Wild Rain

by Christine Feehan Narrated by Not Yet Available

Overview

What has she done? With a new identity, a staged death, and a chance to flee the treachery that stalks her,
Rachael has escaped from a faceless assassin. Now, thousands of miles from home, under the lush canopy
of the rain forest, she's found sanctuary.
Where can she hide? In this world teeming with unusual creatures walks the most exotic of them all. His name
is Rio. A native of the forest imbued with a fierce prowess, he is something to be desired. Possessed of secrets
of his own, he is something to be feared.
Whom can she trust? As Rachael's past looms as oppressively as the heat of the forest, and as Rio unleashes
the secret animal instincts that course through his blood, Rachael fears that her isolated haven has become
an inescapable hell.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Feehan has a knack for bringing vampiric Carpathians to vivid, virile life in her Dark Carpathian novels, and in this new book, which builds on her short story "The Awakening," she focuses on a different kind of sensual predator-a half-human/half-leopard species of shapeshifters. Mysterious freelance paramilitary operative Rio Santana is a member of this breed, but he's been banished from his clan and lives in a solitary rainforest dwelling. Enter Rachel Lospostos, who has marooned herself in the jungle to escape a group of murderers. Blood runs hot between the two, both emotionally and literally-their first meeting is a near-terminal cat fight that leaves Rachel bedridden with a mangled leg and a broken wrist. As Rio cares for her, it becomes clear that their relationship is fated, but it may soon be cut short if they don't figure out who wants Rachel dead. Suspense often takes a backseat to the protagonists' romantic feelings, but Feehan handles both elements skillfully, drawing villains who are sufficiently threatening and creating a romance that feels both destined and believable. Readers whose fantasies center on untamed wilderness and on untamed heroes who are as sensitive as they are strong will be seduced by this erotic adventure. (Feb.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192214336
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	12/16/2024
Series:	Leopard , #2
Edition description:	Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

Rachael came awake, instantly aware of impending danger. The smell of wet fur mixed with the scent of something feral, something dangerous. There had been no sound, but the feeling was so overwhelming she instinctively reached for the shotgun. Fingers circled her wrist in a vise-like grip, crushing bone against tendon. The shotgun was torn from her hand easily, her attacker strong beyond her wildest imagining. She jerked her captured wrist toward her as if to struggle against his hold. Simultaneously, she brought up her left hand, gripping with the short rattan-filled stick and slamming it with sickening force against her assailant's head. She rolled sideways away from him to drop to the floor, the bed between them.

To her horror, Rachael landed inches from glowing red eyes, hot breath in her face, gaping, hideous jaws filled with teeth coming straight at her. Not just any teeth, she was staring at what looked like a saber-toothed tiger. Thrusting the stick between the dripping fangs, she scrambled away, desperate to reach the fireplace and a weapon, any weapon to defend herself. A hand grabbed her, missed, slid off her legs. She nearly made it across the room, reaching out for the heavy metal poker just inches from her fingers. Another step, a lunge and she'd have a chance. Something caught her ankle in a savage trap, tearing at her flesh, dragging her down, slashing mercilessly with sharp teeth.

Rachael imagined it was like being hit by a shark. Hard. The force of a freight train. She could hear someone swearing, animals breathing loudly, a terrible chuffing noise. Something hissed. Panic overwhelmed her, nearly shutting down her brain. Red-hot pain shot through her entire body, the agony taking her breath away. Gathering itself for another attack, a second leopard leapt at her. Gritting her teeth, Rachael threw herself forward, a scream ripping her throat as the lance-like teeth pierced and shredded flesh to crunch on bone. Her fingers curled around the poker, swinging it at the animal with desperate strength. A hand caught her wrist, abruptly stopping the vicious cut in midair.

A man loomed over her, dark and powerful, his face that of an avenging devil, thrust close to hers. To her horror the face contorted, fur bursting through skin, teeth filling the strong jaw. A leopard's hot breath blew in her face, the teeth at her throat. Not a small, clouded leopard, but a huge black leopard. The leopard's gaze fixed on her with merciless intent. Rachael saw the piercing intelligence in the brilliant yellow-green eyes. The haunting stare, smoldering with fire, with deadly danger, was etched into her mind. She closed her eyes, willing herself to faint, yet she could not shut out the focused stare.

Copyright © 2004 by Christine Feehan.