Annette Spratte's Blog, page 2
November 27, 2017
Book Review
Twenty-Seven Tiered Almond Cake by Amber LauraMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Author Amber Laura has outdone herself with this incredible, fun novel about Charlie's heroic attempt to plan her sister's wedding.
Right from the start the reader is drawn into Charlie's thoughts and feelings and despite the fact that she isn't always entirely honest with herself, one mostly gets to know her weaknesses, her pain, her hopes and her fears through her interactions with other people.
I loved the witty dialogues supplemented by Charlie's thoughts. I loved the humorous note underlying the whole story - even at those points where Charlie opens up to Kantor, the creator of the mouthwatering almond cake (I demand a slice as recompensation for having to read about this heavenly cake without ever getting any!) and finally admits to her weak side (which made me cry as well). I loved the cake dreams! I loved the end as well because it was unexpected, but not as overdone as my imagination had made it out.
It was hard to put this book down and not least of all because of the author's fabulous writing style, which has definitely improved since her last novel.
A brilliant must-read.
View all my reviews
November 5, 2017
Jabando added
I have now added Jabando here on Goodreads! I'm very proud of my "German baby" and am looking forward to reader's reactions.
In the process, I have also added the cover for Survivor. Somehow I had missed that I have to upload the cover!
And while I'm sharing news: I have also finished editing The Way of Life. I am now looking for beta readers to see if the shortened version still works its magic!
If you are interested, send me a short message and I will provide you with a pdf file. Both readers who know the first version and new readers are welcome!
Jabando, Band 1 - Tom und Jojo
In the process, I have also added the cover for Survivor. Somehow I had missed that I have to upload the cover!
And while I'm sharing news: I have also finished editing The Way of Life. I am now looking for beta readers to see if the shortened version still works its magic!
If you are interested, send me a short message and I will provide you with a pdf file. Both readers who know the first version and new readers are welcome!
Jabando, Band 1 - Tom und Jojo
November 1, 2017
What's next?
Yesterday's book release party for "Jabando" was lovely. The greatest thing was the drawing of the book giveaway winners. One of the guests was drawn, which of course was great party! You can watch her whooping on Jabando's facebook page www.facebook.com/AutorinAnnetteSpratte
While marketing will now be my chief aim for the next weeks, another project is coming along and way overdue: The release of the revised version of "The Way of Life". Since it is currently not available on Kindle in the US, I am preparing a second edition to publish on KDP. One round of editing is through, I am now in the second and hopefully final round in chapter 32. I will be looking for beta readers to check this second edition. Both first readers and those of you who have already read the book are welcome to request a pdf file. Having cut out 40.000 words up to this point I need to know if the story has lost something essential or if it still works its magic. Hope to hear from you!
While marketing will now be my chief aim for the next weeks, another project is coming along and way overdue: The release of the revised version of "The Way of Life". Since it is currently not available on Kindle in the US, I am preparing a second edition to publish on KDP. One round of editing is through, I am now in the second and hopefully final round in chapter 32. I will be looking for beta readers to check this second edition. Both first readers and those of you who have already read the book are welcome to request a pdf file. Having cut out 40.000 words up to this point I need to know if the story has lost something essential or if it still works its magic. Hope to hear from you!
October 26, 2017
New Book Release
I'm happy to announce that my German children's book "Jabando" will be released October 31, 2017.
I will celebrate the event with a small party at home, hoping that a few friends will stop by and bring their nintendos, so we can have a Mario Kart race! Why?
The book is about a magical nintendo game.
A translation of the book into English is planned, but doesn't have a date, yet.
I will celebrate the event with a small party at home, hoping that a few friends will stop by and bring their nintendos, so we can have a Mario Kart race! Why?
The book is about a magical nintendo game.
A translation of the book into English is planned, but doesn't have a date, yet.
October 19, 2017
Did you ever read a book for the first time you wrote yourself?
What kind of a silly question is that? You can't read a book for the first time that you wrote yourself, right? Right. I feel a bit sad that I'm unable to read "The Way of Life" for the first time. I'll always know what's going to happen.
In my last post I told you about the treasure I found in the attic and there is one story in there that is actually finished. And guess what: I have absolutely no idea what I wrote. I forgot it all. So I am currently reading my own writing as if it was the first time and I am amazed. Amazed at the story-telling I was capable of at the age of 16. I'm reading the story to my kids and we share in the surprises and excitement of a fantasy which was clearly inspired by the Lord of the Rings, but has its own charming creativity. With a little brush-up and editing it would make a lovely children's book.
What saddens me a little is that I never received any encouragement for my writing. I know I gave the story to a teacher, but he wasn't greatly impressed. So I was discouraged and my love for writing was buried for a long time. I'm so happy and proud that it surfaced again and now makes up a large part of my life!
In my last post I told you about the treasure I found in the attic and there is one story in there that is actually finished. And guess what: I have absolutely no idea what I wrote. I forgot it all. So I am currently reading my own writing as if it was the first time and I am amazed. Amazed at the story-telling I was capable of at the age of 16. I'm reading the story to my kids and we share in the surprises and excitement of a fantasy which was clearly inspired by the Lord of the Rings, but has its own charming creativity. With a little brush-up and editing it would make a lovely children's book.
What saddens me a little is that I never received any encouragement for my writing. I know I gave the story to a teacher, but he wasn't greatly impressed. So I was discouraged and my love for writing was buried for a long time. I'm so happy and proud that it surfaced again and now makes up a large part of my life!
October 7, 2017
Treasure in the attic
I found a treasure in the attic: a folder containing stories I wrote as a teenager! Since so many people have asked me why I write in English, I've decided to post little something I wrote when I was about 13 or 14 years old that explains it. I'd been learning English for 3 or 4 years and I copied the text including all the mistakes to prove that I'm not a native speaker.
"The moon speaks English
When I walked my dog in the evening, it was a clear, nice night. I understood, that if I'm sad, I have to speak English. There was no one who could have heard me, but I felt that there was somebody; he heard what I said. I felt he understood me, he wanted to help me. I felt it. It was someone who loved me, he took me in his arms, told me that I should sing something, it would help me. I tried it. First I sang slowly and quietly, then I felt the life coming back to me. I got courage, sang more lowd, the sadness went gone, there are moments, you remember all your life! this one of this moments! Suddenly I knew, that the moon understood me. The moon speaks English."
I have no memory of that incident, but I know now that the someone I describe in this passage is not the moon, it is Jesus. For a long time, English has been the language of my heart and I often pray in English.
"The moon speaks English
When I walked my dog in the evening, it was a clear, nice night. I understood, that if I'm sad, I have to speak English. There was no one who could have heard me, but I felt that there was somebody; he heard what I said. I felt he understood me, he wanted to help me. I felt it. It was someone who loved me, he took me in his arms, told me that I should sing something, it would help me. I tried it. First I sang slowly and quietly, then I felt the life coming back to me. I got courage, sang more lowd, the sadness went gone, there are moments, you remember all your life! this one of this moments! Suddenly I knew, that the moon understood me. The moon speaks English."
I have no memory of that incident, but I know now that the someone I describe in this passage is not the moon, it is Jesus. For a long time, English has been the language of my heart and I often pray in English.
September 16, 2017
September 11, 2017
SALE
"Survivor" and "The Way of Life" will be on sale together! Get your e-copy of "Survivor" free and "The Way of Life" for 0.99 €!
Offer is valid on September 16 + 17!!!!
The Way of LifeSurvivor
Offer is valid on September 16 + 17!!!!
The Way of LifeSurvivor
August 30, 2017
Group Read
I'm very happy to announce that "The Way of Life" has been selected for the September Group Read of the Happily Ever After Group.
If you would like to join in the discussion - whether you are just starting to read the book or have already read it - check out the following link:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
See you there?
If you would like to join in the discussion - whether you are just starting to read the book or have already read it - check out the following link:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
See you there?
August 26, 2017
Author Interview
Would you like to know a bit more about me and my writing? Check out this author interview - my very first one.
http://www.sethlestath.com/annette-sp...
http://www.sethlestath.com/annette-sp...
