A Ghost and His Gold – by: Roberta Eaton Cheadle

On By ResaIn Outside the Box Book Reviews

 The past is lashed to the present. Hereinafter, all that glisters is not gold. 

Roberta Eaton Cheadle’s research into the second Boer War moment of history is exemplary. First lesson –  the motivation for the war was gold.

Then I wondered where Roberta’s impetus to write about the second Boer War came from.

Resa – Were you born in South Africa? 

Roberta – I was born in Knightsbridge in London, but I have lived most of my life in South Africa.

Resa – When did your family move to South Africa? 

My biological father died when I was three months old. My mother came out to South Africa to live with one of her sisters and she met and married my dad, Dean, my adoptive father.  I have three half sisters who were all born here, as were my husband and both of my sons. My husband is a direct descendant of Andries Pretorius. 

Resa – Ah, Andries Pretorius is mentioned in the book.

Roberta – I am proud about that. I am writing a few short stories currently that features Andries Pretorius and the famous Battle of Blood River.

Resa – Fantastic! I read up on Andres Pretorius. Your pride is no wonder, as is your motive for writing on this.

Click on above banner to read about Andries Pretorius

Resa – Whether in the trenches, a besieged town or in the field you have a point of view from characters on both sides that suffer the war. What was you objective in doing this?

Roberta – The short answer is because I wanted to present an unbiased perspective on the war and allow the reader to decide which perspective was the correct one. The historical archives for the British and Boers differ hugely in their perspectives on this war. I decided that I wanted to present both perspectives.

Resa – I appreciate that.

Roberta – It was only when my developmental editor suggested I expand it into a novel that I decided to bring in Estelle and Robert. This leads me to your question and why I wrote from the perspectives of Pieter, Estelle and Robert.

Resa – Yes, Pieter a Boer farmer, and Robert a British soldier. I recall their meeting.

Roberta- Originally, I wanted the third character which evolved into Estelle, to be the native African perspective. I wasn’t able to find enough reliable historical recorded history to include that perspective as a main thread. That is why there are two native African secondary characters. They are there to present as much of the native African perspective as I could dig up. I used some thesis’s written for local University purposes that delved into the ‘Black Concentration Camps’ as they were called at the time.

I also decided against presenting a native African main character because of the debate about cultural appropriation. I didn’t want to get embroiled in that concept. I wanted the book to be a realistic and fair presentation of this war and provide for considerations of all perspectives.

The details included in AGAHG are as reliable as I could manage given the limited recorded history from the native African perspective.

Dear Readers, please don’t think that this tale is all about men in their trenches, in the field and under siege!

There are many strong female personalities. Estelle, Pieter’s daughter is my favourite person from the past. Estelle is the character I remember best. ( and Michelle).  Michelle, in the present day, is an admirable modern woman. As a matter of fact, she is a writer and is researching the Boer War.

Roberta – It interests me that Estelle and Michelle are the most memorable characters for you. For me, it is Pieter, but that is probably because this book started life as a short story which featured just Pieter as the  primary character.

Resa – I think that is because Estelle is such an empathetic character, and represents to me what I would be if war was to hit my land – collateral damage. Michelle is the first one we meet, and it is through her the the modern day and paranormal part of the story is told.

Also, you did a good job with the step mother. She’s not a horrible person, far from it. However, her relationship with Estelle makes her unlikeable in a specific area. 

Roberta – I am glad you don’t think Marta is a horrible person. She was supposed to be a person who was a product of her time and the suffering by the Boers at the hands of the English. Estelle is collateral damage, as were many of the Boer women and children as well as the native Africans who died in the camps. I think it was worse for the native Africans because it wasn’t their war.

Resa –  I want to draw Estelle, as she was before the war. and what she might have looked like on her wedding day, had there been no war. 

So, let me start with my warm up drawings of Estelle. I am examining the character, the reasonable accuracy of the clothing and expression. I did these impressions right after I finished the book. 

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Resa –  The bonnet is not right for the time and place. However, based on Estelle’s character, I won’t draw her wearing a bonnet. I feel she would be told to wear a bonnet, but then take it off once in the forest gathering wood..

You have described Estelle well in the book, not just her physicality, but her essence. How do you feel about how I’m capturing her age?

Roberta – I think your age profile is correct for Estelle. Girls were raised in a very conservative manner in the Boer community and were very modest and lacking in worldly knowledge.

Resa- So, I tried to get an antique photo feel on my finished drawings using artificial lighting and a bit of editing.

Resa – I wanted the drawing to have movement, but women’s clothes were heavily layered so as not to reveal. I used the wind to blow her apron and hair.
A pinch-pleat ruffle was added just above the bottom of the skirt. That was to weight the skirt and help it not go between the ankles. The bib of the apron is pinned to the blouse, a common apron style then.

Roberta – I am particularly interested in your comment about the ruffles at the bottom of the skirt. I thought they were purely decorative so their practical purpose is new information for me.

Resa – Here’s Estelle’s wedding dress that never was.

Roberta – I love your idea of illustrating how things could have been had there never been a war. Very relevant for our current times too.

I love all of your drawings. It is wonderful that you can draw people like this with all the clothing from a period. I always liked dressmaking and used to make all sorts of dolls dresses when I was a girl. My sisters were talking about them recently and it made me remember.

Resa – You have one non speaking, non human character in your book, the Jacaranda tree. I understand you required a tree with a long lifespan, but why not …. say …. an African Baobab or a Sycamore Fig?

Roberta – I chose a jacaranda tree because they are very pretty and Pretoria is known for them. I had to do research on this point because Jacaranda trees are not native to South Africa and I had to make sure they already existed in Pretoria before the Second Anglo Boer War.

“Historical research shows that jacarandas were imported to South Africa round about 1830 and that the first ones were planted in Pretoria in 1888.“

Why not the Baobab for which Africa is famous? Simply, it is because Baobab trees don’t grow in Pretoria. They grow in Limpopo Province which is where part of the Kruger National Park is found. The rest of the park is in Mpumalanga Province. The same applies to the Sycamore fig tree, it grows in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal but not in Pretoria.

Resa – I already know that I want a photo of a Jacaranda tree, hopefully one that you took, for the post. Please send me one, if you have one.

Roberta – I took a splendid picture of a jacaranda tree this morning. I had to stop on the side of a busy road, cross over, and make a spectacle of myself to get this picture. It was worth it.

Resa – EGADS! It’s magnificent!

Roberta – Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is popularly known as Jacaranda City because of the large number of trees, which turn the city blue and purple when they flower in spring.  

Resa – In terms of feedback from AG&HG, are readers more intrigued by the Boer War, the present day paranormal story or equally both?

Roberta – Based on the reviews this book has received, the history seems to have drawn readers rather than the modern timeline. I am glad about that as the history was the reason for the book. The modern timeline was to jazz it up and make it more compelling and interesting.

Resa – Roberta, Thank you!

Visit Robbie’s Blogs: Roberta Writes & Robbies Inspiration

You can buy A Ghost And His Gold by clicking on the vendors names below.

I bought mine on KOBO

Or Buy it on AMAZON

Search Roberta Eaton Cheadle & Robbie Cheadle on Amazon for more of her books, including anthologies.

Go to TSL Publications Robbie Cheadle Author Page for her children’s books and more. TSL also sells her books under Robbie Cheadle & Roberta Eaton Cheadle on LULU

259 thoughts on “A Ghost and His Gold – by: Roberta Eaton Cheadle”

  1. I just love how you delve into both the story and Roberta’s readons for writing this book. And only you would consider drawing the characters you read about.

    This is wonderful, Resa.

    1. Hello Dale, Resa’s interpretations of the written word into drawings of characters is extraordinary and amazing. It’s as if she sees the words in colour, shape and form. I am completely delighted by this beautiful post.

    2. Thunder!
      Thank you kindly!
      It’s a great book. I learned a lot, and I wasn’t planning to. That one can be entertained and informed all at the same time is a brilliant concept.
      Robbie should get an award, and it could be used in schools.

      Drawing a character is a focus that brings me a broader understanding of a story. Interesting how that works. xoxoxo

      1. Sorceress!
        You are most welcome.
        I love when that happens – learning without realising it 🙂
        I love that you process your reading with that. xoxoxo

      2. Hi Resa, I am trying to get it into the local schools. It is slow work when you deal with government. I understand about the drawing. I am finding the same thing when I draw animals. It brings a whole new level of interest and understanding.

  3. HI Resa, thank you for this extraordinary and beautiful post about AGAHG. I am thrilled that the history of the Second Anglo Boer War interested you so much and your questions about the jacaranda tree were fabulous. That tree was intended to be a character and that is why I wove it into the main story threads and also did research about these trees. Your drawings are amazing and Estelle has a distinct face and form for me know. Thank you!

    1. Well Robbie, it’s a terrific book. Like you, I am keen on history, always have been.
      Thing is that it’s fed one sided.
      Like in school about Canada, it was all about the French, how England won it away (through war) for the glory of the British Empire.
      Sure, we learned about the First Nations, but as lesser heathens who could be bought for beads, blankets and bottles.
      We now know another side to that story, and are paying consequences.

      It does intrigue me that the native tribes of N. America did war with each other. It seems war is in mankind’s blood, and the only answer to many issues.

      It is well appreciated that you have worked hard to present both sides.
      Also, your need to know more about the largely undocumented African perspective before engaging in utilizing it is commendable.

      I have some questions about cultural appropriation for some drawings I want to do, but that’s another comments box.

      The Jacaranda tree is a beautiful being. I soon saw it as playing a subtly important role in the story.

      Your characters are well rounded, and I wish that I could draw men better.
      Still, I’m happy drawing the women I love.

      Thank you for this book and for all the info you shared with me! I’ve had a great time.

      1. A lovely and engaging comment, Resa. You are quite right about history being one sided and usually dominated by the winning party. There are always other sides to every story and it is those other sides that interest me the most too. Cultural appropriation is a much bigger issue in the USA than here, but it has been raised by a few people with regards to writing the native African perspective so I am aware of it and try to be respectful of all viewpoints. I prefer not to unset anyone if its at all possible as that is most certainly not may aim when I share history.

  5. A lovely post for Robbie’s book, and super drawings. I was interested to read the background history, and had no idea that Robbie’s husband is a direct descendant of Andries Pretorius.

    1. Hi Stevie, Resa’s post is so beautiful and interesting, I am truly delighted. Terence is a direct descendent but I am more interested in this history than he is. I have always been fascinated by history.

        1. Yes! The Victorian era is most interesting. I love the way women burst out of the end of that era (Suffragettes) and gained their first independent right, the right to vote 20 years later..

    2. Thank you, Stevie! It’s a great book, important in its own right.
      I was so intrigued when I learned of Robbie’s connection to Andries Pretorius. I just had to highlight it!

  6. Fantastic post, Resa and Robbie! The interesting interview, the thoughtful book review, and the great dress designs and drawings. A unique creative package!

    2. Thanks Dave! It was such a fab book, that I read it more quickly than most. As a turtle reader, I was up to about 4 turtles with this one.
      Robbie did a wonderful job. She is an excellent writer.
      She also presented a glossary of sorts at the beginning of the book, of names and battles.
      This background was a huge help in enriching the historic content of the novel.
      Had it been in the back, it would have been of much less consequence.

      1. You’re welcome, Robbie and Resa, and thank YOU both for this post. Two impressively talented people featured in one presentation. 🙂

        A glossary in the front IS a great idea!

      2. Hi REsa, I am so pleased that you found the glossary useful. Some readers commented that I should have put it at the back, but I thought it was better if readers read it upfront or at least knew it was there if they wanted to refer back as they read. I thrills me that you found it valuable.

  8. Wow!!! What a fabulous review about such an interesting topic.
    I’m impressed by Robbie’s careful research and considerations and by Resa’s thoughtful questions–and drawings. How cool to have an artist interpret your characters.
    And I had no idea about the jacaranda trees in Pretoria. It must be splendid when they are in bloom.

    2. Merril,
      Yes it is a fascinating topic. Robbie does a terrific job of weaving a contemporary tale with the historic tale.
      I learned a lot. I only knew the name Boer War, and that it happened in Africa.
      Interpreting characters… mostly female … is fun for me.
      Books go by in my mind like a movie.

      The tree is magnificent!!

  9. Such a wonderful post in so many ways. Resa, you do absolutely give your all in these posts. And it’s great to see Robbie here today getting the ‘treatment’. Love the drawings too.

      1. Oh she is wonderful Robbie and she does books justice in every way, from the questions she asks to the drawings of the characters. Also you don’t think you are answering any questions at all.

    2. Shey!
      Thank you!
      You know the drawing of characters began with your novels.
      I was driven by your wonderful heroines.
      It’s because of you I also coined the now infamous saying; “Never judge a book by its cover, unless there’s a gown on it.”
      xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

      1. You know I didn’t know that. I thought you had drawn book heroines before. I am so touched by this, honestly. I look at my ladies on the wall every day, all drawn by you. And yes you did coin that fab saying xxxxxxxxx

    2. Thank you, Frank!
      Robbie portrays her characters vividly. It was exciting to draw Estelle. I have a ton of empathy for that person.

      Agree, learning about Robbie was enlightening. In revealing about herself, she reveals about South Africa. I knew almost nothing. I am now better informed.
      Clink!

        1. Trent,
          It’s a great book. The history is intriguing, and the multi-sided perspective on the war makes it feel honest.
          I love drawing characters for stories… mostly women! 🙂🙂

          1. I’ve read other books Robbie wrote an should put this on my list.

            I did some drawings for a couple of my books. It was a lot of fun making the characters visible (for some characters I cheated and repurposed existing drawings).

            1. I’m not sure if repurposing is cheating? ….???? 🤔🤔🤔
              NO! Not! My gowns are made from repurposed. I think it’s the opposite, or something off to the side, but not cheating.
              Still, drawing is another of your talents.

                1. Egads! No worries! I love the chitchat.
                  It starts on topic, the tree trunk. Then it can grow branches. Some stay on the trunk. Some like to branch. Some trunk and branch. 🙂

                  1. Yep, it is nice to chat and I get where you are coming from. Here I just didn’t want to be disrespectful to Robbie 🙂 Back to the other topic, I do have a book I am editing. Perhaps I need to start to draw some pictures… that will also help when I start to think about a cover.

              2. I have repurposed some of my fondant figurines. I created an eagle and then I amended it to become a Roc. I think it makes sense to reuse a good idea and a lot of hard work. Your gowns are a magnificent idea. I wish all the stars would wear them to the Oscars.

    2. Thanks Trent!
      Robbie’s characters are vivid. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to draw Estelle.
      It would be nice to be able to draw men better.
      Still, the females are enjoyable.
      It’s a fab book, and the history makes it.

  13. A wonderful interview Resa and Roberta. I was unaware of the Boer War ( shame on me) and now I’m completely caught up in the story and look forward to adding this this lovely book to my stack. Resa, your illustrations are amazing and beautiful. Congratulations Roberta on such a fine publication , I appreciate all the research that went into this book.
    Thank you Dear Resa for introducing Roberta and her writing to us.
    xoxoxo

    1. Hi Holly, Resa’s post is splendid and her drawings are a beautiful addition. I am delighted you enjoyed the information Resa presented. I am fascinated by history and South African history isn’t well known so there is a great opportunity to share about it.

    2. Meece,
      Thank you!!!
      I knew nothing about the Boer War, either. That it was about gold is completely new to me, although not surprising.
      It would make a good movie.
      Thanks about the drawings!
      It was cool to draw accurately (as I could) about a time period. I think this was a perfect precursor to my next AGM drawings.

      Roberta is delightful. It’s so amazing to know someone from South Africa. She has crazy wonderful videos of African wildlife on youtube.
      It’s hard to keep up with her, but I do drop in here and there when time allows.
      xoxoxoxo

    2. Tim, thank you!
      Yes, the book is engaging and insightful.
      I love that a tree is one of the characters. You know how I feel about trees! xo

  16. A fantastic post and behind the scenes insight of how a short historical story evolves and blossoms (like a Jacaranda tree) into something bigger and even more beautiful – plus how it spawns more artistic creativity in others. Thanks to both Roberta and Resa, a creative dynamic duo.

    2. Lovely comment Tyeth, thank you!
      The Jacaranda tree is fabulous, magnificent.
      It is true, creativity does spawn more creativity.
      See you on your blog tomorrow!

    2. Thank you, dahling Marina!
      I think it worked out well, all those email chit chats.
      Robbies’s book teaches, and that is an amazing aspect.
      I loved doing the drawings!
      xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

  21. What a gorgeous tree! I really enjoyed this interview. Thank you for asking such detailed questions! I had no idea a ruffled hem had a purpose other than decorative.

    1. Thank you!
      It’s easy to ask detailed questions when the author is willing to give up detailed answers.
      I’d be fairly safe to say nothing the working classes did or wore was in vain.
      Life was too hard, and there was a purpose to everything.

            1. Okay … I see your 2 (🧦-s) & raise you a 🦊 – f.
              Question.
              When a person raises, do they put in everything in the pile + the raise + the see?
              ie. in this case would I put in 🐂 🐂 🐂 🐂 📦-b 🧦-s 🧦-s & 🦊-f

  23. So fascinating, Resa and Robbie. I loved learning about Robbie’s thought processes, how her characters came into being, and her motivation to write the story. The historical aspect was the most interesting part for me. The research that went into it was wonderfully detailed. I also enjoyed the points of view from opposite sides of the war, as well as the inclusion of the female perspective. And beautiful drawings, Resa. Your research into the styles of the time was impressive. Thanks so much for the wonderful interview and for highlighting Robbie’s book and all its strengths. Hugs to you both.

    1. Hello Diana!
      The history was my fave part, for sure. Even knowing nothing about the war, I knew Rebecca’s fiction was well wrapped around fact.
      I found the glossary upfront to be a big help. Had it been in the back of the book, I would not have gotten as much out of the story.
      I may not have even read it.
      I’ve designed in that time period before, and it’s a wonderful challenge.
      I think my fave would be “Le Directoire” period, in which Josephine Bonaparte called the fashion shots.
      She hated the corset, and embraced the empire line. Of course once Napoleon was out of the loop, men brought back the corset. Women didn’t get rid of it until the 1920’s.
      I digress. I’m also lost in comments.
      Thank you for this wonderful comment, Diana. Robbie’s book has many strengths.
      Hugs back to you!
      Now, before dinner, time to read your November reviews!

        1. Lol!
          OR…What if a billowy abdomen was all the rage? Instead of corsets we had billows to enhance our guts.
          Anyway, I think well made sneakers are the best fashion advancement, ever.
          They can get pricey, but if you don’t need the latest coolest, you got some fab feet under your ankles.

    2. HI Diana, thank you for your thoughtful comment. I know you liked the historical timeline. For my latest novel, I have kept to a historical timeline only but moved between two characters in different places (American soldier in France during WW1 and the radium girl in Orange, New Jersey). Your reviews and comments always give me pause to think.

  24. What an intriguing post! I love all the questions and Robbie’s answers, but Resa, your artwork is stunning! You captured the time period perfectly. A hugs congratulations to Robbie for this beautiful spotlight!

  25. Although I avoid paranormal books, this sounds like the paranormal is just a vehicle to tell the stories of the Boer War, so I’m taking a chance (not much of one, based on the wonderful post and online reviews) and buying the Kindle book. Well done, Resa and Robbie!

    janet

      1. I’m sure I will, Roberta. I’m interesting in history in general and in SA in particular at this time because I follow and root for the SA rugby 7’s team, the Blitzboks, and the Springboks as well (after France.) 🙂 But I’ve read other books about these terrible times and yours sounds like an excellent resource as well as a good story. History through the stories of people who lived or could have lived are much more interesting and informative than the dry facts from which they come.

        2. I have never thought about it that way, but that is right. I read a lot of historical novels and also some non-fiction accounts of war that are based on interviews with survivors. The details are fascinating.

    2. Janet,
      It truly is a fascinating book. I’m not big on paranormal, however it works in this book.
      Even if you hated paranormal, the history novel part is beyond fascinating and educational.
      There is a cool tie-in. Also, for me anyway, another type of gold, was revealed.

  26. D.L. Finn, Author

    What a wonderful interview filled with insights into a great read. The drawings were amazing and captured the characters and time so well. I learned not only reading the book here as well!

    1. Hi Denise, I suppose all books are about a piece of history which is part of a greater historical timeline. I am glad you learned some new things from this glorious post. I am currently reading a marvelous book about Pearl Harbor and the entrance of the US into WWII. It is fascinating for me as my knowledge of the war is largely Europe based.

    2. Thank you, Denise!
      It s a wonderful book for sure, and yes, a lot to learn.
      Thanks re: the drawings!
      I’ve been reading reviews on the Harbour Point series.
      I just read your review on “The Edge of Too late”. I need to get around and read them all. What a cool idea! Congratulations to all of you participating!
      (My first comment on your blog was better, but t didn’t work. I got some invalid deal. LOL. Second tries at comments are never as good)

      1. D.L. Finn, Author

        I have been having that issue, too, losing the first comment. You are right the second one doesn’t capture the first. Thank you! Xo

  28. Gwen M. Plano

    Fabulous review and spotlight, Resa. The Q and A was fascinating. A huge congratulations to Robbie! ❤️

  30. Well done Resa and Robbie! I agree, it’s an amazing book. How fun that you did these sketches, Resa. Even with as much sewing as I’ve done in my life, I didn’t know the hem ruffles had a practical purpose. Robbie, that tree photo was worth the effort. How beautiful. Hugs to you both. Sharing.

    1. I do enjoy character sketches. It comes from my work in film. Lol… I draw better now than I did back then, still directors understood.
      It’s amazing how many have commented on the practicality of the hem ruffles.
      The tree is stunning!
      Hugs back to you, Teagan!

    2. Oh goody!
      I hope there’s not too many on that pile. They get out of control.
      I usually only have 1 on my pile. 😂
      Sometimes 2, but. that’s it!
      I’m a turtle reader, and a large pile is overwhelming.
      Jan, thanks for the visit, reading the post and your lovely comment!

  33. A wonderful spotlight on Robbie’s book! Well done, Resa and Robbie ~ 3 cheers for 2 extraordinary women ~ And the interview, drawings, and creativity!

  34. I really like the insight into the characters and their relationships to each other and to the history. I think fiction makes history more memorable because we get to know the feelings of the people involved in the events. (K)

  35. Resa and Robbie, this interview is fabulous! I loved learning about Robbie’s process for writing, and Resa, your book reviews are always so special and brilliant with your questions and amazing drawings. I don’t think I would have the patience for all the research involved in writing a book like this, so the time and research is truly commendable. And I will add this book to my TBR. Congrats to Robbie, and thanks to you both for this wonderful entertainment! ❤️💐💖

    1. Hi Lauren, Resa’s post is marvelous and I am very thrilled that she enjoyed this book and the history. Estelle was a special character and a victim of war. This is still very relevant as I sit and write this comment. Writing history is painstaking and meticulous. I’ve been getting back into my WIP about WW1 and I had to rewrite a small bit where I’d stopped. I had the wrong military company going into an action so I had to correct it. I do my absolute bests to get every detail correct and check and recheck. If you do decide to read this book, which is about war so heavy going, I hope you enjoy it.

    2. Dear Lauren,
      Thank you for the lovely comment.
      Yes, wow, Robbie did a lot of research. I enjoyed the read and sure learned a lot.
      Perhaps it’s because I worked in film for so long that I love a big production.
      It’s so great when I get to make a post about someone’s book, and add drawings or street art, or their photography or…well make a production out of it.
      It’s always a joy to see you!
      x❤️💐💖o

  37. I greatly enjoyed your in-depth interview with Robbie about the orgins of A Ghost and His Gold. And of course, the drawings! Estelle was my favorite character in the book, too.

        1. Ahh, Robert. That’s intriguing. I liked him right off the top when he didn’t kill Pieter. It showed that enemies aren’t really enemies and that soldiers are doing a distasteful job.
          You put a greater humanity into the both of them in that instant.
          Then, later when they met again on the field of battle, well, things had changed. That was revealing as well, and somewhat upsetting .
          I had hoped man’s higher nature would be revealed again. I don’t want to say anymore, as spoilers loom, and some do read comments!

    2. Hi Liz, Resa’s posts are magnificent, I don’t think anyone would not appreciate and enjoy her posts and drawnings even if the book wasn’t of particular interest to said reader. Resa has made a lovely inroad into sharing a little bit of South African history through this post and I am delighted.

  38. Resa and Robbie – together, you have created an extraordinary post that speaks deeply to the soul of humanity through words, art, research and connection.

    Resa – your thoughtful questions prompted meaningful discourse with Robbie and the follow-up discussions. Your ability to use your artistic talents to open a visual perspective added dynamics to the storyline.

    Robbie – your dedication to historic authenticity and to hearing from different perspectives highlights your professionalism and writing skillsets. I believe that when writers write about the past, as readers, we gain a greater understanding of history – experiences, events, and decisions that have shaped our present. This understanding helps us to make informed decisions and avoid repeating past mistakes. And when we examine the past, we can critically analyze our present and challenge existing narratives, leading to a more nuanced and accurate understanding of today in relation to the past.

    1. DearRebecca,
      You leave such thoughtful, and thought filled comments.

      Working with Robbie on this post was a joy.
      Drawing Estelle, well I did lots of research into that. Not as much as Robbie put into the book, however, her research demanded the dignity of my returning the effort as far as I was concerned.

      As I told Robbie when I finished the book, “You should be proud of yourself”!

      So happy you came by! Hugs!

    3. Hi Rebecca, I am always astounded by the wonderful way Resa interprets my books, and other peoples books too. The drawings, photographs and insightful questions that draw out interesting answers. I completely agree with you about history and its role in shaping our present and our future. That is why I like to write history. Everything I do is aimed at information sharing in an interesting and compelling way.

    2. HI Barbara, I am delighted you enjoyed this post. I would be interested in your opinion on A Ghost and His Gold if you manage to squeeze it in. I know you have a whole library to keep you entertained with books.

    2. Hi Brian, it is lovely to see you here. Robbie is short for Roberta and I have two profiles because I didn’t want anyone purchasing a paranormal adult book thinking it was for children. Because my genres are so different, I thought it was better to publish under different variations of my name. Dankie en lekker naweek (Thank you and have a good weekend).

      1. Understandably (I am wondering about having two blogs myself, for other reasons… But I’m sort of balking…)
        “lekker” would be “likeable”? Lekk = like?. You could have saif “goed”? “Naweek” = end (? of) week?
        Leeker week.

        1. Hi Brian, we don’t say goed naweek (good weekend). The correct language is lekker naweek which is a little strange as lekker is used to describe something delicious like food – dis lekker (cake or some other delicacy). This is what make languages difficult to master, isn’t it? The informality of spoken language. I manage two blogs very well. In fact, Roberta Writes is my preferred blog as that is where I analyse adult books I read.

          1. That’s what makes languages so fascinating… (Maybe I’ll start another in January… I’m a bit… hesitant about the content…) Will let you know in due course.

  42. What a great post, Resa. I read this book back when it came out, but you have me thinking about it again with your comments about the characters and the drawings you have done. Great conversation with Robbie as well.

    2. Thank you! The book is relevant and interesting.
      Glad to have you revisit it with me!
      Robbie is great to chat with. She’s not afraid to open up!
      Cheers!

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