I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man lost to his gambling addiction finds himself making the ultimate bet when his very soul is on the line in author Louis K. Lowy’s latest book, “The Second Life of Eddie Coyne”.
The Synopsis
A dying gambler takes on one final bet for the ultimate prize—a chance to save his soul.
Eddie Coyne loves playing the horses. Loves it so much it’s ruining his relationship with his wife and six-year-old son. In a last ditch effort to prove he’s not a loser in their eyes, Eddie places a seemingly impossible bet on a long shot and hits pay dirt.
But before he can cash in and make amends with his family, he’s attacked and left for dead by a greedy hoodlum looking to cash in on Eddie’s winnings. Dying, Eddie wakes up in the presence of the Jesses, a monolithic group of six whose job it is to decide who enters heaven and who enters hell. The Jesses tell Eddie he’s stuck in the middle—not good enough for heaven, not bad enough for hell. They entice him to go in on one final bet to break the dead heat.
If he triumphs, they stamp his ticket to paradise. If he loses, he spends eternity in the netherworld. The bet? Eddie must prevent someone chosen by the Jesses from taking their own life. Thinking it will be a piece of cake, Eddie agrees. He quickly learns the Jesses are more cunning than he’d imagined.
Start a New YA Series: Buy One, Get One 50% OffThe Review
This is a truly fun, unexpected and masterful jump into the fantasy world that readers will thoroughly enjoy. This adult narrative holds no punches, showing the highs and lows of a man who loves his family but took life for granted, and bet one too many times. From the moment Eddie finds himself making one final bet with a heavenly body of judges known as the Jesses, readers are taken on a whirlwind adventure through time and history as Eddie is given chance after chance to save the life of someone who has given up on life, and must show them why life is worth living.
The story is compelling and emotional throughout, giving equal glimpses of humor, wit and shocking twists that readers won’t expect. A book that delves into the concept of not only life and death, but realizing what is truly important in one’s life, readers will be impressed by how the author has balanced the fantasy elements of the story with personal character reflections between Eddie and the secondary characters.
The Verdict
This is a must read novel to be sure. One of the top fantasy books of the year that holds a sense of realism to the tone novel, the author has done a fantastic job of bringing the story of life and it’s many wonders to light in a fresh and unique way. Elements of time travel, history and action fuse intimately with the emotional pull of Eddie both as a character and an unlikely hero in this tale, making it a one of a kind read to be sure. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of “The Second Life of Eddie Coyne” by Louis K. Lowy May 28th, 2019!
Rating: 10/10
20% Off Popular Summer ReadingAbout the Author
Louis’ latest novel, the urban fantasy, THE SECOND LIFE OF EDDIE COYNE is the story of a dying gambler who takes on one final bet for the ultimate prize—a chance to save his soul. The release date is May 27, 2019. (IFWG Publishing)
TO DREAM, book one of his science fiction epic, ANATOMY OF A HUMACHINE (IFWG Publishing), was released in 2017.
Louis K. Lowy’s first published novel, DIE LAUGHING (IFWG Publishing 2011), is a humorously dark science fiction adventure set in the 1950s.
His 2015 novel, PEDAL (Rereleased in 2017 by IFWG Publishing), tells the story of a 49-yr-old music teacher who loses her job and struggles to reclaim her life through bicycle racing.
Louis’ short stories have appeared in, among others, New Plains Review, The MacGuffin Magazine, the anthology Everything is Broken, and the Chaffey Review.
A former firefighter, he is the recipient of a State of Florida Individual Artist Fellowship and an alumnus of Florida International University’s creative writing program.
His website is www.louisklowy.com. In addition to Goodreads, he is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001621851402
Author Anthony Avina's Blog 
Pingback: Best Books Of 2019 | Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Pingback: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in America by Louis K. Lowy Review | Author Anthony Avina's Blog