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Stefania Hartley

Will Gnà Peppina give her customers what they need, even if it’s more than food?

What pleasures can a man indulge in after his wife has put him on a draconian diet?

Who will be able to cook dinner for the family with five euros?

Five humorous short stories ablaze with the Sicilian sunshine, vibrating with the singsongs of the street sellers, fragrant with the scent of the sea.

Written by Stefania Hartley, also known as The Sicilian Mama.

"Full of atmosphere, fun and warmth. It’s an absolutely charming read." (Shirley Blair, senior editor of The People’s Friend magazine, on the short story "Cooking with Franca")

"Hartley doesn’t just give us stories, she gives us a slice of Italian life served with lashings of charm and wit. Highly recommended!" (Ella Hayes, author of Her Brooding Scottish Heir)

"In these short stories Stefania Hartley skewers universal foibles with humor. With sharp and at the same time gentle irony she invites us to laugh not only at the characters but, with them, at ourselves. The sunny quality of the tales owes as much to their Sicilian setting as to a warm perspective on human beings." (Valeria Vescina, author of That Summer in Puglia)

The Sicilian Mama

Sicilian Stories

Fresh from the Sea and Other Short Stories

For Don Pericle, wedding organising is a calling, not just a career. Deep in the Sicilian countryside, between rose gardens and trellised balconies, up marble staircases and across damasked ballrooms, these charming stories unfold: stories of star-crossed love, of comedic misunderstandings and of deep friendships, of love triumphing in the face of adversity (pomegranate-stained dresses, overzealous photographers, missing string quartets, and even a case of sabotage!). To these brides and grooms-to-be, Don Pericle becomes a guru, a mentor, even a friend, solving problems, untangling knots, rearranging menus and transforming lives.

In “The Princess and the Pea”, Natalia wants a fairy-tale wedding, whatever the cost: but what does that mean for the rest of her life with Marco? Sophia and Isaias’s families, in “Be Our Guest”, have decided to boycott the wedding. How will they figure out a way to fill out the guest list? Meanwhile, in “Daniela’s Big Day,” the bride’s older sister is dreading the bouquet toss. Can Don Pericle find a way to ease her worries?

Fishmongers and Ferrari drivers, dressmakers and divorcees, gardeners and grandmothers: within the walls of Villa Lingualarga, all are offered a new chance at understanding each other – and maybe even finding true love.

“A super read, and we all enjoyed the quirky, insightful style of storytelling” - The People's Friend editorial team

"What a lovely story - so sweet and funny. Don Pericle is such an interesting character - we all need someone like that in our lives!" - Ewan Smith, author of pocket novels, short stories and poems

Confetti and Lemon Blossom: and other short stories

How far should Viviana’s family go to avoid being thirteen at the table? Should Melina and Tanino attend a New Year’s party hosted by Melina’s old flame? Why do Don Pericle’s clients want a Christmas wedding at all costs?

Ten humorous and heart-warming short stories shining with the Sicilian sunshine, fragrant with red wine and ringing with Christmas bells, perfect for the festive season.

Also available as ebook, paperback and Large Print

Hartley’s stories are a tonic: full of delightful, down-to-earth characters and recognisable life dilemmas, as well as unexpected twists. Above all, each story reminds us that simple human goodness can still be found and shared. —Sandy Salisbury

A Season of Goodwill: 10 humorous and heartwarming short stories for Christmas and the festive season

Is it too late for Melina to learn to drive? Is Don Pericle’s vow never to fall in love again still valid after fifty years? Will a falling piano squash Filomena or just shake up her heart? Why does the mother of the bride ask Don Pericle to cancel the wedding?

Ten humorous and heart-warming short stories, glowing with Sicilian sunshine, fragrant with home-made tomato sauce, and thrumming with mandolins’ serenades. Ideal for your coffee break or as a bedtime read.

Written and narrated by Stefania Hartley, The Sicilian Mama.

Praise for Stars Are Silver and other short stories:

Hartley’s stories are a tonic: full of delightful, down-to-earth characters and recognisable life dilemmas, as well as unexpected twists. Above all, each story reminds us that simple human goodness can still be found and shared. —Sandy Salisbury, author of Prairie Gold

Super, observant writing. [Tanino and Melina] really should have their own sit-com.— Alan Spink, Editor of The People’s Friend Magazine, on the Tanino and Melina stories

Hartley doesn’t just give us stories, she gives us a slice of Italian life served with lashings of charm and wit. Highly recommended! — Ella Hayes, author of Italian Summer with the Single Dad

Stars Are Silver: humorous and heartwarming short stories

Will Melina regret faking to be ill to avoid doing her chores? Can Don Pericle organise a wedding for a groom who doesn’t know? Who has stolen the marble pisces from the cathedral's floor? Twelve humorous short stories dripping with the Sicilian sunshine, ringing with not-so-well-kept secrets, fragrant with freshly fried arancine rice balls, ideal for your coffee break or as a bedtime read.

Written and Narrated by Stefania Hartley, The Sicilian Mama.

Praise for A Slip of the Tongue and other short stories:

It’s like a slim and elegant box of luxury chocolates, each treat more delicious than the last. Definitely recommended. - Ewan Smith

Super, observant writing. [Tanino and Melina] really should have their own sit-com. – Alan Spink, Editor of The People’s Friend Magazine, on the Tanino and Melina stories 

Hartley doesn’t just give us stories, she gives us a slice of Italian life served with lashings of charm and wit. Highly recommended! – Ella Hayes, author of Italian Summer with the Single Dad

A Slip of the Tongue: humorous and emotional short stories

Amanda’s name means “to be loved” and she’s taken it as her duty to make herself lovable, but it’s hard work.

Has Tanino really abandoned Melina at home to freeze?

Mark hasn’t seen Nora for thirty years and, since then, he’s lost a leg and all his hair. If he wasn’t enough for her then, can he be now?

What happens if the dating app’s algorithms go haywire?

Ten humorous and heart-warming short stories about love—found, kept, reconquered—at all ages. The perfect winter warmer for your coffee break or as a bedtime listen.

Sicilian Stories

Sicilian Stories

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