Moonlight Becomes Her (Zebra Historical Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

The book starts out with the heroine holding up the hero in his private coach in the Five Points district of 1880's NYC. And right from the get go the tension and attraction are there. This is no simpering miss and the hero a definite Alpha and he makes no bones about it. He could have given Trevor Sheridan lessons on ruthlessnes. I just loved him and I really, really loved this heroine.
Mystere is not a whiner, crier, or damsel in distress. Nope she takes the bull by the horns and does what she has to, to reach her goals. Same goes for the hero. They are both smart and driven by their goals. And their goals may not be altruistic, but they are very reasonable.
Well the heroine leaves the hero sans his clothing and money in Five Points and doesn't run into him until two years later in posh New York Society, where the Astors, Vanderbilts and new money reign. She and the villain are scamming the upper 400. Indeed, the heroine is a very accomplished jewel thief. But, the hero is on to her because he has been looking for her for two years and remembers even the tiniest nuances about her.
What I loved about this book was the Cary Grant/Grace Kelly rapport. The hero Rafe, was just so witty and Mystere was no slouch in that department either. This was one of the most entertaining books I have read in a long time. And let me tell you something. Meagan Mckinney does New York Gilded Age society better than anyone else. Her depictions and scenes are really wonderful.
If I had to describe this book in three words, I would say sophisticated, romantic and witty. I highly recommend it, even though it is out in hardback. And I know a lot of authors are doing the sequel thing these days, but this is one book I can hardly wait for the sequel and yes oh yes it looks to be very good. I predict that it can't miss.

Two years later, Mystere Rillieux and Rafe are at a ball together. It is in New York (1883), and also present at the ball, people like the Astors and Vanderbilts. Rafe immediately suspects Mystere as being his masked robber, and also Lady Moonlight. Lady Moonlight is suspected of robbing rich patrons at New York's society's various entertainments. The games between Mystere and Rafe begins, that night.

I probably enjoyed that opening scene between Mystere and Rafe, more than any other scene in this book. Mystere seems adventuresome and tough. As I met Mystere as Lady Moonlight, she seemed more a victim, and less sure of herself. I guess I liked the first Mystere better. And Rafe's character seemed to switch between tortured and cocky. Because of these two--and I liked them--the appeal of the book faltered at times, for me. Also, I would have enjoyed seeing more interactions between them. MOONLIGHT BECOMES HER is heavily populated with a large supporting cast.

I really enjoyed MOONLIGHT BECOMES HER. Ms. McKinney's writing definitely took me to the New York city of the 1880's. This well-written book, was almost a keeper.