Bound by Moonlight
4 Stars

With the relationship between Charlotte Caissie and her lover, Max Savoie, out in the open, the detective and former crime boss are hopeful for their future together. Unfortunately, their fledgling happiness is put to the test when a serial killer targets the daughter of a fellow officer and Charlotte puts a strain on their romance by asking Max not only to accept that outsiders are aware of his secret, but to use his abilities to aid a hated enemy. Will their love for each other prevail?

Although Max and Charlotte are more open and honest about their feelings for one another, there is still a great deal of tension and hurtful words thrown about, which suggests they still have a long way to go before they are a truly unified couple. Nevertheless, their relationship is intense both physically and emotionally, and you cannot help rooting for their happily ever after (if it ever comes).

There are few developments in the overall story arc as the majority of the plot focuses on the serial killer investigation and on Max’s insecurities regarding Charlotte’s past with her partner, Alain Babineau. The murder mystery is well-developed and it is exciting to see Charlotte in all out “cop mode”. The friction between Max and Alain is also compelling and a great deal is revealed about each man. Suffice it to say that Babs does not come off well and my annoyance with him, which began in the previous book, increases exponentially. Similarly, my affection for Tina has diminished as a result of her actions, and it is clear that she and Alain deserve one another...

A couple of new characters are introduced and the series will be moving in a new direction with the next book. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens. ( )

This is the fourth book in the series and a wonderful addition. I think this one can be read by itself since the author quickly brings you up to speed in the first chapter. Max is a criminal enforcer with a strong sense of integrity, quick intelligence except when it comes to women and the ability to become wolf. CeeCee is on the police force and she likes to get things done even if it doesn't strictly follow procedure after she comes into contact with Max. There are some serious sparks that fly between the two and I am so glad that CeeCee has lightened up a bit. Max drove me up the wall in this relationship since for someone as strong as him, he can't believe that she is interested in him. They both must come together though to save innocent lives. I really hope that I will read more about these two since the ending left me wondering. ( )

I LOVE this series. The hero Max Savoie is like no other hero I’ve read before and he just leaps off the page with his presence. A bit of background for those who haven’t read the first few books. Max was the ‘enforcer’ for a very influential, very bad crime lord. Jimmy Legere ‘rescued’ Max when he was just a child hiding in the swamps of Louisiana after his mother was brutally murdered. But Max wasn’t an ordinary child; he was a shape shifter who because of circumstances didn’t know anything about his heritage. Jimmy used Max, aimed him, pointed him, and sent him after anyone in Jimmy’s way and Max was so grateful to Jimmy, he would have done anything for him.

This was the situation at the start of the first book, Masked by Moonlight. It begins when Max meets up with Charlotte Caissie or CeeCee, a detective with the NOPD. Max’es loyalties are tested. The first three books are wonderful and CeeCee and Max try and work out a relationship with both of them on either side of the legal fence.

Max is, well, Max is unique. He’s a criminal with a strong sense of right and wrong and a sense of loyalty that won’t quit. And he is so totally wrecked for the heroine. He doesn’t see how she can love him as he considers himself part monster and in some ways he is. He breaks the readers heart with his damaged soul. When he is in his animal form, he almost repulsive, but so broken up by who and what he is when he’s not. The author never really explains what animal he is, but whatever it is, Max has powers that no other has; powers that even he isn’t aware of. He is so lost as to what he is considering his mother died when he was very young before having a chance to explain what he is and his father is a mystery.

CeeCee comes from an equally horrific background. Second generation cop, she was captured, held prisoner and tortured when she was young and it was in fact Max who saved her, though she hadn’t been aware of it until after the start of the first book.

In some ways, these books can be compared somewhat to the In Death books by JD Robb in that both heroines are cops and both heroes are or were part of the criminal element. But in other ways they are vastly different. Unlike Eve Dallas, CeeCee doesn’t have the same moral code when it comes to police duties. She’s a rule bender with an attitude that the ends justifies the means and Max, unlike Roarke, is still involved in the criminal element. And he’s not a cultured or suave as Roarke. And unlike Roarke he is very conflicted about everything except those he is loyal to.

All this so far and I haven’t even got to this particular book. But I’ve very enthused about this series and background is needed. As this book opens up, CeeCee and Max are finally taking their relationship to a more open level. They have shown up together at a charity event. As one can imagine, this sends shock waves throughout both the criminal and cop element. CeeCee is called away to work on a case where women have been kidnapped, tortured and murdered. When the daughter of a rather bully of a cop disappears, CeeCee fears she has been taken by the serial killer and races to find her. Because of some of Max’s supernatural powers and his more than willingness to bend rules and out and out break the law, he helps CeeCee in unobtrusive ways. But he has history with the bully cop. Which makes for some wonderful conflict.

Unlike the other books in this series, we don’t learn too much more about Max’s mysterious background. Rather this is more concentrated on solving the case as well as CeeCee and Max trying to establish the boundaries of their relationship.

There is a real shocker of a twist towards the end that I did not see coming and I think will have huge ramifications in future books. Books I will be reading.

For me, this is a great addition in a great series and it gets a real thumbs up from me for a very unforgettable hero. ( )

This is my second book by Ms. Gideon in her "Moonlight" series. I missed the second book and that did cause me some issues in reading Bound by Moonlight. While I suppose it could stand alone when actions and events that occurred in the past are referenced a reader just has a desire to know more. I suppose that is what drives the sales of books...

In this book police detective Charlotte Caissie and her shape shifter boyfriend Max come out in public as a couple. He has ties to organized crime so their pairing is uncomfortable for her co-workers. It is also uncomfortable for Max's clan who do not trust "uprights." Something is coming for Max and his brother but they don't what - and Max doesn't know the full extent of his powers as he was sold as a child by his father and never was trained.

Charlotte and her partner are investigating a serial rapist/killer and she needs Max's help. Will his help come at a price?

I enjoyed this book but in regards to the ongoing relationship with Max and Charlotte it left a lot hanging. The subplot of the serial rapist/killer was wrapped up quite well and with a good twist thrown in at the end. I do like these characters despite my tendency to not care for paranormal books. This is a VERY sexy book though so be aware of that. Max is a very caring man; concerned for his people and trying to feel his way in a dual role. Charlotte loves a man who is very different and who is very much a bad boy. He saved her from a very bad situation.

I will now try to find the book in the middle that I missed and look forward to future adventures. A little escapism makes for a good read. ( )

If you are a reader who enjoys passionate encounters and steamy love scenes than this is the book for you. The characters are right on for a great romance. A cute, pretty heroine who is deeply in love with the male character; a male character who is handsome and strong beyond reason. The reader will be rooting for the couple through the entire book. The loves scenes are explicit, but they are not half-measures; the author can make the reader feel the atmosphere and picture him/herself as one of the characters.

The plot, while not particularly innovative, is more than satisfactory for keeping the readers' interest and the pages turning. The reader will be immersed in a world where shape-shifting is possible and mixed with the typical human world. The book if a quick read and the dialogue ranges from humorous to deadly serious. The author doesn't skip over highly emotional scenes, but plays them out realistically. The dynamics between the differing characters is believable and there is a fine line of tension that the reader will be able to sense throughout the book-perfect, as the book concerns a detective.

The ending is great, as is typical in love stories. A reader who enjoys romance will be more than happy she/he bought and read this novel. ( )