Deadly Storms

Sunrise Lake #3

by Christine Feehan

The next propulsive romantic suspense set in the beautiful yet harrowing California backcountry by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.Praise for Christine 'After Bram Stoker, Anne Rice and Joss Whedon, Christine Feehan is the person most credited with popularizing the neck gripper' Time'Feehan has a knack for bringing vampiric Carpathians to vivid, virile life in her Dark Carpathian novels' Publishers Weekly'The erotic, gripping series that's defined an entire genre! Must reading that always satisfies!' J.R. Ward

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2025

About the author

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...




IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)

Reviews

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love romantic suspense and the premise for Deadly Storms sounded really good. It ended up being a mixed bag for me. I’ve come to the conclusion that I struggle with Christine Feehan's writing. There’s a lot of repetition (Deadly Storms would’ve benefited by some editing down), telling versus showing, long explanations about Shabina and her friends: they’re beautiful and successful and wonderful and on and on. Also, most of her protagonists seem to have these horrifyingly brutal pasts. While what happened to Shabina in the past (kidnap, rape and torture) didn’t take place on the page, it was very disturbing. Then there’s the supposed capabilities/wealth, described at length, of Rainier and his security team. So over-the-top I couldn’t suspend my disbelief.

On the positive side, I was interested enough to finish, which was something given it was 400 pages, and I was surprised by the murderer’s identity. I enjoyed the setting. It’s an area I’m very familiar with, in fact I backpacked and camped at Sunrise Lake. It’s gorgeous and I could easily picture the fictional small town of Knightly that was close by. I also appreciated the author didn’t force a physical relationship between Shabina and Rainier. They were in love, but it was a given that the road to physical intimacy would happen when Shabina was ready and comfortable with it.

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.

[Lori McMichael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did Christine really write this book?

I don’t think she did. There is no depth to the characters. I did not care about any of them and I lost count of how many times she said the same thing over and over again. Not even close to her usual writing, I’m sorry to say.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an ARC so I don't know if there will be a note to readers regarding the trauma in this book. None of the trauma plays out on the page but there are triggers that throw her into nightmares where it is clear what happened without experiencing it. Anyone who is sensitive to such things should take note.

I do love a puzzle and this author does such a great job or creating that puzzle. She gives you so much information and you try to figure out what's character development and what's going to tell you more. And I think I figure it out. But, alas, she surprised me. This time, she divided what I was thinking in two and really confused me. What an enjoyable read.

I love Christine Feehan books. I've read almost everything she's ever written. Her writing is excellent and the plot is always enjoyable. Her characters always come alive for me and I love how her series' build relationships over multiple books. While, Deadly Storms can be read stand alone, there were some tidbits from previous books that tie them together nicely. It is truly a talent this author has.

Shabina is an amazing person that I really liked. She suffers from PTSD related to the secrets in her past. Despite the counseling and wonderful friends, she refuses to call Rainier when triggers start bringing up the past. He's the only one who knows what happened to her but she feels she ruined his life. She tries to go it alone. This whole beginning really captured my attention. Trying to piece together what had happened to her based on the triggers and the strange events that started happening. It was a well crafted puzzle that I really enjoyed putting together one page at a time.

I do wish we'd had more page time with Rainier. I really loved when he stood up for her. She had done an excellent job of standing up for herself but when she's pushed too far, he calmly handled it. I do understand she needed the page time to work through her issues but I did enjoy when he was on the page.

I also appreciated how the author helped us understand that PTSD is a life long struggle. It's not something that can just be fixed. While Shabina's PTSD stemmed from extreme circumstances, it was also clear that many people have varying degrees of it from trauma in their lives. The story was strengthening. I also appreciated the authors note about the research she had done to allow her story to ring true.

[Mel R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand these glowing reviews, this is not good Feehan work .

The story line is boring, we get information dumped a pretty horrific experience that was told in the most bland way ever, and it was supposed to set up the tension for the rest of the book, along with a couple of stereotypical racist males. It all fell so flat.

Words, phrases and concepts gets repeated multiple times.... like we get it, Vienna is engaged to Zale. It was mentioned a million times. Or the part where it was explained why the sherrif and FBI officer came to talk to Shabina (about evidence in a serial killer case) and she proceeds to repeat everything that was already told to us.

And there is no in person MMC interaction until 50%.

DNF 66% when MMC showed up and all of a sudden they're in love and engage in lile 3 seconds.

[Mallory Holy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed the story but I felt there was a lot of unnecessary repetition of things. Specifically regarding Shabina loving Ranier but being sure he didn't feel the same and her wanting him to live his life. I think the "romance" aspect was also kind of thrown in (in a way). I will say that I didn’t expect the twist regarding who was guilty. I haven't read too many books lately that had me surprised like that. All in all, I enjoyed the book. I have read books by this author that I thought were better. As other reviewers have mentioned, the writing was so different to any of the other books I have read by Christine Feehan (all carpathian, ghostwalker, shadow rider, and the other books in this series despite it being marketed as stand alone books) that I questioned if she actually wrote it. The last couple of books I have read from her have been more of a struggle to get through.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Danger is gathering on the horizon in this gripping novel of romantic suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.
Shabina Foster does her best to lead a normal life. She takes comfort in her friends and her dogs and finds passion in running her own small-town café in the eastern Sierra. But she can’t help always looking over her shoulder, not after what happened in her past. Since then, Shabina has worked very hard to build herself up and live life to the fullest.
Still, there’s no denying the scars she carries. Truly opening up her guarded world seems like an impossible dream—especially when it comes to the one man who makes her feel safe. Shabina already feels like she’s ruined his life and is determined to keep her distance, even as the ghosts of her past emerge from the shadows.
Security expert Rainier Ashcroft knows firsthand that a storm is brewing and that Shabina is in real trouble. Threats are approaching on all sides—and there’s no telling when the next hit will strike. But convincing the woman he loves to truly let him in will be just as difficult as keeping her alive.

Heather's Notes
I am sorry to say I did not really care for this story. I usually like CF's stories and I was looking forward to this because I liked all the characters. However, I did not care for Shabina at all. I found her annoying and at times dumb. Also there was a lot of repetition in the first part of the book. I cannot tell you how many times we were told that she was good with language, and could tell where a person was from just by how they talked. Which to be honest, I felt was a little hard to believe. I also didn't really care for how the first part of her kidnapping was portrayed. Never ever have you heard that a kidnapped victim was treated as part of the family. Also why did they keep them so long. I also did not care that Rainer didn't even show up until we were halfway through the book. This is suppose to be a Romantic Suspense, but there was no romance. He showed up and then they were married. I understand about the PSTD and her not being comfortable with certain physical actions, but romance is not just about sex. There was a lot the author could have done there and she didn't. I was not surprised about who the killer was at all, while I wasn't positive it was them I felt like they popped up too much to not be involved. Overall, this book was a disappointment. I still probably read the next as it should be a new couple.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another tribute to women's strength under siege!

"She was the eye of the storm. The calm in the middle of chaos. She had her own strength, the ability to withstand the storm."

What I love the most about Christine Feehan's paranormal romances is her heroines. Christine's female protagonists are women who have survived horrible traumas and lived to tell the tale. Like Shabina, in Deadly Storms, they are "the calm in the middle of chaos," with their own strength and power. Every woman, no matter her walk of life, can find inspiration in Shabina's and her friends' collective stories. Christine Feehan's monumental talent for creating memorable characters is one of many reasons she continues to be a one-click author for me!

Her heroes are no slouches, either! All are strong, powerful, ruggedly handsome, alpha males. Christine created Rainer to be Shabina's perfect soul mate. He is definitely swoon-worthy. More importantly, his whole goal in life appears to be empowering Shabina to believe in her own strength and beauty! While he may be the "Deadly Storm", Shabina is the " Eye of the Storm". Together, they are unbeatable.

The suspense and mystery in this story were unsurpassed compared to other "suspense romances." The twists and turns in the plot kept me guessing as to who the real villain may be! I never would have imagined who was ultimately responsible for all the murders. Even when Christine masterfully revealed the evidence that condemned the villain, I was amazed at how I missed such obvious clues! Christine Feehan is indeed the Queen of Paranormal suspense romance!

More, please, Christine! I promise, if you keep writing, I, your greatest fan, will keep reading!

[Sandy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5stars-DEADLY STORMS is the third instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult SUNRISE LAKE dark, romantic suspense series. This is undercover operative/ security specialist Rainier Ashcroft, and café owner Shabina Foster’s story line. DEADLY STORMS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

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

Told from omniscient third person perspective DEADLY STORMS focuses on a series of murders in Knightly, around Sunrise Lake near Yosemite National Park but our heroine, Shabina Foster’s small town life is anything but idyllic when the past returns determined to finish what it had previously started. Having survived a year and a half in captivity in the Middle East, and an eventual rescue by Rainer Ashcroft, our heroine returned a shell of her former self. Years later, Shabina set up a café near Sunrise Lake but the nightmares and PTSD hint at approaching danger that cannot be stopped. Someone is not only targeting our story line heroine, but also the people visiting Yosemite Park.

The world building is complex and detailed as the story line follows two to three interconnected pathways. Fearing she has been targeted, and the possibility of a serial killer in the small town of Knightly, our heroine finally calls the man who owns her heart but a man who is more of a ghost than anyone could have ever imagined.

The relationship between Rainier and Shabina began as a rescue, years before. Rainier is determined to protect the woman with whom he had fallen in love but often on assignment, a protection team as well as Shabina’s three dogs, were always on guard, in an effort to keep our heroine safe from harm. Rainer’s reappearance in her life is not a coincidence, our hero is a man who willing to prove Shabina is the only woman able to control his heart. There are no $ex scenes.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic, and often questionable secondary and supporting characters but so many that is was often confusing. Numerous names of locals, tourists and many non-entities, often overwhelming to the point of unnecessary.

DEADLY STORMS is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, acceptance and love. The slow building premise is twisted and dramatic but the repetitive nature of the world building is troublesome, and the conflict resolution(s) is quick and easy. There is quite a bit of reflection and introspection from the heroine’s POV. The characters are energetic; the romance is virtually non-existent, our couple do not connect until approximately half way through the story.


copy supplied for review

[Kelley White · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who has PTSD, I was very curious to see how Ms. Feehan would handle writing about a person with it. She did not disappoint me in any way.

We go back to Sunrise Lake and join our favorite group of ladies. This time we get to know Shabina Foster.
Shabina runs the local café. She loves to cook and everyone comes to eat there for breakfast and lunch. She has a varied menu and is always introducing new items.
She spent some time overseas in Saudi Arabia with her parents when she was a teenager and had the misfortune of getting kidnapped along with several other people. It was actually a fairly common practice at the time. Foreigners were kidnapped and given back as soon as the ransom was paid by the family.
She wasn’t hurt, and was treated well by the tribe. One by one the others were released as their families paid the ransom, but every time her father paid the ransom, it was intercepted. She was with the tribe for over a year, and learned to cook, clean, worked with the children as was well treated. Then they were attacked by a group of men. The entire tribe was massacred in front of Shabina.
The man who kidnapped Shabina from the tribe was a very mean, sadistic man who went by the name of Scorpion. He thrived on killing people, young and old. Shabina was spared, but only to be tortured, sexually assaulted and brutalized for months on end. When she was finally rescued, she was near death from illness and infection of her wounds. It took her a long time to heal physically and constantly battles with the mental healing.
Her life at Sunrise Lake has been pretty uneventful, but now she fears that Scorpion has found her and is mentally torturing her.
Men with accents are coming into her café and some of them seem to be the same type as the mercenaries that ran with Scorpion.
Then to add to stress level, some people were being murdered in the area, and some articles that were found at the murder scenes are items that can only be found in Saudi Arabia.
Can Shabina, along with her wonderful friends, Raine, Stella, Zahra, and Harlow, figure out what is happening in their small little town. Can Shabina find peace and not call on the one person she knows will always be there for her? She can’t call Rainer. He was her rescuer, and she loved him with all her heart. He kept her safe, helped her heal, taught her self-defense, and got her lined up with dogs that would protect her with their lives. She would not keep bringing him down and ruin his life because she was paranoid.
Follow along with the ladies of Sunrise Lake as they work together with the community to find out who is killing their neighbors and friends, and most of all, who is trying to make Shabina lose her mind.

[Marialyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audio first. Ms. Feehan really did a disservice to Deadly Storms by not having Allysa Bresnahan as the narrator. The current narrator is bland, has no emotion, and you have very little to tell the voices apart. I started this audiobook over and over again. I just could not get it to click in my mind. It was jumbled and confusing.

She could have easily taken a paragraph to reintroduce the six women of Knightly and their significant others. One time, done and done. There was too much repetition of unnecessary information over and over again.

This book could have been one of her best. Thumbs down on the audiobook. Almost a thumbs-up on the book.

Shabina's love, Rainier doesn't make an appearance until 50% into the story. Too bad.

Reading the book you have the option to skip over the unnecessary parts, but in the audio, you can't. The narrator just drones on and on. Your Mummy could do a better job of expressing the story.

I hope the next book in the Sunrise Lake series has less repetition, which seems like filler, and more substance. I like the premise of the Sunrise Lake series and would like there to be more with more feeling.

I seem to recall her stating that she writes what her publisher wants, not what should be written. This was in answer to a fan wondering when their favorite series book would be continued. I may be mistaken. So, no finishing Dario's story in the Shadow series. All the ancient Carpathians left without their stories. Ghostwalker Series and other series that are not completed. Unless the publisher gives it a go. Ms. Feehan needs to sit back and finish what she started. We won't all live forever.

Ms. Feehan should receive a thumbs-up for her research on PTSD that she included in this book. Much of which I never knew about PTSD. Excellent Ms. Feehan!

Back to Deadly Storms. It should have been wonderful. It wasn't. It could have been so much more.

The audiobook made a hash of it. Reading the book helped make sense of it because you could skip parts. Don't listen to it, read it.

I did hold off on purchasing it until I read it through my library. That goes for listening too.

[CJ Farao · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh! I’m going to rant

Okay, so first, I had alerts set for the Caparthian series so I can learn when more books come out vs having to check occasionally. This backfired…. I couldn’t sleep one night and checked my email and Bam! A new book, Deadly Storms was sitting in my email. I immediately assumed this was apart of the series I was monitoring, the name sounded like it fit one of the characters and I had insomnia sometimes, I was like this is the best way to get tired again or kill time right?
*WARNING - Spoiler Alert 🚨
Ugh 😩 I regret so much not double checking first. 1. The book was interesting in how it started… I was thinking, wow… maybe she’s trying to switch it up a bit, good thinking it’s almost book 40.
2. Then at some point I’m like how is he with her during the day? Why isn’t he stressing for the ritual?
3. Then the way she yearned for him as if they already had two blood exchanges! Ugh! I just felt out of sorts.
4. I figured it out about 50% through - Dorothy, you are not in Romania! Ugh! But I kept reading because now, I’m invested right. The book became a little expectant and dry. There was not one sex scene… I mean not even an implication besides rape, without the sordid details and it was years ago. Not to say that does anything for me.
5. Worst part, I decide to look up which series it was apart of and it was like book 3 in some new series.
Yes, yes, yes…. It’s my fault, I should have confirmed. But I swear “Deadly Storms” sounds like a Carparthian series book. I should have stopped reading it but at that point, I was hoping someone was about to get laid at least! Very. Dry. My rating is solely based on the book and not on my error even though, my expectations of my reading experience were altered, I just didn’t feel the people in the story, this felt very AI written tbh.

[Maureen Gianinio · Rating 5 out of 5]

These pages have you immersed in Shabina's story, her fortitude and determination to regain control of her life that her traumatized childhood tore from her, and keep the life she's built.
You bear witness to the strength of friendship, knowing friends are there for you, care about you, if you find the strength to let them in...
Shabina has worked hard for freedom from her past, to conquer the fears and the way PTSD grabs hold when those memories surface, trying to rip it all away.
She knows her triggers but now it seems someone else does, too... or is she going crazy?
Moments where you have to remind yourself to breathe, emotions and goosebumps have you turning pages and trying to figure it all out! Are these threats from antagonists in her past, from those around her now, another element... are they from one source, several, are they all related or separate, her mind just looking for connection.

She feels the threat closing in...the storms drowning all she’s worked for...Rainier, the man who rescued her from her kidnappers, is her hope, her safety if she finds the strength to call him...

He's the one man who knows the storms that rage within her and that are moving in from all fronts... he sees her, knows all she’s survived and how far she’s come. The man deadly enough to remove the threat and give her the calm after the storm.
However, being her guardian is not enough anymore...

Love the way this all comes together, threats removed and mysteries solved as Shabina and Rainier move toward a future beyond the role of victim and protector and accept what their hearts truly feel.

[Reading In Pajamas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: DEADLY STORMS by Christine Feehan https://bit.ly/4prQxRU
Publication Date 9/2/2025
Genre Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

I’ve not read books one and two in this romantic suspense series but was able to follow along with no problem. The only issue is that I came in blind to the relationship between Shabina and Rainier. You don’t actually see him until over halfway through the book. She only talks about him…a lot. Because of that, I never got invested in him except loving the way he treats her. Shabina herself is resilient, smart, and strong. She suffers from PTSD due to extreme abuse at the hands of her kidnapper years before. I was pleased to see that the author discussed the treatment and issues she faced. I liked her personality and the lovely camaraderie she had with her friends. They are a group of women I would love to be a part of. Note: There was a mention of her having a psychic connection to birds, yet that was never fleshed out. Pity, as that would have been an interesting aspect of the story.

The storyline itself was filled with tension from page one. They had to deal with a two-pronged mysterious danger. It kept me guessing whether it was the same madman or separate issues. That made for a very exciting read that I could not put down.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

Kindle https://amzn.to/4neSYpy

[Lynn Latimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Café owner Shabina Foster was rescued from a brutal and horrific, several months long, kidnapping when she was sixteen years of age. While ten years later, she has made a successful living in the small mountain community near Yosemite, Sabina suffers from a cripplingly deep traumatic PTSD. The one man who rescued and makes her feel safe, deep ops security expert Rainier Ashcroft, means the world to Shabina; however, she feels he has done enough and needs to get on with his life away from her.

Several bad actors seem to live in this small town coming to Shabina’s café to cause trouble and chaos. When some of them end up brutally killed, numerous suspects pop up. Along with that problem, someone is trying to shatter Shabina’s hard won, yet fragile emotional stability and it seems, the evil monster who nearly took Shabina’s life is once again stalking her.

As is often with this author, there are plenty of gory and repetitive details of Shabina’s suffering, so major trigger warnings for anyone suffering with this very serious affliction. Rainer does not show up until 50% of the book although he gets a major buildup. Rainer’s reputation and alter ego take a strong hand in dealing with Shabina’s past and present. It is clear he has a deep emotional connection to Shabina beyond their initial relationship. This book in third in the Sunrise Lake series.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rainier and Shabina. Rainier was introduced in book 2, but now he is back and so are the women of Sunrise Lake. Shabina is having a rough time with her PTSD episodes, but doesn’t want to reach out for help as she feels a burden and that she already ruined his life. This part of the story is fascinating as it develops the history of what Shabina experienced, her trauma, and her rescue with recovery. It also showed the fierce loyalty and strength and love that the women feel for each other. Shabina is in danger, but the events are so varied that it isn’t clear if they all relate to her and her past or something else. There are a lot of new characters as tourists and employees which build to some of the stressful moments. The focus on security and the dogs, both Sabanis three guard dogs and all the other women’s dogs is one of my favorite parts of the series. Rainier finally enters the story as his character rather an a discussion and quickly takes charge of the dangerous elements and setting their communication on track to show there is love and not burden/ruin. I loved Rainier and how he listened to her, but also had clearly built his company and world around her and their potential future. Raine was the friend MVP and I am so excited for her story as she has so many secrets and intelligence. Love the story and world that CF has created!

[Diana M. Caruthers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me forever to read. At one point I went back to review the first two books in the series because I felt as if I had read it before. The beginnings of the books are so similar. All that is mainly done is the names of the character that is part of the group o friends and who will eventually become her partner.
I truly wanted to like this book and series but I can’t so far. Christine Feehan is one of my favorite authors. Her other series are so great that I always preorder her books. The excitement for her new book release wore off quickly when I started reading.
The book is very flat in the beginning because it is so similar to other books written. At about 51% it gets more exciting as the content becomes new then towards the end, I just can’t like the book again. At the end the women in the friends group somehow solve who is committing the serial murders that the FBI cannot. So unrealistic that it ruins the end. Help solve maybe but solve by their selves is so out there.
I cannot recommend the series and need to make sure when I preorder it isn’t a part of this series. Christine Feehan is a wonderful author with the other series. I just think that this series is so far away from what she normally writes that she should go back to putting her efforts into the other series.

[Ron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Book Notification for their contest for which I won a copy of this book.

This is the first time I have read any books by this author. It will also be my last. My wife saw me reading this book and gave me a weird look. She said to me that I have met Ms. Feehan many years ago at a book signing that I took the wife to. I had forgotten. The wife used to be a big fan of Feeham. After reading this book I can't figure why.

This book should have been titled, The Cafe, since most of the story takes place in the cafe the main character owned. Who cares what everyone is eating, just get on with the story.

You've heard the term "chick flick"? Well, I think this is a "chick flip" (flip, as in turning a page). I first noticed the chapters were long. I hate to be reading a chapter and there is no good place to stop for the night. I kept asking myself when was this story going to get interesting? The author would get on a subject and go on and on and on..., about whatever. What took pages, the subject could have been said in one or two pages. The author finally has one or two decent chapters towards the end of the book. But it was too little too late.

My recommendation........skip it.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Deadly Storms is a standalone title, feature characters from previous works, including "Red on the River" and "Murder at Sunrise Lake" will be in this story. While prior readings are not necessary to enjoy this new story, I highly recommend them as they provide valuable context and showcase some wonderful characters who play pivotal roles in this narrative.

This book follows Shabina, a courageous woman grappling with PTSD stemming from a traumatic kidnapping she endured as a teenager, during which she was held captive for over a year. Each day presents its own challenges for her, particularly now that someone from her past is stalking her and attempting to frame her for murder. In addition, she faces constant harassment and racist remarks from a troubling group of men, compounding her struggles.

Amidst this turmoil, Shabina has a trusted ally in Rainer, who would do anything to help her; however, she finds herself unable to reach out to him for support. This dynamic creates an intense atmosphere throughout the story, filled with tragedy and heartbreak but also highlighting the remarkable strength of survival.

[Kelly C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Christeen Feehan, but this didn’t seem like her creation.

I love Christeen Feehan and have read the Ghostwalker series - my favorite- Seahaven, sisters of the Heart, Leopard People, Ghost Walkers. Torpedo Ink and Shadow Riders grew on me, but haven’t been inclined to the carnation and Dark series because they seem too formulaic. And unfortunately, this series is similar. I want to like it, but find it slow and stilted, lacking the humor and easy way of getting to know the characters. The plot/formula was too similar to the previous stories in this series. I found myself speed reading through chapters just to get to the action, and even that felt dragged out and then hurried. So sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I like the women and will probably keep reading because I’d like to discover their story. I just hope it picks up. We never introduced to the hero, Rainer until 49% through the book! I never felt like he developed as a character, aside from the token strong, silent, dominant alpha. (sigh) I just expect more, because the other series were so much better.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, harrowing page turner and triggers. Shabina was captured and tortured when she was 16. To be the individual she has become today was awe inspiring and mind blowing while still dealing with PTSD in a realistic manner. Her kindness and goodness was a little hard for me to relate too but her intelligence and pleasantly worded snark when dealing with *butts* at her cafe were great. Rainer had me from the get go. His quiet inner strength, his rescuing of Shabina when she was 16 and oh so much more. While Shabina is dealing with her paranoia and PTSD there is another mystery going on. Was awesome to have the girl gang back together and be at Sunrise Lake again. This is a heart wrenching horrifying story in so many ways, but shows the inner strength and possibilities. I hope we have a book 4. Many thanks for the advanced copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #DeadlyStorms #SunriseLake #ChristineFeehan #Berkley #NetGalley

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much going on in this one and Shabina did her best to keep herself in check. When she broke, she reached out to her person, Rainer, who leap into action to have her back. Not that her friends didn't have her back, but with Rainer there is a special bond there and he has the skills needed to make sure that Shabina came through in one piece. It was fun to see him effortlessly step into her life and step up if/when it was needed and then fade back into the background. Those that cared to pay attention knew he would be front and center again if needed and were wary around him, as they should be. The friend group worked to do what they could to figure out what was going on and stepped in as needed to take care of threats. In the end, things will be a bit more peaceful for them all, especially with the one local firmly put in this place, but I don't think he will go quietly and will pop back up like a bad penny.

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book, but being strictly honest, it was lackluster. I took several breaks because the story just dragged along. I was hoping it would pick up, and it kind of did, but not enough to make up from the lack of energy.

Shabina and Rainier don't interact until half way in the book and then when they do interact, it's a whirlwind, which I don't necessarily mind, but again, it's wasn't enough.

Then the murders and Shabina being implicated is all thrown in the story and mixed with the main villain storyline in a hodge podge mixture of whodunit. Then, right at the end, they figure out who done it, confront the cultprit, who tells on themselves btw, and the culprit then goes out in a blaze of glory. What? Oh, right before that,the main villain just waltz's up to Shabina's café like it's nothing. Again, what?

Hopefully the next story is more in line with what I've come to expect from a Christine Feehan story.

[Lee Anne Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ranier and Chabena. This one left me feeling blah. I know what she endured and how ongoing PTSD affects her. I was just sad to see her character seem weak when she’s not at all weak. When Ranier returns to claim what’s always been his is when we see her strength and confidence. It was him that anchored her. Wish we’d seen more of him. We didn’t get to know Ranier like we did Sam when he and Stella fell in love. The man he is did become apparent after he returned but he was gone and seemingly not an active part of her life, then suddenly he’s forever. While I like Chabena and all her friends this just didn’t hit me like the others.

As for the murders, I called it pretty quickly. What I did not anticipate was how Ranier knew to show up in the desert that night to save her. That was a complete surprise to me.

Pretty good but the others in this series are better.

[Yogi Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

A somewhat thriller with two wonderful characters who are in love. The characters are great, but the storyline lacks romance and enough suspense to feel invested in them. The strong relationship and comradery between the friends are more prominent than the romance between the couple.

I would have preferred a book from the leopard series instead of this. It appears that every year we the readers get less books. At one time, we got 5 books a year, that was awesome, and they were all great. Now instead, we get 3 books, and they are not all great. Don't know what's happening but I've read almost every Christine Feehan book, and this book does not feel like her writing. Very Disappointing.

[KDLediting · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner

Feehan is an amazing mystery writer, and this book proves it again. However, if you haven't read Red on the River you'll want to read it before you get to this one. Otherwise you'll be very confused. There also must be another book between the two but none are labeled as a series. It's difficult for an OCD series reader to miss a book and not be able to find it.
The main drawback in this one, and the reason it doesn't get 5 stars, is that in a romantic suspense you expect to "meet" the love interest before the middle of the book. And you expect some build up instead of the two characters being in the same room then BAM they get married. Yes they supposedly knew each other for years but there was no interaction on the page.

[damnhotmama22 Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE IT SO MUCH I HAD TO READ IT TWICE!! Plus I know I'll be reading All Three in order again! Six women from different ways of life becoming friends and being so Loyal to each other is a Testament to being True Friends! Shabine has by far the most intriguing, considering what All she endured in the hands of 'Scorpion'. PTSD is Very Real to those who have it! My thanks to Christine Feehan for researching it as she was able to show how even the smallest thing can be a Trigger that can completely debilitating. But Shabine was trying to handle it until she couldn't and called Rainier. The Only one that could save her!!!
If I could give this book 10 Stars I Would!!!

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense emotional book with PTSD. Shabina was taken hostage at the age of 16 and eventually subjected to brutal beatings and raped multiple times by Scorpio before she was rescued by Deadly Storms. Despite having her tight knitted friendship circle, she still has severe meltdowns. Interwoven into the storyline is serial killings. I adored the multifaceted character of Shabina, despite her PTSD and atrocious, abusive background, she still has so much empathy despite her trust issues. Rainier, Deadly Storms, is the ultimate protective hero and will kill to rid her of her demons. A HEA and the loose ties are nicely tied in towards the end. Great read.

[Tameka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final installment in this series. I will say this book takes you on a ride. Fro. my standpoint I experienced a great deal of emotions. I was sad at the loss of friends, strangers, and family.
The fear and anxiety was palpable dealing with racist idiots.
The love that is felt between the two of these characters is uncanny. She is trying to give this man a life regardless of her feelings for him but tries to deny it and he is giving her space because of what she went through. He shows his love in ways that could be express as dangerous to other but she know the teuth of the matter that he will do anything for her and to protect her.

[Wanda Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gift of love and friendship exemplified

Christine Feehan, I have followed your books - all of them and your gift just keep on growing and blessing others. The story of Shabina and Rainier emphasizes the need to surround yourself with good friends; it showed the rock of true friendship. The love of Shabina and Rainier strengthened and supported them both. It brings encouragement to others not to give up when you have experienced trauma, you can walk in and live a full life as well. Thank you for your art, your gift of writing you have done it again. I am looking forward to your next adventure, I so enjoy the journey.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was better in this book but it was still a bit lacking. She glosses over the relationship part completely. What did bother me is her complete lack of knowledge about the Muslim faith. I’m not saying that there are people who call themselves Muslims, who are peaceful. What I am saying is that if you are a true Muslim, it is not a peaceful faith. They would never have accepted an outsider in their midst, and just welcomed her with open arms. That’s a fallacy. It really left me disappointed. It was very okay. I won't buy it and I won't reread it. Thank God for the library!