New Moon Rising

Samantha Moon Origins #1

by J.R. Rain, Matthew S. Cox

Mother, wife, federal agent... mortal.

Samantha Moon hadn't always been a vampire. Once, she had been a wife and mother, happily married to her soul mate and raising two adorable kids. Once, she had been a federal agent investigating a world teeming with sophisticated scams, drugs, human trafficking and violence. She had hippie parents and a caring sister. She had a small home with an irritatingly detached garage. She had friends, colleagues and normalcy.

That is, until she caught the eye of something evil...

But first, she has a job to do. When her HUD team of federal agents is sent in as backup on a drug raid, she spots a mysterious business card on the fridge. Later, she finds the same card during a routine inspection. Convinced the narcotics traffickers are more widespread than initially thought and are taking advantage of those in need, Sam can't let it go – even after the gang tries to send her a message written in lead.

Yes, her days at the Department of Housing and Urban Development are typically boring, her worst fear, a paper cut, but little does she know that she has attracted the attention of something dark and hungry. Something that's about to steal her mortal life... and change her forever.

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

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2017

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

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining vampire listening 🎶🔰

This is a kindle e-book novel from my Kindle Unlimited account book one in the series. My Kindle Unlimited account is $0.99 for three months.

Samantha Moon 🌙 is a normal wife of Daniel with two children, Tammy 4 and Anthony 2. Daniel is a lawyer. Samantha works for HUD. After helping solve a mail fraud case with the investigation team from her office, she is restless and goes for a 🏃 in the park. She is attacked and ends up in the hospital. Now begins the next part of her life, Vampire?

I would recommend this series and others by J. R. Rain ☔ and his various authors to readers of fantasy world 🌎 of vampires, witches, magician, shapesifters, and other supernatural beings novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒 😀😡😮🌙

[Maryjo English · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!

This was such a great book, I have read the entire Samantha Moon series and to now go back and see her life before she turned was wonderful. I really enjoyed seeing how much Danny loved her and that he wasn’t always a jerk he turns out to be in the later Moon series books. Can’t wait for book 2.

[Dmcl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following the Samantha Moon series for many years. While I knew how she was turned into a vampire, I always felt like I came in the middle of the story, not really knowing all the real story behind her turning. Matthew Cox has done an extremely fine job of filling in the blanks. It was laugh out loud funny, terrifyingly brutal, and heartbreakingly poignant. We learn exactly what Sam did at HUD and what led up to her fateful midnight run. The story ends with Sam acknowledging that something is very wrong as her image disappears from the bathroom mirror. We meet Tammy and Anthony as toddlers, and see a loving and devoted Danny Moon, the polar opposite of the jerk we meet in the series.
Matthew Cox is a masterful writer and I think that J.R. Rain must have a lot of respect for him and his ability as a writer if he gave his approval to fill in this crucial back story. The best part is that more is promised and we will be witnesses to Samantha's introduction to life as a vampire.
Highly recommended to all followers of the series and the author. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Samantha Moon so I knew I was going to enjoy this book too. I really liked getting the entire story of the events leading up to the attack that nearly killed her and irrevocably changed the course of the rest of her life and the lives of everyone she knows.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this review voluntarily

[Sheridan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting peek into Sam's life before taking on the supernatural

Sam proves, in this book, that she was a highly skilled detective before she became a super powered PI.
The story is hilarious and informative, for those who might want to take a crack at writing in her Kindle World. Things move at a fast pace. It just wouldn't be a Samantha Moon story if people weren't trying to kill her. This time bullets are flying.

[Barbara Marie Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Moon Rising

Samantha Moon is one of my favorite characters and this book was great👏👏!! I didn't know how I was going to like it because when I started to read about Danny Moon, especially after everything he put her through without giving out any spoilers!! I have to say!!! I fell in love❤️ with this Danny, the great father and amazing husband. I can understand now, all the emotional roller coaster ride she was talking about as time went on. Anyways, I don't want to give away any spoilers, you need to read all of Samatha Moon's by J.R. Rain you will not be disappointed!!!!

I was so happy to read about her life before becoming a Vampire, and how it all began, I loved reading about her adventures and how amazing she worked at taking down the bad guys.. This book is so great, there are no words and if you love Samantha Moon as much as I do, then you will not want to miss this one, it fills in all the blanks of before she became a vampire😈 and the how!!!
I felt that both authors J.R. Rain and Matthew S. Cox did an amazingly beautiful job together they both are extremely talented authors and look forward to reading more of your books to come.

I definitely recommend this book and series coming 😊🙃

[Maryjane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam, Danny and the kids are in for a BIG surprise

I couldn't wait to read this book! Samantha and Danny Moon have two children and a wonderful family life. She has a great sister and a funky family who grew up like hippies. Danny's is the complete opposite. Then one night everything went wrong when Sam went out for a late night run to ease some tension. She was attacked and almost died after having her throat ripped out. However, after about four days in the hospital she was able to go home, just like nothing ever happened. Although she started to feel stranger by the hour. When Sam went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror, she could see herself fading from view. She new she was pale, but all of a sudden all she could see was her clothing in the mirror, no more body. What were they going to do now? How would she and her family react to her new situation? I can't wait to find out.. kudos J. R. I love it!

[Denise Keef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of JR Rain, Matthew Cox and the Samantha Moon(Vampire for Hire) series, I couldn’t wait to find out how these two fantastic authors would collaborate on one of my favorite series and tell the story of Samantha’s life before she had been turned into a vampire. I must say they did such a phenomenal job on it. It was so hard reading about Sam’s life prior to being bitten on that fateful night when she was out jogging but it explained so much of how her life had been and how it slowly changed. If you are a fan of the Vampire for Hire series then this is a must read for you to see into the happy life of Samantha and her family and maybe just cry a few tears like I did for what had been for her. Thank you, JR Rain and Matthew Cox, for coming together and writing such an emotional and enlightening story. I eagerly look forward to the next chapters in Samantha’s life prior to her becoming immortal.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of a new series about Samantha Moon’s early days. Danny’s just starting his law firm and Sam works for HUD. They’ve just bought their house and Tammy and Anthony are still barely out of diapers. The house remodeling if finished, work alternates between busy and boring and everything is starting to look up in their lives

After a raid on a drug dealer, Sam has several attempts on her life. This involves into a very complicated, but interesting case of HUD housing fraud that unfortunately sounds like something that really happened.

Then finally at the end we come to the main purpose of the book as we learn the details of the events that changed Sam’s life completely.

Fave scenes: poop isn’t funny, getting a burger for lunch, Tammy’s nightmare and confronting the bad guy.

[Donna Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazed

This was great! Now we get to meet Samantha before she is a vampire, awesome. I even love Danny in this one where it all began. How did a sweet handsome loving man turn into the one that turns his back on his wife for what she became not at all her fault??! Turned into a jerk!! Hard to believe isn't in in sickness and health and death do you part. But I love seeing the beginning it was so good seeing her at her job at Hud, FBI damn dangerous job no doubt, glad they caught that crook stealing from those poor people. And I love that Samantha always had her sense of humor

[Louise Feagans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Moon

I just finished this awesome book btw J.R. Rain and Matthew Cox. I also knew that I would not be disappointed. It is the beginning story of Samantha Moon and what happened to her. I do, however, have to admit that there was a scene that had me all teary eyed. I absolutely enjoyed reading this book and I know that you will too.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vampire

Excellent fast paced read lots of action and surprises love the characters a d was awesome to get some insight into how Samantha became a vampire and look forward to ore on her becoming a detective loved it

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read the Samantha Moon series it was great to get the insight into what life was like before she became a Vampire as well as seeing all the little signs that were around her without knowing what they were. I loved how her personalty was similar before she changed but also found reading some things and thinking oh you just wait and see whats going to happen later in your life!

[Chrystal Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was cool!

I liked this story. I already enjoyed The character, Samantha Moon, and getting to see what she was like before she was turned was really interesting. There is quite a bit of action in this book. I couldn't put it down.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing reading the back story to Samantha's mortal soul and Danny Moon who evidently is her sire. Thrilled for this new book.

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good Samantha Moon story. Puts the series into perspective. I borrowed this book from the kindle owners library on Amazon for com

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all the Samantha Moon books to date, it was interesting to go back to the beginning and read about her attack, and especially about her life before becoming a vampire. I found it fascinating and enjoyed it greatly.

I've read most of J. R. Rain's books and love them. However I've only recently become familiar with Matthew Cox. I have found Cox's writing to be engaging and well done.

This new series of Samantha Moon's origins of vampireism is fun to read, especially for someone who is an avid reader of the Vampire for Hire series. In fact in my opinion, that's the best was to read this origins series. I highly recommend this book and fully intend to read the next book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Moon Rising explains it all.

This is the book that explains how Samantha Moon became what she it....Wonderful background!! All of the Rain novels allude to her being what she is but this origin novel explains it all.....

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

'New Moon Rising' was a great start to the 'Samantha Moon Origins' series. I have always loved the Samantha Moon stories and this one pulled me in like the others. The story line was incredibly creative and well written. The way it played out kept me glued to the pages. Sam is an awesome character. She's strong willed, sarcastic, loyal to her family and hilarious. I'm happy with the story taking me back to the beginning. It gives me insight as to the why and how Sam is who she is and who she's become. I can't wait to read more. A must add to your tbr list. Recommended read.

[Kat Lebo · Rating 2 out of 5]

New Moon Rising (Samantha Moon Origins, #1)
by J.R. Rain

Spoilers Warning: If you are starting your Samantha Moon journey with this book, rather than with Moon Dance, there are spoilers. If you aren't, well then the spoilers will not be news to you, will they?

Second -- I read this on my Kindle, so I'll be giving locations, rather than page numbers.

I'm going to start out by saying I was very disappointed in this book. I'm a big Samantha Moon fan, but have found that most of the 'fan fiction' in the Samantha Moon World is, in my opinion (yours may vary), crap. Sorry. It could be because it diverts too much from Sam's series life, creating chasms between the penultimate Samantha Moon of Rain and the watered down, sent on some time-traveling adventure, etc., etc., Sam of the fan fiction World. Now, this book didn't do that, too much. It explores how she became the "Vampire for Hire," but it does so, again in my opinion, clumsily. First, it is filled with prescience (and, yes, the author(s) use that very word -- too bad it isn't used correctly in the novel). The following is my rundown of eye-rolling, predictable, prescience.

At 201 on my Kindle, speaking in regard to Tammy, who is, in this novel, only 4 years old: "She'd trust the Devil himself if he said hello." Really? After the last two entries in the real Moon series this was just too predictable. There is a similar comment in regards to both children at 3484, when she is talking to her children after returning from the hospital: "I'd move Heaven and Earth for you both, and I won't let anything hurt you. Even if the Devil himself tried to take you, I'd punch him in his pointy nose." Not only too precious considering the last two Vampire for Hire novels, but the exact same wording: the Devil himself. For one, Sam doesn't believe in Heaven and Hell or in God, angels or devils (of the preternatural kind), so having her so focused on them (oh, yes -- there are more coming) isn't reasonable at this stage in her life. Even Danny comments on that at the same location.

At 513, I jotted down in my notes that perhaps those of us whom have read the original series shouldn't read this one, as it adds nothing to the store of knowledge we already have gained in that series, and the result is a lot of eye-rolling. What brought on that note was this thought of Sam's: 'What am I saying? Psychics? That's no more real than witchcraft.'

And there is a whole lot of reference to preternaturals that just seems forced, too prophetic, etc. At 1403, as Sam and her partner, Chad, are investigating a possible HUD fraud: 'I'm sure I woke her up. Great, she's some kind of vampire sleeping in the middle of the day.' and just a bit later at 1433, Chad says to Sam: "We only go around once. You can't spend your time here stumbling through existence like a dead woman." To which, I replied, out loud in what I imagine as Sam's voice, "Hold my beer." Her actual response included this: "...a little grease won't kill me." No. No it won't.

That's not the only vampire reference. At 1471 she thinks 'Yeah, I kinda have a garlic addiction. Vampires beware." SMH And at, 3228, her co-worker, Bryce Anders, makes the only reasonable vampire reference, when, after her attack, he visits her in the hospital and says "Maybe you got attacked by a vampire?" To that remark, which was coincidentally the truth, Chad rolled his eyes and another co-worker, Michelle, punches him in the arm. He responds with (at 3230) "Not saying a literal vampire. Some freako that thinks he's one." In this same area, the co-worker, Ernie Montoya, mentions a case in New York in 1970, and although I can't put a date on it to be sure, I assume this was a reference to Fang.

Other supernatural entities get space, too. At 1688, Samantha is at her desk at work, thinking about a case 'while making zombie faces at the ceiling.'

And angels-- there is a lot of reference to guardian angels for someone who doesn't believe in the trappings of most religions.

At 1529 Sam says "There's no such thing as guardian angels." The mention of a guardian angel appears again at 2017, 3147, 3215, and 3530.

And besides the author(s) over-the-top depictions of how perfect Sam and Danny's relationship is, a zinger of prescience is contained in this sentence at 3491, after Sam has returned home from the hospital after the attack: 'Whatever happened, I'm sure it's nothing we won't be able to cope with.' Ya think?

There were things about her stay in the hospital that were unrealistic, but probably the one that sticks out most to me is the nurse's surprise at the scant amount of urine in Sam's collection bag from her catheter. Let's see, she was in a coma for two days and then a couple of more days in the hospital after that. Had no one checked her collection bag up to that time? It would have been so full that urine would be backing up into her bladder through the catheter. Gross medical malpractice there. And one would think with the so called 'miraculous' healing of her neck wound, her low heart rate, her sun sensitivity, and etc., etc., etc., that the physicians might have wanted to keep her around a bit longer for study.

So, yes, the book is full of prescience and the regurgitating of things we already know from the original series. The only place that word is actually used, is at 3086: 'That moment comes back to my thoughts, and in the prescience of calm, I recall the pressure of human fingers digging into my shoulder and side.' Um. Prescience is the knowing of something BEFORE it takes place, not the remembering of it after the fact.

And I noted a couple of other proofing errors, nothing too substantial, at 2063 and 2523.

On a personal note, I was a more than just a bit offended by Sam's depiction of a young woman from Indiana. Having been born, raised, and lived in Indiana my entire 70 years, I can tell you that Indiana's young women, for the most part, are not clueless lambs for leading to the slaughter. And, yes, Sam, Indiana residents do have an accent, as does most everyone who lives in a specific area of the country. Certainly the speech patterns of those from the northeast are different from those from the northwest, and those from the south are different from those from the north. The Midwestern twang of those from the breadbasket states of America are identifiable, and many of those people are often well-dressed, well-educated, and street smart too boot. And, yes, Sam, yes, the people in Indiana do sometimes say "that's swell." Sheesh.

So was there anything about the novel I liked? Not much. Because the plot is one that is already known, I can't give the author(s) any points for that. But the flow was good, the characterizations of everyone except perhaps Sam herself (!) were good and consistent with the characters of the Vampire for Hire series (and no, I don't buy that she would be so different pre and post attack). The attack scene was done reasonably well, and the scene with the onyx cell, which I assume was metaphor for Elizabeth, Sam's dark other, entering her body, was also interesting and well done. The descriptions of terror in the woods (first instance), in her home, and her sister's account of the same in her home, were all consistent and well done. And, of course, I was happy to see what must have been the beginning of Sam's addiction to Judge Judy at 706. I also liked the last line of the novel, spoken by Sam when she watches her image in the mirror fade to nothing: "Well," I deadpan. "This isn't normal."

The other thing that made me smile I'm sure was unintended by the author(s). At 1968, where Danny is talking about his partner, Jeff, Sam indicates he alludes to "Jeff's flakiness." Yes, that made me laugh. Jeff Flake has been flakey for some time. Just ask his Arizona constituents.

So, no, I won't be reading the second book in the series that recently was released. First, this one was a disappointment. Second, it told me nothing much that I didn't already know. And third and most importantly, it leaves off basically where "Moon Dance" started. All that would be left to explore would be the deterioration of Sam's marriage and the affect of her new preternatural state on those around her. Why do I need to read about that? I've heard about and seen the results of that in the original series.

Reading this supposed co-authorship hits me much like some co-authored fiction I've read where one of the authors was James Patterson. The name is there for looks (and marketing) only. I saw very little in this book that smacked of the writing of J.R. Rain. Here's my advice to the authors: to J.R. Rain -- worry about your Vampire for Hire series and stop messing around with fan fiction. To Matthew S. Cox -- make up your own characters and stories and write your own series which is not dependent on another author's work. Or pick up a character who isn't one of the main characters from the Vampire for Hire series and content yourself with fan fiction forever. If you have writing talent, which I think you do have, you are wasting it here.

[Billi Hoyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back to the Beginning

I loved reading about where it all started and how the events took place and the dynamics of her family pre vamp.

[Johanna Österreicher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the Vampire for Hire series - as far as I've read them so far (and yes, I plan to continue), but wanted something a bit different but always wondered about how exactly Sam became a vampire.

The Samantha Moon Origins series answers this.
I liked to have a new into Sams life before she became a Vampire, which is what most of this book deals with. The book is good, but noticably less good as the Vampire for Hire books.

Here are some points I did not like:
- The book (and also the second one) is written present tense. I much prefer past tense
- There are quite a few inconsistencies, at least it feels like that to me. The authors introduce details and ideas into the story that Sam does not know at the beginning of the main series with Moon Dance. This is especially the case with the second book, Moon Mourning.
- There are more mistakes and the writing feels somewhat poorer compared to the main series.

- I listened to the audio book, and while the voice of the reader is nice and similar to the main series, she doesn't too quite so well a job, especially when it comes to emphasization. Also the editing lacks - its read too fast and without any pauses between sentences. That feels hurried and stressful.

I have a feeling that J.R. Rain did not put as much energy and dedication into these books. Possibly Matthew S. Cox wrote the majority of it?

I can still recommend New Moon Rising and Moon Mourning, but if you read them, please also read Moon Dance.
Moon dance and the first few books in Vampire for Hire (as far as I read them) get five stars, but these books only get four.

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The How It Not The Why

This series must be read in order. This is the first book. I can't wait to read "Moon Mourning"!



Samantha Moon had the perfect life, even if it was a little boring. She had a husband she adored who adored her and two darling children under 5. She worked at HUD and was occasionally lent out to the FBI which added some much needed excitement. She even has her big sister who is like her best friend and her kids. Then she starts feeling abject terror from dark spots and has no idea why. What is in the dark spots? What is causing her uncontrollable terror? Is this a reaction to being shot? Or something more sinister?


***This series is suitable for adult readers who enjoy modern urban fantasy with a definite it could happen to you vibe :)

[John E. Hyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful origin story

I thought this was a wonderful origin story, learning how Samantha Moon came to be A wife(ex-wife), a mother, and private investigator. The story takes place during her day as an H.U.D. Investigator and shows the reader where she honed her investigative skills. The cases she works on are anything but duly when bullets start flying. Then, there is the feelings of her being stalked/hunted. If you like P.I. novel or suspense thrillers and especially a Vampire for Hire fan this book is for you.

[JJ Broenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I picked this book up liking the title thinking could be a fun read and I absolutely loved it. It was hard to stop reading when I should have been doing other things. This is an origins story but I didn’t know anything about the character or other stories when reading this story. Samantha is an interesting women from the start of the book but no obviously exceptional characteristics; with the exceptions of being a phenomenal investigator and agent. By the end of the book I’m hooked and ready to get the next book.

[JW David · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first by this author. I ran across some of his/her works looking for a new supernatural series and saw they had a lot of collaborative books in this series, and figured I'd give the series a try.
I am definitely not disappointed - however make sure you have the next book ready, because I didn't want to stop at the edge, and you probably won't either.
You are left with minor hints along the way and then at the end 'say what..?' as the story ends 20+ pages before the book does.
I am so glad I already had the next book loaded into my tablet.

[sharon storm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did 3 years with HUD (Los Angeles County) and earned 2 awards for exemplary systems in government for my fraud detection/prevention systems. Never carried a gun and my work involved credit checks, background checks, title/bank account/income tax checks. We notified applicants by mail and gave them file numbers in case their lawyers wanted to dispute our evidence (none tried). We had police assistance for evictions and inspections. Makes reading this hard to take.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed!

I thoroughly enjoyed this Story! It gave some much needed insight into Samantha Moon's life before she became a vampire, also the incident itself. Great characters and a strong story, really keep you reading. A quick, witty, slightly intense story moves you right through!

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Moon Rising (Samantha Moon Origins Book 1)

The story of how Samantha Moon become a vampire. This show that Danny was one a loving husband and father, no the uncaring husband he became in the "Vampire for Hire" series. OK story for first time reader of the series.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

I wish there was a more conclusive ending, but the story is well written otherwise. I liked the origin story, but I felt like it didn't end, per se. I'd have liked to know what got to her at the end.