Three Reviews in a Row!

Very rarely do I get three positive reviews in a row within a couple of days. So when this happens, it calls for a celebration!

First, let me thank most sincerely the wonderful Canadian writer Carol Balawyder for her five star review of ‘Love, Desire and Betrayal’.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7704883.Carol_Balawyder

Next came the very positive, four star review by Tony Parsons of ‘Of Love and Secrets’

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1178082117?book_show_action=true&page=1

And just an hour two ago I discovered another lovely 4 star review of this my 2015 release, this time by talented Australian book reviewer Scatterbooker (Jade).

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1134683435?book_show_action=false&page=1

Believe me, I’m smiling!

A big ‘Thank You’ to these readers and reviewers!!

These titles are available through Amazon Kindle.

Stop Press: I’m in a Magazine!

Here’s news: I’m in a magazine!

The Australia Times has just published its first edition about Indie writers and their work. Not only have they reviewed my eleventh title, ‘Love, Desire and Betrayal’, but also they’ve published an article about me and my writing.

I’m thrilled!

http://www.theaustraliatimes.com/magazine/indiebooks/issue/101/

A Wonderful Surprise…

Sydney’s weather today may have been rather cold and wet, but this afternoon I made a discovery that for me banished the gloom.

A sincere ‘Thank you’ to Goodreads member Tony Parsons, who has obviously devoted time and effort in writing this review of my latest release, ‘Love, Desire and Betrayal’.

Here is the link https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1036423146?book_show_action=true&page=1

Stop Press: A New Review of ‘Amelia’s Call’

Stop press!

U.S.A. reader and blogger Odie has just posted a delightful new review on Amazon of my first novella, ‘Amelia’s Call’.

Here’s a quote. ‘You will love this book and hunger for more.’

A big ‘Thank you’ to Odie for taking the time to make his feelings known.

Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Amelias-Call-Margaret-Lynette-Sharp-ebook/dp/B00DLYLK4M

Happiness Is: Two Lovely Reviews in One Day!

Happiness is: Two lovely reviews in One Day!

Certainly true if one is a newly-emerging writer…..

Zara’s Reviews > Long and Short Australian Stories

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My rating:

1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars[ 5 of 5 stars ]

Long and Short Australian Stories
by Margaret Lynette Sharp (Goodreads Author)

Zara‘s review

Oct 20, 13

4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: coffee-books-challenge, hhbc-fall-winter-blues-rc, nbrc-bdazzled-blue, nbrc-level-challenge, read-in-2013

Read from October 01 to 20, 2013

I loved this book.

It was made up of a number of different stories of varying lengths (hence the title “long and short”) about different peoples’ relationships and following their dreams in spite of what people might think or try to talk them out of doing.

It was written in a way that made it easy and quick to read. The dialogue between people was well structured and set out.

If you’re wanting a light, fun and easy read for those lazy days on the beach or in your favourite reading spot then I recommend this book. You’ll be glad you did.

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Jake Taylor’s Reviews > A Taste of Life and Love in Australia

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My rating:

1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars[ 5 of 5 stars ]

A Taste of Life and Love in Australia
by Margaret Lynette Sharp (Goodreads Author)

Jake Taylor‘s review

Oct 20, 13

5 of 5 stars

Read in October, 2013

Ms Sharp has again provided us with a group of very charming short stories. From the young man who was too shy to make his move to the older gentleman who got a second opportunity many years later. In some cases, a door is shut while other opens according to the whims of Cupid. In other cases, interest gets involved. In A Taste of Life and Love in Australia, the author includes these lines: “So you would put an inheritance ahead of me? Ahead of our marriage? Is that what you’re saying?” This reminded me of Don Quixote and his squire Sancho during the Wedding of Camacho, the rich one (Don Quixote, Part II, Chapter 20) who while attending the festivities heard one of the players say: “I am the one that is mightier than Love… for I am Interest” (“Soy quien puede más que Amor… Soy el Interés”). There are other stories that seem to say: I make my own decisions. Others kindle an old friendship; others bring back an old love. Another great line of Ms. Sharp is: “Wasn’t mature love a horse of a different colour?” Almost as asking: Is there such a thing as mature love?
But I must confess that two of my favorite lines were: “life can change in an instant” and “you never know what’s around the corner” (most especially in love matters). Therefore, in closing, I sincerely hope that whatever happens to be around the next corner that can change your life in an instant is as lovely and charming as these stories. Nice reading, Five Stars, Jake Taylor

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Thanks to these reviewers for sharing their thoughts!

A New Review: ENCORE

Yay! Another lovely review!

It’s enough to put a smile on any author’s face….

Sincere thanks to Jake Taylor for providing this.

Read

My rating:

1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars[ 5 of 5 stars ]

Encore
by Margaret Lynette Sharp (Goodreads Author)

Jake Taylor‘s review

Oct 05, 13

5 of 5 stars

Read in October, 2013

Is there such a thing as fate? Years ago my piano teacher told me that she loved paintings that included a forked road. The reason was that when she graduated she had the opportunity to decide whether to become a concert pianist and travel or to get married and raise a family. She chose the latter. Eventually she became a piano teacher, a wife and a mother, but she always wondered how her life would have been had she decided to travel instead. In these short stories, aptly named Encore, Ms Sharp seems to play delightfully with this option. Some characters arrive at a place just in time to change the lives of others. A magical fork appears on the road and changes everything in the life of an individual because he or she turns right or left. This book provides twenty-five stories full of that magic. In some cases, it will make you wonder if the gods are pushing us in one direction or another. Is it fortune, perhaps? There are also the lovely morsels that make for a wonderful reading experience, like: “…these days you need a university degree to sell a milkshake,” or “her thoughts fly to the days of old: where predictability is king; when life lacks sparkle, and knows no true love.” The sort of statement that makes us ponder. Or this other one, among many others, “…as I took her in my arms and kissed her lips, an overwhelming feeling of being guided by the hand of fate: intriguing…” I won’t tell you the rest because I’m not a spoiler but, altogether, it is a pearl of writing. Five stars, Jake Taylor

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Brenda’s review: ‘Long and Short Australian Stories’

I’m very pleased to be able to report that Goodreads Aussie readers moderator, Brenda,

has just posted the following review of my sixth title.

Long and Short Australian Stories
by Margaret Lynette Sharp (Goodreads Author)

Brenda‘s review

Sep 26, 13

4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: 2012-release, aussie-authors, gift-from-author, reviewing-by-request, own-read, read-on-kindle, short-stories

Read on September 26, 2013 — I own a copy

Long and Short Australian Stories is made up of twenty different romantic tales, mostly short, sweet and to the point. The first and last are a little longer, delving deeper into different aspects of life, love and family.

I’ve chosen to review the first of these stories, Run While You’re Young:

Rebecca had one year of schooling remaining with her domineering parents pushing her continually, so when Rebecca informed her parents she was in love with Daniel, all they could see was his standing in life, the fact that he wasn’t “good enough” for their daughter. After forbidding her to see him anymore, Rebecca and Daniel decided to take matters into their own hands.

When she ran away with Daniel, heading for his Uncle Garry’s place in the country, she left her parents a note so they wouldn’t worry – but she didn’t tell them where she was going. Rebecca continued her studies until she had completed her course, happy and content with her life at last. But would her happiness last? Would she have a future with Daniel, or would she have to return to her parents’ side, cowed and dominated?

This was a delightful story which spanned several years, with family a dominating factor. Rebecca’s strength of character stood out, and also Daniel’s love for Rebecca; but also his respect for her and her parents. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

I would recommend this anthology of short stories to anyone who loves a light romantic read.

 

A New Review: 25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia

One of the joys of being an author is the delight that a positive review of one’s work can bring.

So, today has become something of a red-letter day, with the publication of the review of my first title by  Goodreads Aussie readers moderator  Brenda Telford.

Here it is:

25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia
by Margaret Lynette Sharp (Goodreads Author)

Brenda‘s review

May 27, 13

4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: aussie-authors, autographed-book, short-stories, own-read

Read on May 26, 2013 — I own a copy

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.

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Thanks, Brenda! I’m ecstatic that you enjoyed it!

My work is available through Amazon and other distributors.

http://www.amazon.com/25-Stories-Life-Love-Australia/dp/1456597736

‘Long and Short Australian Stories’ : Shelleyrae’s review.

When you’re a writer, reviews of your own work engender a plethora of emotions. There’s the waiting and wondering, particularly for early reviews. Then, there’s the inevitable reflection on their meaning and potential outcome, and the hope of words that reflect one of humanity’s deepest desires, approval.

In other words, reviews matter.

Some say that reviews are mostly for the benefit of potential readers, but the reality is that well-founded observation, positive or negative, can help the writer, too.  Seeing through the  eyes of another can alert an author to points perhaps previously unrecognised.

So, I say a big ‘Thanks you’ to Shelleyrae at Book’d out for her thoughtful review.

Here’s the link:  http://bookdout.wordpress.com/2013/02/23/review-long-and-short-australian-stories-by-margaret-lynn-sharp/

 

Reviews from Goodreads: A Taste of Life and Love in Australia

As many followers are aware,  so far there are six self published books bearing my name as author, and my Sydney Opera House organ builder husband Ronald Sharp as editor. Of these, the most reviewed by far has been my second, ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’.

‘A Taste…’ is a collection of heartwarming vignettes and short stories: the sort that is written to please those from early adulthood right through to mature years. Readers from twenties to nineties have been warm in their praise of this, my particular favourite in the four volume ‘Life and Love in Australia’ series.

So today, prompted by the social book network Goodreads, I offer a selection of reviews from their site. I hope you will take the time to read and consider these snippets.

By Jenny(Australia) · ★★★★★ · August 11, 2012

“A Taste of Life and Love in Australia” by Margaret Lynette Sharp is a collection of gentle, heartwarming stories that quietly reflect on life.There is an effective simplicity to Margaret’s writing that means she, as author, doesn’t get in the way of her characters connecting with readers. Lines… …more

By Shelleyrae(Taree, 02, Australia) · ★★★★☆ · July 25, 2012

While grounded in an Australian setting with descriptions of familiar antipodean landscapes, A Taste of Life and Love explores the universal themes of love, desire and marriage.While I think most of the tales within this collection are perhaps more properly vignettes or scenes rather than short… …more

By Mark(The United States) · ★★★★★ · June 09, 2012

Lovely, spare, melodic prose that simply exudes warmth, and simple, pinpoint-focussed stories, with nothing extraneous to distract from the single, clear feeling that Sharp wants to evoke — sometimes a feeling of wistful loss, at others one of ironic, happy bemusement or unexpected contentment,… …more

By Margaret(Sydney, 02, Australia) · ★★★★★ · March 18, 2012

This is my favourite volume in the series, since it contains a diverse selection of engaging, human, short stories. Written to be enjoyed by young and older adults, it sheds light on various aspects of human nature and relationships.
Not all the stories end happily, but alas! this is so in real l… …more

Jul 16, 2012

Jeanette rated it

A Taste of Life and Love in Australia was a great read. I read it at night when all was quite. Story after story I felt as if I was there, especially at the beautiful beach scenes. I appreciate such a book after having to endure a busy day. Margaret Sharp did an outstanding job in describing the outdoors in Australia.

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http://www.amazon.com/A-Taste-Life-Love-Australia/dp/1461064724