Born Under a Lucky Moon

Born Under a Lucky Moon by Dana Precious - a Goodreads First Read free giveaway book won on February 2nd, received on February 15th and previously made-aware-of through promotions on sheknows.com and womansday.com Born Under a Lucky Moon is a novel told in the first-person in a back and forth, then-and-now prose of the teenage and middle-age life of Jeannie Thompson. The main theme of the book is her boyfriend, Aidans, attempt to marry Jeannie and be introduced to her Midwestern, dysfunctional but very loving family (a bit like the Hepburns or the Marchs from Little Women, but somewhat more off-kilter) and is told in the style of Jeannie telling Aidan stories of her family to keep him at bay from the onslaught that is Them. The action and plot moves much in the style of the Thompson family - quickly and crisply. It had ended a little over the top, but given the context, it was to be expected and fairly apt. What I loved best were the aside/long-story-short stories about a family incident or a persons background, such as Jeannies great-grandparents. I also really connected with the familiar quips about Midwest life: regional product brands, the Michigan map as being the palm of your hand, radio stations, squirrels, wedding traditions, and outdoor recreation. As Tom, a Thompson family friend, quips, family is like a warm and comforting curse. And, in looking at this book, its a real and unabashed account of how careerwomen regard their families through memories both bitter and dear - no matter how you excuse or cope it away, your family is both the maker and cruelest judge of character.

It was a fast read and I enjoyed the characters.

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

Born Under a Lucky Moon made me laugh, made me cry; made me happy, made me sad. Totally awesome! Highly, highly recommended.

Growing up in the same home town as Dana, I just had to read the book. I just loved the characters, some heavily veiled with a subtle hint to their identity, others with merely a letter change in the spelling of their names. It brought back delightful memories of my little peninsula home town. I could also share her perspective on familial relations, being the youngest in a large family of strong personalities. I couldnt put it down and would find myself up too late until I finished the book. The books advertising is geared towards women, but I think its a good read for anyone from a large family, a small mid-western town, or those who want to know what either of them is like. Good job Dana, youve done the Norsemen proud.

Great summer read.

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.

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.

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

This is an EXCELLENT read!! With very minimal language, and no bed room scenes, lots of laugh out loud moments and just plain awesome writing style, this is a book that is sure to hit home with most anyone! The authors skills are phenomenal and she captures the reader from the start. She takes that reader on an adventurous and crazy whirlwind ride between two different years for her main character and when the readers land....well, its a surprise! From a surprise wedding (for an already married couple!) to M-80s (dont yall know how to clear away gophers???) to missing teeth after an accident, this book makes the reader laugh out loud, and be thankful for their family, no matter how crazy and whacky they may seem to be. Its told back and forth between the 80s and 2006, two very important times in Jeannie Thompsons life. Shes got a life like no other thats for sure! Shes been hit by an ambulance, she has a wild-side granny who likes to run away (while shes naked!), not to mention that she used to get to go to Chi-Chis (man, I miss that place!). All these things happen to poor Jeannie and it really makes it a fun read, as she is telling her story to her boyfriend, Aidan. Shes just not sure about introducing him to her family. After all, the old ladies at her Episcopalian church held the preacher hostage, cause he was helping them! Oh and shes been told that she was born under a lucky moon....well, Im not so sure it was a lucky moon...more like a lucky curse. LoL! Its just all around H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!!! So, please give this author and her fabulous work a chance. Its 5 star worthy and highest praises are shouted from this reader! I definitely and truly recommend this book to all the women out there (and Im sure theres a guy or two who may read and find the laughs in this humorous book!). I am anxiously awaiting the release of another of Dana Precious books! *This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review*