The past may come back and haunt you but Ricco refuses to let it hurt his family or the new woman in his life. Ricco Ferraro is the SHADOW REAPER, it is all he can be, but he is known to be reckless. His family doesn't know what happened to him when he was a young teen sent to train in Japan. Lies became truths and only a few know this. He knows that past would come back to bite him but he never expected to find his mate ... as the one sent to kill him. One with a past that linked to his, a past she doesn't even remember.

Mariko's life has not been easy, she believes she is the unwanted daughter who is unworthy of her heritage, but for her little brother she will do anything. When a note is sent to her that Ricco Ferraro must be taken out, then this shadow rider, does her research and finds no reason for such action. Except that the note writer has her brother as a hostage. When Mariko comes face to face with Ricco, they both must face facts. Her shadows are drawn to him and she is his perfect woman. A woman who is willing to indulge in one of his hobbies, the art of Shibari, a Japanese art form using ropes, bindings and the human body.

SHADOW REAPER is the riveting second book in the Shadow Rider series by author Christine Feehan. Ricco might seem like the wild child seem like the wild child, risk taker but in all honesty he is the one who would sacrifice anything, including his life for his family. That came out in this book and added to the mystic of the Ferraro family. A number of things happen in this book that will have you in awe of Ms. Feehan's imagination and ability to make you feel for her characters, even ones you don't particularly care for. I enjoy the closeness of this family members, aunts, uncles, cousins are just as important as siblings, but it is the whole community that they protect that is also just as important to them. That closeness comes in very handy for Mariko when a few home truths and a shattering discovery almost bring her to her knees.

Just as a bit of warning there is quite a bit of Shibari in this book in fact, it is how our couple met. I have to admit I had to look it up to see why it is considered an art form. I guess I can see the intrigue, though some might feel it is just another name for bondage, it did seem to be a unique way for Ricco and Mariko to communicate.

If you are looking for a protector with a wild side, a woman who knows how to fight and how to love, a family of many that will have your back, action, steamy wild moments and sweet romance, you will find it all rolled into one amazing story in SHADOW REAPER.