Moon River

Vampire for Hire (world) #8

by J.R. Rain

This is an alternate cover edition of the Kindle version ASIN B00EI0QN2W published on December 13, 2013.

Seven 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 in MOON RIVER, private investigator, Samantha Moon, is asked to look into a string of bizarre murders, murders that are looking more and more like the handiwork of a bloodthirsty vampire. But when her sister, Mary Lou, goes missing, Samantha, Allison and Kingsley take the fight underground...into the dark heart of a vampire's lair.

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2013

About the author

J.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.

Reviews

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely enjoy this series, so reading this far into it, I wasn't disappointed by book 8 at all. For the price. You certainly can't beat it for entertainment, and I truly enjoy the aspect of a mom vampire. However, I feel like that part gets glossed over more often than not. And while I enjoyed this book, I had to give it only four stars for the ending, because the climax was such a quickie. Enter lair of bad guy (or in the case, girl), take a couple of shots, get saved in the next sentence, done. Really? It was a definite let-down, like, oops, publication deadline, gotta wrap this book up, see ya!

I won't stop reading the series, because I don't feel like it was such an egregious error that I would have to walk away, but I can't rate it above average.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been slowly following the series. The author has some interesting ideas and plot lines, but I am really tired of the extreme repetition of phrasing in the writing. It has been present since book one, but just becomes more abundant as the series progresses and is very annoying as is the occasional brand name dropping in the story lines.

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of all of the Vampire for Hire books, "Moon River" is my least favorite largely due to the direction in which the series is taking.

Our favorite vampire detective, Samantha Moon, has been asked by Detective Sherbet to assist L.A.P.Ad's homicide Detective Sanchez apprehend a serial killer who has targeted victims on a Griffith Park jogging trail. The murders gave all of the earmarks of a Vampire killing and it is clear that who ever is doing the killing wants Samantha involved.

Meanwhile, Sam's personal life is in an uproar. She realizes that her relationship with boxer, Russel Baker is not based on reality but compulsion. She knows she must set him free. She finds herself thinking of her love for Fang.

As Sam struggles to discover the identity of the killer, she also must battle with the demon within who is trying to gain control. Unfortunately, in order to take out the bad guys, people close to her will become at risk and someone she loves will die.

As I stated earlier, I don't like the direction in which this book takes. Too many potential plots are floating about: Sam the Vampire turned mom, with a demon residing inside, a reincarnated soul who bound to her friend Allison and my all time least favorite, a potential witch. Really? Additionally, I'm getting weary of all of Samantha's failed relationships, and now she potentially will be paired up with Fang the murderer. Yuk, just
yuk.
Too many new characters and concepts are being introduced with no real direction. I keep waiting for a rallying of sort or the building of the plot to an epic battle not never seems to come. It feels as though the series is headed for a slow and painfully convoluted death and it is horrific to watch. I hope I am wrong and that the next book will put this series back on track. If not, the next book may very well be my last.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Moon River” is book #8 of the “Vampire for Hire” series. After improving dramatically after the weak book #3, this book is a new low in the series.

The first 20% is in-your-face plugging for lots of short stories by the author (books 7.2, 7.4, 7.6 and perhaps more – none of which are on audible). The rest of the book is just a mess. Yes, of course, Samantha meets a new detective (married) and is in lust again. The detective story just makes no sense whatsoever – it’s not like Samantha is in hiding somewhere. If Hanner, Fang and any others want to find her she’s pretty easy to find without an unnecessary “draw her out” mystery.

Allison continues becoming more powerful….perhaps the author intends more than just another short story featuring the once and current witch…more promotional than anything.

Samantha continues growing in power, and the shadow thing inside her does as well. Relationships with Danny, Fang and Kingsley continue changing.

I’m feeling generous right now, so I’ll give the book 2.5*, and add ½* because the narrator didn’t sound as bored as she did during book #3. Not real excited at continuing the series at the moment.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just about unreadable. Ugh

[♛rose♛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn’t perfect but it left an impact.

I think this was the darkest and saddest book in the series so far. It made me laugh, roll my eyes, and even feel the heartbreak that Sam went through. I’m honestly just glad the whole thing with Detective Hanner is finally over. I never really liked her to begin with.

[Denise Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

sad

The events that led up to the final outcome was very sad but necessary. Not sure what Samantha will do in the next book but I am downloading it as soon as I hit the “submit” button. This series is very very intriguing!

[Kathy Kennerley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I love sinking into this world. Amazing author!

[Lori Spinks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moon River

I love the book and the series is very good. The characters are well written and I just love the stories each book just gets better.

[Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I gave this an extra star because “you know who if you read the book” died. Sam may have forgiven him but not I 👋🏽 boy bye

[Jennifer B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Moon is back in Moon River, #8 in the Vampire for Hire series. Sam investigates some murders that lead her to believe that another vampire is in the area. As it turns out it is a vampire and not just any vampire but an old enemy or 2 out to see her gone and out of the way. They will do anything to see that Sam dies. She is constantly fighting with her inner demon for control. Her love life is in shambles once again because her boyfriend was being controlled.
Allison kicks butt in this book, which I personally think is awesome. Kingsley is flashing Sam as usual. Sherbet is still packing his donuts away.
The dialogue between the characters is always very entertaining. The action seems almost very real like your actually there. This is one of the best books in Vampire for Hire Series.

[Bookmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m convinced that reading the books in this series back-to-back is the best way to read them. The stories aren’t especially long and you don’t have to wait for the next book to be released.

Some big changes take place in this story which involves Sam, a private investigator/mom/vampire when she’s asked to help the police when bodies are found dead on a trail in Griffith Park, and it looks like vampires.

A large portion of the story is devoted to Sam’s internal struggle with the dark master inside her who wants to take over. She’s been told she’s stronger, but the struggle is difficult as it imposes her wants and needs into Sam’s thoughts.

Once again it’s the characters and philosophies that have me hooked to the story. And there is plenty of tension and interesting twists.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading these when they first came out. I really liked them, but was waiting for new ones and forgot about them. I recently was reminded of them and decided to start at the beginning. I loved the first few, but hey are slowly starting to go down hill.
There is a lot of repeat things, so much so that I skip pages here and there. The story line is really good and keeps me wanting to see what happens, but the repetition is a little old. Not to mention how many times she calls herself a freak, or cute. It’s a bit irritating.

I shall keep reading only because I’m reading through kindle unlimited. If it weren’t for that I wouldn’t pay the $ for them.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I visited Samantha Moon and I felt really lost. I must have forgotten a ton of details from past stories. Still, this was a dramatic episode heavy on the mystery and I enjoyed it very much.

This was the first audio version of the series I've sampled. At first it was hard to get used to the voice characterization of Samantha as I felt the voice was a bit 'mature' for how I had previously pictured her in my mind. But as the story moved along I found the narration by Dina Pearlman became very natural to the depiction of Samantha.

4 star novel, 4 star narration

[Hard12luv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Moon is not woman/Vampire to mess with. She came, saw and kicked ass. She does not back down when it comes to her family. She finds out that this was trap she was walking into to get her sister, ex husband and Fang. But family is family and there is no stopping. Sadly, she finds out ther ex sided for the wrong time to get Sam out of the picutre turns badly for him.

[Patricia White · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK. I fell in love with this book. However, I got frustrated at the very beginning of the book because it was exploring other things that Samantha was going through in her personal life. I didn’t understand at first, but then I realized why it had to take the path that it did.

Now I am going to say this has spoilers. I never did like her ex-husband Danny. But he didn’t deserve what happened to him. I’ll get into detail later. I’m glad Allison‘s powers have actually grown and she’s actually able to help Sam. Also, I’m glad that Sam is able to somewhat forgive Kingsley for everything that he did to her. I still haven’t quite figured out if she explained to him that her original guardian angel was the one that set him up. That’s some thing I don’t remember reading in any previous books.

Hanner and the demon inside of her basically got a hold of Danny and told him that she could get rid of his vampire problem. Because Danny hated Sam so much he let his hate for her clout his judgment in my opinion. And because of this, he was trapped by Hanner And eventually Hanner killed him. But it really wasn’t Hanner. It was another dark deep thing inside of Hanner that killed Danny. Unfortunately, because everything was the way that it was Hanner was basically trying to just get Sam because the evil thing inside of Sam wanted to use her sister as a new host because Sam would bend to them. So they kidnapped her sister, MaryLou. That was a low blow. In my opinion, but it was still good.

Hanner got what was coming to her unfortunately in my opinion, so did Danny because if he hadn’t been so evil hearted, he never would’ve died in a cave by a vampire’s hand. Call me cold blooded I don’t care. Also, Fang had also been controlled. But not by Hanner by Dominique. He was the old vampire that had originally tried to kidnap Sam‘s son, because he wanted the first medallion so he could die. But unfortunately Kingsley got a hold of him and tore him to bits. So he got his wish.

Oh, and one other bit. Remember how Sanchez went to detective Sherbet and basically told him that he needed help with these murder cases remember that? Well, Hanner had inserted a command into Sanchez’s mind to contact his old detective buddy. And because of that, that’s how Sam ended up getting involved. But Sanchez did not remember any of this, of course. So Sam told him what had happened and she did a great job by putting a different memory in his mind about what happen with the deaths, which were basically animal attacks.

[Mary Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book, number 8 in the Samantha Moon, Vampire for Hire series was better than the previous book, but still had some flaws that frustrated me greatly. I don’t know if these books were self-published, or even how that works, but I kept wondering if an editor or proofreader had ever had anything to do with this book, or any of the others in the series, because aside from the problems with incomplete sentences, word omissions, and obvious word substitutions by spellcheck that were never caught, there were continuity issues as well. On top of these problems, I had a general issue with where, and under what circumstances the story continued as a sequel to the previous book. I won’t use spoilers, but at the end of Book 7, it is clear that Samantha has what seems like an urgent situation that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible for her safety, and the safety of countless others. There is someone she needs to find, two people in fact, that are potentially very dangerous, and in possession of something that would make them even more of a lethal pair, but in her own hands would make her life, and the lives of her children infinitely better, and alleviate the threat on her son’s life. It seems like these would be powerful motivators to take immediate action! However, when book 8 begins, it is months later and she apparently has done nothing to find these two or the object she desperately needs in her control!! Because of her inaction in this matter, circumstances spiral out of control, her children are in even more danger, as well as others she cares for, and innocent people have died. This does not seem in character with the Samantha Moon we came to know in the earlier books. In the last 3 books, I found myself yelling at Samantha, asking why she would do this or that, or NOT do one thing or another. It is very frustrating to watch this character become dumber and less focused as her story progresses. I don’t understand the author’s choices, but I’m plunging into the next book, because at this point I’m committed, and have to see where it all will end. I’m just not as excited about the prospect as I was a few books ago.

[James Schoen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, my god. This book has been a struggle for me since page 10 or so. First, we are introduced to a new detective character who has come to Samantha for help with a vampire-ish murder. The plot is afoot. Then we discover that the new detective and Samantha can share each other's thoughts...wow, that was quick. There ensues a rather boring back and forth, and back and forth of mind-numbing thoughts and feelings that are completely unrelated to the story or plot. Then, for some inexplicable reason, we are dragged into Samantha's relationship with her prizefighter boyfriend...who, for all intents and purposes, seems to be under some kind of spell that renders him completely unable to deal with anything in his life but Samantha. (What???) A great deal of the narrative is then given over to Samantha delving into his subconscious thoughts to get to the bottom of his slavish love and devotion in order to break things off with him. (What, WHAT????????) Followed quickly by several more chapters where Samantha attempts to come to terms with the dark entity inside her, exploring the existential philosophy of what it all means. (Even more WHAT...and more ???) Once that was settled, we were then treated to more of the on again, off again relationship with Kingsley, until, finally there is a hint of returning to the plot. (What was it again? Oh, yes, vampire-ish murders.) For me, the Vampire for Hire series began so well, with what I thought to be a unique take on the vampire genre. But after this book, I am SO done with the series. I gave this book one star and, to me, even that was too kind.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Samantha is working on the murder case of a runner who was attacked having had her throat torn out, which reminds her of her own attack. She is partnered up with a new detective who can yet again read her thoughts, so she shares who she is and what she has become. She is also dealing heavily with the accidental bonding of her boyfriend which causes him to have an unconditional devotion to her. She has to learn how to break that spell. And as always there is the inner struggle for control with the demon that lives inside her making her the vampire she is. This edition felt like another recap of her vampirism and did not have a lot of movement in the overall storyline of the series. It picked up near the end, but I found myself not enjoying it even though it was a short book.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this entire 15-book (so far) series back-to-back for the last couple weeks, plus quite a few short stories that relate. Free on Kindle Unlimited. It's a great series for a fan of paranormal mystery. The set up is that a mom in California was changed into a vampire in an attack. Fast forward several years and she's struggling with a failing marriage and raising 2 kids with her day time disability. As the years progress, her marriage fails, her kids mature, and her relationships with love interests/ friends/family grow. The characters are relate-able, there's a little humor, and very entertaining mysteries with interesting treatments of magic. Solidly fun reading!

[Jennifer, Just beyond normal ♑ · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I like the book, but I was a bit disappointed. I seem to feel like these books drag in the beginning, then action at the end, then it abruptly ends. So even though I enjoy the series/books, they could be better, especially this far into the series and 7 or 8 years after her attack. I don't understand why this series has novellas and honestly I just noticed it when I was searching this series recently. I am not a fan of the books inbetween books. I will continue as I want to know how things work with Fang and how Samantha progresses and how she controls the inner demon bitch.

[D.F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun quick read

These books are great fun reads. They are funny supernatural stories about a mom who is a private investigator and a vampire. She does her best to be a loving and caring single mom to her two kids all while fighting the forces of evil that come into her life as a result of her becoming a very powerful vampire. She has help on her side from some good people and creatures as well. Fun and funny and quick reading especially after a long book or series. A nice pallet cleanser.

[Bigred6126 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moon

I really enjoyed the book. This one has a lot more involvement with the dark entity that's inside Sam. She's having to fight it more. Some bad things happened but they came out okay. I'm disappointed about one thing. It refers twice to Sam helping Rand and his vampire hunters take someone down in a castle in another country. I wish there was a book about that. I believe it would've been awesome.

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vampire Kills?

This series must be read in order. This is the eighth book. I can't wait to read "Vampire Sun"!



Sam has been investigating strange murders that could very well be vampire kills. Who is killing indiscriminately? Can she figure out who is behind the deaths and stop them? Or will she be outnumbered and out matched? Can she really continue to live a semi normal life with her kids and her sister? Will she ever find someone to spend her immortal life with?

[Donna Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense!

Very intense. Everyone want to kill Sam. Her own ex husband making a deal with the Devil!! Sick man. So glad hanner is history! What a hitch!! And a cop at that. Ugh sorry Danny's gone but he made his bed, fang us back I hope! I really want them together!! They love each other. I'm just glad he came to his senses and realized he was a pawn

[Shon Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fang

I really thought Sam and fang would be together. He saved her life. Why not. This storyline was interesting. The new detective was a good part of this episode. Will we see more of him. I wonder. She saves her family in almost every episode so will someone save her. I enjoyed listening to this book. Thanks

[Bewaji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy for Sam..

I am so happy for Sam because she was able to save her son, at the same time not have him be condemned for life. It was not easy as you can imagine, and all was not as it seemed. Kingsley came through at last, and Danny had resorted back to being an a**h***. Stupid man that he is.
Borrowed through Kindle Unlimited.

[Ed And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam needs to pull all of her talents and abilities together to win this one.

Everything seems to be piling up on Sam and her pals. She finds herself needing Allison and Kingsley's help to rescue her sister and her ex from the grip of multiple vampires and such.

It is really fast paced and fun reading.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best yet

A really exciting adventure this time. I still get annoyed by the continuity and other editing issues, but there were fewer this time. I still think there's much too much repetition and filler. But I really do like these characters a lot. And I love the underlying message about kindness and love.

[Lenie Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 " compel" stars!

At book 8, I am still a little lost on how Sam is linked initially with 3 guys who right there and there confessed to her that they love her and still none of them are for her.
This one is another mystery that needs to be solved by Sam and she will meet her old acquaintances again