Review: 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.  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!

Review copy courtesy of the author.