Silent Melody

By: Mary Balogh

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Lady Emily Marlowe is beautiful, independent, and unspoiled. Deaf since childhood, she appreciates her family's efforts to nurture her spirit, but the man they've chosen for her betrothal can never fulfill her. The only one Emily has ever desired is bold and reckless Lord Ashley Kendrick. Her childhood amour inspired her fantasies and vowed never to forget her - even as he left her for a new life in India and a new love. Seven years and countless dreams later, Ashley has returned a desolate widower to Bowden Abbey and, true to his promise, to Emily. Yet his heedless proposal of marriage has left her unexpectedly conflicted. Though the heat of passion still burns, Emily fears that it's only a sense of duty - not love - that has brought him to bended knee. And what is she to make of those seven lost years clouded in secrets too dark for Ashley to share? For Emily, her greatest and only love now becomes one worth fighting for, one of startling revelations and second chances, and one, like a melody, too beautiful for words....

©1997 Mary Balogh (P)2015 Recorded Books

This Silent Melody makes music.

Ms. Balogh knows her stuff, and proves it by bringing two lovely characters together for their HEA. There is very few times I dislike what she writes, and this is NOT one of them. After falling for Melody and Ashley in the previous book, I looked forward to hearing if these two would get together. You find yourself holding your breath when Ashley first arrives home with his wife and son to follow. What is Melody to do because she's loved Ashley for so very long. Ms Balogh brings them together slowly and surly with an intriguing story. This book never seemed to flow slowly, and moves alone at a good pace. As Always there is nothing bad to say about Rosalyn Landor. Her performance as Melody really made me believe she was a young lady without a voice. Ms. Landor did a stellar job!!! Five stars from me across the board with this one. Well worth the credit. The only thing I had any trouble with in this book was thinking of the men wearing those powdered white wigs! I've always disliked the look even in movies, and thinking of their look just made me say ugh!

SWEET AND SILENT

A beautiful deaf girl falls madly in love with her brother-in-law only to lose him to the lure of India and a different kind of life there. He returns home years later after suffering the loss of his wife and child. He is troubled and world weary. Emilia feels his pain and realizes that she still loves him. Communication is difficult, but she has learned to read lips and use minimal sign language. Her beauty captivates everyone and her sweet, demur personality brings marriage proposals. But her heart belongs to only one man and she must try to bring him back to the contentment he felt before he left and make him realize that she is now a grown woman and ready to be his, if he'll let her.

Overall An Interesting Story

I have listened to this story three times (several months apart). Each listen transports me into the land of Mary Balogh's family, into her character's lives. My only negative feelings/thoughts is that the central character, Emily, abilities' are at odds with her age. Nevertheless, an interesting story that held my interest and attention throughout the novel. This story had some interesting twists and turns, with little drama moments interspersed throughout building and building until a couple of final dramatic scenes. I recommend all of Mary Balogh's novels that are narrated by Rosalyn Landor because I have only listen to one story not narrated by Rosalyn Landor. I will only say that some narrators are excellent and some are barely passable.

Another winner

Mary Balogh is a wonderful story teller and a Rosalyn Landor a wonderful narrator! Characters worth knowing, and a tale with interesting twists and turns. Always love wins in the end.

Silent no more

Such a wonderful book, the narrator was exceptional! Emily Marlow has been deaf and mute since a childhood fever. Her sister married Lucas the previous year. She fell in love with Lukes younger brother Ashley Kendrick. Ashley knows he needs to make his own way in the world and joins the East India Company and leaves for India. Seven years later he returns a broken man with the death of his wife and child, he blames himself.
Emily still loved him but just accepted a marriage proposal. Ashley is in so much pain and all Emily wants to do he help. That help turned into physical. He made love to Emily and offered for her and she said NO. She then has to tell her fiancé that she cant marry him. It was decided then that Emily will go to London for the season. Ashley then decides to go to his estate he inherited when his wife died (Penhurst).
A wonderful read with such a beautiful ending.

Silent Beloved

loved it. unusual story.. Balogh's stories are all very different from each other. The Heroine being death mute was very brave. Learning to sign, read and write after adulthood for love pull at your heart strings.

Classic

Soft and mellow. Easy listening. Good romance/story. Great narration. Only thoughts are, maybe a little less talk about spilling seed. Lol.

Very enjoyable

I loved Silent Melody. It was a sweet story with a little mystery and suspense.

Slightly strange story, fantastic performance

In my opinion this novel is not one of the best of Mary Balogh’s works. The plot is plausible but slightly tough to swallow and digest. Maybe we have more decided opinion about the issues of incest, age and overall dynamic of sexual relationships nowadays, I tried to keep open mind the entire story, knowing that the author always have many valuable lessons and points hidden in all her stories.
I think that commissioning Rosalyn Landor was a very wise decision because her magnificent performance kept me interested and helped me finish it. The story is definitely worth listening to but it pales in comparison to the author’s other works.

Great book

The story was a little long but it was a great book!!! I would recommend it.