And Then She Shines: A Collection of Novelettes

And Then She Shines brings together brings together four previously published novelettes, along with Helen Libby’s new story, Cassie’s Choice.

Ruby’s Secret

Can you keep a secret? All the clothes Ruby’s bought may have filled her wardrobe, but they haven’t helped her to feel fulfilled. She’s been holding back on her dream of travelling for years. And now Ruby’s in debt. A LOT of debt. She’s so ashamed. She doesn’t want anyone to know, not even her boyfriend, David. He’s so careful with money – he wouldn’t understand. Ruby’s trying to change. She wants financial stability AND a good relationship. Will she be able to resolve her debt before David discovers her secret?

Love, Anna

Stay or go? Anna’s a romantic. She loves musical theatre, but her life is a far cry from her favourite shows. When her boyfriend Joe tells her he doesn’t love her anymore, she doesn’t know what to do. Anna just wants to be loved, but Joe suffers from depression, and they've both been unhappy for a long time. A last minute trip to Paris gives Anna some time to reflect, and shows her whether life can ever really be like a musical.

Laura’s Embrace

"People who love me leave me.” Laura makes a New Year’s resolution – to find her birth mother. She needs answers. What she doesn’t need is a relationship, so when things start getting serious between her and Rob, she does her best to hold back. Only Rob won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, and Laura is torn. Will Laura find her birth mother? And will love find a way?

Finding Ella

He knows everything about her. The only thing she knows about him is that he’s her husband. Can she fall in love with him for a second time? Ella’s lost her memory – the last ten years of her life. Her friends and family want her to slot back into place, only it’s not that easy. Will Ella's memory return? Does she need to remember her husband in order to love him again? Join Ella on her journey of self-discovery.

Cassie’s Choice

“Something is missing from my life, and I can’t pinpoint what it is. Could it be a baby? Maybe.”

What if you think you want a child, but your partner doesn’t? It’s time for Cassie to make her mind up. Does she want a baby, or not? If she does, is she willing to leave her beloved husband, Alex, in order to start again? Can you miss something you’ve never had? Does Cassie need a baby in order to feel fulfilled? So many questions, and she’s running out of time.

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Z3X48RW/

US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z3X48RW/

Excerpt

Extract from Ruby’s Secret by Helen Libby (taken from And Then She Shines: A Collection of Novelettes).

To set the scene: Ruby has finally faced up to the amount of debt she’s in. She’s put together an action plan but feels daunted by the fact that nearly all of her income will be going towards debt repayment. And she has yet to confide in her partner, David …

I tell her everything and take heart from the fact that the warm expression on her face never falters, though her eyes widen when I tell her I’m £10,000 in debt. After a few minutes have passed I can’t stand the silence any longer. ‘You think I’m a terrible person, don’t you? It’s okay, you can say it. I know I’m bad for spending so much money. I’m ashamed of myself.’ I blink a few times in a bid to discourage the tears. I have no right to cry. I’ve been so stupid, and the worst thing is that I don’t think I’m cured. The temptation to spend money I don’t have is still there, despite the deep financial hole I’m in. I’m very good at blanking things out.

Mrs M. puts a trembling hand on my arm. ‘I’m not judging you, Ruby dear. I was just thinking about ways I can help you. I could give you a hundred pounds for a start. I know it’s not much, but I can give you more when I get my pension.’

My heart feels like it’s going to burst. I’m so relieved she doesn’t appear to be judging me. ‘Thank you so much for the offer, but I couldn’t take money from you. I’ve got to work this out for myself.’ I enclose her hand in mine. ‘Just being able to talk to someone about it helps.’

Her brow furrows. ‘You mean you haven’t told David?’ I shake my head. ‘I think you should, Ruby. He’s your partner.’

‘I can’t tell him, he’d freak out. He’s so careful with money. It’s not that he’s mean with his money – he just buys what he needs, you know?’

She snorts. ‘That’s men for you, but seriously, I think you’re doing him a disservice. Wouldn’t you want to know, if it was the other way round?’

‘Of course I would.’ I know she’s right, but I still can’t bear the thought of telling David. He doesn’t even have a credit card!

‘Think on it, Ruby. You’re a couple – he’d want to help you.’

I hold my hands up. ‘Okay, I’ll think about it.’

‘You need to get to the root of why you feel the need to buy so many clothes. It sounds as though you’re trying to fill a void.’ I stare at her, nonplussed. ‘Are you unhappy, lassie?’

Why do I spend so much money on clothes, when I don’t wear at least half of what I’ve bought? I feel choked. I haven’t thought about it from this angle.

I ponder on this during the evening. I barely watch the film. Poor David; he’s made an effort in that he tolerates rom-coms for my sake, but I couldn’t tell you who was in the film, let alone what the story was about.

I realise I’m an emotional shopper, but what am I unhappy about? What’s missing from my life? I’ve got David, whom I love; we’ve got the lodge at the holiday park which we rent for a nominal amount from David’s parents; I like my job at the library. Nothing’s wrong, not on the face of it. I do get bored though; I mean, there’s only so much stock work I can do in a small library. Working part-time means I’ve got spare time, which I tend to fill with shopping. Am I spending money just because I’m bored, or is there more to it than that?

Book Blurb for Ruby’s Secret
Can you keep a secret? All the clothes Ruby’s bought may have filled her wardrobe, but they haven’t helped her to feel fulfilled. She’s been holding back on her dream of travelling for years. And now Ruby’s in debt. A LOT of debt. She’s so ashamed. She doesn’t want anyone to know, not even her boyfriend, David. He’s so careful with money – he wouldn’t understand. Ruby’s trying to change. She wants financial stability AND a good relationship. Will she be able to resolve her debt before David discovers her secret?

Please note: this novelette can be bought as a standalone title, or as part of the collection, And Then She Shines.

Author Bio – Originally from North Wales, Helen currently lives in Shropshire with her husband and their dog. Helen worked for many years in the public sector and has an administrative background. She writes both fiction and non-fiction. As well as being an indie author, Helen is a self-publishing consultant, offering editorial, self-publishing, and writing services. To find out more, please go to: www.helen-edwards.co.uk

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