 3, Conner – Christine Feehan
Ce tome est LE meilleur… pour le moment. Une romance paranormale ENVOÛTANTE, entraînante, totalement et irrésistiblement ADDICTIVE. Laissez-vous charmer par la magie audacieuse, intrépide et obscure des Léopards. Ils sont possessifs, charmants et oh combien séduisants!
Notre histoire commence avec deux personnages qui se connaissent déjà. Conner et Isabeau ont un passé qui, pourrait-on dire, n’est pas de tout repos… les mots sont faibles pour le décrire. Conner a trahi la jeune femme de la pire des façons et Isabeau en a eu le cœur brisé… Séparés depuis plusieurs mois déjà, laissez-moi vous présenter leur histoire :
Conner est un guerrier dans l’âme. Depuis longtemps, il a toujours fait passer le bien-être de ses diverses missions dangereuses avant les gens d’autour de lui, surtout l’Amour. Lorsqu’il est appelé pour une mission particulière et est de retour sur ses terres natales, Conner « espère échapper à la culpabilité qui le tenaille. » Il s’en veut encore d’avoir trahi Isabeau (en se rapprochant d’elle afin d’avoir accès à son père), la femme dont il est tombé amoureux, lors de sa dernière mission.
Il n’imaginait pas que sa prochaine mission serait mandatée par nul autre qu’Isabeau… Il a enfin une chance de se faire pardonner de ce qu’il lui a fait subir. Cependant, le laissera-t-elle faire? Rien n’est moins sûr. Puisqu’elle a la rancœur tenace… Isabeau l’a fait venir à elle pour se venger. Pour le tuer. Pour le revoir.
« Elle croyait avoir pleuré toutes les larmes de son corps, mais le simple fait de le voir la déchirait de plus belle. Sa trahison avait été si terrible, la coupure si profonde, la blessure plus fraîche que jamais…
Le corps de Conner tremblait. Cet homme avait découpé son cœur en petits morceaux et l’avait laissé sans père, sans rien d’autre qu’une vie détruite. Elle n’arrivait pas à dormir la nuit sans le désirer, sans le détester. Il pensait qu’elle l’avait fait venir pour se venger, mais la vérité était pire que ça; elle l’avait fait venir parce que l’idée de ne plus le revoir lui était insupportable… »
Sachant son désir de le tuer, Conner ne pourra se résoudre à lui laisser cette rancœur et lui laissera un « moment » pour tenter sa chance. Isabeau est bouleversée. Armée d’un couteau, face à cet homme qu’elle a cru aimer et dont, aujourd’hui elle ressent toujours quelque chose d’inexplicable, Isabeau se sent plus désarmée que jamais.
« L’espace d’un horrible instant, elle crispa les doigts sur la garde du couteau, mais elle n’était pas davantage capable de le planter dans le corps de Conner que dans le sien. Il faisait partie d’elle. Elle se détestait, mais il faisait partie d’elle et elle savait qu’elle ne pourrait vivre en sachant qu’elle l’avait tué. »
Cependant, Isabeau est en plein changement. Son corps crie. Son corps la brûle et elle ne comprend pas beaucoup. Depuis plusieurs mois déjà, elle a la peau qui veut se déchirer, des frissons et des grattements. Fort heureusement, Conner est présent pour elle pour lui faire prendre conscience qu’elle est comme… lui. Un léopard qui va bientôt prendre forme et qui doit absolument se trouver un compagnon afin d’assouvir ses besoins. Conner lui apprendra tout ce qu’elle a besoin de savoir, sur son léopard et ses exigences.
« Pour une raison qui lui échappait, elle était sacrée pour eux tous. À cause de Conner? Parce qu’elle était une femme léopard? Elle ne savait pas, mais c’était une source de réconfort. Une sorte de sentiment de sécurité inédit pour elle. »
Isabeau se rapprocha, dangereusement et sensuellement, de Conner. Elle le veut autant que lui, mais peut-elle vraiment lui faire confiance après leur passé commun? Après ces quelques jours passés ensemble, elle est prête à prendre ce risque, quitte à finir encore une fois le cœur brisé.
« -Je n’ai pas envie de toi?
Il lâche ces mots dans un grondement qui vibra dans sa poitrine. Il crispa les doigts sur les bras d’Isabeau et l’attira tout contre son corps, la laissant délibérément sentir son érection rigide.
-« Envie » est un mot insipide, Isabeau, pour décrire ce que je ressens pour toi. Je n’ai pas l’intention de merder avec toi parce que je ne peux pas m’empêcher de te toucher. C’est arrivé une fois et je préfère mourir plutôt que ça se reproduise. »
Il fera tout pour la garder en sécurité, près de lui, mais il n’est pas le seul à la convoiter maintenant. Surtout depuis qu’elle a marqué par accident un autre mâle… Un léopard extrêmement dangereux et possessif. Conner assura-t-il sa convenablement sa protection, en sera-t-il assez fort?
Bon, après trois fois, je crois que vous avez compris à la suite de mes chroniques que… cette série est différente des autres. Cette fois-ci, toutefois, nous avons beaucoup d’actions, d’intrigues et de passion. Par ailleurs, il y a quelques scènes érotiques, qu’on adore toujours autant, mais on se concentre davantage sur les péripéties du romane et sur la résolution du problème. Certes, et je vois après trois romans, que l’auteure n’a pas tenu à s’approfondir davantage sur le terrain de leurs vies passées et antérieures (ce que je reprochais un peu des tomes précédents, donc je vais « laisser » tomber ce détail, puisque je ne crois pas avoir réponse à mes questions…) MAIS, même sans cela, l’histoire demeure TRÈS entraînante, intrigante, passionnante et CAPTIVANTE. Je n’ai pas pu lâcher ma lecture… Surtout cette fois-ci : il y avait tellement d’actions et de passion, que je n’ai pas me résoudre à aller me coucher.
Une romance paranormale SURPRENANTE, entraînante, sombre, CAPTIVANTE. Avec une touche de passion, d’intrigues et de suspense, Christine Feehan nous entraîne dans son univers UNIQUE de léopards. FONCEZ, lisez cette série! 14/10
#Léopards #romance #paranormal #surnaturel #secondechance #vengeance #amour #famille #violence #possession #protection #danger #métamorphes #confiance #vengeance #prédateurs #danger #peur #humaine #sauvage #désir #sensualité #âmesoeur #suggestiondelecture #lecturedumoment
Résumé :
Appelé pour une mission dangereuse, Conner est de retour dans sa jungle natale. Son coeur comme son corps portent les cicatrices laissées par Isabeau, la femme qu'il a aimée et trahie. Le léopard en lui brûle de plonger dans la forêt tropicale pour y lécher ses blessures, pourtant Conner sait qu'il lui faut se consacrer à sa mission : sauver son peuple de la menace qui plane sur eux et venger le meurtre de sa mère. Isabeau, cependant, se refuse à oublier et lorsque tous deux sont réunis, la passion risque de les emporter. Mais une nouvelle trahison, plus déchirante encore, se profile entre eux...
March 19, 2017
This book has a lot of Feehan's characteristic writing in it: alpha male, heroine who is a strong woman but suddenly depends completely on her man, a lot of rough sex, and a good story line.
Even with all of that I found myself getting bored with the book because of the repetitive dialog and pages of pages of sex. I think every sex scene is 4-5 pages long which gets a bit much. The characters tend to repeat themselves and spend a lot of that time repeating themselves and having long discussion in the middle of being stalked by someone trying to kill them. Is this really the time to have deep, meaningful dialog? That slows the adventure down in the middle of the adventure, exciting parts of the story! I wish these discussions took place after they were out of that dangerous moment in a way that transitions to the next exciting moment.
I really liked the story line and the characters but I found myself being bored and skimming through a lot of the book. We get to see other characters from some of the previous books in this book which I think is great when authors do this, its like catching up on how they are doing.
Overall, it was an ok book but I didn't stay in the story as much as I wish I could have.
Even with all of that I found myself getting bored with the book because of the repetitive dialog and pages of pages of sex. I think every sex scene is 4-5 pages long which gets a bit much. The characters tend to repeat themselves and spend a lot of that time repeating themselves and having long discussion in the middle of being stalked by someone trying to kill them. Is this really the time to have deep, meaningful dialog? That slows the adventure down in the middle of the adventure, exciting parts of the story! I wish these discussions took place after they were out of that dangerous moment in a way that transitions to the next exciting moment.
I really liked the story line and the characters but I found myself being bored and skimming through a lot of the book. We get to see other characters from some of the previous books in this book which I think is great when authors do this, its like catching up on how they are doing.
Overall, it was an ok book but I didn't stay in the story as much as I wish I could have.
June 8, 2010
I really enjoyed this book, until the last 1/4 of the book and then it took a real turn for the worse. I didn't understand the need for the extreme violence between Oberlin and Isabeau. I know what he wanted to accomplish, but I didn't need to be clubbed over the head to get it. Isabeau never got her power back from Oberlin, she should have been given that right. Also, why was her cat so silent during that part. I mean the cat had been fighting against everybody else to get out. That is the one time you would have expected her to be let go...not a peep. Wouldn't have even known she was a leopard at all. We never seen her change after that nor did we get anymore love scenes between Connor and Isabeau. I know they were healing, but I felt it was need to reestablish their connection and for once and for all ensure that Oberlin had no power over them and their love for one another. I would have given it 5 stars had Ms. Feehan did a better job of ending the book. Having said that, I did enjoy the series and look forward to the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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