Losing the Moon [Paperback]

Patti Callahan Henry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2004

In this powerful debut novel, a wife and mother discovers that although life has led her in a joyous direction, she still cherishes memories of her first love...the college boyfriend who captivated her heart and then, without a word of warning, disappeared.

Life has been good to Amy Reynolds since then. Her marriage is satisfying, her children thriving. But now that Nick is back in her life, she can't help recalling the beach where they pledged their destinies together some twenty years ago. And she can't help being tempted by the life she might have lived...might still live-a choice that would betray all she holds dear.

"Patti Callahan Henry joins the ranks of Anne Rivers Siddons and Pat Conroy with this debut novel. Losing the Moon is lyrical, sensual, and as delicate as a seashell. Lovely and poignant."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Preservationist Amy Reynold's son, Jack, has his first serious girlfriend, Lisbeth, and he's anxious for his folks to meet her folks. But much to Amy's distress, Lisbeth's father turns out to be Nick Lowry, Amy's first love and the man who broke her heart. Nick is a conservationist, and when he finds out that Amy is involved in trying to save a historic plantation from developers, he joins the cause. As they work together, they focus more on each other and less on their spouses, even though they've each been married more than 20 years. Through a series of flashbacks, the reader finds out about Nick and Amy's past and the cause of their breakup, while the former lovers' conversations of "what if" turn to "if only" as the old chemistry proves to be as strong as ever. Henry's beautifully written debut romance is meant to be savored, with its poetic descriptions and settings deftly mirroring the emotions of the characters. Readers who enjoy the lyrical voices of Patricia Gaffney and Mary Alice Monroe will also be drawn to this talented newcomer. Shelley Mosley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Losing the Moon is lyrical, sensual, and as delicate as a seashell. Lovely and poignant. -- Deborah Smith, New York Times bestselling author of Charming Grace

Henry's beautifully written debut romance is meant to be savored... -- Booklist, starred review

I loved Losing the Moon! ... Don't miss this wonderful book. -- Haywood Smith, author of The Red Hat Club

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451211952
• ISBN-13: 978-0451211958
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #481,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patti Callahan Henry is the New York Times Bestselling author of seven novels--Losing the Moon, Where the River Runs, When Light Breaks, Between the Tides, The Art of Keeping Secrets, Driftwood Summer and The Perfect Love Song: A Holiday Story.

Patti was a finalist in the Townsend Prize for Fiction and twice a nominee for the Southeastern Independent Booksellers Association Fiction Book of the Year. Patti is hailed as a fresh new voice in southern fiction. She is a frequent speaker at luncheons, book clubs and women's groups where she discusses the importance of storytelling and anything else they want to talk about.

Patti grew up as a Minister's daughter, learning early how storytelling effects our lives. She grew up spending her summers on Cape Cod where she began her love affair with the beach, ocean, tides and nature of the coast. Moving south at the tender age of twelve, she found solace in books and stories. While attending Auburn University, she met a southern boy who later proposed on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, next to a historic lighthouse overlooking the Sound. After earning her Master's degree in Child Health, Patti worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist until her first child was born.

Patti is a full time writer, wife and mother living with her husband and three children outside Atlanta on the Chattahoochee River where she is working on her eight novel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING - Emotional and Real - A Winner!!, April 29, 2004

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Losing the Moon (Paperback)

WOW! If you could make money by predicting a best seller then I would go ahead put your money on this one!

Twenty-five years ago, two college students, Amy Reynolds and Nick Lowry were young, idealistic, and very much in love. Idealistic, Nick wanted to save the wilderness and he and seven other students left on a Costa Rican tropical biology conservation program as part of credits towards graduation - parting was painful for young lovers but the promise to return in three months was made..... only it didn't happen. No letters, no contact, Amy was shattered and bereft, especially after Nick's mother told her that Nick was going on with his life and to forget him. After a time, Amy began to live again, married a hometown boy, had two loving children, and settled into middle class suburbia - a seemingly perfect life. That is until one perfect autumn afternoon when Amy's son asked that his parents come to meet the parents of a girl he'd become serious with and on that fateful day, the two families lives would never again be the same.

For anyone who has ever experienced that first love, with the passion, the rush, the giddy `can't get enough of you' - all consuming kind of passion, this is a book you cannot miss! It is powerful, sensual, beautifully portrayed and thoroughly credible. You'll feel the rage of betrayal and the confusion that both Nick and Amy felt. You'll develop your own opinions on forgiveness. I felt it eloquently imparted all the joy, pain and sorrow that only those who have been there can understand. It touched me deeply and stayed with me long after the final chapter. All of the characters and their motivations were so well described and sympathetic that I agonized right along with them. This is a most passionate and beautiful love story that the reader should keep tissues handy when reading. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend this book. This new author, in my opinion, has made a brilliant start with this outstanding first novel. --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.historicromancewriters.com ---

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Winner", August 4, 2004

By 

Jeanne Anderson (Swartz Creek, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Losing the Moon (Paperback)

I bought this book not really expecting much. A familiar plot, as far as two middle age people finding and trying to recapture their first passionate love.

The thing that made this story stand apart from others was that it was told in such a truthful and credible way. I could actually picture myself as Amy and her feelings for Nick.

The very best thing about this book is that is has a very satifsfying ending, perfect and real!! You will care about these people and not want this novel to end.

I am anxious to see what this author writes next.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars intriguing family drama, April 29, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Losing the Moon (Paperback)

Amy and Phil Reynolds leave their home in Darby, Georgia to visit their son Jack attending Saxton University in order so their child can introduce his parents to his first serious girlfriend Lisbeth and her parents. At the college, Amy receives the shock of her life. Lisbeth's father is Nick Lowry, the love of her life when they attended school together before he left without a word.

Twenty-five years of marriage to a nice man and in a matter of a blink Amy knows that her heart has been telling her that she never got over Nick. He feels the same way as years of marriage to Eliza means nothing. Nick and Amy know they must ignore their feelings, but when he and his spouse relocate from Maine to Garvey, the temptation to betray their respective families has become astronomical.

LOSING THE MOON is an intriguing family drama in which the actions, including the option of doing nothing, of the protagonists will have adverse consequences on caring people who love them. The key to the tale is that no one is a villain or abusive person; in fact the support cast is nice people who do not deserve any hurt, but life and relationships are never simple. Fans of character driven contemporary tales filled with candid emotion, but no major action will take delight with this warm novel in which someone will be harmed regardless of the path(s) the lead duo choose.

Harriet Klausner