Free Now! JAFF short story

Like Jane Austen Fan Fiction? Regency?

Then why not download this short story now, from 18th to 19th June, while it’s free!

Enjoy!

Ready, Set, Off I Go!

Ready, set, off I go!

Is that what’s in the mind of this Laughing Kookaburra as if perches in an expectant pose, high in a Gum tree?

Most days I’m lucky enough to see and hear one or more of these impressive birds. They are common in our local bushland park, though I’m sure that they are outnumbered by the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos.

Enjoy!

Laughing Kookaburra

Author of the Month… Margaret Lynette Sharp!

Author of the Month… Margaret Lynette Sharp!.

More thoughts on ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’

Ever since I read fellow Australian author Jenny Schwartz’s review of our second publication, ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’, I’ve been mulling the book over.

I’m tempted to say that this volume could be viewed in a slightly different way to a collection of Short Stories. Why not see it in the light of a series of scenarios involving Australian people and their lives, encased between a linking story at each end of the book?

In support of this idea, I suggest that the style of writing somehow bonds the whole thing together, even as we progress from one theme, situation and group of people to another.

Well, that’s my current theory, right or wrong.

Given the books small readership at present, we may have to wait some time, perhaps forever, for anyone to comment on this thread.

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‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’: My First Review

Last Saturday seemed set to unfold like any other day. I’d sat down at the computer, checking the e-mails, Googling a few items:  the normal things I’d done countless times before. But then I saw it:  ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’ had been reviewed by an Australian author!

Before my startled, disbelieving eyes I read her review. I should say, I tried to read it, because before I was half way through I lost my focus. I was, in a word, stunned.

The reviewer, Jenny Schwartz, has a string of published titles to her credit, including a play. She writes an informative, professional-looking blog that focuses on books. In her eyes, ‘A Taste…’ had made the grade!

Let me quote:’  ‘ A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’ by Margaret Lynette Sharp is a collection of gentle, heartwarming stories… ‘  ‘:  ‘draw you into a personal experience’ :  ‘easy rhythm of the dialogue’:  ‘these stories feel distinctly Australian to me’ : ‘compassionate, entertaining humanity’.

Jenny has rated this book five stars out of five. Her review is linked to the Australian Women Writers Challenge, as well as other sites.

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Australian Author Margaret Lynette Sharp: Which Book Am I Proud Of?

As an Australian author with a total of five books published, I’ve been asked this question.  Which of your books are you most proud?

This is a tough one.  It’s akin to asking, “Which is your favourite child?”

I guess you could liken my first four to quadruplets, since they’re four of a kind. Even their names are closely linked.  ’25 Stories of Life and Love in Australia’, ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’, ‘The Essence of Life and Love in Australia’, and, you guessed it, ‘Reflections of Life and Love in Australia.’  These volumes are dominated by romances, though some are interspersed with tales of human interest.  They’re quite short, averaging just four or five pages, flowing,and easy to comprehend.

My latest creation, ’60 Questions, Insights and Reminiscences’ is currently an ‘only child’, of sorts.  Will it remain so?  Who knows?

All five volumes are edited by my husband, Ronald Sharp, the creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House.  His creative influence has touched all these books through his innovative style.

Back to the question.

I’m proud of them all, since within each there are stand-out favourites that show my own characteristic style to best advantage.

But, if pressed for an answer, I’ ll say the last.

Why?

Because ’60 Questions, Insights and Reminiscences’ makes me smile!

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Australian Author: Margaret Lynette Sharp

I’ve just read an outline of the life of Australian Author John O’ Grady. It seems that, after facing rejection by a well-known publisher, ‘They’re a Weird Mob’ went on to sell a million copies!

What’s the moral of this? That literature can be hard to judge? That striking the right note with readers can snowball to infinite heights? That what fails in the eyes of experts can still succeed magnificently?

Like John O’ Grady, I’m an Australian author, and some of my work is humorous, but there the similarities wane. He went on to fame, becoming a household name, or at least his pseudonym did!

In contrast, I’m little-known outside my circle, and a woman.

Still, with five published books, and many encouraging comments, who knows what the future may hold?

Did my husband Ron know he was destined to build the Grand Organ in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House? And self-taught, too!

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Review: Reflections of Life and Love in Australia

Looking for a brand new collection of modern Short Stories, set in Australia? Then this is for you!

Just weeks after publication, very few know about it yet. What an opportunity to impress your circle with this discovery!

The fourth in the series, ‘Reflections of Life and Love in Australia’ encompasses a selection of twenty-five new stories, mainly of love and romance yet interspersed with human interest tales. Averaging around four or five pages, they’re written to appeal to a wide audience.

Tales of love, from the awakening passions of youth to the special bonds of maturity, are easy to relate to and understand. From ‘Letting Her Go’: a mother’s account of her fears as her only child races towards womanhood, through to ‘Into the Sunshine’: a tale of love in senior years, there’s a wealth of stories that trace defining moments.

Human interest stories such as ‘Hand in Hand’, which highlights parents’ dilemma of sport versus music studies, and ‘A Secret, Banished’, relating a grandmother’s impetus to improve her reading, provide a touch of contrast.

As always, this collection has been edited by my husband Ronald Sharp, the creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House.

Interested? Then, please check out the Amazon web-site of ‘Reflections of Life and Love in Australia’, and use the ‘look inside’ feature to whet your appetite. And then, if you’re impressed, please tell your friends!

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Review: The Essence of Life and Love in Australia

This, the third in my ‘life and love’ series, follows in a similar vein to its predecessors in that it’s easy, light yet reflective, and since each short story is quick to digest, ideal for time-poor readers.

Take, for example, ‘Language of Love’. Warren, a young, naive guy with a penchant for putting his foot in his mouth, has fallen for Linda, a gorgeous, sophisticated French-language student. His task is to attract her attention, and get into her good graces. Can he succeed?

Another stand-out story is ‘My Daughter, Sally.’ Written from the point of view of the father, this relates episodes whereby a very young woman encounters some harsh realities of life and love.

Readers may also relate to ‘At Seventeen’, another scenario. Is it love or infatuation that Marianne feels?

If you’re looking for a fresh book of modern, Australian Short Stories that’s suitable for those of diverse ages and backgrounds, and like to recognise and encourage new writers, why not take a look at ‘The Essence of Life and Love in Australia’?  Edited by my husband  Ronald Sharp, the creator of the Grand Organ in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, it’s available through Amazon.com.

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Review: A Taste of Life and Love in Australia

Is your favourite theme love and romance? Do you have just minutes to while away? Do you like real page turners?

If you answered yes to the above, or even if you didn’t, why not consider ‘A Taste of Life and Love in Australia’?

Averaging just four pages each. this volume contains some of my all-time favourites, starting with the first story.

‘The Girl Next Door’ relates a very young man’s struggle to make a first date with the girl of his dreams. Written from the male point of view, it aims to engage  interest from the beginning since Allen, the hero, is sketched as a rather shy but likeable guy: the sort of person for whom you’d go in to bat. Sadly,perhaps, the outcome is not a happy one. But readers, don’t despair! The story is taken up again in ‘A Second Chance’, at book’s end.

Another stand-out story, and Ron’s particular favourite, is ‘A Song For Ellie’, again written from the male point of view. In desperation, a young man resolves to write a song: not just any old song, but a touching, inspiring one, to give to a lovely young singer whom he idolises. How does he fare?

How have people responded to this book? One female reader of mature years tells me she “loves the first story”. Another says she’d often pick it up, intending to read only one tale, and go on to several!

Interested? Then, why not investigate the Amazon web-page which features ‘Look Inside’. If you’re impressed, please spread the word.

Thanks.

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