What an interesting story! Right from the very beginning it demands the reader continue reading until the very end and reaching that end simply begs for the next chapter. This is one of the best I have read in quite some time!

(Excerpted from Writers Cafe - http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/russrose/280752

The moon, about the moon

A book review
Looking down on the moon, a new novel by J Russell Rose is not really about the moon. It’s about secrets and love.
The main character, Dolores de Los Rios, lives in the “wilderness” of New Mexico, or at least that’s what her brother, Paul Summers would say. Dolores started life in Houston, as Deidre Summers, but neither her birth name, nor her birthplace suited her. So, she changed them both, moving to a place with mountains so high that from the tops, you will feel as though you are “looking down on the moon”.
The author, J Russell Rose, lived for a number of years in Houston and had the pleasure of visiting the wilderness of New Mexico from time to time. His description of the landscape made me feel as though I was there. Sometimes, authors choose settings with which they are unfamiliar and it can show, particularly if the reader does happen to be familiar with the setting.
For example, I could never read Patricia Cornwell’s novels. Even though she lived in Richmond, as I did for many years, she takes a lot of liberties with street names and locations. Maybe I’m a perfectionist, but it annoyed me, so I stopped reading her books.
Now, since I’ve never actually been to New Mexico or Mexico (the setting for a couple of chapters) I cannot guarantee that Rose is 100% accurate in his details, but I get the feeling that he is. I can picture the road leading to the “hacienda”, in my mind’s eye and it’s like a real memory.
The focal point of the novel is an old secret, long kept, but the story is more about love, than secrets. The characters experience different kinds of love…romantic love, love for family, friends and self. Dolores loves people. She chooses to live almost like a hermit, because people have hurt her, particularly during her childhood. But, she leaves her private paradise almost every day, to work with the needy, the sick and the poor children (Los Pobrecitos) of New Mexico.
Looking down on the Moon spans three generations and three separate romances. It is sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes thought provoking and depending on what your beliefs are, it could make you a little angry. The characters discuss everything from evolution to God and pre-marital sex.
Character development is another “pet peeve” of mine. When books have six or eight major characters, it’s hard to get to know each of them. Writer’s sometimes do not seem to go to the effort of creating real people. Through dialog and description, J Russell Rose is able to bring each of his characters to life.
I guess the novel is about the moon, in a way. Most people associate moonlight walks with candlelight and romance. I don’t know if the author is aware, but there are Native American stories about the moon. In those stories, Grandfather Sun chases Grandmother Moon across the sky. Sometimes, she turns her face away, in anger or shyness. At other times, when she is happy with him, she faces him, shining (smiling) brightly. The relationship between Dolores’ son, Luis and Carmelita is similar.
I knew, almost from the beginning, what secret Paul had learned. I wondered why Delores/Deidre had never figured it out. It never even seemed to occur to her. The end, though, was surprising, as the ending of a good book should be. I laughed and I cried. I had a good time with Dolores, Paul and the rest of the family. I think you will, too.
BY: Patsy Hamilton – Freelance Writer

Currently, Looking down on the Moon by J Russell Rose is only available for purchase online at Lulu.com and thesaws.org, the website for the Southern Appalachian Writer’s Society.

When I first found out that Jack was an author, I was very impressed. I am a co-worker of Jack's and consider him a friend. I have never personally known an author but have always been a big reader. When his books were published, I purchased them more of less just to have them, even if I never read them. I received them during the Christmas holidays and they were put on the shelf. Sometime during January, my husband wayne, who has just became a "reader" in the last 6 months started reading "Looking Down On The Moon". The first thing thing Wayne told me after he had read a portion of the book was "I am impressed and you work with the author"?. As soon as Wayne finished one I started it and within few weeks we had read them all. I must say that all the books were very enjoyable and well written and I really got involved in each of them,catching a chapter whenever I had a few extra minutes. I have told Jack that the only complaint I have is that there is a couple of the charaters in two of the books that I would like for him to write another book about. I want know what happens to them and that they end up with a happy future.He tells me " every body can not end up happy, that is not life"....If you would like to have several hours of enjoyable reading , order his books ,you will be very pleased. I am waiting for the next one to be published but he tells me that I have read in a few weeks what he has taken him 10 years to write, so I guess I will just have to wait...

PH