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Book Spotlight & GIVEAWAY: Born Under A Lucky Moon by Dana Precious

January 27, 2011 by Darlene


I’m very excited to spotlight a debut novel today – Born Under A Lucky Moon by Dana Precious and give away a few copies to my readers! I even learned that the novel is based on the author’s true story and its described as funny and heartwarming which only makes me more excited to read it. It releases on February 8, 2011 by HarperCollins.

About the Book (from Born Under A Lucky Moon website)…

The first inkling I had that I might be a writer was when I was ten years old. My dad and I drove past a billboard announcing a new car. The headline was ‘The Eagle Has Arrived’. I turned to my dad and said, “Wouldn’t it be better if it said ‘The Eagle Has Landed’?”

I never took a writing class. I was too afraid I would be told I wasn’t good at it and that would be that. So I just read everything I could get my hands on. My Fifth Grade book report was on Trinity – a book about twelve hundred pages long. I didn’t much understand it and neither did my Fifth Grade class. I completed my first (unpublished) novel when I was twenty years old.

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. The two weddings on one weekend did happen in the way it was written. The Bear Lake Tavern did and still does exist.

If any one of my siblings had written this story instead of me it might have been framed as a tragedy. But my heroes of literature are Fanny Flagg and Erma Bombeck. I didn’t want to write a tragedy. I wanted to write a warm comedy that understood that families are complicated but that they still love each other deeply. I was also weary of reading a book jacket that cheerily announced the story was “Funny and poignant” only to discover that it was yes, poignant, but downright depressing. I wanted to make readers feel good and laugh.

Why I felt I had to write part of Born Under A Lucky Moon also as a present day love story was not self evident to me for a long time. It just kind of kept inserting back itself into the book – much like it kept inserting itself into Jeannie’s life. It started as a tale of two confused lovers with the most vague of a Hollywood setting. Gradually it took form and I’m pleased with the results. Hopefully you will be too. Other than the fact that I worked (and still work) as a film studio marketing executive, this part of the story is completely fictional. Maybe I was inspired by the behaviors, excesses and eccentricities that I witnessed in the film business but no character, event or place is true.

Read the First Chapters
Follow Dana Precious on Twitter
Find Dana Precious on Facebook
Born Under A Lucky Moon website.

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 bullmastiff whose activity of choice is sleeping on the couch and watching Oprah. Prior to writing, Dana worked for several major film studios.
———-

I don’t know about you but I’m excited to give Born Under A Lucky Moon a read once my copy arrives!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 2 copies of Born Under A Lucky Moon by Dana Precious to share with you courtesy of HarperCollins. Isn’t that fantastic! To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, just let me know and the extra entry is yours as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winners on Saturday, February 19/11. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Filed Under: Book Spotlights

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elisabeth says

    January 27, 2011 at 11:37 am

    Sounds like an amusing story! Please put me in for 2, as I am a follower also! Love your blog!

    ladybbok21 at yahoo dot com

  2. Team JC says

    January 27, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    Sounds great! Thanks for the chance! I am following you so please put me in twice.
    schaefer7382 at aol dot com

  3. Renee says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    please enter me in this giveaway

    reneesuz82(at)msn.com

  4. Renee says

    January 27, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    I follow on google friends connect

    reneesuz82(at)msn.com

  5. Linda says

    January 27, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    "funny and heartwarming" sounds like a book I would love. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

    extra entry – Google follower

  6. Angela says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    I would love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    I am a GFC follower
    aploughery (at) yahoo (dot) com

  7. traveler says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    This book sounds unique and delightful. Thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. debbie says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    I would love to read this book, it sounds really good.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  9. debbie says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    I am a old gfc follower.
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  10. Kay says

    January 27, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    I think this one sounds fun and I love the cover. Thanks for the chance to get a copy.

    janezfan(at)yahoo(dot)com

  11. Zibilee says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Oh, this book sounds wonderful, and I am intrigued by the fact that it is based on real events! Sign me up for the giveaway, please, and thanks, Dar!!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  12. petite says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    I am captivated with this story. Lovely and special. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

  13. Shannon says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    Thank you for including me your giveaway.

    tiredwkids at live dot com

  14. Shannon says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    I'm a google reader follower.
    tiredwkids at live dot com

  15. Zoë says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    please enter me in this great giveaway

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

  16. Zoë says

    January 27, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    I'm an old GFC follower 🙂

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

  17. skkorman says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  18. Carol N Wong says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    I love books that can make me laugh and 'Born Under a Lucky Moon' sounds even more lucky than being born under a lucky star!!!

    +2 Google Friend Connect follower

    +3 I tweeted. My Twitter name is Carolee888

    https://peekingbetweenthepages.com Giveaway of 'Born Under a Lucky Moon'

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  19. Chantal says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    I follow your blog!

  20. Chantal says

    January 27, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Here's my contact info:

    CMShelstad at gmail dot com

  21. Karen B says

    January 27, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    I'm ready for a feel good book!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  22. Karen B says

    January 27, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    GFC follower.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  23. Sandra K321 says

    January 27, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    Sounds like a good book for when I want a change from the historical ones I'm reading now.
    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

  24. Sandra K321 says

    January 27, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    I follow with Google Friend Connect.
    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

  25. Carol M says

    January 27, 2011 at 8:54 pm

    This sounds good! Thank you for the giveaway!
    I follow on GFC
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

  26. Bethie says

    January 27, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    +2 I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  27. Anonymous says

    January 27, 2011 at 8:57 pm

    sounds great i'm also an email follower
    dianam167@sbcglobal.net

  28. Brenda says

    January 27, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    Please enter me in the contest!
    I'm a follower with GFC and also subscribe.

    dancealert at aol dot com

  29. Pamela Keener says

    January 27, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    This sounds like a great read.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

  30. Pamela Keener says

    January 27, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    I follow your blog via GFC & Google Reader.
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam
    pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

  31. The Giveaway Diva says

    January 27, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    thanks for the giveaway!!! SOunds like a good read!!

    nicolemarielum @gmail.com

  32. justpeachy36 says

    January 27, 2011 at 11:45 pm

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    I am a GFC follower.

    justpeachy36@yahoo.com

  33. AmandaSue says

    January 28, 2011 at 1:22 am

    I'd love a chance to read this, sounds like a good book!

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

  34. AmandaSue says

    January 28, 2011 at 1:22 am

    I'm a GFC Follower thanks!

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

  35. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    January 28, 2011 at 2:45 am

    I would love to read Born Under A Lucky Moon 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

  36. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    January 28, 2011 at 2:45 am

    Already publicly following Peeking Between the Pages with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}]
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

  37. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    January 28, 2011 at 2:45 am

    Tweeted the giveaway
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

  38. Rebecca Rasmussen says

    January 28, 2011 at 3:16 am

    Well, you know me well enough now to know I want this book! 🙂
    thebirdsisters@gmail.com

  39. Dawn says

    January 28, 2011 at 5:01 am

    This book looks like such a good one. I want!!
    I follow this blog and retweeted as well.
    nowakoski@sbcglobal.net

  40. KimberlySue says

    January 28, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Definitely looks like a book I'd like to read! 🙂
    I follow you, and I'm tweeting this!!

    kimbers10[at]yahoo.com

  41. a real librarian says

    January 29, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway! This one sounds awesome!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  42. a real librarian says

    January 29, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    I also follow!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  43. Rachel says

    January 29, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    Sounds like a good book! I am following your blog!

  44. Charleydog says

    January 30, 2011 at 1:34 am

    It's nice when the author can weave his/her own story into a fictional account.

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

  45. Aik says

    January 30, 2011 at 8:20 am

    I'd love to read this book!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

  46. Aik says

    January 30, 2011 at 8:21 am

    I'm a follower.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

  47. Alice Teh says

    January 30, 2011 at 11:02 am

    No need to enter for me as I'm not a resident but I'd just like to say HI to you and the author.

  48. Anonymous says

    January 30, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Looks like an awesome book!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

  49. Esme says

    February 2, 2011 at 4:16 am

    Please enter me

    and I follow

    thanks

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

  50. Colleen Turner says

    February 2, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    This sounds like it could be really good!
    candc320@gmail.com

  51. Colleen Turner says

    February 2, 2011 at 10:01 pm

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
    candc320@gmail.com

  52. Judy H says

    February 3, 2011 at 8:32 am

    Thank you for the giveaway.

    I'm a GFC follower w/ @headlessfowl.

    headlessfowl at gmail dot com

  53. Tiffany says

    February 3, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    Great giveaway! I REALLY REALLY want to read this book!!

    jaidahsmommy AT comcast DOT net

  54. Tiffany says

    February 3, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    I am a GFC follower (tiffany drew)

    jaidahsmommy AT comcast DOT net

  55. Tiffany says

    February 3, 2011 at 11:04 pm

    Tweeted!!

    http://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/33299624597008384

    jaidahsmommy AT comcast DOT net

  56. caite says

    February 4, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    no need to enter me in the giveaway, since I just got a copy the other day, but I must say I am looking forward to getting a chance to read this one.

  57. Amy says

    February 6, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    Please don't enter me in the giveaway! I just wanted to say that I'm reading the book now to review in a couple of weeks for TLC Book Tours.

    It's great! Born Under A Lucky Moon is about a family, The Thompsons: 4 girls, 1 boy, told from the viewpoint of the youngest, Jeannie & focuses on two particular years, one year in the past and the current year. It's funny, poignant, exciting…I'm really enjoying it and highly recommend it!

    ~ Amy

  58. Anonymous says

    February 13, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    2 for me please. acampbell@northdouglas.k12.or.us

  59. bison61 says

    February 14, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    funny and heartwarming-I'd love to read it

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

  60. Margie says

    February 17, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    Sounds good! Please count me in.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  61. Margie says

    February 17, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    blog follower via GFC
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  62. Melissa says

    February 17, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I'd like to read this. Thanks!
    mbamster0720 at gmail dot com

  63. Melissa says

    February 17, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I'm following through google reader.

    mbamster0720 at gmail dot com

  64. Linda Kish says

    February 17, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  65. YWLiang says

    February 19, 2011 at 6:28 am

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Looks like Born Under a Lucky Moon will be a good read! 🙂

    Email: yiliang0124[at]hotmail.com

  66. Nancye says

    February 20, 2011 at 4:36 am

    I would love to win this book!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  67. Nancye says

    February 20, 2011 at 4:37 am

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  68. Nancye says

    February 20, 2011 at 4:37 am

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

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