The Lunar Effect

The Ayla St. John Chronicles #1

by C.J. Pinard

When you grow up thinking you’re human, suddenly turning into a wolf during the full moon just after your seventeenth birthday can be quite traumatizing. Thankful for the help of her two older brothers, Ayla St. John learns to accept the wolf inside of her. Then she meets Ryder, the swoon-worthy high school football star who is impossible to resist.

Despite being thrust into a supernatural world she didn’t know existed, she maintains her resolve to go to college and try to keep up a normal life, in spite of her monthly full moon disruption. As she begins to accept and thrive in her new life, a devastating tragedy rocks Ayla and her family. Now too restless and distraught to finish college, she moves into the big city of Denver to try to figure out how she’s going to go on after her shattering heartbreak. She decides seeking revenge is a good way to spend her time, until she finds herself on the wrong end of a vampire’s fangs. The psychic visions that begin to plague her after her attack are crippling.

Her quest for vengeance has just doubled.

As she hunts for two vampires, she meets Kellan, an infuriatingly sexy vampire himself—a natural enemy she is supposed to hate—and feels an instant pull to him. And he’s not going away anytime soon. He wants Ayla, but she’s got no time for the silly vampire, no matter how drawn she feels to him. She’s also still got Ryder wanting to build a life with her. Once Kellan finds out she’s become a hunter, will he still continue to pursue her?

The Lunar Effect is book one in The Ayla St. John Chronicles, and is a paranormal romance for readers 18 and older.

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Shapeshifters

295 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2017

About the author

C.J. is a USA Today bestselling author living in Colorado but wishes she was someplace warmer. She loves the SF 49ers and has a weakness for expensive shoes. She’s the author of over 40 novels and short stories that contain both fantasy and paranormal romance with kickass heroines and strong alphas. Having recently retired from a twenty-year career in federal law enforcement, she's looking forward to the next chapter in life.

She can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and on her website, cjpinard.com.

You can also find billionaire romance under her pen, Carolyn Delaney.

Reading order:

URBAN FANTASY/ROMANCE:
Enchanted Immortals 1
Enchanted Immortals 2: The Vortex
Enchanted Immortals 3: The Vampyre
Enchanted Immortals 4: The Vixen
BSI: Bureau of Supernatural Investigation
Enchanted Immortals Box Set: 4 Books + Novella

PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Unscathed (A paranormal romance novel with Tim O'Rourke)

Soul Rebel (Death's Kiss #1) FREE
Soul Redemption (Death's Kiss #2)
Soul Release (Death's Kiss #3)
Kovah: Soul Seeker (A Death's Kiss Novel #4)

Lotus (Daughter of Darkness) Lotus's Journey Part I FREE
Watcher (Daughter of Darkness) Lotus's Journey, Part II
Guardian (Daughter of Darkness) Lotus's Journey, Part III

The Lunar Effect (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #1) FREE
The Lunar Curse (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #2)
The Lunar Secret (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #3)
The Lunar Magic (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #4)
The Lunar Promise (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #5)
The Lunar Light (The Ayla St. John Chronicles, #6)

Viper (Nighthawks MC #1)
Shadow (Nighthawks MC #2)
Phoenix (Nighthawks MC #3)
Venom (Nighthawks MC #4)
Face (Nighthawks MC #5)

REVERSE HAREM FANTASY:
Four Princes (Rothhaven Trilogy, #1)
Four Kings (Rothhaven Trilogy, #2)
Four Heirs (Rothhaven Trilogy, #3)

CONTEMPORARY/MILITARY ROMANCE
Duty & Desire Series:
Patriotic Duty
Tour of Duty
Boots Beneath My Bed
Playing the Field

Imperfect Heroes Series:
Antihero
Above Protection
Beneath Broken
Beyond Love

CONTACT INFO

Find me: http://cjpinard.com/

Like me: https://www.facebook.com/CJPinardAuthor

Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/c.j._pinard

Tweet me: https://twitter.com/CJPinard

Join me: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CJPin...

Add me: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Reviews

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/5/2018)!💝

[Judi Easley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars What a mixing bowl of supernatural sorts! Werewolves and vampires and demons. Even the FBI gets into it with its own special branch. Then there are the hybrids, werewolves that have been bitten by vampires and such. The MC is Ayla who at 17 goes on a first date with a guy and they both change! As in, change into wolves under the full moon. He knows what's going on, but she doesn't! Not a clue. Her two older brothers do, but never told her anything. Wow, what an awakening. And things just keep getting better and better for this gal. It all gets a bit unbelievable after awhile, I think. I'm suspicious of her trainers, the older vampire at the club, Sam, and I'm sure there should be others. But I've gone on to the next one because you have to to get the rest of the story...and you know how much I like that type of book...

[Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Totally in the mood for a PNR having just destroyed Addison Cain's Alpha series and this one was recommended to me.

It was... not good. Kind of like reading a book on fast forward, the emphasis appears to me on moving forwards with the plot and hitting various pit-stops on the way (first flirt - check, first kiss - check, first shift - check, virginity loss - check, university - check, roommate - check....) without achieving any sort of 'point'. I spent a lot of time reading a scene and thinking 'errrr yeh... and...and....???' Unfortunately although it moves quickly you lose content. You lose everything that makes PNR feel believable (even though we all know that it's not - I ain't stoopid). I mean she kissed someone behind her boyfriend's back and I cared even less than she did... which was very little to begin with.

I missed any true character development, the relationships didn't feel real, the decision-making didn't fit with the character, and there was no emotional content to make any of it relatable. The 'first sex' scene just fell flat. The first time she wolfed up, we just don't get any of those wolf feelings. The first time she went to university... it all just 'was'. I needed more heart, more description, less meaningless dialogue, the characters needed personality.

This sadly wasn't for me. But this series seems to have a super high rating from others soooo... go find out for yourself if you dare. It's free on Amazon at the mo. I am off to find me some quality shifter.....

[Albablume · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really, really tried to get into this because of the blurb which is really my favorite genre (urban fantasy) but it made me feel old. It made me feel ancient. I enjoy young adult books once in a while but this one made me realize I no longer am one.

Sooo, on to something else. Sorry.

[Sue Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Story...

Ayla St. John and her older brothers Aden and Austyn were adopted by a couple when Aden the oldest was three. When she is seventeen, our with high school boyfriend Ryder (lucky he knew more than she did) she shifted for the first time not knowing she was a wolf. Her brother has become the Alpha for their group after he found out about their birth parents but since he didn't know if Ayla was going to shift or not since she didn't get the scent till almost eighteen so he didn't tell her either. Later he tells her he is sorry and explains what he has found out about their birth parents. After she sees her brother Austyn killed she starts making a list of vampires (Linden who killed her brother and her one who attacked her making her a hybrid) and werewolves (her birth father)she wants to kill. She leaves collage,gets a job she hates, starts making friends no one approves of. Young gay vampire Beckett, old vampire Kellan ,her ex roommate Sanja (a witch who told her a secret her adopted parents had). Finally she will meet a hybrid from her birth uncles pack who will become friend/boss/teacher..along with his vampire wife. Her long time wolf boyfriend stays in the picture even after she becomes a hybrid and can no longer shift to a real wolf. Though she is also dealing with finding the over two hundred year old vampire Kellan more than a little interesting but still keeps reminding herself of her five year boyfriend Ryder who is also her brother's second in the pack and she loves him. She is a hunter now and getting very good at it. Looking forward to seeing where this storyline goes.

[DS_Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

PNR IS THE BOMB!!
CJ hit this book right out of the park, it was fast paced and kept me engaged the whole time.

Ayla is a normal teenage girl with school and grades on her mind, that is until she turns 17 and experiences the first full moon. Then her world spins on its axis and her life is never the same again. Her parents and brothers thought they were protecting her by keeping quiet about what was about to happen but they actually failed to give her a backstory of what was in store for her in her adult life.
Adjusting to her new life (which took a while) with her brothers by her side every full moon she falls for Ryder (i mean who wouldn't fall for him)? Ryder is gorgeous and helps her find her way but one Full Moon while they are all on a hunt a Vampire changes their life forever and that was a curve ball i didnt see coming!!!! I was literally yelling at my Kindle NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..... please make it regenerate!! Oh, and by the way CJ actually made me hate Vampires! and this is not an easy feat... without revealing spoilers after a LIFE SHATTERING event Ayla decides on revenge and moves to the city where she has a room mate who is not all she seems, Ayla's life is shifted again when she is told of her parents true background and then meets Kellan who is a Vampire. This is where my heart is torn between Ryder and Kellan, they are both amazingly strong characters.
CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2 IN THIS SERIES!!!

[Jennifer Shiels · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lunar Effect was a pretty good book. Ayla St. John thought she was just a normal human until soon after her 17th birthday and she finds out that she's a Werewolf. She and her two brothers Aden and Austyn were adopted when they were very young so they never knew.

Ayla has many problems with being a wolf. She feels disconnected from it and pretty much things it causes too many problems. At about the same time of learning she's a werewolf, she finds out that Ryder the football player she's had a crush on for awhile is also a werewolf and they start a relationship. She finds out that her oldest brother Aden is the Alpha of the pack. Through the years, there's a terrible tragedy and some secrets are brought to light. This leads Ayla to want revenge and vengeance.

Ayla has been in a relationship with Ryder since she was 17 years old. She loves him and wants to be with him. But when her revenge plans cause some problems for them and other things happen to her. She meets Kellan, a sexy vampire, that has been around for over 200 years.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first review for 2020 so hopefully this goes well. This book is about a woman named Ayla who discovers she is a werewolf and that are others very close to her who are just like her including her boyfriend and brother. At first, she doesn't know what to think about her new found condition then after a while she learns to love it. Things seem to be pretty normal until one night her brother is attacked and killed by a vampire and Ayla wants nothing but revenge. She does everything she can even going to popular vampire hang out spots even going into dark alleys alone and this is where the trouble starts when one night she gets bit. So now she is not only a werewolf but part vampire as well Ayla will stop at nothing until she finds the vampire who killed her brother. She will stop at nothing until the day she gets to put a stake through his heart. This book had about everything you could ask for in a paranormal romance. Really enjoyed it.

[Lori Garside · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent beginning to a series. On her seventeenth birthday, Ayla is shocked to discover she and her family are werewolves. No one ever told her that all the things of nightmares were real, so she's shocked when she turns for the first time. Ayla struggles to adapt to her new normal while negotiating the pitfalls every adolescent teenage girl encounters, school, boys, and learning to trust her wolfish instincts. When tragedy strikes, Ayla moves to the city to start over. Thrust into the supernatural community, the young wolf has to learn who to trust, who to avoid, and who to kill. And then there's Ryder, her werewolf boyfriend and Kellan, the sexy vampire she knows she should hate, but can't.

As always, Ms. Pinard weaves a story sure to keep you reading from cover to cover.

Get your one click finger ready, you're going to LOVE this book!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ayla grows up thinking she was human until she turned into a wolf her when she was 17-years-old. She finds out her two older brothers are also werewolves, her boyfriend Ryder is also a werewolf. She tries to keep to a fairly normal life (other than around a full moon) but after a tragedy, she drops out of college seeking revenge.

It was interesting to watch Ayla’s relationship to other people she meets, while she tries to lead a fairly normal life outside of the problems around a full moon. She hates turning into a wolf, but what can she do about it?

I liked that Ayla seemed to judge everyone based on meeting them and how they treated her. I didn’t like her weak moral compass (she seemed to be willing to kill for cash). I wanted to see more of Kellan, but I guess that is saved for the next book.

[a collective of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this read to be a lot of fun. I really like Ayla and find her really refreshing. She doesn't let anyone stand in her way of her agenda and doesn't put up with crap. She's dating a college football star and they've been together since high school. It's unfortunate he's very set in his own ways and in way racist against other paranormal beings. What I love about Ayla is that she doesn't see others that way and befriends anyone who's kind and willing to be her friend too. Now for, Kellen, the vampire. I'm really intrigued. Need more Kellen lol. Great in depth development. I liked reading about how she was clueless about her wolf after turning the first time, but luckily has her brothers and a good group to help her. Later in the book, Ayla's situation becones really interesting and I can't wait to read more.

[Nienke · Rating 4 out of 5]

By accident I stumbled upon this book whilst browsing for fresh new books. And the premise sounded pretty interesting.

Surprisingly I flew through the pages and now I am in need of more. Which is unfortunate, as this book has just been released (Plus, GR says the release isn't until a few days..?) so I might have to wait a while for the second one.

This book felt like a big prologue to Alya and her upcoming adventures, instead of a first installment in the Alya St. John chronicles. Which didn't bother me at all. Usually you get to learn a MC's story in flash backs or stories told about the MC. Now, I felt part of Alya's journey as she became the vampire hunter which shows promise for the next book(s).

Can't wait to see how this will continue in the next book!

[Heather Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite CJ Pinard Book! I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

I love all the characters in this book! Obviously Ayla is my favorite. But I love Sanja, Beckett, Ryder and Kellan also! I can’t wait to read more about all these amazing characters.

If you’re unsure about paranormal I would definitely say give this book a try. It’s fun and I really think you’ll like it.

If you love paranormal books then this is a must read!! CJ will draw you in from the very first page and you won’t want to put the book down. Then you’ll be bummed you have to wait for the next book. But it’ll be worth it to get more of these yummy characters in your life.

Get start to this series CJ Pinard!!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ayla tells the story of her introduction and decent into the paranormal community. This trip down memory lane informs the reader of Ayla's trials and hardships as she tries to figure out her life and her ultimate evolution into a vampire hunter. I can honestly say that I couldn't predict where this story was headed. There were so many twists and turns with plenty of surprises to keep me wondering just what was going to happen. I can't believe that revenge is ever a good idea and I wonder if this will hold true in Ayla's case. Also, Ayla seems to be on the verge of creating a disaster in her personal relationship with her longtime boyfriend, Ryder. Would she be so attracted to others if she was truly committed to Ryder? This story will keep you wondering.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

We read the story of how Ayla St John becomes a Vampire Hunter and the events that led up to the current date. She surprisingly learns she is a wolf at seventeen then she learns that there are more supernaturals out in the world. When one of her brothers is murdered by a vampire she seeks vengeance. But to get her justice she must make some life changing decisions. We meet several entertaining characters along the way. Best friends are a former witch roommate Sanja and gay vampire Beckett. She still has high school boyfriend Ryder but becomes lost in a love triangle with sexy vampire Kellan. Sexy steamy and entrancing story.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is always able to produce refreshing when she presents a reader with a paranormal fare. With that being said this one begins with Ayla whom will be introduced to new and not just speaking of the female change either you get her tale on how she learns and enters this new path. Being they are still you at first she meets Ryder and things go on until tragedy. Then it begins to fill with so much going on you are in this up to your eye balls. No romance though has been left out it is in there with a challenge. Of course it also will pull you to the egde leaving you panting for more.

[Smanc0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon starting this book, I felt it was reading slow and I could not wait until 'Ayla' realizes she is a Werewolf. The book took off at the Full Moon of 'Ayla' 17 birthday and did not stop. She was fearless & determined in finding the person who 'bite' her. She started hunting vampires w/o knowledge & skill and her journey started to the unknown when I realized I did not want the book to end. Thanks C.J. for the awesome read and looking forward to Book 2. I want to know who Ayla wants, Ryder or Kellan?

[Michele Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wolf shifters, witches and vampires

This book is a different take on most paranormal romance stories.. Ayla finds out she's a shifter at 17. Ayla has a crush on Ryder only to discover he's a wolf shifter and she's on a date with him on her first shift. Ayla hates being a wolf and learns secrets about her family along the way. Nothing is as it seems and she changed but can she learn to live in a world where everything adjusts and changes? Overall it's a good book but preferred the end better than the begining.

[V.readz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised with how good this book was. I had it on my Kindle for awhile now and never got to reading it. (I have so many & keep getting new ones like they will disappear if I don't buy them at that moment)
I was in the mood for a good werewolf book and decided on this one and was happy to. I devoured it. While I was not sucked into the story like I have with all the best (That's why only four stars) I was curious and enjoyed reading this book. Four stars is not bad to begin with for a series but I hope it will either stay that way or go to a five as the series progresses.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating... There's a lot going on in this book between wolves, vampires, witches and other paranormal creatures. I was slowly drawn into this world of our lead female, her wolf pack and oddly un-normal family and friends, I began to appreciate how each of the people who appeared added another layer to an already complicated story that just left me wanting more. I'm definitely adding this author to my favorites and will be following her, anticipating more of the same complicated, grungy and real characters.

[Jana Gundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

This captured and kept my attention from the beginning. Ayla is a complicated character that goes through a lot of changes. She doesn’t handle them well but manages to keep it interesting. Now, I don’t like cheating and that’s a big no for me, so I hope things gets resolved fast because it’s not cool.

[KDLediting · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slowest moving book ever

Maybe I'm too influenced by movies or tv, I don't need action but if you're half way into a book before it gets to the point of the main character it moves too slow. I couldn't even finish it. Having very little time to read, if it's not enjoyable it's wasting my time.

[April Vivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. The Lunar Effect by CJ Pinard was something I have been waiting to read. This author never lets me down!!!! Definitely a freah look at werewolves and the . world. Can't wait for more!!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lunar effect

This story was completely captivating. Ayla had so much going on with her and I couldn’t wait to see what would come next. I’m interested to see where her story goes.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book is mostly the backstory of Ayla St. John, badass hunter. Cj Pinard brings us into a captivating world of werewolves, witches, and vampires as Ayla navigates through her tumultuous romantic life while fullfilling an agenda of revenge. I cant wait to see what happens in book 2!

[Sandra Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, sexy, engaging

Except for being a cliffhanger, I loved this book. With different twists to the standard vamp/wolf stories, and likable characters, yes characters, well read it you will see what I mean.

[Sheila Osmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved everything by CJ! She has outdone herself with this series. Hot and steamy I could not put it down! Once I finished one book I had to pick up the next. Can’t wait to see what else she has planned!

[sharon sobzak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ayla

Finding out you transform as a total surprise was rough for Ayla. Believing you have the right of revenge against a vamp who killed your brother after you killed his brother just seemed so wrong.

[Corinne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

The plot was good but spoiled by the description of the characters. Wear wolves taken from an old horror B movie. I thought this would be a shape shifters story. In reality wolves mate for life but the main character was laughable. Very disappointing.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your usual shifter tale

Pun intended. This story combines multiple supes and one badass shifter chick who's more than she appears to rule them all. Looking forward to the rest of the series.