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 in American Vampire, the sequel to Vampire Moon, private investigator Samantha Moon receives a heartbreaking phone call from a very unlikely source: a five-year-old girl who's been missing for three months. Now on the hunt, Samantha will use her considerable resources, including her growing supernatural abilities, to locate the missing girl before it's too late. And as she gets closer and closer to the horrible truth, she receives devastating news on the home front.
Now, with her world turned upside down, Samantha Moon is forced to make the ultimate choice of life and death. And through it all, she discovers the identity of one mysterious man... a man she has grown to love.
Blood money: listen to more in the Vampire for Hire series.
©2011 J.R. Rain (P)2011 Audible, Inc.
I like Jack Reacher style characters regardless of setting. Put them in outer space, in modern America, in a military setting, on an alien planet... no worries. Book has non moralistic vigilante-justice? Sign me up! (oh, I read urban fantasy, soft and hard sci-fi, trashy vampire and zombie novels too)
"Story isn't resolved at the end...."
I read this immediately after book 2 in the series. The prologue of this book is an exact repeat of the last chapter in the previous one... bit annoying because a) I just read book 2, and b) the book is already so short I suspect it should be sold as a short story rather than a novel.
Of the 3 books so far in the series, this was my least favorite, mainly because Sam's reactions to her son's illness were not very believable. Either she didn't care about him (but her words say otherwise) or the writer doesn't know how to write a grieving mother. (Or, perhaps this was just meant to show that vampires really aren't human anymore?)
That, and this book has a definite cliff hanger - one that is annoying because the main thread of the story is not resolved at the end. It feels like the author had one longer novel which he chose to chop exactly in half, making book 3 (this one) and book 4 (where the main thread from book 3 is continued). A cheesy way to make a sale, btw.
I did end up buying the next book and I really like the character development and story-telling and I do want to find out where Sam goes next, but I'm not sure I want to be subject to another 'let's chop the story in half so they'll have to buy another book' sales tactic.
The narration is good. Oh, I don't think the books would make much sense if they were read out of order. And, for the most part, they are not gory or graphic. I don't think there is swearing, and there isn't any sex.
I'm married with 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Love to read books, and love to listen to audio books. Genre's UF/Sci-Fi/ dystopian/ fiction and mystery/thrillers
"Good....But!!!!"
I really like this series, and up until this one was very happy with it. But as a Mom I kept saying to myself " go to your son....go to your son", maybe since the author is a male he doesn't realize that a Mom would never leave her child if he's that sick. It was just frustrating.
When she meant Fang.
Yes, she's a great narrator, she also does the Anna Strong books, I absolutely love her. She got 5 Stars
Yes, even though I had a lot of MOM FRUSTRATION, it was still a good book.
If you enjoy this series, still listen or read it.
"Good, but not quite as satisfying as the first two"
I really enjoyed the first two installments of this series, but not so much this one. It was good, too. But I felt that there was a bit too much unexplained as far as Fang was concerned. Also, because the title was "American Vampire" and we learn that that was Fang's moniker when he was being tried for murder I thought there would be more explanation and exploration about Fang. It fell kind of flat in that aspect, though there is enough other continuing drama in Samantha's life to carry the book. There was just too much unexplained as far as Fang is concerned. I appreciate that Samantha is able to get some of her "life" back in a satisfying way so that her ex isn't always able to get the best of her. Again, we are left hanging at the end as it segues into another storyline. Dina Pearlman is a first rate narrator.
"Fizzled"
I enjoyed the first two books in this series as light-hearted entertainment to listen to while driving and working. The narration is excellent, and I do recommend Dina Pearlman as a narrator. In this book the inconsistencies and bizarre decisions by the main character are really off-putting. I finished it, but do not find myself interested enough in the cliff-hanger to go on.
In reviews for the previous two books, I saw that people commented on a man writing from a woman's perspective, and this may be the problem I had with the inter-personal relationships in this book especially. While I know that sexually appreciative descriptions of the opposite sex are the norm in this detective-style genre, they struck me as excessive in this book. This was especially awkward in her relationship with the older detective, which came across as creepy rather than endearing, crossing the line between fatherly mentor and sexual object with Sam's weird descriptions of him.
I hate to leave a bad review, but I was very disappointed that I used my credit for this book.
"Good, Light Reading"
I am a fan of this series, but it's a bit like a good bowl of popcorn; you enjoy it while you're eating it, and you're certainly sorry when it's done, but if something else exciting comes along, you can easily put it down. That said, I have purchased every book and will continue to do so. The writing is smooth, although I felt something was 'off' on the interpersonal relationships until I discovered JR Rain is a man-- then it made sense. Don't get me srong, he is a good writer and makes a great story and an easy read, but the women's inner voice seems like a man's version of a woman's inner voice if you know what a mean. This is a good combo of supernatural and mystery, reminded me of Dresden Files a little. Overall, a good, solid easy to digest series that I will stick with.
"What was she thinking?"
I would most likely try the 4th book in the series, but will not finish Book 3 and I'm no quitter! I downloaded it when I purchased the third book. I'm hoping for storyline improvement
No, not at all
Her performance was fine
Here is a woman who has been a vampire for over a year (a former government agent) and who has been maintaining her work at home mom life. All of a sudden she loses her mind, takes justice into her own hands, divulges her utmost secrets to a complete stranger AND although she states multiple times she knows her son is VERY sick, leaves him with her sister because "there is a little girl out there" who needs her! Seriously? I admired her for having common sense and a working brain. It appears both have failed her in Book 3.
"Short But Improving"
Yes because I've read the next couple and the author has improved.
Most interesting was Samantha's situation as a mother who was turned into a vampire and still has to take care of mommy stuff.
Least is the author's word padding.
I love her delivery actually.
There are several more in the series but J.R. Rain really needs to make novels instead of what are essentially paperback shorts.
Don't let the 3 star rating discourage you from reading the series. The stars are more about some annoying tendencies of the author to rehash things repeatedly. (see how I did that? :D)
The book is short and I still think the author pads words like a freshman English major. Still, I love the premise of the vampire who has to take care of her kids. Tragedy is hitting her hard and she is finally running into others of her kind. Of course, another cliff hanger ending.
Paranormal-urban fantasy book lover!
"In love with this series!"
The fact that it was written by a male author.
Dead on perfect.
There were many.
This author is a must try, these books are exciting and humorous. I will buy any other books this author writes.
"I've been sucked in to a great series"
This series is a delightful surprise and I'm really enjoying it. American Vampire is well written, and the character of Samantha Moon is entertaining and unique. Samantha is coming in to her own as a vampire and her character is really beginning to grow and develop. I'm looking forward to seeing how her relationships with Fang and Kingsley will turn out. As well as finding out what happens with her children and ex husband. The only problem I have with the book is that Mr. Rain has not fully embraced his female side. I don't know many women (If any) who would leave their fataly ill child in the hospital to go to work or visit with boyfriends. Other than that this is a very good book. I bought the next book in the series before I finished this one.
BJS
"Fun series with Female Vampire detective"
Female married with children Federal Agent, gets turned into a Vampire. Messes with her work, her marriage, blah blah blah......But it really is an amazing series, has mystery, serious moments, and humor. I hope that this series continues to evolve. Every book just gets better and the narration is excellent Dina Perlman does great job