Rachael knows that she is hunted, the reason is clear to her and her only recourse is to disappear, loose herself completely in the wilderness. In the luxuriant wildness of the jungles of Borneo, she hopes to find a modicum of safety, and at least the illusion of the peace that she lost with her parent's murder. She was counting on the fact that no one knows that she is here, but she is wrong. Danger has stalked her, and found her even here, deep in this jungle paradise. Now she has to decide what she needs to do and who she can trust. She has not expected the handsome stranger, nor the attraction she feels towards him. She is frightened and alone, and no matter how brave a front she puts up, she knows that she is in trouble, and the dark and handsome Rio Santana can be the answer to a prayer, or sudden death. The whole thing boils down to a matter of trust, can she trust him, is the big question that must be answered. The only problem is that she is soon afraid that he has stolen her heart.

This lush and wild jungle that he calls home is his sanctuary and his prison. He is at once ruler, and prisoner. Rio doesn't know if the beautiful stranger may be the cause of his death or his ultimate salvation. He is hunted, wanted, and an outcast from his people, and all because he wanted justice. He is loyal, and although most have turned their backs on him, he continues to protect them. His wariness and suspicions about Racheal are well founded, but the woman's presence stirs something unexpected in him...the urge to mate, and claim her for his own. There is something not quite right about this whole thing, and although he senses her difference, he is surprised by her naiveté. She is schooled in the ways of the jungle, but is seemingly unaware of the very differences that has haunted his people for ages. Her wariness shows she too, is hunted, and Rio swears that somehow he will protect her, win her trust, and make her his own.

I am a huge fan of the Dark series. This new series hopefully will get to the quality of that one. I'll give it the benefit of a doubt, 3 stars. ( )

This review contains SPOILERS****

Rachael Lospostos is leaving her old life behind by traveling to the rain forest (with a new name and a new identity) on a medical relief boat full of medical supplies for regions in need. When the boat she is on stops the passengers get ambushed by bandits with guns and Rachael flees into the rain forest. While hiding out in a tree house she falls asleep and gets woken by a leopard that attacks her by biting her leg. There is also a man there, with the leopards, who ends up tending to her injured leg. His name is Rio Santana and he seems quite at home in the forest. He gets on well with the leopards, walks around naked a lot, and is very mysterious. While recovering from her wounds Rachael finds herself trusting Rio. She feels like she knew him before---but that seems impossible. She would surely remember if she ever met a man like Rio. She ends up telling him her story of why she's on the run---she's trying to disappear because someone wants her dead. Rachael spent nearly a year preparing for this moment of escape. Now she has a price on her head because there is a huge reward for anyone who knows where she is. Rio then tells her his story---he murdered a man who killed his mother and afterwards Rio was banished from his people. Rachael and Rio also find they have many things in common.

Rachael and Rio were the perfect couple. They both seem to have memories of each other but this is the first time they met. Could it be they were lovers in a past life? When Rachael arrives at the rain forest she feels so comfortable there, alive, and at home. Then there's the story of the "leopard people" Rachael's mother used to tell her when she was young. Was it for real? Are there "leopard people"? Is Rio one of them?

I loved the descriptions of the rain forest. I felt like I was there with the soft, gentle rain always pouring down, the sounds of the animals and insects, the colors and smells of the forest, the humidity, etc...

This was an entertaining paranormal romance though it was very slow at times. The pace picked up a bit in the second half of the book. I liked the main couple. There were some references that Rachael and Rio could be a reincarnated couple---the flashbacks and memories they have of their life together in which they never experienced in this life... It was never fully explained.

They also were both shape-shifters...leopard people. This is the first book I've read in which the main couple shifted into leopards. Rachael wasn't aware that she was a shape-shifter until she arrived at the forest. Rio knew he was. I liked the part when Rachael first "shifted" and how happy she was when she was free to run wild in the forest.

An enjoyable read by Christine Feehan with steamy love scenes, great atmosphere, and some suspense. ( )

This is was actually better the 2nd time around. It was just okay on the first read and I kind of love it now. ( )

If you have read one shifter romance novel -- no matter the author -- you have read most shifter novels in the genre. This series is no different. Brain candy fluff for clearing my head. Easy to read. Not a lot of commitment required. ( )

This is was actually better the 2nd time around. It was just okay on the first read and I kind of love it now. ( )