The Iron Road

by Charlotte Nash

In the dusty red reaches of the Pilbara, a simple misunderstanding sends love off track...Stacey had thought Liam was the one. A fellow survey geologist who could discuss books as intelligently as he could detail rocks. Who looked as good in a tux as he did in his high-vis work clothes. She'd thought they'd found the perfect civilisation and adventure; together. But Liam hasn't told her everything. And now, on a ridge above a narrow outback gully, Stacey can see her perfect world crumbling before her eyes. Can their new love survive this unexpected obstacle? Includes previews of Charlotte's two full-length novels RYDERS RIDGE and IRON JUNCTION.'A spirited heroine, a sexy farmer and a secret. Nash has created a dynamic debut novel that grabs you from the first page.' Fleur McDonald'This breakout novel is a skilful mix of rural charm and gripping medical drama.' West AustralianCharlotte Nash knows first-hand what she is writing about, having seen the Pilbara from the air, through the windscreen of a four-wheel drive, from the top of the mining plant, and from remote operations, all while working as an engineer and investigator. She was born in England and grew up in the Redland Shire of Brisbane with a love for horses and heavy machinery, later studying both engineering and medicine. She subsequently worked for the CSIRO and for private industry, visiting mine sites and ports across Australia. These days, she is a technical writer and fiction author, and teaches creative writing at the University of Queensland. Her first novel was Ryders Ridge, set in a small country town; her next novel, Iron Junction, is set in a Pilbara mining town.

Genres: Romance, Short Stories, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

49 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

Charlotte Nash was born in England and grew up in the sunny Redland Shire of Brisbane. Before becoming a writer, she spent time building rockets and working as an industrial accident investigator (she swears the two were not related). Somewhere in that time, she acquired a penchant for motorbikes.

She now writes women's fiction, romance, science fiction and fantasy, teaches in some semesters, and works in technical writing with fascinating people. She has degrees in engineering and medicine, and a PhD in creative writing from The University of Queensland. She swears she is still fun at parties.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stacey's love for Liam was obvious to everyone, but her love for him has been put to the test as they pass through the dusty red sand of the Pilbara. When the work vehicle they are driving gets a puncture it only adds to Staceys frustration, but this would only be the beginning of events that followed.

The Iron Road by Aussie author Charlotte Nash was an enjoyable short story. Recommended.

[Jülie ☼♄  · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice short outback love story with more than a few hurdles for the new couple to surmount.
Included at the end are sample chapters from Ryders Ridge and Iron Junction by the same author.

3*s

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5★s

Stacey and Liam rattled along the rough track through the red sand of the Pilbara – side by side yet as far apart as they could be. Their work vehicle wasn’t the most comfortable to travel in, but it was needed in this country. As they headed back to their base in Iron Junction, Stacey was angry; frustrated and upset.

But an unexpected puncture caused a dramatic chain of events to unfold – the growing love that Stacey had felt for Liam over the past four months was being tested. What would happen out there in the vast and desolate outback?

This short story was filled with believable emotion – the minefield of a new love, the misunderstandings and uncertainty. A quick, easy and entertaining read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, sweet; loving

Stacey and Liam are on the road the day before Stacey thought that they'd be together then it hit the fan, what will happen on the road why didn't Liam tell her up front and is there a future for them or not. Sweet short story come and enjoy the travel.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short but an ok story.

[AnilUsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book

[AnilAustralia · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacey had thought Liam was the one. A fellow survey geologist who could discuss books as intelligently as he could detail rocks. Who looked as good in a tux as he did in his high-vis work clothes. She'd thought they'd found the perfect life: civilisation and adventure; together. But Liam hasn't told her everything. And now, on a ridge above a narrow outback gully, Stacey can see her perfect world crumbling before her eyes. Can their new love survive this unexpected obstacle? Includes previews of Charlotte's two full-length novels RYDERS RIDGE and IRON JUNCTION.

I read Iron Junction a little while ago and quite enjoyed the story that Charlotte Nash put together. So I was happy to see this short piece available for free download a few days ago.

And what a sweet little story it is. The story of new relationships, inevitable hurdles, two different personalities and the misunderstandings that can happen between two people just getting to know each other.

While the story story isn't particularly original, it is well done for the genre and it was also nice to see a passing nod to Iron Junction as well. I appreciated that.


Paul
ARH

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

a small chapter into Liam n Stacey's time doing a survey and there relationship only being a few months along got on tenderhooks from a message revealed. Not a good choice of Liam eating the chicken roll. Two sample stories of doctors included which I think one of them is in the town library which I will follow up.

[Bettina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm never really a huge fan of short stories as I love to get to know my characters in depth...but I liked how Iron Junction featured in this short story too.

[Beatté · Rating 2 out of 5]

If that was a story I must have missed it. Normally a good writer but maybe novellas are not her forte

[Carrie Junot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short story that could easily have a little more information about who the characters were (prologue). I came across this story and wanted a quick read and that's exactly what I got but the story could easily be made into something more adding how the characters got to where they are as well as a little more about the remainder of their journey and what choice was made of going or not. Otherwise it was a good story with a little laugh. I'll look into more books by Charlotte Nash to see how her longer books are.

[Dominique Bebbington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know its a short story but that was ridiculous. I feel like Ive missed the main part of the story.