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57th out of 194 books
—
293 voters
The Melody Thief (Blue Notes #2)
by
Shira Anthony (Goodreads Author)
A Blue Notes Series Novel
Cary Redding is a walking contradiction. On the surface he’s a renowned cellist, sought after by conductors the world over. Underneath, he’s a troubled man flirting with addictions to alcohol and anonymous sex. The reason for the discord? Cary knows he’s a liar, a cheat. He's the melody thief.
Cary manages his double life just fine until he gets mug...more
Cary Redding is a walking contradiction. On the surface he’s a renowned cellist, sought after by conductors the world over. Underneath, he’s a troubled man flirting with addictions to alcohol and anonymous sex. The reason for the discord? Cary knows he’s a liar, a cheat. He's the melody thief.
Cary manages his double life just fine until he gets mug...more
Paperback, 1st Edition, 230 pages
Published
August 24th 2012
by Dreamspinner Press
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Review Summary: A wonderful story, absolutely enjoyable as a stand-alone
Review: I’m not a fan of insta-love and I love stories that show what happens after the couple ride off into the sunset together, so I really appreciated this one. Cary and Antonio get to know each other a bit before falling in love, and once they do there’s still quite a bit of story left to see what their life together looks like. That really worked for me.
The world of classical music and professional musicians was beautif...more
Review: I’m not a fan of insta-love and I love stories that show what happens after the couple ride off into the sunset together, so I really appreciated this one. Cary and Antonio get to know each other a bit before falling in love, and once they do there’s still quite a bit of story left to see what their life together looks like. That really worked for me.
The world of classical music and professional musicians was beautif...more
Awesome!!! I loved everything Shira Anthony brought to the story - the characters, the language, the music and the conflict. Every concept exceptionally written and enjoyable.
I loved Cary. He was so conflicted and in need of love that my heart went out to him immediately. I wanted to shake him, smack him upside the head and hug him all at once. And Antonio? Well, er, is just wanted to take him and his son home with me. I know, I know! He's gay! But he was adorable and honest and tortured in his...more
I loved Cary. He was so conflicted and in need of love that my heart went out to him immediately. I wanted to shake him, smack him upside the head and hug him all at once. And Antonio? Well, er, is just wanted to take him and his son home with me. I know, I know! He's gay! But he was adorable and honest and tortured in his...more
Mar 05, 2013
Fashionta
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
confessions-from-romaholics
Reviewed for Confessions from Romaholics
Review at Confessions from Romaholics
A meeting brought together by chance sets about a series of moments that lead to a romance, a romance filled with challenges and many possible different outcomes, but only one chance at love.
Cary is tired, tired of living a lie, of being a fake, but most of all, tired of his music. He believes so strongly that he does nothing but steal music. A prodigy since a young age, playing the cello has been one of Cary greatest a...more
Review at Confessions from Romaholics
A meeting brought together by chance sets about a series of moments that lead to a romance, a romance filled with challenges and many possible different outcomes, but only one chance at love.
Cary is tired, tired of living a lie, of being a fake, but most of all, tired of his music. He believes so strongly that he does nothing but steal music. A prodigy since a young age, playing the cello has been one of Cary greatest a...more
May 12, 2013
Marta L.
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who like realy cliche romances and sugarry stories
September 2012 review:
I'm sorry to say this but this book has been one of the most cliche stories I have ever read.
The main characters were practically the "king" and the "damsel in distress". Everything in their relationship was smooth and progressive. The author writes contemporary so it should be realistic, not a plain fantasy.
What was truly annoying to me was the fact that Cary turned from a self-destructive arrogant asshole to a tame kitten. I know guys like that character in real and hone...more
I'm sorry to say this but this book has been one of the most cliche stories I have ever read.
The main characters were practically the "king" and the "damsel in distress". Everything in their relationship was smooth and progressive. The author writes contemporary so it should be realistic, not a plain fantasy.
What was truly annoying to me was the fact that Cary turned from a self-destructive arrogant asshole to a tame kitten. I know guys like that character in real and hone...more
Amazing story. I loved it.
It was fantastic. Five star all the way. Cary did not only change over time from a very bad place to having a real life, but he healed as well. Great book!
It was fantastic. Five star all the way. Cary did not only change over time from a very bad place to having a real life, but he healed as well. Great book!
The Blue Notes series has a theme: Beautiful music. Beautiful, highly flawed men trying to come into harmony with their personal demons and find a loving relationship.
Melody Thief is about a truly gifted musician, Carey Redding, who needs to hide who he really is when he goes out to the seedier side of the gay bar scene. Connor Taylor is the mask that Carey Redding wears, and nearly chokes on as he tries to establish a relationship with a very handsome Italian knight in shining armor, Antonio....more
Melody Thief is about a truly gifted musician, Carey Redding, who needs to hide who he really is when he goes out to the seedier side of the gay bar scene. Connor Taylor is the mask that Carey Redding wears, and nearly chokes on as he tries to establish a relationship with a very handsome Italian knight in shining armor, Antonio....more
This reads like two stories: In the beginning you have Cary, an angsty musician enter into a tentative relationship with the handsome and wise Antonio, and toward the end you have Cary learning about family, specifically what makes a family. At first, Cary is not a sympathetic person, but when you learn about his past and his life, you can't help but feel and understand his compulsions and choices. Addictions come in many forms. And how can a man who has never really known family learn to embrac...more
I dove right into reading this book after reading Blue Notes, because I so love the author’s easy writing style and layered character portrayals. The characters in this book are complex and they reveal themselves gradually as intelligent, gifted and conflicted people. Carey, in particular, must come to terms with his character flaws if he is to progress in making a future with Antonio. The book sets up these flaws believably through Carey’s troubled past and I particularly liked the handling of...more
I have to say, I enjoyed the way Shira Anthony took the reader on a journey through Cary’s redemption and salvation. His tale was a sad one, but you enjoyed watching him come back from the edge. And Antonio was the perfect hero to save him; smart, handsome and strong-willed.
While I enjoyed the story between Cary and Antonio, I was a little put off by the mid-story plot line about Cary’s father coming into the picture. The HEA came about halfway through the book, and then we were thrown for a loo...more
While I enjoyed the story between Cary and Antonio, I was a little put off by the mid-story plot line about Cary’s father coming into the picture. The HEA came about halfway through the book, and then we were thrown for a loo...more
Aug 25, 2012
Ami
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mm-family-kids,
mm-romance-or-erotica
3.35 stars
The second book in Shira Anthony's "Blue Notes" series is a stand-alone novel; it might share the universe of classical music, but each stands on its own. So there is no need to read the first book -- as the characters here are different.
In Blue Notes, the readers are being taken to the wonders of Paris. In this book, Milan replaces Paris to give its voice to the story. I find the city background and the world of classical music as fascinating as the first book. For me it gives nuance...more
The second book in Shira Anthony's "Blue Notes" series is a stand-alone novel; it might share the universe of classical music, but each stands on its own. So there is no need to read the first book -- as the characters here are different.
In Blue Notes, the readers are being taken to the wonders of Paris. In this book, Milan replaces Paris to give its voice to the story. I find the city background and the world of classical music as fascinating as the first book. For me it gives nuance...more
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I was interrupted in reading this book, and I almost did not finish it. Luckily I picked it back up.
The author states that she likes the idea of seeing how the h/h live after the "I love you" moment. We never get to see these moments normally.
What I liked about this book is that we saw two men who were imperfect and they embraced each others' imperfections with understanding and acceptance. I think for me I saw the theme of this book as about addiction (in all forms) and redemption as we turn fr...more
The author states that she likes the idea of seeing how the h/h live after the "I love you" moment. We never get to see these moments normally.
What I liked about this book is that we saw two men who were imperfect and they embraced each others' imperfections with understanding and acceptance. I think for me I saw the theme of this book as about addiction (in all forms) and redemption as we turn fr...more
A very compelling novel. Number of themes run through the story. Love, loss, parent/child relationship. Highly recommend.
Aug 26, 2012
Kate
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
music lovers, family, angst, growth, making peace with the past
The Melody Thief takes us on a tour of a man on the mend - a solitary tortured soul who not only needs to love, he also needs to learn to love and accept himself. His journey narrates a lovely relationship-building process that touches upon the foundations of Cary's character. His mother, his brother, his romantic tutelage and his relationship with music are all interwoven into a complex tapestry of self-discovery and growth. I was thrilled to revisit Shira Anthony's other characters that popula...more
This story was so beautiful. You could call it a second-chance story, I guess. It's about a cellist, Cary, who is about as messed up as they come. He drinks too much, he has sex in the bathrooms of bars, and in spite of his personal life, manages to have a career as a musician. But things catch up with him in a big way when he gets mugged late at night.
I loved how Cary changes through the story. He really grows up and figures things out. And when something happens that is really hard for him to...more
I loved how Cary changes through the story. He really grows up and figures things out. And when something happens that is really hard for him to...more
I am no stranger to intricate plotlines, or the complexities of classical music. Shira Anthony’s “The Melody Thief” combines both in Carry Redding. Redding is a walking contradiction. He is a famed cellist, a man of beauty, and consummate talent; a man surrounded by adoring fans and friends. Yet he is a man full of self-loathing; a man walking a path of destruction through sex devoid of emotion, devoid indeed of identity. This is about to change when, on a Milan street, he meets the confident, n...more
IMHO this was a much better book than the first of the series. Aside from the fact that this is much more my sort of couple -- both are successful and financially stable, however screwed up they may be emotionally -- this volume is much more complex, layered, and nuanced. Not perfect by any means, but a good read.
Some of the good stuff: There weren't many easy answers here, and no Evil Cardboard Villains. The MC cellist, Cary, had a hard childhood -- but as we learn during the course of the book...more
Some of the good stuff: There weren't many easy answers here, and no Evil Cardboard Villains. The MC cellist, Cary, had a hard childhood -- but as we learn during the course of the book...more
2.75 stars So I started out with the first chapter loving this. Cary was obviously struggling and my heart broke for him and couldn't wait to see his journey of finding himself and his music again. It turned out to be a nice enough story, just something about it kept me at a distance. I liked the characters well enough but I didn't ever quite feel connected to them or emotionally invested.
Things just sort of happened. There was the addition of a surprise character, which was fine, but some of w...more
Things just sort of happened. There was the addition of a surprise character, which was fine, but some of w...more
A nice love story that spans a few years about an internationally renowned cellist Cary, who is spiralling out of control emotionally, being rescued by a patient Italian lawyer Antonio and his cute son.
I didn't quite connect with the MC's in this one. I'm not really sure why. All the usual ingredients were there to make me fall in love but it just missed the mark. But the writing is fine and the classical musical background was interesting.
I didn't quite connect with the MC's in this one. I'm not really sure why. All the usual ingredients were there to make me fall in love but it just missed the mark. But the writing is fine and the classical musical background was interesting.
7 likes · like · see review
I love this sequel to Blue Notes! We met Antonio briefly in Blue Notes and he meets and falls in love with Cary in this book. Cary makes my heart hurt. He was so well described and his struggles were so powerful. He has such a sad history that I just want to give him a big squishy hug. When Cary and Antonio finally admits to loving each other I did a little cheer. Another wonderful book by Shira!
Nov 23, 2012
Danni
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
m-m-romance-read,
mm-musician
I really enjoyed this story. As other reviews have pointed out, the reader gets to follow Cary and Antonio´s relationship develop and also see how they build their life together. I really feel for Cary, and it is good to see him feel better about himself and that he realizes his worth. That he realizes that he deserves to be happy.
I read this without having read the first one in the series, but it got me curious about the couple in the first book, so I will go back and read it.
I read this without having read the first one in the series, but it got me curious about the couple in the first book, so I will go back and read it.
To start so sad, so down on himself and for Cary to finish so high, so loved was a wonderful journey. And though he didn't realize it, he made the journey, with help and support from Antonio, but also by the choices he made and the realization that he could be who he needed to be... for himself and for his family.
The only thing I wish was to find out if it was a boy or a girl :) I'm picturing these two men trying to raise a real "princess" :)
The only thing I wish was to find out if it was a boy or a girl :) I'm picturing these two men trying to raise a real "princess" :)
Feb 05, 2013
Suze
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Suze by:
Won from author in backlist giveaway
Second of the Blue Notes series, though as the only cross over characters are some of the lesser ones from the first book, they are totally standalone stories.
I enjoyed this book more than the first one, I think because of the two main characters. Cary is late twenties but still carrying the scars of his upbringing and it took some time for him to accept himself and had his relapses. I enjoyed the setting of the first story as I can relate to France, so I didn't gel with the Milan elements as mu...more
I enjoyed this book more than the first one, I think because of the two main characters. Cary is late twenties but still carrying the scars of his upbringing and it took some time for him to accept himself and had his relapses. I enjoyed the setting of the first story as I can relate to France, so I didn't gel with the Milan elements as mu...more
Book #2 in the Blue Notes series - interrelated stand-alone novels set in the classical music universe. These books can be read in any order.
Want to read a pre-publication excerpt? Scroll down and click the excerpt tab on this link: http://www.shiraanthony.com/?book=the... for chapters 1 and 2 in their entirety.
Want to read a pre-publication excerpt? Scroll down and click the excerpt tab on this link: http://www.shiraanthony.com/?book=the... for chapters 1 and 2 in their entirety.
Of this book I liked who the author not spared the things more hard , unpleasant of life of Connor/Cary and also his painful thoughts by his past. Cary with help by Antonio matures and includes more his parents.Tonino is the partner ideal and Massi is a boy sweet .I liked also the alternation of months and the city to mark time
I liked it, but was expecting something a little different after reading the blurb. Maybe that wouldn't have happened if I would've read the first one first! I always do that -- read the 2nd or 3rd in a series & then go back to the beginning. *facepalm*
I enjoyed the characters & the heat level. I would've given it another star if there had been more tension--everything seemed a tad easy and all the major players seemed a little too reasonable (plus, I didn't like one thing about the end...more
I enjoyed the characters & the heat level. I would've given it another star if there had been more tension--everything seemed a tad easy and all the major players seemed a little too reasonable (plus, I didn't like one thing about the end...more
I enjoyed this very much. Cary's self-doubt and addictions are almost crippling, I thought, but his confidence in his skills as a performer allowed him to shine. Antonio's kindness and grounding effects were a welcome balm to Cary's troubled soul. Beautiful story.
I've read so many duds lately, this novel was a joyful surprise. Even if I were coming off a slew of good novels, I'd still give it no less than 4 stars. Loved the protats' connection and interaction. Very well crafted novel. Artistic flair is nice.
I really enjoy books like this, where "I love you" is the middle of the story and not the end, and where you get to see the characters coping with life. I really felt for Cary as the story began - he's a man with one singular talent who has been made to believe that outside of his music he has little worth and must hide who he is. Antonio is wonderful for him, both strong enough and loving enough to gradually convince Cary that he is worthy of a full and balanced life. I appreciated that the sto...more
What a tear jerker. I was crying in this book. The 1st book was awesome but this one was better, Cary was just so damaged, and a small family was able to heal all his pain. I can totally think something like this book is possible, cause why not?
LOVED this. Almost a 5. Maybe a 4.5
Where it fell short for me was the focus on the relationship. I wish there'd been more struggle. More internal. But it was very good.
Where it fell short for me was the focus on the relationship. I wish there'd been more struggle. More internal. But it was very good.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Dreamspinner Press: The Melody Thief by Shira Anthony | 1 | 7 | Aug 24, 2012 05:28pm |
Shira Anthony is a complete sucker for a happily-ever-after, and rarely reads or writes a story without one. Never a fan of instalove, Shira likes to write stories about real men with real issues making real relationships work.
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Ser...more
More about Shira Anthony...
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Ser...more
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