Water on the Moon

by Jean P. Moore

Early one morning, Lidia Raven, mother of teenage twins, awakens to the sound of a sputtering airplane engine in the distance. After she and her girls miraculously survive the crash that destroys their home, they’re taken in by Lidia’s friend, Polly, a neighbor who lives alone on a sprawling estate. But Lidia has other problems. Her husband has left her for another man, she’s lost her job, and she fears more bad news is on the way when she discovers a connection between her and Tina Calderara, the pilot who crashed into her home. In the months following the crash, Lidia plunges into a mystery that upends every aspect of her life, forcing her to rethink everything she thinks she knows.

Genres: Fiction

242 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2014

About the author

After raising a family and engaging in several careers, I have returned to my first love, writing. My recent publications include fiction, non-fiction, and poetry in various literary journals, magazines, and newspapers--and now, my first novel, Water on the Moon.

I am happiest with my laptop in place, hands on the keyboard, with Sly, our truly wonderful rescue (black Lab) snoozing by my side while I tap away.

Follow your bliss, we are told, as though it were that easy. I am so very grateful for the time I now have to do it.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written story about the mysteries of love, loss, and reconciliation presented in a story full of unexpected turns that culminates in a feeling of confidence that, no matter what upheaval a person is facing, things will be better in the end.

I picked this up after lunch and finished it before bed. I couldn't put it down. Moore's descriptive writing is gorgeous and her characters give voice to wisdom and vulnerability that engaged me from the start. I didn't know when I took this book off the shelf how much I needed its lessons about courage, openness, and change.

[Cindy Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The action in Jean Moore’s Water on the Moon begins on page one and develops engagingly throughout the story. I found her characters to be sympathetic and multi-dimensional and I was happy to get to know them. There were many layers to this story; the relationships, new and old, the mystery surrounding the crash and the connection to another time and another place. Through it all, the protagonist, Lidia Raven, remained a consistent and reliable character.

The issues that came up within the new and established relationships rang true to me and it was always interesting to see how--and if--they would be resolved. Single parenting, teenaged children and loss are covered with sensitivity and legitimacy. The dialogue also rang true to me and often I felt like I was eavesdropping on private conversations. Lidia’s foray into her family history took her to Italy and through the pages of Byron’s poetry, which was its own pleasurable lesson in history.

I very much enjoyed this book. It is true storytelling, with a believable plot, sympathetic characters and a Capra-esque quality that wraps it up happily and plausibly. It was a pleasure to get to know Lidia and her friends and family and, hopefully, Moore is at work on her next novel as I am sure it will be another exceptional reading experience.

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: WATER ON THE MOON

Literate women's fiction whose premise is almost unheard-of, WATER ON THE MOON put me in mind of a New England pen sister of Anne Rivers Siddons or Lee Smith. The kind of richly satisfying novel to take to the beach or to a mountain cabin on vacation, WATER ON THE MOON is the story of an older mother of adolescent twin daughters. Lidia is awakened early one morning, in the nick of time to save herself, her twins Carly and Clarisse, and their dog Opal (herself a rescue dog). What can't be saved us their farmhouse, the only home any of them have ever known, the home of four generations. A private plane,with a single female pilot, crash lands on the house--a plane whose flight plan scheduled it to be several states away. What caused this life-altering event?

[Barbara Tsipouras · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book starts with a suspenseful tragic event but immediately afterwards the story loses drive. The promised family secrets aren't really interesting, the love story isn't romantic, the characters lack character, Lidias fears aren't comprehensible after the worst that could happen has already happened.
The writing isn't bad but a bit boring.

I thank Netgalley for a free cpoy in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Stark-Nemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean P Moore’s Water on the Moon reminds us that life can change in a heartbeat, and doesn’t always turn out as we planned. With the wise counsel of supporting characters, Lidia Raven learns to source her strength from the best of who she is, letting go of the pain in her past. Along the way, Moore’s deft writing and complex plot keep the reader happily engaged. I look forward to this author’s new novel!

[Micki · Rating 2 out of 5]

predictable romance disguised as a mystery...the ending was a bit dissapointing

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is amazing the amount of story that is packed into just 244 pages-with well developed characters and an interesting and engaging premise that melds several different ideas into one pretty seamless plot. I was worried at first that everything that was going on, both historical and fictional events (the plane crash and Tina the pilot's possible connection to Lidia, Lidia's friendship with Polly and relationships with her twin daughters, ex-husband, and new romantic interest, and finally water being found on the moon) could not be resolved or pulled together satisfactorily in a relatively short book--but indeed it was--a credit to Moore's skill as a writer. Lidia is a likable character who starts out meek and unsure but grows as the story does. Polly is the wise, honest, and loving friend that everyone needs in their life. There is mystery and romance, but the heart of the book is their strong friendship and how it impacts them. Although this novel isn't action-packed, it made me eagerly turn the pages to find out how things would resolve. Water on the Moon is a smart and engaging story about relationships, growth, and finding yourself when things seem lost. A truly enjoyable read, it was a pleasure to curl up and lose myself within its pages.

You can see my review and a recipe inspired by the book on my website here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...

Note: A review copy of "Water on the Moon" was provided to me by the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review and as always my thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A plane crashes into a home and the people in the home survive, but the pilot does not. On the same day, water is discovered on the moon and although it may not seem that these two relate, but the author does an interesting connection between these two events.

A family drama with a little historical mixed in. Lidia is a mother of teenage twin girls who are about to start applying for college and her husband recently left her for another man and she is still dealing with this change in life. So when the accident happens in her home, she absolutely thought this was a low point, but I loved seeing her find that a low point can have high points in it.

As I said in my review on Tuesday, that book and this book had a great full cast of characters. Each character had their own story, but also fit nicely into the big story. It was a shorter book, but I didn't feel like it was missing anything.

I loved this debut novel and will definitely keep my eye out for her next one.

[Steve Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an impressive debut novel for Ms. Moore, a published poet and writer of non-fiction. She has created a cast of lively and memorable characters whose lives come together in a cleverly devised plot that eventually includes both the living and the dead. The novel's title gives little away as to the book's conclusion, but does give some indication of Ms. Moore's hope for the future. In the end, this is an optimistic story, but one that is in no way given to sentimentality or easy emotions. The plot moves quickly and is full of surprises. But Moore's greater strength lies in her ability to draw us into the lives of her characters--and to compel us to care. The reader will empathize with the various members of the Raven family and their circle of friends: their travails, disappointments, and ultimate triumphs. This is a highly enjoyable and satisfying read!

[Kelly Kittel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hijacked me from takeoff when Lidia, reading in bed, realizes that a plane is coming too close and is about to crash into her house. I, too, live near a small airport and as I lie in my own bed reading this book, planes passed overhead, making me pause for a moment to wonder, would I also recognize danger if it flew too close? Would I have time to get my own children down to the basement, since unlike Lidia we have no Harry Potter-like cupboard beneath our stairs? Maybe not. Because typically when I'm engrossed in books like Water on the Moon, the world falls away. So I might just go up in flames while turning the pages, instead. The plot moved at a satisfying pace and the characters were all engaging. Indeed, everyone needs a Polly in their life. My wings are tipped to Jean, who shares my maiden name, for an excellent book. I look forward to more from Ms. Moore!

[Sally Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lidia Raven is woken by the sound of a plane in trouble and manages to get her twin daughters out of bed and into the cupboard under the stairs before it crashes into the house.

This is the final straw in Lidia's bad luck - her husband has left her for another man and she has lost her job due to the recession - but luckily her friend Polly comes to the rescue and takes her in.

After being contacted by a reporter Lidia begins to realise that there is a family connection between herself and and the pilot of the plane and so starts to delve back into her family history as far back as her family leaving Italy three generations ago and moving to America.

A good storyline with interesting believable characters, an enjoyable read

[morninglightmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this only comes in a little over 200 pages, there is a whole lot of story packed in its pages. At some points, I thought it was perhaps a little too much, especially when the "mystery" of the protagonist's family history was revealed with many, many layers and characters to keep track of. But, I enjoyed the personal drama aspect of the novel, as the situation was unique and interesting to explore-- what to do next after surviving an airplane crashing into your home? Though formulaic in some ways, the novel kept me interested and hoping for some peace for the main character.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This exciting novel, provides the reader mystery, intrigue and romance. From the first chapter, the heroine unexpectedly finds herself in a world she never experienced before. Life changing events dominate this book as you are taken on a path to find answers. New insights are gained and friendships are made as the heroine finds answers that not only alter her path but help her to finally understand and love all of those around her.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Moore's debut novel is an impressive one. I was quickly drawn into her tale of family secrets across generations, families broken and renewed, and the possibility of new love at any age. Her characters are well-developed and convincing, and the story line is compelling and memorable. This is a rewarding read. I look forward to future novels from Ms. Moore.

[Millie Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Water on the Moon to be a compulsively readable mix of authentically set historical fact with engagingly colorful characters. Jean Moore has written a novel that will satisfy readers looking for mystery,romance, and intrigue.I particularly enjoyed the manner in which the author embedded threads of Lord Byron and Amelia Earhart throughout.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nice read! A complex plot in which all the pieces come gracefully and seamlessly together at the end.

[Kate Puleo Unger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Water on the Moon was not quite what I was expecting. It’s a character-driven story about a middle aged woman already hurt by divorce who’s world is shaken when a small plane crashes into her house. Luckily, she and her teenage, twin daughters are unharmed and taken in by a caring neighbor. Lidia quickly gets wrapped up in the investigation into the pilot and her seeming connection to Lidia. I was hoping for more from the plot of this book. It’s rather slow, and since it’s a short book, there just wasn’t enough substance to satisfy me.

I did really enjoy the relationships between Lidia and her daughters. I am a twin, and my sister and I were very close with our mother in high school, so it reminded me of those days when I was still living at home but starting to think about college and branching out. Polly, the neighbor who takes in Lidia and the girls, was a rather eccentric older women. She was kind and wise and added a lot to the story. She was a grandmother of sorts who always knew what to say to Lidia or one of the girls. I liked the female relationships.

The mystery aspect of this book was interesting. Since I liked Lidia, I didn’t mind going along with her on this journey. I enjoyed seeing everything unfold. I just wish it would have happened a little quicker.

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