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Editorial Reviews
Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire. Now the world at large thinks Samantha has developed a rare skin disease, a disease which forces her to quit her day job and stay out of the light of the sun. Now working the night shift as a private investigator, Samantha is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate the murder attempt on his life, a horrific scene captured on TV and seen around the country. But as the case unfolds, Samantha discovers Kingsley isn't exactly what he appears to be; after all, there is a reason why he survived five shots to the head.
Related Reviews
Just Outside the Norm for this Genre - And Couldn't Be More Pleased!
I have never heard of this publisher, and a quick search didn't show a web presence, so I was leery about buying this book given the amount of poorly edited, terrible stories I've read by innocently purchasing 'self published' Kindle books.
I am so, so glad I decided to give this author a go. This is definitely the gem among the chaff.
This book is GREAT. Very 'human', if a story about a vampire can be human. Angst, foibles, the-world-is-still-screwed-up even though (and sometimes because) the protagonist is a vampire. Readers who like Charlaine Harris' OTHER series (not the one made into a TV series, but her other work) will adore this heroine. Feisty, confused and doing her damnedest to make the best of a horrible situation.
The only thing I didn't like was a too neatly tied up plot line (had to do with the vamp who turned her).
I hope the writer continues the story line in future books. I will definitely be keeping an eye out!
I am so, so glad I decided to give this author a go. This is definitely the gem among the chaff.
This book is GREAT. Very 'human', if a story about a vampire can be human. Angst, foibles, the-world-is-still-screwed-up even though (and sometimes because) the protagonist is a vampire. Readers who like Charlaine Harris' OTHER series (not the one made into a TV series, but her other work) will adore this heroine. Feisty, confused and doing her damnedest to make the best of a horrible situation.
The only thing I didn't like was a too neatly tied up plot line (had to do with the vamp who turned her).
I hope the writer continues the story line in future books. I will definitely be keeping an eye out!
Lately, I had been thinking that vampire stories were overdone. I have my favorite authors in the genre and honestly wasn't looking for anymore. It seems that authors don't want to write about normal people anymore. The stories all seem to have vampires, witches, wizards, and zombies in them. I was looking for an author that wrote normal stories not paranormal. Spies, police officers, detectives, these were the heroes that I was looking for.
I first ran across J.R. Rain's work on myspace. I had a friend request waiting in my inbox. I accepted and went to look up his work. Wow, what an impressive list of reviewers, what could my thoughts possibly mean after so many great authors have said such positive things about his work.
While I was debating which book to start with for our book club I got the opportunity to read Moon Dance. I have never been overly impressed with first person fiction, with a few notable exceptions. Maybe, because I never felt like I could become the character.
Right there Mr.Rain's story had two strikes against it. Strike One - Main character is a vampire (paranormal). Ball One - Detective. Strike Two - First Person narration. The count was 2-1 and I was waiting for that third strike to fly directly over the plate and pound into the catchers mitt, instead Mr. Rain's story connected directly with the ball (my mind) and knocked it out of the park.
Mr. Rain managed to make me fall so far into the character that I couldn't put the story down once I started reading.
I first ran across J.R. Rain's work on myspace. I had a friend request waiting in my inbox. I accepted and went to look up his work. Wow, what an impressive list of reviewers, what could my thoughts possibly mean after so many great authors have said such positive things about his work.
While I was debating which book to start with for our book club I got the opportunity to read Moon Dance. I have never been overly impressed with first person fiction, with a few notable exceptions. Maybe, because I never felt like I could become the character.
Right there Mr.Rain's story had two strikes against it. Strike One - Main character is a vampire (paranormal). Ball One - Detective. Strike Two - First Person narration. The count was 2-1 and I was waiting for that third strike to fly directly over the plate and pound into the catchers mitt, instead Mr. Rain's story connected directly with the ball (my mind) and knocked it out of the park.
Mr. Rain managed to make me fall so far into the character that I couldn't put the story down once I started reading.
Ratings too high for this book!
This book is certainly not bad, a really good concept and likeable characters but considering the number of highly positive ratings it has received I was disappointed. The story line is incredibly simple and the interaction between the characters is boring. The romance between Sam and Kingsley is very hard to believe because their meetings are so brief and forced. I found myself speed reading through the book just to find out the identity of the shooter but I was never attached or engrossed in this story.
Most urban fantasy books leave me bored by the first few paragraphs. The protagonist of Moon Dance, 'Sam' Moon, kept me highly entertained well through to the end and into the second book. Her inner dialogue is humorous and insightful. Being a new parent myself, her struggle to keep her kids truly resonated with me. Very cruel of the author to end the second book where he did, however...I'm not a fan of cliffhangers, and it certainly wasn't needed to get me to buy the third book in the series as I will do so anyway:)
I bought this for my Kindle thinking it would just be a bit of fluff, but J. R. Rains surprised me. I was expecting a sort of "noirish" detective story involving a vampire, but was presented with an excellent protagonist who developed real depth and a great amount of sympathy -- especially as a mother going through a divorce and being forced to surrender custody of her children.
Congratulations to Mr. Rains for adeptly juggling a plot which moves logically but with real surprises as well as a character who actually grows emotionaly.
Congratulations to Mr. Rains for adeptly juggling a plot which moves logically but with real surprises as well as a character who actually grows emotionaly.
This was the first book in a long time where I could see everything play out in my mind from cover to cover. The author has a great style that allowed me to get immersed in the story and stay there.
Something I really liked was that the main character always seemed so normal, even though she obviously wasn't. While she sometimes got emotional and had to come to grips with the strangeness of her life, she did it without becoming a big ball of crazy. She dealt with her situation in a way that I thought was easy to relate to, and the story was well thought out and entertaining. The end result was that I pretty much polished it off in one sitting over the course of a lazy afternoon. I'm very much looking to the next installment and highly recommend giving this one a try.
Something I really liked was that the main character always seemed so normal, even though she obviously wasn't. While she sometimes got emotional and had to come to grips with the strangeness of her life, she did it without becoming a big ball of crazy. She dealt with her situation in a way that I thought was easy to relate to, and the story was well thought out and entertaining. The end result was that I pretty much polished it off in one sitting over the course of a lazy afternoon. I'm very much looking to the next installment and highly recommend giving this one a try.
I liked this book for two reasons. First, it was very odd for a vampire tale. We don't usually see a vampire mother. Here is poor Sandra trying to cope with being a vampire and still raising kids. And, kids being what they are, want stability, predictability, and security. Little hard to do these as a vampire. I liked this concept quite a bit. Secondly, I liked J. R. Rain's writing style. Crisp, well thought out, and nothing missing. Easy to read and internally consistent.
Unfortunately, for me, there ar so many left open characters. Detech Sherbet is interesting. I want to seem more of him. And, of course, Mr. Kingsley.
The one story line is the vampire hunter. I found that interesting. It was the only internally inconsistent piece in the whole story. If the hunter had realized that she was not a monster, why did he still try to kill her?
But, even with that quibble, it was a good story and I will purchase the next in this series.
Unfortunately, for me, there ar so many left open characters. Detech Sherbet is interesting. I want to seem more of him. And, of course, Mr. Kingsley.
The one story line is the vampire hunter. I found that interesting. It was the only internally inconsistent piece in the whole story. If the hunter had realized that she was not a monster, why did he still try to kill her?
But, even with that quibble, it was a good story and I will purchase the next in this series.
Snappy, smart, and butter smooth?
J.R. Rain is a damn good technical writer. Each chapter flowed smoothly onto the next, and all the while being entertained by a silky smooth vampiress. Took me a couple of days to finish this book and left me pretty satisfied. This story could easily be translated into a mini series or even a detective drama on any of the networks. The author is a solid writer and would like to read more of his work.
Stop reading reviews and BUY IT!!!
my sister told me about this one and i thought i would give it a try..I DID NOT PUT IT DOWN!! GREAT NEW SERIES!! I look forward buying all the other books...trust me if you like a good paranormal story this a hook line and WINNER!! no spoilers or story to tell here, just a positve review on a book you need to read. It kept me wanting more....Have fun!
Short Read - Nice change of pace
This was a nice change of pace. It is not a teen vampire type book. The author does a nice job overall, which kept me turning pages. If you read Dracula this is not the same style of writing and well worth the price.
Samantha Moon is your typical all-American mom. She is worried about her children, constantly taking them to functions and practice and parent-teacher conferences. She cooks, she ends fights, and tries to balance family and work.
Oh, and she's a vampire. Six years before the story takes place, Samantha was attacked and turned into a vampire. She struggles to be what her family needs while avoiding the sun as much as possible. She has taken up nighttime jogging, boxing, and has traded food for animal blood. She struggles to understand what she has become while balancing that against her former life. Samantha is a private investigator, but that isn't all of who she is- which was different for this sort of book. It wasn't all about her job, it was about the struggles of the person.
There was equal time payed to finding the shooter who tried to kill her client, and watching Samantha's marriage finally destruct. Throughout the story, she finds comfort and companionship with an online friend and with a client (who has his own secrets), but there is little in the way of romance. Although with the way the story ends, it is fairly obvious that this will become more important in the sequel.
I found it enjoyable and easy to read. There wasn't a whole lot of suspense or anything unpredictable, but it is well written.
Oh, and she's a vampire. Six years before the story takes place, Samantha was attacked and turned into a vampire. She struggles to be what her family needs while avoiding the sun as much as possible. She has taken up nighttime jogging, boxing, and has traded food for animal blood. She struggles to understand what she has become while balancing that against her former life. Samantha is a private investigator, but that isn't all of who she is- which was different for this sort of book. It wasn't all about her job, it was about the struggles of the person.
There was equal time payed to finding the shooter who tried to kill her client, and watching Samantha's marriage finally destruct. Throughout the story, she finds comfort and companionship with an online friend and with a client (who has his own secrets), but there is little in the way of romance. Although with the way the story ends, it is fairly obvious that this will become more important in the sequel.
I found it enjoyable and easy to read. There wasn't a whole lot of suspense or anything unpredictable, but it is well written.
Delivers a solid, fast-paced read. Engrossing and brilliant!
Move over, Harry Dresden -- Samantha Moon is on the case.
No shiny vampires here. Just Sam Moon, private eye, and her knack for seeing what others miss. Yeah, she's a vampire, but first and foremost she is Samantha Moon. She's a character that grabbed me from the first page and kept me engrossed until the end. the pacing is spot on, the dialog is film noir perfect, the characters rich and skillfully drawn.
This will be the best damned 99 cents you'll spend today. Having read this book, if JR Rain priced the next installment ten times the price, I'd pay it without blinking. The man is that good.
No shiny vampires here. Just Sam Moon, private eye, and her knack for seeing what others miss. Yeah, she's a vampire, but first and foremost she is Samantha Moon. She's a character that grabbed me from the first page and kept me engrossed until the end. the pacing is spot on, the dialog is film noir perfect, the characters rich and skillfully drawn.
This will be the best damned 99 cents you'll spend today. Having read this book, if JR Rain priced the next installment ten times the price, I'd pay it without blinking. The man is that good.
A fun combination of the paranormal and mystery genres, but I really enjoyed the human drama and JR Rain's wit--which never resorts to mean sarcasm. I've read other Rain books and definitely see a growing talent. I hope Vampire for Hire continues for years and years!
I really liked this book and Vampire Moon, which is the second in the series. Kept my interest the whole way through, I just started reading the third American Vampire to see what Samantha Moon gets herself into!
Moon Dance, books 1 and 2 in series...
I loved these books, couldn't put them down.... Once you start you get sucked in.... The way the author writes with humor and detail makes you feel as if your right there along side Sam and you feel all her emotions.. I just start the 3rd book, American Vampire and am hungry for more.....This is a sure win for any reader.. take my advice, you wont be disappointed!
New outlook on Vampire Stories
JR Rain creates one of the most interesting new characters I've read in ages. Samantha Moon isn't going to let challenges and obstacles keep her from being with her children. She's a vampire who is a mother and a private investigator. Pick up the first book (or download via Kindle) and you'll never stop reading.
I read more than a little urban fantasy, and the thing that really struck me about this book was how it brought the "reality" (ha ha) of being a vampire down to earth. The heroine, who was turned before the start of the book, has been dealing with her condition but also being a mom and wife. She also tries to hold down a PI job and hide her vampirism. The story isn't written as pure silliness or pure drama. Somewhere in between, which is a sweet spot for me as a reader. I could empathize without having to roll my eyes. It had sad parts as well as humorous parts and scary parts.
When the heroine's latest client wants her to investigate an attempt on his life, the book takes a turn for a bit of thriller mixed with mom lit mixed with action-adventure mixed with romance. All the subgenres blend into a tasty treat. So worth the money. I look forward to checking out the others in this series. Sort of reminds me of the Julie Kenner Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series, which I also quite like, but edgier and faster-paced. It did seem like it was over pretty quickly, but that might have been the pacing and the fact it's merely the first in a series.
When the heroine's latest client wants her to investigate an attempt on his life, the book takes a turn for a bit of thriller mixed with mom lit mixed with action-adventure mixed with romance. All the subgenres blend into a tasty treat. So worth the money. I look forward to checking out the others in this series. Sort of reminds me of the Julie Kenner Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series, which I also quite like, but edgier and faster-paced. It did seem like it was over pretty quickly, but that might have been the pacing and the fact it's merely the first in a series.
New take on Vampires - love it
I found Moon Dance as I was searching through Amazon for a new read. I love J.R. Rain's take on vampires and especially the fact that he wrote a terrific female lead who not only happens to be a vampire, but is struggling with motherhood and a failing marriage at the same time.
This book was awesome! I can't wait to dive right into the rest of the series. For those who make comments about jumping on a bandwagon - PLEASE - this is a genre that was in desperate need of a new life and since the early 2000's that is exactly what it has gotten. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the "urban fantasy" genre.
This book was awesome! I can't wait to dive right into the rest of the series. For those who make comments about jumping on a bandwagon - PLEASE - this is a genre that was in desperate need of a new life and since the early 2000's that is exactly what it has gotten. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the "urban fantasy" genre.
Great take on the vampire with wry humor
I had high hopes when I sat down to read Moon Dance. I tried not to, because high expectations can sometimes lead to...disappoint. There was no reason to fear. I was very impressed. I smiled and, at times, laughed out loud during my reading of Moon Dance beginning with the first sentence of the novel. (I love Judge Judy). JR Rain did a very good job in developing Sam. She is horny, because her husband has denied her affection and intimacy. She is conflicted, she sees herself as a monster (I think because she sees herself through her husbands eyes) but also knows she still has the same emotions as she did before her attack. But she is also real. She hasn't fully accepted her circumstance, perhaps because she feels acceptance would lead to complete removal from her old life.
With this novel I got a whole new perspective on the vampire story. I like the idea of a mother trying to balance this new life and it's new demands with her original obligation to her kids. I really loved Sam throughout this book. I liked her interactions with the other characters and her wry sense of humor. She is witty, strong and sound enough in her situation that while hurt and angry at her husbands rejection of her she understands it. I, on the other hand, hated Danny!
Moon Dance is a great read and JR Rain has done an excellent job with a new spin on the vampire genre.
With this novel I got a whole new perspective on the vampire story. I like the idea of a mother trying to balance this new life and it's new demands with her original obligation to her kids. I really loved Sam throughout this book. I liked her interactions with the other characters and her wry sense of humor. She is witty, strong and sound enough in her situation that while hurt and angry at her husbands rejection of her she understands it. I, on the other hand, hated Danny!
Moon Dance is a great read and JR Rain has done an excellent job with a new spin on the vampire genre.
What can you expect from a 99-cent vampire novel, right? How about a fascinating tale of a mother trying desperately to preserve her middle-class family, pick up her two young kids from school without the sun destroying her, hold her marriage together when her husband is terrified of her new state, and use her HUD training to solve a deadly murder case.
I'm thoroughly impressed with the quality of J.R. Rain's work in this book. The characters are fascinating; the dialog is real; the plot unfolds impeccably; and on top of it all, the spelling and grammar are as error-free as any New York Times bestseller. (Something that absolutely cannot be said about far too many electronically published books.) My hat is off to J.R. Rain. I'll definitely be looking forward to more of this author's works.
Lester Smith
[...]
President, Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets
I'm thoroughly impressed with the quality of J.R. Rain's work in this book. The characters are fascinating; the dialog is real; the plot unfolds impeccably; and on top of it all, the spelling and grammar are as error-free as any New York Times bestseller. (Something that absolutely cannot be said about far too many electronically published books.) My hat is off to J.R. Rain. I'll definitely be looking forward to more of this author's works.
Lester Smith
[...]
President, Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets
I didnt think I would like this book, but I since it was so cheap I figured I would break my Kindle in with this. I was surprised at how good a book this was. It is your basic Vampire chick that is trying to come to terms with what she is. I just downloaded the second book and cant wait to read it. This book reminded me of Anita blake or the Vampire Shrink.
Meet Samantha Moon, crime fighting vampire
I bought this book because of reviews that it was funny and compared with Janet Evanovich. I didn't find it that funny. But, has a lot of funny parts. Samantha Moon is a great character. She's an ex federal agent turned vampire, and fighting crime with attitude. Glad I bought it, I really like this story line. Can't wait to see more of her exploits.
I love Samantha Moon in Moon Dance! This is a very engaging story, not your typical PNR. Samantha has a family to try to deal with. She is married to a man she truly loves and he is a sh**head to be sure! But the detective story and the characters are well thought out and engaging. I would recommend purchasing the 2 volume edition Vampire for Hire, you will want to read Vampire Moon (Vampire for Hire #2).
After reading some of the reviews.I bought this e book on a whim. Boy am I glad I did. I loved the writing style and the premise. After reading this, I immediately bought several of his compiled books. This introduced me to Jim Knighthorse(would love to meet his buddie at McDonalds!!!) and Arron King. Really looking forward to seeing more about them and others from this author!! Rain Dance: Three Novels
A story about a vampire or a story about a mysterious murder can so easily be bland or - worse - overwritten. A story about a vampire solving a mysterious murder sets off twice the warning bells, as this one did to me. Surprise! It's a great read. A fresh new voice, strong character development and ditto the dialogue. This was a page turner. However, to keep it real: I'm a writer myself (non-fiction), so when I'm reading, I'm editing. Can't turn it off so I can only lose myself in a book completely when the writing is nearly flawless. There are consistency issues in this book. (The second time Sam and her sister are at the bar and the bartender "remembers" their order, he gets it wrong! It was a martini and a glass of wine the first time, not two glasses of wine.) So I got a little distracted. And yet the storyline and the characters were strong enough to pull me right back in, hard. That was refreshing. And good for J.R. for going the self-publishing route. Oh, and no rest for the wicked...I want Vampire for Hire #2!
Moon Dance is a good read. It's original, witty, and features an engaging character that I couldn't help but like.
Samantha Moon has the problems any suburban housewife might have--a husband who's straying, a couple of children who don't always get along, a house that's too small, and a job that she has to fit in when she can. And it turns out, she has to fit that job in at night because Sam's a vampire. Although we're not given any details of how she came to be vampirized, we know that it happened six years ago. Now Sam is a detective. Even though it's been six years, she's still learning the ins and outs of vampirism. She has to slather on sunblock and put on shades to go out and even then she burns. When the book opens, she's just taken on a new case. At the same time, she's dealing with her condition and agonizing over her husband's betrayal. She stays with him for the sake of her children. She knows she'd lose any court case and she knows her husband would out her secret. At least she has a small support group--her sister and an online friend. Other than that things are tough for Sam. As she moves forward in solving an attempted murder case, her personal life begins to unravel. To say more would be a plot spoiler.
Samantha Moon has the problems any suburban housewife might have--a husband who's straying, a couple of children who don't always get along, a house that's too small, and a job that she has to fit in when she can. And it turns out, she has to fit that job in at night because Sam's a vampire. Although we're not given any details of how she came to be vampirized, we know that it happened six years ago. Now Sam is a detective. Even though it's been six years, she's still learning the ins and outs of vampirism. She has to slather on sunblock and put on shades to go out and even then she burns. When the book opens, she's just taken on a new case. At the same time, she's dealing with her condition and agonizing over her husband's betrayal. She stays with him for the sake of her children. She knows she'd lose any court case and she knows her husband would out her secret. At least she has a small support group--her sister and an online friend. Other than that things are tough for Sam. As she moves forward in solving an attempted murder case, her personal life begins to unravel. To say more would be a plot spoiler.
4 1/2 stars - Can't wait for the next book
This story was so different from anything that I have ever read. I couldn't stop reading until I got to the end of the book. It kept me captivated and I was interested in what happened with all the characters. I can't wait for the 2nd installment in this series. Thanks for a good read.
I can't remember why this book popped up on my Suggestions List from Amazon. I do enjoy most of Charlaine Harris' books, Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum so this is probably the reason it caught my attention. Samantha Moon is a reluctant vampire just trying to be a good mother while working as a private eye. The character was well written, the side characters were pretty good and the plot was certainly surprising. I actually laughed out loud in places, which to me is a clincher- if I wanted serious reality, I would spend more time in my own life. I hope the author continues with this character, I can see great possibilities.
I absolutely cannot wait until the sequel to Moon Dance is released. I read to be entertained and I am a huge fan of scifi/fantasy. Recently, thanks to Amazon and my Kindle, I've been introduced to many new authors. J.R. Rain is now one of my favorites and I'll be downloading all his books today. I'm partial to Sam of course..she is an amazing character. I look forward to getting to know her better. I look forward to finding out more about all the characters in this book, except for Danny. Buy this book! Great price, excellent read.
Here's a fun vampire story to read! I love JR's style of first person story telling.
I found it interesting that other human characters either know Sam is a Vampire or they know something is a bit unusual about her. The grudging acceptance that such creatures might just exist..... I almost felt like the life of Samantha could be taking place before the story begins in the tv series "True Blood" when Vampires become part of every day life.
There are some wonderful surprises in the story but it reads easily.
My favourite line had me laughing, "Like an umbrella, its fur sprang open. Pop". I leave you to find it.
I found it interesting that other human characters either know Sam is a Vampire or they know something is a bit unusual about her. The grudging acceptance that such creatures might just exist..... I almost felt like the life of Samantha could be taking place before the story begins in the tv series "True Blood" when Vampires become part of every day life.
There are some wonderful surprises in the story but it reads easily.
My favourite line had me laughing, "Like an umbrella, its fur sprang open. Pop". I leave you to find it.
J.R. Rain takes a tired genre and tosses it a NoDoz. Written in the first person, we get to know Sam, a female private detective who is also a vampire. Sam struggles with her new "disease" as she chases down bad guys. At the same time, she deals with the alienation of her husband, while trying to care for her children.
Rain's writing style is smooth and effortless. The plot moves quickly and the characters have all those human traits that make them feel real. A great book!
Rain's writing style is smooth and effortless. The plot moves quickly and the characters have all those human traits that make them feel real. A great book!
I've been on a vampire kick lately, but am not interested in the super scary/gross stories, so this was great.
For the six years after her attack turned her into a vampire, Samantha Moon has been figuring out how to exist and try to keep her life as close as possible to what it had been, even though she herself has gone through the biggest change ever.
Once her husband forces the issue, she's finally freed to explore her new state more thoroughly - testing the limits of her supernatural self, opening herself up to new possibilities, and to realize that even if she's not quite a regular human anymore, that doesn't make her bad.
I sort of hope this is the beginning of a series - I think I'd like to see how she progresses now that she's free from the constraints of the marriage she thought was so important and the self-imposed boundaries that come from trying to keep her familiar suburban life around her.
For the six years after her attack turned her into a vampire, Samantha Moon has been figuring out how to exist and try to keep her life as close as possible to what it had been, even though she herself has gone through the biggest change ever.
Once her husband forces the issue, she's finally freed to explore her new state more thoroughly - testing the limits of her supernatural self, opening herself up to new possibilities, and to realize that even if she's not quite a regular human anymore, that doesn't make her bad.
I sort of hope this is the beginning of a series - I think I'd like to see how she progresses now that she's free from the constraints of the marriage she thought was so important and the self-imposed boundaries that come from trying to keep her familiar suburban life around her.
Smantha Moon hss just become one of personal heroes!! I had heard this book had it all: a great mystery with a truly unique sleuth--a woman that anyone who has ever been jilted by a snobbish spouse can relate to. But I had no idea that this ex-federal agent turned vampire would carry such sassiness and feisty determination to her new life as a private investigator! I couldn't stop reading the damned book until just a half-hour ago, but the lack of sleep was definitely worth it!
This was the first book I've read by Rain and I am addicted now... I love the characters... Sam is my hero!
I found Moon Dance in the Amazon discussions forum. If you like Janet Evanovich, you'll love this series! It sounded rather interesting, so I downloaded it. Wow, I had so much fun reading this book, I then downloaded Vampire Moon (Vampire for Hire Series #2.) I am anxiously awaiting the third novel, American Vampire which will be published in April, 2011.
Samantha Moon intrigued me, I found myself immersed in her character. She's humorous, down to earth, and completely enjoyable. Even though I know it takes time to write a book, I have to say, Hurry up! I want more! lol
Samantha Moon intrigued me, I found myself immersed in her character. She's humorous, down to earth, and completely enjoyable. Even though I know it takes time to write a book, I have to say, Hurry up! I want more! lol
Just another Vampire at a shoe sale... I Don't Think So!
She's a mother, wife and seeker of justice. She places her priorities of children, marriage and career in the proper order. She enjoys a nice glass of wine and her sister is her BFF. Did I mention she loathes the despicable human waste of gang violence and other criminal activity? Meet private investigator, Samantha Moon. She has the same conversations with her children, husband and clients that we all do. However, now add to the storyline...the formidable strength and qualities that come from a vampire conversion (an attack she did not see coming) and you have an enviable character whose routine daily life is filled with being "paranormal" in a "normal" world. The world of mystery writers just became richer with this talented author's Samantha Moon series. Author J.R. Rain has developed a fearsome character, who in spite of the vampire attack that completely rocked her world, is quite believable. I definitely recommend your meeting Sam Moon starting with "Moon Dance," then followed by "Vampire For Hire." Just be sure and schedule your time with her in the evenings as that is when she has the most energy and she WILL surprise you. Excellent reading.
One of the first things I did after I got my Kindle for Christmas, was to check out the bestseller list. And there she was... Samantha Moon by J.R. Rain. Never heard of Samantha or Mr. Rain before.
But the more I read and the more I got to know Samantha, the more I wanted to start the second book. And I wasn't disappointed.
Now I'm impatiently waiting for book number three.
But the more I read and the more I got to know Samantha, the more I wanted to start the second book. And I wasn't disappointed.
Now I'm impatiently waiting for book number three.
A different kind of heroine that you'll love!
If you're a fan of characters like Anita Blake, Sookie Stackhouse and Detective Eve Dallas then you'll enjoy this book. I got this book for .99 and it's a great deal, I would have paid the $7.99 that I pay for most books. Moon's story is sad but you'll get caught up in her struggle to find a happy ending. I can't help but to find myself rooting for her along the way. I also enjoy the fact that Moon is a mother, not a lot of urban/paranormal fantasy books have that element and the author makes it work. Great find!
Buy this, even if you're sick of vampires
Okay. I'm sooo over vampires. Still, the storyline snagged me and I bought this book. I'm hooked. Read it in a few hours (I read fast) and then got the second book. Gobbled that one up, too. AGH! The second book left me hanging! The third one isn't going to come out until April, 2011, according to the blurb at the back of the book. Although I was left hanging, I'm so glad I tried this book out.
I was looking for a new series while I waited for the next Sookie Stackhouse. This book was in my recommendations from Amazon. I figured for 99 cents why not, I had nothing else in line. What a treat this story was. Almost immediately I had a vested interest as to what was going to happen with Samantha Moon. She is an interesting character, smart, had a good job, fearless. This is a female lead I can support. No damsel in distress here. And Kingsly, well, hot...
The most surprising part of the whole book/series is that the lead character is a woman and it is a story authored by a man. I was impressed by how well he wrote the female point of view. Kudos Mr. Rain!
I recommend this book. It takes you in from the beginning and leaves you wanting more.
The most surprising part of the whole book/series is that the lead character is a woman and it is a story authored by a man. I was impressed by how well he wrote the female point of view. Kudos Mr. Rain!
I recommend this book. It takes you in from the beginning and leaves you wanting more.
I did enjoy dancing with Samantha Moon
This is a slickly written, completely enjoyable book. I loved Rain's take on Vampires, a completely fresh idea (and how amazing is that!) and I really enjoyed Samantha Moons response to her bizarre situation. I liked all the side characters, everyone adding their own bit to the puzzle. I saw that this is listed as a romance, but it's more a mystery and a chick lit vibe than a strict romance. I liked it a lot more than the Undead and Unwed series.
I downloaded this for 99 cents and it was so worth it.
the story is 3633 locations, the download is 4790 locations, the rest of it excerpts of other things to read...
Happy find, I immediately went and downloaded book 2
I downloaded this for 99 cents and it was so worth it.
the story is 3633 locations, the download is 4790 locations, the rest of it excerpts of other things to read...
Happy find, I immediately went and downloaded book 2
well written and hugely entertaining
I totally loved this book. This sat on my kindle for months before I read it, and now I am so glad I did. The protagonist is interesting, normal enough to be completely believable despite her "condition" but complex enough to keep me intrigued and sold to the story, and BOY - what a story.. Such a fun whodunnit, with smart plot twists and plenty of humor. I immediately purchased the sequel and will be waiting impatiently for the third installment. Thank you for a highly entertaining read!
I fell in love with this story! I just finished it and can't wait to start on book#2! Samantha is one tough lady,with many things to get thru, but handles them with awe!! This book has some action,love,horror,crime. I could not put it down! Would read it again,but have to read the next book first,and I think book #3 is out in March this year?? Can not wait!!! Vampire meets werewolf,meets detective,looses husband and children,finds her way thru it all!!!!!
this book was so good I couldn't put it down. I read every night before going to bed and sometimes found it later than I'd like to turn out the light. Loved it.
Awesome suspense and mystery!!
Are you sure you wrote this book J.R. Rain? You have quite a bit of insight into the female psyche. I loved it! I can't wait until book number three. Do we really have to wait until April?
Did I say I don't like vampire books?
This was an entertaining "mind candy" book.(Mind candy is NOT a bad thing) I really liked the characters. The story kept my interest all the way through. Not so far fetched that it was over the top. I don't usually read romances either, but I will have to buy next book in the series to see what happens to Samantha. (I won't spoil it for you, so I guess you will have to read it yourself).
Yes, I know self-published work is usually less polished, but the story quickly made me overlook those typos and devour this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I immediately bought the sequel and cannot wait unit the next one comes out this year. I also ended up purchasing several other ebooks from this author and haven't found a dud. I may have just found my new favorite author! No, I'm not a friend, relative, etc. of the author. Just love to read. And I read all the time.
When I read the first book in this series, I said 'Please Please let there be more!". And this book was a perfect followup. I loved all the characters. They were introduced in a way that made you take note of them right away and just wanted to know more about them. I have read a lot of vampire and werewolf books and this has to be my favorite. The lead character is smart funny and so likeable. Your heart just goes out to her and her situation. I can't wait for more books to give us more insights into his characters. It did seem short but then I realized we had several cases, a romance and a family crises all happening in one book, so it just seemed short.
Now I have to wait to find out about that heart stopping ending and what happened next!
Now I have to wait to find out about that heart stopping ending and what happened next!
I bought this book for my kindle since it was a low price and I was running low on books. And if I realized it was a male author I probably wouldn't have read it (just dont like the majority of their writing). However, I didnt discover or look into it until after reading the book and I'm now hooked. I loved how the main character was different in how she was already married with kids and is a vampire. I also loved Kinsely and Fang (online friend). I look forward to the next book in the series.
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This may sound somewhat melodramatic, but every once in a while a story will come along and grab you by the throat. It will suck you in and it will make you care about the characters. It may make you cheer them on or it may make you hate them. And if you are lucky, a single story will have all of that and more. Moon Dance (Vampire for Hire) has all of that and then some. It has a paranormal (I call it speculative fiction) bent, with the tiniest bit of supernatural romance...I would have like a bit more to tell the truth, but that's just me! I am hoping that a series is going to come out of this one book. There is so much potential for a great mystery/sleuth/paranormal series here. Moon Dance was outside of the norm for this genre since most of these sorts of books are true romances; with the "monster" being idolized, loved, craved, sexually potent, romanticized and revered.
JR Rain took this genre into a whole new territory for me, and I LOVED it. No, I am not a friend of his, I've never met him nor was I asked to do a review. I am just a person who bought this for my Kindle while waiting for a flight; it was an Amazon Recommends For Me book.
I have to say that normally I stay well away from self-published books...I wasn't aware at the time of purchase that this was self-published and I'm glad I didn't know it. I would have never found a book or a writer with more potential. So why do I stay away from self-published books? Well they generally are not edited very well, they aren't proof read very well, nor are the stories very consistent. And while this book could have had some tighter editing and much better proof reading, the flaws are easily overlooked because the story is just so intense, the character of Samantha is a likable, strong intelligent and a clever lady who is a wife a mother and an PI- she just happens to have been changed into a Vampire against her will. The secondary characters shine, some are sympathetic, some are evil but all are written very clearly and three dimensionally.
I see serious potential for a series and if not then I may have to send off a flurry of e-mails and nag Mr. Rain into doing so. I want to know what happens to everyone! Does Detective Sherbet get his "talk" with Sam, does Sam and Kingsley get to live a "happily ever after"? Is Fang, Kinglsley (I hope I didn't miss something obvious!) will Samantha ever get to have a "normal" relationship with her kids again? I really want to know