Shadow Flight

(4.5) Gut wrenching emotional ride. This one had lows and highs a true emotional roller coaster. I was immersed in an plot that had it all. All trigger alerts were handled with class and compassion. They were definitely part of the plot and provides a bases for this plot. TA, rape, gang rape, emotional abuse. I appreciate the growth, the strength, the tenacity to always do the right thing of Nicoletta. Her love for Lucia and Amo is so well written I could feel it, and I had the sniffles. There is shocking news that comes out regarding two family members, truly! Taviano (baby brother to Stefano :) ) was a Ferraro but he was much more palatable to me. I felt his love for Nicoletta, his strength in the family but putting Nicoletta first. Speaking of justice there is a lot of justice served in this book, which if you have read any of the books, you know what I mean. For all the erotica lovers the book is not lacking, and some of its relevant as part of the growth with Nicoletta . I personally didn't need the scene between Rikko and Mariko, but if they were a couple you love, and you love erotica, than you will appreciate the scene. I am thrilled with the fact that as the series progress we watch the family learn to love, to feel, not just deliver justice. Thank you Christine Feeehan and Berkley for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.

We first meet Nicoletta in Book 1 of the series. The Ferraro family rescue her from a horrible situation and find her adoptive parents in their neighborhood. That way they can watch over her. Now we’re in Book 5 and she’s all grown up, but still struggles daily with the horrors of her past. Taviano, the youngest Ferraro has had a soft spot for Nicoletta ever since her rescue. When evil comes for Nicoletta again, Taviano and the rest of the Ferraros circle the wagons. I love reading about the Ferraros and I always enjoy revisiting the series. Taviano is so protective and patient with Nicoletta. I thought they paired well together. Nicoletta has suffered so much but she refuses to give up. Her quiet strength and core of steal help her fight her demons and hold her own against Taviano’s fierce stubbornness. I’m hoping against hope that Emmanuelle’s book is next! She’s the only sister and last of the Ferraros to pair up and her book should be a doozy! She’s in love with the nephew of an enemy family. Will she follow her heart or her duty to the family? We need to know! I enjoyed the book and I’m looking forward to the next one. ***I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of the book provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects or influences my thoughts and feelings about the story***

SHADOW FLIGHT is the fifth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult. SHADOW RIDERS erotic, paranormal romance series focusing on the Ferraro family. This is Taviano Ferraro and Nicoletta Gomez’ story line. SHADOW FLIGHT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers. Nicoletta was first introduced to the readers in book one Shadow Rider. Told from several third person perspectives including Tatiana and Nicoletta, and Ricco and Mariko (Shadow Reaper #2) SHADOW FLIGHT focuses on the building relationship between soon to be twenty-one year old Nicoletta Gomez and Taviano Ferraro. Years earlier, following the death of her parents, Nicoletta found herself in the custody of her step-uncles, who ritually raped and abused our heroine. At the age of eighteen, Nicoletta was rescued by the Ferraro family, and placed in the hands of a loving foster family, where she began to act out against the people in charge. Fast forward to present day wherein, a now almost twenty-one year old Nicoletta, once again, finds herself struggling to survive when her past, in the guise of Benito Valdez, the leader of the gang who call themselves the Demons, specializing in human sexual trafficking, sets a plan into motion to reclaim our heroine, as his personal $ex toy. What ensues is the quick building relationship and romance between Nicoletta and Taviano, and the potential fall-out as the Demons come searching for Nicoletta Gomez, and Taviano’s actions and claiming of Nicoletta are called into question by the family leadership. Taviano Ferrera has known Nicoletta Gomez to be his mate from the moment of her rescue by the Ferraro family, three years earlier. With their shadows entwined, and continually tightening with each encounter, Taviano knew it was only a matter of time before he claimed Nicoletta as his own but trying to outrun Benito’s men found Taviano pulling Nicoletta into the shadow world, a world she knew very little about, but had begun to experience a few times on her own. Using the shadows to travel causes immense pain and anguish for those not ready and untrained in the world, and for this reason, Taviano is called to task for exposing Nicoletta to potential harm, and revealing the truth about the world in which they lived. Meanwhile, matriarch Eloisa Ferraro continues to cause problems for the Ferraro family with her ongoing hatred of her sons’ mates. The vitriol and anger directed at the females, who will produce the much needed heirs to the world of the shadows, is called into question as Eloisa struggles with her sons’ choices, and the loss of her power as the Queen of the Chicago Underworld. Secrets will be revealed that will affect everyone involved. The relationship between Taviano and Nicoletta began as a rescue but Taviano quickly discovered that Nicoletta was a shadow rider when their shadows entwined. Refusing to claim his underage mate, Taviano watched from the sidelines as Nicoletta acted out, all the while, continuing to protect the woman with whom he would fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. If you are a fan of Christine Feehan, you will notice the many similarities between Taviano and Nicoletta, and Dimitri and Skylar (Dark /Carpathian). Both females had been raped and abused; the heroes bide their time before claiming their under-aged mates; and their treatment of their mate is gentle and loving. SHADOW FLIGHT is a story of family and blood, obsession and determination; retribution, murder and revenge. The slow building premise will captivate your attention; the characters are numerous, colorful and energetic; the romance is seductive and impassioned. If you are a fan of Christine Feehan, sit back and enjoy the world of the Shadow Rider.