Short Story Connect discussion

Perfect summer reading...

Light Bites



Kindle: £1.26 / $1.63
Paperback: £4.50 / $8.00

Take a pinch of humour, a touch of light-heartedness and a drop of whimsy and you have the perfect recipe to be savoured any time, anywhere.
Light Bites - a collection of satisfying and uplifting tales.


REVIEW QUOTES:
'The author writes so well, in such a 'real' way that I found myself immersed in each tale.'

'Her characters are easy to relate to and there is lots of humour that keeps you entertained.'

'I thoroughly enjoyed every story and would definitely recommend it.'

'There is certainly something for everyone here.'

'A very good read.'

'Utterly delicious'

'Dahl-esque delight - ridiculously funny, yet intelligent. Weird and wonderful characters - a chocolate box of surprises.'

'When you read a collection of short stories and come away thinking "I wish each of those was a book in its own right" then you know the writing is good. Ms Laycock makes the absurd seem real. In one of the stories, Harry Potter could have waltzed straight in. Written with a light touch and a dry sense of humour. I loved it.'

'If you like your stories short, wickedly funny, more than a little twisted and unexpectedly sentimental in places - then this is definitely for you.'

'Perfect length for a work break or with coffee and biscuits, care needed to not laugh out loud or choke!'

'The true-life tale of Yiscah (formerly Jeffrey) Smith may serve as the inspiration for UK author Helen Laycock's knock-about comedy, 'Occupational Therapy', a tale from her short story collection, 'Light Bites', in which fairy Lily Blue becomes a goblin and lives happily ever after.'

'This mirthful collection of a dozen cheery tales makes clear that she revels in her present work and causes me to wonder how much her school students must miss her -- even now.'

'I would recommend this collection to anyone who is looking for some "Light Bites" to entertain them.'

''Very enjoyable read. There are twelve well written and intriguing stories that all will enjoy. Even a cute one about fairies. Each one will take you on a different ride. Read and enjoy.'

'I can't really do the writer justice, all I can say is how much I enjoyed reading these stories and how good the stories are.'

'I read the first story in this collection and had to carry on and read the next.They are just so interesting, whimsical, different to anything I've read and I really enjoyed reading them.'

'Great mixture of stories. Wonderful book for dipping into. Title is really appropriate. Liked this a lot.'

'Light Bites is the third of Helen Laycock's Books I've read, and the lightest in terms of subject and humour. Despite the fact I find most 'humour' books not to be so, there are some gems in these pages'

Do you like stories with a darker edge?

Peace and Disquiet [Kindle:£1.99 Paperback £4.50]

and

Minor Discord [Kindle: £2.27 Paperback: £5.50]

have resonated with readers who like to be disturbed, chilled to the bone, and, of course, entertained with a little black humour.



You can find out more about my short stories and flash fiction here:
http://helenlaycock.wixsite.com/ficti...

Peace and Disquiet

A collection of twelve slightly disturbing tales which encompass mortality, mentality, brutality - and reality.

Sleep tight…

A few review quotes:

'the work of an accomplished writer, one with true knowledge of the craft'

'an outstanding collection of short stories'

'I was left open mouthed at the sinister realism and very brave and powerful writing'

'two of the very best stories of this kind I have ever read'

'I almost felt as if the words themselves were drawing me in and binding me to each and every syllable'

'Helen Laycock writes with a deep understanding of her characters'

'intriguing and is crafted with figurative, poetic language which flows beautifully'

'each one is a masterpiece that could only have been created by the master story teller that she undoubtedly is'

'Great short stories that send you through a host of emotions'

'Each story is unique and well crafted'

'a great collection of short stories that are well written and enjoyable'

'The author has a wonderful clear-as-a-bell, way of writing with good finality to each story.'

'Well worth the price'

'I found it very difficult to choose a favourite story amongst this collection.'

'I was held captive until the end'

'...stick in my mind long after reading them'

'she can certainly send shivers up the spine!'

'this author writes in such a way that you can't help but turn the page'

'Peace and Disquiet is a collection of short stories which are certainly of the more creepy and disquieting side rather than peaceful. All the stories feature death and/or demise of a curious nature often with a little twist or a feeling of all is not what it first seems. The intriguing and deadly overtones remind me very much of the televised 1970's series Tales of The Unexpected.'

'My Name is Not Simon was one of the most beautifully and poetic written stories. The descriptions and language used is bewitching and memorable. It moved me very much and left me guessing right to the end what and who it was about.'

'A very well written and well chosen selection of short unsettling stories - much recommended.'

'PEACE & DISQUIET is an impressive collection of short stories by gifted writer Helen Laycock. In many ways it's a tour de force of writing styles, genres, and points of view. Every story delivers both in terms of execution, story, and voice, with quite a bit of surprise and unpredictability.'

'I realised as soon as I started the first story that I wasn't going to put the book down until I'd finished it. And then I just had to read another, and another. Helen Laycock has a gift for drawing the reader into the lives of her characters. Shocks, sadnesses, heartfelt sympathy - and some relief - thank goodness I was reading fiction.'

https://helenlaycock.wixsite.com/fict...

Minor Discord

Dare to visit the dark places at the edges of the map, places where you will feel unsettled, and from where characters will follow you, whether you want them to, or not. This collection of stories and flash fiction will take you into the shadows. Don’t get left behind...

A few review quotes:

'This book was a page turner for me, and kept me reading for longer than intended into the dark hours'

'... quirky, eerie tales that collude with the darker side of story telling.'

'I have purposefully declined from using the word...twisted, though on the, QT, I think it should be in there somewhere.'

'Helen Laycock's creative talent shines through...; her skills and creativity are to be admired.'

'...there were times when... I had to pause and re-read simply for the enjoyment of the imagery they conjured (e.g. White Light).'

'I cannot say which was my favourite - there were too many!'

'This book perfectly illustrates my contention that the short story is an art form, and a much-underappreciated one at that.'

' Laycock's use of vivid imagery makes the stories an immersive read, and she manages to say a lot with very few words--a truly remarkable accomplishment.'

'Laycock provides a wide variety that will satisfy anyone who loves short stories. Most of the stories are dark, bizarre, and deliciously creepy; a few are lighter but just as captivating.'

'The overall feel of the writing here is surreal and creepy, borderline horror.'

'These are stories you read, then reconsider and read again, and again. They range from macabre to romantic to heartbreaking with a few that probably shouldn't be read at all when you're home alone at midnight with the only light staring up at you from your e-reader. Delicious.'

'...a gamut of emotion...'

'...delighted to have purchased this collection of short stories and flash fiction.'

https://helenlaycock.wixsite.com/fict...

Do you like reading flash fiction?
Here are a few of my pieces:

https://helenlaycock.wixsite.com/fict...

https://helenlaycock.wixsite.com/fict...

At £1.13, the paperback price of Peace and Disquiet is currently LOWER than the kindle edition!

A collection of twelve slightly disturbing tales which encompass mortality, mentality, brutality - and reality.
Sleep tight…



Here's the link:
https://tinyurl.com/y95mm8xh