Jane's Harmony: A Novel

Jane’s romance with Caleb continues in the second ‘Jane’ book by the wonderful author Ryan Winfield. Jane, who’s daughter died in a drug overdose in the first book Jane’s Melody, met Caleb, a twenty-four year-old struggling musician, and fell into a love that might be wrong to the world, but works for this wonderful couple. In the previous book, Jane decides to give up her safe life and follow Caleb down to Austin, Texas, where he’s gone to follow his dream as a singer-songwriter. Now a new story begins as Caleb and Jane struggle to make a life in a tiny apartment with Jane searching desperately for some kind of work after twenty years at her steady job as a insurance sales person. Caleb works in a warehouse for the wonderful character, Mr. Zilger, loading beer crates, while Jane walks the streets of Austin looking for a job to help support the two of them. Winfield treats us to a behind the scenes look at television talent contests, and a whole lot of R-rated love-making, in this romantic novel. His characters are sweet and just damaged enough to keep them real, while his plotting keeps you hooked, yearning to know if true love can conquer so many obstacles. A wonderful beach-read that makes you feel good inside, and a novel that would make a great Lifetime movie if any producer is out there listening. It’s always interesting to see what Ryan Winfield is going to write about next. He’s the kind of author who seems to be able to take on any kind of plot, from his wonderful novel South of Bixby Bridge, to his Park Service trilogy, his writing never disappoints.

Jane’s Harmony picks up where Jane’s Melody left off with Caleb and Jane adjusting to the Austin life together. While Caleb was content having Jane back in his life, Jane struggled with the cramped space of the tiny apartment, thin walls, and the constant lights and music of Austin nightlife. But Caleb was determined not to let anything get in the way of his and Jane’s happiness. When an unexpected opportunity with the power to change everything for Caleb and Jane presents itself, the newly rediscovered happiness hits a bump in the road. Their relationship will be tested by time constraints, distance, some unwanted attention and an overwhelming surprise. When push comes to shove, each must decide whether they are strong enough to face whatever may come their way together. I was so thrilled to spend more time with Caleb and Jane. At the end of Jane’s Harmony, I felt like there was more to their story and I am grateful Ryan felt the same way. It was good to see these two reunite and overcome some of the normal obstacles of a new/budding relationship. I enjoyed watching their story unfold taking twists and turns that had me laughing at one moment and holding my breath the next. Caleb seemed more content with his life since he moved to Austin. He worked hard at his day job and even harder on his music. But he never made Jane feel second to any of those things and I fell even more in love with him and his thoughtful gestures and tender ways. He never missed an opportunity to observe others and find the next inspiration for his music. But he remained humbled and grounded, always mindful of where he had come from, where he wanted to be and the woman who owned his heart. Jane seemed to come alive in her new surroundings. She grappled with her insecurities about where she was in her life, but I suppose those kind of drastic life changes make you vulnerable to doubt. I loved seeing her personality take flight and I laughed out loud on more than one occasion thanks to Jane. The uniform blunder was priceless, never mind the coffee grounds. I admired how supportive she was of Caleb and never wavered in showing him with her actions just how much she believed in him. The dual POV added depth to the characters and allowed for a well-rounded reading experience. The angst was minimal save one very intense section that had me holding my breath. There was just the right mix of sweet, sexy, funny and drama to keep me engaged throughout the story. I love the realistic ending…a humble ending that seemed fitting for Caleb. My only hitch is that I felt there was unresolved family matters. Otherwise, I loved this story and am sad to say good-bye. Overall Rating: 4.5 -5 Stars I was provided a complimentary copy from the published in exchange for an honest review.

When we last saw Jane McKinney and Caleb Cummings they’d rediscovered each other at the end of Ryan Winfield’s Jane’s Melody. These May/October (maybe September) lovers had overcome their obstacles and moved in together in the up and coming music town of Austin, TX. Living what Caleb refers to as a “Bohemian” lifestyle (small apartment, little money, and love), they are both physically and emotionally distanced from the bubble that was their life on a small island off the coast of Washington state. Jane and Caleb must now face the reality of being in a committed relationship while learning what is necessary to fulfill their dreams. Reviewing Jane’s Harmony is a bit like lassoing a toddler, there are so many outstanding elements that make up this story, that at times it's difficult to pin down how to classify it. Is it a romance? Absolutely. Jane and Caleb are two halves of one soul but still have obstacles to overcome before they reach their happily ever after. Is it about music? Yes…and no. In a matter of fact way, definitely. Caleb is a talented musician and song writer. He longs to share his talent with others, but without the compromise that comes with success. This actually makes him a standout character in a genre filled with success driven, hard-rocking, alpha males. Caleb’s music is so personal that there are moments that it plays the role of antagonist in this story until Caleb learns that to fulfill his dream (and be the man he wants to be for Jane) he’ll have to reconcile his artistry with his success. That he does this without compromising who he is becomes one of the main plot points of this novel. That this is also a tale of escaping the scars of addiction is never in doubt. The marks left on Jane’s heart: her abusive father, “dry” drunk, soulless mother, her daughter Melody, dead at 20 from an overdose, are never far from Jane’s mind. As the story progresses, it becomes obvious that this soulful pain is holding Jane back from finding true happiness—and keeping it. So, what is Jane’s Harmony? By definition, harmony means: agreement; accord, consistent pleasing arrangement of parts. Any simultaneous combination of tones. So, Winfield tells us straight out in his title what his book is, it’s about finding harmony. Finding it within ourselves and with those we love. Once we’re harmonious, we can find peace, unity, and “a blending of simultaneous sounds.” *definitions taken from dictionary.com* From an overall perspective, I found that Winfield writes in big, sweeping, sometimes philosophical, passages. At times he can be a tad long-winded and perhaps a bit cliché here and there, but he knows how to reach into your chest and yank out your heart, resulting in a bout of ugly crying that’ll leave you with an empty tissue box. Yet, the book does start slow. Jane’s search for a job is boring and takes up way too many precious words. Caleb is just too perfect—until he’s not and we finally get to see all of him. When he the TV show Singer-Songwriter Superstar we get a nice look into the world of reality TV and a variety of eclectic characters that make up the music business. This, along with outstanding dialogue and some unexpected turns makes Jane’s Harmony the full package.

This wonderful love story is a sequel to the author's outstanding novel, "Jane's Melody." It takes Jane McKinney and Caleb Cummings from Washington state to Austin, Texas. They are deeply in love with each other, even if Caleb is much younger than Jane by 15 years. They seem to be starting a new life, with Caleb working in warehouse, and Jane looking for work. Caleb's second love is his guitar and writing music. He's just making his first major solo gig in Austin. Jane, while in Washington, worked 20 years for an insurance company, but there is no affiliate in Austin, so she is searching on-line for job opportunities. What the heck, the city is looking for a parking enforcement officer? So she files an application on their web site. They are sharing a small apartment. Jane has funds from the sale of her house, but Caleb wants to be the bread-winner and doesn't want her to buy another house. He is soon selected to compete in a singer-songwriter competitive TV show and travels to Los Angeles to prepare for the competition. Meanwhile, Jane is interviewed for the parking enforcement position and is accepted. Can their love endure the separation and temptations Caleb experiences in a competitive musical environment? This novel is not about romance, even if there are many descriptive sexual scenes. It's all about enduring love, and the author, obviously is full of love, can describe the feelings of both Jane and Caleb with ease. The story is candid, compelling, and finely tuned. Well written and edited, one finds this story hard to put down. Become a Ryan Winfield fan as I did from his very first novel. He's the best!

Jane’s Harmony is the continuing love story of Jane and Caleb, both separately immersed in inner conflict yet finding solace and peace when together. Jane has made a decision to leave her home on Bainbridge Island in Washington State to follow her heart and join her true love and soul mate in Austin, Texas. Reality strikes as Jane needs to find a job and Caleb lives the life of a struggling musician with a regular job on the side. Living in Caleb’s meager apartment is not what Jane is used to in comparison to the house and property she left behind. When Jane surprises Caleb by entering him in a singer/songwriter competition that will be nationally televised, Caleb is conflicted by what is expected of him as he progresses through the cycle of elimination. He discovers the real truths that lie behind the scenes of what the public is expected to believe, created by aggressive producers and fueled by the viral impact of social media in a race for an intangible finish of possibilities. Through it all can he still maintain true to his art or is truth being masked by a façade of glitz? While Caleb goes through the motions of the competition in California, Jane is back in Texas searching and obtaining a job, establishing surprising friendships and simultaneously trying to avoid or confront the angst from her past in order to secure a solid foundation for her future with Caleb. The constant painful memories of the daughter she lost and the turmoil that is her family affect the choices she makes. Yet, somehow the search of what is truly important to both Caleb and Jane shines through and that is their deep and constant love and support for each other. Ryan Winfield pens a beautiful love story. This book flows perfectly from the first book, “Jane’s Melody” and keeps the reader involved and invested. Ryan’s gift of virtual imagery keeps the reader totally immersed in the sights, sounds and emotions throughout the story. This is a very satisfying series and one I will visit again and again. Another home run, Ryan!!

I have a huge smile on my face after finishing this read. First, I was so excited when I received an advanced copy through a Goodreads giveaway, so THANK YOU!!! Second, I so loved Jane's Melody, but the one thing that I felt was missing was an epilogue; why you ask? Because as an avid reader, when I fall in love with a couple and their story, I crave their HEA, and I want the authors version of their vision for the couple. So in my mind, Jane's Harmony is the extended epilogue that we didn't get with Jane's Melody, and what a beautiful epilogue it is. This story reminded me and reinforced what I love so much about Ryan Winfield as an author. The emotion is palpable and heartfelt, the intimacy is tastefully done yet sexy, and the progression of the plot was clever and well thought out. Jane is now stronger and more confident, but occasionally, a little vulnerability peeks through; the reality of her move to Austin to be with her starving artist and love Caleb, starts to really sink in. She is jobless, living in a small and modest apartment with our budding artist; they go through some growing pains as a couple, but the two constants that neither can dispute, is their love for each other and Caleb's musical talent. Jane has the brilliant idea to enter Caleb into an American Idol-esque reality show for singer/songwriters. Caleb is extremely reluctant as first, seeing it as a sell out; but his extreme need to provide for Jane and be the man that she sees as a provider outweighs his reluctance. Ryan did a great job showing the glitz and reality of this process, and to me, it made the story even richer. When you love a story and a couple so much, as I did after reading Jane's Melody, it is exciting and little scary when you receive sequels because your expectations are so high, that you don't want to be disappointed. I'm sure that the authors probably experience that same trepidation of their subsequent work; but in this instance, Ryan truly captured all the magic that made me love the first book so much, and did not disappoint me with this continuation of their story. I'm so grateful to have received this advanced copy, and looking forward to more from this author!

I found t his book not to be as good as his first book. There was to much detailed sex and not enough of a story to go along with it. It read very easily but again it needed more real life to it.

I did not think that Mr. Winfield could top Jane's Melody but he certainly did with Jane's Harmony, a beautiful continuation of Caleb and Jane's love story. And, boy, what a love story it was. This romance novel had all of the elements that I love to read, well written and realistic characters, no angst or unnecessary break-ups just to add more drama and a love of the truest kind. Jane and Caleb trust each other wholeheartedly which is so rare in romance novels today. I have read 1800 romance novels in the past 5 years and I am so sick of the same plot over and over. The love Caleb had for Jane was so powerful and the trust Jane put in Caleb was just so beautiful when he flew to L.A. and was forced unwittingly into a fake relationship with another contestant in a reality type American Idol show just for ratings. I had written Mr. Winfield after reading Jane's Melody to tell him how much I loved the novel but I was sad she gave up her house in Washington after they put so much work into it. He wrote back a lovely e-mail and told me to trust him, more was to come, and he was right. This series could not have had a more perfect ending. I love, love, loved this novel. I look forward to more heartfelt, passionate novels by this amazing author.