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Jenny Worstall

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Make a Joyful Noise: escape with a musical romantic comedy set in a choir. (Sing with the Choir Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jenny Worstall (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.0 37 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Sing with the Choir

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Sweet singing in the choir...

'Make a Joyful Noise', is the sparkling tale of a choir preparing for a very special Christmas performance of "Belshazzar's Feast".

We meet a host of characters who are mercilessly sent up by the author: Lucy the staggeringly trusting young music teacher, Tristan the lecherous anti-hero, Miss Greymitt the ageing and slightly arthritic choir pianist, Steve the handsome and trustworthy bass, Claire the shameless and scheming temptress, and singers with nothing but resonance between their ears.

Just as all does not run smoothly for King Belshazzar or the inhabitants of Babylon in Walton's music, so the characters in the novel suffer from hopeless yearnings, romantic misunderstandings and the unfortunate consequences of their own misguided actions.

All is sharply and wittily observed in a delightful mix of romance, music and humour.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A sweet tale which cracked along at just the right pace. The characters were well drawn, vivid and amusing. Ellen, Croydon.

The author is clearly a perceptive musician who describes her characters with precision, charting their adventures in a most amusing style. The mix of romance and music is delightfully handled with a great sense of fun and humour. Michele, UK.

As a music teacher, choir member and mother, the various characters in this story couldn't have ticked more boxes for me! Lucy, UK.

I didn't want to put the book down...C.Plunkett

A Bridget Jonesian affair (in third person) in which the protagonist must choose between her Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver. An enjoyable read which I would recommend. Steph,UK

A lovely "boy gets girls" romance set around William Walton's Belshazzar's Feast... Michelle,UK

It made me laugh in so many places...N.Young,UK

A funny romance, where the naive heroine is staggeringly trusting and the lecherous anti-hero is mercilessly sent up by the author. The splendid chapter headings are taken from Belshazzar's Feast by William Walton - The Idols and The Devils. Howl ye, Howl ye therefore etc. - and make perfect sense in the context of a story set in a choral society and a school music department. Full of impishly observed details about the characters. Catherine, UK

Jenny Worstall is a sharp observer of human nature, is alive to the drama of situations and well able to bring her characters to life in an fascinating way. Bookworm, UK

Jenny shows a lovely eye for detailed description without becoming too wordy... Highly recommended. J H Osborn, UK

About the Author

Jenny is a musician, teacher and writer, and lives in London with her family.
She enjoys playing the piano and gossiping with her friends (which she calls research for her writing).

jennyworstall.webspace.virginmedia.com

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007AZ2CNQ
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jenny Worstall (November 21, 2013)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 21, 2013
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2388 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 207 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #1,840,662 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #10,966 in General Humorous Fiction
- #21,705 in Humorous Fiction
- #31,693 in Romantic Comedy (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.0 37 ratings

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Jenny Worstall

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An avid reader, Jenny inherited the love of a good story from her Irish grandmother.

She writes romantic comedies that reflect both her love of music and a tendency not to take life too seriously.

The three books in her Sweet Regency Romance series THE HEART OF BATH are being published later this year by Dragonblade Publishing. Watch out for further details!

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Women Writers and Journalists, and the Society of Authors.

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4 out of 5

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Tinkertoo

Enchanting and engrossing - A joyful read!

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2012

An enchanting story of a choir preparing for their Christmas concert. As rehearsals progress, petty jealousies, friendships and even romances are sparked. Egoist conductors, shy young teachers, contented matrons and a femme fatale act out their stories against the background of William Walton's "Belshazzar's Feast" - not the first choice for a Christmas production perhaps, and we have the first hint that all is not sweet harmonies. The author has given us a engrossing read, her obvious expertise and strong grasp of the classical music world result in authentic characters readers can identify with and root for, from newbie Lucy young and innocent, to Miss Greymitt, elderly, slightly deaf yet gamely thumping piano keys at rehearsals with arthritic fingers. I have to admit to having a sneaking respect for Claire - a woman who knows what she wants and doesn't mind stooping a little to conquer.

We get to peek inside character's homes and lives - it's impossible not to become involved and I just had to read on - one more chapter after one more chapter, hoping that the varied cast of the choir got what they deserved for Christmas. Miss Worstall did not disappoint - if you enjoy fiction centring on relationships, family and romance help yourself now to a sample of "Make A Joyful Noise" - you'll soon be singing with the choir!

2 people found this helpful

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FDH

Choir members need to read

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024

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Author moved story lines right along. Was not dull. Choir members can all associate with the antics and people. easy light reading. Enjoyed it.

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Dodester

An insightful story woven masterfully with threads of wit and delight

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2013

Jenny Worstall chose such an enticing choral piece, "Belshazzar's Feast," to serve as the backdrop for this marvelous tale. MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE certainly does offer so many zesty tidbits for her readers to feast upon! The human foibles of her characters' touched me deeply; I commiserated with them as each coped with hopeless yearnings, romantic misunderstandings, or older age issues and the consequences that ultimately ensued from their own misguided actions.

Ms. Worstall was remarkable in the way that she scripted this insightful, witty story. Just as choir members who sing alto and bass provide the underlying quality that carries a choral performance forward, so, too, does the author's array of secondary characters add to the tale a rich flow that offers balance and harmony. Her characters are well-developed, tending to be captivating and quirky yet, at the same time, earnest and intricate in personality.

Throughout my read of MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE, I found myself gaining in admiration of Ms. Worstall. As a musician, teacher and former member of the BBC Symphony Chorus, she must have used the wisdom gained from her own experiences in order to so masterfully weave for us such a fascinating and delightful story.

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2013

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I want to start by saying that I absolutely loved Jenny's short stories. They are all beautifully crafted. I also want to state that romantic fiction is not my favourite genre. But I love music and having myself been a member of a philharmonic choir was interested in the dynamics.

The story is sweet even though the main character is rather naive. I would have liked to hear more about the music.

I am not sorry that I have read the book and I am sure that Jenny's next full-length book will be even better.

Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2013

I bought this book for myself as a present from the Indielit catalogue and I'm so glad I did!
The blurb describes the book as 'a delightful mix of romance, music and humour'...and that's just what it is. It's a simple story, well told with recognisable, well rounded characters. I loved the description of Amy's first piano lesson, recognising the book I learned to play piano from when I was four years old.
The book builds steadily and easily to an end of year dance and the choir performance, keeping the reader guessing as to the ending. I was happy to give this book my 5* rating as I loved the story, would recommend it and will read it again.

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2013

I read a couple of short stories by Jenny Worstall a few weeks ago which I enjoyed so I downloaded her romantic novel Make a Joyful Noise. Lucy is a newly qualified secondary school music teacher who is struggling with her classes; she is also struggling to establish her social life in a new town. She has been introduced to the local choral society and has fallen for Tristan, the choir conductor. Meanwhile fellow choir member and history teacher, Steve, has fallen for her. A typical love story triangle which is developed to a fairly predictable ending in a charming and highly readable manner. There's a wealth of supporting characters and some unexpected twists and turns as the plot moves forwards. The details about the choral society make the book unusual and add an extra dimension. An ideal holiday read whatever the weather and well worth a look.

Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2013

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Predictable is fine with a romance novel, you do know what is likely to happen after all, but this was unimaginative, dull and trite. I really wanted to slap the main character, she was so annoying and wet. I was hoping the chosen background of the choir might be interesting and novel, but it really wasn't developed or even very involved, considering the title.

Helpful

C. Plunkett

An entertaining and engaging read

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2012

This book was a lovely easy read with the characters personalities and dynamics clearly shining through. The heroine while undoubtedly quite naive was still very likeable and I didn't want to put the book down until I knew she was OK. I liked the fact the book was set about an unusual, yet relatable, location. In life most of us have come across characters such as the anti-hero in this book, who as music conductor acts and though he is king of all he surveys. Without wishing to spoil the story for anyone I felt the twists and final outcome were cleverly constructed and I would recommend reading this book.

2 people found this helpful

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Rani S

A lovely sparkly, witty, sweet musical romantic comedy!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 25, 2014

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This is the third book I have read by Jenny, the first two being short stories. I do believe this is Jenny's first full length novel and a very good novel it is too!

The story is about a preparation for a performance of William Walton's Belshazzar's Feast by the Springfield Choral Society who meet on a weekly basis to practise. The story is all based around predominantly the members of this Choral Society. This includes the highly popular Tristan Proudfoot (the conductor), who despite being a 47 year old tubby, hair thinning philanderer is fawned over by all the ladies including Ms Custard Cream Claire. Even the sweet, innocent, naive and beautiful music teacher Lucy Lavendar who is only in her early twenties and one of the main characters in this book develops an infatuation for him, unable to see what a leary letch he is. Then you have the georgeous, young and 6 ft tall school teacher Steve who is completely smitten with Lucy.

The best thing about this book I found was the characters, there are so many interesting ones and they all stand out and are highly memorable including apart from the four already mentioned, Lucy's sister Caroline who is obsessed by healthy eating and all things organic and often referred to as the 'food gestapo' by some of the other mums. There is Lucy's fun loving and man eating flatmate Julia. Also the Head of Music at the school that Lucy teaches at, Mary Goodshoe. Audrey - Lucy's ex ballet teacher and her husband the Major who enjoys watching old runs of Lady Penelope in Thunderbirds! Sarah, Caroline's friend who helps Lucy settle in town and generally keeps an eye out for her. Angela - Lucy's neighbour and Miss Greymitt, the confused pianist for the Choral Society.

There are some very humorous and funny scenes with some of these characters which really brought a smile to my face. I also really enjoyed the domestic family scenes with the children and the get togethers in between the various romantic dramas which were unfolding - involving Tristan, Lucy, Steve and Claire.

You can see Jenny's background and experience seeping into all areas of the book including the musical theme, teaching aspect and the domesticated family scenes.

A lovely sparkly, witty, sweet romantic comedy!

One person found this helpful

Pat Garcia

Make A Joyful Noise by Jenny Worstall

Reviewed in Germany on January 8, 2013

Verified Purchase

Looking at the title, Make a Joyful Noise, by Ms. Jenny Worstall, you think immediately of happiness, joy, and good times, and thus, some people would judge the book as being too naive, nothing for adult reading. However, the exact opposite is true.

The story as told by Worstall is remarkably realistic, and the book draws you into the world of a young woman whose desires are based on appearances, instead of the heart.

Worstall sets a background in the story, by using an amateur choir as a minor character, who is learning how to sing one of the most beautiful oratorios composed by Georg Friedrich Händel, with the exception of The Messiah, the oratorio, Belshazzar. She writes a story about love, moral ethics, trust, and the determination never to give up on someone, whom you consider being your perfect partner for life.

The protagonist is a sweet and inexperienced young woman, who is hopelessly lost in the pedantic world of classroom teaching. Young and at odds with her sister, whom she thinks is perfect, she is blinded to the many dangers cloaked in goodness behind the thinking and personality of her antagonist. That she is blinded by the aura of his good looks and seemingly lack of manners, makes the male hero in Worstall’s story stand out even more so as a man of character, the man every mother would like her daughter to come home with. Surprisingly, everyone sees the wolf walking around in sheep clothing except the protagonist, her own mental judgment being impaired by her assessment, while looking only at the outside appearance. Thus, the antagonist stands, in my opinion, as Belshazzar in Händel’s oratorio, lurking for his prey but will he succeed?

I thank thee, Sesach! Thy sweet pow’r

Does to myself myself restore.

Thy plenteous heart-inspiring juice

All my courage lost renews.

I blush to think I shadows fear’d.

Cyrus, come on, I’m now prepar’d![1]

(Belshazzar song before he fights against Cyrus)

Make a joyful Noise by Jenny Worstall, however, is not a peaceful Pollyanna book, which paints the world as hunky dory, and all is right in life.

Family oriented, yes it is,
Easy to read, undoubtedly so,
But valuable life principles based on truth, respect and trust written within the book will have you constantly hoping Little Red Riding Hood is not eaten by the big bad wolf. The complications of her being able to see the truth elevates the story line, especially because the obvious is not seen by the protagonist. I kept wondering as I read the book, how many times did it have to be spelled out before she could see through the clouds. So, Make A Joyful Noise held my interest, until the last page.

Sure, the protagonist wins at the end, but Ms. Worstall does a fantastic job of stitching a story together that is believable and can happen to anyone.

Again, I think of the choir, who played a minor, but significant role in Make A Joyful noise, and how Ms. Worstall threaded in the oratorio, Belshazzar,

Daniel sings: I will magnify Thee, O God my king! And I will praise thy name forever and ever,

And afterwards Daniel and Nitocris  sing a duet: My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,  And let all flesh give thanks Unto His holy name for ever and ever,

Before the choir sings the finale of the oratorio, which, in my opinion, can be compared with The Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah as Händel’s crowning moment.

The choir sings one word, Amen! And their rendition of that one word shatters the earth.[2]

So is it with your book, Ms. Jenny Worstall. By writing Make A Joyful Noise, you have written an excellent story of goodness that shatters the earth. I congratulate you on writing a book, which can be read by any family member. It is a book for the heart wrapped in a sweet fragrance with an excellent after taste, which will bring smiles to many faces.
Make a Joyful NoiseMake a Joyful Noise

Ciao,

Pat Garcia

[1] [...]

[2] [...]

Wendy J

Joyful!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2013

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Singing in the local choir gives Lucy a welcome respite from the demands of her job as a newly qualified music teacher in an English secondary school. She daydreams about the lecherous conductor, Tristan, but barely acknowledges the handsome bass, Steve. In the run-up to the choir's Christmas performance of 'Belshazzar's Feast' will Lucy get the right man?

Despite the fact that she's incredibly naïve, you can't help rooting for Lucy to find her happy ending. Lucy and her supporting cast of characters are described with warmth and humour. The author's eye for detail means that with a few well-chosen words she helps you picture each of them. One of my favourites is Lucy's wonderfully bossy older sister, Caroline who is wife to long-suffering Jeremy and mother of twins, and who I'm sure I must have met in real life.

This is a delightful, light and playful read that zips along at a great pace. The scenes at rehearsals and in school are amusing, although I think these could have been developed a little further. The sheer chaos of life with a young family is perfectly presented in one stand-out Sunday lunch scene at the start of the book - the noise, the mess, the confusion, the teasing and the love.

Whether you are a member of a choir or not, there is fun to be had with Lucy and the members of the Springfield Choral Society.

One person found this helpful

Tribalchick

Joyful!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2013

Verified Purchase

I bought this book for myself as a present from the Indielit catalogue and I'm so glad I did!
The blurb describes the book as 'a delightful mix of romance, music and humour'...and that's just what it is. It's a simple story, well told with recognisable, well rounded characters. I loved the description of Amy's first piano lesson, recognising the book I learned to play piano from when I was four years old.
The book builds steadily and easily to an end of year dance and the choir performance, keeping the reader guessing as to the ending. I was happy to give this book my 5* rating as I loved the story, would recommend it and will read it again.

One person found this helpful

C. Plunkett

Entertaining and engaging tale

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2012

Verified Purchase

This book was a lovely easy read with the characters personalities and dynamics clearly shining through. The heroine while undoubtedly quite naive was still very likeable and I didn't want to put the book down until I knew she was OK. I liked the fact the book was set about an unusual, yet relatable, location. In life most of us have come across characters such as the anti-hero in this book, who as music conductor acts and though he is king of all he surveys. Without wishing to spoil the story for anyone I felt the twists and final outcome were cleverly constructed and I would recommend reading this book.

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Make a Joyful Noise: escape with a musical romantic comedy set in a choir. (Sing with the Choir Book 1) Kindle Edition

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