Shadow Rider / Christine Feehan

2.5 out of 5 stars

Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses—both legitimate and illegitimate.

While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone—until now…

With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her...

***2017 Summer Lovin’ Reading List***

This is a blend of the old Cinderella tale and a Billionaire romance.

First, we have our sweet little Cinderella, Francesca, who is barely scraping by. She has escaped from the dangers of her previous city with only the clothes on her back and next to no money. Her friend in Chicago sent her bus fare to get there & has assured her that there’s a job for her.

Enter the billionaire, Stefano, complete with dark rumours about how he has amassed his wealth. He is the Shadow Rider of the title, with a talent for manipulating light & darkness, and he recognizes the same potential talent in Francesca.

I’m all about the fantasy & paranormal aspects of stories like these, and frankly those features pretty much took a back seat to the romance/erotic interludes of this novel. Not that there’s anything wrong with those, but I would have been much more interested in the fantasy underpinnings of this world.

As for the romance itself, I am not a fan of instant love, and that’s exactly what Stefano experiences. I don’t find it realistic for him to instantly switch from being an international playboy to a one-woman man during a 15 minute meeting in a deli. I’m also not a fan of Stefano’s over-the-top possessiveness and his absolute control over Francesca once he decides that he must protect her for her own good.

For me, this book had too much sex, too much controlling, possessive behaviour and not nearly enough plot. This is my second try with this author, and I think I am safe in deciding that her work is just not going to appeal to me.