Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out’s Review: A Taste of Life and Love in Australia

Oh: Happy day!

Early this morning, Shelleyrae at Book’d Out published a beautifully presented Guest Post featuring me, my family, and my writing.  Not surprisingly, she has set it out in a lovely and professional manner.

Late this  afternoon, Shelleyrae revealed her insightful and well-expressed review of my second book, ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia.’ In it, she speaks of each story as a ‘window into the nature of relationships’, and describes each as ‘thoughtful and charming’.

Pointing out quite correctly that the tales are often vignettes rather than Short Stories, she states that ‘the writing is evocative, inspiring emotion with well-crafted prose and natural dialogue.’

So, all in all, I’m absolutely delighted! As a self-published author, the road is proving to be uphill. Thank goodness that dedicated people like Shelleyrae are there to help smooth the way.

http://bookdout.wordpress.com/

Its Monday! What Are You Reading?

Its Monday! What Are You Reading?.

 

‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’  by Margaret Lynette Sharp.

An easy to read collection of Short Stories set in Australia.

Review and Guest Post probably on Thursday.

Shelleyrae at Book’d out.

Please support me,  an Australian Woman Writer.

After the Rain….in Sydney, Australia

Here we are again, in the park. It’s mid winter: the wattles are coming out, brightening the scene with their yellow balls of fluffy colour.

The rain is abating, and the air is fresh and clean. The dust has settled, making everywhere so magically beautiful.  Peace reigns supreme.

Suddenly, almost overhead, a flock of squawking, white cockatoos appears, flying jubilantly into the tall gum trees.

We are not alone.

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‘Long and Short Australia Stories’: a lovely surprise!

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Short-Australian-Stories-ebook/dp/B008H457FY/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=A24IB90LPZJ0BS

These last several weeks, I’ve had  a Q&A on the social reading site known as Goodreads, about my latest publication: a book entitled ‘Long and Short Australian Stories’. It’s edited by my husband, the creator of the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ: Ronald Sharp.

‘Long and Short Australian Stories’ is a collection of mixed length stories and vignettes of romance and human interest, set in present-day Australia. Although serious in tone, nevertheless the scenarios lend themselves to uplifting outcomes.

A Goodreads member named Mark has participated in the Q&A ; announcing recently that he had purchased it as an e-book.

Clearly, he enjoyed it, since just this evening I found that he had posted a review both precise and concise on the book’s Goodreads page. He rated it 5 stars.

I’m overjoyed that it’s off to such a good start!

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http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/368139202

<script src=”http://www.goodreads.com/book/avg_rating_widget/13596941&#8243; type=”text/javascript”></script>

Reminiscing….

Do you reminisce?

Do you look back on milestones: consider your life before and after THE EVENT?

I guess all of us, if we survive into middle age, can look back and pinpoint the decisions that have moulded our lives. It could be anything: from personal involvements, trips, or choice of career.

One of my most recent big moments came almost two years ago. I decided to write a book.

I think this idea came into being around the time of the wedding of a close relation.  Of course, I saw this a milestone in her life: a decision, a turning point, for the future. She would have this to look back on.

I suppose I then considered that I, too, wanted a milestone. Already happily married, it had to be something else. A career!

And realistically, the only career that held prospects of satisfaction for myself was as a writer. I had the background: successful completion of literary courses, followed by extensive reading and life observation.

So, egged on by my husband, and later editor, Ronald Sharp B.E.M., I started to write a book. A book of Short Stories, set in the Australia that I love. A book that spoke to others of the joys and vicissitudes of life and humanity: that could make you laugh, or maybe shed a tear or two of happiness. That book, a collection of Short Stories, became known as ’25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia’. It gave me my first taste of the pleasure of receiving a five star review; a pleasure which was not repeated for many months, since getting the work into the wider literary community is, unfortunately, a slow and difficult process.

At last, I’m making progress. Six books published, and it’s just starting to happen! Exciting times!

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

Spring in July?

What a lovely day we’ve had today! Sydney reached a top temperature of just over twenty degrees C.: sunshine all round.

This morning, I spent some time by the river. Walking on the sands, turning from time to time to gaze at the water’s beautiful reflections, I suddenly saw a group of teenagers arrive. One carried a camera.

Everyone: especially those young and beautiful: loves being photographed. But I have to take my hat off to the pretty, dark-haired young lady who braved the freezing water in the name of art!

I’ve personal experience of very cold water, and I don’t intend to ever repeat it.  Most probably, the water temperature now is about twelve degrees: nevertheless, this young stalwart withstood it twice for the camera. I’m not sure whether her excited squeals were exacerbated by having an appreciative audience, but, in an odd sort of way, she appeared to be having the time of her life.

Oh, to be so young, and full of enthusiasm!

Still, at any age, one can still revel in the pleasures of a glorious, Spring-like day.

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‘Long and Short Australian Stories’ now on Kindle!

Let me first announce that my sixth book, ‘Long and Short Australian Stories’, edited by my husband Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ builder, has just been published on Kindle!

I don’t know exactly when Kindle came into being. It certainly wasn’t around when I was growing up: but then, neither were computers.

So I suppose it seems strange to me now, having come to the belief that my best hope of wide readership of my books comes from this previously unconsidered source. I say ‘unconsidered’ simply because it was so deeply entrenched in my brain that books were printed on paper; especially those aspiring to deemed as having  literary merit.

An outmoded idea, I now see, in the light of how far technology has come, and what astonishing benefits it has brought with it.

Anyone with a few dollars to spend, and the right accessories, can download my books,  or ANY Kindle books, almost instantly, and start reading. The convenience is overwhelming: and no dusting of books, left to their own devices on shelves, either!

It’s hardly surprising then that Kindle has grown: is growing: at an impressive rate, and its fans are spanning the ages.

What exciting times we live in!

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Short-Australian-Stories-ebook/dp/B008H457FY/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

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’25 Stories…’ and ‘A Taste..’: Both Kindle Best Sellers Ranked

Here’s an update: two  or three days in, both ’25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia’ and ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’ are both to be found on the Amazon Kindle best sellers list!

Okay, they’re in the #170,000’s : but a start’s a start!

Maybe there’s a resurgence in the popularity of Short Stories and vignettes, particularly those with happy endings. With time at a premium, maybe reading a little and often, with satisfaction at each sitting, is the way of the future. I can only conjecture.

July is the month that Shelleyrae at Book’d out has  graciously listed ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’ for review. Who knows the degree of interest this will engender?

As a newcomer to all this, I can’t draw on any previous experience. All I can do is hope: and cross my fingers!