A Handicap For the Devil

Hi Allen!

Since you haven’t been to Authonomy for a while, I hope it’s okay that I’m sending this through your book comment:

I’d like to thank you for backing BRAINRUSH (a Thriller) last year. Because of you it hit the Authonomy Number-1 slot, attracted an agent, and landed a film option. Now that’s a brain-rush! The formal book launch is September 1st and the sequel will be released in December. None of this would have been possible without your help. So, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Sincerely,
Richard Bard, BRAINRUSH

PS. If you want a good laugh, check out the temporary book-trailer video on the BRAINRUSH website. It’s there as a placeholder for the upcoming professional video. The current one features children and it’s guaranteed to make you smile! And yes, the younger kid on the screen is really me. You can see the video at www.RichardBard.com. The link is also on my Authonomy profile page. Special offer for former Authonomy backers between now and the formal launch on Sept 1st: If you would like to receive a “Review” copy of the eBook (plus 2 FREE thrillers from the Kindle Top-20 PAID Bestseller list – yes, really), go to the website, click the “Contact” button, and leave a message that includes your Authonomy username and the secret code words “I Feel the Rush!” Details of this promo will be emailed to you. Thanks!

Great comedy. A suggestion in the pitch is to mention the second book because it is easily overlooked on a scroll down of the page. Good luck. (Literary Agent Blues) (Paperboy Adventures). Also, using the "cherry pick" feature of the site is a great way to attract attention based on the comments that you pick. Chuck

Allen - I have backed A handicap for the Devil as your pitch and clever title drew me in. Well written and like Barbara (below) I intend to read more. Balepy (Freckles the Fawn)

A great start with Jonathan and his vegemite toast --looking forward to meeting all these characters when I read some more tomorrow.
Barbara

I do like the premise for your story and it is character rich, well written, well paced and deliciously sprinkled with wry humour. Your character development of Jonathan is well done and your descriptive writing style makes your finely crafted novel a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

You certainly create a sense of gloom and doom for the MC. What a horrible job and horrible boss! I can imagine the secretary and it gives me the willies!

Happily Backed
Denise

The opening of chp. 1 reminds me of Dicken's 'Bleak House' with the way you make fun of the lawyers. I thoroughly enjoyed this and found myself laughing a lot, especially at the scene where Jonathan and his housekeeper keep trying to get up earlier than the other one to fix breakfast. Will be putting this on my shelf.
C.Smith

St Peter with a hoover and God as a rightious Cat! Ya got to feel sorry for old Jonathon as he's set to 'inherit' the world. This is crazy, crazy stuff and very different to anything I have read on here. I kept reading because not for one minute did it all seems that crazy--not even when the dwarf was knocking in 5 irons for eagles onto the green and upsetting that tosser of a boss.
Great imagination in this--reminded me of Reginald Perrin on acid.
I really like this but I don't know why--but that's a good thing. Can you bulid the plot, weave the characters in and out of farcical situations and then pull it together? I don't know - like most people on here; I don't have the time to find out by reading it all but, if I did, I would have the inclination.

Steve

Original and vivid and written in a style that refuses to let go. I had to get over the premise about attorneys and golfers--my husband being both--but in the end, I had to admit that this was wholly original and very well done.
Good luck with this.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

This is quirky and crazy enough to have me reading from cover to cover – very impressive.
However as with all good humour the is an underlying depth and this doesn’t disappoint - great read – good luck!

Hi Allen
I really wasn't sure what to expect from this after reading the pitch, but when I read it, I loved it. Jonathan is such a hilarious character, with eccentricities of a variety of people we all know. You've created a piece that is fast paced, funny and also thrilling that draws the reader to delve deeper into this well crafted world.
DP Walker
Five Dares

A Handicap For the Devil
Allen Lyne

What a unique storyline - thanks for the laughs. God will destroy the world unless people reform - well he did once before with that great big flood so you may be right. I like the idea of only Jonathan, his two dwarf rabbits and a host of crazies being able to prevent this. This is very symbolic - despite the humour. And you are right on another count too - all lawyers are in leaque with the devil - except those who are not. Quite a tiny minority. YOur pitches reveal a delicious plot and I am sold. Where can I purchase my copy of this? Some nice visuals - some four minutes and eighteen seconds into his train journey Jonathan fell fast asleep standing up. I like Jonathan. I am enjoying this so much. Hope his glasses are very clean now but I wonder who will open the door? Must come back to find out. Backed a few days ago and happy to have done so. Very good fiction I think.

Aren't the lawyers in league with the devil? That's what I thought after spending a year in law school. Why do Aussies love Vegemite anyway? This reads very well. I like the swift pace and the questions about why the trains are not on time. Evidently, it had to do with Miss Bloomingdale's farts. Maybe not, maybe it's the devil. I'll be back to find out. Backed for now.

Ha, Ha, funny. I love it.
Backed,
Bamboo Promise

Very enjoyable first chapter. A bit irritating that there are so many gaps in the text. Worth joining them up.
Karien - A Bird in a Pram

I liked this alot. I would reload chapter two as there is a break in quite a few of the sentences. Eg. 'a coctail of illegal' and 'the leeches that gathered'. That aside, I think your prose is very sharp and witty. I enjoyed your pitch and think this is a book that could do very well here.
Carl
The Time Hunters

oh and funny, yes it is

Your book cover drew me to this book and your profile just said 'read me'. Just enjoyed what I read and the characters you color with vivid shades. I would love to know where one pulls a gem of a book like this from. CONGRATS Allen enjoyed. and BACKED. I would appreciate it if you would read some of my work, non-fiction but that is the beauty of this site. Please comment if you have some.

Denise
The Letter

I selected several chapters at random and was impressed to find the consistency in pace and style that you began with...I need to come back to this again but it seems to be a lot of fun...backed for now...
Best wishes
Stewart