A Blue Moon is Vanessa A. Ryan's first novel, a genre-bending literary urban fantasy.
Vanessa A. Ryan is an actress in
Southern California. She was born in California and graduated from UCLA.
When not writing or acting, she enjoys painting and nature walks. Her
paintings and sculptures are collected worldwide. At one point
she performed stand up comedy, so her writing often reflects her love
of humor, even for serious subjects. She lives with her cat Frannie,
and among feral cats she has rescued.
EXCERPT:
MADAM GRACE LEANED BACK IN ANNOYANCE. “Give me your watch,” she said.
Finding this alarming, I hesitated, wondering if she was going to steal it. But I gave it to her.
She held it to her cheek and closed her eyes. She said, “You are in a state of––how you say?—dull, mediocre. But that will not last. You––”
The doorbell rang and she got up. “Excuse me,” she said. “I must get that. Make yourself comfortable until I return.” Seeing my dismay, she smiled. “Don’t worry. I won’t be long.”
After she left, I peered out the window. A young, sallow complexioned man with dark hair stood on the porch.
I heard Grace speak loudly to him in a language I didn’t recognize. He answered her in that same language. Something about their conversation—not to mention the heat in the room—and the fact that she still had my watch, made me uneasy. It wasn’t because I thought she was after my money or that he might be in on it. That was a given. No, it was something I couldn’t put my finger on. I knew I should have run out then, watch or not, but moments later the woman came back, and it was too late.
“I am sorry you have been waiting.”
“No problem.”
She sat down, closed her eyes, and again pressed my watch to her cheek. Then she opened her eyes and gave me back my watch. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I see that your boyfriend is crude––not civilized.”
“That’s him, all right.”
“He has strange habits. Why do you put up with him? Why don’t you find someone better?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. I’m lonely. I can’t seem to find anyone else. I guess I like having him around and he said he would help me with my career. I like him, though he’s not what you’d call a good catch in the normal sense. What else do you see? Will I marry him? Will he help me with my career?”
“I see that you don’t really know men. You let them treat you like dirt.” She looked down at the cards. “It is because you never knew your father.”
Maybe she was psychic. “That’s true. My father died when I was a kid.”
“Beware. I see danger around you. There is a plot against you. For another fifty dollars, I will pray for you at the church in the mountains. Only I can break this dangerous spell.”
I knew I should have known better. But I was determined to get my money’s worth.
“Well, I have only the fifty for the reading. What about my career? I’m an artist. Is my boyfriend going to help me with my career? He has a lot of connections.”
She gave me an annoyed look. “Just keep painting, or whatever it is you do.”
Abruptly, she got up and went to the cardboard box. She took the lid off, reached in and pulled out a small blue velvet pouch. “I’m going to give you something to help you. It’s something I wouldn’t give to just anyone. It will bring you good luck. It is a medallion to wear around your neck.”
She took a necklace out of the box and held it up so I could see it. The medallion was large and irregular in shape. It looked cheap. Fake gold, most likely, and not worth more than a few dollars. The inscription on it was in some ancient language, probably Arabic. The chain, made of the same cheap gold, was much too long for it. It would probably hang down below my waist.
“Here, take it. Put it on.” She dangled it before me. Then she looked away as if she hated to part with it.
“Oh, I couldn’t take this,” I said. “It looks too expensive. I can’t afford to buy it from you either.”
“Please. I want you to have it. For your safety. There is a terrible plot against you." She held the medallion close to my face. "But if you wear it,” she continued, “you will have nothing but good luck from now on.”
She pressed the medallion into my hand. “Tomorrow night is the blue moon. If you put this on now, your good luck will begin with the blue moon. Take it. It’s your only chance. Since you don’t have the money for me to pray to the church in the mountains, take it. For free. I am only trying to help you.”
Desires Unleashed is the first novel in the riveting, highly-addictive and sexually-charged Knights of the Darkness Chronicles. Experience the heart-pounding thrill of the chase in this electrifying page-turner as you uncover the mystery behind the series of gruesome killings that have been terrorizing the citizens of Chicago.
When a grisly decapitated corpse pops up on a Chicago Street, drained of blood, the highly-trained, government-funded special police force assigned two of their best detectives to the case. S.U.I.T. Detectives Warren Davis and Matthew Eric delve deep into their investigation to discover just who or what is leaving mutilated bodies in public places. They soon realize that the killer or killers is one step ahead of them and if they are going to stop the menace before another innocent human is viciously attack, they are going to need help.
Natasha Hemingway liked her life just the way it was... normal and supernatural-free. The vampires and shape-shifters were just where she wanted them to be--far away from her. All was going well until an unfortunate accident landed her in the hospital. It was then that she discovered she had an ability that could help her save countless lives.
All of a sudden, she finds herself thrust into the dangerous and alluring world of the supernatural and into the arms of two very sexy and deadly vampires.
Original, gritty and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor and wit, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget. You don't want to miss out on this amazing series!
D. N. Simmons lives in Chicago IL., with a rambunctious German shepherd that's too big for his own good and mischievous kitten that she affectionately calls "Itty-bitty". Her hobbies include rollerblading, billiards, bowling, and reading, watching television and going to the movies.
She has been nominated at Love Romances and More, winning honorable mention for best paranormal book of 2006. She has won "Author of the Month" at Warrior of Words. She was voted "New Voice of Today" at Romance Reviews and "Rising Star" at Love Romance and More.
In 2012, her novel “Unholy Alliance” was nominated for “Best Book of 2012” and “Best Paranormal Book of 2012” by Love Romance and More.
To learn more, and have the opportunity to speak with the author personally, please visit the official website and forum at www.dnsimmons.com .
D.N. is always interesting in meeting new and wonderful people.
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