My warmest thanks to Charley for this wonderful review of my debut book ‘The Storyteller Speaks’.
A passionate and learned English teacher, Charley’s unique approach to her review offers an insightful and in-depth analysis of two of my short stories as well as an overall comment of the book. Reading her thoughts I had to shake myself to the reality she was writing about my book, my stories … it was disconcerting and exciting in the most positive way!
Hello lovelies!
Sorry for the absence but we are in the thick of exam season and I’ve not been very well. My apologies. I do hope you’re all well and enjoying May. Time really is running away with us! It’s lovely to have such light evenings though.
Today I want to share with you a special book. My fellow blogger and friend Annika Perry published her first book, The Storyteller Speaks, and I’ve recently had the joy of reading it. I absolutely had to share it with you.
What’s it all about?
The Storyteller Speaks is a collection of short stories and poetry covering a wide range of such as love, loss and new beginnings. If you’re familiar with my reviews you’d know that I would review the whole plot. However, this being a collection of short stories has given me an opportunity to focus on my two favourites, the…
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Annika Perry 
your work
wonderfully embraced 🙂
Indeed it is! I feel very luck and blessed! 😀Many thanks for reading and your comment, David. Hope all is well with you.
i’m doing well & feel happy, Annika!
although i do spend much less time online.
sorry i forgot to reply to your asking about my partner who teaches piano. i posted her playing in a blog about 6 months ago. i’m happy your son plays so well 🙂
https://smilecalm.wordpress.com/2017/11/25/listening-to-the-one-note/
Wow! David, you gave my husband and me a treat yesterday evening … we sat and listened to the concerto and were enthralled! Your partner is amazing, her playing is wonderful, lyrical! Did you record this? The sound was excellent and visuals great.
I too am spending less time online at the moment, life, work, family … but posting now and then, reading blogs a bit. All about balance eh?! 😀
i’m happy you enjoyed her playing along with the orchestra, Annika! yes, i recorded it with a simple camera & stereo mic. wonderful we can cross paths, time & space, here on wp, on occasion 🙂
What a delightful and insightful review of your lovely stories Annika.. Well done, and such a deserving review my friend.. 🙂 No wonder you are proud.. 🙂
Sue, thank you so much for reading and for your kind and generous comment! ❤️ Charley wrote with such depth and insight I was astonished and yes, so proud! It feels amazing to have one’s work acknowledged … always a joyful occasion! Warmest wishes, my friend. Xx
Big smiles, I so feel your joy just so excited for you xx ❤
Another fantastic review, Annika! Congratulations!!
Thank you so much, Clare! 😀 It was a wonderful surprise!
This is wonderful, Annika! And so well-deserved!
Ahh…thank you so much, Julie; so sweet of you to say so! Have a great rest of the week and hope the editing/writing is going well! 🌸
Fantastic, Annika! I feel how thrilled you are ❤️
Tina, I’m not surprised!!😀 With every review I am so overjoyed! Hope you’re having a good week, my friend! ❤️
What a fabulous, in-depth review, Annika, and well-deserved, too. And, I’m not surprised at all by the success you’re having. Wishing you even more success to come! 💗
Lauren, bless you for your warm and generous comment – your words means so much to me!❤️ The reception to the book has been amazing – and I was just reading your wonderful review again a few minutes ago – thank you so much again! I can’t quite believe how much time and effort everyone is making – I feel so lucky!
Charley said everything I felt, Annika. What a marvelous review!
Ahh… Jacqui, that is wonderful! I realise it is not easy to review a short story collection – I’m about to review one myself and am slightly nervous – so appreicate everyone’s time and effort so much! 😀
Congratulations, Annika. Going over to read.
Thank you so much, Robbie – each and every review is like a precious gift that I hold close to my heart! ❤️
Wonderful review, Annika. I completely agree with Charley’s comments about the book and the stories. Congratulations and thanks for sharing! ❤
Diana, thank you so much! 😀 For people like yourself who have read the book, you approach this detailed review from another perspective with ‘insider knowledge’! It works brilliantly for those who have read the book and for those yet to read it! BTW, what are you doing here – although it’s always heartwarming to read your comments – I hope you’re having a wonderful family time with everyone and that it is going splendiferously. ❤️
I’ll be back officially next week, but I thought I’d check in so I’m not too far behind. 😀 “See” you soon!
That makes sense and thank you! School holidays next week so I might be a bit scarce myself. Have a wonderful rest of the break! Xx
That is a wonderful review Annika! Congratulations…soak it all in happily! XXX
Thank you so much, Helen! 😀 Oh yes, I’m still soaking in the joy … it means so much!🌸
Huge congrats Annika on such a wonderful review. Still can’t wait to read! ❤
Debby, thank you so much! ❤️ I can’t wait for you to read it either! 🌸
❤
Congratulations!! I love being a part of this compassionate community!
Absolutely, Rebecca – I’ve been overwhelmed with the support and friendship! 🌼🌸 It’s amazing.
Wow, Annika, these are such beautiful and in depth reviews of two of your stories! And very well-deserved, I might add. Good on you! 🙂 ❤
Ahh…thank you so much, Jennifer! 🌸 I had to pinch myself when I saw this review and realise how much work and thought goes into writing all reviews – I feel very lucky with all the support and kindness. Have a lovely day! hugs ❤️
Congratulations Annika. Each review is special for the writer and adds another wing to our thoughts. I like the way Charley has looked at the characters and focused on their emotions by taking up two stories…she has handled this review in a very professional manner. ‘A Bouquet of White’ tore my heart away, a reminder how painful a loss is that even flowers seem to hurt! I liked her analysis of this story. I am amazed how you could pour so much emotion into it!
A well deserved review dear friend. I share your excitement and wish you many more such moments. Stay blessed!
Thank you so much! All credit to Annika for writing them. X
Annika is not just a wonderful writer, she is a loving friend too. Proud to be connected with authors of such calibre 🙂
Agreed. X
Hugs to you both for your amazing words … they mean so much! 🤗😊
HUGS
Balroop, how true that every review is precious for the writer and I have been so lucky and rather overwhelmed with them all – the support for my book has been tremendous. Charley’s in-depth and yes, highly professional approach to the two stories took me by surprise and I really forgot I was reading about my stories. The emotions are at the core of the stories and I agree, she highlighted this brilliantly. I had to laugh at the comment how she could just about forgive Ollie’s theft – whilst writing I realised there had to a consequence for his action, but one that would help him in his sorrow and to grow as a person – with the possibility of a future in the business!
Thank you so much for your warm and generous comment, for sharing my excitement – also for your wonderful review earlier – incredible and full of insight! hugs, my friend! ❤️
Congratulations Annika. It is so uplifting to read such wonderful feedback. It is filled with love. 🌼
Brigid, a wonderful observation from you and I totally agree, this was a labour of love and filled with love – I feel blessed and very lucky! ❤️
A wonderful review Annika, congratulations!
Delighted for you! 👍 😃 Happy week… ☀️ 😃
Iris, thank you so much – your kind and happy comment has me smiling! 😀 Wishing you a very special week too. 🌸🌻
Fantastic review, Annika!!
Definitely, Jan – my spirits were high all weekend after reading this review! 🌸
Congratulations on a great review Annika 🙂
Thank you so much, Andrea!! 😀 It means a lot to me as you can guess! 🌸
Congrats, Annika. You deserve this.
Neil S.
Aww…thank you so much, Neil! That’s so kind of you to say. 😀
Terrific review!
Jennie, I couldn’t quite believe it at first and had to reread, reminding myself this was about my stories! Thank you so much for reading!
A pleasure, Annika!
A well deserved review, Annika! Congratulations! ❤
Thank you so much, Jill – as you can imagine it was a wonderful surprise! Happy
Sunday! Hugs ❤️
Great review Annika and having read your book myself it is very well deserved. Congratulations
Mike
Ahh… thank you so much, Mike and it must have been interesting for you to read the detailed analysis of these two stories having read the book. wishing you a lovely Sunday! 😀
Congratulations! The review is great and your book sounds great too. I’d really love to read it. Wishing you all the best. Nahla
Thank you so much, Nahla! I was overjoyed with the review and it means so much that people read my book and write reviews! I hope you enjoy it if you have a chance to read it.
Congrats Annika xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you, Shey … I still have to pinch myself that this is about my stories! 😀 Have a super day, my friend! 🌻
You too Annika xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hearty congratulations Annika on your book. An excellent review by your friend…I am sure all the other stories too will be a great read 👍
Thank you so much, Radhika! 😀 The review was a wonderful surprise and although I am happy to call Charley my friend, we have never met. I came across her blog when it was quite new and enjoyed her book reviews and travel articles a lot … and got to know each other a bit through comments! Her posts about GCSE English text books were a great help to my son when he sat his exams! Wishing you a lovely Sunday! 🌺
A fabulous review. So pleased for you, Annika!!
Thank you so much, Darlene … the review was an amazing surprise and a wonderful approach to a short story collection. Wishing you a most beautiful Sunday! 🤗🌺
wow! that’s some review Annika. a lot of time and effort went into this enthusiastic response to your stories. so pleased your book is being so well received.
Libby, that’s exactly what I thought! 😀 I remember writing my own analysis of texts as a student and saw my son working on them recently and the work involved is huge! I think It must come naturally to Charley – as you can imagine I feel very honoured and happy! Many thanks for your lovely comment and hope you had a great Sunday (it took me a second to work out the time difference.) 🌺🌻
Aww thanks ladies. That’s so kind! X
how thoughtful of you to think about our time difference. yes, i usually blog on Sunday nights my time in Oz. i’m aware it’s Sunday morning in other parts of the world, so may not be a good time to blog, but i’m in the routine now. happy Monday 🙂
This is just so lovely. Thank you Annika for such kind words! Again, I’m thrilled you’re pleased with my review. I genuinely loved it. Yes, it is your book and it’s incredible. Massive congratulations! X
Bless you, Charley – not only does your wonderful review have me beaming away all weekend, but your comments are so lovely and sweet! Your enthusiasm and enjoyment of my book is fantastic – thank you! 🤗
You’re more than welcome!! It’s well deserved. xx
thank you for sharing, this is great post….I am glad all is well with you!!
Mihran, thank you so much! 😀 I just found your lovely comment in spam … rescued it! Hope all is well with you.