Vanessa A. Ryan's Blog, page 2

An Exciting Giveaway Of Three Intriguing Mystery/Thriller Novels

I am excited to be part of a contest giving away my book, A Palette for Murder, my latest cozy mystery with Angel Sefer's Dark Shadow of the Past and Jill Meengs' Trigger, two thrilling mystery suspense novels.

In Dark Shadow of the Past, Christina Connors and police detective Dan Mallory find themselves caught in a deadly game of conspiracy, murder, and vengeance. While the detective fights to save Christina and protect his career, she must discover how to play the game without revealing her true identity. But her secret won't stay buried for long, and the truth could mean death for them both.

Trigger is full of suspense and murder. Jordan Shaw knows the only way to stop the man hunting her is to kill him. She also knows the other men who came after her are dead, some of their blood is on her hands, and she wouldn’t have survived this long without the help of the intriguing and secretive Chase Hudson. Even though she isn’t sure she can trust Chase, she believes she needs him to discover the truth.

And of course, in A Palette for Murder, my first cozy mystery with Lana Davis, Lana's search for a missing heir brings her into the inner circle of a powerful art gallery in Santa Fe, owned by the daughter of a wealthy family. Although Lana's knowledge of art is limited to the one art history class she took in college, she soon discovers, when art and greed collide, the result is deadly. But her knack for finding dead bodies makes the police nervous. And finding herself a target for murder is more than she signed up for. 

So here's the way to enter the contest. Don't delay: 
 Rafflecopter giveaway

Native American Indian Art

Music plays an important role in the Native American culture, but there is a very special place for art, too. American Indians have used art as a way of expressing themselves for many hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Most of their art is symbolic with bears, eagles, people or walruses playing a huge part, and much of the artwork is made from rocks, feathers, clay and fabric.
In colder areas, the Native Americans enjoyed creating art as a tribute to their animal friends. Walruses were carved out of whale’s teeth and bears and eagles were made out of rock. Statues were often created to show the Native American love of animals. Even weapons and musical instruments were considered to be art for the Native American tribes.
When you think about Native American art, one of their most cherished art forms instantly comes to mind. The Indians are famous for their use of the legendary totem poles, which were tall wooden sculptures that showed several generations of a family. Each of the “faces” in the pole showed different representations of different family members—some were human and some were animal.
Basket weaving, too, was considered by the Indians to be a form of art—albeit one that served a very important role in their everyday lives. Cornhusks and reeds were woven together to create the baskets, and then the material would be dyed to make the fascinating tribal patterns that Indians are so famous for. In fact, the Navajo tribe is most famous for their handwoven baskets. 

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at: https://twitter.com/Vanessa_A_Ryan
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Five Stolen Paintings The World Nearly Lost

Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci:
Would the Mona Lisa receive the same amount of attention if it hadn't been stolen? Prior to its theft, the painting was hardly known outside the art world. But interest in the painting peaked after it was stolen right off the wall by Vincenzo Peruggia, a thief imitating the cleaning staff. The ensuing panic closed the doors to the Louvre for a week, and the painting wasn't found for two years. You can see it -- sort of -- behind a thick wall of tourists and bullet-proof, alarmed plexiglass at the Louvre in Paris, France.
Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, Hubert and Jan van Eyck:
Better known as the Ghent Altarpiece, Mystic Lamb, painted in 1432, it seems to be beloved by Germans -- soldiers, in particular. The first heist of two panels occurred by German forces in WWI. The second heist, in 1942, was commissioned by Hitler because he wanted the painting to hanging in Neuschwanstein Castle -- the famous "Disney" castle. The painting can still be found in St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent, Belgium, its original location, although one panel, "The Just Judges," remains missing.
Boy in the Red Vest, Paul Cezanne:
At the outset, this painting is no more famous than any of the others listed -- although its $109 million value begs to differ. It's just a boy wearing an Italian red waistcoat. But what's intriguing about the boy is that Cezanne's work was one of three paintings stolen from the private Bührle Collection in 2008. The other paintings include a Van Gogh, Monet and Degas. The combined price of these works exceeded $300 million. The painting is back at the E.G. Bührle Collection, Zürich, Switzerland, although, hopefully, under tighter security measures.
Jacob de Gheyn III, Rembrandt:
The 12-inch by 10-inch portrait is of the son of the canon of Utrecht. What's most interesting about this painting is that, since 1966, it's been stolen four different times, the most of any artwork. Because of this, it's commonly known as the "takeaway Rembrandt." It's only a matter of time before the painting disappears again. Currently, it's hiding at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, England.
The Scream, Edvard Munch:
Munch's The Scream ranks among the most iconic figures in art history. The piece's bent-skull, long chin and wide eyes even inspired a series of over-dramatic horror films and a Halloween costume craze in the '90s. But even more fascinating is that The Scream has been subjected to many thefts. The most recent theft occurred in 2004, when the $150 million painting wasn't recovered for two years. You can find it in the Munch Museum in Oslo, Norway.

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at: https://twitter.com/Vanessa_A_Ryan
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Time For A Trip on the London Tube?

There is only one Tube station which does not have any letters of the word ‘mackerel’ in it: St John’s Wood.Many tube stations were used as air-raid shelters during the Second World War, but the Central Line was even converted into a fighter aircraft factory that stretched for over two miles, with its own railway system. Its existence remained an official secret until the 1980s.The longest distance between stations is on the Metropolitan line from Chesham to Chalfont & Latimer: a total of only 3.89 miles.The longest continuous tunnel is on the Northern line and runs from East Finchley to Morden (via Bank), a total of 17.3 miles.The total length of the London Underground network is 249 miles.The TARDIS, (Dr Who’s transport) can be found outside Earl’s Court station. Or at least an old police call box can.Over 47 million litres water are pumped from the Tube each day, enough to fill a standard leisure centre swimming pool (25 metres x 10 metres) every quarter of an hour.The District Line has the most stations: 60.Tube trains travelled 72.4 million train kilometres (45 million miles) last year.One of the early names proposed for the Victoria Line was the Viking line.The first escalator on the Underground was installed at Earl’s Court in 1911.Sting and Paul McCartney are both rumoured to have busked on the Underground in disguise.Approximately 50 passengers a year kill themselves on the Underground.A sobering statistic is that the most popular tube suicide time is around 11 am.The last manually operated doors on Tube trains (replaced by air-operated doors) were phased out in 1929.Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at: https://twitter.com/Vanessa_A_Ryan
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Weekend Facts: A Pile of Facts to Liven Up Your Weekend

“The Star Spangled Banner” (the American national anthem) was created by an Englishman.“Pygg” used to mean “clay” in olden day English. People kept their coins in clay jars that were called “pygg jars,” which have evolved into what we currently call piggy banks.Gargoyles were originally used as drain pipes!Buckingham Palace has its own police station.Chickens outnumber humans in England.The Queen owns all the sturgeons, whales and dolphins in the waters within 3 miles from the UK.The Queen sent her first e-mail in 1976.Prince William wanted to become a cop when he was younger.He also has his own postage stamp.It’s considered treason to place a stamp bearing the King or Queen’s image upside-down.Prince William paid $200 to sit in the front row and watch Kate in the fashion show.Kate Middleton is allergic to horses.Ginger Spice was originally Sexy Spice, but changed to better suit their younger fans.Francesca Gray wrote J.K. Rowling her first fan letter, but thought she was a man, and began her letter with “Dear Sir…”J.K. Rowling is the first person to make a billion dollars from writing books.James Bond’s code “007” was inspired by the author Ian Fleming’s bus route from Canterbury to London.No portrait was ever painted of William Shakespeare when he was alive.Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at: https://twitter.com/Vanessa_A_Ryan
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Cromwell, Monarchy and Facts About London's Most Artistic Building

The Wooden MonarchyThe Abbey museum holds the unexpected sight of the lifelike figures of many monarchs, some in full costume. The effigies used to be displayed on top of the royal tombs and were often paraded at the funerals. Some were created from death masks. Coming face-to-face with these realistic figures can be an unnerving experience.Don’t Lose Cromwell’s HeadA stone in the pavement of the Lady Chapel of Henry VII records The Burial Place of Oliver Cromwell 1658–1661. But in 1661 the monarchy was restored and the body of the Lord Protector was thrown out of the Abbey. It was dragged to Tyburn Gallows and hung on the anniversary of the execution of Charles I. Cromwell’s head was stuck on a pole outside Westminster Hall, where for many years it was a chilling reminder of the English Civil War.Surrounded by the DeadThe royal tombs and Poets’ Corner are well known, but did you know that there are 450 tombs and monuments in Westminster Abbey? For several hundred years anyone who could afford the fees could be buried in the Abbey, and then came the gradual change to public figures. The tombs of the not-so-famous can be just as fascinating as those of the celebrated. Look for the skeleton emerging from Lady Nightingale’s tomb – it’s a grisly vision of death.The Oldest Door in EnglandAn oak door by the Chapter House was recently dated to about 1050 AD. Pieces of hide were noticed on the door in the 1800s and a legend grew that this was the flayed skin of a thief nailed to the door as a warning. But investigations showed that it is in fact cowhide, fixed to the door as a smooth base for decoration.That Bearded WomanSt Wilgeforte was a favourite of women who wanted to be rid of their abusive husbands. According to legend– the saint was said to have grown a full beard after praying to be made repulsive to escape an arranged marriage.The End of the World is Nigh!The sanctuary of the Abbey is covered by a Cosmati pavement, made up of thousands of cut pieces of mosaic and porphyry. Its brass lettering now just tells us its date (1268), the king (Henry III), and where it came from (Rome). But lost lettering helped explain a symbolic meaning which calculated how long the universe would last – 19,683 years.

The Five Most Famous Paintings on the Planet

5. The Birth of Venus – Sandro Botticelli
The Birth of Venus was created around 1485–87 and depicts the goddess Venus emerging from the sea as told in a myth that explains her birth. The patron who commissioned the painting is still a mystery, but some say that Lorenzo de’ Medici was the commissioner and that he wanted to hang it at the Villa of Castello. Today, the painting lives in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
4. The Night Watch – Rembrandt van Rijn
This is one of the most famous works to come from the Dutch Golden Age. The Night Watch is perhaps the most famous painting by Rembrandt van Rijn. It shows a city watchmen being led out by his captain and lieutenant. For many years, the painting was coated in dark varnish, which gave the impression that the painting was of a night scene. In the 1940s, the varnish was removed and the painting can today be seen at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
3. The Scream – Edvard Munch
Everyone knows “The Scream”—a figure in agony against a red sky. Edvard Munch did several different versions of “The Scream,” but the most famous one was painting in 1893 and hangs at “The National Gallery of Norway.” It was stolen in 1994 but recovered several months later.
2. The Starry Night – Vincent van Gogh
Although not commonly known, Van Gogh only sold one painting during his life, yet his legacy to the art world even today remains as one of the most outstanding. Starry Night, however, is his most famous painting and has become a very famous part of popular culture. The painting depicts the village of Saint-Remy under a swirling sky in a view from the asylum. Since the early 1940s, the painting has been on show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
1. The Mona Lisa – Leonard da Vinci
Who doesn’t know “The Mona Lisa?” Leonardo da Vinci painted the most famous painting in the world during the Renaissance in Florence. He started the painting in 1503 and only finished it shortly before he died in 1519. The painting was stolen in 1911, and for two years it was hidden in the apartment of Louvre employee Vincenzo Peruggia. When he tried to sell it to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, he was caught and the painting was returned to the Louvre. 

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at: https://twitter.com/Vanessa_A_Ryan
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Five of the Most Artistic Buildings in London

Trafalgar Square
The famous city square that celebrates Lord Nelson’s victory against the navy of Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar back in 1805. The monument is a tall column that holds a figure of Nelson, which stands guard over London surrounded by four large lions and a set of fountains. Trafalgar Square is said to be one of the most famous monuments in the world and has become a point of pride for Londoners.
Westminster Abbey
A Gothic church located west of the Palace of Westminster. The abbey is one of the most prestigious religious buildings in the United Kingdom and is, of course, the traditional place where coronations are held and royals are buried. Most of building dates from the reign of Henry III who decided to rebuild the abbey in the gothic style. Later, the building was expanded. The earliest parts of the building date from 1245.
The Tower of London
Built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and used as a prison for much of its life, this popular tourist attraction now houses the British Crown Jewels. Prisoners held at the tower ranged from Anne Boleyn and King Henry VI to Nazi defector Rudolf Hess.
The Palace of Westminster
Not the residence of the Queen, but the Houses of Parliament. The building dates from the 19th century when it was built after a fire. It is designed in the Victorian neo-Gothic style and the House of Commons is located within the building. As avid BBC Parliament viewers can tell you, the House of Commons is decorated with green leather upholstery.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
One of the most famous sights in London and a building that has even survived the Blitz. Its dome was inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and rises 118 meters to the cross at its summit. It was once the tallest building in London and is now arguably the most recognizable building in London.

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at: https://twitter.com/Vanessa_A_Ryan
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Impressionism, Cubism, Pop Art and Rebellion in the Art World

Impressionism
Impressionism was a movement within the art world that started in France towards the end of the 19th century. The Impressionist artists were very well known for their new and innovative painting techniques and their individual approach.
Some of the most important artists to be part of the movement were Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Pissarro, Degas and Alfred Sisley. These artists created some of the most important work of the movement.
Cubism
A revolutionary style of art developed by Georges Braques and Pablo Picasso. It was one of the first styles of abstract art and started right at the start of the 20th century. Cubism was an attempt by artists to revitalize the tired and boring traditions of the art world. The Cubists changed conventional forms of representation and perspective and broke all of the rules. Their aim was to represent the modern age in a truly individual way.
Pop Art
As the world was changed by singers and bands such as Elvis and the Beatles during the 1950s and early 1960s, the art world adapted and created the brash and fun Pop Art culture. Many different styles of painting from various countries from around the world held one common thread—an interest in mass culture and mass production. The term “Pop” was first used by British art critic Lawrence Alloway to describe a new type of art that represented modern popular culture.

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at: https://twitter.com/Vanessa_A_Ryan
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Five Amazing Art Galleries You Can Visit in the U.S.A

Seattle Art Museum – Seattle
The Seattle museum is actually three separate buildings that comprise the Asian Art Museum, the Olympic Sculpture Park and the main museum and holds more than 15,000 works of art. With artwork that comes from all over the world and in every style, the Seattle Art Museum should be on the must-see list of every budding art lover.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art – San Francisco
Architecturally beautiful and full of art in all sizes, shapes and designs, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art comprises all kinds of wonders from its collection of sculptures to work from Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol. Of special note is the unique photography collection. If you love art then you will devour the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum -- Boston
Works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Degas, and Raphael all hang on the walls of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the beautiful metropolitan city of Boston. Artwork isn’t the only thing that this fantastic gallery holds—concerts, lectures and community programs mean that there’s something for everyone.
Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art – New York
If your love is comics and cartoons then New York’s Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art should be on your list of must-see visits. Every variety and kind of comic and cartoon art is held in this museum, and to make things better—entry to the museum is extremely cheap.
Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts – St. Louis, Missouri
Another beautiful building designed by Tadao Ando and full of some of the most fascinating art work in America. Just beware calling this Gallery a museum as those who run it do not want it labelled that way. Visit their impressive collection of art and catch the Symphony Orchestra in action for a wonderful night out with the family.

Vanessa A. Ryan is the author of:
 Horror At The Lake, A Vampire Tale mystery trilogy:
Book 1, The Legacy Of Fear -- order now 
Book 2, The Trail Of Terror -- order now Book 3, The Blood Of Redemption -- order now


A Palette For Murder - order now

Follow  Vanessa A. Ryan  at: https://twitter.com/Vanessa_A_Ryan
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan