Savage Nature (Leopard People #5) By Christine Feehan
Paranormal Romance
April 26, 2011
Paperback
Jove
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “I think my leopard is a freakin’ hussy!”
Savage Nature is the 5th book in Christine Feehan’s seductive Leopard People series.
A heady passionate seductive story filled with romance, suspense, and my favorite…shapeshifters. Rowr!!! I’ve waited for Drake’s story and I’m pleased to say that I feel this is the best one in the series. Feehan blends a sweet and steamy love story with action packed tension that kept me glued to the pages. Each are given adequate attention without either overpowering the other.
Drake Donovan comes to the bayou of Louisiana after a mysterious letter is received by his boss, Jake Banniconni (Burning Wild), hinting at men being killed on his land by shifters. When Drake arrives he meets Saria Bouderaux. A guide for hire, Saria agrees to take Drake through the swamps. Drake is stunned to see that not only is Saria a leopard shifter but his leopard feels she is his mate. She is also entering the Han Vol Dame-meaning she’s going into heat. Drake realizes that Saria has no idea that her leopard is about to emerge so he tries his best to prepare her for the transformation. As Drake romances and prepares Saria for what is to come, they are also investigating the situation. Drake realizes that the lair that claims this bayou as their own is inherently wrong. Inbreeding and overly aggressive males has Drake fighting for dominance and Saria’s safety.
I really like Drake and Saria. While Drake is a commanding alpha, he’s not dominant to the point of being unlikable. He’s also not given to speaking the “creepy” dialogue that some of Feehan’s men seem to suffer from. Drake is very tender and caring about Saria; especially when he realizes she has no clue to what is going on with her body. He makes sure she knows and willing accepts what he is trying to offer her. No forced seduction here.
Saria was born and bred in the bayou. Practically raising herself due to her absent brothers and an alcoholic father, she is very independent, intelligent, and self reliant. She has a healthy respect for the bayou and it’s threats and it shows in her actions. She shows a great deal of intelligence when dealing with Drake. She knows she is attracted to him but realizes that she needs to think all this through. She just doesn’t accept the “mating” issue but she also doesn’t try to be coy about her feelings for him. There is plenty of humorous dialogue between Drake and Saria as she fights to control her leopard and her leopard’s “hussy” ways.
Feehan lets their romance build slowly over the course of the story and it creates such a passionate seductive storyline. There are some scenes in here between them that will have you wondering if it’s at all possible to read this while taking a cold shower.
Our secondary characters are just as robust and full bodied as our protagonists. They provide some humorous scenes and keep the storyline right on target and moving swiftly. We see some old friends from previous books and meet some new ones. Saria’s brothers are all major players in here and I cannot wait to read their stories; especially Remy’s. Our villain(s) are many yet we slowly check off each one as we gravitate towards the ending. The lair in the bayou is rotten and you can smell the evil that fosters it. Feehan does a wonderful job of keeping you misdirected and wondering as we sort through the lies and deception to arrive at the core of the problem.
The ending is wonderfully fraught with tension and suspense. Ms. Feehan does a fantastic job of building up to the climax for a smashing finale that leaves you breathless and satisfied. I truly enjoyed this story and I recommend this series to everyone who enjoys an action packed suspense filled sexy shifter PNR. I will certainly be looking forward to the 6th Leopard People’s story- to be announced at a later date.
Rating: A
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Oooo I like the sound of this book/series. I haven’t picked up anything by Feehan yet. Thanks for the review Tori!
Feehan has quite a few long running series that may appeal to you. I have read most of them and throughly enjoy her talented writing.
I have read Christine’s Carpathain series, but not this one yet. My girlfriend is trying really hard to get me to read her ghost Walker series. Have you checked out those books yet?
I have read most of her Ghostwalker series. I stopped after the 6th one( I think it was the 6th one) because I felt the woman were becoming to TSTL and the men were creepy dominant. She has the Drake sisters series and a spin off-Drake cousin’s that is pretty good.
This sounds like such a great book! I haven’t read anything by Christine Feehan, but Drake and Saria seem like they might be a good place to start. Do you have to read the first 4 books to understand this one? Fantastic review Tori!
Thank you Jenny. No, you don;t have to start the first 4 because they are all pretty much stand alone. You do see characters from the other books in here but the main arc hasn’t really shown itself to be built upon by each book.
It’s been a long time since I’ve read Feehan. Good to see an A review.
This series seems to work for me. The woman are as strong as the men. I like that.
Hey Tori, great review. I love Feehan-have read all her stuff but am behind on this series and have kinda stopped with the Carpathians. LOL on the TSTL comment with the Ghostwalkers-I loved the early stuff, but the last couple have kinda been off track to me. Though when she finally writes Javier’s (or is it Xavier???) story, I will read it.
Thank you! YES…I need Javier’s story from the Ghostwalkers and Skylar(?) from the Carpathians. After that I will be happy. :)
Oh, is Skylar the one that was really young still, but the male knew she was his lifemate but he wasn’t going to do anything about it till she grew up? I forgot all about her. Yikes! I better do some catching up. I think I’m three behind. I stopped right before Ivory’s book.
Yes, we saw Skyler and her “mate” ages ago but nothing was done. And Feehan only hints at when she will write the book. *sob*
I’ve read all the Carpathian books, and as much as I love Feehan, her books can be sooo repetitive and similiar. Is this series new and fresh?
I think it is. But who knows what will happen in the next few books. Hopefully this one won;t sink nothing more then sex, violence, and over alpha holes. *sigh* It actually deals with 2 separate groups of shifters and lightly ties them together. Very lightly..
Tori: I like the way you write a review! I am a huge Christine Feehan fan and have read all of her books. I love her imagination, creativity, and attention to detail – – and, for me, this outweighs any similarities. I haven’t gotten to Savage Nature yet, but will push it to the top of the list now!! Thank you.
Thank you! This series has really revived my interest in Feehan. Also her Drake spin off.
Thank you Tori! Hmmm. I’ve read bits of the series and I must say your review has me considering trying again. Could I start with this one you think?
You could. They are all stand alone.
Tori I have a dumb question….what does TSTL mean? Please don’t laugh.
I’d never laugh at you. :) TSTL means To Stupid To Live.
Lol!,, so true sometimes Feehan can have odd dialogue. I liked book 2 thought book 3 was meh,but I’m going to give this one a go ‘ cause you likey. Great review T!
Thanks Kc. I think you would really like this one.
I just wanted to say that I bought and read this book based on your recommendation and I loved it! I’d kind of taken a break from this series in favor of reading other ones but I’m glad you called my attention back. Thanks!
Thank you! I love when someone tells me that my review hit the mark for them. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed Savage Nature as much as I enjoyed Wild Rain which was book number 2 in Christine Feehan’s Leopard books.