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Wish You Were Here Badfinger "A Rock Fantasy" Paperback – May 31, 2018

by Mrs Joyce S Isaacson (Author), Dennis De Rose (Editor)

4.2 28 ratings

WISH YOU WERE HERE, Badfinger “A Rock Fantasy” is a quirky novel that crosses the love between brothers with the pop-paranormal, set to a killer soundtrack. Badfinger’s Tommy Evans, after years of depression following the death of a beloved band mate, slips into heaven by the skin of his teeth. Guided by an angel, Gabriel, he sets out on a Dantean voyage through the strata of the afterlife to reunite with his lost lead singer, Pete Ham. Along the way, Tommy encounters a repertoire of other famous faces—chafing against, laughing with, and learning from each in the fierce quest for his best friend’s soul.

WISH YOU WERE HERE, Badfinger “A Rock Fantasy” is a novel about after-death adventure, rules, and posthumous love. It features the overtly fictionalized spirits of real-world artists, performers, and thinkers to explore questions about legacy—but not always to answer them. And to say “blimey” from time-to-time. Will Tommy find Pete or peace at last?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Midwest Book ReviewCritique: Edited by Dennis De Rose, Wish You Were Here Badfinger: A Rock Fantasy" is a quirky story by Joyce S. Isaacson is a unique, original, and deftly crafted metaphysical novel that showcases the author's genuine flair for character and narrative-driven entertainment that is simply riveting from first page to last. While very highly recommended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that Wish You Were Here Badfinger "A Rock Fantasy" is also available in an inexpensive digital book format (Kindle, $0.99).

"A very thought-provoking book" -After Hours with Rick Kogan on WGNRadio.
Joyce, I'm not the kind of guy that would pick up a book called a rock fantasy nor am I a Badfinger fan. I picked it up because you are an old pal. I quite enjoyed it. Joyce has turned into some writer. I have to tell you I was charmed. It is a very thought-provoking book. I think Badfinger is an underrated band. You told me the Beatles endorsed them and signed them to Apple; that is quite an accomplishment. You are obviously a huge fan of Badfinger. Correct me if I'm wrong, the gist of the book is that Tommy Evans is in heaven and desperately trying to find his pal, Pete Ham. The voyage intrigued me since it is filled with all sorts of people like musicians I actually knew. I also think the book is provocative; it's a journey of self-discovery for Tommy and it is peppered with other characters that you come to know, very famous characters I might add, like Cass Elliot and Peter Sellers. I was so fascinated by you becoming a writer of fiction. God bless you, Joyce Isaacson, and write on! Keep me posted about your career. Thank you for writing the book.

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Wish You Were Here, Badfinger: A Rock Fantasy is a whimsical speculative novel by author Joyce Isaacson. Set predominantly in the afterlife, our central character is the ne'er-do-well Tommy Evans, who has recently passed on to the Pearly Gates. Tommy's band, the epic Badfinger, lost one of its members too early, and Tommy was haunted by depression for years before he moved on into the afterlife. Now Tommy, genuinely surprised, finds himself in Heaven with the chance to reunite with Pete Ham, his lost lead singer, but the journey's not as easy as it seems. Tommy must travel through the strata of the afterlife, encountering a veritable feast of rock royalty along the way, to find the solace that he couldn't when he was alive on Earth.

Although Wish You Were Here, Badfinger: A Rock Fantasy is titled as a fantasy genre novel, I found it far more speculative in nature, and it's certainly a heartfelt drama about self-discovery and the bonds we have with others. I enjoyed the unusual premise and the allusions to Dante's journey, and whilst the cameos from real-life rock stars of a bygone time were fun, they did sometimes make the plot a little woolly. That being said, author Joyce Isaacson writes with simplistic beauty that lifts her characters off the page, and Tommy is a really relatable hero with a great deal of soul and emotion poured in. If you're looking for a redeeming, positive drama with lots of quirky fun, give Wish You Were Here, Badfinger a read.

Reviewed by Michael W Hall of Night Dreams Radio Show."WISH YOU WERE HERE, BADFINGER"

Joyce Isaacson is not only a great novelist, she has single-handedly created a new genre of prose; combining the best of today's most popular obsessions, 'Rock and Roll' and 'The Paranormal.' Perhaps her fascinating work will spawn a new type of 'Paranormal-Rock' music as well. "Wish You Were Here, Badfinger" is a rollicking romp through 'The Here-After,' following the antics of Tommy Evans, a deceased member of the legendary 'British Invasion' rock-band, "BADFINGER," on an after-life quest to find his previously deceased band-mate, Pete Ham, in Heaven. Along the way, Tommy is helped on his after-life quest by an 'A-List' of other deceased and famous 'Rock Stars,' from Janis Joplin to Elvis! Isaacson's 'Rock Fantasy,' "Wish You Were Here, Badfinger," is a must-read for the 78-Million nostalgic 'Baby-Boomers' out there, or anyone else wanting to experience the glory days of Rock & Roll, on both this and the other side of 'The Veil.'

Jason Bland
Host Of Paranormal Soup

Wish You Were Here, Badfinger A Rock Fantasy takes a deep look at what awaits us when we die and why I love this book so much! I it found fascinating as you journey with Tommy he discovers the ins and out of Heaven while he looks for his friend Pete, and learn there are levels and rules to Heaven. The celebrity cameos where some of my favorite parts of the story! Everyone has to admit we all wonder what some of our favorite entertainers who have passed are doing on the other side! If you love exploring the possibilities of the hereafter then I couldn't recommend a better book than this one!

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ greatbooksgreatprice; 1st edition (May 31, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0999807900
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0999807903
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.8 x 10 inches

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4.2 28 ratings

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Joyce Isaacson

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Joyce Isaacson has been happily married for 30 years; she has one son and her baby, Taylor, a cat. She loves to make new recipes, write in her blog (over 1000 members are eagerly awaiting the publication of Wish You Were Here) and she enjoys talking to other writers. Working for the Chicago Tribune Editorial Department for ten years, she gained invaluable skills, primarily in Art and Journalism. In grade school, she won a poetry contest. The writing bug bit her and she has never stopped doing what she loves. In high school, Joyce formatted her school newspaper and interviewed local rock stars. Her love of fantasy and the paranormal, coupled with her fascination with Rock and Roll, compelled her to write Wish You Were Here: A Rock Fantasy, a book inspired by the group Badfinger. How was she inspired to write the book?

In 2013, her husband had a little internet radio station and asked her to find some CDs for him. She came across The Best of Badfinger, and she listened to Rock of All Ages. It sounded like a Beatles’ song and she loved it. She read the liner notes and found out a little about the band. Her husband was familiar with a Badfinger group on Facebook so she joined it. She found out everybody was hurting.

Badfinger’s manager had stolen their money, consequently, two members killed themselves, one in 1975 and the other in 1983. She wrote to the group that Tommy was looking down at them from Heaven and that they would always be in his heart. She received positive feedback. She decided to write a blurb about Tommy and Pete on that site. She got a lot of positive feedback. From that, she created her own Badfinger page and began writing segments of a story about Tommy and Pete in Heaven. That has since morphed into Wish You Were Here, Badfinger “A Rock Fantasy”.

Now she loves their music so much and she has close to 1090 members on her FB blog. Many of her members encouraged her to publish the story. She sat on the idea for about a year and finally decided to create a readable story for them to hold in their hands. She knew she needed a lot of help so she hired a fantastic editor, Dennis De Rose. She is dedicated to keeping their memories alive. This is her second novel.

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WILLIAM THURSTON

A BADFINGER FAN MUST READ

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2018

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I fell in love with Badfinger the first time I heard Baby Blue on my GE transistor radio. I think I was about 13. Being a huge Beatles fan, and reeling from their break up, Badfinger hit a sweet spot in my music world at the right time. I first learned of Joyce Issacson's book when she had posted about her progress on her book on her Facebook page. I was so excited that someone was taking the time and interest to write something about the band I love. As soon as the book was available, I purchased it and eagerly waited for it to arrive. As i began to read it, I have to admit I could not put the book down. As each chapter would end I could not wait to see what the next chapter had in store. Although the book is not so much about Badfinger the band, it is a great look at the love between two band mates and a great quest of one to find the other. Another wonderful aspect of the book is Joyce's unique interpretation of heaven and how it is organized in specific levels and rules. Very creative. I would recommend the book to any Badfinger fan craving more about our beloved lads. It would also appeal to anyone looking for a great adventure of a talented man with an intense goal of finding one person that he loved, respected, and needs to connect with once again.

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Ann Free

An enjoyable and magical journey

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2020

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I purchased this book, "Wish You Were Here Badfinger 'A Rock Fantasy' (Volume 1)", for myself. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Author Joyce Isaacson takes the reader on a magical journey that transports you to a space and time that combines past, present and future with this world and the after life. With awesome music visiting your memory all along. While enjoying Tommy telling you his story of searching for his band mate Pete, you feel you are a part of that story, experiencing the adventures yourself. It feels like you are meeting, as the book says, the old and new friends appearing along the story's path. I recommend this book for anyone who loves Badfinger, music, pop culture or spiritual fiction. Or anyone else who would like to escape to a heavenly adventure for a little while.

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RICH MORRIS

Badfinger - Tom Evans

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2019

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For fans of Badfinger, nice story about Tom Evans in the afterlife looking for Pete Ham. Well written.

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Amazon Customer

Must read from an indie author!

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2019

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What a wonderful book about Tom and Pete in the afterlife.... Badfinger became my favorite group after the Beatles broke up. Pete and Tom were great friends from what I've read. These two from Wales were part of a tragic story that pitted their love of music against the cruelty that is the music industry... Joyce's Isaacson weaves a wonderful what if tale, in this must get book!

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2038

Enjoying (easy) reading

Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2019

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The imaginary odyssey of Tom Evans through the Heaven should be pretty exciting for any classic-rock fan. Just by the end it gets a bit disappointing when it becomes clear that it is supposed "to be continued" and nothing surprising is gonna happen. Nevertheless, a very entertaining book.

One person found this helpful

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Katie

An unexpected favorite!

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2019

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I first heard about the book on a beatles message board. The subject really caught my eye.I absolutely loved it. I bought and read the entire book the same day. I am dying to read the sequel!

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glenn murray

you read ? GO FOR IT !

Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2019

LOVE REAL !

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2018

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A lot of fun to read. Great character interplay. It makes you really wonder what if? If you love Badfinger and some of the great long gone musicians. You should love this book. You never know who will show up next!

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Top reviews from other countries

Dennis Cardiff

Rock and Roll Heaven

Reviewed in Canada on December 23, 2018

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This is a charming fantasy of what rock musicians may find in heaven. Follow Tom Evans of Badfinger as he searches for his departed bandmate Pete Ham. Along the way he meets Janis Joplin, Cass Elliot, John Bonham, Harry Chapin, Marc Bolan and others. They jam and play concerts together while figuring out the intricacies of their new heavenly environment. For me this was a nostalgic reconnection, a sentimental journey with my favorite songs and musicians. As Neil Young would say, Rock and Roll Will Never Die.

Steve Cook

So disappointed!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 24, 2019

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I really wanted to like this book being a big Badfinger fan. However, I think the idea is fascinating but the execution left a lot to be desired. I felt the chapters were poorly written and relied on the novelty of the famous deceased person to make it seem more interesting than it actually was. I felt I was re reading things that had been written earlier in the book as it was that mundane in parts. A real shame but I wont be buying volume 2 as I couldn't wait for this one to end.

Neil Abbott

Badfinger fan

Reviewed in Australia on August 17, 2019

Verified Purchase

Just a big Badfinger fan and this is a nice read while cruising thanks

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