Are You Ready for Decadence?

Some of you may have noticed that I'm not one of those authors who reviews other people's books. I always think it's great when other authors do it, but there's just something in me that resists when asked. It's been a long time since I read a book for enjoyment--or seen a movie, for that matter--and it just seems unfair to review books that I'm reading for technical reasons.

But there are exceptions. And one of them just happens to be cookbooks.

If you haven't yet made a Wendy Paul recipe in your home, then you've probably never made a key lime pie or rootbeer float cupcake in ten minutes. It's possible you've never laid out two dozen cupcakes in front of women who were on diets, only to watch them disappear in an hour. It's possible you've never made cookies that you sampled until you were in a sugar coma.

And if you don't pick up Wendy's new book, you may never know how absolutely amazing a cake bite can be.

I was lucky. I got to try Wendy's cake bites as far back as last December--delectable little mini-cakes that are about as big around as the circle you make when you connect your pointer finger and your thumb into a circle.

Amazing. Rich. The life of a party.

I've done more than one book signing with Wendy Paul, and I'm not sure whose books I've sold more of. As a person who doesn't like to spend time in the kitchen, Wendy won my heart with 101 Gourmet Cupcakes in 10 Minutes. As a person with friends with various dietary needs, she gave me awesome cookie recipes for cookies for all types of diets in 101 Gourmet Cookies for Everyone. And with 101 Gourmet Cake Bites for All Occasions, I know for a fact that those recipes are worth the extra time in the kitchen. I've shared Wendy's cake bites with some of the most elitist bakers I know, and without fail their eyebrows shoot up and something along the lines of "Wow!" shoots out of their mouths.

And that's why I'm giving a copy away. I know you'll love it that much. Winning is easy:

#1- Follow this blog (so I can contact you if you win)

#2-On Facebook and/or Twitter (one entry each) tweet/post "The cake bite cookbook I want the most: http://bit.ly/pEHbTc " and tag me so that I see the post.

It's that easy!

You'll notice that the link is for the book launch of 101 Gourmet Cake Bites for All Occasions, and yes, you ARE cordially invited! I'll be there. So will Wendy, and it will be a great time with great people. So feel free to get some friends together August 20th and join me at an amazing cake bite party that will get you excited to bake!

I'm Just in the Mood

For some reason, I'm just in the mood to give something away. Maybe it's the season. Who knows?

Either way, I think I'll give away one of the books I recommend on this site. And while I love "Save the Cat," "On Writing" happens to be handier, so that's what's on the table here.

A FREE copy of "On Writing," by Stephen King (Mass market, as pictured above). An awesome memoir from a successful and prolific author. All followers are eligible, and to make this super simple, I'm just going to pick a number... Okay, that's harder than it sounds, so I'm just going to add up all the digits on the Kay'sVille barcode.

*adds numbers*

And the magical number is 106. Kind of high, but there you are. The US resident who posts the 106th comment on this thread (who is also a follower) WINS!

No real rules. You can post every comment if you would like, or just one. Doesn't matter. But in the end, the one in with the 106th position will win :)

Ready? Set? Go!

I WON-I WON-I WON-I WON-I WON!

This post is devoted solely to celebration. In truth, writers probably don't celebrate enough--always focusing on the next hurdle.

Well, SCREW THAT! I'm stoked. The current incarnation of a book I have been working on for YEARS (which has undergone such massive overhauls so as to be completely unrecognizable from its predecessors) just won 1st Place at the League of Utah Writers' Annual Roundup. And since I entered the contest with the hope and desire to win 1st place, how can I do anything but celebrate?

Rock. On. In the world of Sheralyn Pratt, September 18, 2010 was a day of good fortune. I spent the day signing at B&N with other phenomenal authors, ran to the award ceremony, and WON!

Yes, I understand that no one is as excited as I am. That follows logic, but I just want to make it very clear that I haven't been this pumped for a while.

So, thank you, League of Utah Writers. Your award couldn't have fallen into more giddy hands :)