Lost Melody

A Novel

By: Lori Copeland, Virginia Smith

Narrated by: Emily Durante

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2011 Lori Copeland (P)2011 Zondervan

Excellent Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It kept my interest until the very end.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lost Melody?

The pianist learned she could pass her gift on by teaching.

Have you listened to any of Emily Durante’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

No

OKAY FOR A ONE-TIME LISTEN!

This story goes on and on and on, maddeningly leaving the answers to the very end. There are too many words and too many trite expressions, too many steaming mugs. Some of the characters are painted in an almost comical fashion. The energetic redheaded 79-year-old grandmother, the irritating orderly at the convalescent hospital, the sexually overt cafe owner and the counselor are a few. So there are glimpses of decent writing in between constant reminders that the Accident was almost a year ago. If my sister-in-law asked me to evaluate this manuscript, I would advise her to keep her day job -- or write a cookbook instead!

I went to amazon to learn that this author churns out dozens of Christian romances. I wish audible.com had not marketed this one to me so strongly! It is simple-minded and quite sappy. I don't mind a little religion. I often comment that God knows what She is doing. And I often say, "Thank you, God!" But all these ins and outs and wonderings and on and on and on is exhausting! Did God send this? What is God telling me to do? One minute this heroine is steely. The next minute she's a wet noodle. One minute her boyfriend is Cary Grant. The next minute he is an unknown quantity. And the religious touches at the end are simply irritating.

My belief broke completely when Jill got stuck in the snow. Really! Nobody drives an SUV in snow country without studded tires! As for playing the piano, I play and I am positive no concert pianist would get hurt and go through physical therapy without finding out exactly what the injured hand can do! In fact pianists often practice in trains or airplanes, their hands on the drop-down tables, imagining and remembering the music. It makes no sense to wait an entire year.

The narrator has a sweet little voice and sometimes gets a Canadian accent. Probably she did her best with what she had to read. I guess some people think this is a grown-up chapter book and would give it five stars. To me, the words aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Anyone who wants gutsy romance with a strong moral character, albeit Catholic, read Diana Gabaldon, and re-read and re-read and enjoy hugely!

Christian romance with a story twist.

It is a slow start. I actually was not going to continue listening but I received a request for a review. It is an interesting concept but a slow story to unfold. All in all I enjoyed the story.

Interesting Concept

This story about prophecy in today’s world was very thought-provoking. The supporting characters were funny and added color to the story. The reader was great, except for the main male voice, which was lowered too much and detracted from that character significantly. This was unfortunate, but perhaps this isn’t typical for this narrator and other books would be fine.

This book was a slow read to me.

The book has value but is a slow read and the reader did little to enhance and make it more memorable.

Interesting, heart felt and enjoyed.

What did you love best about Lost Melody?

How real it was and how I could easily I could identify with the main character.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lost Melody?

It is hard to just list one, I enjoyed the entire book. The build up, and the end.

Have you listened to any of Emily Durante’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not, but I will in the future

Who was the most memorable character of Lost Melody and why?

The male and the female were equally valuable to the story. I guess I enjoyed the woman's part, since I am a woman and could identify with her.

Any additional comments?

A wonderful book to read or listen to. I will be giving gifts of this to my sister, aunts and friends for one occassion or another all year.

Very enjoyable thanks so much

Would you consider the audio edition of Lost Melody to be better than the print version?

I love to read but don't always have the time, so enjoy listening as I work, it makes the work go easier and faster.

What about Emily Durante’s performance did you like?

Yes , she did a great job and her expressions were good.

A great story

I love the opening, full of great, strong descriptions and tensions. From then on, I could not predict what would happen next. Enjoyable and interesting throughout, although not highly romantic. It's really a drama, not a romance.

Boring, Simplistic, Empty

Eight hours of emptiness and repetition. Like chewing all day on a piece of used up gum. Utterly obtuse, and simple minded. One and a half under-developed ideas are dragged through the reader's mind for the duration (in an attempt at keeping up suspense, but actually devolving into bored frustration) until this pathetic writing effort finally ends.

Didn't meet expectations

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. It seemed disjointed and unbelievable. I kept waiting to find out if this experience was supposed to be real or some dream she had while being unconscious. Was it serious or supposed to be humorous? I almost broke my own rule to finish every book I start (because I can usually learn something). I hate to give a less-than-good review, but I personally didn't enjoy the book at all. This was surprising, because I'm pretty sure I have read this author's books before.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I really don't know.

What does Emily Durante bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't know if it was her voice, or just because she was reading a book I wasn't enjoying, but personally, I didn't care for her narration.

Could you see Lost Melody being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Definitely not.