In the interests of my host space and bandwith the fancy animation is for a limited time on the index page.  Just regular pictures here...hope you don't mind.

The picture for the background on this page is from Touch Not the Cat by Tracy Fobes, also reviewed on this site.  The closest I can find without hunting down good quality, free pictures of black leopards. 

Wild Rain by Christine Feehan is the first full length novel focused on the leopard people who were introduced in the Fantasy anthology.

Rio is one of the leopard people but not a part of the people.  An outcast amongst them since "murdering" the hunter who killed his mother, he lives alone in the rainforest with his only companions being those who, like him, risk their lives to get back hostages taken by the bandits in the area. 

Rachael is on the run for her life.  With no one to turn to she knows that someone wants her dead and suspects it is her brother.  With no other option she travels to the rainforest and when the opportunity arises she fakes her own death and disappears into the forest to make a new life for herself away from everyone and everything she has ever known.

Coming across Rio's home and finding no one there she is tired and chooses to take advantage of the opportunity and settles in to sleep.  She finds her stay extended however when Rio and his two companions, clouded leopards, return to the house within the tree.  Attacked by one of the leopards she is not able to leave until she can walk again. 

Rio does his best to make his unwanted guest welcome but the danger is close by.  Although she hoped to be presumed dead Rachael finds that they want a body as proof and everyone is hunting her down.

The longer they are together the closer they become and the more attracted to each other they are.  But neither believe that they can have a future together.  Rio as an outcast can offer Rachael little and Rachael brings danger with her wherever she goes.

This story is very different to the Dark series but is nonetheless a very good story with very likeable main characters.  The plot is well thought out and has enough twists to keep the reader guessing a little.  Although this is not the official introduction to the leopard people (the first book was in the Fantasy anthology which I have not read at the time of writing) it does not require the previous book to understand what is happening.

Powerful and engrossing Wild Rain brings the rainforest to life with its vivid descriptions and colourful characters.

RATING : 
(if you need an explanation of the hearts ratings see my homepage)

Also by Christine Feehan - The Dark Series

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For listings of Christine's other series (of which their are several) please visit Christine Feehan's Website.