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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
*More like a 3.5*
Masked by Moonlight is a very good addition to the paranormal romance genre. Dark, well-written, angst-filled and sexy - I was never bored with it.
Despite by general wariness of romance plots that revolve around mob intrigue, I found the storyline interesting and not the least off-putting. There were a few lines here and there that seemed somewhat superfluous, flowery or not at all fitting with what one would believe coming from the characters' mouths (or anyone's mouth in real life, for that matter) but, fortunately, such instances were few. The mob drama was very believable and it tempered the fantasy of the story's shape-shifter elements well.
Every character in Gideon's book is well-drawn and constitutes a vital contribution to the story. It would have been very easy for the author to use caricatures here instead of well-fleshed out characters, given the mob theme and all. It's not that any of the characters in Masked are utterly unique in any way, but they relate so honestly to one another that most of the obvious stereotypes and cheesy lines are avoided. This is especially true for the hero, Max Savoie.
There's no way to read this book and not fall a little in love with Max. In many ways, he's the typical Alpha-male. Strong, sexy and smart, he carries most of the romance bit on his shoulders. What makes him a standout hero, though, is his vulnerability. Max is not the trusting sort. In fact, he only trusts two people in the novel - his father figure and boss, Jimmy Legere, and the only woman he's ever loved, Detective Charlotte 'Cee Cee' Caissie. Given the facts that his trust is an utter gift and he personifies genuineness and loyalty, you'd think that these two individuals would appreciate it. What they actually do is consistently abuse his devotion, causing Max to be confused and hurt and inspiring readers to like him all the more. If it wasn't for the great hero that Gideon has written in Max, I would have put the book down before I made it even halfway through due to my frustrations with our heroine.
Cee Cee is absolutely infuriating at times. Her indecision and consequential bad decisions regarding Max are understandable up to a point. Her past suffering at the hands of mobster co-workers of Max's just barely excuses some of this for her. But, in the end, her pains do excuse her. Cee Cee's position with the New Orleans Police Department, as well as her personal grievances, are unfathomable obstacles to her romance with Max. I couldn't say that I would behave any differently in her situation. That said, the great love scenes would have been even hotter had I sympathized with Cee Cee a touch more...
To continue reading this review, visit my blog, The Eclectic Book Lover.
Masked by Moonlight is a very good addition to the paranormal romance genre. Dark, well-written, angst-filled and sexy - I was never bored with it.
Despite by general wariness of romance plots that revolve around mob intrigue, I found the storyline interesting and not the least off-putting. There were a few lines here and there that seemed somewhat superfluous, flowery or not at all fitting with what one would believe coming from the characters' mouths (or anyone's mouth in real life, for that matter) but, fortunately, such instances were few. The mob drama was very believable and it tempered the fantasy of the story's shape-shifter elements well.
Every character in Gideon's book is well-drawn and constitutes a vital contribution to the story. It would have been very easy for the author to use caricatures here instead of well-fleshed out characters, given the mob theme and all. It's not that any of the characters in Masked are utterly unique in any way, but they relate so honestly to one another that most of the obvious stereotypes and cheesy lines are avoided. This is especially true for the hero, Max Savoie.
There's no way to read this book and not fall a little in love with Max. In many ways, he's the typical Alpha-male. Strong, sexy and smart, he carries most of the romance bit on his shoulders. What makes him a standout hero, though, is his vulnerability. Max is not the trusting sort. In fact, he only trusts two people in the novel - his father figure and boss, Jimmy Legere, and the only woman he's ever loved, Detective Charlotte 'Cee Cee' Caissie. Given the facts that his trust is an utter gift and he personifies genuineness and loyalty, you'd think that these two individuals would appreciate it. What they actually do is consistently abuse his devotion, causing Max to be confused and hurt and inspiring readers to like him all the more. If it wasn't for the great hero that Gideon has written in Max, I would have put the book down before I made it even halfway through due to my frustrations with our heroine.
Cee Cee is absolutely infuriating at times. Her indecision and consequential bad decisions regarding Max are understandable up to a point. Her past suffering at the hands of mobster co-workers of Max's just barely excuses some of this for her. But, in the end, her pains do excuse her. Cee Cee's position with the New Orleans Police Department, as well as her personal grievances, are unfathomable obstacles to her romance with Max. I couldn't say that I would behave any differently in her situation. That said, the great love scenes would have been even hotter had I sympathized with Cee Cee a touch more...
To continue reading this review, visit my blog, The Eclectic Book Lover.
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.
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.
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
Spoiler
Jimmy played a part in the death of Max’s motherAll 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.
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.
Masked in Moonlight is the first book in a new trilogy that will follow the same couple in all three books. We are introduced to Charlotte Caissie, a tough homicide detective, and Max Savoie, the right hand man of the most powerful crime lord in New Orleans--despite their mutual attraction to each other they know it'll never work out. But they are thrown together after a string of gruesome murders were committed with Charlotte having to investigate it and Max being the main suspect. Their being on the opposite side of the law makes for a very complicated relationship but there are plenty of sparks between the two. Both Max and Charlotte have very troubled pasts and they have a lot of issues to work out both within themselves and with each other. I am glad we'll get to know more about them of in the upcoming books.
This book is a dark urban fantasy set in New Orleans and I thought the author did an excellent job describing the setting--I can practically feel the dry heat and the damp swamps, see the garbage strewn dark alleys and the dangerous creatures that hide in shadows. There are a lot of plot twist and turns in the story and non-stop action. Yet, despite all that I felt like there's something missing in the story. I can't quite put my finger on it but this something kept me from fully appreciating the book. Maybe it's the fact that while I connected with and felt for Max's character immediately, it took me a while to do so with Charlotte (if I ever did). She's supposed to be this kick-ass, hard-hitting cop but I never really got that and she wasn't... sympathetic and I felt more for her friend Mary Kate who was with her when they were kidnapped and tortured as teenagers. I can't wait for the next book to come out because I want to get to know her character better.
If your looking for a dark, urban fantasy series read with an intriguing, multidimensional hero vividly set in New Orleans, you might want to pick this book up.
4.25 stars out of 5
This book is a dark urban fantasy set in New Orleans and I thought the author did an excellent job describing the setting--I can practically feel the dry heat and the damp swamps, see the garbage strewn dark alleys and the dangerous creatures that hide in shadows. There are a lot of plot twist and turns in the story and non-stop action. Yet, despite all that I felt like there's something missing in the story. I can't quite put my finger on it but this something kept me from fully appreciating the book. Maybe it's the fact that while I connected with and felt for Max's character immediately, it took me a while to do so with Charlotte (if I ever did). She's supposed to be this kick-ass, hard-hitting cop but I never really got that and she wasn't... sympathetic and I felt more for her friend Mary Kate who was with her when they were kidnapped and tortured as teenagers. I can't wait for the next book to come out because I want to get to know her character better.
If your looking for a dark, urban fantasy series read with an intriguing, multidimensional hero vividly set in New Orleans, you might want to pick this book up.
4.25 stars out of 5
Not sure what it was that kept me reading this....but it did.....
it is basically a mob based story with a twist or two.
detective Charlotte caissie (ceecee) often ends up on Jimmy legeres doorstep asking questions for one crime or another. and very aware of his shadow, Max.
max is always impeccably dressed but with red converse trainers....something that later triggers a memory from a traumatic event from ceecee's past.
he's also a mystery. no records of him exist, they can never get him for any crime and he flirts with ceecee whenever he gets the chance.
circumstances lead to both of them being thrown together for one reason or another...puzzle pieces fitting together....puzzle pieces puzzling at the same time.
an unlikely partnership growing and a tentative trust and wonder of what the future could mean for a couple who are on opposite sides of the law.....
it's a more meaty read than your usual paranormal read. there's not a massive amount of paranormal activity but it's such a good read and you want to figure it out and see how things can work out at the end you carry on.....
worth picking up when you're done with the quick pnr reads with the tons of weres/vamps and the umpteen sex scenes!
it is basically a mob based story with a twist or two.
detective Charlotte caissie (ceecee) often ends up on Jimmy legeres doorstep asking questions for one crime or another. and very aware of his shadow, Max.
max is always impeccably dressed but with red converse trainers....something that later triggers a memory from a traumatic event from ceecee's past.
he's also a mystery. no records of him exist, they can never get him for any crime and he flirts with ceecee whenever he gets the chance.
circumstances lead to both of them being thrown together for one reason or another...puzzle pieces fitting together....puzzle pieces puzzling at the same time.
an unlikely partnership growing and a tentative trust and wonder of what the future could mean for a couple who are on opposite sides of the law.....
it's a more meaty read than your usual paranormal read. there's not a massive amount of paranormal activity but it's such a good read and you want to figure it out and see how things can work out at the end you carry on.....
worth picking up when you're done with the quick pnr reads with the tons of weres/vamps and the umpteen sex scenes!
Review at Indonesian Languange :)
No hesitance to give this 5 stars ^^
Walaupun genre seri ini adalah paranormal, tapi lebih banyak unsur thriller suspensenya :-D
Charlotte Caissie atau akrab dipanggil CeeCee adalah seorang polisi yang strict dan patuh dengan peraturan, sampai akhirnya dia memasuki area abu2 setelah bertemu dengan Max Savoie. Max sendiri adalah tangan kanan dan anak angkat dari bos mafia, sebelum akhirnya sang bos tewas, dan Max mengambil alih kepemimpinan geng mafia terbesar di New Orleans.
Max bukan manusia biasa, dia adalah seorang werewolf, yang selama ini mengira dia hidup sendirian, sebelum akhirnya bertemu dengan kaumnya. Di sisi lain, Charlotte bimbang dengan perasaannya terhadap Max, sehingga tanpa sadar dia sering menyakiti Max. Sebelum akhirnya mereka bisa saling mengerti satu sama lain.
Alur ceritanya diceritakan dengan lancar, kita bisa merasakan kegalauan Max yang bingung dengan jalan hidupnya selama ini dan kebimbangan Charlotte dalam memilih karirnya atau memihak Max. Tingkat sensualitas cerita sedang2 saja, tapi justru itu yang membuat cerita ini menarik.
Suatu awal yang hebat dalam seri baru yang segar di dunia paranormal dan manusia serigala.
No hesitance to give this 5 stars ^^
Walaupun genre seri ini adalah paranormal, tapi lebih banyak unsur thriller suspensenya :-D
Charlotte Caissie atau akrab dipanggil CeeCee adalah seorang polisi yang strict dan patuh dengan peraturan, sampai akhirnya dia memasuki area abu2 setelah bertemu dengan Max Savoie. Max sendiri adalah tangan kanan dan anak angkat dari bos mafia, sebelum akhirnya sang bos tewas, dan Max mengambil alih kepemimpinan geng mafia terbesar di New Orleans.
Max bukan manusia biasa, dia adalah seorang werewolf, yang selama ini mengira dia hidup sendirian, sebelum akhirnya bertemu dengan kaumnya. Di sisi lain, Charlotte bimbang dengan perasaannya terhadap Max, sehingga tanpa sadar dia sering menyakiti Max. Sebelum akhirnya mereka bisa saling mengerti satu sama lain.
Alur ceritanya diceritakan dengan lancar, kita bisa merasakan kegalauan Max yang bingung dengan jalan hidupnya selama ini dan kebimbangan Charlotte dalam memilih karirnya atau memihak Max. Tingkat sensualitas cerita sedang2 saja, tapi justru itu yang membuat cerita ini menarik.
Suatu awal yang hebat dalam seri baru yang segar di dunia paranormal dan manusia serigala.
This one was GOOD! I enjoyed this book even though it wasn't what I thought. For some strange reason, i was expecting a vampire book. However, it was a shifter book but it kind of wasn't. the emphasis wasn't on the animal but on the story and evolution of the characters.
Detective Charlotte Caissie had been trying to bring down mob boss Jimmy Legere for years. She hoped to avenge her father as well has herself for the pain and suffering at the order of Legere. In order to get to the mob boss, you must first go through his cold enforcer Max Savoie.
The more we got to see Max work, the more you could see there was more that lay under the cold surface of this notorious killer. How far is Charlotte willing to go to get her justice?
The character growth in the book was great. The story moved at a great pace, it was interesting, it was well written and the characters were likable. I always like the romances with the MCs on opposite sides of the law because it poses a great dilemma for both sides. Even though there was a little focus on shifter group, I am interested in seeing how they really work. I assuming book 2 will really go deeper as Max becomes a part of them.
I feel bad for Detective Caissie because her credibility is shot. She is compromised and I don't know how she expects to straddle this fence. I love her with Max but she has to give up almost everything, so I want to see how this plays out in book 2.
Detective Charlotte Caissie had been trying to bring down mob boss Jimmy Legere for years. She hoped to avenge her father as well has herself for the pain and suffering at the order of Legere. In order to get to the mob boss, you must first go through his cold enforcer Max Savoie.
The more we got to see Max work, the more you could see there was more that lay under the cold surface of this notorious killer. How far is Charlotte willing to go to get her justice?
The character growth in the book was great. The story moved at a great pace, it was interesting, it was well written and the characters were likable. I always like the romances with the MCs on opposite sides of the law because it poses a great dilemma for both sides. Even though there was a little focus on shifter group, I am interested in seeing how they really work. I assuming book 2 will really go deeper as Max becomes a part of them.
I feel bad for Detective Caissie because her credibility is shot. She is compromised and I don't know how she expects to straddle this fence. I love her with Max but she has to give up almost everything, so I want to see how this plays out in book 2.
I think I would have given this read 4 stars if not that this is a new theme for me and those that I have read and never finished left me like ...ah.. I'll pick it back up.
I enjoyed this book much more then I had thought I would. Please note that the shifter/wolf world is new to me.
Max is a deadly killer "owned" my is master/father thug Jimmy Legere, that has the city of New Orleans on lock down to his power. When Max is introduced I found him alluring, very dark and his responses were spot on hot. He came off very alpha. He's intelligent by his own means and is crossed by what he is. As a child he was taken in by his master/father into a world of dog eat dog world where he's schooled to be top dog in harsh life. To the outside world Max is known as a ruthless killer and pet of Legere. At this point I'm intrigued and want to read more. Then I see what's life behind the Legere walls and found myself say WTF? What happened to my alpha male Max?!.... Max came across as just that a "pet" doing what ever was told to him And laying at the feet of Legere had me thinking...do I want to keep reading? I felt that Max was just a killer on a leash and when he was showing signs of being submissive, that intelligent, strong man just disappeared. But this reaction had me determined to keep reading.... And reading... And reading... And just like that it all clicked!!! Now I'm like yes!
The writing was a really good. I enjoyed learning more about Max. You see what he needs to portray to the world but behind close doors he's a scared boy trying to figure out where he belongs. He's loyal to Legere, the only kindness he has ever experience to which he thinks is just that.
Then Max finally gets the opportunity to step into the life of Charlotte Caissie. She flips is world upside down. She invokes feelings and thoughts that he only imaged he could feel and is driven to take action. This relationship puts a spin on the out come of Max making a print on what's his life can be.
This is the part that had me wanting to give an extra star but ....I couldn't wrap my head around how Max laid his head on laps of people he felt emotion to. How he seemed naive and lack of self worth. But then flips and is the Max I want to read more about. But then I was like wait?, what?, CeeCee becomes a game changer. I'm I reading the roles reverse? I have read books on how the male is always saving the female, the female is coming to terms of who she is and needs a male to help her decide how to figure out, the female trust and gets hurt, the female needs love and support to make this great decision .... But Max is the "male" going through all those emotions......I loved it!!!!!!! This was a good treat. Finally a male that needs saving! :.)
I liked reading Max feeling torn by loyalty, love and sacrifice. You saw a side that was humbled. But you also saw a side of an alpha male making is mark on the world of his own choosing. Seeing Max learning what and how he is and after the death of Legere you see him changing and taking control in his own hands. So my alpha!
I'm invested in the series and want to see Max come into his full worth. Can't wait to read the second in this surprising new theme. Finally a writer who got me hooked on shifter wolves! Thank you Nancy Gideon for getting it right and making a believer out of me. Yes, there are good shifter books out there!
I enjoyed this book much more then I had thought I would. Please note that the shifter/wolf world is new to me.
Max is a deadly killer "owned" my is master/father thug Jimmy Legere, that has the city of New Orleans on lock down to his power. When Max is introduced I found him alluring, very dark and his responses were spot on hot. He came off very alpha. He's intelligent by his own means and is crossed by what he is. As a child he was taken in by his master/father into a world of dog eat dog world where he's schooled to be top dog in harsh life. To the outside world Max is known as a ruthless killer and pet of Legere. At this point I'm intrigued and want to read more. Then I see what's life behind the Legere walls and found myself say WTF? What happened to my alpha male Max?!.... Max came across as just that a "pet" doing what ever was told to him And laying at the feet of Legere had me thinking...do I want to keep reading? I felt that Max was just a killer on a leash and when he was showing signs of being submissive, that intelligent, strong man just disappeared. But this reaction had me determined to keep reading.... And reading... And reading... And just like that it all clicked!!! Now I'm like yes!
The writing was a really good. I enjoyed learning more about Max. You see what he needs to portray to the world but behind close doors he's a scared boy trying to figure out where he belongs. He's loyal to Legere, the only kindness he has ever experience to which he thinks is just that.
Then Max finally gets the opportunity to step into the life of Charlotte Caissie. She flips is world upside down. She invokes feelings and thoughts that he only imaged he could feel and is driven to take action. This relationship puts a spin on the out come of Max making a print on what's his life can be.
This is the part that had me wanting to give an extra star but ....I couldn't wrap my head around how Max laid his head on laps of people he felt emotion to. How he seemed naive and lack of self worth. But then flips and is the Max I want to read more about. But then I was like wait?, what?, CeeCee becomes a game changer. I'm I reading the roles reverse? I have read books on how the male is always saving the female, the female is coming to terms of who she is and needs a male to help her decide how to figure out, the female trust and gets hurt, the female needs love and support to make this great decision .... But Max is the "male" going through all those emotions......I loved it!!!!!!! This was a good treat. Finally a male that needs saving! :.)
I liked reading Max feeling torn by loyalty, love and sacrifice. You saw a side that was humbled. But you also saw a side of an alpha male making is mark on the world of his own choosing. Seeing Max learning what and how he is and after the death of Legere you see him changing and taking control in his own hands. So my alpha!
I'm invested in the series and want to see Max come into his full worth. Can't wait to read the second in this surprising new theme. Finally a writer who got me hooked on shifter wolves! Thank you Nancy Gideon for getting it right and making a believer out of me. Yes, there are good shifter books out there!