Unchained Melody
[d-w13331]

5 of 5 Stars If any book needs an accompanying soundtrack, this is it. We need to hear the Mock Kings greatest hits, Isaiah’s gospel album, and the song Isaiah writes for Raven. All of these tunes are part of the unchained melody that works its way through the pages. Or maybe we don’t. Perhaps each of us already hears tunes in our hearts that play along with the words and they’re all different, but all perfectly in sync with this delightful tale. Raven’s dreams and ambitions are tied up in the Candlewick Lodge and its converted barn, the Eyrie. She loves managing the place and making the visitors feel special. This potentially historical site, dating to the 1800s, has been in the Faulkner family for generations. As the story begins, a huge storm threatens. The family bell, a harbinger of sorts, rings four times. While Raven is investigating, a tree limb crashes through her stained-glass bedroom window. Now she has lodge repairs to deal with and two guests arriving tomorrow. Fortunately, the Eyrie was undamaged and they can stay there. Isaiah has been trying to start a new life since he left the Mock Kings. He just didn’t find his life as a rock star compatible with his faith. But since nothing else has been working, he’s decided to take a retreat of his own making at the Candlewick. Of course, you know from the moment he sets foot on the property that he and Raven (his biggest fan—including a poster of him on her wall) are meant to be a couple. They just have to negotiate their relationship in the shadow of unscrupulous businessmen and botched roof repairs, retiring grandparents and well-meaning relatives, and floundering careers and ambitions. Piece of cake. Each struggle, each trial forces the two of them to be more honest about their faith and the growing chemistry between the two of them. A couple of personal notes. Because I am a diehard driver of a manual transmission vehicle, I loved that both Isaiah and Raven preferred to operate a stick shift car. And then, as a fan of the show Escape to the Country, I enjoyed the entire listed or not quandary and even knew what the author meant by grade two listed status! As the melody of the song goes, you know it will wrap up with a sigh. Even so, like the best of songs, it is one you want to hear again and again.