I wanted to like this book better. It had a lot going for it. The writing was well done. The werewolf part was interesting. The way he had been manipulated as he grew up to keep him emotionally dependent on the mob boss was interesting although it made him a bit too beta for my taste. The way he was so crazy about her was nice although it caused him to forgive her for all her doubts and betrayals. It seemed there was no real reason for him to love her beyond hot sex.

I didn't care for the heroine's character. Not only did she keep betraying and doubting him, she could not commit. Her being a cop covering for a mob boss (Max once he inherited the position) was just problematic for me and she didn't seem real strong, all her strength seemed to be mere posturing. We are also told she is really physically strong but not given any reason that she has iron fists.

The biggest thing I have against it though was it was one betrayal after another. Mostly Charlotte telling Max she loved him then betraying him. This must have happened 6 or so times in the book. I just got to skimming at the end because I was so sick of it.

When the book ends they have made up again but considering the way the book went, that reconcilliation will last at most 2 days. Where is the HEA in that. I don't believe this relationship will last. Surely as some point, he will get tired of her doubting crap.

At the back of the book there is an excerpt of the next book and the first thing she does is doubt him when a girl turns up missing. I won't be reading any more of this series. I don't really care for series where the main characters repeat and I certainly don't care to read about characters who waffle on trust and commitment over the course of several books. ( )

Masked by Moonlight
4 Stars

Detective Charlotte “Cee Cee” Caissie is determined to bring down crime boss, Jimmy Legere, the man responsible for her father’s murder. Her best bet is to turn his enigmatic henchman, Max Savoie, against him. However, Max’s loyalty runs deep and has its roots in a dark secret that, if exposed, could implicate him in a series of disturbing murders.

Traumatic childhood experiences have molded both Cee Cee and Max into the people they are now. While Cee Cee’s past has made her strong, there is also an underlying sense of vulnerability that makes her very sympathetic. That said, her attitude toward Max leaves much to be desired and her behavior is often irritating. In fact, there are moments where she is actually unlikable.

Max is simply incredible. He is so sweet and loving toward Cee Cee (who isn’t always deserving), but it is impossible to forget exactly what he is and the danger that he poses. Thankfully, his secret is revealed early on so the story avoids the pitfalls of the exceedingly annoying "keeping secrets” trope. There is, however, an incongruity in his characterization as his relationship with Legere undermines his alpha status and makes him appear weak and submissive. Moreover, he doesn’t always exhibit the intelligence that he is credited with and has one or two TSTL moments.

The banter between Cee Cee and Max is wonderful and their romance is intense and steamy. The rest of the plot is quite straightforward although certain twists are predictable, such as the identity of the villain and the fact that Jimmy played a part in the death of Max’s mother.

All in all, Masked by Moonlight is a promising beginning to a series that has definite potential and it will be interesting to see where Gideon takes her troubled characters and their unlikely romance. ( )

This book is a bit different than other paranormal romances I have read. The first difference is the characters. The hero is the physical epitome of an Alpha male but his personality and brain were definitely not Alpha male. Max is an odd juxtaposition that I really liked reading, he is sensitive and broken in a way that makes him endearing to the reader. He is a bad guy yet he has a conscience and reservations about his evil ways once he starts taking the role of Alpha. Our heroine is also completely different than the norm. She is strong, kick-ass, and all about mowing down people who get in her way, to include the delicious Max.

Secondly, I think the relationship between Max and Cee Cee is a tad unlikely, I don't see a normal cop and a normal criminal becoming and item, the sex, maybe, but the love, probably not. I am not saying that it's bad, I just can't see it happening.

Anyway, I love the setting of this story, I love the southern mystery feel of the drama and the super evil mob boss. I really enjoyed the usual copy banter between Cee Cee and her partner as well. This is a great read, can't wait to see what else is in store for Cee Cee and 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. Hot, passionate sex was easy 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! ( )

Police detective Charlotte Caissie has been trying to get evidence enough to bring down crime lord Jimmy Legere for years, but her investigations hit a snag when the attraction she's felt towards Legere's 'enforcer, Max Savoie, finally breaks loose.

I had some real problems with this book. The main characters are a police detective who's father, also a detective, was murdered in front of her because of his investigations into the crime lord, Legere's, business. Complicating matters is the fact that Charlotte and her best friend were kidnapped, raped, tortured and held for ransom when they were 18 or 19 yrs old, but men in Legere's investigation. Clearly a woman who has been through a lot and who's driven by vengeance. She also claims to have a strong sense of right and wrong, being fiercely devoted to her job of finding and punishing those who do wrong, yet when Legere's muscle, Max, murders two men in front of her, she's simply so relieved that he's saved her that she falls even more in lust than before. AND THEN COVERS FOR HIM WHEN HIS NAME COMES UP IN THE INVESTIGATION.

I simply cannot buy a police detective and a guy HEAVILY involved in underworld crime being so much in love that they can overlook the fact that their jobs - who they are - are on opposite sides of right and wrong.

Character motivation is completely off, and I spent sooo much of this story scoffing with disgust over the character's justification of the moral and ethical implications of their lust affair.

However, if you're willing to overlook the vast improbability of the romance (and the fact that this guy's a shape-shifter), the chemistry and sex scenes are VERY hot!

And yes, I understand the silliness of my being able to accept a character being a shape-shifter, but not the relationship itself. Oh, well... ( )