Customer Reviews

Melody

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Melody Cruz and Sarah Johnson are sisters, but do not look related. Their mother was Latino and their father was Caucasian. The parents died while the sisters were little. Mel's looks and colorings favor their Latino heritage, while Sarah's favor the Caucasian. An uncle raised Sarah. Due to her steady upbringing, Sarah has grown up to be strong, confident, and successful. An aunt raised Melody. Due to the aunt slipping into depression and ultimately snapping, Melody's childhood was hard and she has grown up to be sensitive and self-conscious.

The sisters may have grown up separately, but the love they feel for each other is strong. As the story begins, Melody is temporarily living in Sarah's house and looking for work. Keith Taylor has been Sarah's boyfriend for only a couple of months, yet already has been granted a key to the place. Melody has never liked any of the men Sarah has dated, but Keith is by far the creepiest. Whenever Sarah is not around, Keith does things that make Mel feel uncomfortable. That escalates to near assault and verbal harassment. Sarah refuses to believe Mel.

Lucas Lawson has never forgotten Melody. His wealth may not impress the lady, but at least he has convinced her to actually begin dating him. His father, the CEO of the advertising firm named Caper Enterprises, hires Melody as an office assistant. It is a dream come true for Melody. The downside is that Keith works there too and the CEO obviously likes the man. Melody feels as though she is in a Catch 22.

Detectives Brianna Morris and Steven Kemp were romantic at one point, but now consider themselves as close friends, as well as, partners. At least, Bree did. Steven wants to be more, but Bree is keeping her distance. The two have been working for months to capture a serial rapist known as the "Albany Predator". He targets black women and usually commits the crime in the victim's own home. None of the victims have been able to give a solid lead. When Melody is convinced that her best friend is the rapist's next target, the two detectives are placed on the case. Bree has already had one close call with the maniac and hopes to get a second chance at putting the felon behind bars.

**** It is not often that I get my hands on a book with more than one romance blooming. Not only is this story juggling multiple biracial romances, but it is also throwing in some danger and excitement to keep readers glued to their seats. I found it very difficult to stop reading even briefly. The character of Melody comes across as too soft at first, but it does not take her long to prove that she has a backbone. It does not matter if you are red, yellow, black, or white, if you are looking for a lot of action and some dreamy romance then this book is for you! I loved every minute and am proud to recommend this story to all! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

"Melody" is two stories in one. First, you have the title character Melody. After the death of her parents, Melody and her sister, Sarah, were separated and raised by different family members. Now adults, they share a home. The new man in Sarah's life gives Melody the hebby jebbies. She can't quite figure it out, but something is not right with Keith and she is determined at all cost to find out. Will it be at the risk of her relationship with her sister or even her life?

Second, you have Detective Brianna Morris. She is one of the investigating officers tracking the Albany Predator, a serial rapist targeting black women. Funny thing is the descriptions of the assailant by his victims match her partner, Detective Steven Kemp, to a tee.

I found the premise of the first plot to be gearing towards unbelievable. I never got a good grasp of main character Melody, her sister, or their strained relationship. There were unresolved issues, questions left unanswered (WHY being my biggest one) and a character that really didn't serve a purpose (Craig).

The second plot, which I found more interesting, was overshadowed by the first and as a result was not expounded on as much as I would have liked. Like the first plot, there were also unresolved issues and questions left unanswered. I questioned why this subplot was even introduced since the stories overlapped minimally at best.

"Melody" was not a bad read, but it was uneven. With more development "Melody" has the potential to be a thriller.

Reviewed by: Lela

Melody Cruz is suspicious of her sister's new wealthy boyfriend Keith Taylor. Melody thinks that Keith has some deep, dark secrets that he wants to keep hidden. She just has to gather enough evidence to prove this to her sister. While all of this is going on, there is a man called the "Albany Predator" that is brutally raping black women throughout the city. Melody is worried that her best friend may be his next victim. Detectives Brianna Morris and Steven Kemp are on a race against time as they try to capture this rapist. This case takes on a surprising turn when all of the evidence point to an unexpected prime suspect.

Melody is a thought-provoking mystery novel by Stacy-Deanne. Stacy-Deanne cleverly intertwined two different storylines that tied in together. When reading this book, you'll be glued to the pages trying to find out if Melody's suspicions about Keith are correct. You'll also feel the urgency of the detectives as they try to solve this case. This story had the makings of an excellent mystery, but there were a few gray areas that still went unresolved by the end of the book. When the "who-dun-it" part of the story is revealed, there is no explanation as to why this rapist was targeting black women. There also should have been a juicer secret revealed in regards to Keith. All of the events that led to the end of both storylines just seem like it was all for not. Stacy-Deanne does have the writing talent since Melody is still a good story. With some minor improvements, she could pull off a wonderful mystery novel in the future.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

Reviewed by Delonya Conyers
UrbanBookSource.com

Author Stacy-Deanne weaves two stories into one book with her latest release Melody. The first story centers on the title character Melody Cruz, who's very suspicious of her sister's new boyfriend Keith. Truth be told Melody has never liked any of her sister, Sarah's boyfriends but her concerns are well founded with Keith who she catches watching her undress. Keith's perverted ways aren't Melody's only concerns but she's having a hard time convincing her sister to see past Keith's good looks, charm, and wealth. Melody's determination to end her sister's relationship becomes dangerous when Keith discovers that Melody has been digging into his past.

The second story interweaved into the book is about a rapist who's terrorizing the city and has been labeled the "Albany Predator". The rapist is only attacking black women making Melody's best friend Aileen a prime candidate. Between the worrying about both Sarah and Aileen's safety, Melody is barely able to focus on herself or her blooming relationship with Lucas Lawson.

Meanwhile, the two detectives assigned to the "Albany Predator" case, Brianna Morris and Steven Kemp, have their hands full with terrified victims and no leads. But they also have no idea just how close to home this case is about to hit. The evidence is pointing in a very unlikely direction! Both stories manage to flow nicely together while sharing the same setting and central character, Melody.

What did you like about the book?
The "Albany Predator" story line was a great detective story and could have stood alone as a crime novel.

What did you dislike about the book?
The Keith and Sarah story line moved too slowly at the beginning. Melody's withholding of crucial information from Sarah made her appear weak and unsure of herself.

What could the author do to improve the book?
The title character, Melody, needed more self confidence to pull off the Keith-Sarah storyline. Melody came off as whiney and insecure making that story line drag. Readers need to relate with title characters especially if the book is going to be centered around them.

Melody by Stacy-Deannne is a contemporary novel filled with unexpected twists and turns. Melody and her sister, Sarah, are the products of an interracial relationship, a Latino mother and a white father. Sarah is the spitting image of their father and Melody is golden brown like her mother. The sisters are different in most ways, mostly because they were separated as small children when their parents were killed in an automobile accident. Sarah is raised in a lavish lifestyle by their uncle who will only accept the white-looking child, while Melody is raised by her mentally ill aunt, her mother's sister. The girls could not have had more different lives but the one thing they always maintained was sisterly love and as adults they find their way back to each other.

When it came to men, Sarah only dated wealthy white guys, who usually did not treat her very well. Now that she has met the handsome, rich Keith, she is sure he is the one for her but Melody knows better. Melody and Keith have a few encounters that convince her he is not quite the man her sister thinks he is. Keith continually invades Melody's space and her comfort zone in threatening, suggestive ways. At first she does not say anything to her sister and when she finally does Sarah chooses not to believe her. Sarah thinks Melody is simply jealous. From that point the novel takes off.

There are many stories within a story to Melody. In their town, there is a serial rapist, attacking black women. Melody is indirectly involved in the case while trying to keep an eye on Keith and protecting her sister. There are also elements of romance between Melody and her friend, Lucas. This is a fast-paced novel with shocking surprises on every other page. There are also graphic depictions of violence. I recommend Melody to those interested in contemporary novels with an erotic, dramatic edge.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

Looking over the reviews from other readers. One statement really caught my eye. Two Books In One. Stacy Deanne did a outstanding job writing Melody. This is the first book that I've read that didn't end with the twist that I thought was coming. It was definitely two books in one. I don't want to give it away but it is a must read. Melody will keep you wanting to turn one page after the other. There is no such thing as putting the book down. I will be purchasing more books by Stacy Deanne. Her achievements speaks for themselves. Pick up a copy. Stacy will not leave you disappointed.

Ok...I bought this book a few months ago based on Amazon user reviews. I read it at work when my computer died and i read it in 4 hrs. It was just that interesting. I kept trying to figure out why Sarah was so dense and naive and why Melody was so dense and naive sometimes as well. Keith was a conniving Bastard! ANd that other story was wow. I started to suspect something foul...and just nodded when the truth finally came out.

I really enjoyed this book! From the very beginning, it hooked me in and it kept me going. Often, I'll start a book that starts with a bang and slows at some point, but this one didn't disappoint. The book begins with Keith Taylor "just passing by" Melody Cruz's bedroom while she's undressing. Just the way he was staring at her was enough to give me the creeps, and this was definitely a creepy guy. The problem for Melody is that she can't get rid of him either because he's her sister's new boyfriend.

He's also able to charm his way with most people he comes across, so few people believe Melody when she tells them that he's been threatening her. Among those who can't see what a creep Keith really is are her sister and her new love interest. I admit that Keith was a very interesting character. I can't give away the ending, but suddenly the author gives us a glimpse of his point of view and it was nothing like I expected. It was easy to think of him one way when given Melody's point of view, but seeing his added another layer to him.

Then there is the "Albany Predator" who was a man going around and raping the black women in the area. I got spooked enough reading about his exploits that I double checked my locks and (at one point) couldn't even sleep. This was a truly evil guy, and there was a particular twist halfway through the book in regards to his identity that nearly knocked me over. I never saw it coming in a million years, so major kudos to the author on that one! It was my favorite part of the entire book just because it was so unexpected.

Meanwhile, two detectives, Brianna Morris and Steven Kemp are on the case to solve the mystery of who this "Albany Predator" is, and I enjoyed these two. They had a romantic past that served as an intriguing sub-plot, and being a romance reader at heart, I loved how this was played out. I'd love to read future stories with these two. They provided some excellent humor and terrific romantic tension (even though their past was "history").

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a "what will happen next?" on the edge of your seat suspense/mystery novel.

Experiences of the young half-Latina Melody Cruz are reverberating tunes of harsh times. At the tender age of three, the first of many chords striking belligerently in Melody's life begins with the death of her parents. The younger of two daughters, Melody is separated from her sister, Sarah, to live with a sick aunt who can barely afford to take care of her whilst Sarah is taken in by an uncle who openly prefers her. The unfavored life of Melody and the favored life of Sarah continue ostensibly through their adulthood.

In their youthful twenties, the sisters are back and living together. Sarah blindly appears to be conducting a charmed life, unscathed by the nature of events taking place around her. Observant, Melody detects strange obscurities surrounding Sarah's latest wealthy boyfriend, Keith Taylor. Discovering disturbing truths about Keith, Melody eventually takes the risk in warning Sarah. Blinded by love, Sarah disbelieves Melody, who fears another separation in the loss of Sarah to Keith and their already delicate sisterly trust and love. Keith, on the other-hand, is prepared to go to extremes to prove his innocence.

Meanwhile, in Melody's hometown, devastation is rearing its ugly head in the name of a serial rapist known as the Albany Predator. Black women are his targets, and Melody lives in fear for her best friend. Keeping in touch, Melody visits her in the knowledge that she cannot be a constant companion. Women are being viciously and brutally attacked by the Albany Predator, who is also giving the local police the run-around, causing a lethal rift among them. How many more women will he attack before he is caught?

Melody's love life is currently verging on the non-existent. A deep thinker, she is a stickler in having things done her way and at times is accustomed to spending time on her own. Her ways can prevent a romance from flourishing, and an unfruitful relationship is currently undergoing troubling tremors with the impressive Lucas Lawson of Caper Enterprises. With a multitude of controversies surrounding Melody's mind and life, will she be able to hold onto Sarah and spare any room to make a success of her current relationship with Lucas?

In Melody, gripping scenes lock the reader in suspense. Stacy-Deanne has a robust but emotional and feminine character in Melody. The story has you following her through her trials and tribulations, and the full cast of characters blends into the story well, from the thrillingly colorful to the cold, dark, and chillingly ugly. Melody is a highly recommended, thought-provoking, and suspenseful read.

Bestselling author Stacy-Deanne is returning with her phenomenal novel Melody. This contemporary novel is filled with suspense, steamy erotica, and compelling and true to life characters. The thriller story is surrounded around Melody Cruz and her sister Sarah, who are the outcome of a white mother and Latino father. The sisters separated at a young age due their parents having a fatal car accident. Pulled into two different directions by family members the sisters had nothing in common but being in the same bloodline.

Keith, who is handsome and rich, lands Sarah the sister who is more beautiful out of the two. Melody from the start realizes that there is something not promising about her sister's new boyfriend and she is right. Keith being a very persistent man pursues Melody right under Sarah's nose. Sarah blinded by it all wants to keep it that way and denies any accusations about Keith when Melody brings it to her attention.
Melody has a superb plot and an interesting sub-plot as well. There is a serial rapist in their city attacking black women and with the author fantastic creative mind Melody is ultimately caught up in the crime.

Melody is beautifully written from start to finish, which would allow for the easy read. The book has many twists and turns that will leave you guessing. I believe it will satisfy every reader needs and wants in a novel...real live characters, intense plot, and with so much detail you will actually think you're taking a ride with the characters. There was never a dull moment in this novel, you don't believe me!? Then see for yourself!

I support this author and this novel to the fullest. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: OfficiallyWrite
Myspace.com/one2gobookreviews