Diablo Lake: Moon Struck

Diablo Lake #1

by Lauren Dane

“Like Dallas and Teen Wolf had a baby… I’m 2000% here for the sequels, because this is a world worth revisiting many, many times.” —Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

A powerful witch comes into her own in this small-town romance filled with family ties, shifters and magic.  

Three years ago, Katie Faith Grady left Diablo Lake, heartbroken and humiliated by a man who didn’t deserve her in the first place. Her return—to help run her family’s soda fountain while her dad recovers from a heart attack—awakens the powerful magic that is her birthright.

It also puts her directly in the path of a certain werewolf she’s never been able to forget.

Deputy Jace Dooley is a lot of things: alpha wolf, former bad boy, excellent mechanic. His new role of neighbor to the beautiful witch he’s been in love with since forever is a welcome plot twist…but Jace’s chief instinct is to protect. And a witch with as much raw power as Katie won’t be claimed on anyone’s terms but her own.

Diablo Lake

Book 1: Diablo Lake: Moonstruck
Book 2: Diablo Lake: Protected
Book 3: Diablo Lake: Awakened

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Magic, Witches

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 20, 2016

About the author

Lauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!

The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having left Diablo Lake a few years back running from a bad break up Katie Grady is a bit hesitant to return but knows that her family needs her. Finding a place to live near the man she'd had a crush on for years wasn't a bad turn of events though. Jace Dooley is now hotter than ever and the two find themselves drawn to each other.

Diablo Lake though is inhabited by witches and werewolves. Katie herself is a witch that has just been coming into her powers and finding out just how strong she is. Jace is in line to become the leader of his pack and the two together can only prove to make each other stronger. Katie's ex-boyfriend is from another pack and when she returns starts giving her problems.

I've read several of Lauren Dane's books and have liked all to some degree whether it was a regular couple involved or one that had a paranormal aspect. She's always done the erotic sexy side of the read well but sometimes I felt the plot could have been a bit expanded on instead of rushing into the sexy.

With Diablo Lake the relationship between Katie and Jace had plenty of time to build and grow which I enjoyed. They certainly end up having their steamy moments between them but it didn't feel as rushed into as some of the other books I'd read.

Also, with this small town community being made up of witches and werewolves the story had more of the paranormal added in this time. Magic and werewolf politics coming into play with this particular pairing added a fun layer to the read that was given more expansion than some of the other books that rushed into the bedroom part.

Overall, a fun, sexy read to start off Lauren Dane's new Diablo Lake series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[D.G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was so boring....and repetitive...and there was SO.MUCH.TALKING with nothing happening!!


On top of all that, it wasn't even sexy.

Katie Faith (yes, that's her name and its mentioned 565 times...yup, I searched) moves back to Diablo Lake (mentioned 81 times). She left after having been left at the altar and her return starts the hostility between the two rival werewolf packs. Because you see, Katie Faith is a witch and having a witch on your side gives you magic and shit. Pretty soon Katie Faith is hooking up with one of the McCoys Dooleys and the Hatfields Pembrys are none too happy with the situation.

And with all this tension, there's not ONE single fight! All they do is talk, talk, TALK!!! What the hell paranormal book is this? I don't think we even saw anybody shifting!!

I picked up this book in the first place because the second one has an enemies to lovers theme that appealed to me. I'll still attempt to read it but if it's as boring as this one, I'll dnf it right away.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take one secluded small town, two rival were clans, add the town witches, and rest assured you have a recipe for trouble and fur will fly. Katie, a witch, is back in town after being left at the altar by a Pembrey werewolf years before and no one is happier than the future alpha of the Dooley pack, Jace.

Gone is the young witch just coming into her powers and in her place is a stunning and feisty woman, whose powers are have grown exponentially. It’s that power, those looks and that inner strength that has Jace chasing his tail to impress upon her that they were meant to be together. Too bad the Pembreys need to stick their muzzles in at every opportunity with veiled threats and nasty comments just to stir up the pot of discontent within the town all because they want Katie’s powers for their pack.

Will Katie and Jace have to give up on their dream of being together to avoid a war of the weres?
Moonstruck by Lauren Dane is one high tension read. I have to say, I love those witches, talk about fiery and fierce when someone messes with their own! Katie has attitude, isn’t afraid to speak up but is cautious about choosing her battles if it may affect someone she cares about. Jace is an Alpha Wolf, about to become the leader of his pack, need I say more? Lauren Dane has given us the Hatfields and McCoys with fangs, fur and magic, as well as a hefty dose of romantic heat and passion. Nice start to a new series that looks to become a boiling cauldron of trouble in Diablo Lake.

I received an ARC edition from Carina Press & Lauren Dane in exchange for my honest review.

Title: Diablo Lake: Moonstruck
Author: Lauren Dane
Pub date: June 20, 2016
Series: Diablo Lake, 1/2
eISBN: 9781459290242
Format: MMPB/eBook
Imprint: Carina Press
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shifters

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a good PNR, and this was sweet one.

Katie Grady left her hometown, Diablo Lake, to get over a humiliating breakup. But now she’s back to help her parents. And Jace Dooley, the guy she’s had a crush on for years, is living in the sublet she just started renting. And he’s even sexier, and the chemistry that’s always been between them is hotter than ever. But Katie’s magic is a lot stronger than it was when she left, and suddenly both wolf packs wants her for their own.

Jace has always been attracted to Katie. And he hasn’t forgotten the explosive kisses or conversation of that night years ago, just before she left. He didn’t make his move then, but he’s determined to make his move now. As a Pack Alpha there is nothing sexier than a woman with an independent and sassy streak. And both man and wolf crave her.

“Never in my life did I imagine someone who looks as good as you would look at me the way you do,” she told him.
“Never in my life did I imagine being able to look at someone like you and know you were all mine.”

I really liked both Katie and Jace. I loved their explosive chemistry and how hard Jace pursued Katie. Their romance was sexy and sweet.

There was a lot of politics with the two wolf packs fighting for dominance, and trying to make Katie part of their packs, so that her magic would belong to them. Also the intrigue with the mystery regarding the death sentence of Jace’s father, and what it has to do with the other wolf pack.

This is my second book by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be continuing with this series.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
'Moonstruck' by Lauren Dane is book one in the "Diablo Lake" series. This is the story of Katie Grady and Jace Dooley.
Kaite left Diablo Lake a few years back after being left at the alter. The man she was going to marry was a shiftier but he was also sleeping around on her. Katie is a which of sorts and hadn't yet come into her powers or started using them. So now one knew how powerful she would be. But now she is back after her father was taken ill and her family needed her to come back and run their family business. There she is reunited with Jace who is also a shiftier from another pack then her ex. Jace and her were friends of sorts...they had shared a few moments together. But now they are both very attracted to each other. But Katie ex who is now married with kids is starting to bother her along with his pack. They now know she is a powerful which and want to have her on their side to make their pack stronger. Jace of course wants her to be his mate now that she is back. Great story...enjoyed reading it.


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[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hurley Boys series, by Lauren Dane is one of my all-time favourite series. I couldn't resist when I saw Moonstruck by this author and I enjoyed entering her supernatural world of witches, shifters and werewolves.
Diablo Lake is a town infused in the paranormal. Magic woven deep into the earth protects the town's secrets from strangers. Katie Grady is a witch and returns home, after 3 years, to help her Mom with her ailing Dad. Jace Dooley, police officer and werewolf prime has the opportunity to re-kindle the unresolved and memorable moment they shared in high school when Katie moves in next door to him. As Katie and Jace grow closer (hot and steamy sizzling chemistry) her ex-fiance and his family try to destroy their new found love.
There are two packs of wolves, in this magical town, each with different roles and each wanting to be the most powerful, leaving the witches in the middle of this power struggle. Suddenly Jace isn't the only one interested in Katie's raw super power that she is just learning to use.
I am eager to read the next book, Protected to see where the story goes.

Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[TinaNoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

REREAD SEP 2021-

Upped my original rating considerably. have to say, I liked this a lot better on my re-read than I did in my original read. Decided to go back and re-read because a third book is coming out and the blurb intrigued me.

For some reason I received it better. it still has some of the issues I mention in my original review below. I will say I got the sense of the town better this time around and the why of the power balance. And the hero/heroine were appealing and sexy.

The biggest con is still the propensity for public, nasty confrontations by the different characters. There were a lot. More than should happen amongst adult people.

But I listened on audio this time and maybe it was the narrator but it was a lot more entertaining that I remember.

Oh well, I'm off to the second one now.

-------

ORIGINAL REVIEW

This was hard to rate. I didn't dislike it, but the plot made no real sense. It feels like it was circling around something and didn't quite get there.

The heroine Katie tread dangerously close to the Mary Sue line. And the central conflict -- a balance of power between the wolves in a small wolf/witch controlled town, made not a lot of sense really. I honestly could not grasp it. It just seemed like the story careened from one confrontation to the next with the same warnings, threats and arguments repeated over and over. Also some characters seemed to have convenient plot personality changes from one confrontation to the next.

This ends on -- not exactly a cliffhanger, but it is clearly the first book in a series because while the central romance ends on a HEA, the overall big conflict is just ratcheting up with consequences for the central couple. And yet I don't believe I am intrigued enough to follow through.

[Lyndi W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Edits at bottom of review)

I was thinking "five stars" until the end. Minus two stars because WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!

You call that an ending?! Did the last few chapters of my book just DISAPPEAR?!

Where's the epic showdown? Where's the fucking CLIMAX? The RESOLUTION?

That was a fucking awesome story until the end, which should NOT have been the end. Nothing is resolved. Nothing is even neatly tied up for a continuation of the story in a sequel, as the sequel doesn't even focus on Katie and Jace. After all that build up about Katie being a witch AND a Patron, there's noooothing.

Fuck this. It's gonna take a god damn MIRACLE for me to pick up another Lauren Dane book without being angry about the non-ending of this one.

Edit: One hour after writing this review, I'm still fucking FURIOUS.

Edit: FOUR AND HALF HOURS LATER - STILL PISSED.

Edit: 22 hours after writing this review and I. AM. STILL. UPSET.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie Grady left Diablo Lake after being left at the altar, now she is back after her father had a stroke to help her family out. Katie quickly realizes that there is no place like home and decides she is back for good. Renting an apartment across from Jace Dooley is an added bonus.

Jace has wanted Katie since he can remember, but she was always untouchable. Now she is single and Jace decided she is the one for him. Katie though finds herself not questioning being with Jace but the rivalry between the shifters are the Dooley's and the Prembry's is throwing a wrench in their courtship. Jace has been letting Katie be the witch she is and has no problem with how she handles things, the Prembry's though see her power as a threat and want her to leave.

Wonderful read. You get a full story but their is a bit of a cliffhanger, not really more a continuation that be in upcoming book I am assuming at the end. Loved Katie, she is self assured and has grown up quite a bit and her confidence puts others off kilter. Jace is pure alpha male, hubba hubba. Anther excellent read from Lauren Dane.

[Blushing Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard one to rate... it was a solid story, great characters, but it was repetitive. It felt like the same stuff kept circling over and over, when I was just wanting things to move forward. I really liked the idea of Diablo Lake and a community of witches and shifters living together, but I just wanted more "relationship" in the story. Moonstruck is a start to a new series so I will be curious to read the next book, now that the series is "set up" I would like to see if the next book is more of what I was expecting.

3.5 stars...

[Under the Covers Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was extremely excited when I saw that Lauren Dane had a new paranormal romance series coming out. I've enjoyed her previous PNR series and couldn't wait to dive into a new one. But I quickly realized that MOONSTRUCK and Diablo Lake are different than those. While still continuing to have the style that I've come to like in Lauren Dane's books, this series is more.... homey?

Diablo Lake is a small town of supernaturals. Katie Faith has just come back to town to help with her family business after her father's health deteriorates. She's a witch, and had left Diablo Lake years ago after a shifter had left her at the altar. Now that she's back though, the real object of her high school crush is finally putting the moves on her and pursuing her. Jace is also a shifter, from the other pack in town. And he also knows that Katie Faith is it for him and he won't let this opportunity pass him by.

MOONSTRUCK has sweet southern charm. It felt cozy to read and the romance was simple and straight-forward. I guess that's what I had a problem with. There's not much else going on, nothing to keep me all that interested in the world or involved with the characters. Not a lot of tension pulling these two apart. It was just a sweet and easy read. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for something this light?

I like the idea of this town and the co-relation between witches and shifters. I also loved the small southern town setting. But I was looking for something more as far as the plot of the book and the characters. As it stands, I wasn't invested in any of the supporting cast enough to leave me dying to read the next one.

*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, stupid to the point of being offensive to anyone with a brain, totally lacking in plot and resolution to whatever thin tread of it was there.
Paranormal is a dress here, not the structure. (In other words it's fake, it could be money and the story wouldn't have changed.)

The speech mannerism was almost irritating, and a couple of glaring, in your face mistakes were really sore points. Has this book been edited at all? Yes, they were that kind of mistakes (two characters switched, and an invented word any spellchecker should have pointed).

The book ends leaving the readers kind of stunned (well this reader with a WTH syndrome) when they realize there's no other pages but the story hasn't ended. I guess the story was the set up, then, but nobody warned the readers.

I can't recommend it to any reader, unless you are a fan of her pnr erotica and her usual romances. Then you'll probably love this mesh up of her other series.

PS On a really personal note, I think this is the kind of books that gives romance its bad name.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Java Girl's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

I rarely read paranormal romance, and Lauren Dane’s Moonstruck:Diablo Lake was my very first shifter book. I've never even been tempted to read a shifter book, much less commit to reading and reviewing two books. People who shift into animals has always struck me as too hard for me to find believable. But, I like Lauren Dane’s writing, so I thought I'd take a chance on her new series about werewolves and witches in a small town in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. I can't make any comparisons to other shifter books, but I really enjoyed Moonstruck. My fears about not buying into the man-to-werewolf scenario were completely unfounded. These wolves spent the vast majority of the book in human form, and scenes of them in wolf form were minimal. To me, the wolf pack mentality and traits were very much a part of these human characters. I was fascinated by the rules, laws, traditions, and customs of the various beings in Diablo Lake. Ms. Dane did an excellent job of world-building, and laying out the acceptable, and unacceptable, behaviors and expectations of this world.

Katie Faith is a witch, while Jace is Prime of his wolfpack--next in line to succeed his grandfather as Patron. I loved both of these characters. I didn't think either Jace’s wolf, or Katie Faith’s magic overshadowed their character development, but worked well as important facets of their personalities, and their prominence and influence in their community. Other than that, they were a pretty typical romance hero and heroine. Katie Faith is just coming into her own as a witch, and a vital member of her community. She was smart, funny, and very sassy. I loved her fierce loyalty and love for her family. Her attitude about the customers at her family’s ice cream shop made me laugh. She's only 23 or so, but I thought she came across as much older. Jace was very serious and responsible, very Alpha--protective and territorial, willing to do whatever it takes to make his woman happy. All good qualities in a romance hero. He also seemed older than his 27 or 28 years.

I was completely intrigued with the pack rivalry between Jace’s Dooley wolves and Katie Faith’s ex, Darrell’s, Pembry wolves.The theme of silence, and the damage that secrets can wreak, is a good one; I am very curious as to what the secret is, and where the long-simmering pain, anger, and resentment will lead.

There is quite a cast of secondary characters, most play an important role in the plot. None were extraneous, and I enjoyed them all. Even, maybe especially, the villains. I'm fascinated by Scarlett Pembrey. I NEED to know what motivates her.

I can't wait for Protected:Diablo Lake, but in the meantime, I've got a whole new sub-genre to explore!

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a hard time saying this about a book that gives so much of what we love as hetero female readers. I mean, big hot "prime" male, obviously smitten from jump and didn't fight it much. But literally that's ALL this book is. Back to back scenes of them pseudo declaring their intentions with each other and everyone else but NOTHING happening as a result.
The main conflict seems to be the heroine is powerful and two different factions want her to marry into the family because of it. They seem to believe that she's theirs....based on geography? Legit dangling studio apartments like her address is all that matters even after she's openly chosen to be with someone.
And for a powerful witch, we don't see much of it. She shoved a guy and a shopping cart.
As for the shifters? Yeah, don't worry about that. He mostly just "bring his wolf close to the surface".
I gave up about 75% of the way thru out of boredom. Was mostly reading because the third in the series is an IR but I can't do 3 of these and there are too many WW/WM books out there with more to offer if I just want a paranormal romance.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 wolf stars. I have been so caught up in the contemporary romance sub-genre that I forgot about my love of paranormal/fantasy romances! Thank God for Lauren Dane because she made me remember my love. The story was entertaining, fantasy filled and passionate.

Jace is my kind of wolf. Do the wolves that roam the woods become men like Jace because if they do I'm going to find me one. Jace is so genuinely good it brings me pain. He has a strong moral compass, is ridiculously thoughtful and sweet while still being dominant and strong. Can you tell I loved Jace?

Katie ran away from the small town after a humiliating breakup with a prominent member of the town's son. While Jace is a wolf, Katie's from powerful witches. Her coming home causes the white collar and blue collar wolf packs to be at each other's throats even more than normal considering it seems Katie's with the blue collar wolves this time. Katie's spirited, funny and loyal. I easily liked her.

[Tracy's Place]

DNF at 70%

This started off really well but then didn't seem to go anywhere.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Info
Kindle Edition
Expected publication: June 20th 2016 by Carina Press
ASIN B00Z70HR9A
Edition Language English
Series Diablo Lake #1
Other Editions (4)
Source:Carina Press EARC in exchange for honest review

Book Buy Link
Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS

In Diablo Lake, Washington, a town populated by werewolves, witches, and more, magic woven deep into the earth protects the town's secrets from outsiders.

Katie Grady left Diablo Lake to get over a humiliating breakup; but her family needs her help, so she's back, in a sublet right across the hall from the guy she's lusted after for years. Jace Dooley is hotter than ever, and their friendship picks up along with massive doses of grown-up chemistry.

The very scent of Katie sharpens Jace's canines, makes the wolf within him stir. There's nothing more alluring to a Pack Alpha than a sexy female who is so very in charge. She won't be coddled, but if he plays his hand just right she might be convinced to become his.

Katie presents a challenge to Jace's wolf nature, whose chief instinct is to protect. Especially now that she's coming into the magic that is her birthright - and suddenly Jace isn't the only one who's interested in Katie, or the raw power she's just learning to use.

My Thoughts

Lauren Dane has long been one of my go-to-authors, her contemporaries are my favorites of her work but my love of werewolves drove me to investigate this first book in her newest paranormal series.

The small town of Diablo Lake harbors a population of two rival werewolf clans, the Dooleys and the Pembrys. The witches who also live in this fictional Washington town use their magical abilities to help keep things on an even keel as well as provide the wolves support as needed.

Katie Faith Grady left after being jilted at the altar, when she comes home to Diablo Lake to help her parents with the family business she never expected to be living next door to her first crush Dooley Pack Alpha Jace Dooley.

Their proximity to each other is at once a torment to both and also a challenge to the Pembry Wolves whose renewed interest in Katie grows as her magical powers manifest stronger than ever causing her to become caught in the middle of a long held feud between the two wolf clans.

Small town atmosphere has a familiar charm, fact that it is built around werewolves and witch inhabitants appeals to me, the importance of family ties is always a favorite and most of all the second chance at romance for Katie Faith with Jace was not only long over due but fun as well as it unfolded.

While did not totally love this first entry into the Diablo Lake series liked it well enough to say when the next book comes out in the fall am hoping to get a chance to read it as well.

[EArc from Carina Press in exchange for honest review]

[Melissa Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Diablo Lake: Moonstruck
Author: Lauren Dane
Series: Diablo Lake Series, Book 1
Publisher: Carina Press
Reviewer: Melissa
Release Date: June 20, 2016
Genre(s): Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 352
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

In Diablo Lake, Washington, a town populated by werewolves, witches, and more, magic woven deep into the earth protects the town's secrets from outsiders.

Katie Grady left Diablo Lake to get over a humiliating breakup; but her family needs her help, so she's back, in a sublet right across the hall from the guy she's lusted after for years. Jace Dooley is hotter than ever, and their friendship picks up along with massive doses of grown-up chemistry.

The very scent of Katie sharpens Jace's canines, makes the wolf within him stir. There's nothing more alluring to a Pack Alpha than a sexy female who is so very in charge. She won't be coddled, but if he plays his hand just right she might be convinced to become his.

Katie presents a challenge to Jace's wolf nature, whose chief instinct is to protect. Especially now that she's coming into the magic that is her birthright - and suddenly Jace isn't the only one who's interested in Katie, or the raw power she's just learning to use.

Review:
“Then he spun her so she faced the bed and using his body, bent her over. Her heart pounded so hard he easily heard. He scented her honey, knew it was all for him. Loved that.”

4 diablo stars!! So much more than I could have ever imagined! Dare I say… magical?

Katie is a witch just starting to get her powers, who fled her town of Diablo Lake years ago… now back because her family needs her, she moves into a sublet. It just so happens that the man she’s dreamed about for years is her neighbor. Jace is a werewolf and the smell of Katie drives him wild. And he loves her dominant attitude, there’s nothing sexier to Jace. But as his attraction grows for her, so does other men. Can he keep her in his grasp before others get make their way towards her?

I’m not a huge fan of shifter romances, but there was something about this book that sucked me in. I can’t put my finger on what was so intriguing about this book, I think it’s everything. The story, the characters, the heat. I mean there was nothing I didn’t like… it was perfect really! I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!


ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up Moonstruck, I was expecting a quirky town with even quirkier inhabitants. I kinda sorta got that but this was more about the politics of keeping the balance in a town surrounded by magic and inhabited by two wolf packs as well as a group of witches. Balance is hard to keep when one group decides it’s better than the other two which is exactly what happened here.

Katie Faith left after being jilted at the altar. I’m not sure I would have liked the Katie Faith of the past as she let herself be pushed around and completely overshadowed by her high school boyfriend and his family, the Pembry’s. In the time she was gone she truly came into her own and I really liked the woman she grew to be. She was strong, loyal, and brave. She didn’t want to start a fight but boy would she finish one.

Jace was everything you want an alpha wolf to be and a force to be reckoned with. He was protective of his family and of Katie Faith. It was refreshing that when they decided to start a relationship, they knew it would set the town on its head. They sallied forth with their eyes wide open ready to deal with the consequences.

The chemistry between them was hotter than Hades and just erupted off the page. At first we were teased with small tastes of what could be. It took a frustrating amount of time for them to finally get down to the nitty gritty, but it was well worth the wait.

The supporting characters added to the book in wonderful ways. Katie Faith’s best friend Aimee was the voice of reason, funny and snarky but not in a crass way. It’s a mixture in side kicks we don’t see often enough. Both Katie Faith and Jace’s family were perfectly crafted, loving and helpful but by no means perfect.

The Pembry wolves were a mess especially the alpha and his family. Mean, vindictive, and off their rockers, they knew they’d let a treasure slip through their fingers which made their behavior even worse.

Although not perfect, slow in places and a bit wordy, I completely enjoyed my time spent in Diablo Lake and look forward to seeing what else this cast of characters has in store for me.



4 Skillful Ninja-like Stars

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

I’m an unabashed Lauren Dane fan and have been auto-buying her contemporary romances for a long time, but I always love it most when she visits the paranormal side. (I absolutely adore her Bound by Magick series, and suggest you pick up Heart of Darkness ASAP for a whole lot of “mine” goodness.)

So, yes, I totally jumped on Moonstruck. Werewolves plus magic plus Lauren Dane? SOLD. And I’m happy to report it lives up to the expectations. One of the things that is often standout in her work is the large family/friend dynamic. In this element Moonstruck is no exception.

Katie Faith moves back to Diablo Lake after her father has a stint in the hospital, which is rough for her because she fled following a pretty embarrassing left-at-the-altar moment. She wanted to pretend she doesn’t belong in her small hometown of shifters and witches, but she really does. Her magic is thriving, and that makes the two shifter packs (one with her ex and one with the super sexy next-door neighbor) want to argue over who she belongs to. Katie Faith belongs to herself, damn it, and hero Jace knows it. He won’t fall into the traps of others or the old “traditions” of his father.

Moonstruck is straight-up trope-y goodness with paranormal spice. You have lovers who are fated for one another—expect some quick desire to claim, but a whole lot of family obstacles making for delicious delays—class warfare, second-chance romance, and the perfect small-town setting. The secondary characters are fully developed, which makes me excited to see how the others’ stories will come together in later books.

It’s a light paranormal romance that offers some good laugh-out-loud moments and a comfortable feel for anyone who enjoys small-town romances of any persuasion. It’s a good start to a new series, and I’m excited to read more adventures in Diablo Lake.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This classic paranormal romance from Ms. Dane is a superb read. In this new series, a town filled with magically supernaturals will naturally cause sides to be taken and fights to occur. In this story of the dueling werewolf packs, the prize is delectable Katie Grady. She is not a wolf from either pack. Instead, she is a witch who was jilted by her fiancé. Humiliated and heartbroken, she left her home to escape into the big city full of mundanes. When her daddy is ill and needs her back to help the family business, she reluctantly comes back to face her past. And what do you know, it isn't as bad as she thought.

I really enjoyed this story because of the righteous comeuppance Katie delivers to her ex-fiancé, the philandering asshat. When she wants to move on and show how much she's matured, he still tries to drag her back to his side. One little problem, he's been married whilst Katie's been gone and he even has children. The jerk! Lucky for Katie, she is now available for delicious stud, Jace Dooley.

The romance between Jace and Katie is spectacular. I love this unrequited high school crushes now finding the right time to come together as lovers. Jace and Katie are a power house couple and just so darn cute together. This character driven story makes my heart fill with happiness as Katie brings a bit of loving touch to Jace's world. Even the little details of planting some flowers around his home and business makes my heart sing in joy. I love these little demonstrations of love. It touches my heart and brings forth emotions to tie me closer to the characters in this story. With these emotions, I'm more engaged and invested in the story and particular the ending. This story is a smooth and wonderful read. Highly recommended to paranormal lovers who love happy ever afters and a little bit of vengeance mixed in.

*provided by NetGalley

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Dane's novels. I've enjoyed pretty much all of her previous releases (though obviously I liked some better than others). When I saw she was writing a new paranormal series set in the south I got really excited. It's been my experience that she does both really well, so I figured the two together would be a major hit. I took some time after finishing Moonstruck to write the review because I'm on the fence about my feelings.

It's not that I disliked the book, per se. I just struggled because it didn't really seem to go anywhere. The main conflict - a power struggle between the wolves and witches of Diablo Lake, plus a fight between the two main wolf packs - just circled around itself. I understand this is the start of a new series, but nothing was resolved in this book. Its felt like half a novel and it ended on a quasi-cliffhanger (the HEA is there, but the rest is just...left hanging). I'm curious enough to continue reading, but I'd have been more excited if the next one was available now, rather than sometime in the fall.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Moonstruck Stars

What a great start to a new series. I have to say I wasn’t sure how it would work because well I have never read a paranormal book by Lauren Dane. But for me she knocked it out of the park.

I love the balance between wolves and witches. I also loooovvvvveeed that they were not the ones at odds but it was pack again pack kind of can’t really give to too much away there.

So we have Katie Grady coming back to Diablo Lake because her dad became ill and her family needed her. She left because of a pretty bad break up and she needed some time to heal and find her place in the world.

Coming back wasn’t easy but Jace makes it worth it. Jace has always had a soft spot for Katie; it just took Katie a little longer to see it. And there romance is one for the story books.

All I can say is this world really comes to life with this narrator. I want more and can’t wait for the next book to be released in audio I will be one of the girls to buy it that’s for dang sure.

*All my Reviews are 100% honest and my own.*

[PepperP0t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witch Katie Faith Grady's relationship with scion to the powerful Pembry clan was problematic to say the least and ended in a break-up so humiliating Katie Faith left Diablo Lake. Always soft for Katie, town deputy, heartthrob Wolf, Jace Dooley was more than happy that she was back after three years and she'd grown into a woman they could both love and appreciate.

When Katie Faith's well liked elderly parents need her help at home, she packs her pride and her wounded heart with her new attitude and causes a commotion by moving back. Everyone's not on board and likes the status quo where it is. Katie's expanded magic and her choice of mate could change the balance of power in the tiny town unless her mind is changed.

Vividly drawn leads with excellent chemistry, hilarious, quirky townsfolk, a fun storyline and great pacing made it easy for this reader to invest in this sometimes laugh out loud foundation outing. Diablo Lake is a promise of magical fun fulfilled as it beckons you to spend an enjoyable rainy afternoon or a sunny day at the beach.
Rating:4.25stars

[Andrea Heltsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have found a new favorite author! Having never read her books before, I took a chance after reading the description. WOW! The story blew me away!
The characters were so well developed and quirky. The romance was steamy. The plot was perfectly executed.
Did I mention I love shifters? This book had plenty of sexy shifters, but actually had a romance and a plot, not just sex with some filler info. It's rare to come across quality shifter romances anymore.
Diablo Lake: Moonstruck, was just what I didn't know I absolutely had to read. Five glittery stars!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story pulled me in from the first page and kept me engrossed throughout the entire story, until the end. This was a different take on werewolves and witches then what is usually written. This couple's connection and love for one another is strong. You can feel the family bonds in this story. This couple gets a happy for now kind of ending. This was a good read, which I enjoyed. I look forward to reading the next book.

ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Debrac2014 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it 3.5 stars! Werewolves and witches! I was hoping for a story more like Dane's Cascadia Wolves series but this is fluffier. Katie comes across as an airhead but you quickly realize she isn't! I'm interested enough to read the next story in the series.

[K. Lincoln · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came to this book through a romance review website (SBTB) I one hundred percent trust, so I was a bit surprised by the troubles I had with this book. I also seem to remember reading Lauren Dane stuff before that felt more polished.

It started in the first paragraph: “Or the hotel near the hospital, several hour’s drive away, where her father was recovering from a stroke several hour’s drive away from Diablo Lake.”

I reread that sentence twice in disbelief at the clumsiness of it, so easily corrected by an editor. Unfortunately, clumsiness at this level popped up every couple pages or so and messed with my reading experience (this is a personal taste thing. It might not bother a different reader)

And that’s a shame. Because Diablo Lake is home to a cozy, fun, community of feisty witches, stupid young werewolf males, and a small town life centered around the mercantile, a soda counter, and restaurant.

Katie Faith is called home by her father having a heart attack and she has to take over the soda counter, as well as face the werewolf who left her at the altar years ago. Luckily. Jace Dooley, a rival werewolf, offers her an apartment close to his pretty quickly and steamy fireworks ensue.

This is one of those paranormal romances where the couple gets together quickly and most of the tension is provided by stupid pack rival people getting up in Katie Faith’s face. There’s quite a lot of Katie Faith and her witch friend Aimee talking smack, caring for each other, stopping by the parents’ house to check in about events and bring groceries, and some snarky comments about wolves who leave the door open when they go to the bathroom.

So it was fun. Not thriller, dangerous fun, but cozy fun. Even some of the events that Katie Faith labels “upsetting” and “out of control” consisted mostly of a rival werewolf coming in and calling her a skank (no jumping her in a dark alley, no property destruction, no blood drawn, quite…tame actually). There’s also very little of our hero Jace Dooley in wolf form. (or anyone in wolf form for that matter. And there’s also some talk about shifter cats but they don’t play any role that I can see in this book other than just window dressing).

But I wanted more. I wanted an edge of danger, more integration of the actual werewolf into the story, more emotional tension between Jace/Katie Faith where they seem to be instantly okay with each other’s personalities and constantly being attracted to each other no matter what the other person is doing, and more editing on clunky sentences.

On the basis of SBTB’s recommendation I went ahead and bought the second book in the series because it was on sale. I’m hoping the second book ends up being a bit more polished than this first one, because it definitely put me off at a sentence level.

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently decided to revisit a genre I have loved for a long time, I guess some would refer to it as paranormal though to narrow that genre down to be even more specific I'd describe it as "shifters". I originally discovered another title by Lauren Dane via Netgalley, and have since explored her other book title listings on Goodreads.

I love the purple hue to the cover of this book, really giving the impression of being under the moonlight. The couple on the front I'd say have to be Jace Dooley and Katie Faith Grady. Would the cover affect my purchasing the book. . . that's a difficult one, I think it would depend what shelf this book was sitting on. Some people on Goodreads have categorised this books genre as erotica. A book being classed as erotica tends to put me off, but having read other titles by this author I decided to go ahead and give this one a go, as I have found the other titles I've read more steamy than what I personally class as erotica and don't read. I'm really glad I did, and I would say it is a paranormal romance with some steamy scenes that are relevant to the plot and well within what you would expect of the characters involved. I think this book has a little something for most paranormal readers, there's the werewolves, cat shifters, and various different types of witches.

The main character of this book is Katie Faith Grady, who left her home in Diablo Lake when she was quite literally left at the altar by Darrell Pembry! Naturally she left town rather upset but her father Avery Grady is ill and her mother Nadine Grady needs her help in looking after Avery and their diner business called "The Counter". Of course Kaite Faith rushes home to help, holding her head high and willing to face all the gossips and whatever they will have to say about her. For Katie Faith her family come first before petty gossips and snide remarks from the Pembry family.

Diablo Lake is an isolated area, that is steeped in both tradition and magic. Those that live in Diablo Lake are paranormal, so werewolves, cat shifters, and witches are the residents.
Katie Faith initially stays over at her best friend, Aimee Benton's home, but soon realise her return to Diablo Lake is going to be a longer stay, if not permanent move. So she decides to take a look at properties available to rent. She approaches local part time realtor Damon Dooley, whose family have a few rental available, in fact one is above the mercantile they own. There's more than one reason Katie Faith shouldn't move into the vacancy apartment above the mercantile, one, it's straight across the hallway from the long not so secret crush of hers Jace Dooley and two, living in a Dooley property puts her in the middle of the shifter war that seems to be brewing. When Katie Faith see's the property, it's everything she wants and more so she decides to throw caution to the wind and move in. Lets face it, living across the hall from a hunky werewolf is not going to be an ordeal!

An altercation on the street shows that Katie Faith Grady is a strong witch who will play an important part in Diablo Lake's future. This makes her a valuable asset to have as part of any family or pack. Katie Faith doesn't want to be anyone's asset, or to be wanted for her magic abilities. . . so she knows who is being genuine around her, and who wants to merely use her for their own betterment. The quiet Katie Faith Grady that left town after being badly let down in the worst possible way on her wedding day has gone. The Katie Faith Grady that returned to Diablo Lake is stronger both in character and magic. Katie will not hide away, as if she did something wrong when the fault was with the other party! She is also determined not to be pushed around or used as a pawn in a larger game between werewolf packs and she isn't afraid of saying her mind/piece anymore!

A relationship between Jace and Katie soon begins, which has the Pembry's shouting from the rooftops that Katie is taking sides. What the Pembrys fail to see is that the Witches are people in their own right too. Though the usually quieter, placid witches are sick and tired of being looked over and taken for granted. Miz Rose has decided its time the witches showed everyone what an important part they are of Diablo Lake and its secrets. When push quite literally goes to shove Katie Faith will have the Diablo Lake Witches as well as the Dooley Werewolves standing by her.

Of course I love the main character of Katie Faith Grady, she may not be a werewolf but she can kick butt as good as any werewolf, male or female! I became quite fond of Jace Dooley . . . in fact all the Dooley men come across really well rather lovable. Adopted and then brought up by their grandparents, JJ & Patti Dooley as their mother died in childbirth and their father, Josiah, did something so bad he was removed from the pack, struck from the historical records and it was ordered he not mentioned of again. It's when Scarlett Pembry uses her recollections of the past to try and push a wedge between Katie and Jace, that she is not only being openly vindictive, she is also breaking pack lore. Sadly head of the Pembry pack, Scarlett's husband Dwayne seems to have neither the notion or power to reign his wife back into line. Which is when his eldest son Macrae Pembry is sent for, he needs to return to Diablo Lake to sort out the mess created by his mother Scarlett, brother Darrell and get the Pembry pack back under control, which his father Dwayne seems incapable of doing.
I really enjoy the histories, cultures and traditions of the different races. The way all the supernaturals and their elements of magic affect each other and how they need to work together to ensure the balance remains in Diablo Lake. I was found the descriptions of the different types of witches captivating too.
I found the older characters in the book enchanting too. Miz Rose the "head witch" in Diablo Lake as well as Avery & Nadine Grady and JJ and Patti Dooley all captured my heart with their stories of the past and subtle encouragement for the relationship between Katie and Jace. The way the older generation of Diablo Lake sort of turn a "blind eye" pretending not to notice things are happening until Katie and Jace are ready to "go official" with their feelings and relationship.

This book and its characters pull you right into the heart of Diablo Lake and then hold you there until the last words on the page. I certainly finished reading this one thinking, "Wow when can I read more?" I absolutely intend to start reading the next book in this fantastic series right away!
I can safely say I have found another author in Lauren Dane whose books I feel an instant pull to read. I would certainly add Lauren's name to my "must read author list"for shifter books, along with Kelley Armstrong, Amanda Carlson, Karina Espinosa, and J.A. Belfield.

Wow, I am adding this series to my "must read" list! and to my "must read more by this author" list too!

[Brandan WH · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've read a Lauren Dane book but I won't make that mistake again! Her language is incredibly witty and charming, there were entire passages that I read over and over because they made me giggle.
We meet Katie Faith after she has returned to Diablo Lake because of her fathers illness. She has not been back in almost 3 years due to her needing to escape after being left at the altar. She's going to run the family soda-shop while her parents focus on getting her father healthy. A side bonus is the possibility of spending time with Jace.
Jace is 4 years older but was always a crush of Katie's. Unbeknownst to her, he had a crush on her as well but as she was attached, did not pursue. As both are currently single, ridiculously attractive and attracted to each other, now is as good a time as any!
But, given that this is a magical town where she and her kind are witches and Jace and his are werewolves, complications arise. It was enjoyable to read about all of the family and friend dynamics, small town nonsense and then straight up loony townsfolk. I can't wait for the book as I bet it's going to be a doozy!