Lost Melody

by Lori Copeland, Virginia Smith

Even as Jill King wrestles with the death of her dream of becoming a concert pianist, another dream rises in its place. It is one that Jill never sought. A dream that will not let her go. One that will force her to choose between the man she loves and the fate of an entire community.

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Christian, Contemporary

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Lori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.

Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.

Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Reviews

[Christie Hagerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This turned out to be one of those books I couldn’t put down until I’d finished it. This is not one of those feel-good romance novels where everything works out all pretty and you can predict the journey page-by-page. A smattering of the supernatural and some situations that don’t wrap up nicely with a bow on top, made this a story that drew me in and wouldn’t let me go.

The main character is believable, a deep-thinking young lady who is at a powerful crossroads in her life--emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. She questions almost every decision she makes, until she finds herself faced with a decision that must be dealt with immediately.

Despite the tragedies in the book, there is an underlying message of hope as we follow Jill through the steps to her wellness. The struggle as she comes to terms with her accident hit home for me in a lot of ways, in dealing with the life changes that have come about since my own accident. I was touched by the real attempts of those who wanted to support her but didn’t know exactly how. In the end, the power of love ends up being a major player in this drama dealing with an actual historical event.

**Thanks to netGalley for the review copy of this book.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. This novel started out slow for me as we find out how Jill was injured in a subway accident which brought her piano concert career to an end. However, it really picked up once Jill starts having a dream of an impending disaster to hit their small coastal town in Nova Scotia. She feels compelled to warn the townspeople of the disaster lthough she knows very few details beyond it involving fire and people dying. Her fiance, a local attorney, is running for a public office and Jill's urge to warn people creates a problem for them. I won't go any further summarizing the plot to avoid spoiling it for others.

I enjoyed the writing style. Although this novel is in the genre of Christian fiction, it has very little spiritual message to it and is definitely not 'preachy.'
'

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was un-put-down-able!

To start off with, we have a totally lovely and lovable main character that you are rooting for the entire time, even when you're not sure if she's gone completely crazy. She's wonderfully flawed and fragile after an accident that has robbed her of her health and a promising career as a concert pianist. You just ache for her and everything that she's lost. But added to the complications of feeling her way out of the haze of physical and emotional pain, she's got a loving fiance who is running for political office, an ill mother, meddling grandmother (wonderful characters all), and as if that isn't enough: now she might be having visions of a terrible catastrophe destroying her small town!

It's some crazy stuff, y'all, but because the characters are all so real (down to the locals at the diner), you are fully invested in everything that happens. And I hate the phrase, It really makes you think, but seriously, IT REALLY MAKES YOU THINK. (I hate that phrase because EVERYTHING should make you think, genius! Anyway...) This book makes you think about what it would be like to receive a vision. How would you know it was real, and not the onset of insanity? How would you tell people, and what would you do if even those closest to you didn't believe you? It started me wondering how many people over the centuries have been given visions and ignored them, or tried to tell people and were ignored, or judged insane. I won't tell you what happens here, but I will say this: UN-PUT-DOWN-ABLE and IT WILL REALLY MAKE YOU THINK!

[Melissa McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I'd heard from friends that they just couldn't put this book down, and they were totally right. Not because it's some kind of wild action story with a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter, but because the tension builds slowly toward a disaster almost no one in the story believes will happen. It doesn't matter that you're pretty sure Jill, the main character, will survive; the question is, will anyone else? More importantly, is Jill going to be strong enough to hold fast to her belief until that deadline?

It's different and a little refreshing to read a novel in which the characters' religious beliefs are important to them and yet part of the background. People from a Judeo-Christian religion are probably familiar with the Old Testament stories of prophets who gave warnings to the people of their day, and Lost Melody turns this into a modern story about someone who receives such a warning. Scripture stories are distant and a little abstract; Jill's experience with delivering a warning of imminent disaster touches on the very real problems that would entail--being mocked by your neighbors, doubted by your friends, and having your words turned around to make you seem crazy. I loved it.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book completed for my 2016 reading challenge. A book near or about the sea. This book takes place in a town called Seaside Cove in Nova Scotia. A nice, quick romance. This one started out a bit slowly but grabbed me as I got into it.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suspect if I had read this book as opposed to listened to it, I would have given it 4 stars but when you hear a book you hear things that would otherwise be missed. Jill King, a concert pianist on her way to an audition at Carnegie Hall, was involved in a catastrophic subway accident that cost her the full use of her hand. That was a year ago. She hasn't even looked at her piano since then. She visits her mother in a long-term care facility and lives with her grandmother, a very feisty woman who would do anything for Jill. Her boyfriend is an attorney who is gearing up to campaign for city council. Jill starts having these horrific nightmares and is convinced that a disaster is going to befall her town in December 6 and she must warn people. Which she does in the middle of her boyfriend's political rally. It does not go well. Eventually she is compared with the biblical Jonah. What worked well interestingly enough, was the faith-based aspect of the story. Christian fiction is not my interest but in this book it was seamlessly entwined into the characters. It wasn't only natural but necessary. What didn't work was the romance between Jill and Greg. It wasn't that there wasn't any sex because that isn't necessary but there wasn't any chemistry. I never believed that Greg understood what Jill had lost and he didn't support her until the very, very end. I also really wanted to see more of Jill at the piano but I suspect there was simply no space to make that relevant to the story. If I had read it, I don't know that I would have felt the lack of chemistry so keenly. Worth reading but I had hope for more.

[Elizabeth Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for the audiobook version.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a different type of story than many of the books I've read in the past few years and I found it very refreshing.

I really liked the relationship between Jill and Greg. It was (for lack of a better word or phrase) mature. Jill didn't not freak out nor act petulant and immature when Greg didn't believe what she thought her dream was telling her. Greg stood by and supported her even though he didn't believe what she thought the dream meant. He didn't put her down nor treat her differently. That being said, I do think Jill should have opened up and talked about her fears with him more than she did. I really like the characters and could feel the chemistry and honesty that should be between a couple that have been together for years and now engaged.

I felt that the all the characters were fully fleshed out and unique. I really liked Ruth and her "posse". They added additional depth and humor to the novel.

I highly recommend this book. This was an audiobook I checked out from my local library and I plan on buying a hard copy paper book.

[Sarah Savoca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Pretty good book, I liked the sense of suspense and foreboding mystery. Quite a bit different from other books I've read by these authors, and I prefer the other books. But overall I'd say it's a pretty good read.

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christian book that involved a very unique subject. Can't say more without inserting a spoiler. The crux of the plot, along with the characters, was an enjoyable read and certainly drew more angst towards the end.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill was a concert pianist until a subway accident stopped her. She has dreams that recur several times and they are warnings. The dreams are so real she must warn people of the date and time set forth in her dreams.

[Kelsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, but not my favorite Lori Copeland novel. It was missing her trademark comedic wit.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.....didn't see the ending ahead of time!

[TomiR · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!!!

[Viv Wilday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Get it audio from the library. Libby app.

[Jodi Uplinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, well written to hold your attention and clean (audio book)

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching story of faith, hope, love and being brave to listen for new beginnings

[Janel Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

total hallmark movie in book form

[Janet Sketchley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jillian King was a gifted concert pianist until an accident damaged her left hand. She’s spent the past year grieving and afraid to touch her piano. When she and her fiancé, Glen Bradford, decide on a Christmas wedding (one month away) and her grandmother sets her up with two piano students, the stress is enough to give anyone nightmares.

But Jill’s nightmare is realistic and recurring: fire and cold, a disaster that will devastate the small community of Seaside Cove where she lives. Is she going crazy? Or should she obey the dream and warn the citizens?

Going public wouldn’t simply embarrass Jill—it would damage Glen’s political campaign. But what if she keeps silent and disaster strikes?

Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith have written an intriguing story with a vibrant cast. It’s easy to empathize with Jill, and despite her grief she’s trying to move on with life so she’s in no way a depressing character.

Jill lives with her grandmother, a flamboyant lady whose good intentions sometimes have unexpected results. And Glen is a genuinely nice guy trying to do the right thing.

A bonus for me is the setting: how often do you see a US-published novel set in Canada, especially in Nova Scotia? Seaside Cove is a fictional community on the outskirts of Halifax. I imagine it being near Eastern Passage or a bit farther east along the coast.

There are a few minor wording choices that a local would notice (we never call the harbour, even its mouth, a bay) but the descriptions give a genuine feel for the area and make it easy to visualize. I was pleased, through American Christian Fiction Writers, to answer some of the authors’ local research questions. Here’s hoping I didn’t lead them astray!

Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith are each well-established writers of Christian fiction. Lost Melody is their first collaboration, and they enjoyed the process so much that they’re doing two more books together: The Heart’s Frontier and A Plain and Simple Heart. Watch for both titles in 2012.

You can read the first chapter of Lost Melody on the authors’ shared website.

There’s also a section of bonus material including an alternate ending for the novel. The printed ending satisfied me, but I think I like the alternate one better. Can’t tell you why… spoilers.

[Review copy provided by the authors.]

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: LOST MELODY
Authors: Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
Publisher: Zondervan
November 2011
ISBN: 9780310289869
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

Jill King is a talented concert pianist. She’s on her way to play at Carnegie Hall, when a subway accident takes her career from her in one unexpected blow. Now, a year later, Jill is living in Nova Scotia. She is thankful that she is alive and that she still has the love of her life, Greg, but still bitter that she lost the ability to play the piano—a passion she’d built her life around.

With the death of Jill’s most important dream, a nightmare, even scarier than she imagined, comes to life. Jill is terrified that an inferno will destroy her town. She sounds the alarm, but this could cost Greg his political ambitions as well as their relationship. Not to mention, the townsfolk assume she’s lost more than her musical ability.

Inspired by a real life even in 1917, LOST MELODY is a well-written story by two authors who are both best sellers in their own right. Jill is a very realistic character, scarred in more than one way by the unimaginable tragedy that took her life-long dream, and facing another nightmare of horrific proportions.

I especially liked the character of Robert who only appeared sporadically in the story. He was such a treat. If you are looking for a good women’s fiction novel to read, then I recommend LOST MELODY. $12.99. 350 pages.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than I expected! I expected a general story, but it sucked me in from the very beginning. Jill is just a character that I didn't expect to like so much, but with her honest attitude you find yourself holding your breath alongside her, seeing what will come of her prediction/warning.

Jill is an on the rise piano player, who was injured in a subway accident and hasn't played the piano since. She moved back home to the town of Seaside Cove and has basically hidden. Then all of the sudden close the anniversary of the accident, she has a dream in which there is fire and destruction. After having it a couple of times, it becomes clear to her that this is a glimpse of something that is going to happen.

She feels as if she needs to warn the town. However, she chooses the moment that may not have been the best. During her fiance's open forum meeting. Now, to a lot of people she is a loon. Will Greg stand behind her or will he think she is as crazy as other people think.

Jill gains a lot more through this situation and it parallels Jonah and the whale. Jonah didn't do what God wanted him to do, so he learned the hard way. Will everyone heed her warning?

You will also learn what sets Jill free of her pain over the accident as well. Virginia Smith and Lori Copeland make a perfect writing team!

I received a copy of this book for free in exchanging for my unbiased opinion.

[Lisa Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book.

The main character is a talented and intelligent young woman recovering from a tragic accident that robbed her of her dream of being a concert pianist. Just as she is turning the corner on her recovery, and moving from victim to overcomer, she begins to have disturbing dreams of a tragic accident. While others believe that it's PTSD, Jill knows that it's more...a God given dream of warning to the people of her town. How can she warn them without looking like a crazy woman? Who will believe her? And if she stands, she'll ruin her fiancee's political career. Will she lose the man she loves? Will Jill stand on her faith until the end?

The characters are all wonderfully developed and delightfully flawed. I laughed at the funny, rooted for the underdogs, wanted to give a swift kick to many and scratch the eyes out of one in particular.

And I have to say it...Finally!! A romance novel that has REAL romance. This one DOES NOT follow the boy meets pitiful brainless girl that makes one ridiculous decision after another continuously putting herself and others in some sort of trouble, boy saves the day, boy and girl fall in love and marry in the space of 3 days!

Thank you Virginia Smith & Lori Copeland for a novel that has it all, excellent plot, character development and believeability. I look forward to reading your next book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addictiveness ❤❤❤❤

Originality ✯✯✯

Detail ♢♢

Story/Plot ✪✪✪

Characters ♡♡

Memorable✿✿

Likeness to recommend to others✤✤✤

Overall Score ✰✰✰

This one took me awhile to get into, but once I did I found myself wanting to continue on and on. That being said, I don't necessarily feel this is one I will remember the details or plot of months from now. The characters were fairly well developed and their interactions could rile me up (especially Greg & Rowena). I do have to say I was annoyed with Greg not realizing what was going on with Rowena flirting with him and then suddenly coming to this realization just like that . I felt that for a novel by Christian Fiction Authors the religious theme was not too overwhelming (though certainly there). I also found the ending a little too neat and tidy and didn't care for only the unlikeable characters dying (or at least these are the only people who get acknowledged as dying) . Would not recommend to everyone, but would recommend to those who enjoy religious fiction, light reads, chick lit, and those who don't like to really analyze what they are reading.

[Tammy G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Delia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill King's shining career as a concert pianist died a painful death when a subway crash severely injured her left hand. As she lay in the wreckage next to a mysterious, dying stranger, he promised her that God would not take away her dream.

But He did.

Jill's trying to survive, making every attempt to bury her bitterness and move on. And she's making progress, until a terrifying dream changes her life and makes her doubt her own sanity. When she finally accepts the dream as a warning of overwhelming disaster, it's becomes her responsibility to warn the town. In doing so, she runs the risk of destroying her relationship with the man she loves…along with his political career.

Lost Melody is a beautiful, haunting tale of lost dreams and wounded spirits…and of blind obedience to God's voice, despite a heartful of scars, damaged faith, and high-impact risk.

Copeland and Smith deliver a gripping storyline that forces the reader to find out what happens on the next page. The next day. The next dream.

A beautifully written, unforgettable tale.

[Ausjenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book. The book starts with an accident that affects Jill's ambition of becoming a concert pianist. She finds it hard to even look at the piano as it reminds her of what shes lost. Greg is her boyfriend who wants to regenerate the area to bring in more tourists. Jill has a dream that she cant shake and feels she has to do something but it could cost her her boyfriend, reputation and her future. I love the way this book came together. The last half of the book I just wanted to know what would happen next and couldn't wait to see what did happen. Its a strong story of what happens when one woman acts on the dream. It was interesting seeing the communities responses and many were predictable and I believe its what would happen if you heard the same thing in your own town. There is also a chance to go to the website after you finish the book to read the alternate ending and comment on which you like best. This is a good read and its eye opening about how we deal with things we dont understand.

[Patty LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Angela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith did a great job penning Lost Melody. They did a great job of combining drama, humor and suspense. I especially love the 'Real Romance' between Jill and Greg. You see and feel all the doubts and fears that Greg has about Jill and her dream and he chooses to love her through it all anyway.

I received the book in the mail on a Friday Afternoon, by Saturday morning I finished it. And when I say Saturday morning, I mean, the wee hours of the morning. There was no putting it down for me!

This book will keep you guessing. It's not predictable, it's a book that will make you wonder if everything is going to turn out ok at the end.

I hope to see more Copeland/Smith books in the future!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill's dream of becoming a concert pianist comes to an abrupt end when her hand is injured in a subway accident. She is putting her life back together when she is haunted by another dream. In this dream are disaster, destruction, and death. She feels compelled to warn the townspeople, but gets a mixed reaction--some who believe and prepare to evacuate and those who think she's crazy. Her fiance must also choose whether to believe Jill and put his political campaign in jeopardy or to turn his back on her and save his political career.

Jill feels called to share the information she receives in the recurring dream. Doing what one feels God has called them to do even in the face of opposition is the main theme.

This book was borrowed from the Edward Ward Carmack public library.