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Chasing the Dream - A new life abroad: An anthology of travel stories
“You’re so lucky! I wish I could live abroad.”
“I bet you spend all day lying in a hammock on the beach, sipping cocktails in the sun.”
20 different stories. One shared dream – the chance to start a new life overseas.
In this anthology of travel stories, twenty established writers share their adventures with you.
Includes work by New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors.
And not a hammock or cocktail in sight.
“I bet you spend all day lying in a hammock on the beach, sipping cocktails in the sun.”
20 different stories. One shared dream – the chance to start a new life overseas.
In this anthology of travel stories, twenty established writers share their adventures with you.
Includes work by New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors.
And not a hammock or cocktail in sight.
- GenresMemoir
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2021
46 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Alyson Sheldrake
12 books38 followersAlyson Sheldrake has an honours degree in sport and a teaching qualification in physical education, English, and drama. She has always loved art and painting, although she found little time for such pleasures, working full time after graduation. Alyson joined the Devon and Cornwall Police and served for thirteen years before leaving and working her way up the education ladder, rapidly reaching the dizzy heights of a Director of Education for the Church of England in Devon.
Managing over 130 schools was a challenging and rewarding role. However, after three years, her husband, Dave, retired from the police, and their long-held dream of living in the sun became a reality.
Alyson handed in her notice, and with her dusty easel and set of acrylic paints packed and ready to move, they started their new adventure living in the beautiful Algarve in Portugal.
She is now an accomplished and sought-after artist and author working alongside Dave, who became a professional photographer. Being able to bring their much-loved hobbies and creative interests to life has been a wonderful bonus to their life in the Algarve.
Alyson is the former editor of Portugal Letter magazine and a feature writer for the Algarve’s Tomorrow magazine. She is the author of the Algarve Dream Series of travel memoirs and the author/curator of the Travel Stories Series of anthologies.
Her animal memoir, Kat the Dog: The remarkable tale of a rescued Spanish Water Dog, was released in 2002, and is a multi-award-winning bestseller.
Her latest book, The Rainbow Bridge, is her first foray into fantasy fiction.
When she is not painting or writing, you can find Alyson walking Zara, their newly rescued Spanish water dog, along the riverbank in Aljezur.
Managing over 130 schools was a challenging and rewarding role. However, after three years, her husband, Dave, retired from the police, and their long-held dream of living in the sun became a reality.
Alyson handed in her notice, and with her dusty easel and set of acrylic paints packed and ready to move, they started their new adventure living in the beautiful Algarve in Portugal.
She is now an accomplished and sought-after artist and author working alongside Dave, who became a professional photographer. Being able to bring their much-loved hobbies and creative interests to life has been a wonderful bonus to their life in the Algarve.
Alyson is the former editor of Portugal Letter magazine and a feature writer for the Algarve’s Tomorrow magazine. She is the author of the Algarve Dream Series of travel memoirs and the author/curator of the Travel Stories Series of anthologies.
Her animal memoir, Kat the Dog: The remarkable tale of a rescued Spanish Water Dog, was released in 2002, and is a multi-award-winning bestseller.
Her latest book, The Rainbow Bridge, is her first foray into fantasy fiction.
When she is not painting or writing, you can find Alyson walking Zara, their newly rescued Spanish water dog, along the riverbank in Aljezur.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 15, 2021
What makes people decide to up sticks to make a new life in another country? In this wonderful collection we can find out. I was hooked from the first page. Expertly curated by Alyson Sheldrake each account is engaging and quite fascinating and somehow, although there are twenty different authors featured each chapter runs seamlessly into the next.
It features some of my very favourite authors and some that I didn’t know so well but will certainly seek out their books. These accounts took me travelling across the globe from Europe to South America, Japan and Australia and amazed me with their experiences. There are some which made me laugh and some which made my jaw drop but what impressed me was the adaptability of each person and their determination to face head on the challenges they faced and to make a success of their new life. Each author is very candid about their experiences and fortunately have succeeded in ‘Chasing their Dream’
If you are thinking of moving abroad or are simply interested in reading about those who do I can heartily recommend this book.
It features some of my very favourite authors and some that I didn’t know so well but will certainly seek out their books. These accounts took me travelling across the globe from Europe to South America, Japan and Australia and amazed me with their experiences. There are some which made me laugh and some which made my jaw drop but what impressed me was the adaptability of each person and their determination to face head on the challenges they faced and to make a success of their new life. Each author is very candid about their experiences and fortunately have succeeded in ‘Chasing their Dream’
If you are thinking of moving abroad or are simply interested in reading about those who do I can heartily recommend this book.
June 25, 2021
Read the World!
I loved this enchanting insight into people chasing their dreams of a new life abroad. I couldn’t put it down!
This is not a line-up of the usual booze and bougainvillea suspects. It is a truly global compendium of expat experience; from Australia to Zambia, with Japan, Libya and a canal barge in the Netherlands set alongside pastoral idylls in places such as France, Spain, Italy, Ireland and Greece.
The resourceful and adaptable people who penned this delightful smörgåsbord of life stories carefully planned, accidentally fell into, or made the best of a bad job during their jaunts around the world.
The book is curated from a variety of authors; from first-time-published to New York Times bestseller. However, the selection is excellent. Every story is beautifully written, and for me, the rich assortment of styles and voices really added to the diversity of destinations.
The accounts are very honest. You will laugh out loud, but it’s certainly not all sugar-coated ‘move abroad to a life of sunshine and rainbows’. You will see first-hand the difficulties of setting up in a new country–even places where you think the culture is like your own. Yet with great risk comes great reward and–in most cases–that joy shines through. All the contributors had the courage and resolve to make things work out, even when things deviated grossly from their plans.
Whether you’re thinking of chasing your own dream, or just want to expand your horizons and read the world, I can heartily recommend this anthology of exotic tales.
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book and have voluntarily left my honest review.
I loved this enchanting insight into people chasing their dreams of a new life abroad. I couldn’t put it down!
This is not a line-up of the usual booze and bougainvillea suspects. It is a truly global compendium of expat experience; from Australia to Zambia, with Japan, Libya and a canal barge in the Netherlands set alongside pastoral idylls in places such as France, Spain, Italy, Ireland and Greece.
The resourceful and adaptable people who penned this delightful smörgåsbord of life stories carefully planned, accidentally fell into, or made the best of a bad job during their jaunts around the world.
The book is curated from a variety of authors; from first-time-published to New York Times bestseller. However, the selection is excellent. Every story is beautifully written, and for me, the rich assortment of styles and voices really added to the diversity of destinations.
The accounts are very honest. You will laugh out loud, but it’s certainly not all sugar-coated ‘move abroad to a life of sunshine and rainbows’. You will see first-hand the difficulties of setting up in a new country–even places where you think the culture is like your own. Yet with great risk comes great reward and–in most cases–that joy shines through. All the contributors had the courage and resolve to make things work out, even when things deviated grossly from their plans.
Whether you’re thinking of chasing your own dream, or just want to expand your horizons and read the world, I can heartily recommend this anthology of exotic tales.
I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book and have voluntarily left my honest review.
June 14, 2021
Another stunning selection.
This is beautifully presented, with a bright, fresh, vibrant cover. It contains lots of We Love Memoirs favourite authors, with 20 stories about moving to a new life (19, plus Alyson's own).
Not just the Algarve this time, (as her previous collection was), there are stories from all over the world: Africa, Spain, Italy, Ireland, France etc. A good assortment.
I have read the memoirs of a fair few of these authors, and enjoyed hearing more about their adventures (this is new material, not merely extracts from their books). Any that I hadn't read-well, their books will definitely be on my ‘to be read list’. A great present idea for a friend or relative, as an introduction to all these great memoirs. A wonderful taster book.
I didn't think I really liked compilations, but, this second one which Alyson Sheldrake has been involved in is another winner. Great, engaging stories. A wide variety of destinations and circumstances. And exquisitely presented.
Very interesting, and so entertaining. A great bunch of stories.
This is beautifully presented, with a bright, fresh, vibrant cover. It contains lots of We Love Memoirs favourite authors, with 20 stories about moving to a new life (19, plus Alyson's own).
Not just the Algarve this time, (as her previous collection was), there are stories from all over the world: Africa, Spain, Italy, Ireland, France etc. A good assortment.
I have read the memoirs of a fair few of these authors, and enjoyed hearing more about their adventures (this is new material, not merely extracts from their books). Any that I hadn't read-well, their books will definitely be on my ‘to be read list’. A great present idea for a friend or relative, as an introduction to all these great memoirs. A wonderful taster book.
I didn't think I really liked compilations, but, this second one which Alyson Sheldrake has been involved in is another winner. Great, engaging stories. A wide variety of destinations and circumstances. And exquisitely presented.
Very interesting, and so entertaining. A great bunch of stories.
August 19, 2021
A New Life Abroad
Who hasn't been on vacation and dreamed about packing up their life and moving abroad? Well these are the stories of people who did just that. What a wonderful and varied collection of stories. I'd read memoirs by many of the authors, and it was a delight to find out something of the back stories. And I've discovered other authors, and will be trawling Amazon to find their books. Superbly curated by Alyson Sheldrake, who also contributes her own story, this is a really enjoyable read. Definitely recommended. Like me, you may meet some old friends, and discover new ones.
Who hasn't been on vacation and dreamed about packing up their life and moving abroad? Well these are the stories of people who did just that. What a wonderful and varied collection of stories. I'd read memoirs by many of the authors, and it was a delight to find out something of the back stories. And I've discovered other authors, and will be trawling Amazon to find their books. Superbly curated by Alyson Sheldrake, who also contributes her own story, this is a really enjoyable read. Definitely recommended. Like me, you may meet some old friends, and discover new ones.
July 11, 2021
Looking for more memoir authors to follow? Try this.
It's always a wonderful surprise to find a book that makes you want to read more from the author. So imagine my delight to find one that includes stories by 20 different authors that inspires me to go searching for more from all of them! Chasing the Dream is one of those books. Well written, fascinating, poignant, hilarious - it's all here in this one volume to taste and tease - from Zambia to Portugal to Slovenia to Australia. Whether you're a seasoned traveler, current expat, or just love to live vicariously through the lives of others from the comfort of your couch, this book will have you searching for your next travel adventure as soon as you finish it. But how to choose? Do yourself a favor - get one of each!"
It's always a wonderful surprise to find a book that makes you want to read more from the author. So imagine my delight to find one that includes stories by 20 different authors that inspires me to go searching for more from all of them! Chasing the Dream is one of those books. Well written, fascinating, poignant, hilarious - it's all here in this one volume to taste and tease - from Zambia to Portugal to Slovenia to Australia. Whether you're a seasoned traveler, current expat, or just love to live vicariously through the lives of others from the comfort of your couch, this book will have you searching for your next travel adventure as soon as you finish it. But how to choose? Do yourself a favor - get one of each!"
June 1, 2022
Chasing the Dream is an anthology of travel stories each by a different author giving their individual aspect and experience of taking the bull by the horns and moving abroad to start a new life.
There are stories of retirement to places discovered on summer holidays, emigration to be closer to family, starting new businesses and careers and much more. Bureaucracy and problems with local builders overcome, each of the stories is imbued with positivity and a joy of life in the chosen destination.
This book is a great way to sample work by these varied authors and get a feel for their memoir series and their individual styles of writing. Alyson Sheldrake has done a great job pulling together these stories and adventures.
There are stories of retirement to places discovered on summer holidays, emigration to be closer to family, starting new businesses and careers and much more. Bureaucracy and problems with local builders overcome, each of the stories is imbued with positivity and a joy of life in the chosen destination.
This book is a great way to sample work by these varied authors and get a feel for their memoir series and their individual styles of writing. Alyson Sheldrake has done a great job pulling together these stories and adventures.
September 5, 2021
Have you ever wondered what it is like to move to a new country, a new culture, to start again building new friendships and a new life? This book brings to life the experiences of 20 authors from a wide variety of countries around the world. There is something for everyone in this book from Avocado farming in Chile, frozen chickens in Spain, a mysterious and slightly scary arrival in Japan, terrifying experiences in Africa, frolics with a fridge in Greece, festivals, food and house hunting aplenty. And you might find a new Author or two that you would like to read more from, I did. I give this book and all of the authors involved a solid 5 stars.
December 19, 2022
Chasing the Dream—A New Life Abroad is an anthology of travel stories by twenty authors, all of whom upped sticks and left their home countries for a new life. And not always for a place in the sun, either. Scotland to Slovenia or South Africa to the Netherlands, or England to Ireland aren't the obvious destination countries we’ve come to expect from lifestyle television programmes.
These first-hand accounts discuss the various reasons for each of the moves. And some of them may surprise you. The case studies include a hard-working duo who become avocado farmers in South America and a young family who want to be closer to relatives. There are languages to learn, cultural misunderstandings to overcome, as well as property purchases to be made.
It takes courage, determination, and hard work to do what these authors did, and even more to write about it.
If you love to experience the lives of others from the comfort of your armchair or when lying in a hammock sipping cocktails in the sun, this is a great read to dip in and out of. And I can guarantee you’ll want to add these authors to your ‘to read’ pile as I did.
My thanks go to Alyson Sheldrake, who has done a terrific job of putting this collection of stories together. I received a free copy of this book.
These first-hand accounts discuss the various reasons for each of the moves. And some of them may surprise you. The case studies include a hard-working duo who become avocado farmers in South America and a young family who want to be closer to relatives. There are languages to learn, cultural misunderstandings to overcome, as well as property purchases to be made.
It takes courage, determination, and hard work to do what these authors did, and even more to write about it.
If you love to experience the lives of others from the comfort of your armchair or when lying in a hammock sipping cocktails in the sun, this is a great read to dip in and out of. And I can guarantee you’ll want to add these authors to your ‘to read’ pile as I did.
My thanks go to Alyson Sheldrake, who has done a terrific job of putting this collection of stories together. I received a free copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews