Elaine Sands was a songwriter with a mundane "living on the edge of being broke" life. At least, that's how she thought of herself. So when she went to an audition for a band, it was only as a favor to a friend of hers who was also auditioning. She certainly never expected it to lead to anything. When she was chosen, she only looked at the opportunity in terms of possibly getting her famous father's previously unreleased songs recorded and getting some money to help out her cousin-the only family she had left. Easy. Safe. How hard could it really be after all?

Rex Tobin had it all. An amazing career. Gorgeous body. Money. Why on earth would he choose a nobody like Elaine to sing with him? Yet, when he looked at her, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. There was definitely a connection. He just had to convince Elaine it was real.

The excitement of her situation didn't have a chance to wear off. Elaine began getting threatening phone calls warning her to stay off the tour. At her first performance, she was almost electrocuted. Who would want to kill an unknown like her? The more she tried to find the answer, the more confused she got. It began to look like Rex was behind it all. But Rex was doing his best to convince Elaine that not only did he not want her dead, he was falling in love with her.

Bitter Melody has all the right ingredients for a chart-topping novel. Elaine comes across as a vulnerable woman, learning how to stand on her own two feet, and that makes her a character you can identify with. Rex is a tough-nosed businessman with a sensitive side that he has no qualms about showing to the woman he loves. Throw in a disgruntled band member and a couple of ex-flames, and you've got a story with some surprising twists and turns in the plot.

Bitter Melody is a sweet story with a suspenseful edge that will tug at your heartstrings long after you finish the last page.

Reviewed by Tracy Atencio
© May 2004