Saturday, January 29, 2011

BORN UNDER A LUCKY MOON: A PREVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

 GIVEAWAY ENDED
BORN UNDER A LUCKY MOON
BY DANA PRECIOUS

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Smart, touching, and utterly engaging, Born Under a Lucky Moon is a polished gem of contemporary women’s fiction—and it boldly announces the arrival of author Dana Precious, who immediately takes her place at the winner’s table beside Rebecca York, Jennifer Weiner, and Rebecca Wells. Not unlike Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and other beloved works of southern women’s fiction—except set in the American Midwest—Born Under a Lucky Moon is a story of family, love, murder, sex scandals, and new beginnings that is, at once, intelligent, endearing, and delightfully quirky.

Born Under a Lucky Moon is the tale of two very important (but distant) years in the lives of Jeannie Thompson and her (embarrassing, crazy) colorful family members to whom "things" just seem to happen. From the Great Lakes of Michigan to Los Angeles and back again, it is a story of surprise marriages, a renegade granny, a sprinkler system cursed by the gods, and myriad other factors Jeannie blames for her full-tilt, out-of-control existence. But it's also about good surprises—like an unexpected proposal that might just open Jeannie's eyes to her real place among the people she loves most in the world . . . the same ones she ran far away from to begin with.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dana Precious lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son. She has two dogs: a small border terrier named Thompson (as in Hunter—long story) and Bella, a very large bull mastiff whose activity of choice is sleeping on the couch and watching Oprah. Prior to writing, Dana worked for several major film studios. 

Dana says on her website, "The novel Born Under A Lucky Moon, while fictional, is based on real life events in my life. The story that takes place in 1986 is largely true. It noodled around in my head for decades until I knew I had to write it down just to stop thinking about it. I did compress some events to fit into a specific time frame. 

YOU CAN WATCH OTHER VIDEOS OF DANA READING FROM BORN UNDER A LUCKY MOON  BY GOING TO HER WEBSITE HERE!

EXCERPT: 
Prologue

All roads in my hometown lead to water. I used to think they were all dead ends. It is a four-block-wide bit of land with one main road, Ruddiman, running its length. From this road, every other road marches off in strict perpendicular fashion to stop abruptly at Muskegon Lake or, on the other side, Bear Lake. Ruddiman does get a good running start before it hits Lake Michigan a few miles down.TO FINISH READING THE PROLOGUE, GO HERE!
 
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO MEGAN AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT HARPER COLLINS, I HAVE TWO COPIES
OF THIS SOON TO BE RELEASED NOVEL
 
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO DANA  PRECIOUS' WEBSITE HERE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FOUND THERE. BE SURE AND ENTER THE OTHER CONTESTS WHILE YOU ARE THERE IF YOU'D LIKE!

+1 MORE ENTRY:"LIKE" DANA PRECIOUS ON FACEBOOK HERE AND COMMENT THERE THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED MY GIVEAWAY.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, FEBRUARY 8
(THE SAME DAY THE BOOK RELEASES)
GOOD LUCK! 

82 comments:

debbie said...

I think it is interesting that she took real life events from her own life and wove them into a fictional story. I would like to read it.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

She had a really cute picture with her 4 brothers and sisters when they were younger on her site.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

The prologue to the book is very captivating. It makes me want to check out Bear the town.

jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net
Thank you for the giveaway.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the pictures of Bear Lake. It reminded me of vacationing on the lake every summer when I was a kid gowing up in Minnesota.

jogoffice(at)cox(dot)net

Steve Capell said...

I wasn’t sure I would throw my name into the mix for this book until I read the remainder of the prologue and most importantly the last two paragraphs. I love the statement, “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 doesn’t reside in the black and white of right and wrong. It resides in the gray area called love.”

This book sounds like a fun read so thanks for the opportunity.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandra K321 said...

The book sounds a bit quirky, which is always entertaining. I don't like romance books because they are all the same, just different names.

Sandra K321 said...

I love the photos on her website, especially the watermelon eating one.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

mamabunny13 said...

What made me want this book is that the charachter's family sounds just as disfunctional as mine! lol
mamabunny13 atgmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/31346788317270016
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

mamabunny13 said...

I like Dana Precious on fb-mamabunny shelor
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Well, in addition to the cover, which I love, the mutton dressed as lamb reading was funny. Sounds like other quirky Southern sayings. :-)

janezfan(at)yhoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I love the watermelon eating picture with Dana and her siblings. They were surely a sweet, sticky mess when they were through! LOL

janezfan(at)yahoo(dot)com

Maureen said...

I like women's fiction and this sounds like a fun and quirky story.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

On the author's website it said that the story was based upon real life events.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Maureen said...

I became a facebook fan of Dana's and left a comment that I had entered this contest.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Carol N Wong said...

Quirky and Midwest sold me on this book. I love quirky, as an example,
one of my favorite movies is the
"Waking of Ned Devine". I am from Indiana so I love to read anything with a Midwesteren setting.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Ricki said...

I think this book looks great!
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

Michelle M. said...

What caught my interest first was the book being described as 'Southern Lit' set in the midwest. I just can't resist good Southern Lit no matter where it takes place!

mdmartin076 at bellsouth dot net

Carol N Wong said...

I tweeted. My Twitter name is Carolee888.

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2011/01/born-under-lucky-moon-preview-and.html Giveaway of 'Born Under A Lucky Moon'

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Michelle M. said...

loved, loved, loved the picture of the author and her siblings eating watermelon.

mdmartin076 at bellsouth dot net

Carol N Wong said...

From her site, I watched the three videos and all of them are so funny. Loved the Bloody Mary One where the character orders a Bloody Mary and says,'to hold the Bloody and forget the Mary and make it double".

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I liked Dana Precious on Facebook and left a comment about entering this contest.

CarolNWong9at)aol(dot)com

traveler said...

This fascinating book is enthralling and appealing in every way. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Her website is a delight with the photos. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

PoCoKat said...

From the review it sounds like a fascinating story of the life of Jeannie Thompson.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

I like Dana on Facebook.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

PoCoKat said...

I like the watermelon picture on her website.

littleone AT shaw DOT ca

petite said...

I am interested in the story and the prologue has captured my fascination with the book. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

Her adorable photos are great. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Karen B said...

Fiction based on family - got to be a winner!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

Karen B said...

EPL Central Library: The original downtown library was funded by a donation from Andrew Carnegie. This photo looks so much like the library in West Duluth that I grew up with in the 40s/50s - also a Carnegie Library.

Harvee said...

I like that the book is based on real events in her life. Would love to win the book.

harvee44 at yahoo.com

fredamans said...

I love women's lit, and this book looks like it has a lot of great elements.

freda.mans[at]gmail.com

fredamans said...

tweet; http://twitter.com/#!/fredalicious/status/31429598784782336

freda.mans[at]gmail.com

Pamela Keener said...

Comparing this book to The Divine Secrets of the YaYas & other southern fiction made me sit up and take notice. I love these type of books.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I like Dana on FB & I commented on her wall that I am participating in this contest.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Jolee said...

Love the Michigan connection and that the Midwestern setting plays a role in this book. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot} net

Jolee said...

She mentioned on her website (as yo did too) that the story has some basis in her life. Intriguing. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot} net

Meredith said...

I like that they are comparing this author to some other authors that I love to read!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Connie said...

Hi! There are several reasons why I would love to read this book:
1. It is women's fiction which is a favorite of mine
2. Takes place around the Great Lakes which is interesting to me
3. I like where there are surprise weddings
4. The granny sounds like a kooky character which I would love to read about and laugh

Thanks for a wonderful giveaway as always. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Meredith said...

The picture with her siblings eating watermelon shows they liked to celebrate the summer in the classic American way!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

I liked the book's FB page and made a comment!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

if it's anything like the ya-ya's, sign me up. i love that genre.
charlcr(at)aol(dot)com

Debs Desk said...

I love the fact that it has some truth and some fiction. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Unknown said...

I think it sounds like a very interesting book I would love to read. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Linda Kish said...

The renegade grandma made me smile. I want to get to know her.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I like the family picture eating watermelon...and she was a very cute little girl.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I feel like I have a crazy family so I would like to read about someone else's ha ha.

belchers@jccal.org

holdenj said...

I wonder if Bella the bull mastiff is also a fan of the new OWN network?! Really, though, the book looks like a great debut story and you can't beat the word of mouth by having a quote from Susan Elizabeth Phillips on the cover!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

rbooth43 said...

Born Under A Lucky Moon sounds like a laughter a minute read with (embarrassing, crazy) colorful family members to whom "things" just seem to happen> Just what I need now since my husband died in February in 2001. A bad month for me and I could use some laughter.
Thanks!
Rebecca
rbooth43 at yahoo dot com

samantha35 said...

Love the interview- sounds like a great read

great giveaway
follow via gfc
drakebdog@gmail.com

rubynreba said...

I'd like to read it because it sounds fun and like it would keep my interest.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I like her picture of her real life siblings eating watermelon!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

lgm52 said...

Sounds great..."family, love, murder, sex scandals, and new beginnings.."
Interesting combination...would love to read it!
lgm52@hotmail.com

bison61 said...

sounds like a great book to read with the renegade granny

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would like to win "Born Under a Lucky Moon" because of all the drama and crazy circumstances that seem to in sue. Seems like a great, entertaining read.

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

Just tweeted about this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/christauf4/status/32542237296435201

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

I went to Dana Precious' website and thought it was cool that she had what genres all her friends on goodreads liked most.

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

I like Dana Precious on facebook and wrote on her wall that I entered your contest for her book!
http://www.facebook.com/BornUnderALuckyMoon?v=wall#!/BornUnderALuckyMoon/posts/161143383937870

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

A quirky book about family drama is right up my alley.

monagarg@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I visited her site and learned that while the book is fiction, it's based on real events in her life.

monagarg@yahoo.con

Anonymous said...

Liked Dana on FB and left a comment that I entered.

monagarg@yahoo.com

409cope said...

I would love to read this book as it sounds like a book full of fun and mystery at the same time.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I tweeted-http://twitter.com/#!/409cope/status/32839880492974080 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I like Dana on facebook and commented.Shari D cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I like that this book is based on the authors real life.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

sounds like a fun book and I really could use some fun right now

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks so much

Anonymous said...

Like Dana on Facebook and will comment

pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thanks so much

M. said...

what made me enter?

the cover. it's eyecatching, fun, and captures the spirit of quirkiness described in the blurb.

+1 follower

+1 I loved the author's expression 'the story noodled around in my brain for a few decades'

thanks, maya

mayamissani AT yahoo DOT ca

LAMusing said...

Reading the Prologue made me want to read the whole thing :)
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

It's really interesting the book is based on real events.
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

by the time I read "renegade granny and a sprinkler system cursed by the Gods" I knew I really wanted to read this
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

On her site I was surprised to find she is just now doing her first book signing
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Mippy said...

Hi!
I want to read this just because you mntioned a renegade granny...LOL Made me think of the Beverly Hillbillys
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win in this giveaway!
~Mippy:)
bunnysmip at yahoo dot com

Mippy said...

Hi!
That's what i foundinteresting and that I loved...that she is giving us all soooo many chances to win her book! :)
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win in this giveaway!
~Mippy:)
bunnysmip at yahoo dot com

Mippy said...

Hi!
I went to like Dana on FaceBook through your link and it did not work and when I tried to find her on my own she was not listed under Dana Precious. Would love to like her on Facebook! :)
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win in this giveaway!
~Mippy:)
bunnysmip at yahoo dot com

Laura said...

Please enter me.

Nancye said...

I would like to win this book because it sounds like an interesting book that I would enjoy reading. Thanks for the chance!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I went to Dana Precious' website and I learned that this book is "based on real life events" in her life in 1986. Sounds cool to me! Dana's website looked really interesting! I plan to return so I can enter her other contests.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/35104945019691008

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I like Dana Precious on Facebook and I left a comment on her wall about entering this giveaway.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

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nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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