Robbie Cheadle's Blog, page 29

Robbie’s Inspiration – W3 Poetry Challenge and Sunday Stills #poetry #painting #photographs

Mich’s prompt guidelines

Write a multiple/chained hay(na)ku on the theme of “love lost and found”.

Hay(na)ku?

Hay(na)ku is a very simple poetic form and one of the newest. It was inaugurated on the Web on June 12th, 2003 (Philippines Independence Day) by Filipino poet Eileen Tabios (b. 1960).

Three lines;L1: one word;L2: two words;L3: three words;

There are some variations of this new poetic form. For instance, a reverse hay(na)ku has lines of three, two, and one words for L1, L2, and L3 respectively. Also, multiple hay(na)ku can be chained together to form longer poems.

You can join in W3 here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2023/11/29/w3-prompt-83-weave-written-weekly/

Love lost and found

Miscarriage

Love lost

Before it blooms

***

Successful

Medical intervention

Hope burns low

***

Milestone

Sixteen weeks

Joy rigorously controlled

***

Twenty

Halfway mark

Confidence still eludes

***

Finally

Thirty-four weeks

End in sight

***

Birth

Proceeds smoothly

Right on time

***

Baby

Perfect love

Mother and child

Sunday Stills

This week the prompt is round shapes. You can join in Terri’s prompt here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2023/11/26/sunday-stills-feeling-well-rounded/

Watercolour painting of a beaver. I’m pleased with how this painting turned out. Round dandelion headFlower with a round centre

Robbie’s Inspiration – Reblog: When are Giraffes Vulnerable #childrensfiction #wildlife

Talented author, C.S. Boyack, has shared a lovely post entitled When are Giraffes Vulnerable as part of my promotions for Neema the Misfit Giraffe, a rhyming verse book for children. Thank you, Craig. You can read the post here: https://coldhandboyack.wordpress.com/2023/11/27/when-are-giraffes-vulnerable/

C.S. Boyack is a prolific writer with a large selection of fabulous and imaginative books. My favourite to date is The Yak Guy Project and this is my review:

I have read a few of Craig Boyack’s books and I really enjoy his writing. I found this story particularly enjoyable.

The nameless hero of the story wakes up in the middle of a desert with a bullet in his head and no memory of what happened to him and how he got there. He is rescued by a talking Yak who is there to help him learn to become a useful part of society. Our unusual hero has lived a life of laziness and has spent his days sponging off his friends and anyone else who comes along.

Our hero sets off on an usual journey in a post apocalyptic world where war has destroyed the sophisticated and technologically advanced societies that lived there previously. The hero meets a prototype, a human like creature that teaches him a lot about the art of survival such as identifying edible plants and other useful natural resources. The prototypes salvage food and other recyclable materials from the remains of the destroyed cities, villages, aeroplanes and vehicles that scatter the country side. The prototype also teaches the hero the importance of reflection and thinking about what you want from life and how your individual actions impact on the natural world.

When the hero reaches a point in his emotional development where he is ready to re-join his own kind, the Yak reappears and they set off together to find one or other of the survivals who have formed themselves into rival groups. The hero still has lessons to learn about love, loyalty and teamwork.

I really enjoyed the hero and found his personal journey from a selfish and spoilt man-child to a reliable and resourceful man very interesting. The story was fast paced and entertaining and I enjoyed the fantasy world that the writer created.

You can purchase The Yak Guy Project by C.S. Boyack from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D1QY9Y7

You can explore all of C.S. Boyack’s books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/C.-S.-Boyack/author/B00ILXBXUY

Robbie’s Inspiration – Book reviews: The Destination and Deep in the Forest Where Poetry Blooms by DL Finn #bookreviews #poetry #readingcommunity

Today I am delighted to showcase two books by DL Finn.

The Destination: Harbor Pointe Series Book 3What Amazon says

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.

It’s 1967, and best friends Lacey and Sandy are enjoying a beach vacation, completely unaware of the danger that is lying in wait outside their door. Their room is quaint, with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean and an old lighthouse, but a killer is stalking their next victim. Powerless, Annie the ghost watches, knowing there’s nothing she can do to help—not even her parents, the innkeepers. Who will survive their stay at the Harbor Pointe Inn, where the edge of evil lurks within the shadows?

My review

Book three in this intriguing collection, is set several years after book 2 and reintroduces some of the delightful characters from that book. I enjoyed the continuity and discovering what had happened to these characters during in the intervening period. The Destination is different from Book 1, a paranormal horror story, and book 2, a romance story, as it is a murder mystery with a paranormal element.

Ms Finn introduces to young ladies who are best friends, Sandy and Lacey. From fun-loving and charismatic Lacey’s point of view, Sandy is engaged to the wrong man and about to embark on the wrong career, both in order to please her demanding family. Lacey has persuaded Sandy to take a short break to experience life before setting down to marriage and a boring job. She hopes to encourage Sandy into applying to study marine biology at college and give herself a chance to meet the right partner.

The pair stop over for the night in Harbor Pointe and immediately take to the innkeeper and his wife. They also meet two young men who are also stopping over for the night.

This is a short read so the pace of the story is fast with events unfolding quickly. Will Lacey succeed in getting Sandy to see that she deserves to follow her own dreams and not those of her parents? Read the story and find out.

Purchase The Destination: Harbor Point Series Book 3 from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CCQB7X1S

Deep in the Forest Where Poetry Blooms: Just Her Poetry Book Two by DL FinnWhat Amazon says

Embark on a captivating journey with D. L. Finn as she guides you through the intricate landscapes of free verse and symbolic poetry. Hike with her through the magical forest, feel the wind on your face riding on the back of a Harley, or bask on the warm Hawaiian shores. Her search for life’s magic invites the reader to traverse through the four seasons in part one. Emotions, observations, and stories weave through part two’s texture. Whether the words explore a sunset, healing, or magic, each poem flows through moments where poetry blooms.

My review

DL Finn’s latest collection of poetry is a beautiful and compelling tribute to nature in all her moods, shades, and seasons. As a lover of nature and animals, I was easily drawn into Finn’s experiences in the forest, underwater and up, into the mountains. I must admit that the idea of writing poetry while snorkeling on a waterproof tablet is very exotic and exciting to me. I believe that poems about nature are best captured in the moment.

Ms. Finn’s poetry is very descriptive and some of her imagery is delightful. Some examples are as follows:
“winter’s war with spring
frozen grip slowly slackens
life begins rebirth”

“My strawberry plants stretched out like a slow summer yawn” from Gratitude

“floating fluffy shapes
triggers imagination
childhood in the sky”

One of my favourite poems is Woodpeckers. I love birds and this poem highlights the relationship between trees and woodpeckers and how nature works in perfect harmony.

I recommend this collection for nature lovers and for anyone else who sees beauty and joy in flowers, trees, animals, birds and the changing seasons.

Purchase Deep in the Forest Where Poetry Blooms: Just Her Poetry Book Two from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Forest-Where-Poetry-Blooms-ebook/dp/B0CFGHGM7S

Robbie’s Inspiration – W3 prompt 82: Be Positive, a poem #poetry #W3

Sarah’s prompt guidelines

Write a rondeau inspired by a childhood memory.

Rondeau?15 lines long;Three stanzas:a quintet (five-line stanza);a quatrain (four-line stanza);and a sestet (six-line stanza);Rhyme scheme: aabba aabR aabbaR.Refrain: L9 and L15The refrain (R) is short;The refrain (R) consists of a phrase taken from L1;All the other lines are longer than R and share the same metrical length.Be Positive

Be positive, the operation will go well this time

It’s hard, but the blessings I identify and define

Be strong, we have to see this through to the end

Don’t break, the mental health of us both I defend

My face smiles, it’s a farce, but confidence I must mime

***

Chin up, straighten your back, it’s no use to whine

Be confident, trust the doctor, your recovery will be fine

For positive message enforcement, he phones a friend

Be positive

***

There’s no point, Heaven and our joint fates to malign

Vanquish bad thoughts, it’s getting close to showtime

Not easy to forgive, as mistakes the doctors try to mend

Best to set anger free, or you’ll go around the bend

There is no alternative, from life you cannot resign

Be positive

You can join in W3 here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2023/11/22/w3-prompt-82-weave-written-weekly

This is my latest watercolour painting. I really like the colours. I’m getting into watercolour now that I can control the brush a bit better.

Robbie’s Inspiration: repost, Fifty Years in Shoes published by Masticadores USA

Thank you to Barbara Leonhard from Masticadores USA for publishing my poem, Fifty Years in Shoes. And the accompanying fondant and cake artwork.

”Fifty Years in Shoes” by Robbie Cheadle

Robbie’s Inspiration – Story Chat: Online Literary Conversations – New International Anthology of 22 multi-genre short stories for readers with busy lives #readingcommunity #anthology

I am delighted to introduce an interesting new literary anthology today, called Story Chat. It is edited and compiled by Marsha Ingrao from stories submitted to her blog story challenge, and comments made by other participants in respect of each story. Welcome, Marsha.

Twenty-two published and previously unpublished authors from three continents submitted short, previously unpublished fictitious stories that were shared on AlwaysWrite.blog. They covered relevant topics like dementia, bullying, nursing home care, social services, PSTD, life after prison, changing jobs, dealing with children, and medical miracles. Most of the stories have surprise endings. Some have open endings, leaving the reader to imagine what might happen next.

Each story in the new book, Story Chat: Online Literary Conversations: Series of Short Stories and Ruminations, takes about three to five minutes to read, making it the perfect book for readers who need something to read in short spurts. The twenty-two stories are pure entertainment, yet each probes a deeper concept to stimulate and delight thoughtful readers.

Online readers had this to say about Story Chat: Online Literary Conversations.

“I loved not only reading brand-new stories, but the interaction between readers was also great. The feedback is amazing. It’s like having lots of Beta readers for a story you’ve written.” “The balance is perfect. There has been a good mixture of male and female writers from all over the world.

Like the snippets from one of the stories below, each story has elements with which readers everywhere can identify.

“Shopping with a toddler is testing reserves I didn’t know I had, and I fear that they will run out at any moment. … I turn back to Alicia. She is excited about this afternoon’s party and giggles as I try awkwardly to zip her into a frothy pink dress. … It (picking the wrong-sized dress for a three-year-old) means that I have to get her out of the dress again and clothed in her own little skirt and jumper, complete with tights and boots. Whoever invented lace-up boots for toddlers? … We were just a lost little girl and a bereaved Dad, trying to find our way to some kind of normality.” Wendy Fletcher, author

Marsha is currently running another Story Chat blog challenge. You can read the latest post here: https://alwayswrite.blog/2023/11/17/y3-story-chat-summary-3-a-cautionary-tale-on-the-dangers-of-allowing-your-characters-to-take-over-your-story-by-geoff-lepard/

Robbie’s Inspiration – Repost: Guest post at Meeka’s Mind – Do giraffes have horns? #fiction #giraffes

Talented sci-fi author, AC Flory of Meeka’s Mind blog, hosted me with a post about whether giraffes have horns as part of my Neema the Misfit Giraffe children’s book launch. You can read this post here: https://acflory.wordpress.com/2023/11/15/do-giraffes-have-horns/

Meeka has a lovely blog where she shares a wide variety of interesting posts including commentaries and YouTube videos about technological developments, gaming, and some book reviews.

She also has a fabulous YouTube Channel which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHW0WF_RtBjPLBA0ervswtA/videos

This is my review of AC Flory’s short story collection: The Vintage Egg (Postcards from Tomorrow Book 1)

This is the first book by A.C. Flory I have read and I will definitely be reading more. Originality and uniqueness rate highly on my rating list for a book, and these six science fiction stories certainly meet that criteria. The stories are all well written and easy to read, which makes this book a great choice for most readers.

All of the stories assume a futurist world after an undisclosed event or series of events which turn Earth into a hot and arid desert. The surviving people of the world are forced to live in underground cities. Food sources have changed and meat is scarce and expensive. The population, forced to live this unnatural life, are kept entertained with digital games which are so realistic they are almost life experiences. There is, however, a limit on gaming time to prevent people from starving to death while playing. These are indications of how the unnatural lifestyle is impacting on people.

The Vintage Egg and The Egg Run are interlinked stories, with the former presenting the beginning and the later the ending, of one story idea. Both stories are complete and can be enjoyed as standalone reads. This is the tale of an elderly man’s dream of finding a way of exploring the ruined Earth above ground through the restoration of a vintage machine he acquires. He involves and interests his young grandson in his project and it becomes something they do together. The Egg Run depicts stage 2 of the project through the eyes of the grandson.

The Gamer and Brehak are another pair of stories, each told from a different characters point of view. This story is fascinating as it explores the lack of reality and truth presented in digital worlds and how both of the participants in this ‘life like’ game are totally deceived by the other’s digital avatar and how this lack of truth impacts on their lives.

The To-Do-List is an interesting peak into the differences between older and younger people when it comes to adapting to fast changing technologies. It is an entertaining, but frighteningly realistic, look, at the older generations determination to hold on to the past and they world they knew when they were younger, versus the younger generations easy ability to adapt to change.

The Christmas Roast was truly horrifying for me. The concepts explored in this short story about a world where food is short and improvisations have become the normal, was quite overwhelming for someone like me who has always bought milk in a bottle [does it really come from a cow?] and meat neatly packaged with few reminder that it was one a living, breathing creature.

A great book of short stories and one I have unhesitatingly given a 5-star rating.

Treasuring Poetry Special Remembrance Month Edition: Poet, Frank Prem, discusses his war poetry #poetrycommunity #warpoetry #TreasuringPoetry

Thank you to poet, Frank Prem, for this fabulous post about his war poetry for my Special Remembrance Month Treasuring Poetry post. Thanks for hosting, Kaye Lynne Booth from Writing to be Read.

“War is what happens when language fails.” Margaret Atwood

Today, I am delighted to welcome prolific and masterful poet, Frank Prem, back to Treasuring Poetry. Frank writes incredibly relatable poetry that …

Treasuring Poetry Special Remembrance Month Edition: Poet, Frank Prem, discusses his war poetry #poetrycommunity #warpoetry #TreasuringPoetry

Robbie’s Inspiration – Book reviews: The Gift by Gwen M. Plano and Son of Booku Returns by Annette Rochelle Aben #bookreviews

The Gift by Gwen M. PlanoWhat Amazon says

The Harbor Pointe Inn has loomed on California’s cliffs for generations of Hawthornes. For some, it’s been a blessing. For others, a curse. Travel through two centuries of stories to discover the old inn’s secrets.

In an innocent 1958 American suburb, Shelly doesn’t know the power of a kiss. Or how it will change her entire life.

At sixteen years old, she falls in love with a young man. One night—just one night—they go too far. Months later, pregnant and shamed, Shelly’s parents banish her.

Alone and heavily pregnant, circumstances force Shelly to cross the country in an old pickup.

A mistaken turn leaves her lost in a forest amidst a severe snow storm and in labor.

In the dark of night. Shelly must get help for her new-born baby before they both perish. A light in the distance gives her the slimmest glimmer of hope.

After Shelly wraps the infant in her father’s old jacket, she trudges through the snow to a lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Snow half buries the squat stone building.

Will Shelly find shelter, or is it the beginning of the end?

My review

The Gift is a truly delightful story showcasing the power of love to change and improve lives.

Shelly is only sixteen years old and is heavily pregnant when her father’s truck runs out of gas on a remote road during a snowstorm, and she finds herself stranded. She goes into labour and gives birth to a baby boy in the vehicle. Knowing she must find somewhere warm to shelter or freeze to death in the truck, Shelly wraps up her baby and finds her way through the snow to an old lighthouse. There, through a stroke of good fortune, she is found by Jesse and Mary, the lighthouse keeper and his wife. The pair are determined to save Shelly, who has succumbed to exhaustion, and care for baby Luke. Jesse and Mary have suffered their own tragedy and their unhappy past is unwoven in conjunction with Shelly’s own sad story.

I particularly loved Jesse and Mary, who had suffered so much, and yet were so kind and giving. They were prepared to go to great lengths during the blizzard to help Shelly and her baby. Ms. Plano has a lovely way of describing people so that their kind natures are almost tangible. Jesse reminded me of my own dad who is very handy and can always make a plan.

This is a delightful story of love’s triumph over adversity and also the power of love to heal and bring people together. This book would make a wonderful and feel good Christmas read.

Amazon US purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CD15LV2Z

Gwen M. Plano Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gwen-M.-Plano/author/B07D3BZ6TQ

Son of BOOKU Returns by Annette Rochelle AbenWhat Amazon says

As the autumn leaves fall, the creatures heed the call and assemble for a night of fun frolic, and fright. Oh, the preparation it takes to gain the admiration of fans of all walks of life. Yet, the mystical maven of midnight magic will slave away night and day to create the perfect atmosphere. An atmosphere worthy of ghosts and goblins both small and tall.

So, when you find yourself absent-mindedly dancing in the moonlight… If you are drawn to fog-covered bridges because you are curious about what you will find on the other side, then DO get into this book. If for no other reason than to gladden your heart and give voice to your wicked laughter!

My review

Son of Booku Returns is another wonderful collaboration between poet, Annette Rochelle Aben, and artist, Lorraine Parent. The photographs of Lorraine’s Halloween displays are original and creative and I would love to see them in real life. As America is two oceans away from Africa, I must be content with the excellent pictures in this book. My favourite display was a snake with a human head wrapped within its coils and a human hand extending from its mouth. A grave with RIP on it is behind the snake.

Annette has matched each picture with the perfect haiku and every combination made me smile.

The poem that goes with the snake detailed above is:
“Spent most of my life
Clawing my way to the top
That’s no way to live.”

If you are looking for a Halloween creative feast, this book is the perfect dish.

Amazon US purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CLZ9PLM6

Annette Rochelle Aben Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Annette-Rochelle-Aben/author/B00MSQTGUY

Robbie’s Inspiration – Thank you to Sally Cronin and Barbara Vitelli #books #YouTube #readingcommunity

This week, I have been fortunate enough to feature on the blogs of two wonderful bloggers, Sally Cronin of Smorgasbord – Variety is the Spice of Life and Barbara of Book Club Mom. Thank you to you both.

Sally Cronin

Sally Cronin has a marvelous blog where she shares free promotions for books written by authors and bloggers in the blogging community. She also shares entertaining posts about health and lifestyle choices, music, recipes, and other interesting topics.

Sally is also a talented author and has a number of excellent books which you will find on her blog.

This is my review of Life’s Rich Tapestry: Woven in Words

This new book sees author, Sally Cronin, delving into new genres in the form of a variety of styles of poetry and 99-word flash fiction pieces. It also includes a number of her delightful short stories, although those differ from others that I have read by this author as many of them feature an animal as the main character.

The poetry is beautiful and is split into sections, namely, Seasons of the year; All things human; Fairies and other folk; The natural world; Remembrance, Celebrating pets and Random thoughts. The poems included in the sections entitled Season of the year and The natural world largely feature the natural environment, including the various seasons and the different creatures that inhabit it, and makes use of all the senses to wrap the reader in the specific joys and pleasures of the flowers, the light, celebrations, birds and and other natural phenomena including drought, snow and frost.

The poetry sections entitled All things human, Remembrance and Random thoughts as well as some of the flash fiction and short stories utilize the writer’s amazing ability to invoke great emotion from her readers towards her characters and their circumstances and situations, while being easy to relate to and highly believable.

The poems and stories that feature pets and animals showcase the authors love of the animal world and convey the special relationships that frequently develop between people and their pets.

I appreciate the undertone of happiness that is generally present in this authors books and stories. It is a wonderful thing to be able to read a book that makes you feel great emotion and still come out on the other end with the impression that life is a wonderful and great journey. This is definitely a skill that Ms Cronin has and uses to its best advantage in all her books, poems and stories.

Sally has shared a lovely promotional post about my new book, Neema the Misfit Giraffe and a delightful review of my latest poetry book, Lion Scream. You can read Sally’s post here: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2023/11/09/smorgasbord-book-promotions-new-book-on-the-shelves-childrens-africa-neema-the-misfit-giraffe-southern-african-safari-adventures-book-1-by-robbie-and-michael-cheadle/

Book Club Mom – Barbara Vitelli

Barbara has a delightful blog, Book Club Mom, where she shares excellent reviews of a variety of books and author updates. Barbara also has a successful YouTube channel and has recently started hosting author interviews. She is a splendid hostess and makes here guests feel very relaxed and comfortable.

Thank you to Barbara for sharing this lovely conversation about my books and writing on your YouTube Channel. You can find this conversation here: https://bvitelli2002.wordpress.com/2023/11/07/today-on-youtube-author-chat-with-robbie-cheadle/

You can find Barbara’s latest book review here: https://bvitelli2002.wordpress.com/2023/11/04/book-review-the-last-pilgrim-by-noelle-granger-2/