Blood Moon

A Rowan Gant Investigation #9

by M.R. Sellars

AND THE MOON BECAME AS BLOOD …

A mere handful of months has passed since the horror known as Miranda turned Rowan Gant’s and his wife Felicity O’Brien’s lives into an extended nightmare from which there seemed no escape. And still, her evil continues to affect them on levels unimagined-both in the real world and the ethereal. Struggling to cope with those lingering aftereffects and restore some semblance of normalcy to their days, the resilient duo are cursed to find themselves asked to take on the wholly unwanted task of aiding their friend, homicide detective Benjamin Storm, in solving yet another bizarre murder.

While consulting for the Greater Saint Louis Major Case Squad has become an almost full-time job for Rowan-as well as a deeply ingrained part of his life-his desire for a normal existence devoid of crime scenes and horrific visions fuels a deep reluctance to get involved.

However, when a long time enemy within the police force and an insistent spirit both demand the benefits of Rowan’s unique talents, he is thrust into a situation that leaves him no choice in the matter.

But as questions are answered, a thread of deception unravels in the encroaching darkness, leaving the unofficial Witch of the Major Case Squad to wonder who he can really trust.

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Witches, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Fantasy

275 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2009

About the author

A member of the ITW (International Thriller Writers), M. R. Sellars is a relatively unassuming homebody who, in his own words, “tells pretty lies for a living.” Although his penchant for creating fiction began at an early age, he was eventually inspired to pursue a degree in journalism, an endeavor he describes as, “a good chase, even though it got away.” His career plans re-routed, he put a secondary talent – electronics repair – into play. However, this did not deter him from writing and he soon re-focused on his first love, fiction. While he had several short stories appear in minor publications, it wasn’t until 2000 that his first full-length novel, Harm None: A Rowan Gant Investigation, hit bookstore shelves, officially launching the acclaimed paranormal thriller series and its associated spinoff.

All of the current novels in Sellars’ continuing Rowan Gant Investigations saga have spent several consecutive weeks on numerous bookstore bestseller lists as well as a consistent showing on the Amazon.com Horror/Occult top 100. In 2010 a short e-novella featuring a supporting character from the RGI cast spawned a new series, The Special Agent Constance Mandalay Novels, the first full-length book being IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER, which hit the streets November 2011. The second, INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE is slated for release 2018.

Sellars currently resides in the Midwest with his wife, daughter, and a houseful of rescued animals – a population which currently stands at one canine (Vicki the Wonder Dog) and three felines (Roxxy, Nachos el Tigre, and Mac the Klaw) – not to mention the myriad creatures inhabiting the Two-Acre Wood. He often describes the fluctuating menagerie as, “the competition.” At home, when not writing, taking care of the household, splitting firewood, or battling the insidious and invasive Asian Bush Honeysuckle, he indulges his passions for cooking and home brewing.

M. R. Sellars can be located on the web wherever there is a virtual bar serving virtual single malt Scotch, single barrel bourbon, good Irish whisky, and decent beer. In other words, look for him on the major social networking sites.

For more information contact wendy@willowtreepress.com

Reviews

[Amy Phelps · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason I am giving this book 2 stars instead of I’ve was because the story line had promise. The characters were annoying. This was obviously written before PC was a thing. One of the main characters was an Indian & he refereed to his friends as white man & firehair. The dialogue got old & stale quickly & I felt the story dragged. Constantly referring to the twilight zone thing was annoying as well.

[Carl Alves · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first novel that I have read in the Rowan Gant series and I was a bit underwhelmed by it. Rowan Gant is a witch who can hear the dead and helps the police with murder investigations. Although he wants out of these investigations, the dead won’t let him out and he gets sucked into another investigation which involves vampires, or at least someone who likes to drain the blood out of his victims.

As I mentioned, the novel was a bit underwhelming. The writing to me seemed fairly pedestrian. There was nothing novel or intriguing about the storyline. Furthermore, very little actually happens in this novel. It’s mostly just Rowan having conversations with people. There is very little that occurs from a plot standpoint. This novel could easily have been cut in half. Most disappointing of all is that the climactic scene of this novel happens off the screen. There is no payoff. By the time I was finished reading it, I was ambivalent and had no interest in reading any further books in this series.

Carl Alves – author of Blood Street

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was amused by the names of the FBI Agents in the first chapter -- Book, Frye and Washburn. Firefly fans would recognize these names as some of the crew (Shepard, Kaylee and Zoe) :-)

I enjoyed this one a bit more than the Miranda trilogy, although we are still working through Miranda issues in this one, and apparently the next one at least. I skimmed a bit more than I usually do with books, I got annoyed with the pages of dialogue on Rowan having a headache, and trying to ignore it, and Ben asking if he was okay, and Rowan lying...This story could have been told in half the pages.

[Kd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing installment in what, up to this point, has been a fairly engaging series. The central mystery is SERIOUSLY underdeveloped. Rowan spends most of his time complaining about supernaturally-induced headaches and engaging in verbal duels with his wife and/or his best friend, Ben. Basically, the book feels like filler, taking up space between the last Miranda novel and the next. Oh editor, where art thou?

[Vicky · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be honest, I gave this book good chance but couldn't get past the halfway point. Miranda. The story line didn't flow. Why carry on with the past 3 novels? There appeared to be a new theme in this story but never did the plot develop and I am tired of Miranda.
i really enjoyed the first works off Mr. sellars. Ever since Miranda became his focus the writing and story lines have faltered such that this latest novel was the worst.

[Kirsten Lenius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book in the Rowan Gant Investigations series. Miranda isn't finished with yet. One of Rowan's enemies is driven to seek his help by unethical methods when a relative is abducted.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great way to round out the series!