Tall
Man in the Hat by
William W. Koonce
Gerald McClintock, Reviewer
eBooks Reviews Weekly
eBook-reviews
"The more the story pulls the reader in, the
more terrifying the story becomes. I’m not a huge fan
of Christian stories but this one really surprised me
because I found it hard to stop reading, I was so intrigued
by the first few chapters that all I could think of was
what was going to happen next, it’s an addictive
storyline that keeps you reading on the edge of your seat.
This book is not only well worth reading, but well worth
purchasing. Definitely one that can be enjoyed again and
again, ‘Tall Man in the Hat’ is supposedly the
first in a series of novel with the same storyline. I am
one reader who is looking forward to reading many more
books from this author, you’d be mad to miss this
page turner."
Review
from a Warren Thurston, Boggle
Books
"The battle between the forces of evil has been portrayed
in many ways. Yet none come close to those displayed in The
Tall Man in the Hat by William Koonce. This magnificent
novel depicts in graphic detail the complexity of the human
condition and the one who preys on our souls.
Soul redeemer Daniel is placed on his toughest assignment
ever by the Vatican. It will place him and others in face
of dangers only experienced in nightmares. The strange
cylinder used in experiments conducted in the secret
laboratory at Offutt Air base in Omaha is one of them.
The world created beyond the cylinder by the author is
simply brilliant. Tension abounds throughout the work
keeping interest levels high.
This is a book that takes the power of the written word to
a new level of excellence. It represents great value for
money. Do not disappoint yourself, purchase a copy from
Double Dragon Publishing."
Review
from Dragon Page Talk Radio Show in
Phoenix
KFYI aired my radio interview for Tall Man in the Hat.
Please take the time to listen to Evo's introduction of my
book.
IntroductionInterviewe
The 15 minute interview is available at Double Dragon Talk
Radio Show in Phoenix.
There are a few comments at Dragon Page regarding my novel.
The following is one of them:
Tall Man in the Hat, by William Koonce was the first ebook
that knocked my socks off. It's christian fiction, which
makes it all the stranger that I liked it! Suggested by Evo
Terra on August 23, 2004, Dragon Page
Review
from Peggy Gifford, author of Elf Trilogy
"Tall Man in the Hat is Christian fiction with spice. But
you won't soon forget the taste after putting this novel
down. The characters are tantilizing; the Tall Man in the
Hat delicous. A must read for any who devour Christian
fiction."
Review
from Marina Rojas, Take it to Heart Editor, Faithwriters
Magazine
"This story is a thinly disguised complete look at the
day-to-day everyman’s Christianity. While parading
under a guise of being part of the “horror”
genre, this tale tells the truth of the unseen spiritual
battle fought every day in the world of God’s people.
While the many intertwining pieces of the story come
together in forming a well made, sturdy basket for an
excellent read, the book is so mesmerizing, it’s hard
to set it aside once you allow yourself a step into the
world of Daniel, a Soul Redeemer.
The character of Daniel permits you a look at his
relentless effort to measure up to a higher standard than
what is called for in this world, while helping you realize
that he’s just like so many of us, struggling with
filling that God-shaped hole in our hearts.
With each visit of the Tall Man in the Hat documented in
such a soul piercing manner, it would be well advised not
to read this book after dark, nor is it to be read if you
regularly need an oxygen tank, as the passages will take
your breath away. This reader found herself looking around
behind her back, and re-reading the fine print in all of
the contracts she has ever signed!
The writing here is descriptive and gives a clear picture
of every detail of what is going on at all times. The story
never lags, being drawn together in a tightly woven web of
horrific reality used to survey the battle line of God and
His enemy. This book has enough fear in it to shake up even
the most hardened of hearts. Let’s hope it will help
scare the hell out of it’s readers; or rather,
let’s hope it will help scare it’s readers
right out of hell!
This book is an excellent read, with characters you can
care about. This writer is one new fan of the Soul
Redeemer, waiting impatiently the next release of the
series!"
Review
from Evo, Radio Talk Show Host, Dragon Page
Radio
"William is a d*mn fine writer. If you can handle the
light-but-still-there preachy tone of select
passages,you'll enjoy this tale of escape clauses for
Faustian deals-- and saving the end of the world."
Review
from Roger W. Kramer, author of The Battle for
Ka'an
"You will fall in love with William's descriptive writing
in the Soul Redeemer Series. Tall Man in a Hat is an
excellent book that will keep you entertained as well as
make you think a little bit about your lot in life. Maybe
we do not have it as bad as we think we do, and with some
of the choices we make, there is definitely hell to pay."
==========================================
The
Muse on Writing
The following review was contributed by: NORM
GOLDMAN: Editor of Bookpleasures.
"The Muse on Writing was published, as Editor Lea Schizas
declares in the introduction, “to unravel some
writing aspects in a way not presented in other writing
books.” To accomplish this feat she has amassed
nineteen excellent writers and authors, each of whom have
combined their knowledge pertaining to important topics as
the writer’s voice, conflict, plotting, dialogue,
characterization, inspirational writing, writer’s
block, and editing. In addition, there are chapters
covering topics that are generally not found in books of a
similar nature, such as psychological diagnoses that
writers may find useful, helping kids to become writers,
screenwriting, writing for digital games, and flash
fiction.
You are probably wondering, as I did, what is flash
fiction? Mike Kechula, who has written twenty-nine
nonfiction books, recently switched to this genre and he
has won first prize in four flash fiction contests. His
contribution pertaining to this new literary form is an
eye-opener, and if you are interested in trying your hand
at flash fiction, this chapter will be of immense help. The
chapter divides itself into six sections: discovering flash
fiction, getting started, meeting reader expectations,
hitting the mark, finding story ideas, twelve tips for
developing genre flash fiction. The result is an
extraordinary collection of useful tips providing newcomers
as well as seasoned writers with a veritable goldmine
pertaining to flash fiction.
Another excellent chapter and one that is not very often
included in books on the craft of writing is Robert A.
Redmond’s contribution that offers insights into
teaching students how to write. Redmond has conducted
workshops for teachers, and he passes along his knowledge
pertaining to such topics as developing a community of
writers, workshops, lessons, ways to gather ideas, giving
feedback to writers, and other vital elements of writing.
Conveniently divided the diversity of topics covered in The
Muse On Writing is written in a highly readable style that
presents tours of specific areas of the writing process.
Moreover, the book is admirable in its scope as it manages
to pack in a wealth of information in a stimulating and
focused manner that will aid you in honing your skills.
This book has truly something for everyone-even a chapter
with author interviews conducted by Lea Schizas that are
quite fascinating to read! "
===========================================
Aleatory
Junction
The following review is
contributed by: Amanda Kilgore: Reviewer for Eternal Night
and Huntress
Even if you are not a fan of the Twilight Zone, you have
probably heard of it. Imagine that instead of being a place
that scares people, it is a place where people are given
hope and healing as well as lessons vital to changing their
existence into life, rather than just being this side of
the grave. That is what Aleatory Junction is. To all
outward appearances, it is nothing more than a small town,
a stop on the way to Salem. However, three people, Elena
Aleatory, her several times over great-aunt's spirit and
the aunt's father, tend to the Junction, meeting those
people who need its magic. It is a varied group that passes
through; a man facing blindness, others with wounds that
are only visible on their souls, and others facing choices.
Grief, repressed memories, bitterness, and misplaced anger
are no match for Aleatorys. If you have ever been hurt in
any way, if you have lost someone, if you have been angry
and unable to forgive, then you will enjoy this book. Even
if you don't normally like fantasy, this is a profoundly
moving collection with lessons for us all.
Carpathian
Shadows
The following review is
contributed by: Booksforabuck.com 2007
In Romania, in the heart of the Carpatian Mountains, lies a
huge castle. Once, the castle belonged to a powerful noble
family--and memories of their deeds and hatred for the
church linger on. Some say the castle is haunted. Others
doubt any sort of haunt, but the castle has been unlucky
for centuries. When a group of Americans receive
invitations to visit the castle on a day trip, though, it
seems like simply a fun adventure. Until, that is, some of
those legends of the past begin to take on a very real, if
sometimes incomplete, life.
Authors William Koonce, Eric Keith, Marcia Berneger, and
Charles Mossop (under the direction of editor Lea Schizas)
combine to deliver the story of the fateful visit to the
castle of the one-time ruler, Lord Erdley. Each tells a
different part of the story, from the viewpoints of various
individuals on the tour, and each sheds a different light
onto the fateful events that created those legends--and
that continue to linger to affect the present day.
In 'Arminius' William Koonce tells of an assassin tasked to
make a kill while in Romania. The castle of Lord Erdley
seems like the perfect spot--secluded, and in a country
that most of the world ignores. But plenty of pitfalls
await both the assassin and his intended victim.
In 'The Mark,' Eric Keith tells of the frightful mark that
the original Lord Erdely carries--and of a forgotten use of
the castle in the relatively recent past--as a mental
hospital. How could the ancient curse have changed mental
patients, and what does this mean to the visitors?
In 'A Mother's Love,' Marcia Berneger shows us a mother and
daugher on vacation as the mother attempts to deal with an
inheritance back in Romania. At first, the castle seems a
pleasant diversion, a chance to defuse the ongoing conflict
between mother and teenage daughter. But when teen Samantha
becomes fascinated by the castle, her mother fears that
something dangerous might be happening.
In 'Lord Erdely's Curse' by Charles Mossop, the tragic
events of centuries earlier seem doomed to play themselves
out again--to the destruction of several of the castle's
visitors. When storms cuts communications with the rest of
the world, the howl of a wolf can be frightening indeed.
The four authors combine to sustain a strong mood of
danger, adventure, and unknown possibilities. Editor Lea
Schizas ensures both quality writing and a compelling world
where magic touches ordinary people, and where nothing is
quite what it seems. Fans of contemporary fantasy will
definitely want to grab this one.
Four Stars