Hell Becomes Her

by R.A. McCandless

Just when Del is starting to learn what being a mother and a part of a family are all about, a shadowy group kidnaps Jordan. They leave a set of instructions that take Del and her partner Marrin to the deserts of northern Nevada on a rescue mission.

There, confronted with myths and legends hungry for blood, Del must face an ancient evil deadlier than anything she has ever encountered. So deadly, she may not survive.

218 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2017

About the author

R.A. McCandless has been a writer both professionally and creatively for nearly two decades and recently became a publisher with Ellysian Press. He was born under a wandering star that led him to a degree in Communication and English with a focus on creative writing.

He is the author of the steampunk book THE CLOCKWORK DETECTIVE and urban fantasy TEARS OF HEAVEN and HELL BECOMES HER, short stories "And Into A Watery Grave" in In Shambles, "Grenadiers and Dragon's Fire" in Gears Gadgets and Steam, "Through the Sting of Fairy Smoke" in Nine Heroes: Heroic Fantasy anthology, and "He Who Tells the Tale" and "Holes Full of Dark" in Holes: An Indie Author Anthology.

He continues to research and write historical and genre fiction, battle sprinklers, and play with his three boys.

Reviews

[Robert Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell Becomes Her, by R. A. McCandless, is a worthy successor to his novel Tears of Heaven. It starts with a tense situation. The tenseness grows and becomes more complex as the novel progresses. Del, the protagonist, spends most of the book (when she isn’t using her considerable combat skills to keep herself and her allies alive) trying to figure out why the things she’s experiencing are happening. I suspect the same will be true of most readers, who, like Del, will keep trying to put the data together to come up with an explanation for the series of events. I also suspect this is exactly what McCandless wants. It is explained, but not until it should be, at the end of the novel. Granted, the reader doesn’t have all the information needed to figure things out until the last chapter, but neither does Del. Fair is fair.
Like the first book in the series, Hell Becomes Her is based primarily on Judeo-Christian mythology, although in this case with a strong dose of European legends. Refreshingly, McCandless draws not from the modern concepts of elves and fairies, but from the original myths. Just as a rational human would prefer not to meet an angel or Nephilim (a human/angel hybrid like Del), an elf is to be treated with caution and a fairy something to be avoided.
In Hell Becomes Her, as in the Old Testament of the Bible, angels function as heaven’s regulators and enforcers. Nephilim are used mainly as hit men the angels dispatch to deal with those they are told to eliminate. Elves are cunning and deadly. Fairies are mostly teeth, claws, and blood-lust. The creatures out of legend aren’t the only dangerous beings in Hell Becomes Her. The one normal human with significant role, Jane, is a professional killer.
This leads to the one criticism I have about Hell Becomes Her. How Del, her adopted daughter Jordan, Jane, and Marrin (another Nephilim) were taken by surprise in Del’s home by a group of admittedly highly skilled attackers and subdued without casualties on either side isn’t told. Things which might explain the event are mentioned later, but never specifically tied to the opening chapter of the book.
As McCandless shows an excellent understanding of small group tactics and scientific reality in Hell Becomes Her, I have no doubt that he knows how it happened and, for whatever reason, decided to leave it out. The omission doesn’t detract from the novel.
McCandless understands that the laws of science are real, something many novelists and most movie and television producers seem to be unaware of. In Hell Becomes Her weapons and body armor do what they actually do, and even in that are limited by the abilities of the user. The blending of reality and mythology is excellent, making everything that happens as believable as possible in a fantasy novel.
I have, deliberately, said little about specific events in the novel. With the twists and turns McCandless uses, almost anything giving details could be a spoiler. Hell Becomes Her is too good a novel to risk that.
As a well-constructed fantasy, Hell Becomes Her, by R. A. McCandless, is exceptional and I think fully deserves the five stars I gave it.

[Rosa Marchisella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and WOW!!!! This book is amazing. Much better than the first book which I rated 5 stars because it was so good. This book breaks the rating chart. It is non-stop action. Even when they aren’t in the middle of a confrontation, the characters are constantly in danger or hurling toward trouble.

I enjoyed seeing how having a child affected Del and her interactions with others. I appreciate how she became more balanced and relatable instead of turning into a gooey, girly mother. Del’s development makes her a great character to follow and I hope to see more adventures with her.

I like the expansion of this reality to include “fairy folk” and the clever way they fit into the mythos. I sincerely respect the addition of a potential “love interest” without having a romance rammed in. That would have been awkward. Speaking of love interests; the addition of Jane, a mere mortal from the first book, to the crew is an interesting touch and well handled.

Even though I finished this book within 24 hours, it’s taken me more than a week to write a review because I was too ticked at the antagonist, Alfred. I seriously had to calm down before reviewing otherwise my review would have been some incoherent rambling of how I wanted to “grab that douche bag and mash his douchey face to a pulp for being such a douchey douche-head” or something as equally (family-friendly) eloquent. I’ve never been so angry with a fictional character. I was up half the night, gripping my tablet and seething with rage. I wanted so passionately to reach into this jerk’s mouth and tear this spine out with my bare hands that I was unable to go to bed. What was the point? I thought. I’d just lie there, writhing in impotent fury; might as well finish reading, so I can focus on real life.

I can say that I was fully satisfied with the resolution of the story, and, while saddened by the loss of a beloved character, also hopeful for them in a sequel (... There will be a sequel, right??)

[soda · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Warning: Possible spoilers.*

I received this in exchange for an honest review.

I got the first one - Tears of Heaven - for a Christmas present last year. They go in order. Usually a sequel isn't as good as the first one. Once in a while the sequel is better. This one fits into that category of being better.

I love Del. She's tough, cocky, independent, and doesn't put up with anyone's bullshit. She's certainly not one of those dumb submissive pushovers that seem to be littering indie published books these days. She has, however, "calmed down" quite a bit since having adopted a kid (even if it wasn't 100% voluntary). She still has to take orders from on High, but when Jordan is kidnapped, Del and her partner Marrin have to deal with light and dark elves and Hell to get her back. Marrin, who's as easy going as ever, even if he still is a damn good fighter. Then there's Jane. I hate her. She's stupid, useless and as far as I'm concerned-a homewrecker. Here's Del's, Jordan and Marrin with their happy little family life, and in comes Jane who likes to sleep with Marrin, be depressed about not being able to have his kids b/c he's a Nephilim, but then doesn't even react when Marrin (sort of) "dies". Completely a waste of space that one.

It takes a lot for everyone to work together, but they learn the art of compromise.

I've studied angels and mythology most of my life, so I was happy that there was a lot of it in this, and I don't mean what 99% of people already know. It was refreshing to read something unique and think "I thought I was the only one who knew that..."!

There is a pseudo cliffhanger at the end so I'm curious how that will work out. I hope Del ends up happy. I think after her centuries long life she deserves it.

[Maria Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Del is a Nephilim, but she's no angel. Thus the reason Hell Becomes Her. She is a badass with a sharp tongue and a quick gun. Loves her SIG. Loves it! I enjoyed the first novel in this series for the obvious unique qualities of the plotline, so I had to read the second. Not disappointed!

The author does an awesome job at picking up the story -- in modern-day -- and continue the adventures of Del and Marrin. They are like a gun-toting Laurel and Hardy. The dialogue is funny, at times, edgy, and entertaining. There are a few twists in this book that I really enjoyed. (I really want to yell out spoilers, but you'll have to check it out for yourself!) The story covers the entire spectrum of fantasy, from urban to high. The unique myths (and powers) of the characters are really cool.

I am loving this series. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next book!

[Kyra Dune · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This was so good. There was some romantic stuff I didn't like, but only because two characters I wanted to be together weren't. But that's on me. The story rocked. I did miss the shift between past and present which was the format of the previous installment in the series and a certain something happened that I would have loved to have seen played out instead of only being told about. That aside, I loved the book. I love Del. And Marrin. And even Ahadiel (he kind of reminds me of Castiel when he first showed up on Supernatural). The fight scene at the end of the book was so cool. It felt real. This is one Paranormal read no fan of the genre should miss.

[Amanda Shelley-Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review

Incredible read! McCandless is a awesome writer with a flare for the artistic when it comes to action scenes. I couldn't get enough! I love the leading lady! she so full of spunk, anger, and danger that she is on edge constantly and wants to just rip everyone's heads off at all times, I so love it! Her partner gives her a perfect balance and he is a blend of violence and peace, and knows how to use both. He knows when to talk Del down from Violence and when to let her go full bore. I really love the added elements of Jane and the kid to the mix as Jane knows how to hit them both on the head when they aren't making any sense and the kid helps keep Del on the straight and narrow even more, plus she adds a sweet and hopeful nature to all the violence and mayhem.

I really enjoyed this one. Del's nature never fails to surprise me as she kicks ass time and time again in more and more creative ways. I loved the use of the light and the dark Fae in this one and especially the new love interest for Del, I think it was put into the story perfectly and I am excited to see what grows out of it. The thing with Marrin and Jane I think it lacks substance and maybe they should either move on from each other or figure out what their future together is going to mean. Do they really love each other? or is it just convenient for them to be together?

Alfred, wow!, was an amazing villain! He was the pinnacle of villains! An award should be given for just how evil some books are for their incredible authors creativity in creating the ultimate villains and this book was one of them. I have always said you can't really have a good story unless you have a great villain. Alfred was an incredible evil who would not be vanished easily. Thank you McCandless for such an amazing villain!

I Liked the first book the best of this series but I can't wait to continue the journey! don't you miss out either! get your copies of this awesome series!

[Ien Nivens · Rating 5 out of 5]

No demons have been harmed in the making of R. A. McCandless’s follow-up to Tears of Heaven, but the same cannot be said of the celestials. It is entirely possible to read and enjoy Hell Becomes Her without having read the first novel in the Flames of Perdition series, but McCandless sets the character of lead Nephilim and die-hard contrarian Omedeliah “I told you, my name is Del” bar-Azazel so powerfully well in the first book that—do yourself the favor. Get both.

All Del wants is to get her daughter back safe and sound, but her usual slash and burn approach to problem solving will not advance her cause this time, but never fear; the fight scenes are more intense than ever. McCandless takes us on an inventive elevator ride into unexpected territory, exploring two new cultures that have blended and bunkered themselves into the austere Northern Nevada landscape in a bid to escape detection by the Throne.

Del shreds curtain after curtain to expose the motives and the means of a new enemy and displays a knack for diplomacy she is uniquely positioned to craft and deliver. But nothing is as it seems, nor as it seems to seem, in this surprise-laden, irreligious angel thriller, and his second volley advances the range of a genre McCandless seems determined to define on his own terms.

[Cassandra Ulrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author gave me an ARC for an honest review. Hell Becomes Her: Flames of Perdition Book Two by R. A. McCandless continues flawlessly from where Tears of Heaven left off. The adventures of Omadelia, a Nephilim who prefers to go by Del, and Marrin, her movie loving yet fearless fighting partner, continue when an elf of the Ljosalfar clan, Alfred Waru, kidnaps her adopted daughter, Jordan. Jane, Marrin’s love interest, joins them in the search. Although human, she holds her own in the toughest battles. Del, Marrin, and Jane set out for Battle Mountain to rescue Jordan whatever the cost. That is until they make a stop at the Nevada Hotel Fun & Food.
Things get downright deadly when Freyja, another elf – but of the Dokkalfar clan – who delves in mystic mists, learns Del and Marrin are Nephilim, enemy of the elves. Will Del’s rough wit or Marrin’s powerful Voice get them out of this fix?
The story takes the reader for a ride out of flying planes, mind altering mists, and well-fortified mountains. The fight scenes contain just the right amount of detail and movement to keep the reader interested and turning the pages. Ahadiel does return in the story during an exciting twist, but you’ll just have to read it to find out what happens. Jaw dropping, heart-wrenching scenes rise into a standoff like no other. I absolutely recommend this story to fantasy and/or adventure readers.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series about a Nephilim and the strange, fascinating world created by R.A. McCandless. Taking bits and pieces from Biblical stories as well as, in this book, Norse tales, McCandless has shaped a unique setting that is rewarding to explore without being needlessly complicated or over-explained as some writers will tend toward (I'm looking at you, Jim Butcher).

In this story, we find the main character Del growing and learning to be more human, or at least less a murder hobo that the bitterness and emptiness of her life has left her after millennia of being heaven's assassin.

She becomes entangled with a new force of power in the world and through it establishes herself as an even more important, capable force herself. I would have given this five stars, but it ends almost in a cliffhanger - at least clearly meant to lead into another book - and I'm less fond of that than complete stories, but the book is well written and engaging, moving swiftly and cleanly through each scene.

The tale is complicated, but does not feel that way when read, and each scene is easy to follow despite the complexity of action and plotting. I recommend this, and the previous book Tears of Heaven. This could easily be a terrific film or long form TV series.

[Eric Lahti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequels have a nasty habit of either rehashing the same old stories and becoming stale or ramping up the action so much that story goes completely off the rails and becomes completely outlandish. Hell Becomes Her doesn’t fall into either of those categories; the action is ramped up, but the characters have evolved. They fit the story and the story fits itself.

It would be all too easy to rehash the same ideas from the first novel, but McCandless has let the world evolve along with the characters and introduced another element to the story that expands the mythology of his world. And make no mistake, writing is about nothing more than world building. Not in the Weyland/Yutani sense of world building, but something far more interesting: writing is about creating things and places and people, and that’s what is happening here.

McCandless is creating his own mythology; taking things and shaking them up and making a brand new world from the result. It’s a world filled with danger and craziness and more action than you can shake a stick at, but it’s also a world filled with a soul.

This was an excellent read that kept me looking forward to reading more.

[R.A. McCandless · Rating 5 out of 5]

From award-winning author R.A. McCandless comes the second book in the Flames of Perdition series. Focused on Del, a tough-as-nails immortal who unwillingly works for the Throne, and Marrin, her snarky partner with a penchant for quoting movies and television shows, HELL BECOMES HER continues the page-turning action. When Del’s daughter is kidnapped by a shadowy group, Del will do anything to get her back. She had thought there was nothing worse than angels and demons. Del will learn how wrong she was.

[Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic follow up to Tears of Heaven, our compelling protagonist, Del is used as a pawn in a deadly game played by immortals. Flawed, deadly, and hopeful, Del tries to do everything she can to keep those she loves safe, and those she hates destroyed. The sequel adds deeper layers of mythology, in a unique and captivating way. Highly recommended.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that if i had to chose between Tears of Heaven and Hell Becomes Her, it would hands down be this book. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED Tears of Heavens, we learned what a BAD ASS Bish Dell is and we learned a lot about her past. In Hell Becomes Her, Dell is still a bad ass, but we also see a different side of her. A more "human" side of her, becoming a mother has changed Dell. She starts to worry that she's become "soft", but when a group of highly armed and trained men come into her home and kidnap her adopted daughter, Jordan, we learn (and Dell as well) that she will do anything to get her daughter back. Dell, Marrin and Jane (Marrin's human 'girlfriend', jury is still out on her for me. I can't decide if I like her or not) are taken on the craziest of rides, Dell meets a possible love interest (which I LOVEDDDDDD, btw!), this book is full of nonstop action with twists and turns. Although I have a bone to pick with the Author on the ending, all I'm saying is he better fix his mess! But you'll have to read to find out what i'm talking about! ;)

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5.0

The initial conflict, around which the plot is built, is organic and completely understandable on a human level.

Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.