SunLit Story Time

Sheila Stories #014 -- Battle of the Beaches 

In the story Battle of the Beaches, the ambulance drivers in Tamworth follow the news closely as Australian and American forces fight the Japanese on the beaches of New Guinea.

Do you love The Sheila Stories? Tell your friends. They can subscribe to the podcast or find the full collection on Amazon US. For those in Australia, click for Amazon here. Other markets? Go to Amazon and type The Sheila Stories by Patrick Kelly into the search bar.

Read the story in its entirety without commentary at patrickkellystories.com

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

If you like historical fiction, World War II novels, adventures that take place in Australia, or a good old-fashioned love story, then The Sheila Stories Podcast is for you.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman.

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning, for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers.

Learns to shoot a rifle.

Almost drowns.

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake.

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station.

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba.

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW II.

Drives an ambulance.

Risks her life to save another.

Helps disabled servicemen.

Marries a soldier.

Moves to America.

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey.

Teaches patience to a child.

And opens a surf shop.

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You'll have the time of your life.

Sheila Stories #013 -- Milne Bay 

In the story Milne Bay, Sheila anxiously awaits news from Colin who is now fighting in New Guinea. At the military hospital in Tamworth, Sheila meets a soldier with malaria who fought on the Kokoda Trail Campaign.

Read the story in its entirety without commentary at patrickkellystories.com

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

If you like historical fiction, World War II novels, adventures that take place in Australia, or a good old-fashioned love story, then The Sheila Stories Podcast is for you.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman.

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning, for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers.

Learns to shoot a rifle.

Almost drowns.

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake.

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station.

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba.

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW II.

Drives an ambulance.

Risks her life to save another.

Helps disabled servicemen.

Marries a soldier.

Moves to America.

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey.

Teaches patience to a child.

And opens a surf shop.

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You'll have the time of your life.

Sheila Stories #012 -- Lazy

In the story Lazy, Sheila and Colin are reunited for their honeymoon in Surfer’s Paradise, and Colin tells Sheila what is was like to fight during the Siege of Tobruk.

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

Do you love Australians?

Do you love the greatest generation? The men and women who did their part to fight and win World War II?

Or maybe you just love adventure stories with a strong female lead.

If any of these triggers excite you, listen in, because you’ll love the Sheila Stories.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers.

Learns to shoot a rifle.

Almost drowns.

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake.

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station.

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba.

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW II.

Drives an ambulance.

Risks her life to save another.

Helps disabled servicemen.

Marries a soldier.

Moves to America.

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey.

Teaches patience to a child.

And opens a surf shop.

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You'll have the time of your life.

Sheila Stories #011 -- Storms

In Thomas's world:

Thomas steps up to the plate with Chris.

And in Sheila’s world:

While driving her ambulance to answer an emergency call, Sheila encounters an accident in a flash flood.

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

Do you love Australians?

Do you love the greatest generation? The men and women who did their part to fight and win World War II?

Or maybe you just love adventure stories with a strong female lead.

If any of these triggers excite you, listen in, because you’ll love the Sheila Stories.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers.

Learns to shoot a rifle.

Almost drowns.

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake.

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station.

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba.

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW II.

Drives an ambulance.

Risks her life to save another.

Helps disabled servicemen.

Marries a soldier.

Moves to America.

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey.

Teaches patience to a child.

And opens a surf shop.

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You'll have the time of your life.

Sheila Stories #010 -- Frontline News

In Thomas's world:

Thomas and Chris engage in a good-natured push-pull contest on the porch.

And in Sheila’s world:

Sheila drives an ambulance at a military hospital in Tamworth. When injured soldiers from the Middle East arrive, she gets firsthand news of Colin McKechnie and the Eighteenth Brigade.

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

Do you love Australians?

Do you love the greatest generation? The men and women who did their part to fight and win World War II?

Or maybe you just love adventure stories with a strong female lead.

If any of these triggers excite you, listen in, because you’ll love the Sheila Stories.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers.

Learns to shoot a rifle.

Almost drowns.

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake.

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station.

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba.

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW II.

Drives an ambulance.

Risks her life to save another.

Helps disabled servicemen.

Marries a soldier.

Moves to America.

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey.

Teaches patience to a child.

And opens a surf shop.

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You'll have the time of your life.

Sheila Stories #009 -- You're in the AWAS Now

Episode #009 begins Part Two of The Sheila Stories, which take place almost entirely in New South Wales.

The first story of Part Two is You're in the AWAS Now:

In Thomas's world:

He frets about telling his daughters the stories from the war years.

And in Sheila’s world:

Colin fights in the Middle East, and Sheila joins the Australian Women's Army Service.

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

Do you love Australians?

Do you love the greatest generation? The men and women who did their part to fight and win World War II?

Or maybe you just love adventure stories with a strong female lead.

If any of these triggers excite you, listen in, because you’ll love the Sheila Stories.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers.

Learns to shoot a rifle.

Almost drowns.

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake.

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station.

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba.

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW II.

Drives an ambulance.

Risks her life to save another.

Helps disabled servicemen.

Marries a soldier.

Moves to America.

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey.

Teaches patience to a child.

And opens a surf shop.

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You just might have the time of your life.

Sheila Stories #008 -- Waiting

In Thomas’s world:

Thomas reveals to Chris the source of the Sheila Stories.

And in Sheila’s world:

As the war in Europe rages, Sheila follows the news closely to learn what happens to Colin McKechnie and the Eighteenth Brigade.

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

Do you love Australians?

Do you love the greatest generation? The men and women who did their part to fight and win World War II?

Or maybe you just love adventure stories with a strong female lead.

If any of these characteristics excites you, listen in because you’ll love the Sheila Stories.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers

Learns to shoot a rifle

Almost drowns

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW 2

Drives an ambulance

Risks her life to save another

Helps disabled servicemen

Marries a soldier

Moves to America

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May New Jersey

Teaches patience to a child

And opens a surf shop

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You just might have the time of your life.

Sheila Stories #007 -- Fresh Faces and Crisp Uniforms

In Thomas’s world:

April surprises Thomas when she invites Chris to join them for the nightly telling of the Sheila Stories.

And in Sheila’s world:

Sheila surfs the beaches south of Brisbane on holiday and receives some big news from Colin McKechnie.

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

Do you love Australians?

Do you love the greatest generation? The men and women who did their part to fight and win World War II?

Or maybe you just love adventure stories with a strong female lead.

If any of these characteristics excites you, listen in because you’ll love the Sheila Stories.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers

Learns to shoot a rifle

Almost drowns

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW 2

Drives an ambulance

Risks her life to save another

Helps disabled servicemen

Marries a soldier

Moves to America

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May New Jersey

Teaches patience to a child

And opens a surf shop

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You just might have the time of your life.

Sheila Stories #006 -- A Fast and Steady Ride -- with storyteller Pat Kelly

In Thomas’s world:

Thomas and Chris have a second more intimate conversation.

And in Sheila’s world:

While riding her pony Kirra in the Western Downs, Sheila is pulled into the flash flood created by a violent storm.

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

Do you love Australians?

Do you love the greatest generation? The men and women who did their part to fight and win World War II?

Or maybe you just love adventure stories with a strong female lead.

If any of these characteristics excites you, listen in because you’ll love the Sheila Stories.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers

Learns to shoot a rifle

Almost drowns

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW 2

Drives an ambulance

Risks her life to save another

Helps disabled servicemen

Marries a soldier

Moves to America

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May New Jersey

Teaches patience to a child

And opens a surf shop

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You just might have the time of your life.

In Thomas’s world:

Chris Carbone—an attractive woman in her thirties—moves into the spare apartment, a development that Thomas finds awkward.

And in Sheila’s world, she continues to expand her holdings which piques the interest of a stock and station agent named Colin McKechnie.

Read the story in its entirety without commentary at patrickkellystories.com

Pat lives in Austin. He likes to cook dinner with his wife, listen to any kind of good music, and take long walks in beautiful places.

Pat is the author of four Joe Robbins novels and a college crime story titled Only Yes Means Yes. You can find Pat’s work on Amazon under his author name Patrick Kelly. Learn more about Pat’s writing at his website:

https://www.patrickkellystories.com/

Do you love Australians?

Do you love the greatest generation? The men and women who did their part to fight and win World War II?

Or maybe you just love adventure stories with a strong female lead.

If any of these characteristics excites you, listen in because you’ll love the Sheila Stories.

Here is a quick overview: 

The framework is a classic story within story:

The outer layer is formed by a widower—Thomas—and his two young daughters, Natalie and April. Thomas is concerned because the girls don’t have a strong female figure in their lives, so he starts telling them the Sheila Stories, a series of adventures involving an Australian woman in the 1930s, '40s, and '50s.

But Sheila is no ordinary woman

At the age of eighteen, she comes into some money and leaves a comfortable home in Sydney to buy a sheep farm in Queensland.

At that’s just the beginning for during the course of the stories, Sheila

Befriends aboriginal farm workers

Learns to shoot a rifle

Almost drowns

Fights dingos and a poisonous snake

Buys a ten thousand acre cattle station

Dances to big band music in Toowoomba

Joins the Australian Women’s Army Service in WW 2

Drives an ambulance

Risks her life to save another

Helps disabled servicemen

Marries a soldier

Moves to America

Runs a bed and breakfast in Cape May New Jersey

Teaches patience to a child

And opens a surf shop

I invite you to put your cares aside for thirty minutes a week and join me on a great journey.

Strike out to find your fortune at the age of eighteen.

Fight for a worthy cause.

Fall in love.

Experience the heartbreak of loss.

Laugh. Cry. Feel the salt air on your face as you ride your surfboard on the beaches of Sydney.

You just might have the time of your life.