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25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia
This is a collection of highly readable Short Stories, set in Australia. Most are romances, although there are a number of human interest tales that have been well received. In the later category, two stand out. 'The Virgin Dancer', a very short yet moving tale of a middle aged woman left behind due to family responsibilities, finally finding love and fulfillment, culminating in her mind-boggling discovery that she, too, could dance. 'Family Values' is a lightly-written story of a confident, impish young boy visiting his grandparents, and the embarrassment of his parents.
- GenresShort Stories
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
46 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Lynette Sharp
83 books88 followersMy blog: http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...
Margaret Lynette Sharp is an award-winning writer, and the author of over eighty titles, including #1 Amazon Best Seller, 'Longbourn Revisited'. Her work was highly commended during the the 2014 Hurstville Discovery Festival of Community Arts, and published by Hurstville Council in an anthology entitled 'Write Out Loud'. In November 2015 she won a Second Prize, again in the short story section of this same competition, and her title, 'More Than a Mere Bagatelle', has been selected for inclusion in another anthology, 'The Art of Writing'.
She spent her early years in an inner city suburb of Sydney, moving with her family to a leafy, outer suburb at the age of ten.
A self-motivated student who loved to seek out information, she matriculated just before her eighteenth birthday. Her enthusiasm for literature led to further studies, with a particular focus on Short Story Writing
Shortly after the death of her elderly mother whom she cared for, Margaret met and later married Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the creator of the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ. She believes that, without doubt, he was her greatest fan and motivator.
Excelling in English himself, Ron had edited much of her early work. He passed away on 21st July, 2021.
Margaret's books have been read and reviewed by readers from Australia, U.S. and India; the vast majority of reviews have been positive.
In addition, she has three blogs on WordPress, which has received many encouraging comments.
Margaret Lynette Sharp is an award-winning writer, and the author of over eighty titles, including #1 Amazon Best Seller, 'Longbourn Revisited'. Her work was highly commended during the the 2014 Hurstville Discovery Festival of Community Arts, and published by Hurstville Council in an anthology entitled 'Write Out Loud'. In November 2015 she won a Second Prize, again in the short story section of this same competition, and her title, 'More Than a Mere Bagatelle', has been selected for inclusion in another anthology, 'The Art of Writing'.
She spent her early years in an inner city suburb of Sydney, moving with her family to a leafy, outer suburb at the age of ten.
A self-motivated student who loved to seek out information, she matriculated just before her eighteenth birthday. Her enthusiasm for literature led to further studies, with a particular focus on Short Story Writing
Shortly after the death of her elderly mother whom she cared for, Margaret met and later married Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the creator of the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ. She believes that, without doubt, he was her greatest fan and motivator.
Excelling in English himself, Ron had edited much of her early work. He passed away on 21st July, 2021.
Margaret's books have been read and reviewed by readers from Australia, U.S. and India; the vast majority of reviews have been positive.
In addition, she has three blogs on WordPress, which has received many encouraging comments.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 27, 2019
This is a beautifully written collection of short tales set in Australia. Most of the stories are about love and romance, which I actually did enjoy. Each story takes you along a different journey where we follow the lives of several couples who all deal with every day challenges that all relationships are faced with on a daily basis. Recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
August 30, 2012
These brisk but refreshing vignettes touch the surface tension of human encounters, seeing clearly the water beneath, and reporting that the glass is always more full than we'd hoped. Sharp deeply understands the liquid turbulence of relationships of all kinds, and offers here a clear-eyed view of the currents.
The stories are well-crafted, emotionally engaging and minimalist in form, free of nonessential characters and tedious distractions. They could not be more appealingly readable.
To summarize a minimalist short story is conceivably almost to reproduce it in full, but I've lightly sketched the outlines of a representative sample below, by way of providing a palate-teaser.
Full circle
Guy meets forlorn girl, broken up with lifelong boyfriend, offers her crisps and hope.
Keyboard Capers
A different kind of performance anxiety, healed by togetherness and an empathic audience. No false notes.
Family values
Young couple bring sensitive toddler to meet judgmental grandparents, the grandmother radiating disapproval. The frictions are delicately staged, the usual formula of accommodation breached. Their son's emotions are, in fact, more important.
Picnic on the Beach
Blind date on the beach. More than meets the blind dating eye in a seemingly incompatible prospect.
For Better or for Worse
Kate, already engaged, meets her long lost soulmate at a wedding. Not her own, and it's for the best.
Winning and Losing
More than skin exposed at a swim competition.
Full Circle (riverrun)
Funny about uncanny resemblances...
Strongly recommended. Five stars.
The stories are well-crafted, emotionally engaging and minimalist in form, free of nonessential characters and tedious distractions. They could not be more appealingly readable.
To summarize a minimalist short story is conceivably almost to reproduce it in full, but I've lightly sketched the outlines of a representative sample below, by way of providing a palate-teaser.
Full circle
Guy meets forlorn girl, broken up with lifelong boyfriend, offers her crisps and hope.
Keyboard Capers
A different kind of performance anxiety, healed by togetherness and an empathic audience. No false notes.
Family values
Young couple bring sensitive toddler to meet judgmental grandparents, the grandmother radiating disapproval. The frictions are delicately staged, the usual formula of accommodation breached. Their son's emotions are, in fact, more important.
Picnic on the Beach
Blind date on the beach. More than meets the blind dating eye in a seemingly incompatible prospect.
For Better or for Worse
Kate, already engaged, meets her long lost soulmate at a wedding. Not her own, and it's for the best.
Winning and Losing
More than skin exposed at a swim competition.
Full Circle (riverrun)
Funny about uncanny resemblances...
Strongly recommended. Five stars.
May 28, 2013
Once again, a delightful little book of short stories of romance, love and life by Margaret Sharp. They are extremely engaging, with each story heading in a different life direction, the characters are likeable, varying and at times, emotionally entangled.
I particularly liked Family Values, where four-year-old Byron was being taken to see his grandparents on their farm. A first visit (that he can remember), and after being told numerous times to be on his best behaviour, he was understandably quite nervous. But young children will say and do what they want (mostly), and the outcome was well handled by his parents.
I highly recommend Margaret’s work, especially to lovers of short stories, romance and the light easy read.
I particularly liked Family Values, where four-year-old Byron was being taken to see his grandparents on their farm. A first visit (that he can remember), and after being told numerous times to be on his best behaviour, he was understandably quite nervous. But young children will say and do what they want (mostly), and the outcome was well handled by his parents.
I highly recommend Margaret’s work, especially to lovers of short stories, romance and the light easy read.
September 18, 2013
Some years ago, the wife of a dear friend of mine told me to grab a few sweets available to all the guests at the end of a lovely dinner. Having chosen the wrong ones, she corrected me by saying, “Not those ones, the other ones, the small dark-chocolate ones.” I picked up a few of these and they proved to be absolutely delicious morsels. That’s what these twenty-five stories reminded me of. Small bits of wonderment that do not quite tell you the end; they rather let you imagine it and savor it in your own mind. “25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia” also provide the reader, especially the ones that are not Aussies, with some unique expressions and references common to that lovely land, for example, “cuppa” for a cup of tea, and kookaburra, which is a kind of bird. You will get all the flavor of the land down under, Ms Sharp makes sure of that.
In addition, she includes many funny statements, like the one pronounced by a wife when referring to her stage fright while playing the piano in front of an audience. She decided to practice a couple of tunes for quite some time until she could say that: “They didn't sound too bad, either, when my audience consisted exclusively of my husband and our dog.”
Well, I hope you pick up a copy of this book and enjoy its 25 short stories while drinking a nice cuppa. It is fun to read; five stars. Jake Taylor
In addition, she includes many funny statements, like the one pronounced by a wife when referring to her stage fright while playing the piano in front of an audience. She decided to practice a couple of tunes for quite some time until she could say that: “They didn't sound too bad, either, when my audience consisted exclusively of my husband and our dog.”
Well, I hope you pick up a copy of this book and enjoy its 25 short stories while drinking a nice cuppa. It is fun to read; five stars. Jake Taylor
July 31, 2012
As I read "25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia" I found myself smiling many times throughout the different vignettes that unfold. The author have a way of caturing your attention and interest, it propels the reader to keep turning the page to find out what's next. Reading while all is still most nights is my ideal time to read such books because it kinda takes me to an island where it's just mon livre et moi :) Bottom line, "25 Short Stories of Life and Love in Austratalia was very interesting. Margaret Sharp did it again.
October 2, 2013
This is my first book: my initiation into a new way of life.
What's good about it? Well, the diversity of themes is a strong point, as is its entertainment value. Many readers have told me how much they liked this book, and followed this up by getting extra copies for friends.
Some stories are quite absorbing and dramatic; others, light, comical tales. Plenty of romantic threads, handled tastefully enough to make them suitable for (almost) any age group.
Some favourite titles within this collection are 'Family Values', 'The Virgin Dancer', 'A Question of Trust', and 'New Digs'.
I've received praise from groups as diverse as medical professionals to retirees, and many people have observed that it's well written.
What's good about it? Well, the diversity of themes is a strong point, as is its entertainment value. Many readers have told me how much they liked this book, and followed this up by getting extra copies for friends.
Some stories are quite absorbing and dramatic; others, light, comical tales. Plenty of romantic threads, handled tastefully enough to make them suitable for (almost) any age group.
Some favourite titles within this collection are 'Family Values', 'The Virgin Dancer', 'A Question of Trust', and 'New Digs'.
I've received praise from groups as diverse as medical professionals to retirees, and many people have observed that it's well written.
December 26, 2018
A gentle read to dip into. These are stories of life and love. Mostly romantic love, but also family tales. Young love and mature love feature. Whether you are young or older but remember decisions and choices, taking advice or following your heart, you will enjoy these tales. The stories of mature romance often feature reunions and second chances. Perhaps these tales could be set anywhere, but if you have lived in Australia you will know that it is a big country a long way from the rest of the world. If your romantic interest goes overseas or even over to Perth or up north, you know that is likely to be the end of your hopes, unless they return...
October 2, 2013
Thoroughly enjoyed Margaret's first book and look forward to reading more of them.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews