I received a free copy of Leopard's Hunt by Christine Feehan from #NetGalley. The book deals with two leopard shifters who had been tortured and sexually abused in the past. Gorya runs a "gang" that he refuses to let human trafficking take place. A man who stole from him is trying to auction off a woman named Maya. When Gorya catches up to him., Gorya's leopard claims Maya's leopard Maya and Gorya both believe they cannot love. This is their story along with their take down of people still doing human trafficking. In the end, Maya even finds her sister who she thought was killed. I found it hard to believe that any person who was sexually tortured would be willing to have sex without many hours of therapy and Maya' s sister readily accepts her mate's leopard also. And she too had been abused.

Gorya and his family were tasked with taking over several territories, clearing them of trafficking, by any means necessary. No one really expected much from Gorya. He was the quiet cousin, unassuming and the peace keeper. Beneath that calm facade lurked the deadliest predator of them all... and it seemed that Maya was the first to recognize him for exactly who he was.

I thought that missing a few books in this series would leave me blind to the wonder of this story, but I was immediately absorbed, not missing a single moment. I was caught up in the connection Gorya and Maya shared, the way their wolves maneuvered them together (or manipulated, depending on how you see it), and the incredible action scenes that the author let play out. Gorya was a dangerous being, but with Maya... these two were lethal.

I admired both characters for their strength, and not just the physical kind. They endured such horrors as children and young adults, but turned that trauma into a passion to right the wrongs done to them. They shared an almost symbiotic connection, both from their pasts and the leopards that were driving them. I loved Gorya for his patience and understanding, Maya for her willingness to try. They made my heart hurt in the best way.

With the amount of voices contributing to this tale, there was no shortage of detail or nuance to this story. Doing bad things for the right reasons should be their motto. I loved this couple so much and I can't wait dive into the books I missed.

This was another winner in the Leopard series, it had everything that I enjoyed from this type of book and glad the concept was so strongly done. I enjoyed the way Christine Feehan wrote this and the rest of the books. It left me wanting to read more and glad I got to read this. It had the romance element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this.

I have been reading Christine Feehan's Leopard Series since 2002 when the first book was released. As such I was ecstatic when give the opportunity to access an Advanced Reader Copy of Leopard's Hunt. Before I get to the meat of my review I must stress the importance checking the content warning and triggers before reading this novel. As someone who adores dark romance I must stress that this is not a dark romance but rather a romance novel that touches on darker subject matters.

***************** After This Mark This Review Includes Spoilers and Discussion of Triggering Subject Matter ******************

Leopard's Hunt was an amazing novel that made me fall in love with the characters while also making me reflect on the overarching impact of SA, Child SA and Human Trafficking has on the lives of the people who escaped it. Gorya is a Leopard Shifter actively trying to fulfill one last promise he made to his loved ones before opting to end his life. No longer able to control his other half he just wants to finish clearing out the traffickers in his inherited lair before ending his life. On what he intends to be one of his last missions he meets Maya, his destined mate. Maya on the other hand is working towards a similar mission and considers herself broken due to her own experiences having been trafficked as a child. She too has decided that her only fate is to end her own life once she takes out the men that stole her life from her. These two broken people collide and slowly begin to help each other heal. Feehan does an excellent job of writing broken characters that learn to live with their past over magically healing from them. This story was a loving tale of two broken people doing their best to rid the world of a horrible coalition that ruined their lives before it can impact to many other.

I love this series! In this exciting episode we get a peek inside Gorya the guy who is pretty much always in the shadows. In this story Gorya is fighting with his leopard for control so much so he is afraid he might lose. When he meets Maya he finds something worth fighting for. This book takes us on the fight against human trafficking and the fight for love. I absolutely adored watching these two damaged characters find and save each other.

Leopard’s Hunt was an action packed, exciting read! I really liked Maya and my heart broke for all she went through, and at such a young age. Maya was strong and I was happy she made it her mission in life to hunt down and execute sexual molesters and human traffickers!

Everything that Maya and Gorya went through was hard to stomach, and I wished I knew going in, because it affected my overall enjoyment. I was thankful the events were not expounded on in detail, but recounted as brief memories for Maya and Gorya. Still, be aware there are triggers for rape and sexual abuse touched on several times through the story.

I liked all the shifter parts, justice being served and the cleanup that both Gorya and Maya took on together! Gorya spent many years strategizing and underplaying his strengths so he could best these monsters! There was a happy surprise at the end for Maya and I was thrilled for her! This is book fourteen in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.

LEOPARD’S HUNT is the fifteenth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult LEOPARD PEOPLE erotic, paranormal, romance series. This is Bratva Leopard Gorya Amurov, and Maya Averina’s story line. LEOPARD’S HUNT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary..

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Gorya and Maya) LEOPARD’S HUNT follows in the wake of the rescue of our story line heroine. Maya Averina has lived a dark and lonely life since she was a very young child but she never expected to be rescued by a leopard with one of the most violent reputations. The Amurov Leopards are noted for their speed and ability to kill but no one knew the secrets that Maya kept close to her heart. Along with her own leopard ‘Wraith’, Maya was about to enter the Han Vol Dan, and would come to discover her would-be rescuer is her fated mate. Enter Gorya Amurvo, the man with whom Maya will fall in love but a man determined to end his life of violence, one way or another. Working together alongside leopard shifters Gedeon Volkov, and Meiling Chang, Maya and Gorya would place a plan into motion to take down an elite sexual and human trafficking ring, one run by a team of leopard shifters. What ensues is the building relationship between Maya and Gorya, and the potential fall-out as our couple must face the demons that refuse to die.

The world building is detailed and complex. We are up close and personal with the tragic and dark events of the past, a past that would frame and construct the lives of two shifters who have seen the worst of the worst.

The relationship between Maya and Gorya begins as a rescue but will quickly turn into a relationship between fated mates. Both Maya and Gorya’s leopards know but Gorya believes himself beyond repair, and Maya feels just as broken as the man with whom she will fall in love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including but not exclusive to the Amurov Leopard Crime Family -Timur and Ashe, Sevastyn, Meling and Gedeon, Jake Bannaconni, and Drake Donovan, as well as several cameos by and mentions of the Tegre Leopard(Evangeline, Josh); Kyanite Boston, and Matvei Jarvis, and several extended Bratva and Russian shifters. The requisite evil has many faces.

LEOPARD’S HUNT is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, madness and murder, delusion and infatuation, acceptance and love. The premise is dark, gritty, haunting and tragic; the romance is impassioned; the characters are animated, broken but determined to thrive.

Take note of the warnings, there are many triggers.



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LEOPARD’S HUNT is an engrossing can’t put it down read.

Reviewed by Annetta Sweetko for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=85708

My Review

First Impressions

Leopard's Hunt is the NEWEST release in the Leopard People series by Christine Feehan. This is book #14 and I can't believe we are this far in this series. It just feels like yesterday when I read the beginning books of this series. Its actually not as old as some of her others. I was really excited for this one and this is an author that I really just auto buy and just dive into her books so quickly and easily. This is one of my most anticipated reads for the WHOLE YEAR! That is how excited I was for this one. I just loved the previous book so was eager to see what she would handle with this one here. Even though the heroine is kick ass, I trusted in Feehan to deliver and she DEFINITELY did that with this one here. Lately Feehan has been writing a ton of kick ass heroines and I am kinda drained of it, I miss her softer heroines, BUT I will say that she made this heroine really work for me when I was NOT in the mood for her, so that should tell you how flawlessly written this book is.

Summary

This book starts out with Gorya Amurov, who has taken over his lair who has been corrupt for years with drug and human trafficking and he is putting a stop to this modern age slavery. So many leopards are getting caught up in it and he is determined to win this war against it, no matter what he has to do to stop it. But he knows that he and his leopard are more ruthless than most in his circle. He hires on Gedeon and Meiling to kill him when he has gone too far. But then through a turn of fate, he finds a woman locked in a basement, who is just as lethal as he is and without hope for anything good in this world just like he is. Maya Averina was taken as a child, and raped and tortured and lost her whole family. But now she is coming through her first heat, and she finds her mate in the most unlikely of circumstances. A man who is cold and ruthless but calls something to her and is just as lost and without hope just like she has been and they connect to each other. Their leopard's encouraged both of their humans and their romance has been one that was encouraged by their animals. But they find such solace and healing in each other while also fighting the threat to their lair and a hidden conspiracy to destroy them and their work against the human trafficking rings...

What I Loved

Leopard's Hunt BLEW my mind! Christine Feehan definitely delivered a story that is guaranteed to keep you on edge from beginning to end. And this book is where we get a serial change of sorts and I love it when she does these plot building that gives hints on what is coming up next. I honestly didn't know what to expect about this one, but it was way different than I expected going into it. I also was so ALL IN for this romance. I loved both of these characters. Gorya and Maya have such pain and heartache and your heart immediately goes out to them and the struggles that they have faced. Despite how powerful and kick ass both of them are, they have such vulnerabilities and they don't fight their attraction or their bond like you would expect from such strong personalities. The relationship just flows so smoothly despite the fear and reservations that they have regarding it. We get some old favorites including DRAKE and some connections to what happened in "Savage Nature" and I really adored that connection there. The plot is really thrilling and wow the plot connections is so crafty and cunning and such evil is in these villains here. It does get pretty intense in that respect, so make sure you know what to expect going into this. It really tackles some tough issues and its one of the elements to this author's writing that I really respect. I love that she writes about real issues that not many authors are willing to address especially in matters of human trafficking.

What I Struggled With

The pacing in the second half was a bit off for me, I had a hard time really keeping up with the story and there was a couple of plot holes or maybe I just accidentally missed them. Normally Feehan is really good about making sure these don't happen. But otherwise it was a powerfully written story that if you love anything paranormal, you need to read it!

Overall View

Leopard's Hunt is a true masterpiece of thrilling plot devices, characters that will tug at your heartstrings, and a story that will addict its readers in like a moth to flame in such a stunning delivery to pack the punch that only this author delivers! A WONDROUS INSTALLMENT TO MELT YOUR HEART FROM BEGINNING TO END!

Maya is on a mission and allowing a leopard's claim is not part of the plan. Gorya is on a mission and claiming a mate is not part of the plan. What happens when their leopard's have a different plan altogether?
Leopard's Hunt is the latest in Christine Feehan's Leopard series. I love that Gorya is finally getting his turn. He doesn't expect to live long in fact he has made plans nor to. He refuses to allow him or his leopard to lose their honor. But that was before Maya. Now that his leopard has made a claim can he find a way to gain Maya's trust?
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing both Maya and Gorya learn that neither is nearly as bad as they think. I loved seeing the see that even with their secrets the can be and are loved. Their journey isn't easy but I love that Ms. Feehan showed us the work that went into their happily ever after.

Gorya is an elite Leopard shifter. He's taken over the criminal enterprise after killing everyone who used to run it. Now he's a better boss than his predecessor because he doesn't allow women and children to be abused and trafficked the way he was when he was a child. Gorya hires another couple to watch him closely because he thinks he might have to be put down because his Leopard is a cold blooded killer.

Maya is also an elite Leopard and a killer. Her early life was very hard when people killed her family and kept her as a sex slave. When she and other escaped with the help of another, she grew up to be a killer that took out the men who made her life miserable.

Now Gorya and Maya's leopard's have mated and their human sides are feeling things for each other but neither of them think they can truly be in a relationship with anyone because they are so broken emotionally.

Maya meets the people that Gorya works with and his cousins and they all have to work together to bring down the bad people even though they don't trust her and she doesn't trust them much. When they find out that some of the people is Gorya's organization are still trying to traffic women and children, they have to work together to find out who, take care of them and save the women and children from a bad situation.

Gorya is such a great character, he thought there was nothing redeemable about him and he was so wrong. When he and Maya start getting closer they bring out the best in each other and their leopards are helping them to heal. It was sad watching how broken they really are but great seeing how they tried to find a way though and make their relationship work.

This book was a little wordy, a little slow at times which slowed down the pace for me but all in all it was a great story. .

Disclosure: I was given this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christine Feehan does it again! I was so excited for this addition to the Leopard Series, which will satisfy long-time readers and pull in new readers with all the plotline they need in this awesome action-packed romance in Leopard’s Hunt

Gorya Amurov has been a character of interest for me since he first appeared in the series, and now it’s time for his story… Along with some secret revelations as he story unfolds He’s exactly how I hoped he would be and stays true to his character. Both he and his heroine Maya are from abusive pasts that broke them yet also built their strength of character and fierce loyalty to those who stood for them. In spite of danger and trauma they found those in their lives that taught the code of honor and bond of family.

They believe they are unable to give or receive love…that they could never give to another what they deserved, that there is no future for them… However their Leopards recognize who they are to each other and steer them toward another path… using the common goal of ridding the world of those who profit off trafficking…playing on their loyalty and drive to complete their hunt.

This elite leopard couple is damaged yet courageous, and I love watching them grow through a blend of action, adventure and romance…grow stronger due to the common goal of their hunt, their bond with their leopards, and the discovery of the healing gift love can bring them. Gorya and Maya’s story quickly became a favorite in the series. How they find their way together and how the book’s storyline weaves its way into the series plotline, with many oh wow, grins, sad tears and happy heart melting emotions as they decide the path they’re going to take and edge of seat Leopard Karma delivered on the way.

(4.5) Intense, heart wrenching, explicit and family. Oxymoron? Nope. Family is what you make it. My heart hurt from the pain they both suffered in their worlds, the brutality that eviscerates kindness in most people. There are triggers, with trafficking of women and children. There is desperation, betrayal and through all the darkness there is family, bonding, strengthening two broken people along with their leopards taking baby steps towards the future. I really appreciated that this was more relationship, more lair happenings, characters I could invest in and the icing was seeing everyone from book 1 through present, what a treat! The surprise towards the ending.....whoop! Christine Feehan delivered an emotional ride. Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #Leopard'sHunt #LeopardPeople #ChristineFeehan #Berkley #NetGalley

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Christine Feehan continues her Leopard series with Leopard's Hunt. Gorya Amurov is a leopard shifter leader with a vicious personality after a terrible childhood. Maya Averina is a leopard shifter who lives in the shadows until her leopard recognizes Gorya's leopard as her partner. Fast moving and violent paranormal adventure. Enjoy.

As usual Christine Feehan gives suspense, dark, paranormal, and love. I can’t tell you how much this book was a one day read and just had me enthralled by the story. Every book I’ve read from this author has been amazing, but this maybe my favorite by far.

Leopards Hunt by Christine Feehan is a captivating read that introduces a cast of intriguing characters.

This book follows the story of Gorya Amurov, a leopard shifter who struggles to keep his inner beast under control, and Maya Averina, a strong and independent shifter on a mission for revenge. Gorya has always been the peacekeeper in his family, but deep down he harbors a deep rage and believes he would be better off dead. However, everything changes when he meets Maya, who is in the midst of her first heat and in danger of being sold off to the highest bidder. Gorya's protective instincts kick in and he becomes determined to keep her safe and claim her as his mate.
Maya is a fierce and determined shifter, focused on taking down the criminals who destroyed her life. But when she is unexpectedly ambushed and trapped, she finds herself relying on Gorya to set her free. As they navigate through dangerous situations and intense sexual tension, Maya begins to realize that Gorya is not the monster she initially thought him to be.
One of the strongest aspects of this book is the chemistry between Gorya and Maya. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and understanding, and it is satisfying to see them come together and heal each other's past wounds. The steamy scenes between them are well-written and add depth to their connection. The action and suspense in the plot keep the reader engaged from start to finish. Feehan does an excellent job of slowly unraveling the mystery surrounding Maya's past and the danger they face. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and would highly recommend for readers who enjoy steamy paranormal romance with a touch of danger and suspense.

Gorya Amurov has taken over the New Orleans territory for his family of leopard shifters. His reputation has always been one of peaceful and calm among the wilder members of his family. In fact, though Gorya barely contains his violent other half, Rogue, who wants to rend and tear all their enemies. Gorya is just about at the end of his tolerance for life certainly not imagining to ever find a mate. When he unexpectedly rescues Maya Averina, everything changes.

Maya was raised in brutality and abuse until she escaped those horrors vowing to exact revenge on everyone involved. She has lived in the shadows for years building an internet reputation for cyber research while hunting down adversaries who continue their criminal ways. Her cat self is ready for a mate putting Maya in a very vulnerable situation. Gorya recognizes Maya not only as his mate but another wounded soul who had no hope of redemption.

As Gorya and Maya get to know one another, they join forces to take out their common enemies who engage in all manner of illicit behavior including being drug runners and human traffickers. Despite her diminutive size, Maya is a force to be reckoned with and Gorya’s true nature comes out when confronting his enemies past and present.

This is book #15 in the Leopard People series and continues the same themes of retribution for the deep-seated abusive treatment and evil suffered by the Russian leopard families from their own people. The theme of human trafficking of women, children, and men is once again pervasive in this series as well as Ms. Feehan’s other works.

This was sadly a DNF. I stopped reading this book halfway through because of the frequent use of strong language and I did not feel comfortable with finishing the book. Although I had high hopes for it since I had heard great things about Christina Feehan, this series might not be for me.

Mya is independent and due to what happened to her when she was just a little girl has dedicated her life to revenge but because she is dealt out this revenge they have men that are after her not only due to what she does but because of what she is a nubile virginal Shapeshifting leopard. She has had few friends in her life but when she sees Gideon at the café in New Orleans and he ask her for her help she is reluctant but because he was there for her she agrees but once she is in an underground room locked up on the dark web being auctioned off… She’s having second thoughts. thankfully Maya isn’t the only one Gideon has double crossed and for reasons I won’t get into hear the leader of the pack Goraya arrives with his two bodyguards AN another rare Shapeshifter there to make certain Gorya doesn’t hurt an innocent person when he goes to confront Gideon he is immediately aware there is a female shifter in the next room in his leopard is begging to come out but he keep reminding his leopard they’re never going to mate but the leopard disagrees. When they finally rescue Maya from the room Gorya‘s need to protect her is intense. Mya is resigned to the fact her leopard wants Goraya but in wanting him she is also putting him in his packed in danger or is she? Can she stay with Goraya they’ve established that they share a pass but can they share a future as well? I really like these books and love Christine Feehan‘s writing style I just wish these books wouldn’t focus on the sex as much as they do but having said that I still really enjoyed this book. I even went and download it the first book that happened to be free. I did find there was a lot to remember and with their names not being common it made it hard at first but I soon became adept at the people involved and I would very much like to read the next book in the series I want to thank Berkeley publishing and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.