Introduction
I admit that I am over the moon excited to introduce you to A Melody for James by my dear friend Hallee Bridgeman. Hallee and I “met” through her homemaking blog and in all reality, I’m not sure how we connected at that point. It may have been over something controversial we both agreed on but who knows. It feels like a lifetime but I think it has been more like 1.5 years and we haven’t even met in real life. Remedying that soon. Anyway, so I have been there since before the official birth announcement of her books since I was privileged to be a beta reader, seeing copies before they were ready to be released and waiting anxiously for her chance to be newly crowned as author. It has been a fun journey and I am so excited to be sharing her 6th book, A Melody for James with one of you.
Story Re-cap
In A Melody for James we are introduced to Melody, a young socialite who is on the eve of her wedding to the man she envisions being with the rest of her life. Starry eyed she breaks tradition and takes him breakfast on their wedding morning, only to find him with another woman. Feeling shattered, she flees the country, using their “honeymoon trip” as a time to escape.
On her way back she meets James. James is also shattered by life, sinking his all into work after the horrific murder of his dear wife. Never having a relationship with God, his journey leads him closer to the God he never knew. James and Melody chat for hours in the airport, with the promise to meet up for dinner the next night. However, tomorrow never happens as a brutal assault drives Melody away from her home, life, and the God she loved.
Four years pass with neither knowing just how closely they are connected until one day, almost by chance, they are re-connected and find they still feel that connection they had at the airport. Their joy quickly turns to pain and fear as Melody is stalked and James’ deceased wife’s murderer reappears. Will they finally be together or will new terrors keep them apart forever? Will Melody draw closer to the God she once loved or forever push Him away?
In Review
I love how Hallee takes flawed people and weaves them into a story of amazing grace. Rather than hand delivering a straight up “Christian Romance”, she adds the reality that so many “Christian” books lack – real people with real problems. A Melody for James has the perfect balance of faith, romance and suspense to keep me coming back for another read. Her writing is spot on with grammar and sentence structure, making her books an easy read for those like me who get frustrated with bad editing.
Buy It
Smashwords: A Melody for James
Barnes and Noble: A Melody for James
Giveaway – ENDED
More chances to win? Check out these bloggers’ giveaways.
C Family of 6 – A Melody for James Review and Giveaway
Carol’s Corner: Book Review and Giveaway
Also by this Author
The Jewel Trilogy and Novella
Sapphire Ice
Greater Than Rubies (free Novella between Sapphire and Emerald)
Recipe Book Parody
Fifty Shades of Gravy; a Christian Gets Saucy!
Song of Suspense
I added this giveaway to Your Golden Ticket. Check out more great giveaways there.
Brown eyed girl by Van Morrison!
anything that is sad and country
I’d have to say a favorite song is “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. They were before my time but I still love that song.
Into the Mystic, Van Morrison
My favorites all fit in the Contemporary Christian genre but Country is probably my favorite road trip music.
Love both but I do have a weakness for Christian alternative and rap.
I love all different kinds, especially country.
I love country too. Probably mid/late ’90’s best.
I really like anything country, or oldies!
Anything by Casting Crowns! Thanks for reviewing Hallee’s lastest publication! I love her writing, and the characters she develops.
Thank you for stopping by! She has talent!
My favourite song is Stardust by Nat King Cole.
Beautiful song. Makes me think of my grandparents for some reason.
Love listening to Third Day music. I have just started reading Hallee’s books recently and one of the things I like is the fact that the characters have issues!
Third Day is a favorite here too. Have you heard their version of Morning Has Broken. I can listen to it all day.
Yes I have. Beautiful!
Been thinking about this lately. My all time favorite song is still probably Harry Chapin’s Cats in the Cradle.
That song makes me sad but I like it too.