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By Moonlight #4

Bound by Moonlight

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 POLICE DETECTIVE CHARLOTTE CAISSIE AND HER SHAPE-SHIFTING PARAMOUR MAX SAVOIE THOUGHT THE PAST WAS BEHIND THEM. BUT IN NANCY GIDEON’S IRRESISTIBLE NEW ROMANCE, THEY DISCOVER IT MAY NEVER LET THEM GO. . . .

THEY SWORE THEY’D BE TOGETHER FOREVER.

Detective Charlotte Caissie is suddenly sharing drawer space and making local news with her shape-shifter lover, Max Savoie. He’s determined to be accepted by her peers—so how can she ask him to return to his criminal roots to help her solve a complex case?

BUT THOSE THEY TRUST THE MOST . . .

Working undercover with her partner to find the serial killer who’s kidnapped a colleague’s daughter, Cee Cee is caught between her job and her fiercely possessive lover. And when she calls on Max’s preternatural talents to aid his hated enemy, she crosses a line that strains their relationship to its limit.

. . . WILL DO ANYTHING TO TEAR THEM APART.

With his secret spreading, Max is forced to protect his family and his clan. The only certainty is his love for his human mate . . . unless the loyalties that define them divide them forever.

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2011

8 people are currently reading
748 people want to read

About the author

Nancy Gideon

51 books1,026 followers
With over 72 sales to her credit since her first publication in 1987, Michigan author Nancy Gideon’s writing career is as versatile as the romance market, itself. Her books encompass genres from historicals and regencies to contemporary suspense and the paranormal. Her works have been published overseas in Romanian, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, German, Icelandic and Chinese, among other languages.

Also listed on the International Movie Database (IMDB), she collaborated on the indie horror films In the Woods and Savage with screenwriting and ADR script credits, and even played the character “Bar Extra.”

A national speaker on writing in general and romance in particular, Gideon is a Western Michigan University honors grad with a major in journalism and minors in history and communications. She’s a member of Novelist, Inc. and the Mid-Michigan, Greater Detroit, PASIC and FF&P chapters of Romance Writers of America®, and is former vice-president, published author co-liaison and award-winning newsletter editor for MMRWA.

The mother of two grown sons, one married and proud producer of her grandson and the other shanghaied into being her occasional assistant, she 's retired from 18 years as a legal assistant.

A prolific writer, Gideon who also writes as Dana Ransom and Lauren Giddings, attributes her creative output, which once peaked at seven novels in one year, to her love of history and a gift for storytelling. She also credits the discipline learned through a background in journalism and scheduling writing time around diaper changes, Scout meetings, band lessons and outings to the Zoo Boo...and, of course, OCD. The due date for her third book and her second son were on the same day...and both were early! When on deadline, she'd turn on the laptop between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to get a chapter in before work.

While the pace is often hectic, Gideon, a Gemini, enjoys tackling diverse projects. One month it’s researching the gritty existence of 1880’s Texas Rangers only to jump to modern themes of intrigue and possibly a legal thriller or two. Then, it’s back to the shadowy netheworld of shape shifters, vampires and movie serial killers. When not working on her latest plot twist before sunrise, even now that she no longer works 9-5, she enjoys indulging in Netflix, hosting her critique group, and feeding all things fur, fin and fowl. And, of course, reading.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Lady Heather .
1,312 reviews772 followers
August 26, 2011
This was an amazing ending to the first four books about Max and Charlotte(according to the Author's website the next books feature other characters already introduced in the series).
I was on the edge of my seat most of the time, or rather pissed and wanting to 'shake the shit' out of one or both of them for being so damn stubborn and non-communicative!
I LOVE these characters because they're both so strong, broken Alpha's that have such horrible pasts that most of the time that's what inhibits them from truly being the 'people' they're supposed to be.
I really enjoyed reading Max and Charlotte's story and I hope that the Author continues to include them in the rest of the series because they're such great characters to be left behind... and I want to know how everything turns out for them!
Profile Image for Ezi Chinny.
2,690 reviews530 followers
April 29, 2015
I am really enjoying this series. Max's territory is being threatened by another shifter with uber powers like him. Charlotte has a case dealing with a serial killer who just took a fellow cop's 16 year old daughter. To top it all off, Max and Bab's at each others throat because of Babineux's past relationship with Charlotte as well as Max's connection with Tina and Oscar.
This one was just another hurdle for Charlotte and Max to get through personally.

I love Max, he loves Ceecee so much and despite being the Shifter King, he is so tender and soft with his CeeCee. I was hoping Babs would get over his issues with Tina, but I don't think he can. I also don't trust Tina so I hope CeeCee watches her. I also look forward for Charlotte to get some closure on her past so she can move forward with Max.
Profile Image for FV Angela.
1,452 reviews137 followers
July 28, 2011
First I'de like to say that I love Max and Ceecee, and I love the whole premise of a traumatized cop falling for her badboy mobster who just happens to be something other who is also traumatized. To make that storyline even better we throw in that is takes place in New Orleans and our couple has a "past" where the hero saved the heroine during the worst of her life. I was so very glad to see that there was going to be a fourth book to this series featuring them and that we would continue to see them in the future.

That being said..... why in the world can't they just be happy together? Seriously, I figured after the crap they went through the last book that the angst would be over and they would be content. BUT NO. There was this back and forth, push and pull throughout the whole of this story where I actually wondered if they were going to make it. I wonder if it's just me or are there other readers out there who wanted a more definite happy ending.

To me the bad guy ended up being Alain, not the man kidnapping all the woman whom they were looking for. Alain is a douchbag who will never be redeemed in my eyes even if the author tries to further on in this series. Total and complete asshat. I have a feeling he will pop up later but here's to hoping he bites it in the future.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,516 reviews159 followers
February 4, 2016
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.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,559 reviews
July 27, 2011
So I love Max and Charlotte. And I really did like this book. But I wonder when they are going to be allowed to be happy. To just be happy together. I hate that Max and to chose his clan over her. That just rubbed me wrong. CeeCee keeps waffling back and forth, nervous about the intensity of her feelings for Max and that is driving a wedge between them. And then Oscar is causing a wedge. Everything causes a wedge. I am not sure how much more I can take of that.

And why didn't she tell him about her scars healing? Why? Especially since the had sex in his natural form. I bet she is going to end up pregnant. And that would make me happy because maybe it would make all these wedges go away.

And now Alain is dead to me.
Profile Image for Lani ⚔⚔  the Destroyer ⚔⚔.
743 reviews41 followers
May 21, 2015
The best book so far. Finally Cee Cee and Max were working as a team (mostly) and thank goodness therre was hardly any angst. A bit disappointed there are so many loose threads - e.g. Cee Cee's physical changes, the dickhead Alain working against Max, the trackers etc...I expected it to be more tidy when it came to things directly relating to Cee Cee and Max since the next book doesn't feature them as main characters. I hope we still get their story.
Profile Image for figuranta❤️addicted❤️to❤️books❤️.
765 reviews74 followers
October 12, 2013
4.5 Stars

Yet again my love for Max grows even more and more. He is so sweet and amazing. Just perfect. But i have to say Cee Cee it's really going on my nerves. Max deserves someone better then her much more better.
Profile Image for Helyce.
578 reviews6 followers
August 8, 2011
Previously reviewed on Smexybooks.com 8/2011 Rating B+

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.
Profile Image for Kristiej.
1,530 reviews101 followers
August 13, 2011
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.
Profile Image for Sherri.
278 reviews36 followers
August 26, 2011
Book Completed: August 24, 2011
Rating: 4 stars

This was my first read by Nancy Gideon and it will not be my last. This is the fourth book in the Moonlight series and although I have not read any of the previous novels it did not detract from enjoyment of this one. Although, the other books must have some continuity between them because at times I felt I was reading something I should have known but didn’t, if you get my drift. So this book can be read alone, but there are probably some nuances that will be missed.

It was interesting to have a character such as Max Savoie, whose background is not just a little shady, but a lot. Although, as the story progresses we learn more about Max’s childhood and begin to understand that his character development was greatly influenced by those around him. Overall, he is a strong, caring, and sensitive lead character and I liked him a lot, even with his questionable background.

Charlotte (Cee Cee) Caissie is the daughter of one of the City’s most respected cops and she constantly struggles to live up to the family reputation. Her being the mate and dating Max Savoie throws some major hurtles in that area. Also, her partner Alain Babineau, is constantly on her case about Max. I’m not exactly sure about Alain. I get the feeling he is out to get Max but that thread is left hanging, so I will just need to wait and see. Cee Cee is an interesting character to me, there were times when I really liked her and then times I wanted to smack her upside the head and ask her “What the heck are you doing?” But overall, she is loyal, independent and passionate about those in her life. Both Cee Cee and Max had some growing up to do and learn to actually communicate with each other and not just make assumptions about how the other would deal with things. I liked that about the.

The story had good pacing and I was kept interested throughout the book. It took the whole book to solve the crime, and the revelation of the perpetrator was unexpected. Overall a good read that I would recommend. You should enjoy the paranormal genre and don’t expect your characters to be all bright and shiny. These characters are real and have serious flaws but are generally good, decent people – just the majority of us.
Profile Image for Emily.
243 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2011
This book was won from goodreads. Thanks so much!

4.5 stars

This is the fourth book in this series by Nancy Gideon. I have not read the first 3. However, I do not really feel that this put me at a huge disadvantage. I never really felt lost because things that happened in the previous books were explained well enough. The only thing that I would have liked a better description of was Max's wolf.

This book has the couple going public with their romance. She is a homicide detective and he is a mob boss/werewolf/guy with a foot fetish. They both have some serious past baggage. His due to his mother's murder and hers due to a kidnapping/torture when she was a teenager. She is getting a lot of flack from the other cops for their relationship, including from her partner. The fact that this partner is married to a shifter and step father to a shifter child gives him some serious angst. Max and CeeCee begin to grow apart a little. This is the backstory.

The plot involves murders of young hookers in New Orleans, my favorite place on earth. CeeCee goes undercover to catch the killer when they find out the daughter of a fellow cop my be his next victim. More relationship angst ensues since she is deep undercover with her partner, who Max thinks she had a relationship with preciously. They finally find the killer, which was pretty much a surprise. I always like that in a book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very fast read and enjoyable. I will read the others in the series now for sure and will be following Nancy Gideon.
Profile Image for Judi.
475 reviews49 followers
August 3, 2011
I love Max. He was one of my book boyfriend’s in 2010 and he's till leading the charge in 2011. He can “growl” at me any day.

There is never any doubt that Max loves the other half of his heart Dectective Cee Cee Caissie more than his own life. I love it when he calls her Detective (like they don’t have a smoking’ hot personal relationship) and then his pet nickname for her Sha melts her heart (and mine). Ahh hell I just love Max.

But make no mistake Max is a savvy businessman and runs the enterprises he inherited from mobster Jimmy Legere with an iron fist. Don’t cross him or he’ll literally rip your throat out. Add in his protective nature for his clan and his need to rule and protect them for those that would seek to destroy them and Max has got a lot of balls he’s juggling in the air.

Cee Cee is her usual tough as nails, workaholic cop persona. Cee Cee’s working a particularly gruesome case while trying to maintain a delicate balance between work and her personal life with Max. And she’s trying to keep the lid on a few of her coworkers, including her partner Alain who know the truth about Max and would love to see him behind bars instead of warming Cee Cee’s bed at night.

This is a great instalment to the series and I can’t wait to read more about Max...ok and Cee Cee.
Profile Image for Dana Alma.
356 reviews34 followers
August 5, 2011
Glorious! Nonpareil! Delicious! Bound by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon is the cornucopia
of a thrilling paranormal romance. Gideon’s bold characters will leave you with a story to
cherish. Her ability to capture and reflect the complex elements in human nature are masterful.
Max Savoie is the epitome of what a alpha character should be. He has the ability to melt you
with just a look! Cee Cee’s character is complex and believable, she comes alive on the pages.
Nancy Gideon has weaved an incredible story by which the only outcome is intense cravings for more,
and more she delivers. Undeniably, hands down, one of the best paranormal books of the year!
Followers of the series will only rage for more. Gideon will leave you hanging on her every word!
Profile Image for Melissa.
Author 80 books142 followers
April 11, 2015
Max and Cee Cee are trying to handle their delicate relationship. But sometimes relationships have their own dynamics. She's a cop. He's the former muscle for the mob. Her job and his past come into play in this book as they dance around their strong personalities.

I've loved the dynamics of this couple. Each are strong and determined to help others. They don't see that as important but it's what changed them and brought them together. Each book pulls at my heart because I see what it takes to be a couple today, the stress of jobs and family...these two navigate that beautifully, even with some missteps.

I'm anxious to see what else Ms. Gideon has to throw at these two as they keep finding that love conquers all.
Profile Image for Yui.
301 reviews30 followers
December 4, 2011
Quality is worth 4stars like the previous 3novels but too many unresolved issues. It's not a major cliff-hanger but the threat from a far away land didn't get much closer than I hoped. It's been 4 books but the threat remains unnamed and still a mystery. There have been plenty actions from book 1-3 so it didn't really bother me but in Bound by Moonlight there are still enough action and story going but there's also been a lot of subtle hints of schemes to come. I'm not sure if it's a worth read until Max and Cee Cee get back to the front stage again in book 7 since there's been a change of lead characters in 5&6.
Profile Image for Ren Puspita.
1,477 reviews1,016 followers
September 21, 2011
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!! Love this!!!
More than 5 stars and one of my top ten read for this year.. Nuff'said..

"Bound by Moonlight is a rare jewel that will make you want to treasure forever when you have it on your hands" - Ren an awesomesauciness and adorable Goodreads user

If you pick this quote by me at your next book, Ms Gideon, I'll worship you forever.
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Just kidding =P

Full review to come, after I recovering...*thud*
Profile Image for Joyousmoi.
412 reviews39 followers
October 7, 2017
I'm sure others have said and noticed this....but I think this series is modeled after J.D. Robb's In Death series. The cop and the mobster theme is quite similar. But there are differences- like the mobster is a shifter...kinda like Curran in Ilona Andrew's books. But their drama is alot to read- sometimes, I skip forward because their struggle to balance work and love is real but long-winded. I do believe telling us their both strong characters and then making them so "conflicted/weak" in their soliloquy/dialogue is tiring at this stage. I feel like shouting "Get it together!" at them!

But in all, a good series.
Profile Image for Shirley Bennett.
1,082 reviews8 followers
May 18, 2017
Another enthralling, gripping book in the Charlotte Cassie and Max Savoie story! In this latest installment the lines blur more between his job and hers in spite of them trying to keep them separate. More of his past and history are revealed and it just keeps me wanting more!!! They both are fighting their own personal demons and trying to stay strong for each other - yet dependent on each other still. Their loyalties are in constant question, hers by her fellow officers and his by the shape shifters he is now leading who are counting on him for their very survival!!
Profile Image for Kelly Russell.
791 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2018
Wow, this series is great, don't know why it took so long to find it.
Profile Image for Sandra Hoover.
1,457 reviews258 followers
April 28, 2014
Bound By Moonlight, book 4 of Nancy Gideon's By Moonlight series, delivers another intriguing, heart-stopping, action packed roller coaster ride. Max Savoie & Charlotte Caissie survived their own version of hell several years ago. They have battled their demons, their opponents and each other to finally publicly declare their love. But it seems the battles have just started. Will this couple ever be able to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of them sharing closet space on a permanent basis? Does a dedicated Detective of the New Orleans Police Homicide Department and the Shifter King CEO of a mob empire stand a snowball's chance in hell of making it work as a mated couple? If love was all that mattered, yes. But is love ever enough?

Detective Charlotte Caissie - tough, sassy, dedicated, hell on heels...she is feeling the heat...torn between the shifter man she loves and her cop family and partner of several years, Alain Babineau. Some of her fellow cops witnessed first hand the monster that Max is hiding inside when he risked his own life to save Alain's stepson, Oscar. But are they thankful enough to keep his secret? Max knows the cops are ready to betray him, but Cee Cee is putting it all on the line to convince them otherwise...is she betting too much? Is she willing to risk Max's love? His life? Loyalties are challenged, Cee Cee must choose once and for all who to trust. She loves Max but the demons in her closet are fighting to escape, and she knows she will need to conquer them before she and Max can move forward.

Shifter King Max Savoie - Dark, sleek, lethal, provoking...some say he's a monster in an Armani suit & red converse sneakers, controlling an empire built on ill gotten gains & a clan of beasts most people never see, even in nightmares. And yet his heart & soul belong to a mortal who has the power to bring him to his knees. Can Max prove himself worthy of Det. Charlotte Caissie's love & loyalty? Can he protect her and others depending on him from the danger no one else sees coming? Time is running out for Max - the walls are closing in, and the demons in his closet are rattling their chains, threatening to bust down the door. He's walking a fine line between the law, a hidden clan of creatures who see him as their King & savior, the unknown danger from the North and doing what he must to protect those he loves. He wants nothing more than to live happily ever after with Cee Cee but he'll have to walk through the swamps of hell once again to get there.

Now Det. Charlotte is racing against time to save a young girl from being the latest victim of a killer who is stalking young strippers in New Orleans, kidnapping & brutally abusing & then killing them. The abuse hits too close to home for Cee Cee, raising nightmares she prefers to keep hidden. She must go undercover with her partner, Alain, to try to flush the killer out. And as time runs out, she risks everything by asking Max to do the one thing that he might not be able to survive. Has she ask too much? Can their relationship survive it?

Bound By Moonlight is a beautiful, brilliant addition to the By Moonlight series...my favorite thus far. Nancy Gideon keeps the action fast, the angst devastating, the sex hot, the love to die for...A must read for lovers of Romance, Suspense, Paranormal and Fantasy. Another book for my Favorites shelf! Loved it!

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Profile Image for Nicole.
1,535 reviews173 followers
August 11, 2011
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2011/08/09/...

Publisher: Pocket
Publish Date: Out Now!
How I got this book: ARC from publisher

The fourth installment of the Moonlight series was my first read by Gideon, and hopefully not my last! For those of you like me who have yet to read a Gideon book, let me first recommend that you read the books in order.

Charlotte, New Orleans detective and Max, local shifter and mobster have decided to take their relationship public, and are facing a lot of hostile attitude from both sides of the law. But they are devoted to each other, so they are willing to fight for their chance to be together.

When a cop’s kid goes missing, Charlotte goes undercover to try and get any and every clue she can to find the young girl in time. With Max’s less than legal help, she just might be able to crack the case wide open. But the details of the case hit very close to home for both Max and Charlotte. Will they be able to solve the case without breaking the fragile mating bond that holds them together?

It was very obvious to me from page one that I was coming into this series in the middle, and while Gideon does a good job of explaining things up to this point, I felt that I probably would have had a better reading experience had I read all the books to date. That being said, I really enjoyed the world that Gideon created, and didn’t feel too left out or lost as I was reading.

I really enjoy Max’s character. He was the alpha male with a horrible and awful past. He is broody and tortured and yet so deeply in love with Charlotte he melted my heart. I felt for him at every twist and turn and wanted nothing more than to be there to help heal his heart. I hope that as the series continues on, Max is able to overcome all his demons. I want to see him step fully into the light of Charlotte’s world without the fear and worries. I definitely need to go back and get my Max fix from the previous books.

Charlotte didn’t resonate with me as much as Max, and I’m not too sure why. She was a typical kick-butt action chick who didn’t take anyone’s crap, had her own tortured past and demons, and was willing to walk the line between right and wrong when it came to her relationship with Max. At times I felt like she didn’t really struggle with his mobster imagine, even though she is on the police force. But that could be because she dealt with it fully in a previous book.

The action and plot were great as well. Gideon tells a great story and kept me guessing as to who the killer could be. I wasn’t completely surprised, but it did take me quite awhile to catch onto who our villain really was. I liked the dichotomy between Max and Charlotte’s friends on the police force. I hope that a lot of that tension and strain gets worked out, as it caused a lot of dissonance throughout the book.

All in all, Gideon wrote a wonderful story. The world-building and character developments were deep and complicated without being confusing. The relationship between Max and Charlotte was steady in it’s own messy way, and I always love series books that follow one couple through their relationship. I will definitely be on the lookout for the other books in this series – both past and future!

I give Bound by Moonlight a B+
Profile Image for Nikki .
804 reviews114 followers
July 22, 2011
Nancy Gideon has a faithful reader in me now. This was my first book by Nancy, I know, I know, it’s book number four in the series. It is what it is. However, after reading Bound By Moonlight, I want to go back and read the previous three in this awesome series. It gave me everything I ask for in a paranormal romance: plot, intrigue, smexy goodness and suspense. Having not read the prior three I can’t speak for them….but I loved this one. Nancy did an excellent job of relaying all the previous happenings in a way that didn’t take away from the current plot or seem to drone on and on and basically rewrite the last three books in this fourth installment.

Cee Cee is a hardworking cop who is intent on merging the two halves of her self together. She wants to be the excellent cop she has come to be known as, but she also wants a life with Max, her hunky werewolf lover. Who happens to have just stepped into the role as major crime boss of her city. Before him she was lonely and on the verge of burning herself out with her constant need for work. With Max she can be sensual, wanton and true to herself.

Max….ooooooo Max. How do I love you, let me count the ways. Sexy, sexy sexy goodness that made me want to growl in appreciation. Max is one of those quiet types, ones who can seem to hear what you are thinking and can see straight to your soul. The more you try to hide, the more he takes. Completely alpha and yet gentle in his caresses. *panting, waving a hand in front of my face* Yeah. I could go on and on. I won’t….but just know that I could.

I enjoyed the storyline immensely. The plot arc seemed like it fit into what would have happened in the prior books. Character development was there as well from what I could see. I found myself chuckling when Cee Cee had to go undercover and be away from Max. She missed him but her pride kept getting in the way of her just making the call to him. It was the age old “well the phone works both ways” argument. I enjoyed Max tying so hard not to care about the teenager that was taken because her father had once done Max very wrong

I didn’t like was the climax of the books villain. Throughout the book he is talked up and the evidence of his crimes is pretty heinous, yet his actual part of the book was extremely short lived. I would have liked a bit more action where his character was concerned. I also would have liked to go further into depth with the “special” powers between Cee Cee and Max. They were only briefly discussed and we never get to see them explore the meaning behind them. I am hoping that maybe Nancy goes into further detail with that in the next book. Though I have my doubts because Max seems slow to changes in general. She could probably drag it out another two books before Cee Cee could get Max to experiment with them.

Bound By Moonlight is an excellent addition to the paranormal romance world! Sensual and suspenseful this one will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’ve read the previous books or not, Nancy Gideon will make you a fan!

I give Bound By Moonlight by Nancy Gideon 4 stars!
Profile Image for Steph.
2,159 reviews305 followers
November 26, 2011
I'll write a full review (soon, hopefully), but wanted to share this from Nancy's website:
For those who've been patiently (or impatiently) waiting, here are the release dates for the next three books in my BY MOONLIGHT series:

Bound by Moonlight - July 26, 2011
Hunter of Shadows - November 29, 2011
Seeker of Shadows - June 26, 2012 NEW!!

Bound by Moonlight wraps up Max and Charlotte's romance arc, though they will remain very strong secondary characters in the following books. And who knows, if enough readers want them back, I'm more than willing to give them another book or two.

Hunter of Shadows features characters briefly introduced in Bound by Moonlight who play an integral role in uncovering more Shifter mythology and a few surprises. He's a dedicated Shifter cop with a hidden agenda and she's a fearless assassin determined to get in his way both professionally and intimately. Then we get to explore Jacques LaRoche's backstory in Seeker of Shadows.

Hunter of Shadows (Moonlight, #5) by Nancy Gideon Seeker of Shadows (Moonlight, #6) by Nancy Gideon

And, I absolutely "want them back", so let her know you do too and maybe we'll get more books featuring this intense pair. :D That said, I am very excited to have a chance to learn more about the side characters we've read throughout the first four books.
Profile Image for Divina.
336 reviews
January 5, 2012
The story of Max and Cee Cee continues with this book and keeps this reader wanting more.

Unlike the previous books, this was more relaxed in terms of action and intrigue. What it did provide is another window to the relationship between the two main characters. Nothing has change to "ease" the volatile relationship between Max and Cee Cee, in fact the doubts and fears most "normal" relationships go through is magnified ten times more than the norm. Max remains the head of a criminal empire and the leader of a Shifter Clan. He's a man who continues to be tormented with secrets and memories of the past - a history he will need to uncover to get a better understanding to protect those he loves.

Cee Cee has her own doubts and fears. She's a tough New Orleans cop who's life is dedicated to protect the innocent of her town. There's only one person that can make her bend all the rules - the man she loves, Max. In this story, Cee Cee is faced with the realities of life being the woman/mate of a well known criminal. As much as they try to keep their lives "separate" from their "job", they cannot avoid crossing each other's path.

The story begins with a crime committed against a female teen found dead - the second in months. The latest victim recently found is a missing girl who worked at a well know strip club. As much as insisting on separating work lives, Cee Cee gets Max to find out what happened to the young victim. In the mean time, additional stories get intertwined trying to solve the murders, in which the lead characters spend time apart, giving them time to analyze their relationship.

I enjoyed the angst in this story. Yes, some can be repetitious when they question "why" and "how" they can be together with so much difference and obstacles, which is completely realistic in any relationship. I LOVE how Max loves Cee Cee (vice versa) and it is visible in his actions - even his "little" gestures have so many meanings.

I would have loved to give this story a full 5 stars, but I thought the crime being solved at the end was lacking.

778 reviews57 followers
July 31, 2011
Bound by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon
Paranormal Romance – July 26th, 2011
4 stars

Bound by Moonlight is the forth in the author’s Moonlight series and it is just starting to heat up!
Detective Charlotte is known for her tough incorruptibility but the lines blur as her steamy relationship with the sexy crime boss Max is making things very complicated. As their relationship brings them closer they form an uneasy truce. The deeper Charlotte becomes involved with Max, the more she finds she puts him and those under his care in danger. When Max’s secret begins to leak out, Charlotte finds herself trying to protect him and those like him. Torn by Max’s anguish over his mother’s death, they try to uncover the truth but it may not be what they expect.

This series really grows on you as the rocky relationship between the two opposing characters really starts to settle. Both characters have issues from their past which haunt them. They sort of reminded me of J. D. Robb’s Death series characters. I particularly liked this book because the author spends time going into Max’s past and his heritage. Max has always felt unwanted and used for his power as a shifter to mete justice by his adopted father, Jimmy. Jimmy was a crime boss and gave Max shelter and food but no real affection. Max has lived a chaotic life and basic human contact is hard for him but he cares so much for Charlotte he is willing to change. As their relationship evolves, Charlotte learns to unbend from her strict black and white views and Max struggles to be more ‘human.’ The addition of other shifters and revelations of Max’s murky past make for some very intriguing reading.

Definitely the best in the Moonlight series by far. The author increases the stakes as she reveals secrets to Max’s scarred past and delves into the intense relationship between the two main characters.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Profile Image for Anne Stone.
142 reviews
July 2, 2012
I enjoyed this book very much. Nancy Gideon is an excellent writer. Her stories are sexy and intriguing with great characters.

The story takes place in New Orleans, however, she has created a paranormal world within the city where a clan of shape-shifters live and work among humans.

"Bound" is the last of four books with the same hero and heroine. This isn't typical. We have all read trilogies or series in which the stories are wrapped up and the boy and girl live happily ever after. Then we move on to the next book, where we might meet up with them again briefly but the main characters are new.

In the first book, Masked by Moonlight we are introduced to Max Savoie. He isn't the typical "hero" we are used to in romances. He is the right-hand man of a crime boss and a shape-shifter, no less. Charlotte Caissie, a homicide detective is the heroine. Thus, the conflict. The pull between these two characters is immediate and they are charismatic. The sexual tension is great.

In book 2 Chased by Moonlight and book 3 Captured by Moonlight we get the pleasure of watching the relationship grow and develop to a deeper level than can be shown in one book.

I really liked this aspect. I anxiously started the other books so I could read more about Max and Cee Cee (as she is called).

I highly recommend this book (and the whole series) regardless if you like paranormal romance. I didn't want it to end.

Visit Nancy 's website: http://www.nancygideon.com/moonlight-... for a great synopsis of each book.
Profile Image for Patty.
1,210 reviews49 followers
July 26, 2011
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.
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