Despair: Book Two of the Negative Ion Trilogy

by Ryanne Anthony, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

Cassidy Wren followed her dreams and with her boyfriend, Eddie, she moved from a farming community in Iowa to bustling New York City. Later, tired of rejection, a fateful phone call leads Cassidy to move again, this time to her hometown of Hampton, California and try her luck there. Negative Ion keyboardist Greg Mitchell is embroiled in a nasty custody battle with his ex while attempting to heal and keep strong for the rest of the band members after the loss of a brother. Sparks fly when Cassidy and Greg’s paths collide, but the guilt from their unusual rendezvous may just be enough to destroy her and her relationship with Eddie, who needs help with a physical problem but is avoiding changing. In fact, his entire outlook on life is changing and not for the better, Cassidy believes. Plus, Cassidy’s new friend Kimber is hiding something and she suspects it has to do with missing Negative Ion drummer, Jaxen Malloy. Cassidy soon finds her life in a complete flux and she doesn’t know who to the man she thought will always be there for her or the man who sets her body aflame? Could he possibly be the same guy?

Audible Audio

Published July 14, 2026

About the author

Ryanne Anthony is a lifelong storyteller and avid reader. She enjoys sharing her stories and creating new worlds and putting them on paper.

Her love of words began when she was given her first novel at age 11... Tristan & Isolde... by her father, who'd given it to her to stop her incessant talking.

Ms. Anthony is a Midwestern girl, born and raised, and is a loving wife and mother of a boy and a girl, one each of the human and fur species.

"Life is unpredictable and loves to throw you curves, big or small. Despite that knowledge, I totally believe in happily ever after... even if your true soul-mate is named Jack Daniels."