H.A., an author I met on my journey, has a blog tour running right now.
Let's check out the details, shall we?
Manipulated Lives:
Manipulated Lives:
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.
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:
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! :)
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.
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:
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