J.R. RAIN: Reader Comments
Reader Comments
"Gripping, adventurous, and romantic--J.R. Rain's The Lost Ark is a breakneck thriller that traces the thread of history from Biblical stories to current-day headlines. Be prepared to lose sleep!" --James Rollins, international bestselling author of THE DOOMSDAY KEY and ALTAR OF EDEN
"I read Dark Horse by J.R. Rain. He's the author of Moon Dance, that I reviewed last column. The author is a private investigator, and it shows; this is another fast moving and entertaining detective story. It is the first of a series, published by Lulu.com. Rain is surely destined for larger success, if he can get the right break; his fiction is fun reading." --Piers Anthony, bestselling author of A SPELL FOR CHAMELEON and ON A PALE HORSE
"I finished Dark Horse late last night. I enjoyed it immensely--very good story, J.R.! I really liked your dialogue, which kept me chuckling each time I sat down to read the book. Add great character and scene descriptions and a well-paced plot, and you've got a gripping story indeed. I can honestly say your book was as entertaining as anything I've ever read from Patricia Cornwell. I can easily see Dark Horse moving to the big screen!" --J. Stefan Jackson, author of THE GOLDEN TALISMAN
"Dark Horse is one of the best books I've read in a long time! A great classic detective story with a modern twist. Unique and interesting characters (I think I'm half in love with Jim Knighthorse now!), a great plot that kept me guessing until the end, and some of the funniest lines I've read anywhere. Rain does an amazing job of blending suspense, mystery and humor in this fantastic debut novel destined for the keeper shelf." --Gemma Halliday, Rita and Golden Spur award-winning author of MAYHEM IN HIGH HEELS and SCANDAL SHEET
"Mr. Rain, I'm holding you totally accountable for me not getting any work done for the entire morning and risking the wrath of my publisher! Moon Dance is absolutely brilliant--I just COULDN'T stop reading until I'd finished the book! It's a riveting story, and incredibly well-written! It's a fast-paced, clever, perceptive, thrilling and entertaining story. I really, really love it!" --Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, author of UNDERSTANDING THE PLANETARY MYTHS
"I totally loved The Body Departed. As someone who communicates with those who are either earthbound or have crossed over--your descriptions and interpretations of the dialogue and circumstances could not have been written more accurately. My favorite scene is the one of Jesus stepping down from the cross and then the passionate and compassionate way it was treated as he went back to the cross. I will relive that for a long time to come. You're a wonderfully descriptive writer who paints a very creative, visionary canvass based in a paranormal pallet that only a few experience and many can enjoy. Thank you for your talent." --Julie Belmont, author of THE PATH TO PERSONAL SUCCESS AND FREEDOM
"I finished reading your most excellent book! An Uncommon Quest is very well written and a tome that kept me yearning for the next page...Not only was it a wonderful Arthurian tale and page-turning adventure, but the spiritual lessons interwoven in the storyline gave me pause to consider a new perspective on many things. Let me put it this way, I'll be 'redipping' frequently into several passages--especially the one involving James and the dragon, and the importance of choosing what you want and believing in advance that what you desire WILL happen. Not to mention the other aspect involved with that--giving thanks to God for your current state AND where you will be once the desired 'change' is realized. Powerful stuff. And the fantastic visual of being dropped by the dragon--to fall or choose to fly--really brought it home for me.... Imagery and prose I'll never forget! And that's on top of the impish sense of humor you bring to your writing." --J. Stefan Jackson
"King Arthur lives! An Uncommon Quest is a must read for any Camelot fan. An insightful look at the human condition wrapped up in a great adventure story." --Gemma Halliday
"Moon Dance by J.R. Rain: originally Alfred Hitchcock made chaos out of the normal; here Mr. Rain makes sense out of the unknown. Imagine the horror of being a victim of an AIDS rapist. Here is Samantha Moon being bitten by a real live vampire. She tells her thoughts and the story unfolds as she transforms from anger to compassion and from ugly to beautiful. She hurts and even though she is now a vampire, too, she struggles to do the right thing. It is brilliantly written with heart for the lost and shows an amazing amount of faith that things will be okay, someday. J.R.’s book is full of continued opposites compelling the reader into multiple chapters. Shakespeare could have loved it. It is full of constant surprises and is a masterpiece of reversals. Good-looking people are bad; bad-looking people are good. Cops are not rigid and sugar becomes acceptable. Men are protective and women ruthless. Samantha is a working detective and her husband takes the kids and the home. Chronologically the reversal makes the ending one that Mr. Hitchcock couldn’t have done as well. The author has remarkable insight into the human condition. The story is very convicting and would make a wonderful motion picture due to the movement, intrigue, and foreshadowing. In more than a few parts it is rather funny and one part about her children was hilarious and very creative. J.R. Rain's characters care, contemplate, love, and help each other, and with much danger all around them. Samantha Moon questions herself and even looks at herself distastefully. She forgives her husband for not wanting her. She portrays the feelings of the left-out parent. She hurts. Groups and companions have their graces, fears, and acceptances, rather insightful. Samantha is still human and finds realness in a few others. Many interesting things happen throughout the book that makes it to be very enjoyable. She even challenges a particularly cocky man. At one time or another many individuals will be alone with their thoughts and Samantha describes how the area looks in such situations. The ending was open and yet surely real in today’s age of computer technology. With the werewolf, the medallion, and a friend named Fang it is truly a wonderful story, but about people. See what you think. Read Moon Dance by J.R. Rain. --V. Large
"You did a great job. I like your writing style. And I love Moon Dance. I can identify myself so much with Samantha. I could feel like I would be her. I really felt with her. I could not stop reading. In Moon Dance there is tragedy, hope, mystery and love. After reading the book I wished so much to have also a friend like Fang. It would be great if there would be a sequel some day." --Ingrid
"I really liked Moon Dance. Certainly because I was familiar with many of the places you mention in your story. Also because of how you developed your characters. It was an entertaining story as well as captivating. I simply have not stopped thinking about your book since I read it. Very well done. I'm ready for the sequel." --Wendy
"These are my thoughts on the book Moon Dance by J.R. Rain. First, I finished this book in less than a day, and from page one this book held my attention. In my opinion, a lot of books have this capability, but few follow through all the way to the end. Each page I read pulled me further and further into the story. I began to understand the character and to think about her as if she were real. I was so interested in the character, that at the end of the book I was left hoping there would be a sequel to the story so I could find out more. If I had to rate it on a scale of 1-10, I would say wholeheartedly that it was a 10 and very well written! Keep up the good work, and I can't wait to read more!" --Ashley
"Hello there! My mom emailed your Moon Dance book to me and I read it and loved it. It really is a captivating story! You do good work! Thanks for the great read!" --Brittany
"Moon Dance was a compelling read with identifiable characters. I love a good read. And, I am horribly honest. It's good. Your talent will take you far. I will be looking foward to what happens next to Sam in future books! It would make a great TV series!" --Shannon"I LOVED MOON DANCE!!! Great work! I think what I liked the most was the attention to detail that kept me reading and reading!" --Julia
"I downloaded Moon Dance onto my laptop and enjoyed it where a good vampire novel deserves to be enjoyed, in bed, at night. As an Anne Rice and Elmore Leonard fan, this book satisfied 2 cravings I have, for hardbolied mysteries and spooky occult stuff...if there were pages, I would call this a page turner, as a download, I basically put off everything else I thought I would do as I found it so fast that I had to finish it immediately. So, now that I have utterly devoured it, when does Moon Dance 2 come out?" --Judith
"Just finished Moon Dance. Yes, I completely devoured it already. I know I was going to just read a little today, but I couldn't stop once I started. I loved Samantha Moon! She has her funny side, her sad side, her... well... human side. You made me care about her. You made me believe in her. The story was a lot of fun. Very entertaining. I can't wait to read the next one... have you started it yet? No?!? Start now! Please!" --Andrea
"I love it!!!!! By the way I must give you my feedback so far on Dark Horse. Love Jim, so arrogant, yet so sexy! Wonder where he gets it from? And my new quote from a book: "Blondes are pretty, brunettes are beautiful." Love it. I just cannot wait to dive back into it. Great reading. Easy reading. Looove IT!!" --Cher
"Bravo! Moon Dance was great! And Dark Horse was even better! Here is to many more tales about these two :)" --Debbie
"Ok, I really enjoyed Moon Dance. Worth every penny. So, where's the next one?? I'm jonesing for the next. I would love to read more about Sam and her wonderful adventures in life and acceptance of the hand she has been dealt. PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE OF WILL WRITE MORE ABOUT SAM!!!! I so enjoyed her character. I felt like a part of me was out there. I could relate to her." --Kristin
"I just finished reading Moon Dance. Most excellent work...I could not put it down. It was a real page turner for me.....in more ways than one.....three hundred and one i think to be exact.....8 x 11 pages of paper. I'm still reeling from the read...how I'm I ever to get to sleep tonight.....I love the way you entwine humor into your characters...you just crack me up. I love people who are smart asses. Your characters are all so alive...you can't help but to care about them...even if I don't feel the need to drink blood it's still easy to care about Sam and what she is going through. It all was very amazing to read.... take a bow....I applaud you once again!!" --Janice
"I just wanted to tell ya that I read Moon Dance today...Yes, the whole thing in one sitting! I will admit to starting it with the intention of getting lost in it, to rid myself of the horrible day I had to endure, and I totally did... get lost in it, I mean.... It was funny, intense, insightful, strong... I loved it!!! You ROCK!!!" --Jen
"What a great book! Worth every single penny! So...when is the next book coming? I am just dying to find out what the future holds for Sam. Oh and Kingsley.....what a great character as well! They definitely need to get together. (Oh, the forbidden love between werewolf and vampire!) Seriously though, you are so talented J.R. and such a sweetheart. Keep up the awesome work!" --Kelly
"Great story! Finished in less than a day, couldn't put it down! Looking forward to more!! Thanks J.R.!" --Christy
"I thought the book was awesome! Thanks for the great read!" --Tanis
"Finished it!! Loved it...good job! Samantha Moon rocks!!....is there a sequel???" --Sandy
"How to expound on such a wonderful novel! I thoroughly enjoyed The Mummy Case, not only was Jim Knighthorse his usual cocky, silly self, but the story was fascinating! And since I live in Orange county all the "road trips" he was taking went right through my neighborhood! I could almost see him in his 'Stang passing by...Knighthorse is a clever man, not just in brains but in humor as well. His relationship with Cindy is charming. I'm glad he's thinking of marrying her, it's been, what, 8 years? Personally I loved the fact that Detective Sherbet (from Moon Dance) was somewhat involved in the case too. And the ENDING! I can almost see the next novel being written...I can't wait!!!! I'm looking forward to reading the next one, and re-reading THIS one...I mean, why buy a book if you aren't going to read over and over and over... ;)" --Kate
"Well I did it!!! I just finished Moon Dance!!!! It's 11:38 PM here & I'm late going to bed, but I swore I wasn't gonna hit the sack til I was done. Excellent work!!!! I loved every word!!! One of these days you WILL be mentioned with King, Koontz & Rice!! Of that, there is no doubt whatever in my mind! Thank you again J.R. Hugs & much love & respect." --Cheryl