From me to you

[Helen]

-STOP PRESS-STOP PRESS-STOP PRESS-STOP PRESS-

~FREE BOOKS BY HELEN LAYCOCK THROUGHOUT 2016~

Here is my gift to you:

For 5 days of each month this year, I am going to offer a different book of mine free for kindle download. Look out for posts about this promotion. If you would like to return the gesture, then a review on Amazon would be wonderful. Thank you. x

JANUARY

Light Bites*

*Details below

FEBRUARY


MARCH


APRIL


MAY


JUNE


JULY


AUGUST


SEPTEMBER


OCTOBER
A Mouthful of Chuckles

NOVEMBER


DECEMBER



*JANUARY 27th – 31st*

FREE BOOK: Light Bites




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.



'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.'

[Helen]

FREE CHILDREN’S BOOK: 28th February

Glass Dreams

For readers of 8 – 12

UK: http://tinyurl.com/ztn8byr
US: http://tinyurl.com/zme6f73


#kidlit #mgfiction #childrensbooks





Runaway, Jake, has no idea what adventures are in store when he meets circus performer, Khala, hiding in a ramshackle caravan.

Should he tell her about the mysterious box he has been warned never to open?
Khala also has a secret to share, but can she trust Jake?

Fantazi’s circus is a place of danger, but with the help of Cedric the dwarf and his beloved Chihuahua, Audrey, the children unravel the truth, and are utterly astounded at the biggest secret of all.

~

Oh, and please do consider leaving a review. They are very much appreciated.
Thank you.

~

In case you’re still unsure, here are some of the fantastic reactions to Glass Dreams (some from reviews, others from a writing site):


'Glass Dreams draws you in from the first sentence.'

'The first chapter drew me in...'

'Laycock's beautiful and imaginative descriptions of events leave you totally immersed'

'an amazing story'

'Rich vocabulary, a nail biting plot, characters who stay with you long after you put the book down'

'You've caught a child's reaction to sudden death so poignantly it almost made me want to cry.'

'Your writing is beautiful. You are especially good at portraying emotion. Your characterization is great...'

'...your plot is bewitching'

'an enchanting, captivating story'

`magnificent story telling'

'Ms. Laycock is a master storyteller who takes you on an amazing journey'

'This is a fantastic children's book! I loved it!'

`I thought this was terrific.'

'What a delightful, charming story. This may be written for older children and tweens, but this elderly woman really enjoyed it'

'There is enough action, adventure, danger and mystery in this book to get my heart pumping, never mind a child's!'

'Helen Laycock has written a fast paced action adventure that will keep even children with short attention spans hooked!'

'This is just my kind of read - poignant and emotional, but pacy at the same time.'

'What a wonderful, enchanting story you have woven here!'

'Brilliantly vibrant and so much fun!'

'There is some really excellent writing, but none better than yours and your story is excellent as well. I am no expert on children's stories but I was immediately struck by how well it balanced the modern world with a classic motif - running away to the circus.
A stunning piece of work...'

'The mark of a good children's book is when it seldom reminds you that it is one. Glass Dreams soothes you into it with uncomplicated but familiar characters, a traditional but suspenseful plot and the fun of an author who obviously enjoys the story she's telling. It's contagious.'

'Engaging, brisk pace and plenty to keep the reader interested.'

`an exciting twist'

`You write extremely well'

`You manage to mix the sadness and the intrigue of its contents very well.'

'Glass Dreams has everything'

'There is a definite lump in my throat. Your magnificent story telling brought Jake into my heart right away. His honest, authentic, innocent perspective is perfectly done, even down the tone of his voice...'

'I always say that good story telling is when you can relate to a character who is nothing like you- a young lad called Jake is hardly someone I'd say I'd relate to normally as a 40+ yr old woman, but I found myself drawn into Jake's heart and mind and losing myself in his demise!'

`You have the written the voice of this sweet little boy absolutely perfectly'

'wonderful characters'

'Helen Laycock has what all good authors have - the ability to create an extremely interesting world in which to place her characters'

[Helen]

March 23rd – 27th

FREE collection of short stories for adult readers –
Peace and Disquiet

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

UK link: http://tinyurl.com/kq7bsyh

US link: http://tinyurl.com/jlder3c



'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'

‘…brought tears to my eyes’

'Each story is unique and well crafted'

‘compelling reading’

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

‘shades of Roald Dahl’

'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'

This book is also available as a paperback edition £4.50 / $7.00

All reviews would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Helen]

April 20th – 24th

Martha and Mitch

FREE quirky children’s mystery with a dash of Roald Dahl and a sprinkling of Lemony Snicket
for readers of 8 – 12

#1 in Kindle Store > Books > Children's eBooks > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Stepfamilies



UK: http://tinyurl.com/zzmhnut
US: http://tinyurl.com/zfufcap

Martha is humble and unspoilt, despite living a life of utter luxury at Lottery Lodge with her (mostly absent) father and stepmother, Penelope.
Mitch lives at the boys’ orphanage, a dilapidated mansion run by Ariadne Scattypants.

Neither child has any idea about the life the other is leading.

Between Lottery Lodge and the orphanage is a dense wood and it is here that a band of wild boys live. Mitch finds himself at their mercy, but somehow manages to scrabble his way out of the woods, emerging at Martha’s wonderful home.

However, here, too, things are taking a sinister turn.

[Helen]

Here is an extract from Martha and Mitch which is FREE until Sunday 24th April.

To put it into context, Mitch has just left the orphanage to join the band of boys living wild in the woods. He does not get the welcome he expects...

Meanwhile, Mitch was trekking through the thick, dark woods, trying to remember in which direction he had seen the camp from the tree top. He was very cold. The evening was damp and his shoes were worn and uncomfortable. In the pitch black he was finding it very difficult to see. Thick branches above his head almost cut out what little moonlight there was.

Then he heard it. Just a slight noise. A snap of a twig and a rustle of leaves.

A huge weight dropped on to his back and he fell to the forest floor. The smell of damp leaves was in his nostrils and he felt a smear of cold mud upon his face. There was someone sitting on his back, holding him down.

‘Friend or foe?’ It was a boy’s voice. Mitch’s spirits lifted.

Someone from the camp!

‘Friend!’ said Mitch, attempting to roll over so that he could meet this new acquaintance, but he was held fast. ‘Why are you pinning me down? Let me up so that I can at least shake hands and introduce myself.’

The strange boy was quiet.

Suddenly, from all around him, Mitch heard more rustling and menacing whispers.

‘Hey! What’s going on? Will someone please tell me?’

Mitch was beginning to feel scared. What was going on? He had come to join the camp. He was a friend, one of the boys from the orphanage. Why were they treating him like this? What had he done wrong?

Silence.

Mitch, still flat on the ground, became aware of a pair of large feet standing astride just in front of his face. As his head was being held down, he was unable to look up beyond the ankles of the stranger. In the darkness, he could just make out that the shoes were torn and ragged. Dirty toes were peeping through with long, claw-like toenails. He could see no trouser legs, no socks, just thick, muddy ankles, camouflaged in the dark.

‘Release him.’ This voice was deeper, commanding.

Slowly, Mitch got up on to all fours and pushed himself up to a standing position. The boy in front of him towered over him and was standing with his hands on his hips. All around him were other boys, all dark-faced, so that Mitch could only see silhouettes. He was unable to recognise anyone.

‘Name?’ ordered the deep voice.

Mitch held out his hand as a token of friendship, but it was not taken.

‘Mitch,’ he said in a quiet voice. ‘And you are?’

‘Your leader, Montgomery.’

Mitch was suddenly struck by the thought of his old bed, where Johnson was now sound asleep. This was not how he imagined his welcome to be. All those late-night stories in the dormitory had created in his mind a quite different scene from that with which he was now met.

At that moment, Montgomery issued a command which was responded to immediately. The boys closed in around Mitch, hoisted him up and carried him flat on his back above their heads through the dark woods, chanting,

‘Initiate, initiate,
Emaciate, emaciate,
Rubricate, rubricate,
Eradicate, eradicate.’

Mitch was bemused. This didn’t match the stories that were told at Miss Scattypants’. They must have been rumours. All the boys that Mitch talked to had thought that life in the forest was a life of camaraderie and adventure. It wasn’t meant to be like this. This was scary. And those words. What did they mean? The boys were repeating them over and over again. This time in a whisper.

‘Initiate, initiate,
Emaciate, emaciate,
Rubricate, rubricate,
Eradicate, eradicate.’

He tried to pick them out. Well, Miss Scattypants had read lots of stories to the boys, so Mitch was able to pick out most of the words.

‘Initiate’. That must be something to do with an initiation ceremony when a new member joins some sort of group or club, he thought as he was carried along through the trees. It’s usually some sort of unpleasant ordeal, where the new person has to perform a task to prove their worth.

‘Emaciate’? Don’t you say someone is ‘emaciated’ when they are starving? It’s when their bones show through their skin. I don’t like the sound of that.

‘Rubricate’? Rubricate? Never heard of it. I’ll just have to wait and see. And what is that last word? Er-ad-i-cate. ERADICATE! That means to get rid of something! What on earth am I going to do?

The next thing that Mitch knew, he was being pushed into some sort of cage which was hanging from a tree. It was made from twigs tightly entwined and was only big enough for Mitch to crouch. With that, he was left swinging in the dark, silent night, alone and afraid. As the boys retreated, Mitch heard their voices fading into the distance.

‘Emaciate, emaciate, emaciate...’

‘So, this is it,’ he thought, ‘the first stage of the initiation. They are going to starve me.’