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Moment to Moment
Constantly fussed over by her overprotective parents, Dana Madison feels it is a matter of pride to reject Russ Ettinger's help when she has an asthma attack while jogging
235 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
233 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,357 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 12, 2018
Pretty simple. Don’t bother to read.
July 15, 2013
This story was written in 1983 and leaves a lot to be desired. I tried to be patient, but I was still annoyed that Dana made such a big, big deal about her having asthma. I liked her boyfriend's response when she finally did tell him that she had asthma. There was her desire to run races and be healthy and that was a bit simplified too. It was ok but definitely not something I'd want to read again or recommend to others.
February 4, 2021
3.5 Stars.....I am not quite sure how I feel about this book to be honest. It started out pretty good and then I feel the whole asthma thing dragged on way to long and Russ tried harder than I feel to chase after Dana. I feel the first part of the book seemed to go on for a while and then it was like.....oh her secret is out so let's just speed things up and time seems to jump by very quickly. I am happy she decided to do something for herself and move past her "illness" and try to have a happy life, but to me it was just a bit much of her feeling sorry for herself over something that seems to be a somewhat smaller sickness. I know that asthma can be pretty bad, but letting it take over your life is just a bit much for me. I did finish the book and haven't decided if I would look for more by this author or not just yet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2018
It was a simple love story but I did enjoy it ...thinking of taking up running!
July 19, 2020
Story of endurance, facts of biking marathons, true love.
January 19, 2021
One of her older books - it was a good old love story. A nice distraction during these COVID days we are living in.
June 22, 2025
Most Barbara delinsky books are better than this one, pretty lame.
March 6, 2017
A very simple, and actually monotonous and uneventful, story that I almost stopped reading.
Very little to recommend it.
Sorry.... I've liked several of Ms Delinsky's books, but this is not one.
Very little to recommend it.
Sorry.... I've liked several of Ms Delinsky's books, but this is not one.
April 29, 2015
Dana Madison was a sheltered child and even as a woman her parents and brother protected her from everything physical. They were always in fear that she would have an asthma attack. Her biggest dream was to run a race and to be independent. Russ Ettinger had been a world class skier until a knee injury stopped his competition. He now took up running just to keep getting some exercise. As fate would have it, she was out for a run and had a asthma attack as she was recovering along came Russ offering assistance. The rest is history. A good little romance.
May 6, 2025
This was a good one! I liked both Russ and Dana, and how any problems/misunderstandings in their relationship didn't go overboard. Neither did Dana go overboard with her (understandable) need for independence, and her resentment of her parents was certainly justified, despite their really believing they were doing the right thing.
I won't give anything away, and just recommend you read this one.
I won't give anything away, and just recommend you read this one.
April 30, 2014
Typical romance where each person has something they are not telling the other. For Russ it was how famous he used to be and for her the idea that asthma stopped her from experiencing life and independence from her parents. Really liked Russ and his attitude toward his skiing accident and the way he had lived in his past. Truly admired his support of running a marathon.
October 20, 2010
Small book with BIG print...finished it in 3 hours. This definitely falls into the category of Lifetime Channel quality. Towards the end, I was getting a little nauseous every time I read "I love you".
November 26, 2008
An early novel by Barbara Delinsky. A quick read, a little dramatic...about a young woman whose life is shaped by her asthma.
September 22, 2010
fun read
January 18, 2011
It was a really cute story. Easy read.
May 13, 2012
Typical love story. Lot of fluff but not much story. Story drug.
July 19, 2012
cute story.. fluffy romance that i was really in the mood for.
June 4, 2014
A book of trimph. Dana Madison wants to be respected. Who doesn't? This was a good and thoughtful book.
July 26, 2014
Honestly don't remember it. In fact, so much so, that I ended up reading it twice.. and still dont remember it.
Also read it on October 29, 2001
Also read it on October 29, 2001
June 3, 2015
.
Very good story that portrays a very strong independent female character. Barbara brings her characters to life. Some sexual content but a strong story.
Very good story that portrays a very strong independent female character. Barbara brings her characters to life. Some sexual content but a strong story.
July 2, 2016
Easy to read but not her best book.
February 16, 2011
Just now finished it... very traditional romance novel - but I really enjoyed it.
December 10, 2011
Nice story.From a moment of encounter to a moment of forever lasting love
August 16, 2014
Delightful reading.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews