Michaela Betrayed

by Margaret Lynette Sharp

This is the story of a gifted young musician forced to choose between aspirations of a career in music, and her loyalty and feelings towards her first lover, Thomas.
As the winner of a prestigious scholarship in music, Michaela moves overseas, leaving Thomas behind in a physical sense only.
Unexpected events both in her Australian homeland and in London make for life-changing developments.
This is an engaging tale of love and betrayal.

Genres: Novella

Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2013

About the author

My blog: http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...

Margaret Lynette Sharp is an award-winning writer, and the author of over eighty titles, including #1 Amazon Best Seller, 'Longbourn Revisited'. Her work was highly commended during the the 2014 Hurstville Discovery Festival of Community Arts, and published by Hurstville Council in an anthology entitled 'Write Out Loud'. In November 2015 she won a Second Prize, again in the short story section of this same competition, and her title, 'More Than a Mere Bagatelle', has been selected for inclusion in another anthology, 'The Art of Writing'.
She spent her early years in an inner city suburb of Sydney, moving with her family to a leafy, outer suburb at the age of ten.
A self-motivated student who loved to seek out information, she matriculated just before her eighteenth birthday. Her enthusiasm for literature led to further studies, with a particular focus on Short Story Writing
Shortly after the death of her elderly mother whom she cared for, Margaret met and later married Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the creator of the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ. She believes that, without doubt, he was her greatest fan and motivator.
Excelling in English himself, Ron had edited much of her early work. He passed away on 21st July, 2021.

Margaret's books have been read and reviewed by readers from Australia, U.S. and India; the vast majority of reviews have been positive.

In addition, she has three blogs on WordPress, which has received many encouraging comments.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in Sydney with her mother and father, Michaela found herself full of excitement when she won the scholarship to study music in London. Her Dad had been famous in his day, and she was happy to be able to follow in his footsteps. They were incredibly proud of her; the only blight on her happiness was leaving Thomas. She was very close to him; he was an aspiring writer, having trouble finding a publisher but doing his best.

Settling into London in a flat with two other female students, Anna and Sally, Michaela was happy with the way life was going for her. Anna was also missing a boyfriend but felt her music was her priority. Exams were on the horizon, the teachers were pleased with her progress, but when Michaela fell ill, her subsequent return to Australia for recuperation meant her life would change.

What would happen to Michaela and her dreams? Would she find a life with Thomas or would her future go in a completely different direction?

This novella by Margaret Sharp is a delightful story. A quick, easy read but one with depth and intrigue. Michaela is a likeable character who has an inner strength which she uses when necessary. Another Aussie title I have no hesitation in recommending.

With thanks for my copy to read and review.

[Margaret Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another somewhat unconventional novella of love and romance, loyalty and betrayal.
The heroine, Michaela, is a gifted musician; part of a family of talented folk. Her father, whose musical career had been cut tragically short by a disabling accident, is determined to see Michaela pursue his dream for her, to be an acclaimed concert pianist.
Being a first person narrative allows for readers to easily engage with Michaela, and follow her fortunes with real interest.
Also included in this volume is a selection of romantic Short Stories and vignettes carefully selected from Margaret's other works.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michaela has worked all her life in pursuit of the achievement of her... um, father's goal, and bright, gifted and determined, she's succeeded. Which isn't bad. Michaela's won a scholarship to study music in London, and the only hitch is that London sits inconveniently at a 17,000-kilometer remove from Australia and her closest friend, Thomas, an aspiring writer whose hopes may exceed his talent, and who certainly isn't her parents' concept of a suitable mate.

Just when she seems safely and happily ensconced in her life in England, though -- enjoying her studies, a shared flat, and the prospect of a new life -- she's stricken with pneumonia and induced to return to Australia for a month or two to recuperate, again bringing Thomas into her sphere and kindling a blaze of romance between them. But for Michaela, circumstance is a driving force, and Thomas may eventually cease to be her focus.

What I particularly liked about Sharp's novella was its absolute verisimilitude. Young women like Michaela are influenced (for good or for ill) by their fathers, in just the way that Sharp describes. And life's vicissitudes do seem to intervene in exactly these chaotic ways... more often than one would think statistically plausible. It was altogether easy to get into Michaela's head (and Thomas', for that matter). Whether Michaela chooses Thomas, her music instructor, or neither, I won't reveal -- but her thoughts and feelings have the ring of authenticity, and engage and captivate the reader.

Of course, in a world that little values art (of any sort), Michaela's pursuit of music was not actually less quixotic or unrealistic than Thomas' pursuit of a literary career, so there was a judgmental double standard emanating from her parents, and a measure of hypocrisy inherent in her initial acceptance of their views, but this, too, was entirely realistic. The best characters are the ones who are flawed, tempest tossed by fate, and bound to confront their own conflicted feelings. This novella is good art, in any case (as well as an extraordinarily good read), and deserves to be valued. Five stars.

[Jake Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout the novella “Michaela Betrayed” and the other short stories that make up the rest of this entertaining book, there is an undercurrent of wisdom; folk wisdom at that. The reader is going to feel as though he or she can see what’s coming, perhaps it will remind him or her of their own past experiences or those of a friend, or of their own families and of the things that they went through when they were young and of all the twists of fate that accompanied them; however, the ends are always surprising, leaving you with a good aftertaste and a smile.
There are, of course, many palatable morsels throughout the book that Ms Sharp has incorporated, here’s a sample or two: “Life was wonderful: and love the pinnacle of happiness.” I’m sure this will remind you of someone special. “Were we both about to find that music is the food of love?” Do you remember past loves when hearing a song or another piece of music? If you do, it is because you are a romantic. On the other hand, I did mention wisdom above, so here’s a couple of morsels on that: “But life is about balance…” and “Things tend to fix themselves up when there is genuine love between the parties.” So true, so down to earth.
Very enjoyable light reading, five stars; Jake Taylor

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 5 out of 5]

To advance further in her musical career, Michaela has to go half way around the world, leaving her aspiring author Fiance behind to struggle with the challenges of getting a publisher for his book.
How much will the distance change both of them?

See my review also at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-revie...

http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews...

http://www.amazon.ca/product-reviews/...

http://www.amazon.com.au/product-revi...

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Quartet of Stories (4 Novellas): 1.) Michaela Betrayed, 2.) The sting of life, 3.) Amelia's call, 4.) Lauren played. Romance of the heroines and how each of them deal with life, career, relationships and the reactions of the others. "Michaela Betrayed" starts this journey and each story flows to the next. A pleasure to read.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michaela Betrayed is a novella by Australian author, Margaret Lynette Sharp. When Michaela wins a music scholarship to study in London, she finds herself pulled in opposing directions. Her musical parents insist that she take up the scholarship; her boyfriend, Thomas, a budding author with very limited funds, will remain in Australia to pursue his dream. When illness forces her to fly home, Thomas asks her to marry him. Once well, she returns to her studies, but is distracted by the distance from her fiancé, until her new tutor, Benjamin takes her under his wing. Sharp’s characters are ordinary people dealing with everyday situations using natural dialogue that has a local feel. This novella touches on a few topical themes: a young woman experiencing first love; doubts about the fidelity of a chosen partner; a situation that prompts an important life decision. An enjoyable read.