Hellbound

In my humble opinion you have successfully gave a new spin on the old theme. Not an easy way of doing and your book is written so well that I just can't get enough. This will be one page flipping book from cover to cover. Trully amazing. I have nothing else but praise for your work and the sheer number of comments supports this. Best of luck!

I don't like horror, but this is a great story! You might want to look for a movie producer rather than a publisher!! i could see this on the big screen. This is sooo scary, but perfect. I love it!!1 So visual...so real...back and forth from Michael's horror to satan's delight., even an undertone of humor... I wish i could back it twice. Good job!!! No, Fantastic!!. Wave to us from the editor's desk, will you??

Wow! I am so impressed I hardly know how to comment. Of course, your writing style is great, accomplished and polished, but the premise and execution of such is mind boggling. This is a thinker's book. A strong voice relating all the vices that keep people from spiritually advancing and the price paid for base thinking. Weaved into the story arc of this book are multiple concepts that can move the heart of even a dullard. It reminds me of the saying, 'all paths lead to God.' Even a convoluted story that starts with the bowels of hell and Satan, can lead a reader to spiritual introspection. Great work!
Best luck with a speedy trip to success.
Dawn De Remer (Golden Moon)

This is really an amazing story! It makes you think. Like The Screwtape Letters. I'll keep reading. Great luck to you.

NMoore
Vicar of Wrynbury

I really wish this was a published book so I could get a copy. It's tough knowing it's incomplete and I won't be able to finish it. Any chance I can get a full ebook of it?

A very unusual twist of Hell, and beautifully written, very captivating and to a point... refreshing. I was a little hesitant at first to open your book, but I'm glad my curiosity was stronger. It's an entertaining read.

Backed with great pleasure!

David Placeres
Sunless Shadows

l hope this is an alegory. lf so, it's brilliant. good use of dialogue...on my watchlist ...
read SEASONS...

Not sure if I have commented already. I was writing something but lost the text!! Anyway. I like this. I have only time now to read gthe frist two chapters but I will certainly put some time aside to read ther whole tale. Intrigued to see how it will develop and end.

david

This is a compelling story, one which I will come back to later. Very tightly written. Good dialogue. The psychological viewpoint - and the philosophical one - are intriguing. I congratulate you for tackling this subject (subjects?) - and succeeding. A unique viewpoint. The book should do well.

I back this with enthusiasm.
Patricia West Hays
The Witness Tree

If you have time, could you take a wee look at my book? Thanks.

Brilliant! (everything else has already been said)--grace a perfect life

"The only way up there is by chopper or dragon...."

The first thought I had was "The Screwtape Letters" and the second was that I really enjoy your writing because it is so straightforward. You are not painting metaphysical hieroglyphics of hell... you are having the Father of Lies pat Michael soothingly and telling him that regret is Hell.

Backed... most assuredly,
SueAnn Jackson Land
The Truth About Whales

The pitch lured me in, I'll admit. I really just can't say no to extra-Biblical tales.

First, an editing note, if you'll have me. When referring to a person, it's generally accepted that a comma be placed between the person's name and whatever was being said beforehand. For example: "This is my kingdom Michael!" should be "This is my kingdom, Michael!" I noticed that several times over in your book.

I've thus far only read the first chapter. I'm curious to know if Michael's more than a simple human or if Satan gives this spiel to everyone who enters into Hell's realms. More of Michael's point of view and his awe (or, alternatively, horror) would be much appreciated from this reader's standpoint. Also, the image of Satan dissolving into a fit of giggles is at times both amusing and ...strange, I suppose, for me.

It's an interesting take on Hell's place, to be sure, and the first few paragraphs were really effective at drawing me in. By the end of chapter one, though, I was ready for more imagery and action. I'll look forward to reading more when I have the opportunity.

Cheers,
Aya

Are you kidding, Tim? This truly is a very good idea and you take it to a level which keeps me thoroughly interested. The concept is excellent and the reading is fast-paced and fun! I have placed you on my watchlist with a shelving coming very soon. I want to continue reading it, so.... Shaun

Edgy is an understatement. Good book. Backed 100%

Jason Evans
Gateway to the World of Light and Shadow

Sorry about all of the copies of my comment, my computer went crazy. I tried to delete some of them but it won't let me.
Serenity

Backed with pleasure after reading your pitch. Sounds as if it's an awesome read, I will get back to your book as soon as I have more time.
Serenity

Backed with pleasure after reading your pitch. Sounds as if it's an awesome read, I will get back to your book as soon as I have more time.
Serenity

Backed with pleasure after reading your pitch, sounds as if it's an awesome read. I will get back to your book as soon as I have more time.
Serenity

Backed with pleasure after reading your pitch, sounds as if it's an awesome read. I will get back to your book as soon as I have more time.
Serenity

Backed with pleasure after reading your pitch, sounds as if it's an awesome read. I will get back to your book as soon as I have more time.
Serenity

Tim,

Honestly, much has been said about your work. Its thought provoking and well written. I write more on fallen angels and creatures of debased nautres. Kudos, this is the truth that can not be avoided, the modern day is tired being engrossed with physical things. Tim, they want to see what happened beyond optical comprehention, and that's what you are doing. Grand success, Fratello.

Hi Tim

Interesting idea. I like the idea of being able to see the "real" Asmodeus as a hidden shadow out of the corner of your eye.
"darkness more visible" - ha! shades of Milton, eh?
not too sure about the couple of sentences beginning "his charismatic air" - telling not showing?
"Satan spread his battered wings" etc - brilliant
aargh! no smirking please. In fact, I wonder if the devil doesn't do a bit too much chuckling, giggling, laughing etc - perhaps one mention is sufficient?
eyes turning yellow as if filled with bile - nice
I love the Devil's orthodox catholic take on Hell (or really Purgatory I suppose) as being like a kind of progressive prison for rehabilitation. And wonderful vision of Hell at the end of Chapter 1.

Overall, an arresting opening and a great story idea. Backed.

Nicole
Chosen

Fun. Like the Miltonic reference. Best. Backed.

An original and thought provoking premise about the afterlife that had me gripped. Backed with pleasure.
Rachel

A clever, thought provoking work. I didn't mean to read so much of it but kept wanting to read a little bit more. backed.

I came across Hellbound my first day on this site and ended up reading until 4:30 in the morning. It draws you in and stays entertaining. I'll definitely keep it on my bookshelf till I can finish it. Your classification says "incomplete" so I'm hoping you can post the rest on here soon.

Michael Pearson
The Maturing Heart

With 400 comments - you don't need mine. I can't believe I haven't backed this before.

Absolutely a wonderful read in adaption to "Dante's Inferno". I could visualize the humorous and most unique feel of Hell portrayed through the characters. It was very fast paced with a very descriptive background. I could not help but to laugh at Satan's personality. I also enjoyed that from cover to cover there was not a slow moment which made things for me very entertaining! It was as though I was watching a movie with a dark sense of humor through the use of horror and religion thrown into the mix. Look forward to reading more!

Hi Tim,
I wanted to give my comments - this is an absolute bash; you are poking fun at Satan right? And why not?
In all, I think you have something funny and satirical etching up, a look at the dark pits of hell in the most extraordinary manner perhaps? Whatever it be the case Tim, this is a reprieve from the rather dark and grim prognosis on Satan - let's see some fun then - let's see Hellbound!

Nice! And backed a few days ago...I wanted to make sure I stuck in my comments here. Thought it looked like a real piece of work - the cover is simple, elegant and hellish :)

Rome
Directives for Murder
Beyond the Shadows

It seems to be my day for reading about the fallen angel. Yours is not a bad idea. As I'm on a roll I'll back it.

Please have a read of my small satire Bleak House Bleak Shed.

T.L.B.

Greetings Tim, Reviewing my records on authors who backed my books, I find that you backed "Annabella and Other Stories" some time ago. I believe I neglected to thank you--which I do now, with deep appreciation. And I thank you for calling my attention to "Hellbound," which I've been reading. This is just the sort of book I enjoy--well written, imaginative, philosophical, amusing, thoughtful. Though I haven't time for detailed comments, I'll gladly back you novel and plan to read further. I hope you'll also take a look at "The Doctor of Summitville," a love story placed in an American country town in the 1920s. It seems to be rising in the ranks, though slowly, and I've received many complimentary reviews. --Best of luck, Bill

This is an interesting, well writting piece of writing
Backed
Eveleen

As you might have seen from my profile, Paradise Lost is among my favourite books, so of course I enjoyed Satan and his attitude in yours. Michael has thought provoking experiences and there are lots of smiles for the reader.
Backed
Lara
Good for Him

Hi Tim,

I have not dipped too far into your book but I knew the moment I started reading it, that it was something incredibly imaginative.and deserving of the highest possible praise. I look forward to reading the full book in due course.

Philip John

Wow !!! What a pitch, not only am I backing this, I'd love to read it all. Please however be patient, I have a list of reading commitments. Not just to put a smile on your face Tim, but because this definitely deserves my backing.
Best of luck to you.
Sincerely
Helen
The Last Dream

Tim,

I don't get to write this enough, but Satan's a lot of fun in this! I like the just-different-enough spin on Hell here, and you've set up a world where anything could happen (and probably does). I also love that you just threw Michael (and thus, the reader) right in, giving us the same disorienting feeling as he probably has. My only note is not for your book but the logline on your profile, I think that you've misspelled 'contemporary'.

Nice job! Backed!

Kevin Alex Baker
Head Games

An interesting take on an age old idea. Its some what similar in idea's to a book I once read called "The Testament of Gideon Mack" Although your novel and that one have different ideas of Hell and Satan, but give the impression that good and evil are just differnt sides of the same coin and not everything is black and white.
A great style and tone.

Backed.

Chase

You punch with a lot weight in the narrative sense. Very visual, very striking. I very much enjoyed. Backing this.

A study in reverse theology but did not live or die up to its promise.
Story line and narrative too text book.
Refreshing approach to an old theme, will gain support when in a more novel format.
BK

The premise in the book description really caught my attention, which is what it is supposed to to.

In Chapter 1, The first paragraph was enticing; Reading it, I felt almost as if it caused me to have a "buzz" on! Wonderful stuff. If the first paragraph is supposed to be one's best writing, this hook did not dissappoint me in the least. To the contrary. It almost forced me to keep reading. "... something intangible ... his true self hiding in his shadow ... flickering in the firelight." I find this to be very compelling writing. Poetic. Shades of ancient things felt rather than seen.

I am hooked. I will back this story.

F. Ellsworth Lockwood
"The Final Cruise"

Great writing, I will read more. Backing.
Tommy Davis
SCYTHE (also has demons)

This is a unique concept of hell which could be heavily debated in intellectual circles but would be heavily supressed by most churches as they would no longer have a threat to keep their flocks in line. I like the idea of a correctional hell to get people to heaven. Backed. Could you please have a look at my manuscript The Sacred Pool.

Laurence

Clever, humorous, sarcastic, new spin on the traditional view of things. Nice clean and fluid writing style--no hangups. You should do really well with this.
Jan, Fringe of Darkness

I'm hooked on your Satan, Tim. Good stuff.
Happy to back
Pip
Doodlebug Day

A refreshing spin on an old theme. An excellent read. Backed with pleasure.

Craig Ellis

Very gripping story and fab pitch.
Best wishes.
Dawn,
My Friends and Me

Dark, different and an interesting take on Hell.
Backed
Lara
Good for Him

Sounds too much like Dante. Redline: "Fast paced, edgy and ultimately tragic."

This is a great dark fiction story - and a page turner.

Backed with pleasure!

Johanna Kern
Master and the Green-Eyed Hope

BACKED. There now, down to the comments which are the important thing. One nit (as they seem to call it on this site) "but" is a conjunction and grammatically needs no comma before it unless it is part of a list (sorry my English teacher experience taking over).

"The fire shed no light , but rather made the darkness more visible, creating doleful shades of grey around the room." errant comma aside this is the sign of a craftig author.

There appears to be a typo in para 6: "Now I have seen that look on your face many times, "he continued, "That..." (no need for a capital letter without a prior full stop.

Your description of Satan is fantastic! There is a thread of dark humour running throughout that bouys the narrative in perfect balance.

Floor 666 is humorous but the "cheesey elevator music" is funny.

Nice imagination on the casino type buildings. "it's Disney land for adults, dead sinning adults" is very funny but what about an elipses instead? "it's Disney Land for adults....dead, sinning adults" Just a thought.

Over all a great read and I backed it with pleasure. Cheers

Brilliant. Love it. You're onto a winner Tim. Backed with pleasure. Before I say it, this isn't a plug - I don't do that - but you might be interested in CH1 of my book as it refers to Jakarta - memories for me, reality for you. I wonder if it's changed? Also spent many happy years in PNG regularly visiting OZ - which I love - Jakarta I hated. Anyway, this is digressing from your novel. What a clever premise and your writing style flows well. I hope Hell is like that for I have a feeling that's my destination :-)
Katy Chrisite
No Man No Cry

I love the last line of chapter one. I also enjoy in the fact that when the devil is angered Michael feels it- painfully. I plan on reading more.

"...he said in an apocalyptic tone." How else would the devil speak? I enjoyed this for its fast read. The chapter three flash to reality is in Italics, I don't think it needs to be. Let the reader fiqure it out as he reads on to chapter four. A tiny bit of editing and this would be perfect. Nice job,

Backed
scorselo

BTW - Angels are the new vamps ...

An awe inspiring if terrifying first chapter. You have some imagination! From the very first word I was hooked. It makes compulsive reading. I can find little or nothing to criticize and am sure this will find its way into print. It certainly deserves to; it is sooo different. I'm very glad I backed it. Best of luck.