Vampire For Hire Books in Order

Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path

For most readers entering J.R. Rain's Vampire For Hire universe, the absolute best starting point is the very first published novel, Moon Dance. While there are prequels and origin stories that take place chronologically before Samantha Moon's first case as a private investigator, starting with the original book allows you to experience the world exactly as J.R. Rain originally intended. You get to discover Samantha's vampire nature, her struggles to hide her condition from her family, and her first steps into supernatural detective work right alongside her.

However, if you are a completionist who prefers a strict chronological timeline, you can start with the Samantha Moon Origins subseries (co-authored with Matthew S. Cox) which includes New Moon Rising, Moon Mourning, Haunted Moon, and Egyptian Moon, followed by the prequel short story Blood Lust. Be warned, though: starting chronologically might spoil some of the mystery and slow-burn world-building established in the early main novels.

Vampire For Hire Main Series Publication Order

Here is the chronological publication order of the main series books as provided in the local database. Reading in this order ensures you follow Samantha's main character arc, her changing relationships, and her growing power levels naturally:

1. Moon Dance (2009) – The book that started it all. Samantha Moon is hired by Kingsley Fulcrum to investigate an attempt on his life, bringing her face-to-face with the supernatural underworld.
2. Vampire Moon (2010) – Samantha works to protect a client from an abusive ex-husband who might be more than he seems, while dealing with her own rising bloodlust.
3. American Vampire (2011) – Hired by a desperate father to find his missing daughter, Samantha travels to the dark underbelly of Las Vegas.
4. Moon Child (2011) – Samantha investigates a case involving a child with mysterious, otherworldly powers.
5. Christmas Moon (2011) – A festive holiday novella where Samantha deals with a supernatural threat during the winter season.
6. Vampire Dawn (2012) – Samantha faces a dangerous enemy from her past while struggling to maintain her humanity.
7. Vampire Games (2012) – Samantha is drawn into a deadly gladiatorial arena where supernatural creatures fight for survival.
8. Moon Island (2012) – A case leads Samantha to a remote island with dark secrets and ancient curses.
9. Moon River (2013) – Samantha travels to the deep south to investigate a string of mysterious disappearances along the river.
10. Vampire Sun (2014) – Samantha searches for a way to walk in the daylight, a quest that brings immense danger.
11. Moon Dragon (2014) – Samantha goes head-to-head with an immortal killer linked to ancient dragon mythology.
12. Moon Shadow (2016) – A ghostly mystery forces Samantha to confront the ethereal plane.
13. Vampire Fire (2016) – Samantha investigates a series of arson attacks with a supernatural origin.
14. Midnight Moon (2017) – A high-stakes case that takes place entirely under the cover of night.
15. Moon Angel (2017) – Samantha is hired by a mysterious figure who claims to be an angel.
16. Vampire Sire (2018) – Samantha digs deeper into the origins of her vampire sire and the night that changed her life forever.
17. Moon Master (2019) – Samantha faces off against a master manipulator. This book marks the beginning of heavy collaboration with co-author Matthew S. Cox.
18. Dead Moon (2019) – A post-apocalyptic threat looms over Southern California.
19. Lost Moon (2019) – Samantha is hired to locate a legendary lost city.
20. Vampire Destiny (2020) – Samantha confronts her ultimate fate and the prophecy surrounding her existence.
21. Infinite Moon (2020) – Samantha deals with parallel universes and alternate timelines.
22. Vampire Empress (2020) – Samantha assumes a position of immense power in the vampire hierarchy.
23. Moon Elder (2021) – Ancient vampire elders return, threatening the peace Samantha has fought to establish.
24. Wicked Moon (2021) – A dark witch coven targets Samantha and her family.
25. Winter Moon (2021) – A cold-weather mystery that forces Samantha to adapt to freezing environments.
26. Moon Blade (2022) – Samantha acquires a powerful, cursed weapon.
27. Sasquatch Moon (2022) – A fun detour where Samantha investigates sightings of the legendary cryptid.
28. Wild Moon (2022) – Samantha runs wild in the wilderness to escape her enemies.
29. Moon Magic (2022) – Samantha learns more about the magical forces that govern the supernatural world.
30. Moon World (2022) – The scale of the threat expands to a global level.
31. Vampire Deep (2023) – An underwater investigation brings Samantha into contact with deep-sea horrors.
32. Moon Matador (2023) – A trip to Spain pits Samantha against undead matadors.
33. Moon Impossible (2023) – A short, fast-paced heist-style adventure.
34. Thanksgiving Moon (2023) – A holiday short story focused on family and vampire turkey dinner complications.
35. Sun Dance (2023) – Samantha finds a way to balance her daylight activities with her vampire powers.
36. Unicorn Moon (2024) – Samantha investigates the appearance of a mythical creature.
37. Missing Moon (2025) – The latest entry focusing on a missing persons case that hits very close to home.

Chronological Caveats and Prequels

While the publication order is straightforward, J.R. Rain has expanded the universe backward in time. The Origins series (starting with New Moon Rising) focuses on Samantha Moon's early days immediately after she was turned, showing her transition from a normal federal agent to a creature of the night. If you want to see how she dealt with the initial trauma, the loss of her human life, and her early investigations before she became a seasoned private eye, these are excellent reads. However, we recommend reading them after you have finished at least the first three main novels so you already have a solid connection to her character.

Spin-offs, Co-Authors, and the Samantha Moon Universe

As the series grew, J.R. Rain began collaborating with other authors to expand the universe. Most notably, Matthew S. Cox became a co-author on the main series starting with Moon Master (Book 16). This collaboration brought a slightly fresh voice to the series while keeping Samantha's signature wit intact.

Beyond the main books, you will find the Samantha Moon Case Files (co-authored with Rod Kierkegaard Jr., Matthew S. Cox, and Kris Carey) and Samantha Moon Adventures. These side series offer self-contained detective mysteries that expand the lore of the supernatural Southern California setting. Additionally, various guest-authored series like the Immortal Council and Vampire Crimes focus on side characters, allowing readers to explore the world from different perspectives.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving in, readers should know that Vampire For Hire is not your typical dark, brooding gothic horror. It is first and foremost an urban fantasy mystery with a strong focus on family, parenthood, and humor. Samantha Moon's struggles to pack school lunches, handle her children's homework, and deal with her ex-husband are given just as much weight as her fights against rogue vampires and ancient demons. This unique blend of cozy domestic life and gritty detective noir is what has kept fans coming back for over 30 volumes.