Friday, February 29, 2008

Symphony of Secrets Review & Giveaway

Ever had moments those around you are convinced you can’t separate fiction from reality? Talented flutist Amy Johnson sees a mystery behind every action that happens around her much to her daughter’s chagrin and amusement. Amy’s dreams seem to come true when she is offered the opportunity to audition for the Minneapolis Symphony. Then strange things begin to happen at the Symphony and her daughter decides to become a cheerleader. When her daughter begins to ask tough questions about who her dad is, Amy’s world begins to implode.

In many ways this book is a departure from the Becky Miller and Restorer series. This book is written with a light touch that often had me laughing out loud as I read it. Amy sees more what ifs in a situation than anybody I know! But at its core, the book stays close to the mom-lit area that Sharon Hinck is well-known for. Humor graces every page with the lightest hint of romance.

There is also a thread of mystery running through the book – very much on the cozy mystery side of the genre. I enjoyed it and found the resolution plausible in a world of crazy musicians. And Sharon made the symphony and those in it come to life in a way that I enjoyed – even though I secretly wondered as I picked it up if I’d care about the characters and their lives after chapter one.

Instead, I found it easy to relate to Amy and her struggles to be a mom in this crazy world. Balancing a job and single-parenting a teenager, Amy has opted for being a lone-ranger parent. Such an easy thing to do as we pull our cars into our garages and close the doors at the end of a day. She often feels that everyone else has this parenting thing down pat and she’s the only one who is clueless. Again, I could relate. But the reality is we each learn how to parent our individual children as we go.

Another new element to this book was Amy’s spiritual journey. Music is her god throughout the book. Yet as the pages turn and we near the end, she is open to the possibility that there is a God and He wants to know her personally. At no time does the plot stop so a message (AKA sermon) can be shoved down the reader’s throat. Instead, her steps toward Christ are realistic and a natural outgrowth of her journey.

If you’re looking for a book that will pull you through its pages, making you laugh with the occasional zinger that penetrates close to home, you will enjoy Sharon Hinck’s latest book Symphony of Secrets.

If you'd like to be entered to win a copy of this book, leave a comment telling me which kind of music is your favorite.

28 comments:

Amy said...

I love all kinds of music, but I suppose my favorite is the sort of singer/songwriter stuff....I don't know what its called!

Please enter me, I mean my name is Amy after all!

Susan Stitch said...

Thanks for the great review. This is a book I've not heard of before and I really like the concept. I like many types of music but my favorite is from Broadway musicals. When the rest of my family is gone, I'll crank up the volume on Les Mis, Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof, or Man of La Manche and sing at the top of my lungs while I clean house.

Please enter my name in the drawing:
likes_to_stamp@sbcglobal.net

Thanks!

Sharon Hinck said...

Hi, Amy!
Yes, anyone named Amy must definitely read this book. LOL!

Susan, I'm a HUGE fan of musicals, too. I also belt out favorites from West Side Story, The Fantastiks, South Pacific, (as well as the great ones you mentioned) at the drop of a hat (much to my kids' horror).

windycindy said...

Hi, I have read many good things about this book. It sounds like one I would enjoy reading. My musical tastes are very eclectic! At this time, I like Celtic music and the voice of Josh Groban. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotamil[dot]com

CherryBlossomMJ said...

I've just started to get into Sharon's books and I love how she can write for so many different genres. Music is a huge part of my life too. I'd love to be entered for this book. Thanks for the chance!

cherryblossommj(at)gmail[dot]com

MJ

Brittanie said...

My favorite music is the new worship music that has come out in the past five to ten years. Enter me in the contest please. :)

anne said...

What a wonderful review! I love and adore music sung by Patrizio Buanne. SImply divine. Utterly compelling.

ruth said...

I enjoy music greatly. My favorite is the music from Phantom of the Opera. When I saw this musical it was entrancing.

Julie Lessman said...

Hey Cara and Sharon, this book sounds wonderful -- I'd love to win it, so throw my hat in the ring. My favorite kind of music is worship music, preferably ANYTHING Hillsong!!

Julie
gsus at charter dot net

Anonymous said...

(I just tried to comment and I received an error...sorry if I end up commenting twice - you can delete one of them!)

This looks like a very interesting book to read! Please enter me for the giveaway. My favorite kind of music is praise & worship - it lifts me up out of my self and up to the Lord! I try to start every day with some music, along with my Bible.

Anonymous said...

I loved The Restorer and I'm looking forward to reading the other two. I would love to win this book!

I like praise & worship, especially Dennis Jernigan and I like some contemporary Christian.

Bebemiqui said...

I like folky rock music. Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

Karin said...

I like Christmas music a lot--but I also love singers like Dean Martin, Doris Day, Bing Crosby, etc. I'm not sure what genre that would be.....standards? classics?

Julie Arduini said...

With two younger children at home I don't remember adult like music beyond praise and worship music! Our family does enjoy Denver and the Mile High Orchestra (they placed in the top 4 of Fox's Great Band show) and as far as kid music adults won't go crazy listening to, Go Fish.

jarduini(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Toystory said...

I like to read this book.

Janna said...

I want this book so much and haven't gotten to read it - please enter me! As far as music goes - well because of my dance studio I listen to mostly Christian music lately (Group 2 Crew and Jessie Daniels are new favorites) but my guilty pleasure is definitely Broadway musicals!

Janna
Ryanx6@msn.com

Donna said...

I love a lot of types of music. I grew up loving musicals and have fond memories watching them with my sister. Please enter me inthe contest.

Bunny B said...

I love POP! Anything that's cute and great to dance to :)

Book sounds like a great read! Would love the chance to read it. Thanks!

bunnybox9 [at] lycos [dot] com

Donald James Parker said...

I love many kinds of music, but I'll go with Folk music over classical.
Sign me up for the drawing, please!

Donald James Parker

Stacey said...

I love all kinds of music. But I suppose my favorite is good ol' rock and roll...

Please put my name in for the drawing. Thanks.

stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com

Hannah said...

i work in the music business and love reading any fun fiction involving music. i've been dying to read this book! hsmuda[at]gmail[dot]com thanks!

Unknown said...

Please enter me for this book Cara. Sounds like a great read.Some of my favorite music is Celtic, Instrumentals and Country. I like a variety though prefer calmer music to the noisier types. I tend to use it as a soothing time for myself.

Melissa

Unknown said...

Oops forgot to include an email its forest_rose[at]yahoo[dot}com.

Melissa

Tarasview said...

Oh I LOVE live symphony classical music! I also love some of the folksy older stuff, and love songs of course.

taradawnrobertson at hotmail dot com

Pamela J said...

My favorite kind of music is contemporary gospel.

I'd love a chance to win this book, "Symphony of Secrets". Thank you.

Pam
cepjwms at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

My favorite music is Praise/Worship music, because the ultimate purpose of music is to glorify God. But I also love classic music, because it does the same, just without the words.

Please enter me!

bookwurm70 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Hannah said...

i forgot to leave my favorite kind of music. rock and roll. my favorite bands are U2 and Newsboys

Lori said...

It's possible to only have one favorite kind of music?? I guess I'd have to say folk/rock. Singer/songwriter is good...

Sign me up! :)
aaronandlori (at) gmail (dot) com

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