It's All About the Moon When the Sun Ain't Shining

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Educating
Review: I am a member of "Booklovers" Trinity Book Club where we had the pleasure of having Mr. Ernest Hill present to discuss the book. I enjoyed the book immensely. I felt that I knew each character personally. I have seen many Miss Audreys. It was great to see Maurice grow from boyhood to manhood. It really made one see the difference between 'love' and 'being in love.' It also makes one realize that there are choices to be made and that they should not be made hastily. I would love to read a sequel to this book. What happens to Maurice and Danielle? If a relationship develops, how does this affect all families? What will the friends and neighbors say? Does Omenita become the jealous, outraged ex-girlfriend who tries to win Maurice back? I have read all of Mr. Hill's books, and by far, this was the best. Keep up the good work.

Rating:
Summary: Nice - Really Nice
Review: I have just closed the cover after finishing Mr. Hill's latest novel. I have not read such a book in a very long time. It made me laugh until I cried, and it made me sad enough to cry
time after time. The characters became friends; I sat with them in their homes and work places and learned to think of them as people I knew. Mr. Hill's character development is superb. He made me change my mind about the characters several times. His insights into the meanings of love, family, and the pain of change are remarkable. The wisdom of the people brings new wisdom to the reader as well. This is a remarkable story about remarkable people. I thank the author for sharing. I only hope I get to go to Brownsville again.

Rating:
Summary: ...about the moon and so much more
Review: I have recently read and been in a discussion group that included the author of this wonderful book. I appreciated the shift in theme from the others he has written and I believe that it is his best effort to date.

One can actually feel the growth of the character, Maurice, as he comes to terms with trying to strike a compromise with the two important women in his life--his mother and the women he loves. He has to choose between them, but greater than this, between giving up perhaps his life's greatest opportunity or an ordinary, hum-drum existence.

I especially appreciate how Mr. Hill developed memorable characters like Miss Audrey, Grandpa and Omenita--everybody knows someone like each one, and the powerful expressions of emotion in Maurice. This, I have rarely noticed in a man, but he is not demished by this exhibition. I liked the sprinklings of humor from the diner workers, also. The book is really well worth the time I spent with it. I didn't want to let it go.

Audrey F. Martin

Rating:
Summary: This is so good
Review: If you are only going to take one book with you to the beach this Summer consider this one. It's the story of a young man who finds himself in jam. He's got a scholarship to go to law school and a girlfriend who's made it clear to him that she won't wait for him while he's studying. What does our young hero do? Does he run towards a future without his girlfriend or does he hang on to the past in the name of love?

The characters in this book are wonderfully written. All of them talk and react as real people would. I really cared about the hero and cheered when he discovers that growing up isn't all about doing as you please.

Ernest Hill has created a really excellent book.

Rating:
Summary: All About The Moon...
Review: In our lives we come through many crossroards that determine who we become in the future. Maurice Dupree is returning from college and has also received a scholarship for law school--a wonderful opportunity which he could only dream about. Unfortunately, he has a few things holding him back and/or determining his thoughts on how she should proceed with his life. There is his girlfriend Omenita who is tired of the small town they grew up in and tired of waiting on him to marry her and take her away from her oppressive life. She basically tells him that the time is up for school and he needs to be a husband to her and get a job and take her away from her misery. On the other side of the spectrum is his loving mother who is proud that her son is the first in their family to attend college and has a chance to make a career as a lawyer. Yet, she doesn't afford him the space to make his own decision regarding the things in his life. There is a definite problem when neither likes the other and Maurice must again make a choice between two things very dear to him.

The interactions between mother and son and potential wife and son were engaging and interesting. Additionally, Maurice's father and grandfather both offer him pearls of wisdom regarding life, becoming a man, love and marriage. They are the strength of the book, what gave it its allure. The reader is also given a peek inside the lives of the family in which Maurice's mom provides housekeeping service. It is through the daughter of the family, Danielle, that Maurice is afforded the strength to make a necessary decision as the story unfolds.

With strong character development and characters that you'll either love or hate, I thought this was going to be one of those "can't put down" books, but instead, I found myself getting tired just from reading the dialogue. I'm one that admittantly hates repetition, but it seems the characters continually repeated everything. I'm sure it was intentional to make a point, but this took away something from the book as it made it predictable and a bit tedious to keep reading the same thing over and over again. What really made this book memorable for me was the love the grandfather had for his deceased wife. It was a perfect example of what love and marriage should be able.

This is my first Ernest Hill book and while I do plan to eventually read the other(s), I'm not sure that this was a good introduction for me.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers


Rating:
Summary: It's All About The Moon When The Sun Ain't Shining
Review: Old wisdon with Southern charm. Every word evokes a snapshot of the past: grandma rocking in her chair, fanning herself, spouting words that seem to leap off every page; grandpa with a stick between his teeth... What a wonderful memory of yesterday!

Rating:
Summary: Nice - Really Nice
Review: This book is great. Sometimes you just need something to entertain the soul. There are days when you are feeling down and out and you need a moment to explore the world of others. A world that is delightful; a world that offers a glimpse at the way others view life. I picked up It's All About The Moon When The Sun Ain't Shining as a book club adventure and forgot I had problems. I enjoyed this book so much. I laughed, I cried and I started talking to the characters. Does that mean I am losing it? I cheered them on and gave them advice when I thought they were making mistakes. Guess what, the characters had it all figured out! All I had to do is continue reading!

I want to thank this author for giving me an escape. In fact, I think that is what a great book should do - allow you to escape and journey into the lives of others. I liked these people and wish they were my neighbors . . . everybody except Omenita. Okay, maybe she could live in the neighborhood but not next door. Maurice has to decide on whether he is going to give his heart away to a young lady that can be wonderful but has issues. You will have to read this to believe it. Fantastic. This is a wonderful love story. Yes, it is about people trying to find out what is best for them and if they are best for each other. Sounds simple -- it isn't. There are so many wonderful characters and twists and turns in this novel that you will be surprised that there are so many wonderful lessons weaved throughout the novel. One thing I do know for sure, I didn't expect the end results. I was fooled! Great ending.

This is a great book to take on a plane ride or just to the beach. Take it anywhere - but make sure you read it. I am glad our book club has chosen it to read.

Rating:
Summary: As Always- The Best For His Readers
Review: What an incredible message! ERNEST HILL is a gifted and insightful author. This book deals cleverly with an age old theme (love and relationships)in such a contemporary way. The protagonist, Maurice has been challenged to be a man and to make a decision that will impact him for life. Maurice is in love and has been with the same girl for as long as he can remember. But there is the possibility she just might not be the right one for him because their relationship is based on a series of ultimatums, but the pitter patter of his heart tells him he loves her and can't do without her. Omenita, is his girl. She is not satisfied waiting on Maurice to get his life together(Maurice wants to go to law school). She wants him to marry her within days to prove his love to her and help them escape Brownsville and their folks. But Maurice's momma refuses to let any of this happen. After all, she is a mother( and has some words of wisdom to impart). She does not want her son to waste his life on the wrong girl. Talking about fireworks in a matter of days!

This novel is excellent. The novel is so vividly written and the characters are so very real. I can't get the various characters out of my head! The book explores the depths of being in tumultous relationships, coping with emotions and the dilemma of determining what's good for the heart may not always be good for the soul. Mr. Hill allows his characters to offer solutions via wonderful dialogue and creatively mapping out life through everyday situations. This NOVEL is FRESH AND VERY UPLIFTING. LOVE HAS NO BOUNDARIES. Can you imagine how Maurice handled all of these emotions and manages to find out how what being a man really entails? Well, you better start reading. This novel is very intriguing.

Thank you Mr. Ernest Hill for slapping us in the face with proof that there are ways to solve problems and given time, most people will make the best decisions based on their circumstances. I loved the characters. I keep thinking could this be my son or daughter? I wonder if I would act like Maurice's mother? I am not telling! Your novels always offer meaningful messages. Keep writing, we need authors that write with a purpose. You entertain and teach us how to be better people through your creative endeavors. I am SUGGESTING THIS BOOK FOR FAMILIES TO READ AND DISCUSS. BOOK CLUBS, IF YOU NEED to have a GREAT DISCUSSION - HERE'S THE ONE. This was a fun and interesting book. If you miss reading this one, you have missed the best book of the summer!

Rating:
Summary: Destined to be a bestseller!!!
Review: WOW, that's all I could say after reading Hill's newest book. This is the story of a man who had to choose what he thought was best for all, while thinking how it was going to affect him. What does a man do when he has to decide between love of a woman and a proper education!
Hill has created a literary work of art, a moving storyline. The book is very thought-provoking. I think it is a must read for all book clubs. Can't wait to tell the others in my club about the book!!!!!! Way to go Mr. Hill!