Lost Melody: A Novel [Paperback]

Lori Copeland (Author), Virginia Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2011

The beautiful piano sitting in the corner of Jill King's apartment begs to be played. For over a year, it has sat untouched, ever since a terrible accident shattered Jill's ambition of becoming a concert pianist. The ragged scar on her left hand is a cruel and constant reminder of the death of her dream. But another dream is about to come to life---an unexpected, horrifying dream that will present Jill with a responsibility she never wanted. And choices she never wanted to make. Hundreds of lives depend on Jill's willingness to warn her small, oceanside town in Nova Scotia of a nameless, looming disaster. But doing so could cost Jill her reputation, jeopardize the political career of the man she loves, and ruin their plans for a future together. The fate of an entire community hangs in the balance as Jill wrestles with the cost of heeding one still, small voice.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lori Copeland is aandnbsp;bestselling author whose books includde Now and Always, Simple Gifts, Unwrapping Christmas, and Monday Morning Faith, which was a finalist for the 2007 Christy Awards. Lori was inducted into the Springfield Writers Hall of Fame in 2000 and lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband and family.

Virginia Smith is the author of more than a dozen Christian novels. Her books have been named finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Award, and ACFW's Carol Award. When she isn't writing or speaking, Ginny and her husband, Ted, enjoy exploring the extremes of nature. They live in Salt Lake City, UT.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; Original edition (October 25, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310289866
• ISBN-13: 978-0310289869
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My husband and I live in the beautiful Ozarks. Our three sons, Randy, Rick and Russ live nearby so we get to enjoy our five grandchildren on a weekly basis. James, Joe, Josh, Gage and Audrey. Naturally I dote on the grandchildren! We also enjoy our many friends from our church and RV club.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong whimsical inspirational, October 28, 2011

By 

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

This review is from: Lost Melody: A Novel (Paperback)

In Manhattan, Jill King rides the train to Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute to attend a workshop culminating with her playing in the great hall. Jill and friendly Robert chat and as they shake hands, the train crashes. She is pinned down by something but by her side also trapped is Robert.

One year later, Jill suffers from headaches and is haunted by her piano sitting unused in her apartment as the horrific train accident ended her dream of becoming a concert pianist; the scar on her left hand is proof that she will never play like she once did. She also wonders about Robert who vanished once help arrived. She hides in Seaside Cove, Nova Scotia while her nana and her boyfriend Greg Bradford worry about her and her mom struggles with recovering from a stroke. However, Jill suffers from a nightmare that has her panicking over an inferno destroying her town. She sounds the alarm at a cost to Greg's political ambitions and their relationship while the townsfolk assume she lost more than her musical ability.

Lost Melody is a strong character driven whimsical inspirational tale starring a flawed individual who suffers from PTSD. Jill is terrific as she holds the story line together while receiving the pity stares of the neighbors she wants to save from the disaster she dreams is coming. Using the disaster of the Mont-Blanc in Halifax Harbor in 1917 as a base, Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith provide a heavenly tale of a woman who learns about pride being a deadly sin as there are plenty of stanzas to play perhaps not in Carnegie hall, but in Seaside Cove if one chooses life.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lost Melody is a sweet story, January 3, 2012

By 

Kathleen Woodbury - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lost Melody: A Novel (Paperback)

I enjoyed seeing how someone who had suffered a tragedy would respond to a strong impression that another tragedy was going to happen, and this time, it would be possible to prevent it. The characters were true to life and very engaging, especially those who were willing to help do what they could to prevent the pending tragedy. Some characters believed, some tried to believe, some rationalized, and some just ridiculed--all believable and understandable reactions. A very heartfelt and sweet story about love, romantic as well as family, that learns to be strong.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A love a book that makes me think about my life., December 10, 2011

By 

Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Lost Melody: A Novel (Paperback)

I enjoyed the concept of this story and the underlying romantic elements. I also enjoyed the theme that true love sticks with someone during hard times. I think it's interesting that several stories have popped up this year that have similar themes of visions, dreams etc. being given to people. That said, the story had some compelling undertones. If we felt like God was telling us to warn people, would we keep silent in order to save ourselves from looking like we were nuts? That's a tough question.

Greg was a great hero. He struggled like anyone would with the whole thing and how it was influencing the campaign, but he was so supportive. He was a great example of how love is shown by holding another person up who is struggling, rather than abandoning them because how their problem might negatively reflect on you. I loved the symbolism there. Greg had guts. But Jill's belief was pretty compelling. It's hard not to say much that won't spoil the story. I wouldn't want someone to tip me off ahead of time.

That said, I loved the little old ladies who supported her as well. How many of us are lucky enough to have so many people stick with us through hard times and in the face of adversity? What a great bunch of gals! I got some warm fuzzies, too, that some people who were skeptical at first ended up heeding her warning. No doubt Jill felt affirmation as well. I grieved a bit toward the end there, plus my heart swelled with anticipation and joy at some of the events that took place. Hard to say what they are again due to the spoiler thing.

This novel made me think about how hard it would be to be called by God to be a modern day prophet. They were killed in the past. Nowadays they'd be shut up in an insane asylum, or drugged up to stop it. I could see the inspiration in this story by providing courage to someone who feels God is wanting them to do something, and they have been afraid to go ahead with whatever that thing is due to being ridiculed. If nothing else, Lost Melody shows that it's important to stick by your convictions and to listen to God's voice. It's also important to support those you love and not abandon them. Plus, the crisis gave Jill the courage to play again. That was heart-warming. All in all, a good read.