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Helpless
A Short Story Collection
Women are powerful and can be rational thinkers under pressure. They can also be devious and vengeful. A woman is not just a ball of emotion. Women can fight, they can protect, and they can win.
These eight stories of women kicking ass, standing tall, and refusing to be victims are Tiffany’s opposition to the tropes of true crime. With stories from five genres including Paranormal, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Romance, and Crime Fiction, you are sure to find a story you love.
Women are powerful and can be rational thinkers under pressure. They can also be devious and vengeful. A woman is not just a ball of emotion. Women can fight, they can protect, and they can win.
These eight stories of women kicking ass, standing tall, and refusing to be victims are Tiffany’s opposition to the tropes of true crime. With stories from five genres including Paranormal, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Romance, and Crime Fiction, you are sure to find a story you love.
- GenresShort Stories
257 pages, ebook
First published May 28, 2021
About the author
Tiffany Christina Lewis
13 books160 followersTiffany is the author of five books and has been published more than a dozen times in anthologies and magazines.
She is also a publisher at Rebellion LIT who works tirelessly to support other authors looking to bring their art to the world.
She resides in Sacramento, CA with her family and Miniature Pinscher.
She is also a publisher at Rebellion LIT who works tirelessly to support other authors looking to bring their art to the world.
She resides in Sacramento, CA with her family and Miniature Pinscher.
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May 28, 2021Thank you for checking out my book! I'm very proud of my collection and I hope you enjoy it!
Content and Trigger Warnings can be found here: https://tiffanychristinalewis.com/con...
This book is available at your favorite retailer! https://books2read.com/HelplessShortS...
Content and Trigger Warnings can be found here: https://tiffanychristinalewis.com/con...
This book is available at your favorite retailer! https://books2read.com/HelplessShortS...
May 28, 2021
Great collection of short stories that will keep you reading! Tiffany knocks it out of the park with this one. From crime to sci-fi to romance to the paranormal, she presents interesting stories and handles each one deftly. I enjoyed every one of the stories, even the genres I don't usually read. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
I was lucky to receive a free ARC copy for review and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was lucky to receive a free ARC copy for review and am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 6, 2021
Tiffany Christina Lewis generously offered me an Advance Copy, which I gladly accepted in exchange for an honest review.
If you’ve read any of Tiffany’s work, you know you can expect rich worlds and characters, and to be placed right with them, sweating in the dirt. Helpless is no exception.
It differs in that Helpless is a collection of short vignettes in different genres. To say that it therefore has something for everyone would be an oversimplification. The characters are relatable, and the little news teaser that accompanies each story will draw you in, tempting you to read outside your typical genre boundaries.
The collection starts strong, with a shallow grave in a local park, and the circumstances that leads the protagonist to it. From there, Tiffany takes you through science fiction, crime fiction, romance, and ghost stories. You are accompanied by a series of women who couldn’t be more different, except that they all take agency to get through the situation life sticks them in.
So, which is going to be your favorite? I have my own (probably predictably, given what I write). I’d love to discuss them with you once you’ve given it a read.
If you’ve read any of Tiffany’s work, you know you can expect rich worlds and characters, and to be placed right with them, sweating in the dirt. Helpless is no exception.
It differs in that Help
The collection starts strong, with a shallow grave in a local park, and the circumstances that leads the protagonist to it. From there, Tiffany takes you through science fiction, crime fiction, romance, and ghost stories. You are accompanied by a series of women who couldn’t be more different, except that they all take agency to get through the situation life sticks them in.
So, which is going to be your favorite? I have my own (probably predictably, given what I write). I’d love to discuss them with you once you’ve given it a read.
May 28, 2021
Helpless Review
I am a Black Romance Head but I am also a fan of Law and Order SVU and Criminal Minds and if that crazy combination intrigues you, Helpless is for you. This book breaks the genre norms by making the title a play on words where the women are anything but helpless.
This book is about strong, powerful women who figure out ways to win. Being that I am a STEMinist, this is right up my alley. Mariam is one of my favorites because I love to see women using ingenuity to get themselves out of dicey situations. In my mind, I was screaming at her just like some folks of a darker hue like to do at the movies. I was so grateful when she finally listened and did it.
That space story and dream sequence were something else, that is all I am going to say about that.
The romantic in me loved the last two stories especially the last one which is a romance sleeper. I was scared to go in but was pleasantly surprised in the end.
I highly recommend if you want to go on an eclectic, exciting ride.
I am a Black Romance Head but I am also a fan of Law and Order SVU and Criminal Minds and if that crazy combination intrigues you, Helpless is for you. This book breaks the genre norms by making the title a play on words where the women are anything but helpless.
This book is about strong, powerful women who figure out ways to win. Being that I am a STEMinist, this is right up my alley. Mariam is one of my favorites because I love to see women using ingenuity to get themselves out of dicey situations. In my mind, I was screaming at her just like some folks of a darker hue like to do at the movies. I was so grateful when she finally listened and did it.
That space story and dream sequence were something else, that is all I am going to say about that.
The romantic in me loved the last two stories especially the last one which is a romance sleeper. I was scared to go in but was pleasantly surprised in the end.
I highly recommend if you want to go on an eclectic, exciting ride.
April 25, 2021
Multiple genres, strong and fierce female protagonists and a variety of storylines! Helpless has it all and something for everyone. Please be mindful of the trigger warnings.
This new collection from crime author Tiffany Christina Lewis is the prefect addition to a summer reading list. Quick reads and exciting stories will leave you wanting more.
As a sci-fi fan and writer, I appreciated Tiffany's take on an extraterrestrial horror/mystery short story. It was exciting and a bit nerve wrecking, but it took me right into 1980's sci-fi horror films with the campy, scary fun.
Other stories threw me for loops while coming out in a whole new direction. Still, the women in these stories take teh forefront and lead the way with courage and determination. At the end of the day these are some righteous tales that will keep the reader on the edge of their seats!
This is a highly recommended collection!
This new collection from crime author Tiffany Christina Lewis is the prefect addition to a summer reading list. Quick reads and exciting stories will leave you wanting more.
As a sci-fi fan and writer, I appreciated Tiffany's take on an extraterrestrial horror/mystery short story. It was exciting and a bit nerve wrecking, but it took me right into 1980's sci-fi horror films with the campy, scary fun.
Other stories threw me for loops while coming out in a whole new direction. Still, the women in these stories take teh forefront and lead the way with courage and determination. At the end of the day these are some righteous tales that will keep the reader on the edge of their seats!
This is a highly recommended collection!
May 28, 2021
Thank you to the author, Tiffany C. Lewis for sending me this ARC with an exchange of an honest review.
Helpless is a collection of eight short stories starring women from different walks of life. The stories genres range from romance to science fiction to crime fiction to supernatural and more.
Admittedly, I started the book blind, as in I was not sure what to expect. And I was pleasantly surprise.
Each story is unique in its own way, leaving me wanting more. There are a few stories which I really wished had been actual books so it'll be longer and I can get to know the characters more.
All in all, I've really enjoyed reading these stories and these characters. As a non-native English speaker, the language used is also easy to understand.
Helpless is a collection of eight short stories starring women from different walks of life. The stories genres range from romance to science fiction to crime fiction to supernatural and more.
Admittedly, I started the book blind, as in I was not sure what to expect. And I was pleasantly surprise.
Each story is unique in its own way, leaving me wanting more. There are a few stories which I really wished had been actual books so it'll be longer and I can get to know the characters more.
All in all, I've really enjoyed reading these stories and these characters. As a non-native English speaker, the language used is also easy to understand.
May 20, 2021
I don't usually read crime books; I don't enjoy those.
But picked this book because I was interested in the author's style of writing.
I enjoyed all the little stories in the book. The books delivers a message that women are capable of saving themselves and not necessarily are victims.
Every story describes the plot in detail so you can feel the place and the victim's emotion.
But picked this book because I was interested in the author's style of writing.
I enjoyed all the little stories in the book. The books delivers a message that women are capable of saving themselves and not necessarily are victims.
Every story describes the plot in detail so you can feel the place and the victim's emotion.
May 11, 2021
Whether you're on your coffee break or need a way to pass the time on a rainy day, Helpless - A Short Story Collection by Tiffany Christina Lewis is the perfect way to do so!
In this book featuring eight short stories in a variety of genres, including crime, sci-fi, romance and paranormal, Lewis offers something for almost any reader while demonstrating her brilliance and flexibility as a writer. The news headlines teasing each story piqued my curiosity immediately. Every story is engaging, and they each feature strong, intelligent females as the lead characters, which I found inspiring.
The stories are short but didn't feel rushed, and Lewis sets the scene of each with great visuals to enhance the reader's experience. I had a hard time putting down this book and cannot wait to add it to my collection.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
In this book featuring eight short stories in a variety of genres, including crime, sci-fi, romance and paranormal, Lewis offers something for almost any reader while demonstrating her brilliance and flexibility as a writer. The news headlines teasing each story piqued my curiosity immediately. Every story is engaging, and they each feature strong, intelligent females as the lead characters, which I found inspiring.
The stories are short but didn't feel rushed, and Lewis sets the scene of each with great visuals to enhance the reader's experience. I had a hard time putting down this book and cannot wait to add it to my collection.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
May 2, 2021
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Tiffany C. Lewis has left me awestruck once again with this short story collection. Eight different stories consisting of various plots, genres, and characters, yet all have one thing in common: women are not helpless. In most crime fiction or thrillers, women are victims of circumstance and fall into that mindset readily. Lewis does a phenomenal job of showing women aren't the victims in these stories. These women are strong and independent. Their personalities captivated me as a reader. They don't bow to a social structure where men overpower them. Instead, they face problems head-on, sometimes staring death in the face. This collection reveals what happens when women are tested, whether it be with their lives or jobs. If you're looking for something that breaks the standard pattern in which women are used as an emotional plot device only, then you need to read this.
I highly recommend this book. With many genres included, there is something for every reader out there. From paranormal to crime fiction, I'm sure readers will find enjoyment in these stories. There were times where I felt relief, fear, anger, and disgust as if it were me in those situations. With the twists and turns included, my jaw hit the floor several times. Normally, stories are predictable, but not this one. You may think you have everything figured out, only to be thrown for a loop a moment later. Not knowing how things would turn out made me teeter on the edge of my seat many times.
While these are short stories, the impact and impression this collection made on me are lasting.
Thank you, Tiffany, for giving me the honor of reading such an amazing collection.
Tiffany C. Lewis has left me awestruck once again with this short story collection. Eight different stories consisting of various plots, genres, and characters, yet all have one thing in common: women are not helpless. In most crime fiction or thrillers, women are victims of circumstance and fall into that mindset readily. Lewis does a phenomenal job of showing women aren't the victims in these stories. These women are strong and independent. Their personalities captivated me as a reader. They don't bow to a social structure where men overpower them. Instead, they face problems head-on, sometimes staring death in the face. This collection reveals what happens when women are tested, whether it be with their lives or jobs. If you're looking for something that breaks the standard pattern in which women are used as an emotional plot device only, then you need to read this.
I highly recommend this book. With many genres included, there is something for every reader out there. From paranormal to crime fiction, I'm sure readers will find enjoyment in these stories. There were times where I felt relief, fear, anger, and disgust as if it were me in those situations. With the twists and turns included, my jaw hit the floor several times. Normally, stories are predictable, but not this one. You may think you have everything figured out, only to be thrown for a loop a moment later. Not knowing how things would turn out made me teeter on the edge of my seat many times.
While these are short stories, the impact and impression this collection made on me are lasting.
Thank you, Tiffany, for giving me the honor of reading such an amazing collection.
May 28, 2021
I was given the Arc for this book and am soooo glad that I was honored to read it before it has come out.
8 amazing well-written on the edge of your seat short stories that will make you want more. Each one giving the MCs power, strength, and the amazing ability to stand up for themselves in the situations they find themselves in.
Tiffany writes fiction but spins it off true new stories empowering women and I really hope that she writes more books like this one. I will be pre-ordering one of her books so I can have it on my bookshelf for future re-reading.
8 amazing well-written on the edge of your seat short stories that will make you want more. Each one giving the MCs power, strength, and the amazing ability to stand up for themselves in the situations they find themselves in.
Tiffany writes fiction but spins it off true new stories empowering women and I really hope that she writes more books like this one. I will be pre-ordering one of her books so I can have it on my bookshelf for future re-reading.
August 18, 2021
What a fabulous collection of short stories about strong, smart, determined women! Tiffany Christina gives the reader a banquet of delicious stories in many genres but all are exciting and dynamic. She weaves story with personality to bring us a sense of time and place. Truly loved her science fiction! Fun read!
May 29, 2021
In most fiction, strength is a quality often simplified in terms of action and physical confrontation and often typified as a masculine trait. The heroines of Help ̶l̶e̶s̶s̶ demonstrate strength in far greater and a far more nuanced examples than just the typical portrayals of strong women in fiction. These women are strong, but they are also complex, real, and human. Tiffany weaves several spectacular stories of suspense, stalking, survival, and the supernatural, and none of her leading ladies allow themselves to become victims or tropes.
May 30, 2021
This is a brilliant set of stories to read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 15, 2021
This book is simply a pleasure to read. From start to finish, you’re taken through vignettes of different genres, focusing on female responses to everything from revenge, to spirits, to the stress of being hunted. There is a story for everyone in this book!
I think this book is an important look at female strength and fortitude. Instead of damsels in distress, we see women overcoming adversity in so many different ways. I truly appreciate the way Lewis took this idea head on and never strayed from the honest view. A great read! So many interesting premises and so well written! I highly recommend and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I think this book is an important look at female strength and fortitude. Instead of damsels in distress, we see women overcoming adversity in so many different ways. I truly appreciate the way Lewis took this idea head on and never strayed from the honest view. A great read! So many interesting premises and so well written! I highly recommend and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2021
Interesting mixed bag. Has the potential to become a bestseller.
However, it was SPOILED for me by some author's abuse of Almighty GOD's Names. This is blasphemy and is NEVER acceptable. Minus 1 *
I'm looking forward to reading future stories - without Blasphemy, please
However, it was SPOILED for me by some author's abuse of Almighty GOD's Names. This is blasphemy and is NEVER acceptable. Minus 1 *
I'm looking forward to reading future stories - without Blasphemy, please
November 20, 2021
The first thing I want to say is to skip the author’s note. That is if you’re like me. I go into most stories without ever reading the summary because I prefer to let the author/the story take me on a journey. But the summary and author’s note ruin what I think would be an awesome twist. At least, for the first story.
Her: Incredibly descriptive. Despite the spoiled ending, it had me laughing in shock.
Emma: Emma lost me with the SciFi themes but still managed to have me on the edge of my seat and laughing at the end.
Anna Holstein: This is an example of why I’m so paranoid. Maybe I watched The Punisher too much as a kid. But I constantly think about places I could store knives for self-defense. On my door, under my kitchen table, etc. I’ve had too many close encounters to ever feel safe without a knife close by.
Mariam: This is a story that’s difficult to talk about without spoilers. It reminds me very much of a classic, with a touch of modern details. If somebody openly tells me they expect something from me in a dangerous situation, I do the opposite. I’ve been held at gunpoint several times in my life and the number one thing I’ve never done is give in or show fear. That’s what the coward wants and I refuse to give them what they want.
Stephanie Lao, Mel Heath, Tori Cartwright, Jill Chapman, and Brittany Daniels: Right off the bat, this one loses me with the SciFi mention. I’ve reviewed a handful of SciFi books since I started doing reviews 6 months ago and I’ve learned an important lesson. I HATE modern SciFi. I say modern because I love Frankenstein.
Beyond this, I have nothing left to say. I have a difficult time remembering names. Despite the length of this story making me groan, I feel like I don’t have enough time to get to know them all and tell them apart. I had to fight the urge to skip this story. Mercy. A fight I lost.
Rainey Miller: This is probably my favorite of the bunch. I say probably because I’m writing this as I go, so each story is fresh in my mind. I kinda zoned out a bit as the story progressed. At one point, a conversation between two characters reminded me which story I was listening to. This put me on the edge of my seat. This entire collection is worth it for this one alone. It did not disappoint.
Gia Gaines: I never know how to react to office stories. I’ve never worked in one, I have no idea how accurate they are. My only experience with this type of setting is from movies and rarely, a book.
I don’t have much to say about this story. It made me smile. I think it’s an office romance novella just waiting to be written.
Natalie: This is your standard-issue haunting story. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t stand out in the crowd like some of the others.
I’ve quite enjoyed these stories. Some of them I think would make great novellas. I appreciate how the genre is given before each story as it lays some important groundwork for what to expect. One of the few things I look into before starting a new book in the genre.
The narrator is top-notch. based on all the books that showed up on Audible when I clicked her name, I’d say quite a few other people agreed as well.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
Her: Incredibly descriptive. Despite the spoiled ending, it had me laughing in shock.
Emma: Emma lost me with the SciFi themes but still managed to have me on the edge of my seat and laughing at the end.
Anna Holstein: This is an example of why I’m so paranoid. Maybe I watched The Punisher too much as a kid. But I constantly think about places I could store knives for self-defense. On my door, under my kitchen table, etc. I’ve had too many close encounters to ever feel safe without a knife close by.
Mariam: This is a story that’s difficult to talk about without spoilers. It reminds me very much of a classic, with a touch of modern details. If somebody openly tells me they expect something from me in a dangerous situation, I do the opposite. I’ve been held at gunpoint several times in my life and the number one thing I’ve never done is give in or show fear. That’s what the coward wants and I refuse to give them what they want.
Stephanie Lao, Mel Heath, Tori Cartwright, Jill Chapman, and Brittany Daniels: Right off the bat, this one loses me with the SciFi mention. I’ve reviewed a handful of SciFi books since I started doing reviews 6 months ago and I’ve learned an important lesson. I HATE modern SciFi. I say modern because I love Frankenstein.
Beyond this, I have nothing left to say. I have a difficult time remembering names. Despite the length of this story making me groan, I feel like I don’t have enough time to get to know them all and tell them apart. I had to fight the urge to skip this story. Mercy. A fight I lost.
Rainey Miller: This is probably my favorite of the bunch. I say probably because I’m writing this as I go, so each story is fresh in my mind. I kinda zoned out a bit as the story progressed. At one point, a conversation between two characters reminded me which story I was listening to. This put me on the edge of my seat. This entire collection is worth it for this one alone. It did not disappoint.
Gia Gaines: I never know how to react to office stories. I’ve never worked in one, I have no idea how accurate they are. My only experience with this type of setting is from movies and rarely, a book.
I don’t have much to say about this story. It made me smile. I think it’s an office romance novella just waiting to be written.
Natalie: This is your standard-issue haunting story. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t stand out in the crowd like some of the others.
I’ve quite enjoyed these stories. Some of them I think would make great novellas. I appreciate how the genre is given before each story as it lays some important groundwork for what to expect. One of the few things I look into before starting a new book in the genre.
The narrator is top-notch. based on all the books that showed up on Audible when I clicked her name, I’d say quite a few other people agreed as well.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
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