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Samantha Moon Case Files #1
Moon Bayou (Samantha Moon Case Files, #1)
Mother, wife, private investigator, vampire - Sam Moon's been around the block. Now, unlife brings her to New Orleans to test her mettle against a new kind of lurking evil...
From the author of the Vampire for Hire Series, J.R. Rain, comes a brand new Samantha Moon spin-off story co-written by bestselling author of The Dead Detective and The Department of Magic, Rod Kierkegaard Jr.
From the author of the Vampire for Hire Series, J.R. Rain, comes a brand new Samantha Moon spin-off story co-written by bestselling author of The Dead Detective and The Department of Magic, Rod Kierkegaard Jr.
197 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2015
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1397 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Rain
647 books1,718 followersJ.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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
June 27, 2015
Free ADR, provided by NetGalley, thank you!
This seems to be a spin-off of a series with the same main character, which I find strange. Hints at other books and stories are there, but never elaborated upon.
The book starts as a classic PI story. I expected investigative UF, but that was not really what this is. The plot was allover the place and none of the storylines came to a satisfying conclusion. Maybe this was intended as a set-up for the series, but for me it only made the whole book very scattered.
The vampire elements feel like a gimmick at first, to make it more interesting. A few werewolves got thrown in and a vodoo queen. None of those elements were very convincing. Sorry, but these supes were all pretty lame. The vampires all come across as silly, none of this is the least bit scary or intriguing.
Don't expect anything dark. The language of the story reminded me of chick-lit, which could have worked if it was funny and full of witty banter or snark, but that was lacking as well.
There was some needless repetition of previously explained points, which was a bit annoying. I understood about the magical powers of those rings, when they were explained the first time. I did not need it explained a second or third time.
And I am not a fan of the vocabulary. Many sentences, often in the same paragraph, started with "I mean...", and "like", "kinda", "sorta" kept popping up a lot as well. It made the heroine sound like a teenager, not like a grown woman with two children.
I like my heroines to be smarter as well. The dumb-but-muddling-through type is not my thing. She is supposed to be a former FBI investigator. Not likely. Luckily none of the bad guys seemed to be terribly smart either, or she would have been in deep trouble.
I did like the bat form of the vampires. Reminded me of the vampires in Van Helsing with Hugh Jackman. The idea of the trip back in time is also a good one.
But overall this was not for me. Too shallow, storyline too scattered, characters not terribly smart, no tension. The cliffhanger ending had me flipping back and forth, checking if I had missed something, it was so out of the blue and abrupt. I will definitely not be picking up the next in the series.
This seems to be a spin-off of a series with the same main character, which I find strange. Hints at other books and stories are there, but never elaborated upon.
The book starts as a classic PI story. I expected investigative UF, but that was not really what this is. The plot was allover the place and none of the storylines came to a satisfying conclusion. Maybe this was intended as a set-up for the series, but for me it only made the whole book very scattered.
The vampire elements feel like a gimmick at first, to make it more interesting. A few werewolves got thrown in and a vodoo queen. None of those elements were very convincing. Sorry, but these supes were all pretty lame. The vampires all come across as silly, none of this is the least bit scary or intriguing.
Don't expect anything dark. The language of the story reminded me of chick-lit, which could have worked if it was funny and full of witty banter or snark, but that was lacking as well.
There was some needless repetition of previously explained points, which was a bit annoying. I understood about the magical powers of those rings, when they were explained the first time. I did not need it explained a second or third time.
And I am not a fan of the vocabulary. Many sentences, often in the same paragraph, started with "I mean...", and "like", "kinda", "sorta" kept popping up a lot as well. It made the heroine sound like a teenager, not like a grown woman with two children.
I like my heroines to be smarter as well. The dumb-but-muddling-through type is not my thing. She is supposed to be a former FBI investigator. Not likely. Luckily none of the bad guys seemed to be terribly smart either, or she would have been in deep trouble.
I did like the bat form of the vampires. Reminded me of the vampires in Van Helsing with Hugh Jackman. The idea of the trip back in time is also a good one.
But overall this was not for me. Too shallow, storyline too scattered, characters not terribly smart, no tension. The cliffhanger ending had me flipping back and forth, checking if I had missed something, it was so out of the blue and abrupt. I will definitely not be picking up the next in the series.
September 5, 2015
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Vampire novels usually are not really my cup of tea. Time travel, however, definitely is, so I decided to give this novel a try.
Moon Bayou follows mother-of-two, vampire private detective Samantha Moon as she takes on a missing person case that will take her to New Orleans, and accidently also to the 19th century.
I've read nothing of the original Vampire for Hire series that this new series is a spin off to, but I didn't feel like that mattered much since I didn't get the idea there were a lot of things I was missing because of it. The story really has two parts, none of which were fully closed at the end of this book. I suppose the larger of the two, the one involving time travel will be taken to the next novel in this series, as the ending truly had a cliffhanger.
The vampires were quite nice, especially in their bat-like forms. There were also some werewolves, because those seem obligatory these days. Overall, the writing was very fast and easy, making this a light read. I'd liked to see some more closure though, especially on the real 'case file'. I'll have to read the next book to find out what will happen to Samantha.
Moon Bayou is the first book in the Samantha Moon Case Files, which is a spin off series from the Vampire for Hire series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Vampire novels usually are not really my cup of tea. Time travel, however, definitely is, so I decided to give this novel a try.
Moon Bayou follows mother-of-two, vampire private detective Samantha Moon as she takes on a missing person case that will take her to New Orleans, and accidently also to the 19th century.
I've read nothing of the original Vampire for Hire series that this new series is a spin off to, but I didn't feel like that mattered much since I didn't get the idea there were a lot of things I was missing because of it. The story really has two parts, none of which were fully closed at the end of this book. I suppose the larger of the two, the one involving time travel will be taken to the next novel in this series, as the ending truly had a cliffhanger.
The vampires were quite nice, especially in their bat-like forms. There were also some werewolves, because those seem obligatory these days. Overall, the writing was very fast and easy, making this a light read. I'd liked to see some more closure though, especially on the real 'case file'. I'll have to read the next book to find out what will happen to Samantha.
Moon Bayou is the first book in the Samantha Moon Case Files, which is a spin off series from the Vampire for Hire series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 20, 2017
Apparently, this is a spin-off from another series so I went into it at a disadvantage. There was the obligatory "fill in" that I detest so much, but I still felt like I was starting episode 4 of season 3 of some campy tv show.
The story left me high and dry. Literally. I was wishing it was over, and I got my wish. It just ended with no resolution. Apparently, you need to read the next book in the series to continue. But there is no second book to the series. This first book was published 2 years ago. You can't tell me this is a complicated sequel that requires two years to finalize. A Song of Fire and Ice, it is not.
Okay, so I woke up cranky. Let's just say, I won't be reading the sequel if it ever is published. Even if it is free like this one was.
The story left me high and dry. Literally. I was wishing it was over, and I got my wish. It just ended with no resolution. Apparently, you need to read the next book in the series to continue. But there is no second book to the series. This first book was published 2 years ago. You can't tell me this is a complicated sequel that requires two years to finalize. A Song of Fire and Ice, it is not.
Okay, so I woke up cranky. Let's just say, I won't be reading the sequel if it ever is published. Even if it is free like this one was.
January 21, 2023
Entertaining vampire listening 🎶🔰
Another will written vampire travel family and friends relationships adventure thriller novel by J. R. Rain ☔ and Rob Kierkegaard (Samantha Moon 🌙 Case Files book one). Samantha Moon 🌙 takes on a case too find a missing daughter which takes her back in time to 1861 New Orleans. She meets up ☝ with voodoo priest, werewolves, and vampires. Samantha is somewhat successful in the case but can not get back to her time. She leaves for Richmond, Virginia. Continued in book two. I would recommend this novel to readers of paranormal fantasy novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 👒🌙☺
J. R. Rain ☔and his fellow authors are favorite authors of mine. Happy reading in 2023 🌙
Another will written vampire travel family and friends relationships adventure thriller novel by J. R. Rain ☔ and Rob Kierkegaard (Samantha Moon 🌙 Case Files book one). Samantha Moon 🌙 takes on a case too find a missing daughter which takes her back in time to 1861 New Orleans. She meets up ☝ with voodoo priest, werewolves, and vampires. Samantha is somewhat successful in the case but can not get back to her time. She leaves for Richmond, Virginia. Continued in book two. I would recommend this novel to readers of paranormal fantasy novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 👒🌙☺
J. R. Rain ☔and his fellow authors are favorite authors of mine. Happy reading in 2023 🌙
May 14, 2015
Well worth the read! Samantha Moon has become one of my absolute favorite heroines in today's vampire fiction.
This series promises to be simply amazing. The voodoo/time traveling aspect is simply awesome. I really loved the way the New Orleans scenery and accents were written/described in both the present and past. The pace was steady and believable. Overall it was really well done!
So many cool characters are introduced and I love the Anne Rice references .
I was worried that since the author was collaborating on this series the character wouldn't read true, but she is the same Samantha we know and love! But in a really cool setting!
Highly recommend!
This series promises to be simply amazing. The voodoo/time traveling aspect is simply awesome. I really loved the way the New Orleans scenery and accents were written/described in both the present and past. The pace was steady and believable. Overall it was really well done!
So many cool characters are introduced and I love the Anne Rice references .
I was worried that since the author was collaborating on this series the character wouldn't read true, but she is the same Samantha we know and love! But in a really cool setting!
Highly recommend!
June 11, 2015
Review: MOON BAYOU by J. R. Rain and Rod Kierkegaard Jr.
Single parent Samantha Moon, "real vampire housewife of Orange County," and private investigator, travels to New Orleans in search of a missing young woman. Naturally, all is not what it seems, and in this metropolis so downtrodden by Katrina, where it seems even the will to recovery is no more, behind the scenes, Classic New Orleans is still very viable: vampires, werewolves--and intensely powerful Vodoun. Way too powerful for one vampire to combat...
Single parent Samantha Moon, "real vampire housewife of Orange County," and private investigator, travels to New Orleans in search of a missing young woman. Naturally, all is not what it seems, and in this metropolis so downtrodden by Katrina, where it seems even the will to recovery is no more, behind the scenes, Classic New Orleans is still very viable: vampires, werewolves--and intensely powerful Vodoun. Way too powerful for one vampire to combat...
May 2, 2018
Just 3 stars
I'm giving this 3 stars, it would have been a higher score because the writing is good and the story fun. However this was not written by the author of the "Vampire for Hire" series and he took liberties and did not retain basic parameters of the protagonist's character and vampiric abilities. The ending also did not resolve itself. It was very disappointing end!
I'm giving this 3 stars, it would have been a higher score because the writing is good and the story fun. However this was not written by the author of the "Vampire for Hire" series and he took liberties and did not retain basic parameters of the protagonist's character and vampiric abilities. The ending also did not resolve itself. It was very disappointing end!
May 24, 2021
More love
Stepped into another Samantha Moon world via this read. Different arena in New Orleans with a lot of new stuff to learn. Thank J. R. Rain for the introduction to something I've been intrigued to research for my own novels.
Stepped into another Samantha Moon world via this read. Different arena in New Orleans with a lot of new stuff to learn. Thank J. R. Rain for the introduction to something I've been intrigued to research for my own novels.
added-it
May 12, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/12/2021)! 🎁
June 16, 2015
The time traveling, voodoo aspects, and setting in New Orleans all worked together to snag and hold my attention.
All that Anne Rice crap is true, I thought on my way out the door; New Orleans really does have a vampire problem.
Besides me, of course.
Wow! MOON BAYOU by J.R. Rain and Rod Kierkegaard, Jr. is the first book I've ever read by J.R. Rain and served as my introduction to private detective, single mom and vampire Samantha Moon. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the crazy quirky and historical characters and the humor! I have been going thru New Orleans' withdrawal since reading Suzanne Johnson's latest Sentinels of New Orleans book and this worked very well as an antidote.
MOON BAYOU is the debut of the authors' new Samantha Moon Case Files series. I have not previously read any of Rain's Vampire for Hire series which feature Samantha's story and exploits. Here's a very basic summary if you are also unfamiliar with her:
I had been a happy normal wife and mother in Orange County until ten years ago, when I was attacked by an evil vampire... and turned into one myself. It's made my life since gross and scary and, let's face it, weird.
I was enthralled with Samantha! She's smart, fierce, feisty, caring and down-to-earth. She had previously worked in law enforcement and now runs her own private investigations firm. If you are looking for a romance, there's no real romance in this installment - though Samantha mentions and misses her shifter boyfriend many times.
The author did a great job filling in what I, as a newbie reader, needed to know regarding Samantha and her prior history. However, I do believe that my enjoyment would have been increased if I'd read that previous series and had a prior connection to Samantha, her family and boyfriend. The good news is that my interest in reading Samantha's previous adventures has been officially piqued and I hope to go back and catch up with her soon!
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 Wine Glasses!
All that Anne Rice crap is true, I thought on my way out the door; New Orleans really does have a vampire problem.
Besides me, of course.
Wow! MOON BAYOU by J.R. Rain and Rod Kierkegaard, Jr. is the first book I've ever read by J.R. Rain and served as my introduction to private detective, single mom and vampire Samantha Moon. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the crazy quirky and historical characters and the humor! I have been going thru New Orleans' withdrawal since reading Suzanne Johnson's latest Sentinels of New Orleans book and this worked very well as an antidote.
MOON BAYOU is the debut of the authors' new Samantha Moon Case Files series. I have not previously read any of Rain's Vampire for Hire series which feature Samantha's story and exploits. Here's a very basic summary if you are also unfamiliar with her:
I had been a happy normal wife and mother in Orange County until ten years ago, when I was attacked by an evil vampire... and turned into one myself. It's made my life since gross and scary and, let's face it, weird.
I was enthralled with Samantha! She's smart, fierce, feisty, caring and down-to-earth. She had previously worked in law enforcement and now runs her own private investigations firm. If you are looking for a romance, there's no real romance in this installment - though Samantha mentions and misses her shifter boyfriend many times.
The author did a great job filling in what I, as a newbie reader, needed to know regarding Samantha and her prior history. However, I do believe that my enjoyment would have been increased if I'd read that previous series and had a prior connection to Samantha, her family and boyfriend. The good news is that my interest in reading Samantha's previous adventures has been officially piqued and I hope to go back and catch up with her soon!
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
4 Wine Glasses!
September 14, 2015
Moon Bayou is a paranormal fantasy featuring vampires, werewolves and the voodoo culture around New Orleans. This book follows the already popular Samantha Moon series. Samantha is a Private Investigator and lives in California, but she's been asked to investigate the disappearance of Wendy Lo. Missing for six months, her parents are desperate for any news.
Samantha is an unusual investigator in that she is a vampire, with mind reading skills, plus she can go out in the sunlight, due to some fancy rings she wears. However New Orleans has an uncomfortable atmosphere which she can't put her finger on. More curious is the warning she receives from a friend about a blood price on her head, set in 1860. A ridiculous statement since Sam wasn't around then, or is it?
When she's captured by the Tête de Mort Krewe and help comes from friends she doesn't remember, Sam has more questions than answers. It looks like Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is the one she must turn to, but contacting her on the night of their most powerful ceremony has life changing results.
I loved this story, I have read the first Samantha Moon book , which reminds me I need to catch up with this series. The storyline was fast and full of surprises. I wanted to howl like a werewolf when the book ended, I wanted more!
Samantha is an unusual investigator in that she is a vampire, with mind reading skills, plus she can go out in the sunlight, due to some fancy rings she wears. However New Orleans has an uncomfortable atmosphere which she can't put her finger on. More curious is the warning she receives from a friend about a blood price on her head, set in 1860. A ridiculous statement since Sam wasn't around then, or is it?
When she's captured by the Tête de Mort Krewe and help comes from friends she doesn't remember, Sam has more questions than answers. It looks like Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is the one she must turn to, but contacting her on the night of their most powerful ceremony has life changing results.
I loved this story, I have read the first Samantha Moon book , which reminds me I need to catch up with this series. The storyline was fast and full of surprises. I wanted to howl like a werewolf when the book ended, I wanted more!
May 30, 2015
Enjoyable Sam Moon + Just a little longer than her last few books.
I enjoyed this book, it gives Samantha a different voice. I had more fun with this case file than I've had with her last two books. I'm wondering if JRR is getting a little tired of Samantha? I'm wondering if her stories are now being handed off to RK? I do like that she is not as negative about herself in this book as she has steadily gotten to be. In this book Sam has traveled to New Orleans on a missing persons case and gets much more than she has bargained for. She travels back in time, finding herself in Old New Orleans, just be for the civil war breaks out between the north and south. I think Kierkegaard gives Samantha a little more feminine feel, which is nice. She is still tough and witty, you still recognize her but I feel she has just a little softer side. The 4 stars? For leaving too much undone. The book ends when you don't expect so there is no resolution. No doubt a second Case File to conclude will be coming or Samantha will have a whole new way of life without her family.
I enjoyed this book, it gives Samantha a different voice. I had more fun with this case file than I've had with her last two books. I'm wondering if JRR is getting a little tired of Samantha? I'm wondering if her stories are now being handed off to RK? I do like that she is not as negative about herself in this book as she has steadily gotten to be. In this book Sam has traveled to New Orleans on a missing persons case and gets much more than she has bargained for. She travels back in time, finding herself in Old New Orleans, just be for the civil war breaks out between the north and south. I think Kierkegaard gives Samantha a little more feminine feel, which is nice. She is still tough and witty, you still recognize her but I feel she has just a little softer side. The 4 stars? For leaving too much undone. The book ends when you don't expect so there is no resolution. No doubt a second Case File to conclude will be coming or Samantha will have a whole new way of life without her family.
March 24, 2017
A first
A first for me to give JR Rain a bad review but he left me hanging on this one AND didn't give a link or hint to the next book. Not happy about that at all. This is a nail biter cliffhanger of a novella and would have been highly recommended if not for the fact there is nothing leading you to the next book.
A first for me to give JR Rain a bad review but he left me hanging on this one AND didn't give a link or hint to the next book. Not happy about that at all. This is a nail biter cliffhanger of a novella and would have been highly recommended if not for the fact there is nothing leading you to the next book.
October 29, 2017
I used to read a lot of the vampire genre but then I guess I burned out on it. However, I found this book in my library I had purchased two years ago and so decided to read it now. This book was really good! I enjoyed it. I like Samantha (Sam) the main character, and the story line was enthralling. I especially liked when she found herself cursed and sent back to 1860's New Orleans. The historical part was fascinating. Abe Lincoln had just been elected. The Civil War had not yet begun. But this is background to the main plot. (Especially if you watched American Horror Story: The Coven, which is mentioned a couple times).
I do recommend this book, which is the first of a series, especially if you are a vampire/werewolves fan. As I suspected, this first book left me hanging - wondering what was going to happen next - which means the reader would have to go to book 2 of the series.
This was worth reading!
I do recommend this book, which is the first of a series, especially if you are a vampire/werewolves fan. As I suspected, this first book left me hanging - wondering what was going to happen next - which means the reader would have to go to book 2 of the series.
This was worth reading!
March 17, 2019
I enjoy the Samantha Moon vampire PI series a great deal. It's not high literature at all, and it's not even great paranormal writing, but the characters are very likable, and the mysteries are interesting and complicated enough to hold my attention. Some people might call it a guilty pleasure, but I don't feel all that guilty. This is a spin-off historical series where Sam gets transported back in time to the Civil War era while investigating a missing person case in New Orleans. I don't know how many books are in this detour, but it's more than the one I expected. There's at least one more, and seeing that it was published only about 9 months ago, it could easily be a trilogy.
I don't like historical fiction, so I'm not all that gung-ho for this miniseries, but it has the personality of the original series, so I don't mind too much. I wish it had only been one book, however.
I don't like historical fiction, so I'm not all that gung-ho for this miniseries, but it has the personality of the original series, so I don't mind too much. I wish it had only been one book, however.
February 3, 2018
This was a little underwhelming. The idea was definitely cool but the writing was a bit jumpy, the explanations sometimes sounded like they had been pulled out of thin air just to make something fit, and the writing was jumpy.
The main character, Samantha Moon, also wasn't the most fleshed out, which made for a somewhat inconsistent inner monologue. Oh well.
The main character, Samantha Moon, also wasn't the most fleshed out, which made for a somewhat inconsistent inner monologue. Oh well.
August 16, 2017
Enjoyed it
Interesting read and plot, Characters well fleshed out. I enjoyed the historical side and time travel aspect of the book.
Interesting read and plot, Characters well fleshed out. I enjoyed the historical side and time travel aspect of the book.
May 5, 2018
Nice one.
May 15, 2018
Wow
This is an exciting and fun story. It's got vampires, werewolves, voodoo practitioners, and time travel. A really great adventure.
This is an exciting and fun story. It's got vampires, werewolves, voodoo practitioners, and time travel. A really great adventure.
June 27, 2018
I read this book several years ago but it was just as good the second time around. I really love this whole series a lot and if you haven’t read them yet, you are in for a very pleasant experience!
February 16, 2019
New adventure in New Orleans
I really enjoyed reading this book. If you like vampire tales with a bit of mystery you should give this book a try.
I really enjoyed reading this book. If you like vampire tales with a bit of mystery you should give this book a try.
March 11, 2019
I like the Vampire for Hire series better.
July 5, 2019
Great. Book
I loved this book! I will recommend this book to family and friends. I have read a lot of JR Rained and hope to read the next sequel.Thanks ....BELINDAm Mississippi
I loved this book! I will recommend this book to family and friends. I have read a lot of JR Rained and hope to read the next sequel.Thanks ....BELINDAm Mississippi
January 14, 2020
Wow
Can you imagine being sent back in time with no preparations. Yup samantha woke up naked with no clue where she was.
Lots of action and intrigue. I loved it.
Can you imagine being sent back in time with no preparations. Yup samantha woke up naked with no clue where she was.
Lots of action and intrigue. I loved it.
May 8, 2020
Good story
I like how it's written from Sam's point of view. Interesting story, have to read book 2 for ending though
I like how it's written from Sam's point of view. Interesting story, have to read book 2 for ending though
August 4, 2020
Very much enjoyed reading this series.
November 15, 2020
Great
Great offshoot story. I wish you had created a timeline for when I read the vampire for hire series so I could them in order.But it didn't hurt the story so no big deal.
Great offshoot story. I wish you had created a timeline for when I read the vampire for hire series so I could them in order.But it didn't hurt the story so no big deal.
April 25, 2021
Good read.
As ever, a good read from J. R. Rain. I will await the others in the series. Have part 2 and 3.
As ever, a good read from J. R. Rain. I will await the others in the series. Have part 2 and 3.
June 11, 2021
Really enjoyed this book!
I was very impressed with this take on a vampire classic with some new twists thrown in! Im really hoping Samantha Moon comes back for many books to come!
I was very impressed with this take on a vampire classic with some new twists thrown in! Im really hoping Samantha Moon comes back for many books to come!
August 10, 2022
Me encantó!! El primero de tres libros aparte de la serie, recomiendo leer en orden, es un viaje en el tiempo, hacia el pasado en la ciudad de New Orleans. Samantha sigue sus aventuras tratando de regrese al presente.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews