Moses Gaspard. Yes, it's that Moses. If you want to know more about him, you can visit the Legend trilogy. But really this is all you need to know about him.

Fifteen years ago he made a costly mistake, pissed off the wrong powerful man, and eventually left town. But he also spent two weeks of that time falling for Magnolia Maison. But he had to go and she had to stay. He never meant to be gone that long, but taking care of loose ends and making something of himself took longer than he planned. But now he is back, determined to win her back,  and his secrets are going to have to be shared. And he has to hope that Magnolia will be able to accept him so he does not lose her again. 

But there is a new worthy opponent and events in play that threaten to take her away from him as well. And they are living in limbo unable to move on until they solve the most important mystery of their lives. Everything is on the line. They will have to use all of their tricks, resources, and friends to help figure out and diffuse the situation. No one is safe. Nothing is guaranteed. It will be the fight of their lives.

I love Magnolia and Moses together. They have such a fun rapport, chemistry, and this unshakable bond and understanding. Moses is determined, protective, possessive, intelligent, and will do anything for her. He is the strong, confident, alpha hero that Magnolia has always needed by her side. And she is the only woman that he could never forget and can keep him on his toes. They could have everything ahead of them, but someone wants to take it all away. Things are heating up in NOLA and it's going to be an intense, nervewracking, and scary ride for these two.

Will someone have to make the ultimate sacrifice for love?

These two books can stand-alone as a duet, but I also enjoyed cameos from old friends and meeting some new ones that I hope we see in the future.
This is the ending I needed for Magnolia and Moses! There were so many details from Creole Kingpin that I overlooked thinking they were insignificant that turned out to be bigger pieces to their final puzzle than I could have imagined.

After many years apart, Magnolia and Moses are working on putting their pasts behind them and looking to the future. Neither has made easy choices over the years, nor has either stayed on the right side of the law. But their sins are coming back to threaten the peace they are trying to build. Moses has some secrets to reveal to Magnolia that could shatter what he is building, but Magnolia also has someone after her, and that might be the biggest threat of all.

These two have fought long and hard for peace, but the fight isn’t over yet. I love the way they work as a team, letting the years they missed not stand in the way of what they could have if they work together. Magnolia isn’t used to having anyone to lean on, and she will have to get used to it quickly, because Moses isn’t willing to let her fight alone any longer. I love their connection, their rapport, and the way they turn to chess to process and pass the time.

I’ve had a hard time focusing on books lately, but this was one that pulled me in and had me thinking about the story even when I couldn’t get away to read. It was gripping, intense, and had all the answers I needed to be satisfied for these two.