Location: United Kingdom
Member Since: June 09, 2015

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L Tait

Biography

Well...what can I say? I saw off my thirtieth birthday a long time ago now, and the Van Helsen Series was merely written for fun, because I was inspired by two trips to Norway many years ago. I loved the peace and tranquillity of Oslo and Bergen, but it was almost too quiet, so I thought I'd write about something mega happening in that neck of the woods. I try to subscribe to a 'something for everyone' dynamic, if you get my meaning! I'm a bit obsessed with the Eighties (who knew?) and I love music not only from that era, but generally from as far back as the Sixties onwards. My mind sometimes sees the comedy in life, and on occasion, I'll see something, and think, 'That'll make a fabulous comedy sketch!' Now for the boring stuff! Like most 'indie' authors, I'm not very sure of my ground, and I'm holding down a job in the scientific community (Nerd Alert!). Not that 'indie' authors all have scientific professions, I meant the first part! And I have an honours degree from the Open University in English Literature! So feel free to slag me off if my writing isn't anything to write home about! I'm currently working on a ninth book, as there are eight in the series, which may, or may not be posted, depending on how things go. Oh, and, I love to sing! I'm a regular Martini girl when it comes to that! Like their ad campaign, 'Anytime, any place, anywhere...' So, thanks for checking in! I also have a Facebook page, but I don't check in there very often!

Smashwords Interview

What are your five favorite books, and why?
Tough one! I loved Robert Tressel's 'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' which was so good I read it twice, because it's all about what happens during the course of a year in a decorating firm, and this reflects life in general for the working man earning a crust, but it covers politics, trying to make ends meet with very little money, social issues, and it's all done so beautifully. Nineteen Eighty Four, Coming Up for Air, and Animal Farm, all by George Orwell, I loved for different reasons. NEF covers an alternative, and disturbing reality, subscribing to the 'square peg, round hole', philosophy, and what happens to misfits who don't conform to the regime. CUFA is about a man who goes back, many years later, to the place where he grew up, and having done that myself, I can relate to how unsettled the protagonist feels when he sees what time has done to his childhood home. AF is clever because Orwell uses animals to convey the different types of characters, from those in power to those who have to adhere and accept the rules laid down before them, and it's a very good story. And, all of the Sherlock Holmes books, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Very cleverly written, I love the protagonist and trusty sidekick, and, out of all of the mysteries, I only managed to work out the ending to one of them!
Describe your desk
I don't actually have one! I tend to write everywhere! Sitting on the bus on my way to work, at work during my lunch hour, or, in bed, which is where I spent a great deal of my time writing my essays, and studying the coursework for my degree. It was all done on my time off, I wasn't being a slacker!
Read more of this interview.

Books

Narcissism...The Ugly Truth by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 14,570. Language: English. Published: November 29, 2018. Categories: Nonfiction » Psychology » Personality
A brief look at Narcissism, as seen from the perspective of a survivor...who came out on the other side.
Undecided... by
Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 60,690. Language: English. Published: July 10, 2018. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Action/adventure
It's her move... Life is returning to normal for Kris and Hazel Van Helsen...until Hazel makes an unexpected discovery, which makes her question whether she knows Kris as well as she thinks she does. A past act of revenge involving Morten Hardanger has disastrous consequences, and an opportunity to escape the situation presents itself...leading Hazel further into danger...
Common Sense Is Not So Common... by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 30,370. Language: English. Published: April 25, 2018. Categories: Nonfiction » Biography » Personal memoir
From the mind that brought you 'Random Quest', 'School Daze!', 'Trivial Pursuits.' (and many more, which I'm not going to go into here!) is back, and ready to rock, with an all new,box fresh collection of observations recorded over the course of a mere month month! It's not so much a journey into the jungles of my subconscious, more of a road trip! So, fasten your seatbelts!
And Thereby Hangs A Tale! by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 30,420. Language: English. Published: April 20, 2017. Categories: Nonfiction » Biography » Autobiographies & Memoirs
The long awaited sequel to Random Quest. If you're thirsty for more of my memoirs, you've come to the right place! A freshly baked batch for you all to enjoy!
The Work Experience by
Price: $2.30 USD. Words: 34,210. Language: English. Published: April 16, 2017. Categories: Nonfiction » Entertainment » Humor & satire, Nonfiction » Inspiration » Personal inspiration
This quirky little novella is a humorous look at various aspects of the modern working world, as observed by your humble narrator! Covering a range of subjects from my experiences of truly horrible bosses, to the pitfalls of job seeking and interviews, along with some other fun things! Just to clarify, I have used aliases, not to protect the guilty, but , more for my own personal amusement!
Go Figure! by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,770. Language: English. Published: November 12, 2016. Categories: Nonfiction » Entertainment » Humor & satire
A smallish novella, as I try to make sense of the bizarre world that we are living in!
I'm Not As Green As I'm Cabbage Looking! by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 17,130. Language: English. Published: January 26, 2016. Categories: Nonfiction » Inspiration » Personal inspiration, Nonfiction » Philosophy » Contemporary philosophy
Thirsty for more from your humble narrator? Well, here's a fresh batch of observations for you all to enjoy! Well, if you enjoyed the other, and read beyond the samples, that is!
Just Saying... by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 11,560. Language: English. Published: September 29, 2015. Categories: Nonfiction » Entertainment » Humor & satire
Hi! I'm Perry Williams! The star of 'If Only!', which I didn't write, but, as I felt I could do a better job of relating my world to you, I fired my writers! So, sit back, and relax as I talk you through my universe! Well, I'll give it a go! And, remember, in true DJ stylee, the phrase that pays...Just saying...
Short Story Central by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 8,140. Language: English. Published: September 18, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Mashups
Basically, a short story treble! (That's three short stories for those of you who aren't into footie speak!) I hope they keep you amused for a while!
Trivial Pursuits by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 19,690. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2015. Categories: Nonfiction » Relationships & Family » Life stages / general
Just when you thought it was safe to come out from behind your sofas, I'm back with even more of my memoirs for you all to enjoy! But arranged into themes to make your lives (and mine!) a little bit easier! Oh, the horror...
Frenemies by
You set the price! Words: 47,790. Language: English. Published: August 9, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary, Fiction » Romance » General
When sixteen year old Hazel Woodford begins a new term at school, she meets twenty nine year old Miles Hayworth, who she thinks is a newly qualified English teacher. Their attraction to each other is instantaneous, and romance blossoms between them. But all is not as it seems. Miles is a man with a secret past, which puts Hazel in danger, as it comes back to haunt him. Will their love survive?
Satan's Game by
Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 36,550. Language: English. Published: August 8, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General
As Kris Van Helsen prepares to take up his new role at Police HQ in Oslo, his disgraced predecessor puts him in a very difficult position, resulting in a highly publicised court case. A major problem concerning Hazel's past makes things even more complicated, along with the unexpected appearance of other blasts from the past. Will all this bring them closer together? Or... will it tear them apart?
Identity Crisis by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 59,990. Language: English. Published: August 4, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
Kris and Hazel Van Helsen, in the wake of a devastating personal tragedy, decide to go on holiday. But...what begins as a holiday in a popular seaside resort, becomes much more sinister, as they become involved in a tangled web of deceit, blackmail and murder. They encounter some familiar faces, a man with a surprising secret, and a shocking revelation puts Hazel in a difficult position...
Miscellaneous Me! by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 19,220. Language: English. Published: August 4, 2015. Categories: Nonfiction » Relationships & Family » Life stages / general
Another collection of personal memoirs from my famous notebooks! One of the 'three is the magic number' novellas, dedicated to my recollections. Just one thing, though...if you didn't like 'Here We Go Again!' leave the tour now! But, if you did...stick around!
Here We Go Again! by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 20,800. Language: English. Published: August 4, 2015. Categories: Nonfiction » Relationships & Family » Life stages / general
A novella of memoirs taken from the numerous notebooks I've kept over the years! Fasten your seatbelts! It's going to be a rollercoaster ride through the thoughts of 'Your Humble Narrator'.
Loose Cannon by
Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 39,510. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General
So, just when they thought it was safe to say, 'It's finally over', the Van Helsen Curse strikes again, and Kris and Hazel , thanks to Cassandra, Kris's ex wife, are back in Norway, and their mission leads them to Holmenkollen, where Kris meets with an old adversary from his past, which results in the ultimate showdown between them. But, there can only be one winner...
Random Quest by
Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 38,020. Language: English. Published: July 31, 2015. Categories: Nonfiction » Entertainment » Humor & satire
A collection of extracts from my memoirs, which have been ongoing since 1995! That's over twenty years of my life I am not getting back!
School Daze! by
Price: $2.00 USD. Words: 15,520. Language: English. Published: July 30, 2015. Categories: Nonfiction » Relationships & Family » Life stages / school age
A novella covering my high school years! As they happened such a long time ago, I feel ready to talk about it now! If your schooldays WEREN'T 'the happiest days of your life,' then, have at it! This is for you! Word of warning...this may also trigger memories of your own schooldays that you thought you'd managed to successfully forget! Just saying...
Keeping Secrets by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 50,650. Language: English. Published: July 9, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General
Secrets. Everybody's got them, but, how good are they at keeping them. The opening night of the Art Exhibition has finally arrived, and the evening proves to be full of surprises for Kris and Hazel, as the appearance of Morten Hardanger sets the cat among the pigeons, and his actions lead to even greater problems for Hazel as time progresses. But...things aren't what they appear to be...
Artistic Differences by
Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 36,960. Language: English. Published: July 5, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General
Kris and Hazel Van Helsen, after surviving another catastrophe, think their nightmare is over. But...it isn't. One of Kris's greatest enemies, is back, and Kris suspects that he's involved in some double dealing with Kris's future brother-in-law, Henrik, who has vanished, along with some valuable works of art. It's down to Kris and Hazel to find them. But they get more than they bargained for...
The Experiment by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 5,900. Language: English. Published: June 19, 2015. Categories: Poetry » Contemporary Poetry
A novella containing some poems transcribed from some seriously old notebooks! I wrote them for a hoot...but might have taken it a little too seriously, lol!
If Only! by
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 19,920. Language: English. Published: June 16, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Humor & comedy » General
Hi! Perry Williams here, bringing you a faithful account of what happened up the local ice rink every week when my Dad, younger sister and I got together! We met some fun people during those trips to the rink! And some right odd bods! Let Lilian and her friend,talk you through it, as I'm too busy to write books! I just gave them some notes and told them to get on with it! As you were! I'm offski!
The Reunion by
Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 43,090. Language: English. Published: June 10, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
Kris Van Helsen and his fiancée, Hazel Woodford, having witnessed a terrible tragedy in Bergen, return to Scotland, and slowly, life returns to normal. But, an unforeseen event sees them returning to Bergen once more, and there's a nasty surprise awaiting the couple in the form of a revenge plot designed to destroy Kris and his family. Will their enemies triumph? Or will Kris and Hazel stop them?
Home Truths by
Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 38,090. Language: English. Published: June 9, 2015. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General
If you're searching for the truth...Twenty nine year old Kris Van Helsen, and his sixteen year old fiancée, Hazel Woodford, having faced a dangerous situation involving his best friend, Karl, and ex wife Cassandra, have to relive their nightmare as they give evidence at an official Inquiry. Kris has to face up to some home truths, and a meeting between Hazel and her arch enemy ends in tragedy...

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abuse recovery    action    autobiography    autobiography memoirs real life observations    emotions    fiction adult    humor    humour    humour character contemporary memoirs    humour ice skating family sarcasm    life    media and public opinion    memoirs    memoirs personal history life observations non fiction    narcissism    narcissistic abuse    narcissists    non fiction    non fiction personal memoirs observations recollections philosophical thoughtshumour    norway van helsen seriesromance relationship saga    norwayfamily saga action    observations    observations of life    observations of nature of people    personal experiences life humour popular culture memoirs    personal memoirs    poetry collection retrospective contemporary reflective novella    realiity    romance 1990s    romance mystery relationships fiction    saga fiction adventure    schooldays memoirs high school non fiction    short stories    thoughts    true account    unemploment    van helsen series norway fiction romance adventure mystery    van helsen series norwayengland thrillerromance sexual relationship    van helsen series romance adventure    van helsen series romance norway relationships    van helsen series romance saga relationships norway fiction contemporary    van helsen seriesromance mysterysecrets scandalnorwayscotlandsexual relationships    work    work life    work place    work stress    workplace boss