Born Under a Lucky Moon

Great summer read.

Wonderfully written. A family anyone can relate to. I called my three sisters and told them they must read it!!

Born Under a Lucky Moon is a charming, hilarious, feel-good story which had me hooked on page one. I fell in love with a town, a tavern and a cast of lovable characters that I now think of as friends. The book is rich with emotions and surprise events that create wonderful chaos, but be warned... this book may cause laugh-out-loud moments at inappropriate times. I am giving this book to the people I love. Beverly

This book captures all the joy and angst and zaniness of a large family and an even larger extended small town where everyone knows everyone, The contrasting settings of LA and its over the top movie folks with hometown Muskegon offers an excellent and very funny point counter point. I have found out that much of the story is true which offers an additional deliciousness to the tale.

Fun to read about my home town!

**Originally reviewed for [...]** Reviewed by Lauren Kirk Born Under a Lucky Moon is a pleasant novel that acts as a hilarious reminder of how important family is, even if they are crazy and full of mischief! The beginning of the story was a bit slow, as it seemed Dana Precious was giving readers the time to absorb the mini family history before them. The chapters switched between past and present, which I found enjoyable. The notations at the top of each chapter really allowed for the story to remain intact and focused, and not at all choppy. Jeannie Thompson is a colorful, put together, and successful film executive who lives in Los Angeles, yet hails from a tiny town in Michigan. In spite of leaving her small town roots behind her, the Thompson family is never far from Jeannies mind or life. Jeannies job and life are hectic, and it is obvious from the start of the book that her life will never be anything resembling normal. When her boyfriend Aidan proposes, Jeannie immediately freezes and tells him she has to think about it, as she is unsure of how he will feel about her family. Suspense ensues while a fun tale of antics, love, and sheer absurdity comes pouring out little by little. The chapters are broken up between Jeannies tales of her past and the events unfolding in the present. I really liked this method of telling a story within a story, and found myself enjoying the parts about the Thompson family more than those dealing with Jeannies present. Jeannie is likeable, dry, and humorous. The entire Thompson clan is impossible to pin down with a few words - they are definitely interesting! While most of the events Jeannie describes are highly far fetched, the story is so fun, that it doesnt even matter if any of these events could ever happen or not. Born Under a Lucky Moon is light, humorous and heartfelt, even if it is a bit lengthy for this type of fiction, at just over 415 pages. Dana Precious leaves no loose ends. The end of the novel is easily the best part - there are no unnecessary characters or overly descriptive passages. The book has a terrific flow and the end result is well worth the slow start. Jeannie is a triumphant character and the sense of family and the levels of love (and fun) the Thompson family has for each other seeps off the page.

Born Under a Lucky Moon marks the debut novel of author Dana Precious. And I really hope shes at work on her second, because I loved this book! Jeannie Thompson and her four siblings grew up in the town of North Muskegon, Michigan. Jeannie is in her late thirties, very successful in the film industry and has a boyfriend, Aidan, that she loves very much. It is when Aidan asks her marry him, that Jeannies tightly held life begins to unravel. How can she explain to Aidan that... My family isnt like your family. our family seems to have everything under control at all times. But stuff just happens to my family. I think of it as really funny, but apparently other people dont. Like Walker (Jeannies ex-husband), or most of the other spouses in my family. A lot of them are ex-spouses now. My family seems to be very trying on the people we love. When Aidan asks for an example, she begins... This is just one story of my family. It starts with a long-planned wedding on a Saturday, followed by a surprise wedding on Sunday. It ends with a murder and a sex scandal. Like every relationship in every family, this story doesnt reside in the black and white of right and wrong, it resides in the gray area called love. Now really - how could you not want to delve into the pages of a book with an opening like that? Born Under a Lucky Moon alternates between 1986 and the present 2006. Each story is equally addicting, but the story of the 1986 weddings had me actually laughing out loud. Precious has created wonderfully warm, funny, loving, quirky characters that you cant help but love. As Tom the handyman says... I didnt say you werent all crazy. But Ive never seen a family pull for each other so much. And this is the part of the story that really shines. The love between the family members is tangible and incredibly heartwarming. Through thick and thin, crises and joys, each of them is there for the others. The present day tale in 1986 is just as charming. I found myself reading just one more chapter late at night in order to get back to the other story. A really strong debut novel, one I absolutely recommend! Its the perfect summer beach read.

Born Under A Lucky Moon by Dana Precious was released on February 8th, 2011. I had the pleasure of reading it in order to write a review on [...] and immediately, I was hooked. I highly recommend it and heres the link to read my review. [...]

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*

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.