THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL - Joylynn M. Jossel
St. Martin's/Griffin
June 2004
SYNOPSIS: Previously a self-published bestseller, "The Root of All Evil" is a sexy, dramatic novel about 34-year-old Klarke Taylor who has two children, a pile of bills, and creditors who won't leave her alone. And she's had just about enough. So Klarke and her confidants, Breezy and Jeva, resort to devising a shady plan to snag her a man who will make all her monetary dreams come true.
MAINSTREAM FICTION: (4) Tricia-Ann Blades
REVIEW: Oftentimes we are told that the love of money is the root of all evil. Joslynn Jossel has challenged this concept, forcing the reader to recognize that the root of all evil can be found in the heart of a man. The Holy Bible states: “the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?” The Root of all evil, therefore, can be found in deceit, greed, rebellion and rejection. It is how we deal with each root as individuals that matters most.
THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL is a story of three women; each life has at its root a seed of evil and it is from this seed that the tree of each life grows. As this tree grows that which waters the tree determines the fruit that is produced within the lives of these women. Each woman deals with her root differently; in one case, deceit; another, revenge; and in an unexpected twist, acceptance.
The main plot of THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL revolves around the character Klarke Taylor. Beautiful and spoilt, she is seen as a “tailored queen” who unfortunately has lost her throne. She vows “never again will I allow a man to control my destiny” and therefore carefully plans to snare a man who can once again place her back on the throne. The seed planted is buried deep in the soil of deceit and is watered with words of innocence, mystery and intrigue. Success is guaranteed but Ms. Jossel inserts a twist when love and self sacrifice steps in, removing Klarke from her newly established throne to bars of iron that will never be broken.
The story's two other main characters, Breezy and Jeva form the sub-plot of the novel. Similarly, they have planted their lives with a bitter root -deceit in Breezy and rejection in Jeva. These seeds mold each woman into who she becomes.
Breezy’s character is similar to that of Klarke. She is determinated never to allow a man to control any part of her destiny. Ironically, when one examines the plot surrounding Breezy, one recognizes that a man does control her destiny and all that she tries to accomplish is to assuage the guilt and grief relating to the man who controls. Ms. Jossel hides this character well behind the curtain of promiscuity and a tough exterior. This curtain, however, comes down when “revenge becomes the dish best served cold.”
Jeva’s character differs widely from that of Klarke and Breezy. The seed of rejection operating in her life are not planted by her but rather by her parents. This rejection creates a hunger in her to be accepted and as a result she settles for love and acceptance from the wrong person. Jeva’s journey moves from the wilderness of rejection, slowly towards the land of opportunity and self acceptance.
This novel outlines the importance of having a support network in your life; especially, the need for someone to hold your hand. It also teaches, however, that some things must remain hidden from those close to us in order to protect those we love unconditionally.
With THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL, Ms. Jossel takes the readers on an intense emotional roller coaster ride. There were moments of laughter, moments of grief, and moments when I wanted to fight for or with the characters. Then there were those moments when I became so engrossed in each character’s story that I couldn’t put the book down.
THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL is a thought provoking debut from a talented author.
tricia@romanceincolor.com (4th June 2004)