Angel’s Freedom

Amazon

328 pages incl. map, family tree, and many b/w graphics
now with improved appendix
second edition: May 2020

newspaper articlesinterviews

 

Fantasy bestselling author Holly Lisle:

Ann Angel’s Freedom is an amazing, beautifully researched, well-written tale of a world and a time far different from our own, but one that still resonates with the struggles we all face today. I found myself suffering with Ann and those she loved, hoping for her, and in the end cheering with her. It’s a wonderful story, made more wonderful because it’s true.

 

Blurb

A young girl between family duty and freedom…

At the end of the 18th century, fifteen-year-old Ann Angel Waldmann has to work hard. Although her father, a farmer in the area of Osnabrueck, is well respected in the neighborhood and wealthy, there never are enough hands to finish all tasks. Still, Angel is happy. After all, her best friend lives nearby and Adam Averbeck, the man she adores, works on their farm as a farmhand. It doesn’t bother her at all that they live in serfdom to Count von Langelage.

However when the count promises her father their freedom, everything changes. After thinking the matter through for a few days, Angel’s father wants to agree to the deal and discovers something incredible. To force the matter, he drags the count to court, and Angel’s life becomes a nightmare. How can freedom improve her life when she’s losing her best friend and Adam at the same time?

Well written and thoroughly researched, the novel is based on true events and illuminates a fascinating time in Northern Germany’s history. Angel’s Freedom is a wonderful mix of work, friendship, everyday worries, and love.

 

readers comments

N.B. from Nebraska, USA
I have been preparing the books that arrived at my door yesterday for mailing to special relatives on my list. One of whom is B.H. from Kansas. He is a retired librarian from Kansas State University who serves now as a consultant to the US Military’s voluntary education program. Here is what he said in his letter requesting a copy of your book: „I read the sample chapter. It is good prose, successfully building images of what life was like in the era.“
Now, that is high praise from a professional university librarian and probably an English major, too. His comment made me feel extra good because I feel the same way. Hope we can eventually have the story made into a movie.

M.H., Harfsen, NL
I liked the book. In the beginning I was often thinking about how you and your friend had been busy gathering all the background information and your display of all that you had learned, but reading on I started to forget about that and enjoying the story itself. It must have been a thrill for your friend to find out so much about her ancestors, and getting a picture of how they lived.

N.B from Nebraska, USA
Recently W.D. sent to me your book, „Ann Angel’s Freedom.“ You have put together a marvelous book of mystery and intrigue while also providing the reader with excellent insight and knowledge about the history and traditions of living in the Schledehausen area in the 1800. Thank you for sharing this story and information. Hope you try to have it made into a movie.

A.V.S. from Illinois, USA
I have made time for your book, which I loved!!! I think that you and Anke did a wonderful job of research and writing. I loved your story, characters, writing style, and found your appendix -all parts- also beautifully done and most valuable!!! Thank you!!!

D.K. from Missouri, USA
I just finished reading your book and I really, really enjoyed. It was written such that I could almost imagine myself there with the people in the book. The translation was excellent.

G.M. from Iowa, USA
I had to make myself finish my work before I started to read. But I wanted to tell you both how much I am enjoying the book. It’s so interesting – and since my ancestors farm was near to the Waldmann farm, I am getting the sense of what their life might have been like. Thank you so much to both of you for all your hard work on writing this book. I hope everyone else is enjoying it as much as I am.

D.C. from Massachusetts, USA
My wife has read your book, and she liked it.

D.S. from Montana, USA
The book arrived a few days ago and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Now, when are you going to write the sequel? The book is particularly interesting and fun for me, because I was fortunate enough to visit most of the places mentioned in the book last October, and had Anke for a most excellent guide.

A.P. from California, USA
I finished reading the book a few days ago. It is certainly interesting to see the way those people lived at that time, I wonder if they ever imagined that there would be times such as we live with today, probably not. I say that as I think of my life, the circumstances of that time when I was very young and I do not think we had any idea of what our lives would be over the years. Today we have science fiction and sometimes that makes one think a great deal.
No doubt the two of you must have spent countless hours gathering all the info and I had the thought that if you were to continue the story thru time it would likely be easier to get the info.
I was glad to see pictures of the two of you. That adds a good deal for me. I have thought many times in the course of my business about the many people I talked to, never seeing them nor knowing them or what they looked like. So goes life I guess.
So I thank both of you for all of your efforts puting together the story. I think you can be very proud of it.

G.M. from Iowa, USA
I finished the book! […] I loved it! It really helped me to see what life might have been like for my ancestors. It seemed as if life was hard, but still there was a lot of joy mixed in with it. The description of the traditional women’s clothing from the Schledehausen area (and the picture) – looked just like what my great-great-grandmother was wearing in the photo I have of the family. It must have been so interesting for you to find out all of this about your family – and then to have it written into a book must be exciting too.
Well, I thought I would tell you that my parents both read Ann Angel’s Freedom (in only a week) and they both liked it too. So I think you should feel very proud of your book. And I hope it won’t be eleven years until the next one, because I want to read that one as well.

C.R. from Oregon, USA
I enjoyed the book Ann Angel’s Freedom. You translated it very well and it was easy to read. The people of that era had a hard life, but still managed to have fun and enjoyment. I don’t think I will complain about doing laundry, dishes, cooking again. At least not for a little while. Was surprised by the ending. I love a mystery!!!

  • J.W. from Wisconsin, USA
    Thank you so much for sending us your wonderful book – I have started reading it and can’t wait to get back to it. […] L. has completed reading your book and said she just couldn’t put it down she was to entertained and enlightened by it.