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What Dreams Are Made Of
If you've ever dared to dream big, or reach for the stars, then these gorgeous stories from Sunday Times bestseller Sheila O'Flanagan are for you. Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Erica James and Marian Keyes, this free collection of Sheila's previously published stories will make your heart skip a beat, make you laugh with abandon, and smile in the knowledge that just about anything's possible... A passenger spots the man of her dreams on her daily commute - and decides to make her fantasy a reality. A widow on the verge of giving up everything rediscovers the magic in her life. A publicist attending a star-studded event ends up in the spotlight. A mother reveals a secret to her family that will change their lives for ever. A pop star discovers she can't hide - even in paradise - until she takes fate into her own hands. A young girl comes to term with who she is - and who she isn't - on her island escape. These feel-good stories, together for the first time in this exclusive digital edition, are taken from Sheila O'Flanagan's bestselling collections Destinations, A Season to Remember and Connections. In addition to these wonderful stories, don't miss the chance to get up close and personal with Sheila in WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF's special extra material, including a sneak peek of her upcoming novel, THE MISSING WIFE.
- GenresShort Stories
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2016
About the author
Sheila O'Flanagan
98 books1,249 followersAs you can see, a Dubliner all my life. My parents owned a grocery shop in the Iveagh Markets, in the Liberties area of the city and I guess city blood runs through my veins.
As a child I enjoyed reading and telling stories and everyone thought that I end up in a job which had something to do with books and literature. But though I applied for a job in the library all of the job offers I got were in commerce.
I turned down lots of them before my mother accepted one for me (I was on holiday at the time). It was in the Central Bank of Ireland and that’s how my career in financial services began.
I started out in administration and then moved jobs until finally I was working as a dealer in a commercial bank. Eventually I was promoted to Chief Dealer (the first female CD in the country). I traded lots of different things – foreign exchange, swaps, options, bonds…all of the kind of things you read about in the papers and that sound very technical and difficult. Of course once you’re doing it, it’s not half as technical as it sounds.
But I still loved reading and writing (which I did in my spare time) and I desperately wanted to write my own book. I guess I never quite got over the fact that I was never offered the library job! In my thirties I decided that it was now or never and I sat down, stuck Chapter 1 on a page, and started. I wrote the whole thing before sending it off.
I was offered a publishing deal (with no advance) by an Irish company but only if I wrote a different book! So back to the drawing board, I started again. It was another two years before it was published. It wasn’t until I’d written a few books and was offered a contract (this time with an advance!) from another publisher that I felt able to give up my trading job and write full time. So, even though it took a long time, I eventually realised my dream of being a full-time writer.
And now I also write a business column for the Irish Times.
When I’m writing a book I want to do three things:
* Tell a good story
* Make the reader feel like they know the characters
* Make each book better than the last
I don’t write for any particular audience but I suppose I must have people like me in mind – people who have busy lives and who like to escape into someone else’s for a while.
I love writing books. I hope you enjoy reading them.
As a child I enjoyed reading and telling stories and everyone thought that I end up in a job which had something to do with books and literature. But though I applied for a job in the library all of the job offers I got were in commerce.
I turned down lots of them before my mother accepted one for me (I was on holiday at the time). It was in the Central Bank of Ireland and that’s how my career in financial services began.
I started out in administration and then moved jobs until finally I was working as a dealer in a commercial bank. Eventually I was promoted to Chief Dealer (the first female CD in the country). I traded lots of different things – foreign exchange, swaps, options, bonds…all of the kind of things you read about in the papers and that sound very technical and difficult. Of course once you’re doing it, it’s not half as technical as it sounds.
But I still loved reading and writing (which I did in my spare time) and I desperately wanted to write my own book. I guess I never quite got over the fact that I was never offered the library job! In my thirties I decided that it was now or never and I sat down, stuck Chapter 1 on a page, and started. I wrote the whole thing before sending it off.
I was offered a publishing deal (with no advance) by an Irish company but only if I wrote a different book! So back to the drawing board, I started again. It was another two years before it was published. It wasn’t until I’d written a few books and was offered a contract (this time with an advance!) from another publisher that I felt able to give up my trading job and write full time. So, even though it took a long time, I eventually realised my dream of being a full-time writer.
And now I also write a business column for the Irish Times.
When I’m writing a book I want to do three things:
* Tell a good story
* Make the reader feel like they know the characters
* Make each book better than the last
I don’t write for any particular audience but I suppose I must have people like me in mind – people who have busy lives and who like to escape into someone else’s for a while.
I love writing books. I hope you enjoy reading them.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
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November 16, 2019Was ooit gratis te downloaden, nu niet meer kunnen vinden. Evt. berichtje aan schrijfster sturen.
June 29, 2016
Easy reading but not to full potential
I choose the 3 star rating as you just got engrossed into the storyline and it stopped you were onto the next book. In other chapters it was barely long enough to get into the story and it had swapped stories too. Shame really as I often don't have time to read a proper a story, so I enjoy short stories
I choose the 3 star rating as you just got engrossed into the storyline and it stopped you were onto the next book. In other chapters it was barely long enough to get into the story and it had swapped stories too. Shame really as I often don't have time to read a proper a story, so I enjoy short stories
May 1, 2018
I didn't realize this was a short story collection when I bought it. (Not my favourite) Nonetheless I thoroughly enjoy Sheila O'Flanigan's writing and was not disappointed. An easy 'pick-up-put-down' book for night shifts at work when easily distracted. The characters are solid and their stories are interesting. Really enjoyed it.
July 11, 2018
Not really a fan of short stories. It’s okay but I won’t rush to read more..
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November 4, 2020I think that this is something I will be hooked to this book about dreams.Cause people have dreams and sometimes their dreams comes true out of no where.So I will be in shooked about what i'm about to read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2019
A great story
June 20, 2020
Short reads
Selection of short reads, end before they get going. I didn't realise they where short reads when I downloaded the book.
Selection of short reads, end before they get going. I didn't realise they where short reads when I downloaded the book.
March 21, 2021
Great stories but I can't award 5 stars as these books have been published before by a different name.
September 3, 2022
Wasn't keen on this the stories didn't grab me and I didn't finish the book
November 24, 2023
Lovely short stories.
July 31, 2016
Boring
I chose this rating as this book has about 20 chapters of different stories so you just are getting into the character then it goes of into a totally different story, which I personally don't like.
I chose this rating as this book has about 20 chapters of different stories so you just are getting into the character then it goes of into a totally different story, which I personally don't like.
May 3, 2016
A lovely collection of short story gems...love the 5 things to make me happy at the end!
June 20, 2016
Light frothy appetiser....
July 30, 2016
loved this book of short stories, have to get the Missing Wife book that sounds really good!
September 21, 2016
Short stories
Very thought provoking but good stories. Must find and read more of her books. Perhaps will start with The missing wife. Would recommend to most of my friends.u
Very thought provoking but good stories. Must find and read more of her books. Perhaps will start with The missing wife. Would recommend to most of my friends.u
November 13, 2016
Short stories
Relaxing reading
Lots of variety
Interesting plots and surprising outcomes!
Sheila Flanagan never fails to keep me on the edge.
Keep on writing!!
Relaxing reading
Lots of variety
Interesting plots and surprising outcomes!
Sheila Flanagan never fails to keep me on the edge.
Keep on writing!!
January 22, 2017
Didn't realise this was a series of short stories rather than a novel. each of the stories were rushed and none reached a proper climax. Disappointing read from a usually good author
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews