Bound By Moonlight by Nancy Gideon (Moonlight #4)
July 26, 2011
Urban Fantasy
Paperback
Pocket Star Books
Bound by Moonlight is book four in Nancy Gideon’s Moonlight series that centers around the life of Detective Charlotte Caissie and her shifter lover Max Savoie. I have not read the previous three books in this series, so if I infer anything incorrectly, I apologize in advance.
In this installment, Charlotte and Max are now a couple and they are not hiding their relationship. It’s an odd pairing, considering Charlotte is a detective and Max is the protégé of Jimmy Legere, a known crime boss. Jimmy is gone now and Max has inherited his business. If that wasn’t enough, Max is still struggling with what exactly he is, man vs. shifter; and the only constant for him is Charlotte his mate. He loves her, above all else; she is the most important thing to him to the exclusion of everything. But that doesn’t mean that he can ignore the business, his pack, or the threat to him and his loved ones.
Charlotte loves Max as well, and while she’s bonded to him, she hasn’t really completely given herself over to Max. As the daughter of a decorated police officer, she has big shoes to fill and she intends to do just that. She is truly torn between two worlds and she cannot make what seems to be an impossible choice.
There is a lot going on is this book. It’s inferred that in previous books Max has ‘helped’ Charlotte with her cases in some ways that are perhaps not altogether legal; all for the greater good, of course. In doing so, his secret has come out and there are now a handful of Charlotte’s colleagues who know that Max is a shifter. This does not sit well with Max at all, but Charlotte assures him that his secret is safe. Unfortunately, Cassie will need Max’s help with her current case and in doing so will open up a whole new can of worms for Max.
When the body of a young girl is found, Charlotte is called in. This is the 3rd young girl found beaten and raped and the similarities to the other two make it clear that they are dealing with a serial murderer. After viewing the crime scene, Charlotte comes home and Max is waiting up. As they embrace, Max picks up on several scents, some of them stirring terrible memories for him. Charlotte realizes that there is more to learn from the body and drags Max down to the morgue so he can use his abilities and perhaps bring more clues to light.
While working the case, Charlotte gets a call from vice Det. Stan Schoenbaum. He informs her that his daughter is missing and he thinks that she could possibly be the next victim. Charlotte learns that Stan’s daughter was working in a local strip club and with little else to go on, she and her partner Alain head there to investigate. From there, bits and pieces come to light and more clues show themselves. They are running out of time. The pattern of the kills centers around the full moon.
In the midst of all of this, Max is dealing with a lot. The memories stirred when he visited the victim at the morgue have him dealing with memories of his mother and her death, something he’s buried deep until now. His childhood memories are fractured, little bits coming back at odd moments. While he knows he is a shifter, he is not totally aware of his abilities and apparently there is so much more to him than meets the eye. He’s determined to learn everything he can and looking into his past is necessary, while painful.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bound by Moonlight. I am hooked on the characters and I have so many unanswered questions that I am sure I will read the previous books at some point. I love Max. He is strong and powerful but so vulnerable at times. His complete and utter devotion to Charlotte is clear and while we know Charlotte loves Max if she doesn’t get her shit together where Max is concerned soon, I could easily start to dislike her. I look forward to getting caught up with this series as well as reading future books.
Rating: B+
Recent Reviews:
Ramblings From a Chaotic Mind – 4/5
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Although I prefer not to, I like it when a series is written so that I can jump in the middle and understand what is going on but still want to go back to the beginning. This one sounds good.
Hi Sophia, I am anal about reading a series in order as well, but not having read much UF I kinda jumped in feet first with this one. It read fine, but I’m sure little things would have probably popped out more if I had read the previous three. :)
Great review Helyce. I read the first and second in the series but stopped because of Charlotte. I found myself disgusted by her self righteous attitude and her ability to use Max and disregard his feelings about things. I adore Max and wanted to steal him out of the book for myself. :) I’m sad to see she hasn’t gotten her crap together yet. *sigh*
I have a feeling I’ll feel the same about Charlotte if she continues on in this way. Yes, loved Max in this book. The memories that come forth about his childhood in this book are heartbreaking. Amazing he is the man he turned out to be with such a tortured past.
Oh how I adore this series and Max. I 100% agree that Charlotte needs to get her shit together when it comes to him. I am getting a little tired of her pulling away. He has proven that he will do anything for her. Anything.
Oh and Alain is dead to me. Dead. And soon I hope Max will get to eat him.
The first three books are amazing. If you liked this one then you will love them.
Hi Jen-I haven’t been able to read the first three yet-but I hope to at least before the next book comes out. :) Agreed-not happy with Alain at all.
I just skimmed the review b/c I have this one on my calendar for next week! Glad to see it got a good grade :)
Hi! Yes, I was pleasantly surprised. I hadn’t read her before and I don’t like starting in the middle of any series. I hope you’ll let me know how you liked it!
I’ve read many good reviews about this series, and it is on my wishlist. Sigh, so many books, so little reading time!
Hi Aurian, I remember seeing the books in my local bookstore and picking them up and putting them back thinking that I just can’t get hooked on another series, but now it’s too late. I really did enjoy this one!