Hell 'til Heaven

by J.C. Fiske

After losing all that he loves by his own hands, Joseph McCarley is a changed man. In most social circles (none of which he belongs to) he is now known as a drunk, a womanizer and to put it nicely, an asshole. But there are some, mostly his patients, that know him to be something else. A therapeutic genius.

Joe can save you but only for a paycheck. He'll listen to your grievances, put on a caring face and spout advice faster then Buddha on a bender, but at the end of the day, the one thing he can't save, is himself. That is, until a car does it for him.

In an unexpected, selfless act, Joe saves the life of another at the cost of his own and severs his soul from his body. Now a ghost, stranded on the streets of Boston, he has only his guardian angel, Lara, to protect him from the demonic hordes seeking to claim his soul.

However, all is not as it seems. A mysterious dark fire flickers within Joe, waiting, watching and preparing him for a fate heaven can't predict and hell can't prepare for . . .

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2011

About the author

J.C. Fiske is an American author born in New Hampshire. He is an avid reader, gamer, comic/manga geek, WWE mark, Pokemon master, martial artist, beer connoisseur, and metal fan. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern New Hampshire University in 2008. The first book in his manga-inspired fantasy series, Renegade Rising, was published through Tenacity Books in 2011.

Reviews

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out really well. You could believe in the main character Joe McCarley and his current dilemma in life; failed novelist turned psychologist. You are introduced to many of his friends and his family and the struggles they have all endured. At times you almost can relate to Joe but there is so much going on and uninteresting dialogue I found myself losing interest. What could have been said in a few sentences at times took a full page. The excessive dialogue clouded over the theme of the book. Ever been talking to someone hoping they would eventually stop talking? The book if full of this type of conversational dialogue.

There are some great fight scenes that became way to busy. The college bar fight, Arch Angels Gabriel and Michael (who is possessed), and Joe's final battle with the beast residing in Gabriel. One minute you think everyone is dead or dying and the next they on their feet locked in mortal combat again. Very difficult to follow at times.

The battle in the church started out great and then it just became more than unbelievable, it became ridiculous. Again, way too much description and dialogue.

I know a lot of people with very diverse backgrounds and interests but I can not think of one I would recommend the book to.

The book ended with an obvious sequel in the works. I will have to pass on it.

The plus. If the author would have skimmed about 25% of the dialogue out, definitely a three star if not a 3.5 would have been well merited

[glitrbug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just didn't do it for me. Boring, read the whole thing but wouldn't bother with book 2.