Born Under a Lucky Moon

This was one of those books that I couldnt stop reading. Its one of those rare occasions when you discover a brand new author and you pick up their book and you fall instantly in love. Yes this was that such book. I started reading it during my lunch break at work and I did not want to put it down. Yes, I was even contemplating reading the book while I was working but alas I dont want to get fired so sadly the book had to be put away until I got back home. As soon as I did get home, I savored the rest of the story like a fine wine or some good cheese. Seriously, this is one of the best stories that Ive read this year. I love sister stories and this book is full of them. There are four sisters (and 1 brother) in the Thompson family. Jeannie is telling the story of the summer of 1986 where everything that could possibly go wrong and crazy for her family does. There is so much hilarity in the story and so much going on that it could have possibly gone awry. But Precious weaves everything perfectly together. I cant believe how much could happen with one family but it did. From surprise weddings, gas leaks, a sexually charged priest and everything in between. That summer was one to remember. And remember Jeannie does as she reminiscences about it in 2006 to the man that shes in love with but afraid to fully commit. 20 years later, she finds herself working in Hollywood and beings super stressed about her job. She is also hiding her family from her boyfriend because she doesnt want to lose him the way she did her ex-husband on account of them. Reading about the background scenes of the movie scene was fascinating. Its not all glitz and glamour to get those big budget movies out there. Its a frantic world and even when you give 200%, it still wont be enough. I can understand being embarrassed or even a bit ashamed of your family. It happens to almost anyone. Jeannies family didnt seem all that bad to me (ok except for her dads mom, yes she was very touched). In fact, they seem like a family that loves each other and truly cares about each other throughout the years. I loved reading their story and all their adventures. I think that anyone who comes from a family with multiple siblings will really enjoy this story. Theres so much emotion, realism and honesty in this book. This is honestly one of the best debut books that Ive read and I cannot wait to read more from Dana Precious. A great read to enjoy during the upcoming summer break. HIGHLY recommended.

Fun to read about my home town!

I loved this book! I havent sat down and read a book in years. I currently live in Muskegon area and was recommended this book by a friend. Such a feel good, fun, and exciting story!

It was a fast read and I enjoyed the characters.

I am a FB fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and she recommended this first novel of Dana Precious. Since it was about Michigan, which I love, and was humorous, which I appreciate, I bought it and I was not disappointed! The novel shifts between the years 1986 when the heroine was about 20, and 2006, when she reaches a crisis in her work and romantic lives. It was funny, charming, rustic and cosmopolitan all at once. Her life in 2006 was horribly hectic compared to the laid back (on the surface) life in Michigan, but the comedy of errors in her youth (not all hers, but her beloved familys), entertains the reader from start to finish. You want to cheer for the heroes and boo the villains. Most you know from the start in which category to list them! I will look for her future novels! I recommend this novel.

Im in love with North Muskegon Michigan, and Ive never even been there. Reading this book makes the place seem like the coolest little lakeside town ever. The way this author weaves the fabric of life there is masterful. With the touch of a true Michigander, she plants us in the world of the solid midwestern citizen--the kind whose deadpan fortitude provides hilarious contrast to the main character, Jeannie, and her close but craziness-prone family.You can smell the damp, hot summer air and feel worn wood of the dock beneath your feet as you read about Jeannies summer at the shore back at home with her family, who are both her biggest problem and her greatest asset. The antics that surround them are so appallingly entertaining, they remind us to appreciate family life for all its ridiculous and beautiful imperfections. Worth the read for the Grandma scene alone.

Jeannie Thompson grew up in Muskegon County, Michigan as the youngest of five siblings. Her family seemed to always land in one humiliating scenario after another. Even her high school sweetheart ended their engagement because he could not cope with the maniacal behavior of her family where granny ran naked in the streets. She fled at the first chance she had for Los Angeles. By 2006 she works as a troubleshooting executive at Oxford Pictures and dating renowned filmmaker Aidan. All is perfect until Aidan proposes. Jeannie explains to him why they must not marry though she loves him. In 1986 her only brother Evan was getting married. When her sister Elizabeth called mom from California to announce their army sister Sammie married Chuck; mom decided a second wedding was in order with one week to go before Evan married. Jeannie insists frantic insane events are the norm for her family. Aidan deserves better, which she insists is the status quo. Aidan wants to marry her with her family in attendance. When he realizes she hides him from her nearby sisters, he vanishes. This is an engaging amusing family drama as three potential weddings two decades apart are seen through Jeannies filter; color her world with humiliation. The ensemble cast is fully developed especially the Michigan musketeers as the family credo should be one for all and all for one though Jeannie has forgotten that tenet. Although there are too many subplots as each sibling and to a degree the parents have a tale to tell, fans will relish this precious tale that provides homage to the Kaufman-Hart play You Cant Take It With You. Harriet Klausner

Written in chapters from past to present, back and forth, Jeannie Thompson tells her story...and quite a story it is. Her large family in Michigan is a close, albeit wild, bunch of characters. However, they always pull together for Jeannie and each other in all of lifes craziness. With a good career, Jeannie also finds a good man. Afraid to introduce him to her quirky family, out of fear they may overwhelm him, she tries to avoid it. She really need not worry, though. Their zest for life, easy way of dealing with things, and their ability to be true to themselves make them, and Jeannie, what and who a family should be. And that is what matters.

Born Under a Lucky Moon is a book that pretty much covers all that can be covered within life: love, marriage, careers, humor, crazy family life, insecurities and, oh yeah - murder. I have to first off say that this author truly amazes me. Her writing voice and technique are insanely engaging and real. Ms. Precious brings to life the story of one woman who has had an anything but normal life, since the day she was conceived. I was very quickly and easily absorbed within the story of Jeannie Thompson and her many trials and tribulations from youth through adulthood. Born Under a Lucky Moon is told in an alternating time frame between Jeannies youth and her present-time adulthood. These transitions are smooth and incredible. The way in which Ms. Precious leaves the reader hanging right before making the transitions are painful - but in a way that left me not wanting to stop reading to see what the next thing that was going to happen was. The authors witty dialog is ingenious and left me laughing out loud several times. Just to give you a taste, here is a small piece from page 198: Grandma tipped her head down and looked at me over her bifocals. Oh, yes, she said, the fifth one. What in the world were your parents thinking? They probably werent thinking, I thought. I was conceived a few years after the Pill hit the market. Mom had said she was too busy with the three little kids to get to the doctor for the prescription. Thats when Lucy was born. Then Mom said that she got the birth control prescription but couldnt find the time to get to the pharmacy. Thats when I was born. Dad got a vasectomy after that. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yes, Jeannie has a crazy family, but dont we all? I found each and every family member to be lovable and wonderful. I just wanted to wrap them each up in a giant hug - well, except for the grandmother. Not so much feeling the love there. This is a story that delves into a family who is loving, caring and always there for one another. Things dont always go smoothly - okay, hardly ever go smoothly - but they are such an amazingly close family. Jeannie is scared to introduce her long-time boyfriend (who just recently popped the question to her) to her family, however, for fear that their zest for life will scare him off. This presents some major conflict and when her job begins to spiral out of control, Jeannie feels herself unraveling. Though I liked the character of Jeannie, there were times that I wanted to grab a hold of her and give her a good shake. She does everything imaginable to keep her boyfriend, Aidan, from any and all contact with any of her family members. Jeannie comes across as very ashamed of her family - though I dont think this is truly the case, she just harbors a ton of fear and is unable to trust in love completely. It probably doesnt help that she spent her entire life with people constantly commenting on her and her familys goings on. Family dynamics galore and a nosy town - complete with a very interesting minister, amazing love and support and true laugh-out-loud hilarity as well as touching moments that will warm the heart. Born Under a Lucky Moon is, simply put, an amazing and not-to-be-missed novel. Other than my irksomeness of Jeannie at times, there truly is nothing that I can say against this book. Even that has an important role within the story, so I cant complain about her, if she was all cheery, this would definitely be a different story. Do I recommend Born Under a Lucky Moon?! You are darned right I do!! This is the perfect story to lighten ones day and engage the reader from beginning to end. My personal experience with the ending of the story? A huge smile, as I closed the book after reading the final words.

Dana Precious Born Under A Lucky Moon is the most well written and enjoyable book I have read in a very long time. As a publisher I have read a lot of books but this one is one I would recommend to anyone who love a good story. You will find yourself laughing and saying, OH NO! as you read the comical situations that the main character - and her family - get into. Grandma running loose naked in the middle of a parade is one fine example. Thank you Dana for such a fun and interesting read. I hope we will be blessed by many more books by this author. Ginger Marks DocUmeantPublishing