I’ve had the good fortune to have read several stories by H.A. Leuschel and have come to expect quality writing. She never disappoints and always writes with insight and empathy.

As with many of her stories, “Tess and Tattoos” is about how we manipulate others. Sometimes we do it in an innocent way, sometimes we have a more sinister agenda. Also, it speaks to how the victim is oftentimes complicit in their own manipulation. The story also speaks to family, and human connection.

Tess, an artist, is in her early eighties, but is still quite mentally stable. She lives in a care home and has no visitors. Her weekly phone call from her son Daniel is the only family support she gets – and he lives on the other side of the world in Australia. As a result, Tess is extremely lonely.

When Sandra, starts working as a nurse at her care home, Tess is immediately taken by her friendly, compassionate nature. She enjoys her company which alleviates some of her profound loneliness. But Sandra has a few surprises in store. Tess holds her secrets close to her chest.

I very much enjoyed reading Tess’s story and I’m so glad I chose to read it as part of Short Story Month.I purchased this novella in Kindle format from Amazon.ca

Publication date: May 29, 2017

ASIN: B071LTBH7N    56 pages

Helene A. Leuschel

Helene Leuschel grew up in Belgium where she gained a Licentiate in Journalism & Communication, which led to a career in radio and television in Brussels, London and Edinburgh.
She now lives with her husband and two children in Portugal and recently acquired a Master of Philosophy with the OU, deepening her passion for the study of the mind. When she is not writing, Helene works as a freelance journalist and teaches Yoga.

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