Customer Reviews

Lost Melody: A Novel

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

When Ginny emailed me and asked if I would be an influencer for her book I jumped at the opportunity. I have found her books to be enjoyable, whether they are a "love" story or a mystery her stories are well written and engaging. I haven't read anything by Lori Copeland, but had seen many positive reviews on her books. I got what I expected and more.

It was very easy for me to relate with Jill King. Her dreams crashed in a subway accident in the previous year. She loves Greg Bradford and wants to support him as he runs for political office. As she deals with the past and begins moving forward in her relationship with Greg and in her life, she experiences a terrifying dream. She isn't sure whether she is going crazy but knows she has to tell people of her beloved town of the pending danger.

The authors do a great job giving you the back story while moving you forward at a good pace. The interactions between characters is very believable and rings of what life would be like for Jill after facing the lost of her dream life to have it replaced by a recurring nightmare.

This book caused me to pause and take a look at how I would react if I were Jill or if someone close to me were Jill. Especially in the United States we tend to be very cynical and closed minded to things we don't understand and are quick to label someone as a "nut job."

This is a wonderful story of love and commitment and in stepping out of one's comfort zone to take a risk. At the end of the book the authors give you a website you can go and read the original ending to the story. I would encourage you to do that only after you read the published ending. I read the alternate ending last night and I'm still not sure how I would have reacted if they ended the story with that ending.

As mentioned earlier I did receive this copy from the author, however, I'm under no obligation to give anything but my opinion.

Lost Melody is a touching story that is a great read during this holiday season! What better subject than hope and new beginnings as we end another year and look forward to the start of another? Anyone who has lost something precious to them will find relevance in this book and anyone who hasn't will take a moment to be grateful!

Jill King is an amazingly gifted piano player with so much talent that she's been able to make a career out of it. Playing is her whole life until a tragic accident almost takes her life and costs her something just as precious: her gift. When her hand is damaged she can no longer play. Even after a year of therapy she isn't able to move on and can't forget the stranger that held her hand while they waited for rescue.

Jill's fiancé Greg has been supportive but his patience wears thin when a new obsession interferes with his campaign for local office. Jill has a dream that something terrible is going to happen in their small town of Seaside and while she knows the date and time, she does not know the details. She feels compelled to warn the town of the impending danger but knows how she will be viewed. She decides her pride is worth the sacrifice and warns the town of disaster at a local town meeting. She immediately finds herself in the middle of a media circus, some supporting her and some calling her crazy.

Will disaster strike as predicted or will she be made a fool? Will her love for Greg survive the damage her personal mission has done to his political one? It's an intriguing story that will keep you turning the pages to find out!

Jill is a pianist who dreams of becoming well known for her gift of playing the piano beatifully. Her dream is cut short when she has a terrible accident that keps her from playing the way she once did. She begins to have dreams that tell of doom and destruction of her hometown. She feels so compelled to share this news with the people in her hometown so she can save them, unlike others she was not able to save in the terrible accident. Few people believe her tale and just chalk it up to posttraumatic stress syndrome. How can Jill get the message across to everyone and feel like she has done what she needed to do?

This was an interesting story the way it played out. I definitely would not have seen the ending coming the way it did.

All in all, I would recommend this book. I have read both authors and liked them each on their own accord so the pairing was likely to work flawlessly as well. They made beautiful music together.

Virginia Smith and Lori Copeland have created a wonderful novel together. I was sucked in from the very beginning of the book and could not put it down. Each time I planned to read only a page or two I would find myself reading chapter after chapter.

It was so easy to instantly love the main character Jill. She is on top of the world when the accident happens and her life is forever changed. She struggles with issues that many of us have faced and yet she continues on with life - even at times when she may not want to.

This is an incredible book and I would suggest it to anyone looking for a book that you won't be able to put down!

Jill King has a promising career as a concert pianist until a terrible accident damages her hand and destroys her plans for the future. Now she facing a world of broken dreams and shattered emotions. A world she doens't seem to fit anymore. She is engaged to Greg Bradford, a steady young man with great political ambitions. Suddenly Jill starts having a recurring dream of a coming disaster, occurring in their hometown of Seaside Cove. She also has a strong feeling she is supposed to warn the residents to flee. She even has a date for when it will happen. When she shows up at an important meeting and tells the crowd her dream and that they must evacuate the town, very few people take her seriously. She tries to explain to Greg, but he refuses to listen.

Even Jill begins to wonder if she's losing her mind and there is a strong possibility she has damagged Greg's career beyond repair. Should she give up her drive to warn people, or should she listen to the warning? And where is God in all of this?

Lost Meloday is a fascinating story that pulls the reader in from the first page.

Jill King has a terrible recurring nightmare, and she knows it will come true.The details are so specific and the outcome is deadly. She also knows that if she warns the people in her small town of the impending danger, she will finally be able to sleep in peace. However, if she does, she will look crazy and she will most likely ruin her fiancee's chances in the upcoming election.

Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith have teamed up to create a wonderfully suspenseful book that delves into the difficulties of following God's will even when it sounds crazy. They have done a fabulous job of creating realistic characters in very tough situations -- Lori, who has lost her dream of becoming a world class pianist and is recovering from deep depression and physical injury; Greg, who loves Lori and wants to support her but worries about her ability to think straight and the impact of her premonition on his career; and the outrageous Nana, who takes over in a big way when prayer leads the way.

This book is a real thought provoker that will leave the reader contemplating the difference between God 'nudges' and the ways of the world that seem right at the time. Given the task, which of us will act when chosen?

I'm looking forward to more books from this duo!

Lost Melody is a simply wonderful story about not giving up or giving in AND to always believe! Believe that God has an ultimate purpose and a plan.

Jill feels like a washed out has been...from great concert pianist to painful nightmares and scars. All which came in a split second. But she still remembers the stranger who told her that God would not let the dream die.

Jill lives with her feisty seventy-nine year old, soon to be eighty-year old, grandma. A grandma who lives and loves life with the passion of a person who believes the best is yet to come.

It seems that her grandma, Ruth Parkins, is the ally that keeps Jill going and keeps her on track.

Jill's boyfriend, Greg, is a strong, nice guy. Greg is the kind of guy most unmarried, single women would love to have around. Greg is Jill's stalwart companion.

And then Jill begins to have dreams...she needs to warn the town, but it's just a dream, a small voice.

Can one dream, a small voice make all the difference in the lives of people? And the one who chooses to obey that voice?

A very interesting and insightful read!