Masked by Moonlight

by Nancy Gideon

Book Overview

IN THIS STUNNING FIRST BOOK FROM NANCY GIDEON'S SIZZLING NEW SERIES, A TENACIOUS COP AND HER SHAPE-SHIFTING ENEMY SACRIFICE EVERYTHING FOR FORBIDDEN DESIRE. ALL SHE WANTS IS REVENGE. New Orleans... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1439149631
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.2" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Wow!

I wasn't exactly sure what I was in for when I started reading this one. There may be reviews for it, but they've passed me by. By reading the back cover blurb, it sounded like it could have been a paranormal and probably was, and yes, it is. There is a whole lot I love about this book. But what really makes it a standout is one of the most shocking heroes I've ever read. He just about breaks your heart with his vulnerability towards the heroine. This series could be compared to the In Death series in some ways I think. So far there are three books with Charlotte and Max and I really hope there will be more. Charlotte, or CeCe is a cop in New Orleans. Years earlier she, along with her best friend, were held captive as a means to keep her father, a dedicated cop, from going after the leader of crime syndicate. They were finally rescued but only after unspeakable horrors were done to them. Her friend Mary Kate became a nun and CeCe became a cop who lives and breathes the job. After a particularly gruesome murder in which the name of the man she holds responsible for her father's death comes up, she goes to question him - again - as he seems to have his fingers in many of the crimes she investigates. His right hand man and enforcer Max is standing behind him as always. She has long had unwelcome feelings for Max, him being and enforcer for a crime syndicate and her being a cop. But they've only exchanged few words in the intervening years. But things are about to change. What is so delicious about this book is Max is what he is - and then some. Yes, he's killed for Jimmy, his boss whom he also sees as a very strong father figure. He's a loner who has never had friends or lovers. And he's been in love with CeCe for years. And now that CeCe is starting to admit to her feelings for Max, he is torn between his love for Jimmy and his love for CeCe. But Max is not really human. He's a shapeshifter with uncanny abilities as far as his senses go. But because of what he is, he is also such a lost soul. He is both good and while I wouldn't say evil exactly, he has done evil things. And he is so gone for the heroine. I love it when the hero is wrecked for the heroine. CeCe is a great heroine. Once she opens up to her feelings for Max, she will do anything for him including putting her job at risk. Although human, she's more than a match for Max and she is just as wrecked for him as he is for her. The chemistry between these two is off the charts and I'm more than excited to keep reading this very unusual series. All I can say about this one is Wow.

Great chemistry!

Masked by Moonlight is the first in a hot new trilogy by Nancy Gideon. I killed this book in two days- it was impossible to set down. I was devoured by the main characters as Gideon laced the pages with brilliant chemistry between Max and Charlotte. Max with his tall, dark and wolfish good looks works as muscle for the local mob boss, Jimmy Legere. Charlotte is a police officer- one with daddy issues. As she scours the streets for her father's killer, she stops crime one evil SOB at a time. Under any other circumstances, these two wouldn't find themselves in the midst of a passionate endeavor, but Gideon delivers an action packed novel full of mystery and desire. I found it easy to relate to our heroine, Charlotte, which is why I liked her so much. Watching her fight crime and deal with her life circumstances was enjoyable, to say the least. Max was just as fun to follow, making this an extremely entertaining couple. Although the chemistry between Max and Charlotte is undeniable, it occasionally felt coerced and I feel almost silly saying that as it was one of my most favorite aspects of the book. For the majority of the read, their chemistry popped right off the page. And I adore the obstacles and curve balls that Gideon throws at them, just to see them dodge one bullet after another. Even if you're not passionate about reading romance, the plot will keep you flipping those pages. Really though, I think the romance between Max and Charlotte is enough to keep you on your toes. But the suspenseful, intriguing mystery just makes this one magnificent read. Maybe I went into this not expecting too much, as I truly thought nothing could top the previous book I'd read... However, Masked by Moonlight has depth, complexity and keeps the storing flowing so that I found it hard to become bored with the desire to skim. I loved that I had tons of questions, but enough answers that the story left me wanting to read more. If you're into werewolves and or romance, you will love this one. And all of you Jacob Black fans have a gorgeous werewolf to dream about that isn't too young for ya. ;) Yep, brace yourself for an intense ride and clear some of your schedule because you won't be putting this one down! Chased by Moonlight, the second book in the Moonlight Trilogy, comes out June 29th and I'm excited to see where Gideon takes these characters next! For more reviews and contests, check out my blog at Rex Robot Reviews dot com

Deliciously Different

Masked by Moonlight features the most deliciously different hero I've ever "met". Max Savoie is sexy, scary, ferocious, and endearing by turns. Gorgeous, long-legged, Charlotte "Cee Cee" Caisse is a straight-arrow detective for NOPD. Her ties with Max go way back, but it's not something she's comfortable admitting. He rescued her from a brutal kidnap/rape when she was a teenager, and although the memories are buried, she's never forgotten Max. Because of her early bad experiences with men, she has become a kick-ass, ice queen. She's all about the job. Cee Cee becomes involved with Max again, when she is investigating the murder of two men. She suspects the brutal killings were ordered by crime boss, Jimmy Legere. Cee Cee has an ax to grind, as she's sure Jimmy orchestrated the murder of her policeman father years ago. She suspects that Max, his rumored tame assassin, is the killer in her current case. She expects to prove that Max committed the murders and she expects to take Legere down with him. What she doesn't expect is the instant, visceral attraction she feels for Max the minute she sees him again. Nor the way that Max seems to almost surrender to her will, accepting whatever she can give him in their growing relationship. As the case developes, Cee Cee walks a fine line between the law, and her strange need to connect with Max. The man who is a frightening alpha male to others, is heartbreakingly tender with her. She hears convincing rumors of horrible maimings, yet, he kneels at her feet as a supplicant. As a matter of fact, Max doesn't seem like any other man she's ever known. That's because he's not. He's not even human... The plot twists and turns are riveting, and I can't believe Ms. Gideon gets her H/H out of the terrible situations she gets them into, but she does, and believably. And the sexual tension? Wowwie, mamma! I had to stop reading a couple of times, just to breathe! I'm not giving you any more. Go out and get this book. Find out what happens...at midnight. You'll be hooked just as I was. Now I'm waiting anxiously for the next two. And luckily, I won't have to wait long. Two and three are coming out in July and August!

Masked By Moonlight

On the seedy side of New Orleans two men are brutally murdered. After examining the crime scene, Detective Charlotte "Cee Cee" Caissie's question is not who, but what killed gambler T-Bob and his shady friend. The victims' bodies were mutilated as if they had been attacked by a vicious animal. The investigation leads her to mob boss Jimmy Legere, a man she blames for kidnapping her as a teenager and murdering her father. But to get to Legere, Cee Cee must go through Max Savoie first. Max is second-in-command with a fierce reputation. Raised by the crime boss since his mother's death when he was a child, Max is Legere's most prized possession because of his secret gift, the ability to shift from man to beast. Legere uses that ability to make Max a deadly predator to protect his business interests and strike fear into his enemies. As a smart, seasoned police woman, Cee Cee knows she should be wary of Max and his ties to Jimmy Legere, but she cannot help but be intrigued by him. When he saves her life during a vicious attack, Cee Cee realizes he was the same hero who rescued her from the brutal kidnappers years before. She falls in love with him despite learning about his true nature lurking just beneath the surface. As she delves further into the murder investigation and evidence mounts against him, she is forced to choose between her duty as a cop and her love for Max. This is a fantastic beginning to the Moonlight series. The plot had many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. The characters are compelling. Cee Cee and Max are troubled souls on opposite sides of the law. They're haunted by the past and longing to reach out to someone who would understand their pain. I loved Max Savoie. He was different than your typical paranormal romance hero. Sure, he was sexy, protective and strong, but he also seemed vulnerable with little identity and very few personal possessions of his own. His entire existance was controlled by Jimmy Legere until Cee Cee came into his life. A passionate physical relationship came easily between them, but learning to trust one another was far more complicated. I'd also like to say that I thought Max's shifting ability was unique, but I will let you discover the details on your own. This dark, suspenseful tale should not be missed!

complex romantic police procedural working an urban fantasy beat

Veteran NOPD Police Detective Charlotte "Cee Cee" Caissie works the homicide beat. Her current case involves a horrific mutilation murder that she ties to crime boss Jimmy Legere, whom she detests and hopes to destroy because she believes he killed her father. Cee Cee digs deeper and concludes that Legere's monstrous mob enforcer, Max Savoie knows more than he is revealing to her. Max has been attracted to the detective seemingly forever and even saved her from an abduction years ago. She has dreamed about her hero since the incident and he admits to her he is him after he saves her again. As they make love, she knows she may have stepped over the edge of the levees because he is caught the middle of her mutilation investigation while he knows he is torn between love and loyalty. Masked by Moonlight is a complex romantic police procedural working an urban fantasy beat. The story line is filled with action, but character driven as the seemingly star-crossed lovers cross their respective barrier to each other. Nancy Gideon provides a taut paranormal thriller that sub-genre fans will relish and look forward to more investigations starring Cee Cee with Max the "Monster" figuratively having her back and literally her mind and body. Harriet Klausner