Customer Reviews

Once in a Blue Moon: A Novel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once in a Blue Moon is an engaging tale of a stubborn journalist who learns to take a leap of faith. Bryn Seymour has risked everything to uncover the secret behind her mother's death. Regret and guilt takes a hold of her as she seeks closure. The well crafted story is packed with love, mystery, and a hint of humor.New information about her mother's death leads her to Texas where she meets Howard and his handsome son, Sam. It is there she encounters a perfect love that only happens once in a blue moon.

A journey filled with believable characters and lots of emotion. Leanna Ellis does a superb job at bringing the story to life!

Reviewer:Martha Ramirez

Sci-fi meets conspiracy theory gone wild, NASA, the moon walk, and reporters, all abound in Once in a Blue Moon.

Brynda Seymour is an obituary writer and a inspirational stories reporter, but she is on a personal journey. A quest to learn more about her mother who died when Bryn was only 9. However this journey is perhaps more than Bryn expected and can deal with. She will face her fears of being alone, and of being the one responsible for her mom's death.

When an old aquaintance of her moms appears with an explanation that "they" were the ones who killed her mom Bryn grabs ahold of this, and leans on it like a life preserver. Who are "they"? Why would they want her mom dead? An attraction to the son of her mom's friend will distract Brynda and have her exploring why romance has not been successful for her.

A book that will take time to digest as you sort out the story, but a story worth reading. Love, excitement, danger and mystery all in one book. 347 pages $14.99 US 3 and half stars

As I began reading "Once in a Blue Moon", by Leanna Ellis, I soon realized that I was in for a rare treat. I have my favorite genres and types of characters, and those are my comfort reads. However, I love it when an author can take me some place new, make it a journey to remember, and introduce me to new friends to whom I don't want to say goodbye. That's exactly what Leanna Ellis did with "Once in a Blue Moon". Bryn Seymour is a journalist with a college-aged daughter, a divalistic cat, and real difficulty with close personal relationships. At age nine, Bryn suffered the tragic loss of her mother under mysterious circumstances. Bryn secretly carries guilt over her mother's death, and it is a guilt which colors every aspect of her life. Raised by her grandmother after her mother's death, Bryn has a challenging relationship with her own daughter. When Bryn's beloved grandmother Cora shows the beginning signs of Alzheimer's Disease, Bryn is forced to place her in a care facility. On a reporting assignment to cover the fortieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Bryn meets an eccentric older man, Howard Walters, who claims to have known her mother. Unable to resist learning more about her mother's life, Bryn becomes involved with Howard's seemingly paranoid conspiracy theories. Her life takes quite another turn when she meets Howard's son Sam, who is trying to come to terms with his "anything but average" father. Bryn and Sam share an immediate attraction, but it is a wonderfully written, subtle, slow-build attraction that still packs a wallop. While Bryn and Sam are still "works in progress", all of their emotional and physical aspects are in working order. How delightful that two people over forty are never categorized as middle-aged and are given a shot at a lovely, fulfilling romance. There is an underlying theme of faith and acceptance, which is just right for the story line. Sometimes, a leap of faith lands you in just the right place.

"Once In A Blue Moon" has all the elements of a good story: romance, suspense, comedy, drama etc... Being a Christian-based book, I found the religious references non-intrusive so I wasn't irritated by them. I did, however, find the movie references overdone. Less is more.

I enjoyed all the characters and how each dealt with their personal struggles. I also enjoyed the history lesson. I was a young child at the time of the moon landing and it was pleasant to go back in time and relive that moment. I wonder if there really are crystal palaces on the moon! Leanna Ellis is very readable.

Once in a Blue Moon by Leann Ellis isn't quite sure if it's a conspiracy thriller, contemporary romance, or family drama. Brynda Seymour's mother died forty years ago as Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. She was raised by her Nana, but has spent the time since living life on the edge, engaging in risky behavior and always falling for the wrong guy. When she's contacted by Howard Walters who claims that her mother's death is part of a conspiracy from NASA, she's pulled into his paranoid world where she meets his son Sam, a former preacher. Sam and Brynda have immediate chemistry, but can she fall for a guy who believes in the Lord who allowed her mother to leave her orphaned at nine years old? Ellis is very skilled at creating fully fleshed characters and writes with a terrific sense of humor. Her books always have a light touch, guaranteed to make readers smile. While the books struggles to settle into a genre, it's still an enjoyable story. The truth about Brynda's mother is rather shocking, but Ellis handles it with grace and there's an excellent message of acceptance and learning to let go.

Brynda Seymour, divorced mother of a college-age daughter, works as an obit writer and enjoys the company of her longtime boyfriend. But Bryn harbors a childhood secret that has been tearing at her heart since the day Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Painful memories wash over her like a tidal wave when she runs into a mysterious man at NASA and finds him on an old family movie film reel. Could he be the key to unveiling what really happened the day her mother died?

Bryn was nine years old the afternoon a strange man in a black suit came to the door and argued with her mother. After he left, her mother lay face down on the floor, an ugly red mark marring her cheek. Her mother downed drink after drink, then turned from drinking to sobbing. Desperate to help, Bryn found a variety of prescription pills in the medicine cabinet and gathered up a handful, knowing her mother would know which one to choose. She never expected her mother to take them all. As Bryn watched that "giant step for mankind" on television, she didn't know that her mother was quietly slipping away. Everyone believed it was a suicide, and Bryn never said a word to the contrary. Not even when a priest said her mother would burn in hell for taking her own life.

Forty years have passed since the historic lunar landing coincided with Bryn's horrific moment of truth, when she realized her mother was dead. If it weren't for her daughter, Ginger, Bryn would have no incentive to live. After all, how does one enjoy life after killing her own mother? But now another incentive has come her way --- the possibility of unraveling the mystery that led to her mother's demise. Calling Howard, the stranger from NASA, leads Bryn on what appears to be a wild goose chase. Clues lead her to one obscure location, then another, until she finds herself in a remote wooded area where an attractive man questions her motives. Blindfolded, she is led through the woods and secret passageways to an underground hideaway. There she again encounters Howard and discovers that the younger man who questioned her earlier is Howard's son, Sam.

Howard is obsessed with a conspiracy theory, believing the U.S. government is covering up facts about buildings on the moon and life on other planets. He works night and day to prove his theory, and is certain "they" are out to get him the way "they" got Bryn's mother. Sam is a pastor trying to get reacquainted with his estranged father and come to grips with his own divorce. Little by little, interesting information about Howard, Sam and Bryn's mother come to light. As Bryn tries to sort through the truths and tales coming her way, she finds her heart pulled toward Sam, a man of faith. But faith is not a concept with which Bryn feels comfortable. Could God really forgive her for killing her mother? And is it possible that two people as different as she and Sam could end up together? It only happens ONCE IN A BLUE MOON.

Author Leanna Ellis blends mystery, faith and Men in Black to create a light, interesting story that keeps you entertained and guessing. It's easy to empathize with Brynda, fall in love with Sam and imagine yourself in the middle of this unconventional plot. No matter what your beliefs about conspiracies and "little green men," you'll be sure to enjoy the twists and turns of this quirky story.

--- Reviewed by Susan Miura

More like 4.5 stars

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON is the first of Leanna Ellis's novels I have read. It took me a few pages to understand where the book was headed. But I read it in parts of two days and am really glad I read it.

I like Sam, and his pure but relaxed view of God. And how he draws out Brynda Seymour's long held secret, and helps her heal.

It was a nice paced novel to read after finishing THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS which I recently reviewed.

Leanna is a master storyteller and I am eager to read her next book.

Once in a Blue Moon is a charming and quirky novel of second chances, forgiveness and moving toward hope. Reckless in life, but not in love, Bryn Seymour, meets a man full of strange ideas and conspiracies who knew her deceased mother and hints at a conspiracy involving her mother's death. Bryn was just a child when she lost her mother and emotions and hungers drive her to investigate this crazy man's theories. Along the way she meets another man who challenges her with things she fears far more than any physical stunt she's ever encountered, love and faith. Those of you who like charming, well-written, romantic encounters full of quirk and characters need to give this book a chance.

Brynda Seymour is an obituary writer and an inspirational stories reporter, but she is on a personal journey, to find out about her Mother's death. She was only nine years old on the day that Apollo 11 made its historic lunar landing and this was the day her Mom died. But did her death happen the way everyone thought it did?

When Bryn goes to write a freelance story about the fortieth anniversary of the first moon walk, she meets Howard, a goofy old man who believes that the government is covering up the existence of crystal caverns on the moon, as well as other conspiracy things. Bryn decides to investigate, and so she travels to Howard's small Texas town, hoping for answers. But then she meets Sam, Howard's son and an outspoken Christian. Bryn can't decide whom to believe. There are some really strange things happen while Bryn is in this Texas town, but she knows she should go home but she continues to stay and gets deeper in with Howard and his son Sam (the Preacher).

I really enjoyed Ruby's Slippers by Leanna Ellis. Her latest novel, Once in a Blue Moon was just not the most interesting for me.

I've just finished reading, Once in a Blue Moon and have the biggest smile on my face and a warm feeling in my heart. This story is fun, fun, fun. I'm so thankful to receive a review copy of this book.

At first I didn't understand where Leanna Ellis was going with her story. When Byrnda Seymour meets Howard Walters, I realize then that Leanna uses the beginning to set up their strange encounter. Howard calls Miss Seymour to request she write his memoir, Bryn writes obituaries for a living - not books - but she's willing to give it a shot for a chance to find out about her mother's life. Bryn's life changes forever when she meets Howard. It's bizarre and she writes this, "One small step for man, one giant leap off the cliff of sanity."

Because of this encounter, I immerse myself into the story and Leanna Ellis's endearing characters make a way into my heart. Howard thinks someone is trying to kill him because of the NASA conspiracy theory he's researching and goes out of his way to stay safe, he says this to Bryn, "These precautions are paramount, for your safety as well as my own."

I love the relationship Bryn develops with Howard's son, Sam. Sam becomes her protector and friend. I really enjoyed their interaction. It's honest, real and fun to read. Sam says this about himself, "Even though I was going about doing good so to speak, I was putting myself in charge, not God. I decided what needed to get done....and sacrifice time with my own family for God's good--when He wasn't asking that of me at all."

Bryn questions everything," What could Howard know about my mother? And why do I care? Would I believe anything he might say anyway? I don't actually know why I felt compelled to come here to talk with Howard. Maybe it's just that I miss my mother."

Sam is trying to make light of their situation when they suspect someone is following them. He says, "And its Bond...James Bond to you, ma'am."

"Terrific. You're living out your adolescent fantasy." Bryn says.

`Who said it's my adolescent fantasy? It could be my current one.' He winks."

I enjoy Sam, a man after God's own heart, trying to help his Dad, be there for his boys and live the best he can for Christ. He's an outspoken and sincere man who can see through to the heart of Bryn. She is a woman haunted by a childhood secret, affecting every area of her life. I love the gentle, caring way Sam deals with Bryn and her secret. He wants to open her eyes so she could see for herself the light and make a choice to share with him what scares her. I love their flirting, fun and honest conversations.

I totally enjoyed every word of this book; I hated to see it end. I can't wait to see what adventure Leanna takes us on next.

Nora St.Laurent
ACFW Book Club Coordinator