Robbie Cheadle's Blog, page 51
March 1, 2022
Day 2 of the WordCrafter “Chocolate Fudge saves the Sugar Dog” Book Blog Tour – Author Interview & My Review
Day 2 of the Chocolate Fudge saves the Sugar Dog book tour shares Michael’s first every author interview with host, Kaye Lynne Booth, and a fabulous review. Kaye offers a variety of author services including blog book tours and much more. She also has a variety of great books and anthologies so do look around while you are there.
Chocolate Fudge saves the Sugar Dog Book Blog TourIt’s day two of the WordCrafter Chocolate Fudge saves the Sugar Dog Book Blog Tour, and today I’m bringing you my review of this wonderful little book. Robbie and her son Michael co-write the Sir Chocolate books, illustrated with lovely fondant scenes and filled with delectable recipes which will make your tummy rumble. Many of us know Robbie and are familiar with her “Growing Bookworms” blog series and the Sir Chocolate books, so today I’d like to bring you and interview with her son and co-author, Michael Cheadle and share my review of Chocolate Fudge saves the Sugar Dog.
The Authors –Robbie and Michael CheadleAuthor Interview
Kaye: How old are you, Michael?
Michael: I am 16 years old.
Kaye: How long have you been writing Sir Chocolate books with your mom?
Michael: Mom and I started writing the…
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February 27, 2022
Blog Tour – Chocolate Fudge saves the Sugar Dog by Robbie and Michael Cheadle
My Chocolate Fudge saves the Sugar Dog (Sir Chocolate series book 8) kicks off today. Poet and author, Miriam Hurdle, has shared a lovely post and review of the book. Thank you, Miriam!
My friends, I’m very excited to host the Chocolate Fudge saves the Sugar Dog Book Tour for Robbie and Michael Cheadle. Please join me to welcome them and let them share this wonderful news with you!
Hi Robbie and Michael, please tell us about your latest book.
Thank you, Miriam, and friends.
.
Imagine, living in a world…
… made of a giant gobstopper.
A world…
… where you can eat everything.
The trees, the houses, the flowers, and even the beehives.
The river is condensed milk, and the pond is cream soda.
Welcome to Chocolate Land!
Meet Sir Chocolate and Lady Sweet…
.
Sir Chocolate is round and fat,
He wears a waistcoat and brown top hat.
Lady Sweet wears a stripy skirt and top,
She looks just like a lollipop.
.
From Book 1: Sir Chocolate and the Strawberry Cream Berries Story and Cookbook
Sir Chocolate and Lady…
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February 24, 2022
Robbie’s Inspiration: Book review – Tell ’em They’re Dreaming: Bedtime Ballads and Tall Tales from the Australian Bush
I discovered this lovely collection of short stories about the Australian bush through fellow blogger, Norah Colvin. Norah is a contributor to this collection and has a number of lovely picture books for children, published through LIBRARY FOR ALL COLLECTION, which you can find on her site here: https://norahcolvin.com/.
About LIBRARY FOR ALL:
“Our work focuses on making knowledge accessible to all, equally. To achieve this we’ve created a diverse and inclusive digital and print library aimed at meeting the varied needs of primary school aged children around the world. Importantly, our work transcends traditional publishing and seeks to improve the lives of communities we operate in through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
You can learn more about LIBRARY FOR ALL here: https://libraryforall.org/
What Amazon says
From the authors of Share Your Story, a collection of bedtime ballads and tall tales inspired by the Australian Bush written for the young and the young at heart. The bush ballad, bush song or bush poem is a style of poetry and folk music that depicts the life, character and scenery of the Australian bush. This modern interpretation from contempory authors celebrates what it means to them. All profits from the sale of the anthology are donated to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service to help protect our bush and support those who risk their lives to save it.
Oh no! Oh no! How does it go?
That poem I forgot.
It went, ‘something something something…’
I’ve forgot the flamin’ lot.
Oh, how’s it go? It’s an epic verse
But I forgot to bring it.
I should have set it all to music,
I’d recall it if I sing it.
But some of it I must admit
I’ve deliberately erased.
It’s irrational, illogical
And absolutely crazed!
My reviewThis is a delightful collection of short stories and poems about the Australian bush for children. Some of the stories include a subtle life message for children for example Abigail’s Tail by Mark and Suan Wuschke which is all about the trials and tribulations a sleepy headed little bird brings down on her head. Others include lovely depictions of the unique animals and insects that inhabit the Australian bush. One such story that I particularly enjoyed was Australia’s Largest Talent by Trish Donald which introduces the reader to Emu’s, Magpies, Cockatoos, Stick Insects, Kookaburras, and Cicadas in an interesting and relatable way.
The poems are also varied and fun. My favourite was a rhyming verse poem about a bullying bullfrog who receives his comeuppance and becomes a nicer, kinder bullfrog. This poem, called Once Upon a Billabong by Norah Colvin, was simply delightful. Another entertaining poem was Forgetting How the Banjo Works by David Perkins. This poem seemed very Australian to me and I had a good laugh at some of the verses, in particular:
“There’s bits about a jolly bloke
Who went waltzing with Matilda,
A sheep who rode upon his back,
Apparently, Andy killed her.”
This book is an entertaining way of reminding Australian children about their heritage and introducing non-Australian children to the wonders of this amazing continent.
Purchase Tell ’em They’re Dreaming: Bedtime Ballads and Tall Tales from the Australian BushFebruary 22, 2022
Behind Closed Doors – Book Review
Thank you to talented poet and blogger, Lauren Scott, for this wonderful review of Behind Closed Doors. For me, the strong resonation of my words and connection to my ideas with another lover of poetry is why I write and share my poems. Lauren has a lovely blog where she posts her poetry and stories of her hiking adventures with her husband. Do take a look around while you are there.
Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Robbie Cheadle, a wonderful poet and author of children’s books, paranormal historical, and supernatural fantasy. She is also a prolific baker of delicious cakes that she includes in her books and blog posts.I thoroughly enjoyed her poetry book, Behind Closed Doors.
Behind Closed Doors by Robbie Cheadle is a collection of various style poems such as freeform, tanka, haiku, and limerick. Robbie touches on many aspects of life evoking a myriad of emotions. She writes beautifully with strong convictions about marriage, motherhood, dreams, her struggles of working in the corporate world, living in lockdown during the pandemic, and about social issues she finds distressing. Whether her words speak of joy or anguish, they are fiercely passionate.
I personally connected to “Contrasting Colors” because of my strong marriage and relationship with my husband. Robbie creates a lovely metaphorical comparison between…
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February 21, 2022
Robbie’s Inspiration – Recipes from around the world: Chilli con carne
My family, especially my husband, are fond of food with a bit of a bite but not to much. It is a balancing act to please them all and to ensure Michael doesn’t get a stomach ache from food that is to hot and spicy. They all loved this delicious chilli con carne recipe which I adapted from a recipe in Taste magazine here: https://taste.co.za/recipes/chilli-con-carne/
Ingredients250 grams of back bacon, chopped;
1 kilogram of good quality minced meat;
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped;
Olive oil for frying;
1 tablespoon (Tbspn) ground cumin;
1 Tbspn ground coriander;
2 teaspoons (tspn) paprika;
1 tspn cayenne pepper;
1 tspn cinnamon;
2 tspn chilli flakes;
1 Tbspn garlic flakes;
1 bay leaf;
1 tspn salt;
1 tspn black pepper;
2 x 400 gram chopped tomatoes;
350 ml beef stock; and
2 x 400 gram red kidney beans.
MethodIn a large pot, brown the minced meat using approximately 2 Tbspns of olive oil. Remove the meat from the pot. Add two table spoons of boiling water and some more oil to loosen any bits of meat. Fry the chopped bacon and the chopped onion for about 5 minutes. Add all the spices, the garlic and the bay leaf. Add the mince to the spice mixture and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer with the lid off for 20 minutes until the fluid has reduced by 1/3. Add the stock and combine. Simmer for 1 hour, checking occasionally that the stock hasn’t boiled away. If it does, add a little more stock.
Drain the red kidney beans and add to the meat, simmer for another 30 minutes. If possible, leave overnight in the fridge and re-heat the following evening. Serve with rice.
February 16, 2022
Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and artist, Smitha Vishwanath
Today, I am hosting poet and artist, Smitha Vishwanath, as my Treasuring Poetry guest. Do come over and read her favourite poems and thoughts about poetry. Thank you for hosting us Kaye Lynne Booth.
Which of your own poems is your favorite?There are quite a few poems I like – some for the flow, some for the imagery and some for the memories they bring back with them, there’s one poem that has stood the test of time. It’s a poem I penned when my girls were one and three respectively. Seventeen years later, the girls have grown – each into young ladies with a distinct personality, but it’s beautiful how the description of them in the poem still holds true. It’s special because this poem is one thing that the girls agree about.
Tender Moments
I sneak silently into the room
A quick peak I take of my budding blooms
Their breathing soft – rises and falls, a melodious rhapsody
To the soothing sound of a Spanish symphony
Their countenance silken smooth; serene
Tugs my heart, an enticing scene
Each distinctly different…
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February 15, 2022
Welcome to Day 2 of the CALLING ALL GRANDMAS Blog Tour featuring author, Harriet Hodgson @healthmn1 @4WillsPub @4WP11 @RRBC_Org @RRBC_RWISA @Tweets4RWISA
Giveaway(2) $5 Amazon gift cards
One Writer’s AffirmationsWriting is my chosen career, but it can be difficult at times. As a health and wellness writer, I know attribution is important. But research is time-consuming and ever-changing. I spend hours researching a topic online, play email tag with people, and leave phone messages. Sometimes these things payoff and sometimes they don’t.
Yet I have one thing going for me—experience. I’ve been a freelancer for 43 years and they have taught me patience. Pacing myself is also something from experience. Self-affirmation is the most important thing I’ve learned.
When I was a new writer, I felt every word was important, and was hurt when an editor wanted to change a word. Now I focus on the quality of the product and changing words or sequence is fine with me.
I work hard and have learned to trust my instincts. That isn’t to say I don’t have moments of doubt. I do. When I’m discouraged or get rejected by a publisher, I review my writer’s affirmations.
I have writing skills and strive to be better.
I have research skills and use them wisely.
I know how to distill information.
I love writing so much I write in my sleep.
I am grateful for outstanding reviews.
I know RRBC and RWISA members care about me, and I care about them. Those are my writer’s affirmations. What are yours? If you haven’t thought about them, I suggest you do. Affirming ourselves and our work can keep you going.
Presenting The Grandma Force by Harriet Hodgson
BlurbBecoming the grandmother of twins changed Harriet Hodgson and altered her life course. According to Hodgson, we live in a fast-paced, complex time, a time when too many grandchildren are victims of bullying, Internet scams, and sexual abuse. Hodgson believes that grandmothers are needed today more than any other time in history.
Purchase linksAmazon US eBook https://amzn.to/2X1dr4c
Amazon US Paperback https://amzn.to/2JPDIDm
Author bio
Harriet Hodgson has been making books since she was eight years old. In her 43-year career as a freelancer, she has written 44 books and thousands of print/internet articles. Major publishers, such as Warner Books, John Wiley & Sons, and Hazelden, have published her work. Harriet loves writing so much she writes in her sleep.
Social media linksBook trailerBefore you goTo follow along with the rest of the tour, please visit the author’s tour page on the 4WillsPublishing site. If you’d like to book your own blog tour and have your book promoted in similar grand fashion, please click HERE. Thanks for supporting this author and her work!
February 13, 2022
Robbie’s Inspiration – Recipes from around the world: South African lamb stew with red wine
South Africans are very fond of lamb and there are literally dozens of recipes to chose from for stews and potjiekos (a stew cooked over a live fire in a three legged pot). I elected to made a recipe that used a heavy bottomed pot and lamb cutlets. I am not sharing the original recipe because I changed it so much it doesn’t closely resemble the original.
IngredientsOlive oil to cook 3 – 4 Tbsp
1.5 kilograms of lamb knuckles
5 peeled and chopped carrots
5 large potatoes, peeled and chopped into large pieces
1 onion, chopped
3 Tbsp cold water
1 Tbsp garlic flakes
1/2 cup good red wine
70 gram tin tomato puree
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp mustard powder
300 ml plain white flour
Salt and pepper to taste
6 cups beef stock
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
MethodPut the lamb knuckles in a bowl and coat with flour, salt, pepper and mustard. Heat olive oil in a pot and brown the cutlets. Place the knuckles aside.
Add more oil to the pot plus 3 Tbsp cold water. This will remove any left over flour mixture from the bottom of the saucepan. Sauté the onions and the garlic. Add the tomato paste, thyme, and then the red wine. Cook for a few minutes.
Add the beef stock, carrots, and the Worcestershire sauce. Add the meat and simmer for 25 minutes. Add the potatoes and simmer for a further 40 minutes until the potato is soft. If you want, you can add 250 ml of mixed peas, beans and carrots 7 minutes before serving with rice.
Robbie’s Inspiration – The Winds of Morning (Donovan Family Saga Prequel)
What Goodreads says1848: the third year the potato crop failed in Ireland. The Protestant landlords have absconded back to Britain, leaving the Catholic peasants to fend for themselves, while the English government allowed the export of tens of thousands of tons of Irish food daily.
With two younger brothers to feed, Molly O’Brien took her father’s place on the road gang, building a road that runs from her tiny village to the river and no farther. Yet sixteen hours of labor a day would not garner enough wages to buy food for her family.
She was beyond despair. Beyond prayer. And so far beyond the tenets of her childhood, she’d decided to offer her body to the first man with the price of a loaf of bread. At that moment, a voice behind her spoke…
My reviewI reviewed this book in my capacity as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team. If you would like your book reviewed, you can contact Rosie Amber here: http://rosieamber.wordpress.com/.
This story is set in Ireland during the potato famine. Molly O’Brien and her two brother have been left orphans following the deaths of their parents. Molly has taken her father’s job and is working to build a road in order to try and feed her brothers. The road goes no-where, and is merely a ploy by the authorities to force the starving Irish to work for their money in accordance with the mindset of the day. Her job as a stone breaker doesn’t bring in enough money to feed them and they are all in a bad way.
In desperation, Molly is in the process of making a decision to become a prostitute in order to feed her brothers, when a young man from a wealthy family, John Patrick, sees her. He intervenes to save Molly who he believes is planning to commit suicide. Molly is incredibly attractive, despite her circumstances and starvation and John Patrick chooses to save her and her brothers by marrying her.
His choice and Molly’s decision go ahead with a marriage to a stranger she does not love, changes the paths of both of their lives.
I have read other stories about the Irish famine and found them equally compelling to this book, however, this short story really charmed me. The author writes beautifully and the story has some nice and happy parts which offer relief from the horror of this historical era.
John Patrick is an honorable and upstanding fellow and despite his actions requiring a little suspension of belief due to their selflessness, he is a delightful character.
A lovely and entertaining short story. This series has a lot of potential and I would certainly be interested in reading more about these characters.
Purchase The Winds of MorningFebruary 9, 2022
Growing Bookworms – Letting Go!
I am over at Writing to be Read with the February edition of Growing Bookworms. This month I am discussing letting go of children. Thank you to Kaye Lynne Booth for hosting me.
I’m going to start today’s post with a short, hopefully amusing, story about my taking my oldest son to get his university access card last week. By way of background, the relevant entrance for this task is on a busy street with no parking. The area is also not a good one, so hanging about on the street in front of the entrance is not particularly appealing. Another thing to note is there have been a spate of kidnappings of older teens and young men recently in South Africa.
“I think that Greg should go on his own to fetch his University card,” I say to Terence. “He won’t want his mother with him. I will embarrass him.”
“No,” Terence says with authority, “Parents go with.”
Hmmm, I think. You attended this university thirty years ago, things might have changed.
There is no arguing with this man who is…
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