A Melody for James

THIS BOOK IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO … My mom, Kay: Fourteen years ago, I woke up from a dream in the middle of the night on New Year's night, turned on my computer, and just started typing. Ultimately, I wrote A Melody for James. It was my first book, and, I wrote it entirely in secret. Every morning, from the hours of 4 to 6 AM, I wrote, getting this story out as quickly as I could but telling absolutely no one I was doing it. Halfway through writing it, I printed out my progress and mailed it to my mom with a simple note. “I'm writing a book. Let me know what you think of it.” For a week, half a novel sat on my mom's counter because she was afraid to read it — afraid it would be bad and then she'd have to pretend she enjoyed it. Finally, she could ignore it no longer. She sat down to read and couldn't stop because she became so engrossed in the story. She got to the end of what I'd sent her, picked up the phone, and called me at work. “This is your mother,” she said by way of preamble. “I want you to quit your job, go home, and finish that book!” So, here it is, Mama. The finished book, 14 years later. I hope you enjoy it as much the second time as you did the first. A Melody for James: Song of Suspense Series Part 1Copyright Notice Dedication 1-9Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 10-19Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 20-29Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 30-39Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Reader’s GuideReader’s Guide Luncheon MenuCrunchy Chopped Salad with Creamy Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing Turkey Sausage Spaghetti Sauce Fresh Garlic French Bread Mascarpone Cheesecake with Vanilla Almond Crust Reader’s Guide Discussion Questions Song of Suspense SeriesExcerpt: An Aria for Nick The Jewel SeriesExcerpt: Chasing Pearl More Great Books by Hallee Bridgeman About Author Hallee Bridgeman Hallee Online Newsletter