Vanessa A. Ryan's Blog, page 3

Five Pieces of Art You Should See Before You Die

Starry Night – Vincent van Gogh
Starry Night is one of the best known paintings in the world and was created by Vincent van Gogh and immortalized by singer Don McLean with his hit record “Vincent.” Considered by many to be Van Gogh’s best work, it is housed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
Arguably, the most famous painting of all time is still the biggest attraction of, perhaps, the most famous art gallery in the world. The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 1500s is seen by more than six million people every year.
Girl with a Pearl Earring – Johannes Vermeer
Many call the “Girl with a Pearl Earring” the “Dutch Mona Lisa,” and those who visit the Mauritshuis Gallery in the Netherlands will be lucky enough to see it in all its beauty. Painted by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, it is still one of the great art wonders of the world.
The Last Supper – Leonardo da Vinci
One of the most famous paintings by Da Vinci is not actually housed in a gallery or museum. The Last Supper graces a wall at the Santa Maria delle Grazie Monastery in Milan Italy. Painted in the 15th century, the painting shows the last supper of Jesus with his disciples.
Guernica – Pablo Picasso
Perhaps the most famous painting by Pablo Picasso hangs in Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid, Spain and shows the bombing of Guernica, Spain during the Spanish Civil War.

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

Fine Art, Fine Cities and Your Next Vacation

The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
When visiting Amsterdam what could be better than checking out one of their most prestigious national treasures? “The Van Gogh Museum” in Amsterdam is dedicated to the work of Van Gogh and holds a large collection of his work from many different stages of his career.
The Tate Britain and the Tate Modern, London
Many say that the first thing you should do in London is visit the “Tate Britain,” an art gallery that houses art that dates from the 1500s to the modern day. The newer “Tate Modern” holds one of the best collections of modern art from 1900 forward. The art in the “Tate Modern” tends to be experimental and is home to Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Tracey Emin.
The National Gallery, Prague
The beautiful city of Prague in the Czech Republic holds a mix of Czech artwork, Cubism and Baroque pieces and exhibit items from artists such as Jan Preisler who happens to be one of the greatest Czech painters—best known for his “Fairy Tale” collection, which happens to be on view at the National Gallery.
The Louvre, Paris
Of course, almost everyone knows that “The Louvre” is the home to the “Mona Lisa” and happens to be one of the most beautifully architected buildings in the world. The gallery holds pieces from Botticelli, Braque, Picasso and Rubens and is a sight not to be missed if you are ever in Paris.
The Groeninge Museum, Bruges
Any true art lover will know that the “Groeninge Museum” in Bruges houses one of the most mesmerising collections of artwork from the Netherlands and Belgium—much of it dating from the 18th century. From historic paintings to modern art pieces, this gallery should be top of your list if you happen to be in Bruges.

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

Three Mysteries To Mull Over in Your Mind

The Babushka Lady
The John F. Kennedy assassination is full of myths and legends, but one of the most interesting is the mysterious woman spotted in the film. Wearing a dark overcoat and a scarf on her head, she appeared to be holding something in front of her face, like a camera. She has been seen many times in the footage and was even present at the scene after most of the bystanders left. In later footage, she is seen moving away from the scene of the assassination. The FBI did request that the lady turn herself in and share any knowledge that she had of the assassination— she may have shot important footage with her camera—but she never turned up. Frauds have declared themselves as the Babushka Lady but nobody really knows who she was or why she was there, and the most important question has always been: Why wouldn’t she want to give up the evidence she had recorded?
The Green Children
In the 12th century, two children appeared in the village of Woolpit in Surrey. A brother and sister, they were perfectly normal children except that they had green skin. They spoke in a strange language and refused to eat anything other than pitch from bean pods. Over time, their skin lost its color and the children learned English. Their explanation for being green? They were from the “Land of St. Martin” which was dark because the sun never rose above the horizon. They were tending their father’s herd of cattle and followed a “river of light” when they heard the ringing of bells. Then they arrived in Woolpit. Some say they are parallel dimension children, some say they were aliens and some just think the whole incident was made up. What do you think?
The Aluminum Wedge of Aiud
In the early 1970s, a wedge-shaped object was found over one mile east of the city of Aiud, Romania. The object was discovered on the banks of the river Mures and was found alongside two mastodon bones. Many have said that the object looks like the head of a hammer, and it is apparently made of aluminium alloy encased in a layer of oxide. There are many strange things about the object—one of the most strange is that aluminium was not produced in any real quantity until 1885. Many say that the object is evidence of aliens visiting earth as there was no way for humans to create the alloy so long ago.

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

Why Reviews Are So Important To Authors

From time to time you may hear an author saying something akin to, “If you liked my book, leave me a review on Goodreads or on Amazon.”
And many of you oblige and write a review, especially those who have reviewed my book “A Palette For Murder.”
I know it can appear that authors just want the reviews to have their egos stroked, but it’s really not like that at all. Reviews are the way you can orally spread how you felt about the book. It’s like a vote in a general election. It’s a way for you to express what you liked, didn’t like and what you felt could have been better.
Reviews are important for the review-starved author. Many of them do their own marketing, promote their own books and spend much of their precious time promoting their books as best they can. 
Reviews are something they cannot easily get. Those are things that only you—the reader—can supply, and through your review, other readers can discover the book. It’s readers who hold the real power within the book world. You choose what you like, what you don’t like and what you think your friends may want to read.
Let me say that again—YOU, the Reader, hold the power, and it’s through you that other readers will discover books.
It may seem that sometimes your opinions go unnoticed, and there is no way to gauge how influential your review may be. Reviews can be short, long, a quick note or a decided rant about the book, but other readers considering buying the book may be swayed by your argument.
An ego trip is the furthest thing in the world that I want or need, but don’t think that your reviews go unnoticed. I try to like, comment and touch base with as many reviewers as possible.
So if you happen to read my new cozy mystery, “A Palette For Murder,” and you enjoyed it, leave me a note on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes &Noble or any other book seller and let me know what you thought. If you’ve already written a review—thank you! Don’t worry if you haven’t. I hope one day you will tell me how you really feel about my work.


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

Are You Going To The Next Vanessa A. Ryan Book Signing?

Have you been enjoying "A Palette For Murder" by author Vanessa A. Ryan? Would you like to meet the author and get your copy of the book signed? Well now you can!

When?

The signing will be taking place on Saturday, May 16 at 3:00pm PDT

But Where?

Vanessa will be at Mystery Ink 8907 Warner Ave Suite 135, Huntington Beach, California 92647

Haven't Read The Book Yet?

Lana Davis arrives in New Mexico from Los Angeles, with plans for some sightseeing. But this all-expense-paid trip isn't a vacation. She's here to find Antonio Chavez, the missing beneficiary of a large life insurance policy her company issued, and last seen in Santa Fe. A disgruntled heir insists he should receive the proceeds instead. However bogus his claim is, the public relations nightmare he causes for her company is real. If Lana doesn't find Antonio, her job is on the line.

Lana's search for Antonio brings her into the inner circle of a powerful art gallery in Santa Fe. But she soon discovers, when art and greed collide, the result is deadly. And finding herself a target is more than she signed up for. You can read the book here.

Reviews Said...


“As Lana uncovers infidelity, art forgery, and theft while she investigates the gallery’s employees and customers, several people are murdered and she is attacked. Framed with details of the culture of Santa Fe and that city's art scene, this mystery will appeal to those who enjoyed The Blank Canvas by Glen Ebisch.” Booklist Review 3/1/2015

"An insurance claims agent is drafted to play detective, first by her own company and later by the owner of a tony art gallery. . . good fun.” Kirkus Review 2/15/2015

"...a terrific read that keeps the reader wondering what is going to happen next.” Will Zeilinger, author of The Final Checkpoint, and co-author of Slivers of Glass





Need To Read The Book First? Get Your Copy Here


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

Will These Strange Happenings Ever Be Solved?

A Pilot without a Plane
Experienced Pilot Peter Gibbs took a late night flight in his plane and never returned on Christmas Eve of 1975. Months later, his body was discovered halfway up a hill and over a mile from the Isle of Mull airfield, where he had taken off. Nobody could find his plane, and nobody could find any injuries.
Ever since the discovery of his body, there have been much speculation as to what happened to him. From gun-running to aliens—why was he flying that plane, and where did that plane go?
Spinning in the Case
A media sensation was caused in 2013 when the 4,000-year-old statue of ancient Egyptian Neb-Senu was caught rotating on camera. The statue, housed at a museum, turned 180 degrees while locked inside its glass museum case. There are those who believe the curse of the Pharaohs is to blame. 
What actually caused the ancient relic to spin is a mystery.
The Giant Bodmin Beast
First spotted in 1995, the huge black panther was seen roaming Bodmin Moor. By the time the media covered the story, reports of mutilated livestock were rife, and many believed in the wild phantom cat. Hundreds of sightings later, nobody has ever discovered where the giant cat came from and nobody wanders the moor at night…
We All Fall Down
An annual marching band show was taking place in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire on July 13, 1980. 500 children were taking part in the show, but at 10:30am they all started to collapse. A huge majority of the kids suffered fainting attacks, nausea, sore eyes and throats and nobody knows what caused this unanticipated event. Was it fertilizer? Was it mass hysteria? Who knows… and more than likely, nobody ever will.
It’s Raining Seaweed
Residents of Berkeley, Gloucestershire were shocked to see seaweed falling from the sky during a storm in 2012. They soon forgot about the strange occurrence and went back to their daily lives. A year later, on exactly the same day, it happened again. What caused seaweed to fall on the town with such precision? It’s a mystery.

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 Mysteries That May Never Be Solved

Georgia Guidestones
Did you know America has its own version of Stonehenge? The Georgia Guidestones are located in Elbert County, and nobody knows where they came from. It is said that they only date to 1979. The walls are covered in writings that purport to be 10 new commandments and are written in several different languages including Swahili, Hindu, Chinese, Russian and English. Nobody knows much about the monument.
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Shastri left the country healthily and yet died a death nobody has been able to explain. Many say he died of a heart attack—but those who have checked the body say that he was in good shape. His wife claimed that he was poisoned, but it was never proven as there was no post mortem. There are rumors galore—but the answer was taken with Shastri to the grave.
D.B. Cooper
A strange mystery. D.B. Cooper hijacked a Boeing and $200,000. He jumped out of the plane with a parachute and was never found. The case of D.B. Cooper still remains the only unsolved case in American Aviation History. Will he ever be found?
Extra-terrestrial Signal
Jerry R. Ehman worked on the SETI project at the Ohio Wesleyan University Perkins Observatory and did not expect to be able to pick up a signal from outer space. He was surprised when he managed to get a 72 second signal from deep space… but he could never find the signal again and nobody to this day knows where that signal came from.
The Feet of British Columbia
One beach in British Columbia has been suffering from an influx of severed feet. For the past few years, there have been many theories as to where the feet come from—but no one has yet come up with the answer.

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

Join The Goodreads Giveaway For Cozy Mystery "A Palette For Murder" Today!

Would You Like To Win Your Free Copy of "A Palette For Murder" by Top Cozy Mystery Author Vanessa A. Ryan?

Here's Your Chance...





A Palette For Murder tells the story of Lana Davis.

Lana Davis arrives in New Mexico from Los Angeles, planning to look up a former boyfriend and take in some sightseeing. But this all-expense-paid trip is not a vacation. She’s here to find Antonio Chavez, last seen in Santa Fe. He’s the missing beneficiary of a large life insur-ance policy her company issued. The heat is on because a disgruntled heir insists he should receive the proceeds instead. However bogus his claim is, the public relations nightmare he causes for her company is real. If Lana doesn’t find Antonio, her job is on the line.

Reviewers have loved the book...

Vanessa A. Ryan’s writing style draws you in from the very first page. Her dialogue flows smoothly and realistically, and we feel like we know the characters before finishing the first chapter.

Enter this new competition below to win your copy of a great new cozy mystery here... 

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/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan
 

The Goodreads Giveaway For Cozy Mystery "A Palette For Murder" Is About To Begin!

Would You Like To Win Your Free Copy of "A Palette For Murder" by Top Cozy Mystery Author Vanessa A. Ryan?

Here's Your Chance...




A Palette For Murder tells the story of Lana Davis.

Lana Davis arrives in New Mexico from Los Angeles, planning to look up a former boyfriend and take in some sightseeing. But this all-expense-paid trip is not a vacation. She’s here to find Antonio Chavez, last seen in Santa Fe. He’s the missing beneficiary of a large life insur-ance policy her company issued. The heat is on because a disgruntled heir insists he should receive the proceeds instead. However bogus his claim is, the public relations nightmare he causes for her company is real. If Lana doesn’t find Antonio, her job is on the line.

Reviewers have loved the book...

Vanessa A. Ryan’s writing style draws you in from the very first page. Her dialogue flows smoothly and realistically, and we feel like we know the characters before finishing the first chapter.

Enter this new competition below to win your copy of a great new cozy mystery...

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Goodreads Book Giveaway A Palette for Murder by Vanessa A. Ryan Giveaway ends May 30, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to Win
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/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan

Five Cozy Mysteries Set in England

Bess Crawford Mystery Series by Charles Todd
Charles Todd writes the Bess Crawford Mystery series, which is set during the First World War in England. Written by mother and son writing team Caroline and Charles Todd, the series is absolutely delightful.
Christmas Mystery Series by Anne Perry
Written by Anne Perry, this illustrious series is set in Victorian England. The characters are carried over from two other Anne Perry series called “Thomas and Charlotte Pitt” and “The William Monk” series. The book features the wealthy and powerful of England who live in huge mansions and country houses… but still have to deal with cozy-style crime.
Campbell and Carter Mystery Series by Ann Granger
Released in 2009 and set in England, the “Campbell and Carter Mystery Series” features Inspector Jess Campbell and her superior, Superintendent Ian Carter. Written by Ann Granger, the series takes place in the Cotswolds.
Cotswold Mystery Series by Rebecca Tope
More Cotswolds capers come from Rebecca Tope, author of the “Cotswold Mystery Series” featuring the widowed Thea Osbourne. Thea sits houses, solves murders and first jumped onto the book scene in 2004.
Manna from Hades (Cornish Mystery Series #1) by Carola Dunn
From the Cotswolds to Cornwall, this series is set in 1960s England and features another widow called Eleanor Trewynn who runs a thrift store in Cornwall. Retired after traveling around the world with her husband, she now solves crimes for Inspector Scumble.

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/vryan333
http://vanessaryanwriter.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/VanessaRyan33
http://www.amazon.com/author/vryan