Coffee Break Companion

by S.L. Grigg

Grab that cup of coffee (or tea if you prefer), maybe add a splash of something stronger, settle down and enjoy your break with this gripping collection of flash fiction and poetry that will send shivers down your spine. With an added bonus of a longer story at the end that will fill your lunch break. What are you waiting for? Dive in!
Everything from a discovery in an Ice Cavern, to a tornado. Mermaids, and Dragons. Mystery and Horror. This collection of flash fiction and poetry has something to capture anyone’s imagination, with a final chilling thriller that will leave you gasping for air.

136 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2018

About the author

Sharon Grigg, who writes under the pen name S.L Grigg, made it her new year's resolution to publish her book 'Coffee Break Companion' during 2018. After bouncing back from mental health problems (BPD), following the death of her husband from a brain tumour in 2009, Sharon was struck down with kidney and other health problems, believed to be linked to having the Essure sterilisation device she had implanted back in 2008. In September 2017 she underwent major surgery to have a non-functioning hydronephrotic kidney removed at the same time as a full hysterectomy to remove the essure device.
Just two months after setting her goal Sharon launched the collection of dark, short stories and poetry on Amazon. Many of the stories were written during Sharon’s battle with mental health.
41-year-old mother of two, Sharon says “For me publishing was never about, money or fame. I just wanted to be able to hold a copy of my book and say, ‘I wrote this’ and now I can.”
Coffee Break Companion is ideal for dipping into whilst on your lunch break.
Blurb - Grab that cup of coffee (or tea if you prefer), maybe add a splash of something stronger, settle down and enjoy your break with this gripping collection of flash fiction and poetry that will send shivers down your spine. With an added bonus of a longer story at the end that will fill your lunch break. What are you waiting for? Dive in! Everything from a discovery in an Ice Cavern, to a tornado. Mermaids, and Dragons. Mystery and Horror. This collection of flash fiction and poetry has something to capture anyone’s imagination, with a final chilling thriller that will leave you gasping for air.
Includes scenes some readers may find disturbing.
Available on Amazon.co.uk in Paperback (£3.99) and Kindle (£1.99) versions http://amzn.eu/75GROFI

Reviews

[Brenda Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely grab a cup of coffee and get settled in. S.L. Grigg takes you through a world wind of emotions with these shorts stories. Some are dark, some made me cry, and some left me feeling that there’s still hope in humanity. I related to some of the poems especially Belonging. In Lost I realized that there are still people out there willing to help others when needed. Under the Sea was another of my favorites, a sad but beautiful short love story. Jessica’s story had me filled with fear and adrenaline. Last but not least, without giving anything away, I definitely want that same kind of lizard in the short story Lizard. Definitely worth a read. I’ll definitely will be rereading it.

[Zuzzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book for when you can only steal for yourself few minutes and want to get the most of it. Collection of short stories so powerful and thought provoking alternated with short poems that only play on your feelings more. Loved it and can definitely recommend.

[Em Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as you think a story is heading in a certain direction, the world flips upside down. S L Grigg doesn't work in the realm of expectations, and will leave you turning page after page.
Story after story broke my heart, and brought me to the brink of tears, while others set my soul on fire. Sally in particular (you'll know when you get there) is my new inspiration with how driven she is when she needs to be.
Will reread, but will take my time the second time round, to really savour and appreciate each of the forty chapters.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not easy to create credible, interesting characters in a short story, but Sharon Griggs does just that - not once, but over and over again in each story in her book. Be warned, though, and don't get too attached to the characters - she also has a knack of turning an ordinary, run-of-the-mill situation into terror-filled moments with a twist you won't see coming.
Right from the start, I understood these stories would be something special, and the author didn't disappoint. Some are long, some are short, and throughout, the book is interspersed with some wonderful poems that will touch your heart.
A lovely read that I highly recommend.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coffee Break Companion consists of 40 flash fiction stories and poems. I really enjoyed this book of short stories, you can dip in and out of it so easy, which made it an easy read. My favorite chapter of the book was Hide and Seek.
There are lots of different subjects covered in this book, some a little dark and some refreshing, but all very well written.

I would highly recommend this book!

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains a mix of short stories and poems with a variety of topics from self harm, abuse, fantasy and thriller. A first for me reading a book in this style. I was left in some stories wanting to know what would happen next. A good range of topics covered that really make you think, I was surprised at parts as to the realism of subjects covered however found the writing to be excellent and well representative.
I would read again! Apt title, I liked that you could literally read one or a few stories with a cup of coffee.

[Janet Gogerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this collection on my Kindle and one disadvantage of Kindles is you don't have the book lying on your coffee table showing off its cover. Coming back to Amazon to review this book I remembered how I loved the imaginative cover which does justice to the contents. I was really taken wih the stories and poems. I love writing short stories that are often dark so I appreciated the author's style. Here are tales gruesome and scary, but also poignant poems. The book ends with a longer story that held me in suspense all the way through...

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honesty I enjoyed to read it while my son slept or in the mornings while I drank my coffee. It's a nice light read although I would only recommend it for those who enjoy a little scare. I can't wait to read more from this author

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good selection of short stories and poems.
A variety of different themes. Some lighthearted and others a little more intense.
A good book to carry with you for those stolen few minutes that need to be filled with some reading and a cup of tea/ coffee/ glass of wine.

[Ocean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read with a wide variety of short stories and poems. Some of the stories are written so well that it felt like I was in the characters' head, and at times I felt like I was reading a diary. I loved the poems most of all, but there is something for everyone in this collection.

[Kayleigh Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wonderful collection of well thought out and written short stories and poems that evoke a lot of feelings sometimes that are dark but also touching. I particularly enjoyed Ice Cavern and Alter Ego. I found myself relating very much to the words and feelings portrayed. A lovely book.

[Jo Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of short stories, you can dip in and out of it so easy, which made it an easy read.

There are lots of different subjects coved in this book, some a little dark and some refreshing, but all very well written.

I would highly recommend this book!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly, trigger warnings for just about everything you can think of. I wasn't expecting that for something with such a warm and inviting title and cover (at first glance). Many of the prose pieces weren't fantastically written. Most had no purpose. There were a few interesting pieces in this flash fiction compilation, but the majority were boring or Too Much to read.