On one level, ‘My Sweet Friend’ is an insight into the way power struggles and politics operate in business and in personal relationships. Beneath this narrative is a rather brilliant and poignant analysis of the human mind and mental illness.
Alexa and Rosie are presented via a first person narrative, and this insight plays tricks with the reader’s mind – one questions whose ‘game’ is dominant. The contrasting characters are presented using animal imagery of the cat and the mouse. Careful choice of verbs indicates who is ‘ambushing’ the friendship.
Alexa, with her ‘immaculate looks’ appears very measured. Her controlled behaviour’ is teased out in every action and word. Once self-control is lost, and the clouds are overhead, then it is a frightening place for Alexa. Alexa’s state mind ends up in a place where the ‘waves had turned against each other, foam crowning as they crashed to the shore.’ Fear for the character evokes empathy.
Before reaching the crisis point, Alexa wears a mask of control like a cat waiting to pounce. Rosie, is forced to confront her vulnerability. She learns how ‘empathetic skills’ are viewed as weakness by some, if not ‘managed’. Rosie’s language flows, driven by emotions, and she explains:
‘My cheeks were wet with tears by the time I reached home, feeling abandoned and used and stupid for letting myself be dragged…’
The long sentence and outpouring of emotions amplify the sense of vulnerability. But the ‘sweet and sour’ characters begin to shift, as the dichotomy is not fixed. If one deconstructs the manipulator’s ‘game’ it is possible to fight back. However, Alexa becomes isolated, vulnerable and needs support. I was intrigued with the way that this story manipulated my emotions.
‘My Sweet Friend’ is poetic exploration of vulnerability. The novella is a shrewd demonstration that:
‘Behind the façade we are all human, fragile and sensitive to judgement.’
Leuschel cracks open the fragility of the human psyche in an artful manner, and clues about the characters’ vulnerabilities are woven into the text. This brutal, haunting story of the human psyche arms the reader with some survival tactics. Despite an uneasy feeling, one finds empathy for the manipulator. Perhaps, this novella will lead to a novel examining what shaped the manipulator’s behaviour, and what happens next.
To find out more about Helene please see my interview with her.
Writers, Authors and Readers is a supportive and friendly Facebook group organised by Anna Marie Shenton. Anna supports everyone in the group, but it is time for Anna to have the spotlight. She has recently published a novella entitled 76 Silver Street. The novella is a historical romance and is the first book in a two-part series. I have invited Anna to tell you more about her novella and characters.
Rosa Brown is the key character is on front cover
Dear Readers,
I am delighted to present 76 Silver Street. My novella is gritty, scandalous tale of courage, passion, love, loss and lies with sexual desire and is set in the suburbs of Manchester 1905.
Rosa had worked her fingers to the bone to prepare rooms for the boarding house. Jack Howard takes on Queenie as a new lodger without asking Rosa. Having heard gossip about Queenie, Rosa is ready to confront her.
Meet Queenie, the infamous boarding house guest.
Queenie, a former lodger arrives at Piccadilly railway station. Eager to move into her newly refurbished double room and deliver an almighty shock to Jack, she uses her charm to get there fast.
This extract sets the flavour of the novella and entices the reader to continue after this active scene, portraying just one of the obstacles Rosa is up against.
76 Silver Street is a handbag size novella. Its stunning, eye-catching cover will enhance any handbag and get tongues wagging. Are you ready for scandal? Are you ready to meet Queenie?
Thanking you kindly for taking the time to sneak peek at 76 Silver Street.
Anna Shenton
Presenting the extract…
The is the location of Silver Street in the novel
“Pembertown…Silver Street. Remember? You dropped me there yesterday?” She instructed the cabbie with a tip of her hat.
“Sure did Miss, never forget a pretty face. On our way soonever I’ve loaded.” He then mounted the cab, cracked his whip and the horse clattered across the cobbles at speed.
“Staying long?” He raised his voice and turned his head in hope of hearing a reply.
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Queenie’s bright red lips curled into a smile as they kept up a respectable trot.
For Queenie, the ride into Pembertown gave her time to recap on her plan. Silver Street had good and bad memories. She would only stay as long as it took to get what she wanted. And she didn’t care who got hurt in the process.
The cabbie’s voice interrupted her thoughts as they passed the warehouse and slowed to a halt. “Here we are Miss.” He jumped down and opened the cab door. “Seventy-six! Owd Mildred’s boarding house! Are you sure you want to stay in this place? It was good in its day but…” He gave her a quizzical look whilst settling his ‘tach.
She stepped onto the pavement. “My card Sir…?” If ever you feel unattended to?” She ignored his question and watched him unload her luggage onto the street before paying him.
“Not very of ‘en I turn down a beautiful lass, but I’ve a beautiful wife un three bairns back home. Take care in this place mind.”
More about the novella
An impression of Jack’s clothing in 1905
Rosa Brown couldn’t abide Dan’s drunken coercive behaviour as his house-keeper anymore. Aunt Mildred’s call from her hospital-bed sends Rosa sneaking out of town, to take over her aunt’s rundown boarding house.
Met by Jack Howard on arrival, in Pemberton 1905, Rosa’s heart plummets when her eyes meet with the dingy filthy place and Jack’s dark devilish impudent manner, who thinks she’s mad and has no intention of helping to get the place up and running before it goes bust.
Rosa is shocked when faced with all the ruffians and commoners knocking on the door and struggles to keep Jack’s hands off her. Sprucing the place up and filling it with respectful paying guests, proves harder than expected.
Now, filled with fear for her aunt and her own wellbeing, will Rosa ever be free from trouble and her dreams come true?
Sleep with one eye open!
Reviews:
‘Lively, believable, characters.’
‘The author has captured the true essence of life and times at the turn of the century.’
‘The story is fast paced and keeps you reading, I read it in one go.’
‘Changing genre was a wonderful challenge for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.’
‘All characters in this novella have left a place in my heart. They took me on a journey that I could have never imagined. I feel a part of this story and proud of 76 Silver Street. And can’t wait to continue the sequel.’
What does Queenie want from Jack? Why must the inhabitants of the boarding house sleep with one eye open? Read the novella to discover the secrets…
About Anna
Meet Anna Marie Shenton author and creator of the popular Writers, Readers and Authors Facebook group
Anna from Staffordshire, World Poetry Day Prize Winner 2015 for a publishing company, wrote many star letters, fillers, and articles for various magazines. Now an indie author, Anna independently published her debut Romance Novel, Short Stories Collection and Writing for Beginners. She is also founder of the Writers, Authors and Readers group.
Alexa and Rosie are presented via a first person narrative, and this insight plays tricks with the reader’s mind – one questions whose ‘game’ is dominant. The contrasting characters are presented using animal imagery of the cat and the mouse. Careful choice of verbs indicates who is ‘ambushing’ the friendship.
Before reaching the crisis point, Alexa wears a mask of control like a cat waiting to pounce. Rosie, is forced to confront her vulnerability. She learns how ‘empathetic skills’ are viewed as weakness by some, if not ‘managed’. Rosie’s language flows, driven by emotions, and she explains:
The long sentence and outpouring of emotions amplify the sense of vulnerability. But the ‘sweet and sour’ characters begin to shift, as the dichotomy is not fixed. If one deconstructs the manipulator’s ‘game’ it is possible to fight back. However, Alexa becomes isolated, vulnerable and needs support. I was intrigued with the way that this story manipulated my emotions.
Leuschel cracks open the fragility of the human psyche in an artful manner, and clues about the characters’ vulnerabilities are woven into the text. This brutal, haunting story of the human psyche arms the reader with some survival tactics. Despite an uneasy feeling, one finds empathy for the manipulator. Perhaps, this novella will lead to a novel examining what shaped the manipulator’s behaviour, and what happens next.
