Review: Leviathan with A Fish-Hook by S. L. Russell

Biography

I live in Kent U.K. with my family and my dog. Born in 1951 I was educated at Rochester Grammar School and Durham University. I have been writing, thinking about writing, making things up and generally telling tall stories since childhood, but got going in a serious way about ten years ago when some friends challenged me to put up or shut up. My first novel 'Leviathan with a Fish-hook' is the first of a projected trilogy. The second book, 'The Monster Behemoth', was published in September 2010. Currently I am working on the third and final title in the trilogy, 'The Land of Nimrod.'

For now, and for the foreseeable future, I am writing Christian fiction. It's a very different thing from the multifarious manifestations of this genre in America, where it is very popular. My work is realistic, 'warts and all', not afraid of doubts, fears and failures. The people in it are believable human beings with no hint of a halo: just like their creator.

My life as a Christian
I worship at St Margaret's, High Halstow where I am the church organist. www.triunity.org.uk
When visiting France I worship at Christchurch Coutances
www.christchurchcoutances.com

Paperback, 286 pages

Published October 8th 2009 by Authors Online Ltd (first published 2009)

ISBN 0755211812 (ISBN13: 9780755211814

Buy from Amazon Kindle or publishers

About book

When Eileen meets Christopher, a young man with a mental illness living rough in the woods near her home, her quiet life is shaken.

Eileen is a Christian trying to live by her faith. Tentatively she befriends Christopher and gains his trust, but as his story unfolds she finds herself increasingly drawn into his life of fearful visions and spiritual turmoil.

As the tension mounts it is not only Christopher's monsters Eileen must face, but her own. Can she handle what she has let loose?

Challenging and compelling, Leviathan with a Fish-hook will keep you hooked to the last page...and beyond.


READ EXCERPT OF CHAPTER ONE. here

My Thoughts
Behind the unusual name of this book is an ordinary wife and mother, Eileen.  She is estranged from her husband.  One daughter is away at college and the other daughter is still living at home but stays busy with her job and social life.  Eileen also has an eight yr old  foster child, Michael.  She has raised him for the past three years.  On top of experiencing  empty nest syndrome due to the absence of her daughters she also fears Michael will soon be returning to his family.  


One day Michael and his friend were playing in the woods and came across a transient and offered him food.  Michael told Eileen about the young man.  She forbid them not to go back in the woods. But he begged her to take the man some food.  Eileen kept her promise and was even more concerned when she realized the young man was mentally unstable and not able to properly care for himself.  


In my opinion all of these events in anyone's life would cause a great deal of stress.  Eileen entering her 50's has more than her share to deal with.  Her character is a giver and it doesn't look like anyone notices she might need someone to lean on.  But everyone seems to be to busy with there own  lives to even notice something is not right with Eileen.  She leans on God and His Word for peace.  Will  she be able to cope with all life throws at her while she tries to save everyone else neglecting her own needs?  There are many beautiful scriptures the author uses all through the book that I myself treasure in my heart.  The Word of God gives me great peace. 


I highly recommend this book.


I rate this book a 5 out of 5.


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review from the author.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.


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Book 2' The Monster Behemoth' has now been published by Authors Online, September 2010. It's available to buy as a paperback from the publisher or Amazon and can also be read on Kindle.


READ EXCERPT OF CHAPTER ONE.  here

Book 3 'The Land of Nimrod' has now been published by Authors Online, October 2011. It's available to buy as a paperback from the publisher or Amazon and can also be read on Kindle.

READ EXCERPT OF CHAPTER ONE. here

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