Once in a Blue Moon

by Leanna Ellis

Bryn Seymour was nine years old when her mother died under mysterious circumstances on the same day Apollo 11 made its historic lunar landing. Forty years later--divorced, working as an obituary writer, and duly cynical--she meets Howard, a conspiracy theorist who knew her mom and believes a small Texas town may hold clues to what really fueled her demise. Seeking closure, Bryn goes along for this men-in-black ride. But upon meeting Howard's son Sam,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805449884
• ISBN13: 9780805449884
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: B&H Books
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Once in a Blue Moon

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

strong romantic mystery

While most of the world celebrated the Apollo 11 moon landing, nine years old Bryn Seymour grieved the death of her mom Jennifer. Four decades later, Bryn learns of some strange information re NASA and her late mother. Needing to know the truth, as she begins to think perhaps NASA is concealing something about her mom, Bryn travels to Texas to confront Howard Walters, who knew her mother. She hopes he can and will tell her the truth about her mom's death and perhaps NASA cover-ups. In Texas, Bryn and Howard's son Sam are attracted to one another, but his dad's conspiracy theory involving Jennifer may keep them apart. Once in a Blue Moon is an intriguing tale of a woman who never came to grips with the sudden death of her mother forty years ago and now has a chance for closure if she can obtain the truth; that is if anyone living knows the truth as Howard spins a conspiracy tale. Falling in love was not part of her plan, but fate intervenes. Fans will enjoy this strong romantic mystery due to a powerful cast, which besides the late mother and her adult daughter and the two Walters includes the late 1960s Apollo mission teams. Harriet Klausner

True Leanna Ellis fashion

In her own quirky fashion, Leanna Ellis delivers another wonderful story. Characters with secrets hidden so deep they don't want anyone to share them and conspiracy theories with true mysteries---what do these have to do with each other? Read this great book and find out. Leanna uses them to show that it is better to step out on faith and face your secrets then to keep trying to push them down and forget them. I also must compliment her on the sensitive way she handle a character with alzhiemers. All in all this is a great book that holds many surprises in its story. It will hold you in its grips right to the last page.

A Clever and Quirky Read - with a Redemptive Message to Boot!

Leanna Ellis ([...]) is a prolific author. `Once in a Blue Moon' is the first book of hers that I have had the pleasure to read. The book trailer for this entertaining read is available here: [...] The main character in this wonderfully quirky and entertaining novel is Bryn Seymour. Her mother died on July 20, 1969, the day that Apollo 11 landed on the moon; her death was under suspicious circumstances. Bryn was only nine years old at that time. She never knew the identity of her father. She was raised by her mother's mother, Bryn makes her living as an obituary and features writer for the Houston Chronicle. She has become a cynical woman who is not sure there is a lot of good in the world. Forty years later, her path crosses that of Howard, who was a friend of her mom's in high school. He was also an employee at NASA at the time that Bryn's mother was employed there. Bryn thinks Howard may not only shed some light on some of the holes in her life story, but would also be an interesting subject for a feature article. Howard has an interesting world view. He has inside information from his time with NASA, and wants to spread his message. His son, Sam, moved to Howard's small town in Texas, Marfa, in order to keep an eye on him and help him out when needed. Sam is a `preacher man,' and the sparks fly when he meets Bryn. I don't want to give away the ending of the book, but I do hope Ms. Ellis writes a sequel, so I can see the outcome of a potential relationship! I found Leanna's ([...]) writing style to be very entertaining. Here is a passage I think is particularly good: Flying reminds me how I've tried to soar above problems which weighed me down, sent me into a tailspin of despair, pulled me to depths from which I never thought I could recover. I always wanted to dare circumstances. Maybe that's why I've never been afraid to risk my life. Only my heart. When it breaks, I know there is no recovery. (p. 206) Her descriptions are vivid, and her attention to detail is keen. She does a wonderful job in transporting the reader into the lives of the characters, and making you care about them. I was particularly taken with the Bryn character; we have a lot in common, including being from close to the same era, time-wise, and growing up without a father. I am working on getting rid of my cynicism also! I really enjoyed `Once in a Blue Moon,' and plan on doubling back to read the other Christian fiction books by Ms. Ellis ([...]) that I have missed, including: `Elvis Takes a Back Seat,' `Lookin' Back, Texas,' and `Ruby's Slippers.' This book was provided to me by B & H Publishing Group in Nashville TN for review purposes. Reviewed by Andrea Schultz - Ponderings by Andrea - [...]

Absolutely loved this book

Everyone has their secrets. Bryn Seymour has a life-long heartbreaking secret and a heart that has been broken too many times. Howard believes there are conspiracies going on all around him. There is a loving but distant relationship with his son, Sam and the emotional issues that crossed generations are obvious. Leanna Ellis has created a fun, smart, mysterious, and quirky novel that just may be my favorite book this year. It has such an interesting storyline with eccentric characters, a unique mystery, an emotional spiritual struggle, and a truly romantic love story. Each of the well developed characters touched my heart, and I could feel their life struggles. I loved everything about the book and I hope there is a sequel in the works!