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Cole & Dana #3
Moon Dance
Dana Gray loves her husband and her two-year-old daughter, but her life is far from perfect. Domestic strain weighs down her marriage, and her role as a stay-at-home mom cuts her off the rest of the world. It's a thankless, never-ending job, and her only escape is shifting into a wolf and running beneath the trees and sky.
When Cole Randall is captured again, he leverages his knowledge about a threat to the werewolf community in exchange for a pardon. And he's got a plan to neutralize this threat. He and Dana will go undercover. She'll have to pretend to be his prisoner.
Dana knows that her draw to Cole is irrational and unwise. She knows that her life is far more stable without him in it. And she knows this plan of his is dangerous--not only to her safety, but to her relationship with her husband
When Cole Randall is captured again, he leverages his knowledge about a threat to the werewolf community in exchange for a pardon. And he's got a plan to neutralize this threat. He and Dana will go undercover. She'll have to pretend to be his prisoner.
Dana knows that her draw to Cole is irrational and unwise. She knows that her life is far more stable without him in it. And she knows this plan of his is dangerous--not only to her safety, but to her relationship with her husband
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2014
7 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
V.J. Chambers
104 books463 followersV. J. Chambers writes about being inexplicably attracted to the dangerously alluring. Her works span mundane settings and fantastic ones. She writes about serial killers, cult leaders, werewolves, witches, for-hire assassins, zombies, space pirates, and regular everyday people.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 26, 2019
Moon Dance – the conclusion of the Cole and Dana trilogy started out strong and was looking like it was going to be the best installment of the series – focusing on Cole and Dana and their relationship. It starts out 2 years post Bad Moon Rising. Dana is married and mated to Avery and playing stay at home wife and mother to their 2-year-old Piper. Dana is miserable, because once again, instead of having the guts to own her own shit, she’s doing what she thinks other people expect her to. Werewolves rarely conceive, everyone was all “Oooh you *have* to stay home and take care of the baby” and Dana did because “after the fuss everyone made, she felt guilty doing anything except staying home”. To make matters worse, not only is she stuck home 24/7 with a toddler and a marginal maternal instinct; her husband Avery has turned into a humongous douche. He apparently gets a pass as his douchiness is explained away by his reaction to the Alpha bond and being out of balance with his wolf.
Clearly, it’s no wonder then when Cole pops up again, Dana is willing to jump at any excuse to have a little adventure. Cole was honestly laying low, living as his wolf most of the time and staying away from Dana because he thought she was happy. When he learns that his old friend Enoch is taking his philosophy of restoring the balance and freeing the wolves from the SF to the extreme, he reaches out because Dana is in danger. Once again Cole has a cockamamie plan to save the day; and once again: Worst. Plan. Ever. This time it involved infiltrating Enoch’s terrorist cell, errmmm pack, or cult…. or whatever the hell it is – undercover with Dana pretending to be his hostage. Neither of them thought the plan through any farther than 1. Being together and 2. Light bondage.
Naturally the plan goes tits up; but the meat of the story is really in the Cole/Dana interactions and reconnection. Everything moves along fairly predictably until we hit about 60% when we move into the “Micky and Mallory” phase of the story; and yes, it feels like we’re meandering a bit, but I’m still going with it. And then chapters 18 & 19 make an appearance at about 76% and my rating drops from a solid 4 stars to 3 – because apparently someone left their English Lit dissertation lying around and it accidentally got incorporated into the body of the book I was reading. No joke. I literally have no words. If it wasn’t so ludicrous, I’d almost think the author was pulling a “Dana” on me by justifying why it really is *socially acceptable* to be attracted to Cole and to want him to be boyfriend material; and how this theory would still make you a good girl instead of an unrepentant libertine who just wants to get her freak on; except that it really isn’t (socially acceptable that is) because you don’t change the beast, the beast changes you. Blah, blah, buzzkill. Fiction is by definition fiction, no one should feel like they have to justify their imagination or dissect it to death. (IMO, rant over).
The resolution of Dana and Cole is a happily ever after of sorts. One that makes sense given the story; and the only practical ending given that neither of them are bright enough to be actual fugitives.
Clearly, it’s no wonder then when Cole pops up again, Dana is willing to jump at any excuse to have a little adventure. Cole was honestly laying low, living as his wolf most of the time and staying away from Dana because he thought she was happy. When he learns that his old friend Enoch is taking his philosophy of restoring the balance and freeing the wolves from the SF to the extreme, he reaches out because Dana is in danger. Once again Cole has a cockamamie plan to save the day; and once again: Worst. Plan. Ever. This time it involved infiltrating Enoch’s terrorist cell, errmmm pack, or cult…. or whatever the hell it is – undercover with Dana pretending to be his hostage. Neither of them thought the plan through any farther than 1. Being together and 2. Light bondage.
Naturally the plan goes tits up; but the meat of the story is really in the Cole/Dana interactions and reconnection. Everything moves along fairly predictably until we hit about 60% when we move into the “Micky and Mallory” phase of the story; and yes, it feels like we’re meandering a bit, but I’m still going with it. And then chapters 18 & 19 make an appearance at about 76% and my rating drops from a solid 4 stars to 3 – because apparently someone left their English Lit dissertation lying around and it accidentally got incorporated into the body of the book I was reading. No joke. I literally have no words. If it wasn’t so ludicrous, I’d almost think the author was pulling a “Dana” on me by justifying why it really is *socially acceptable* to be attracted to Cole and to want him to be boyfriend material; and how this theory would still make you a good girl instead of an unrepentant libertine who just wants to get her freak on; except that it really isn’t (socially acceptable that is) because you don’t change the beast, the beast changes you. Blah, blah, buzzkill. Fiction is by definition fiction, no one should feel like they have to justify their imagination or dissect it to death. (IMO, rant over).
The resolution of Dana and Cole is a happily ever after of sorts. One that makes sense given the story; and the only practical ending given that neither of them are bright enough to be actual fugitives.
June 30, 2014
The last book in the series is difficult for me to rate. Up until the epilogue, it was my favorite book of three and was 5 stars. It's not that I don't appreciate the author's creativity, because I most certainly do. And in another book, I would've loved the ending. It was beautifully written. However, it took off in direction that didn't quite fit with the rest of the story. It was such a drastic change of pace That I felt needed more time/chapters to execute. Although, if the element of surprise is what you need, well the final chapter has that it spades. Then again you may be thinking, "what the hell?" Yet, I will end this review positively and say the best part was that the final book really felt like it was about Dana & Cole.
May 25, 2015
Buried under all the awful writing, there is actually an interesting story about human beings and the struggle between the wild self and the civilized mask. The author isn't really skilled enough to really being that into fruition, but the book is at least honest about what it is - a f*cked up love story in a f*cked up world, complete with metatextual reflection on the rape as love trope halfway through the novel.
However, credit where credit is due: the ending was very good. The author understood well enough the kind of story she was telling, and she didn't give into the desire to wipe the slate clean at the end and create a flawless happy ending. It is, perhaps, a happy ending in its own way, the only realistic one you could imagine for a story like this.
However, credit where credit is due: the ending was very good. The author understood well enough the kind of story she was telling, and she didn't give into the desire to wipe the slate clean at the end and create a flawless happy ending. It is, perhaps, a happy ending in its own way, the only realistic one you could imagine for a story like this.
July 26, 2018
I liked this book the least of the three in the series. It dragged on with multiple tangents that were unnecessary to the story; I found myself skimming and even skipping sections because of this. I did however quite like the epilogue.
February 19, 2017
I think the ending of this book was perfect, if a little quickly done via an Epilogue chapter.
The scene the author paints of married life for Dana and Avery is a situation in many homes when a new baby arrives and mom feels like she never stops, and never gets any thanks. Avery's attitude of "your job is to cook and clean now" would not sit well with many!
However in the context of this book, his and her Alphaness plays a huge part is the way his personality has changed. As much as he refuses to acknowledge his wolf side, it is still creeping out in ways that he simply can't see. Yet Dana can, and his boss at the SF can too. She has no job, no freedom, no time for herself, no phone, no friends, and that's just the way Avery wants it.
So I completely get it when Dana has the opportunity to work with the SF and Cole to bring down the bad guys - it's clearly not a "sensible" thing to do, but it's her attempt to feel connected to the world again. To feel a part of something that is more than her home and her child. A few days of escapism.
But things go wrong very quickly for the Plan, and they have to think on the go, eventually becoming fugitives from the law.
Dana has alway been a selfish character, manipulating the males characters in previous books according to what she wants at the time. She was tough on Cole because, well he kidnapped her and tried to kill her, but also because her training at the SF told her to think with her brain and not her feelings.
Now Dana has been broken by following the SF norm and she is just a shell of normal self, the thing she recognises instantly whilst away with Cole is their attraction. And given her unhappiness in her life, she actually treats him a little nicer this time round. It's a new side of Dana we see, one where she actually tries to talk to him, tries to understand him, and even cares for him when he's really really sick.
This is the real Dana and Cole. When you take away all the societal constrains that tried to dictate what they should be, and who they should want. She had it, she had the prescribed dream - it didn't work. She and Avery were miserable together and she was dying inside.
Which is why the ending is perfect, the story goes full circle to Cole's beliefs in book 1. They meet on a natural level where they belong and where they are happy. It's a shame piper was lost, but at the same time the reasons were understandable and it gives an opportunity for a spin off story.
The scene the author paints of married life for Dana and Avery is a situation in many homes when a new baby arrives and mom feels like she never stops, and never gets any thanks. Avery's attitude of "your job is to cook and clean now" would not sit well with many!
However in the context of this book, his and her Alphaness plays a huge part is the way his personality has changed. As much as he refuses to acknowledge his wolf side, it is still creeping out in ways that he simply can't see. Yet Dana can, and his boss at the SF can too. She has no job, no freedom, no time for herself, no phone, no friends, and that's just the way Avery wants it.
So I completely get it when Dana has the opportunity to work with the SF and Cole to bring down the bad guys - it's clearly not a "sensible" thing to do, but it's her attempt to feel connected to the world again. To feel a part of something that is more than her home and her child. A few days of escapism.
But things go wrong very quickly for the Plan, and they have to think on the go, eventually becoming fugitives from the law.
Dana has alway been a selfish character, manipulating the males characters in previous books according to what she wants at the time. She was tough on Cole because, well he kidnapped her and tried to kill her, but also because her training at the SF told her to think with her brain and not her feelings.
Now Dana has been broken by following the SF norm and she is just a shell of normal self, the thing she recognises instantly whilst away with Cole is their attraction. And given her unhappiness in her life, she actually treats him a little nicer this time round. It's a new side of Dana we see, one where she actually tries to talk to him, tries to understand him, and even cares for him when he's really really sick.
This is the real Dana and Cole. When you take away all the societal constrains that tried to dictate what they should be, and who they should want. She had it, she had the prescribed dream - it didn't work. She and Avery were miserable together and she was dying inside.
Which is why the ending is perfect, the story goes full circle to Cole's beliefs in book 1. They meet on a natural level where they belong and where they are happy. It's a shame piper was lost, but at the same time the reasons were understandable and it gives an opportunity for a spin off story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
This is a really good series and I think the author herself was a bit confused about how to end it in a way that was true to the characters. I didn't have a problem with the ending, but readers should know that it is . . . unusual. The book is also derailed by a section where a college professor is basically given several pages for a lecture that is clearly the author's thoughts on dark romance, justifying the content of the series. It's distracting and obviously something the author wanted to get off her chest. It would have been appropriate, perhaps, as an afterword.
January 2, 2016
As I stated the major joys of this particular book is that you get the intrigue of family life within the wolf bond placed in a normal family setting between Dana, Avery, and baby Piper; you get the Dana- Cole relationship; and to me the phenomenal ending. Under a Raging Moon with baby Piper is supposed to be one of the spinoffs Chambers provides, in my opinion she should have ended with Moon Dance. The epilogue kind of pulled the schizophrenic world/ relationship of the couple almost into a classic tale, Chambers shouldn't ruin the ending.
I think the biggest way that this series has merit is many- sided. It celebrates toxic people and relationships (like the couples you see in gas stations late at night) and gives them a voice; it raises questions of animal instincts and human responsibility; and explores the depths and darker aspects of sex, love, passion, fetishes, and deviance.
It's a little dizzying being in Dana and Cole psychotic world; therefore, some readers could find the read frustrating, monotonous, or annoying. Also, those sensitive to deep sexual descriptions would not like it. However, if you're looking for a werewolf fantasy set to modern day, with a roller coaster romance, this is just the book you need.
I think the biggest way that this series has merit is many- sided. It celebrates toxic people and relationships (like the couples you see in gas stations late at night) and gives them a voice; it raises questions of animal instincts and human responsibility; and explores the depths and darker aspects of sex, love, passion, fetishes, and deviance.
It's a little dizzying being in Dana and Cole psychotic world; therefore, some readers could find the read frustrating, monotonous, or annoying. Also, those sensitive to deep sexual descriptions would not like it. However, if you're looking for a werewolf fantasy set to modern day, with a roller coaster romance, this is just the book you need.
April 19, 2016
Soooo, I liked it even though I have some issues with it. I feel like Avery was just tossed off without much thought... At least a few more POV segments leading to his death would've made more sense. And the randomness that was Larissa... I felt like her only purpose was to justify the screwiness that is the Dana-Cole psychosexual drama. Lol. Overall the series was kinda just sad. Action packed, but sad. Unresolved betrayal, loss, and more....but it was interesting. I think maybe there might be some resolution with Piper's story...maybe? I feel like there is a chunk missing in terms of Piper. Also, if you have a feeling your agency is a terrorist target...wouldn't you clear out and take better precautions? Just saying
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2017
Ending was sad
I can't believe I read this entire book to have it end the way it did. I am in awe of the way the author ended it. Wow.
I can't believe I read this entire book to have it end the way it did. I am in awe of the way the author ended it. Wow.
December 8, 2017
The ending made me cry so much, the words really had an impact on me.
“They still hunted and ran under the moon.
They still traveled together.
They were still so close that they were essentially the same mind.
And the loss of all of the memory, the humanity, it didn’t trouble them.
They were wolves.
They were wild.
And it was bliss.”
“They still hunted and ran under the moon.
They still traveled together.
They were still so close that they were essentially the same mind.
And the loss of all of the memory, the humanity, it didn’t trouble them.
They were wolves.
They were wild.
And it was bliss.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2015
This series was dark and twisted and amazing. I have been looking for something similar or along the same lines since I read it. I can't seem to find anything though. I've read several books by this author and this is my favorite series from her.
October 17, 2015
The ending to the trilogy. I was unhappy with the ending, but I don't think every reader will be. Still all in all, I'm still a fan of what I consider to be a tightly constructed trilogy, which I very much enjoyed reading.
December 6, 2015
Best of the trilogy
The third book is the redeeming factor for the trilogy. This book is my favorite of the three. Interesting plot, erotic scenes, and clever ways of communicating with the reader (one scene specifically but I'll let you figure it out)
The third book is the redeeming factor for the trilogy. This book is my favorite of the three. Interesting plot, erotic scenes, and clever ways of communicating with the reader (one scene specifically but I'll let you figure it out)
March 16, 2016
I read this trilogy not once or twice but SEVERAL times. I loved this trilogy! The characters are really fleshed out. The emotions that drive the characters blur the lines on whether you love or hate them. The ending was somewhat bittersweet. Not exactly an HEA ending for anyone but maybe Cole?
April 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this last installment in this series. I also really enjoyed the ending. Overall, great read and series.
December 24, 2014
interest storyline that continues and a different twist at the end is their more to the story to come?
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews