Burning Wild (Leopard Series #3)

The Male Lead is Abusive - And That is NOT Romance

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was excited to read "Burning Wild". I was immediately confused that Feehan would choose to base the book in Texas with a brand new character when she had established an exciting world in "Wild Rain" with a great base of male characters to work from. But I kept reading in hopes things would improve.

As the book progressed what bothered me most was that Jake, the male lead, is an abusive male. He never physically hurts Emma (though he outright tells her he has considered it to test her loyalty) but he is mentally, emotionally and sexually abusive. There is nothing romantic about it. He sets out at the beginning of their meeting to find ways to tie her to him. He admits that he doesn't want to love her but wants her to feel tied to him. Throughout the book he continually references using his child and her child as tools to make her stay with him. He talks about wanting to get her pregnant with more children again as a method to force her to stay with him. He also uses sex as a tool to make her stay. It was particularly disturbing that during their first time having sex she repeatedly tells him "no" and he continues anyway. I don't care if he is so amazing in bed that he can make her body respond - if a woman says no then it means no. I'm not opposed to rough sex or domination between partners - but this went too far. Then when Emma is almost raped by another his first response is about how he feels betrayed. The few times she is let off his property it inevitably ends with him shaming her and making threats.

Jake treats Emma as a possession and fully admits that he sees her that way. His behavior is inexcusable. The abuse he suffered as a child was horrible, but that does not give him permission to be an abuser himself. I refuse to forgive his abusive behavior and rotten treatment of Emma because in the last three pages he finally lowers himself enough to say the word love. In real life if a friend or sister was in this kind of relationship we would not call it romance, we would call it abuse. We shouldn't call the book romance either.

6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Not Christine Feehan

This is the worst Christine Feehan book I have ever read. I'm very close to giving up. The main character has few redeeming qualities and spends all his time talking or thinking about how ruthless he is. I'm about 25% complete with the book and an starting to skip pages and pages as the constant self analysis is gettting boring. The leading lady is a wimp. She needs to take control of the situation and the other characters. Except she is too wishy-washy.

6 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Good read

I've been disappointed in the last few books, especially the Dark series, but this book was good overall. The hero was hard to understand at times, but given his background, especially the build up by the author, I was able to rational his actions or lack of. The heroine, while not the strongest, was normal.
Overall the book was an enjoyable read. The plot interesting, but I'm left wondering what next. The side characters were interesting.

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

A Pleasant Surprise

I have been disappointed in Feehans last couple of books, but this has turned that around. I thought it was better written than her recent ones and didn't have all the same phrases repeated over and over again. I couldn't put it down. It is a little bit more hard core in the sex department, though.

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Fans will appreciate this deep shapeshifting tale as Christine Feehan is at the top of her game with Jake's saga

Leopard shapeshifter Jake Bannaconni's memories of his parents are that of unloving cold and abusive; only his great-grandfather showered him with genuine affection as the lad can smell a lie. He learned early on they would never love him as he knows why they had him, but Cathy and Ryann underestimated how much power their offspring has compared to them.-----------

Jake's pregnant former girlfriend Shaina Trent is in a tragic car accident with another vehicle containing a new bride Emma Reynolds. Everyone dies except Emma; the fetus she carries, and the fetus Shaina carries. The paramedics at the scene deliver healthy Kyle, Jake's son. Perhaps it is the tragedy, but Jake and Emma share a connection so he persuades her to move into his place where she nurtures his offspring Kyle. However, she may not be safe as his odious parents have plans for their grandson.--------------------

The opening sequence in which readers see first hand how his parents treat Jake sets the tone of a strong urban fantasy romance as the abused neglected child becomes the adult. Emma is terrific as she displays patience with Jake and showers Kyle with love as if he is her child; in fact as Jake observes she treats both their kids as her own. Fans will appreciate this deep shapeshifting tale as Christine Feehan is at the top of her game with Jake's saga.--------------

Harriet Klausner

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Burning Wild

this is a great book. The sad childhood of a man who learns how to be a better man not just because of his wanting to be different than those who raised him but for the woman he wants. A woman who loses her husband only to find that the man who pulls her and her unborn child from a burning car brings life back to her. She helps to raise his child and teach him to be better man than he thought possible.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Best Book Christine has written yet!

I love all of Christine's series and have read every book! This book has the same paranormal wonder as all her books have, but it almost feels like it was written by someone else. If you thought she had very strong alpha males before, wait till you meet her newest hero. She also shows that her heroines can be just as strong when needed. I have loved all of her books, but I know some have said her books have become a bit reduntent. If you are one of those, try "Burning Wild". You will find all the things you love about her books with a totally different flavor and twist.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Okay so WOW

I read the mixed reviews and was very hesitant to read this book, but I did and I am so glad. I fell in love with Jake. His confusion about what love is and how to show love, amazing. Emma's character was a surprise. Quite yet strong, and insightful. Their romance swept me away. Despite my hectic life, I devoured this book in a day and a half. I can't wait for the next one.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

First Feehan ever read, but it won't be the last!!!!!!!!

The story was new, the characters were strong but sensitive, loving but sexual at the same time. The main characters would die for one another and the story was fabulous. Have purchased many, many more since this one and will continue to try her way of writing. Would recommend to anyone wanting to be one of those books readers who won't put it down until it is finished!!!!!!

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Feehan does it again

I really liked Burning Wild. While it isn't my favorite Feehan novel, it was still a great book. Jake's character is believable when you consider the amount of abuse he had to withstand from people who were supposed to love and care for him. I'm not sure that any female would be as accepting of her situation as Emma is but still somewhat believable. I definitely recommend this book!

Also, if you like Christine Feehan, check out the Dark Hunter series from Sherrilyn Kenyon

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Not my favorite, but still worth the time.

Well, to be honest it wasn't my favorite of her books. Then again I am rather hooked on the style she has in her Carpathian novels. The main character was a little to controlling and from the cover he wasn't that good looking. It was hot and steamy in some spots and rather cold in others. I love Christine Feehan and will continue to read all of her books.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I loved this book! I know the male lead is controlling but I rea

I loved this book! I know the male lead is controlling but I really liked it, maybe because I'm such a controlling person that I enjoy the male character in my fantasies that way.

check it ouuuuutttttt

i love this book so much. the action the passion all of it is amazing and always keeps you guessing.

Amazing!

I loved this. Classic tale of the damaged hero redeemed by love, only better.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is a must read!!

I found this book hot dangerious, and steamy.It is amazing to watch a woman tame a man's heart at the same time the man assumes he's a monster.Christine Feehan knows how to get you hooked on her books and make you coming back for some more

Best damn book I ever read

This book kept me up all nights. I coud not put it down. I loved the main charactors and the hot sex they had.

I Love this book

I love the book and how the characters create a connection over time and it is not instant and with no choice in the matter. I understand what some of the reviews were saying in line of the lead being considered abusive but i feel that is crap. When did leads have to be political correct. You could understand his way of tinking and actions within the plot he wasn't abusive he was himself.

Will the real Christine Feehan please stand up!

I have read every Christine Feehan book that I can find and until this one, I thought she was exceptional in her genre. What happened? This is an inexcusably bad book. The leads are both emotionally destitute. Jake is emotionally and physically abusive. Emma is a complete woos with very little to make her even noticable. What is with the domination/submissive 'love'? Whoever is responsible for this book should take a long, hard look in the mirror and then take a vacation from writing (a long one). The damage done to the Leopard Series could be irreparable. Rio and Rachel of Wild Rain deserved better. The I would not recommend this book - in fact I threw it away. Christine, bring back the types of characters that made you famous. You can do better than this.

I have fallen in love with all of the characters

I have read this book five times its like the story transports you to another relm. Its a keeper!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another good one from Christine Feehan!

Even thou I really enjoyed her other Leopard Series books. This one I felt was far better than her other two books. I loved the two leads. And this story took time to developed. Their feelings for each other took years not weeks or months. I felt this relationship was more real. Christine Feehan hit this one out of the park.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.