Name: Burning Wild
ISBN: 9780515146233

Christine Feehan

Billionaire Jack Babbaconni, who is gifted with leopard-shifting abilities, is strongly attracted to the mysterious Emma Reynolds, and so he hires her as his son's nanny in order to keep her close and under his protection.

Burning Wild

Lover of Romance 

Summary

Jake Bannaconni, didn’t have the easiest start in life. He grew up with cruelty and punishment. He has never known love or affection, all he knows is control and power. He is driven, and refuses to let the influence of his ruthless parents, to determine his future. When Jake learns that he has a son, and the mother manipulated him, he chases after her. Because he refuses to let any harm come to his son who has yet to be born. But through certain chain of events, his son was born premature in a car accident that killed the mother, and another couple was affected. Where he meets Emma Reynolds, who lost her husband of five months. Emma is overcome with the loss of her husband, and loses herself in her mind, until Jake. Jake keeps her centered and focused on her unborn child. Jake convinces her to come home with him and help take care of his son, and with little money, she feels she doesn’t have much choice. Soon Jake and Emma draw closer together, and their friendship takes another turn into one of passion and desire and a world of dangerous creatures and ruthless enemies who will stop at nothing to destroy Jake and their family…
The Hero

Jake Baconni had been manipulated from birth as a genetic experiment, and was only shown cruelty and there was only one person that showed him love, his uncle, who helped him become the man he is today, and where he was able to achieve his wealth and success. Jake only knows one way to live, and that is in power. He refuses to be helpless or at a loss of control. Jake is a shifter, he runs a large ranch, and is emotionally cut off from most of the people he associates with, except for a couple of friends who like him are shifters as well. Jake is a very intense hero, full on alpha male we have here. One of the most highest that this author has ever written. On the surface he is hard and rough, doesn’t believe he has a heart, and can be a bit obsessive about certain aspects of his life. But never have you seen a man who needs the love of a good woman more. He has never known true love or affection, or loyalty. Inside you see a man who craves touch and love.
The Heroine

Emma is a truly magnificent heroine, and she is the balance in the story. Emma is such a good human being, she is kind and loving, has compassion and has no idea of the cruelty that exists in Jake’s world. She only knows how to love and how to stand by someone who you care for. She is true to her character. She is far from perfect, she tends to be a bit high strung and too stubborn. She wants her own way, and doesn’t understand the complexity of Jake. Her character is compelling, and what I admired about Emma was how she only sees the good in Jake. She never judges harshly, except when she wants to exert her own independence. But as you read Burning Wild, you see parts of yourself reflected in her character.
Plot and Story Line

The story is probably one of the most intense and dramatic romances of Christine Feehan. It was one of the first books I read from this author that didn’t belong to the “Carpathian” series. I read this book years ago, and ever since I have been wishing I had done a review for it. Well I am doing one now. I saw this title on the shelves of my library, and I thought I would love a chance to read this again. And oh boy did I love reading it again. Every once in a while, I think its good to re read a book we love. And with Christine Feehan at the helm, I had no issues at all. It was just as good as the first time that I had a chance to read it. It starts out with seeing Jake growing him between a few years with each segment. And I warn you, his childhood isn’t pretty and easy…its pretty bad and rough. My heart just broke seeing what happens to him, and you see how important it is that those scenes are put in the story, so that you can understand the background behind what drives Jake. Emma on the other hand never knew pain or humiliation as Jake did. She grew up with parents that loved her, and even though she lost them, she has only known love and affection. You see how her influence takes a positive effect on Jake. They are together for about two years, before their relationship takes a more sexual turn. They are comfortable living together, and understand certain aspects of each other, but when they start to feel more intense emotions, that’s when the story really starts rolling. Oh boy and do they have some heated chemistry. Be careful not to get burned here. You also learn some things about Emma and who she really is. Her character truly blossoms in this story, and it is so heartwarming to see how she becomes more confident and sure of herself, and I will say she learns to handle Jake quite well. He needs a woman who will stand up to him, no matter what. There is a danger element to the story, and whew..did that put me on edge, despite the fact that I have read this story before. But there were scenes and moments I had totally forgotten about. The two children…are so adorable and I just wanted to hug them…so fresh and full of life.
Cover

How can you look at this cover, and not want to run for the hills. Boy does he have danger marked all over him. I love the gray background and the pic of the leopard kinda out of phaze…it adds depth and excitement.
Overall View

Burning Wild is a rough and wild romantic tale, of what true love is, and how it can change you for the better. A story of fiery passion, intense characters, and has a level of grit and toughness to it….a story that will completely enthrall you!!

Amanda J 

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the chemistry/history between Jack and Emma was well done and believable. I also liked that the children actually appeared throughout and weren't just mentioned and never seen again, like so many books. Biggest complaint was the lack of communication between the h/H; however, Feehan does a good job of explaining why these characters would do this, good enough that I'm going to give it a pass on the miscommunication trope. Out of universe the sex is problematic, in universe it isn't. 
I'm not sure if the "twist" was a deus ex machina or the clues were there from the beginning. I'm going to have to reread. Which won't be a problem lol.