Blog Tour Feature: H.A. Leuschel’s Manipulated Lives, plus giveaway!

Hi, readers!  We have a real treat in store for you today, a spotlight on a book by H.A. Leuschel, a talented author! 

H.A., an author I met on my journey, has a blog tour running right now.

 

https://books2read.com/u/brG62E

 

Let's check out the details, shall we?

 


 

Manipulated Lives:

https://books2read.com/u/brG62E

 

 

Five fictional, compelling true-to-life stories about how people can be manipulated by others.

Manipulators are everywhere. At first these devious and calculating people can be hard to spot, because that is their way. They are often masters of disguise: witty, disarming, even charming in public – tricks to snare their prey – but then they revert to their true self of being controlling and angry in private. Their main aim: to dominate and use others to satisfy their needs, with a complete lack of compassion and empathy for their victim.

In this collection of short novellas, you meet people like you and me, intent on living happy lives, yet each of them, in one way or another, is caught up and damaged by a manipulative individual.

First you meet Tess, whose past is haunted by a wrong decision, then young, successful and well balanced Sophie, who is drawn into the life of a little boy and his troubled father. Next, there is teenage Holly, who is intent on making a better life for herself, followed by a manipulator himself, trying to make sense of his irreversible incarceration. Lastly, there is Lisa, who has to face a parent’s biggest regret. All stories highlight to what extent abusive manipulation can distort lives and threaten our very feeling of self-worth.


 

Genre:  Psychological Fiction Collection

 

Purchase Links:

 

Universal Reader link:  https://books2read.com/u/brG62E

 

 

Nice cover! Congratulations on your blog tour!

 

So, what are readers saying about this book?



"Realistic, heart-breaking and utterly gripping!" - Bookneeders

 


"A brilliant and important book ... I could barely put it down." - Nerdish Mum Book Blog

 


"You NEED to read this. Your family needs to read this, your friends need to read this, your children …NEED to read this." - JenacideByBibliophile

 


 

Here is an excerpt from Manipulated Lives.



 

“Are you playing hard to get then?” He was right there, slumped in one of the chairs in the far corner of the café, watching her walk through the door. The accusation was written all over his face and she instantly felt guilty. She had not been able to see him through the café window but, rather than completely give up on the possibility that he had turned up, she decided to enter and give the place a quick scan.
He added one of his irresistible winks to his reproach and lifted his hand to indicate the empty chair next to him. His legs were confidently spread open and for a brief moment she thought that he looked like a younger version of Theo James. He had the same brown eyes and full lips, thick blond hair that seemed to style easily and a lean body which looked good in any clothes. Added to his appearance, he knew how to disarm a girl with an assertive, deep gaze and a smile that conveyed cocky self-confidence.
Her knees felt like jelly and her heart was racing so fast now that it felt as if it was on the brink of bursting through her chest. She grabbed the handle of her bag to settle her shaking hand. She wondered what her friends would have to say about all of this. She had never exchanged a single hello with this guy ever since he joined the school last year, yet a brief chat in the morning had now meant they were looking into each other’s eyes as if they’d always wanted to be together. This was what falling in love at first sight must feel like, she thought. The only thing was though, she told herself in an attempt to sober her excitement, that this was not first sight. Next, she felt his hand reach out to hers, patting it gently. It made her feel like an inexperienced little girl, which she knew she was.
Don’t spoil this Holly, pull yourself together, a voice muttered in her head.
“What would you like to drink?”
Holly sat down on the empty seat he had kept for her, placing her bag at her feet and shrugged her shoulders, suggesting a 7-Up.
He returned to the table with a glass and a can and she was amazed about how confident he was at starting a conversation, talking about himself and how soon they were engaged in general chitchat. It was when her mobile beeped with a new message that she realized the time and that her mum would wonder where she was. It was her job to look out for her two brothers until her parents arrived
home for dinner.
She gathered her bag, giggling with him now, already more at ease and relaxed.
“Sorry, I’ve got to go,” Holly said, but before she was able to get up and say good-bye, he was by her side, leaning towards her ear and whispering.
“Don’t ever make me wait again, babe.” She looked up in shock, and then sighed with relief when she saw him smiling and blowing her an air kiss and reaching his right hand to her cheek to stroke it with his index finger. “Wow, I’ve never met a girl with such perfect skin.” Her cheeks prickled just hearing his words. Compliments did seem to come easy to him but they felt wonderful, even though he was clearly quite full of himself. Don’t make me wait again, he’d said, as if he was some kind of VIP.
“Oh, and best not tell anyone we’re seeing each other. They’ll just make fun of us. OK? See you tomorrow.” She nodded and before she could say anything else, he winked one more time and was out of the door.
She was almost out on the pavement herself when she heard a gruff voice coming from the counter.
“Oi, you’ve not paid for your drink, young lady.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought my friend paid for me.” She ruffled through her bag and fished out a few coins, handing them over the counter to the lady’s outstretched palm.
“A right friend that is then, eh?”
“Ah, he must have forgotten. He was in a real rush. I’m really sorry.”
Her cheeks were crimson, this time with embarrassment.
“That’s alright, pet. You watch who you go out with.” The lady shook her head slightly and her forehead was still set in a frown as Holly left.
She was fuming with anger. How could he have forgotten to pay? He seemed to have made it so clear that he’d invited her for a drink. Or had he? Maybe she had been assuming too much. He was just a student too, and it had been their first date.
 

 

Sounds intriguing!

Readers, you'll have to check out this book! Also, you can add it to your Goodreads shelf!

 

 

Enter for a chance to win an amazing signed paperback copy and access to exclusive content. One winner will be randomly selected through Rafflecopter. Click the tour link below to enter. 
 


Blog Tour Link

 

 

Awesome! Thanks so much, H.A.!


 


Let's also give kudos to H.A.'s sponsor:


 


http://www.silverdaggertours.com/

 


Grab a copy of this book! And don't forget to participate in the wonderful giveaway!

 

Thank you, H.A., for letting us know all about your psychological fiction collection! It sounds great! :)

 

https://books2read.com/u/brG62E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helene Andrea Leuschel gained a B.A. in Journalism & Communication, which led to a career in radio and television in Brussels, London and Edinburgh. She later acquired a Masters in Philosophy, specializing in the study of the mind. 

Helene has a particular interest in emotional, psychological and social well-being and this led her to write her first novel, Manipulated Lives, a fictional collection of five novellas, each highlighting the dangers of interacting with narcissists.

She lives with her husband and two children in Portugal.
 

 

Author Links:


Website/Blog:  http://www.heleneleuschel.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HALeuschel

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/HALeuschel

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/H.A.-Leuschel/e/B01GU5PZ9Y

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15337013.H_A_Leuschel

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/114755395900997968678


 

H.A.'s Books:

 

https://books2read.com/u/brG62E

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077SJ657G/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071LTBH7N/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

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