In the midst of attending a magical family wedding in the highlands of Scotland I was overjoyed to see this beautiful review of my book ‘The Storyteller Speaks’.
Even while recovering from Covid Thomas Wikman’s diligent dedication to reading and reviewing never faltered and he read my book during this time! With warmest thank to him for this wonderful, incisive and detailed review.
I am honoured and deeply touched by his kind words and here are just a couple of sentences from his review.
‘The author’s ability to portray emotions without using superlatives is remarkable. I could feel for and sympathize with the characters with ease. A few skillfully descriptive words were all that was needed.’
Please read the full review by clicking on the link here.
Furthermore, please do take some time to explore his engaging and personable website which features not only his own book, plus multitudes of his other book reviews but also numerous articles on Leonberger dogs as well as scientific essays and the occasional informative posts about beers!
Annika Perry 
The review is great but no surprise- it’s well deserved 💙
Pam, I know! Thomas’s review is terrific and so thoughtful – I am still smiling! Thanks for your lovely comment, my friend! Hugs xx 💕
I’m adding new books to my new library. Thank you!
That’s great, thank you! 🙏
what a wonderful review. stellar. I have a tall TBR pile to which I added your gorgeous book… I will certainly review when I’m done. Hopefully before the fall. Wow, Annika. amazing! Bless you dear one.
The Storyteller Speaks and I are very honoured to be on your TBR pile, Selma! Thank you so much and enjoy when you have a chance to read it. 🙏 Thomas’s review has me in happy tears and it is a joy when one’s words, stories reach into the heart and soul of a reader. Thank you for your wonderful comment and wishes, my friend. Hugs xx 💕
Aww. My absolute pleasure dear friend.
It has been a sizzling summer. I’m slowing down, like it or not. You will get a review when I’m done. Bless you. 🤗
How wonderful, Annika! I loved your book – your short stories are so moving 🧡
Awww … thank you so much, Barbara and your support over the years means so much to me! This fantastic and thoughtful latest review by Thomas was a wonderful surprise! 😀
That’s wonderful!
Great to have found such a good review.
Exactly, Georgina! Such a lovely surprise and I’m still smiling! 😀
Just wonderful!
It is, indeed, Jennie and I feel so thankful to Thomas for this wonderful review! 😀
😀
stunning cover! tx for sharing, Thomas
I’m glad you like the cover, Da-AL – I wanted something striking and enticing! 😀 Thomas’s wonderful review has given me, my spirits and my book such a lovely boost! Wishing you a wonderful day! Xx
Congratulations, Annika, on the fantastic book review! It’s truly inspiring to see our words resonate with others. I have your book and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it as well. I think it is time for a reread!!! Have a wonderful day.
“It’s truly inspiring to see our words resonate with others.” Exactly, Rebecca! I totally agree and I get spine-tingles of joy when reading reviews where the essence of the book has reached the reader. Reviews are such a gift and it is wonderful how Thomas shares the love of books in this thoughtful way. Awww … how lovely that you’re thinking of giving my book a reread! Thank you so much! 🙏 Wishing you a great day too, Rebecca! I’ve got a busy one of errands and editing today as off to Sweden for the rest of the month on Wednesday! Very exciting!! Hugs xx 💕
Safe travels, my friend!!! Sending hugs!
No doubt your book made Covid more endurable! In fact, he may have been grateful for the illness giving him an excuse to read! 🙂
Betsy, I must admit that reading has carried me through many illnesses and it is heartwarming to think my book made it more bearable! 😀 And then to write the review as well! That is dedication and care indeed. Oh, I wouldn’t go as far as grateful for an excuse – reckon we all wish we could avoid Covid and any illness! 😀
Well, okay, fine. You got me on that last part. 😛
Congrats on this beautiful review from Thomas, Annika. ❤
Thank you so much, Debby! A wonderful surprise and terrific review! xx
❤
🙏💙🙏
Luisa, thank you! ❤️
You’re more than welcome, Annika 💓
wonderful review (and while having covid – ? – ahhhh – the power of reading and sharing)
Yvette, it is wonderful how Thomas has reached into the heart of the book and its stories. I know, all in the midst of Covid! When I had it I vaguely recall being out of it with a high fever and severe headache for four days straight before surfacing like a zombie! 😀
I resurfaced a little zombie like too
My husband made me a steak on day 5 and I forced myself to take a walk
It was a hike in the old civil war trails near our house and they had orange spray paint on some of the roots
I will always remember just looking down a lot and being very careful because my strength was coming back and I knew it was time my body needed to get moving
And I didn’t want to trip!!
Sigh
A good review is always encouraging.
Audrey, seeing this made my heart dance and I’m still beaming away! 😀 Thomas has put so much thought and detail into the review I feel very honoured indeed!
On my way to read the review!
Brilliant! See you there … 😀
Congratulations!
Congratulations Annika. I love this review, so well-deserved!
Bless! Thank you so much, Balroop and the terrific review has given my spirits (and the book) a real boost – I am so grateful to Thomas and all the community here. ❤️😀
Congratulations on the wonderful, positive review. I’m excited to read it as soon as I get the chance.
Pooja, that is fantastic – thank you so much! 🙏 The review captures the essence of the whole book and stories which I think is tricky with a short story collection. Kudos to Thomas! Enjoy when you have a chance to read it!
I’m sure I will and I agree about the review!
Heartwarming and beautiful! I’m also glad to read that the wedding in Scotland was absolutely magical. And kudos to Thomas for writing a brilliant review when recovering from COVID. ❤
Donna, his review is just that – ‘heartwarming and beautiful’ and it means so much when a reader ‘gets’ one’s book, touches their spirit and remains with them! That is one of the best feelings! Thomas is an exceptional reviewer and I’ve picked up a number of books as a result! I know, even reading is hard when ill with Covid no matter jotting notes down and thinking about reviewing it! That’s dedication! 😀
The landscape, wedding and wonder of the trip was awe-inspiring and I think my emotions are just crash-landing a bit after being on such a high. Sketching away on a post on the flight home!😀
I greatly look forward to your upcoming post.
That’s lovely, Donna, thank you! Coming on tomorrow! Just doing the final edits today! Wishing you a lovely start to the week! Hugs xx ❤️
‘heartwarming’ is a good word for this.
Awww … thank you, Jacqui! I was playing around with various titles for the post and yes, ‘heartwarming’ summed up the review, my book and my emotions on reading it! Reviews like this are precious and mean so much! Thomas is an exceptional reviewer!
I never feel like anything he writes is ‘canned’.
How special to find this wonderfully written review in the midst of a sparkling wedding. Double the joy and fun I’m sure. Have just finished reading Thomas’ detailed review, which certainly draws the curious reader in. Congratulations Annika. Enjoy your weekend my friend. xx
Miriam, I know, it was a heady combination and smiling at your phrase of ‘sparkling wedding’ – it was indeed and so much more!
I love that you enjoyed his wonderful review and your comment how it draws the reader in – that takes skill in reviewing and I am very thankful to Thomas for his wonderful insightful thoughts about my book.
Many thanks for your lovely comment, Miriam and wishing you a great weekend, too. Can’t quite believe it is August already! 😀❤️
I’ve never had anyone review my work, but I can imagine that a wonderful review like that must feel so good! You deserve it….you’re a very good writer! Congratulations!
Ann, first thank you so much for your lovely words about me as a writer – that’s wonderful! 😀🙏
Your comment has me mulling over how to describe the feeling of reading a review like this – and it should be easier after all, being a writer!
Obviously overjoyed and delighted but it is deeper than that. Just to know that someone read your work and really gets it, that the stories reach their spirit, stays with them. Reading has been an integral part of my life since young and very early on I dreamt of giving that joy, contentment, excitement and adventure to fellow bibliophiles. So reviews like this means so very much!
I get it! The best part of writing is knowing that your words have touched a reader!
Congratulations, Annika! How great. Your book’s cover is very appealing. It sounds like you were inspired by the wedding you attended. So lovely. 😊
Thank you, Lynette and I feel so happy about the surprise review! It’s great you like the cover too – I really wanted something eye catching and intriguing to draw in potential readers!
You’re right, my time away was inspiring – both the magical wedding and also the stunning scenery of the highlands. I could have stayed and totally understand why Beatrix Potter had her holiday home nearby with beautiful views over the majestic River Tay!
Such beautiful memories of this book. You are amazing!
Awww … thank you so much, Charley! 🙏 All your support with my books has meant so much to me! Xx ❤️
Thank you so much Annika for the wonderful reading experience. It certainly made my isolation due to covid a lot more endurable. Thank you also for highlighting my review in your blog post here. I appreciate your kindness.
Thomas, I can’t stress enough how much of a boost your review gave me and my book! 🙏 I’m touched you read it during a difficult time and means a lot that it helped. Many thanks again.
Congrats, Annika.
Thank you so much, Neil! 😀 It’s given me – and the book – such a boost!
Such a lovely review
Robbie, it was a wonderful surprise and the review is fantastic. I remember yours well and your support over the years mean a lot to me – thank you!❤️
Thank you so much Annika
💕🤗
how lovely 💕
Absolutely! 😀 I am over the moon! ❤️
Dear Annika, I am delighted to read your thanks to Thomas Wikman for his excellent review of “ Storyteller Speaks”. As I have read the book too I agree with every word he says. Hope there soon will be another book on the go. 🤗.
Miriam
Bless you, Miriam for your kind words and thank you for all your support! I have another book almost ready just some final details; some pretty major like a cover! 😀
That is very exciting Annika. I am looking forward to it.
That’s great, thank you, Thomas!
How exciting! Trail those streamers of success, lady!
I will do, Annette!! It was a terrific surprise and I’m still smiling away! 🎉😊
Congratulations Annika! What a beautiful review. 🤗🦋🥰
Kym, thank you and Thomas is a terrific book reviewer and I’m delighted with his thoughtful and in-depth review! 😀
That is incredibly awesome Annika and you’re so very welcome my dear! 🥰🙏🏼🤗
Awesome review, Annika. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Pat, it really made my day and it’s wonderful that Thomas went ahead and reviewed the book even while recovering from Covid! A joy to share here!
Reading your book made my covid days so much easier. Thank you for sharing my review on your blog.
I know I mentioned this before but congratulations on such an awesome review of your lovely book. I can’t wait to hear more about the wedding. As you know, I love Scotland! (and so does Amanda.)
Darlene, thank you so much for your wonderful support all these years and for helping to champion my book. 💕
Haha! I could well imagine Amanda getting into even more escapades in this breathtaking beautiful and inspiring country! Although a flying visit spent mostly with family we had a chance to visit the Beatrix Potter gardens and exhibitions as well as walk along the majestic River Tay! I just about had to be dragged onto the plane, scribbling away! 😀
😊
Kudos on the book review Annika. I’ve heard great things about Scotland and would love to visit.
Thank you so much, Brad! It was an amazing surprise and made an already special day even more so!
Scotland’s scenery is stunning and we were so lucky with sunshine on the main day – a rarity indeed! Hope you have a chance to visit some day. Wishing you a great weekend!
Thank you!
The wedding sounds beautiful! Scotland is such an awesome place. Congratulations on this review! The cover of your book is wonderful…It certainly makes you want to open the book and read it!!!
Linda, the landscape of Scotland is breathtaking and the wedding inspired me so much – I was jotting notes down for a blog post on the flight home! 😀
Awww … thank you for your lovely thoughts about the cover – that means a lot and just what an author wants to hear. I feel blessed with this wonderful and thoughtful review which captures the essence of the stories beautifully.
Wishing you a lovely weekend, Linda!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend also!!! These summer days are going by quickly…