Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Summer Book Fair 2023 – #Photography #Poetry #Flash M.J. Mallon, #Poetry #Shortstories Colleen Chesebro, #Africa #Poetry #Essays Robbie Cheadle @RobertaEaton17 @bakeandwrite @sgc58

Many thanks to Sally Cronin for featuring myself, Colleen and Robbie in this post. Here is some of the detail from her blog:

This year in the second part of the Summer Book Fair, I (Sally,) will be sharing my recommended books from the last 12 months and sharing either my review or one of  their top reviews.The first author today is M.J. Mallon and her collection that I can highly recommend Do What You love: Fragility Of Your Flame Poems, Photography and Flash Fiction

About the collection Do What You Love is a personal poetry collection celebrating how the fates may have a part in all that we do.With special poems and short reflective moments inspired by family, flowers and nature, love, scrumptious morsels, places I’ve visited, lived and intend to live in, the friendships and hopes I have for the future.The overarching theme is to live a life well lived… And to do what you love.One of the reviews for the collection
Sheila 5.0 out of 5 stars Prose, poetry and images: poignant, sensitive, playful: a lovely collection  Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧I’ve read this author’s work before: young adult novels, poetry and flash fiction, and I love her imaginative handling of the magical, the phantasmagorical and surreal. This short book is no exception to the quality of MJ Mallon’s output. I found her exploration of her past life captivating.We may consider that the inclusion of often very personal material in a compilation of this sort would make it difficult for the outside reader to find a way in. This is not true at all of MJ Mallon’s poetry and prose: in many places, I related so much to what she writes, especially about a daughter ‘flying the nest’ to a faraway country. I particularly loved the device MJ Mallon uses to draw all this together: she presents it as a conversation with Atropos, one of the three Fates in Greek mythology: the Morai.Atropos presides over the past. I thought this worked extremely well as a central metaphor. It had me googling the three Fates, and reading all about them: Clotho, who spins the threads of life, guardian of the present; Lachesis, who measures the length of life with her measuring rod, and is guardian of the future: and Atropos, who is the guardian of fate and destiny, and who chooses the manner of death by snipping the threads of an individual’s life.MJ Mallon has had a fascinating and varied life experience: born in Singapore, she spent her childhood in Hong Kong and her teens in Edinburgh. She now lives in Cambridge. Every culture she has lived in, I believe, has influenced her imagination, her interests and her approach as a writer. In this book, we find a compilation of words and images which draw us in: poignant, sensitive, delicate, playful, as she opens up for us her past and present relationships, the places she has loved and spent time in, and her thoughts and feelings about it all.A highly recommended book for you.Read the reviews and buy the collection: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Amazon Ca

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US –And: Amazon UK – Website: M.J. Mallon – Goodreads: Goodreads – Twitter@Marjorie_Mallon

The next book that I recommended last year is by Colleen M. Chesebro and her collection Fairies, Myths & MagicII.  A Winter Celebration

About the bookIn this second book in the Fairies, Myths, & Magic series, step into a world where dark fairies and other magical beings converge in a collection of poetry and short stories inspired by winter and the celebration of the winter solstice.From autumn’s scary fairies to the forgotten female characters of Yule, prepare to embrace the magical winter solstice myths from around the world. Meet Frau Holle in the Wild Hunt, Befana—the Christmas Witch of Italy, and the Japanese goddess Ameratasu who controls the springtime. Prepare to embrace the Scottish trows, the Irish Goddess of Winter—the Cailleach Béara, and Snegurochka—the Snow Girl.Learn how to make Yuletide rituals part of your celebration by embracing the symbols of Yule by decorating with evergreens and crystals.

One of the reviews for the collection
Jacqui Murray VINE VOICE 5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary introduction to mystical topics  Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸75 pieces on a myriad of topics, all themed to fairies, pagan mysteries, and the winter solstice. I know little about those so for me, this was a literary banquet to be relished. I picked this book up because I was impressed with the posts on Colleen’s blog, then read it cover to cover because her wordsmithing is entrancing. If you like me haven’t spent much time thinking about the meaning of fairies and magic, rest assured you will enjoy this book. The entries cover so many topics and emotions, so many mischievous beings, there is going to be something for everyone.One of the reviewers called this an “extraordinary handbook as well as a captivating read.” I would have to agree. Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK

Head over to discover more about Colleen Chesebro and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Goodreads: Colleen at Goodreads – Website Wordcraft poetry – Author website and blog: Colleen M. Chesebro      – LinkedIn: Colleen M. Chesebro – Facebook: Colleen M. Chesebro Poet and Author

The final book today is by Robbie Cheadle’s. A stunning syllabic poetry collection in celebration of Africa’s wildlife. Lion Scream: Syllabic Poetry About Southern African Wildlife

About the collection

Do you rely on Earth for your survival?Lion Scream is a graphic collection of poetry and prose. The book portrays the author’s experiences with South African wildlife and the growing impact of the Sixth Mass Extinction and Climate Change on the natural environment.

Lion Scream
There is no jungle
Only acres of smooth stumps
There is no jungle
No habitat, no food source
Hopeless lion screams tonight

A review for the collection
Lauren Scott 5.0 out of 5 stars An beautiful, effective poetry collection conveying a vital message.  Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸While I turned the pages of Robbie Cheadle’s new book, I became enlightened. I absorbed the information she includes about South African wildlife and the vital message that flows seamlessly from beginning to end. Lion Scream is a unique and touching collection of poetry that takes the reader on a journey to learn about the wildlife in South Africa from Robbie’s personal experiences in the bush, but not to omit “their plight in the face of the Sixth Mass Extinction.” Her passion for wildlife is surely felt throughout the pages.A wide variety of animals are highlighted in this collection with stunning, color photos. Animals range from lions, tigers, cheetahs, hippos, and elephants to the Hadeda bird that I had never heard of before. Robbie profoundly expresses how the habitats of these incredible animals have been lost due to global warming, and how the animals’ safety has been compromised due to the evil actions of humans, all because of greed. Robbie’s emotions are palpable through her powerful and sometimes distressing poems. The book takes a detour in the end with a short story that touches on mental health, but the story ties into the initial issue of global warming and the lost habitats.Robbie’s poem entitled, “Lion Scream” may be short, but its message is concise and effective:There is no jungle/Only acres of smooth stumps/There is no jungle/No habitat, no food source/Hopeless lion screams tonight And below is a verse from the heartbreaking poem “Rhino Dilemma” –Savage men move quickly/Hack out valued horn/Animal left bleeding; awakes to sure death/Tears of pain and anguish/Slide from fading eyes. Years ago, I read two non-fiction books about elephants, and I instantly fell in love with them. So, reading Robbie’s poems about these amazing animals and the poaching horrors they endure is beyond heart wrenching. But a few poems are playful, painting a delightful picture:Now it’s time for some fun/Trunk draws in water/Up it comes, spraying a fountain overhead/Cool drops sprinkle downward/She trumpets with joy. A few of Robbie’s poems made me smile, but most tugged at my heart because of the serious issues of extinction, human actions that result in the animals’ suffering, and climate change. Anyone who wishes to become educated on these issues or who wishes to foster a solution where humans and animals can contentedly coexist should read Lion Scream. Highly recommended. Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

Read the reviews and Buy the books :Amazon US  And: Amazon UK – Follow Robbie : Goodreads – blog: Robbie’s Inspiration- Twitter@bakeandwrite

Please do pop over to Sally’s fabulous blog to read the full blog link below:

https://wp.me/p3ZnNr-INc

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ARC Review: Treasuring Poetry 3: Passions

This incredible volume includes poetry works by the 2022 guests from the “Treasuring Poetry” blog series with Robbie Cheadle, on Writing to be Read: Smitha Vishwaneth, Yvette Calliero, Chris Hall, Robbie Cheadle, Willow Willers, Yvette Prior, Penny Wilson, Abbie Taylor, Colleen Chesebro, Patty Fletcher, and Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.

Modeled on the previous successful Poetry Treasures and Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships anthologies, Poetry Treasures 3: Passions provides a thought-provoking forum for unique and original poetry which won’t be easily forgotten.

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions releases on April 18, 2023.

 

Publicity Information for Poetry Treasures 3: Passions,
edited by Kaye Lynne Booth and Robbie Cheadle, and published by WordCrafter Press

 

SYNOPSIS

 

In what promises to be the poetry anthology of 2023, Poetry Treasures 3: Passions features poetry and images from the poetry guests of  the “Treasuring Poetry” blog series in 2022. Poetry which delves into the passions which drive us, and move us to action, and those things that stir passions within us.

My review

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions

Thank you to Kaye Lynn Booth for an advanced copy which I read freely and without bias. What a lovely collection of poetry!

This poetry collection is from various authors some of whom I have had the pleasure of knowing and reading for many years: Robbie Cheadle, Colleen Chesebro,  D Wallace Peach, Willow Willers, Judy Mastrangelo, and some talented new poets, whose work is less familiar to me: Smitha Vishwanath, Chris Hall, Abby Taylor, Yvette M. Calleiro, Rosemerry Wahtola Trummer, Patty Fletcher, Yvette Prior, and Penny Wilson. 

It’s an eclectic collection and a fabulous way to discover new poets to read. Expect varying interpretations of poetic passions. Not all are amorous! Some are thoughtful, personal to the author, (the author’s interests, experiences and loves,) and many have deep insight into human trials and tribulations.

Here are just some of my favourites!

Robbie: Wildlife passions – Bold Lover and… One for me none for you.

Smitha: If I could gift you anything and One last time.

Abbie: The Black Hole – an emotional piece about Abbie’s late husband’s stroke destroying his ability to speak and a powerful piece on the same topic: The Music Lady.

Chris: Home for the holidays and The Lightning Tree.

Yvette Prior: We are a bird, he said and Poetic Sleep

Yvette M Calleiro: In the depths below and Claimed (Nonet)

Willow: Passion, Academic Passion

Rosemerry: I really appreciated how this poet used artists as a focal point as in: Thinking of Vincent Painting Winter. And a piece about female sexual taboos: No Longer Empty Handed

Patty: Ever Lost In The Moment, and Grandfather Tree Speaks.

Judy: Garden of The Sun And Moon and Fairy Wedding. ( There are beautiful accompanying illustrations for all of Judy’s. Judy is a wonderful artist too.)

Penny: A splash of heaven, and Something Worth Losing

Colleen: Love’s Reply and Swift Passage dedicated to the much loved late Sue Vincent.

D. Wallace Peach: The Mermaid and Words.

A lovely collection for poetry lovers. Read it more than once and appreciated it more on multiple reading! 5 stars.

Buying Link:

ABOUT THE EDITORS

 

Kaye Lynne Booth is a multi-genre author, editor, and founder of WordCrafter Press. She recently republished her first western novel herselfShe has also published a short fiction collection and a paranormal mystery novella, in addition to the many short fiction stories in the six short fiction anthologies from WordCrafter Press. In addition, she has had short fiction and poetry published with Zetitic: A Record of Unusual InquiryAcross the MarginColorado Life MagazineManifest West by Western University Press, The Collapsar Directive and Relationship Add Vice by Zombie Pirate Publishing, Nightmareland by Dan Alatorre.

She also recently served as a student editor on the editing team for the Gilded Glass anthology under Kevin J. Anderson and Allyson Langueira, and produced through Western State Colorado University, and published  Weird Tales: Best of the Early Years 1926-27, with Jonathan Maberry.

Robbie Cheadle is an award-winning, bestselling author, who has published thirteen children’s book and three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies. Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

The ten Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.

 

PREVIOUS TITLES

 

Previous WordCrafter Press poetry titles include Behind Closed Doors, byRobbie Cheadle, Feral Tenderness, by Arthur Rosch, Poetry Treasures poetry anthology, and Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships.

 

 

WordCrafter Press is a small new-model publisher founded by author Kaye Lynne Booth. You can find us at http://writingtoberead.com/wordcrafter-quality-writing-author-services/wordcrafter-press/. 

WordCrafter Services

Writing to be Read

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Robbie’s Inspiration – Poetry book tour: Do What You Love by M.J. Mallon #review #poetry #bookreview #readingcommunity

Thank you so much to Robbie for this blog tour post and review of my latest poetry, flash fiction collection Do What You Love.

Robbie is a huge supporter of the indie community, a wonderful author and poet who reviews extensively. I appreciate her valued opinion so much.

Do read at source and connect with Robbie: https://wp.me/p7Uxin-57v

Robbie’s Review

This is a beautiful and personal account through poetry, prose and photographs, of the emotional highs and lows of the poet’s life. The poet is accompanied on her walk down memory lane by the three sisters of fate, the Morai: Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos with whom she engages in conversation about the particular moments in time highlighted by the poems.

While the poems are personal, their themes are universal which makes them relatable to the reader and facilitates emotional engagement with the particular set of circumstances detailed in the various syllabic poems. The poems are accompanied by beautiful photographs, many of which are nature orientated. I particularly liked the Botanical Gardens Cambridge UK.

One of my favourite poems in the collection is My Daughters. Perhaps this one appeals so much to me because my own sons are standing on the cusp of adulthood and will soon be flying the nest. This is a short extract:

“Now the drama’s nearly over. I tremble.
Expecting the next crisis to come
rippling around the lake.
The waters swaying. It’s stiller now.
They’re wiser.”

This is a book that is best savoured slowly over a glass of wine. 

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Horror Anthology: Spellbound – Want to be Spellbound? #horror #anthology

I’ve been creating some graphics for the release of Spellbound.

A horror anthology with 27 stories from 16 authors (The Box Under The Bed Book 4) compiled by USA Today Bestselling author Dan Alatorre, and edited by Roberta Eaton Cheadle and Donna Davis Walker, (author name M D Walker.)

I’m a contributing author with my tale The Twisted Sisters.

The first three graphics in the slideshow below I’ve made via Canva…

And these are from Robbie:

Do you dare read Spellbound?

Let me tempt you. It is already receiving 5 star reviews… Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Spellbound-horror-anthology-stories-authors-ebook/dp/B08DM83XKR/

and here is the Amazon UK link:

Do you dare….

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New Release: Spellbound #Horror #Anthology #Preorder

I’m thrilled to announce that I’m a contributing author in Dan Alatorre‘s Box Under The Bed horror Anthology no. 4: Spellbound which is currently on pre-order and releases 14th October 2020. There are many of my lovely friends contributing to this anthology too, including Robbie Cheadle, Ellen Best, Adele Marie Park, and Geoff Le Pard.

So pre-order your kindle copy now! While it is on special offer price: £0.78 Amazon UK and $1.02, Amazon US.

$4.99 regular eBook price, $9.99 regular paperback price.

From the creators of the #1 bestseller The Box Under The Bed horror anthology and its #1 bestselling sequels Nightmareland and Dark Visions, comes Spellbound
– a horror anthology with 20 stories from 15 authors.

A young girl and her mother seek out a mysterious sorceress to guide the child in developing her powers, but the beautiful blonde witch has ideas of her own – and desires a powerful book that only the child can give her.
Tremble along as the stories in the magical book are revealed. “Some are true, some are false, and some are spells disguised as stories to hide our kind from those who would do us harm.”

* A young man is given a family heirloom at his mother’s funeral, but her protection can’t save him from himself.
* A sailing ship takes a journey to the new world and discovers horrors along the way.
* A young girl seeks a connection with her parents but learns she isn’t magical enough.
* And many more!

Compiled by USA Today bestselling author Dan Alatorre, this anthology of horror once again unites the minds and stories of more than a dozen amazing authors.

Spellbound will take you into the shadowy world of the eerie and macabre, with heart stopping stories.


Perfect for Halloween or any time, these stories will make you think twice before borrowing a book, giving away jewelry, looking into a mirror, or going out on a moonlit night.

CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED.

NOTE: American and British spelling inside. Of the 23 stories contained in this anthology, none are part of any larger work.

My story is called Twisted Sisters.

Here’s the blurb to my short story:

During a meeting of The Twisted Sisters coven Luna, an ambitious member, proposes a determined plan: to give the public excitement after the grim life imposed by COVID19. With her Twisted Fairytales shop, she hopes to gain power and influence. The elder witch and the moon are fearful of her idea. At work, she dons her little red riding hood outfit. Hidden in her basket she keeps two shiny objects ready to work their evil…

This is going to be the scariest anthology yet!

Don’t forget to check out the other books in the Box Under The Bed Set, all available via Amazon,

And I’m also a contributing author to Nightmareland as well…

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A new horror anthology

Thrilled to be a participating author in the next Box Under The Bed Anthology compiled by Dan Alatorre: Spellbound. Editor and Contributing author Robbie Chantree has written a fantastic post about the anthologies, plus there’s a video of her reading one of her stories in the previous anthology: Nightmareland.

Please do share widely!! Many thanks. 🙂

Click the link below to visit Robbie’s page.

Source: A new horror anthology

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Author Spotlights: Inspiration – Robbie and Michael Cheadle

Author Spotlights-

Today, it is my pleasure to welcome Robbie and Michael Cheadle to my blog.

This is a rare treat, a sugary inspiration. Enjoy!

About Robbie and Michael Cheadle

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Robbie Cheadle was born in London in the United Kingdom. Her father died when she was three months old and her mother immigrated to South Africa with her tiny baby girl. Robbie has lived in Johannesburg, George and Cape Town in South Africa and attended fourteen different schools. This gave her lots of opportunities to meet new people and learn lots of social skills as she was frequently “the new girl”.

Robbie is a qualified Chartered Accountant and specialises in corporate finance with a specific interest in listed entities and stock markets. Robbie has written a number of publications on listing equities and debt instruments in Africa and foreign direct investment into Africa.

Robbie is married to Terence Cheadle and they have two lovely boys, Gregory and Michael. Michael (aged 11) is the co-author of the Sir Chocolate series of books and attends school in Johannesburg. Gregory (aged 14) is an avid reader and assists Robbie and Michael with filming and editing their YouTube videos and editing their books. Robbie is also the author of the new Silly Willy series the first of which, Silly Willy goes to Cape Town, will be available in early July 2017.

Continue reading “Author Spotlights: Inspiration – Robbie and Michael Cheadle”

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