Tag: Book Review

King Copper – by Lauren Scott

On By ResaIn Book Reviews, Tributes293 Comments

I fell in dog love with Copper when I read, Copper Boy (Ever So Gently, also in King Copper)

"His white choppers shine as if
they've never caused any commotion..
never mind when he attempted
to eat the barbecue!"

Somehow, to me, animal love is proven with those words. I was always asking about him, and one day drew him. It is my first and only animal portrait.

When Copper crossed the “rainbow bridge”, Lauren was heart broken. Concerned with how the healing was going, I asked a few questions.

 Resa – In the book you say it was 4 months after Lucky Girl was gone, when you adopted Copper into your family. It’s been a bit longer than that since Copper passed. Are you thinking of adopting another puppy/dog? 

Lauren – We will most likely adopt another dog in the future, probably an older dog that needs a loving home. But we’re not ready yet. As I mentioned in my book, every one of our family dogs has been special. Yet, it was in Copper’s amber, soulful eyes where I felt a deep connection. I’m doing better with occasional teary moments, but still grieving his passing. I wish I could hug him again, you know…

Resa – Yes, I know. I feel the same about my cats who are gone, especially my baby Jeep. (& Johnny & Pupkin & Cabbage & Mom & Potato)

Lauren – My mom passed shortly after Lucky Girl, and my kids were home and then leaving for college. Life was busy; dynamics were different, so after a few months, I was ready for another furry family member. And we’re so glad Copper trotted into our lives. Copper was also the first dog where we had to make that heart wrenching decision, and even though it was the right thing to do, it was the hardest decision I’ve had to make.

Lauren – I wanted my son and daughter’s support from out of state via phone, and of course, my husband, Matt, was with me, but ultimately, it was up to me. The emergency vet was very compassionate. She told us that she would support any decision we made, and she had told many pet owners “no” before. But she knew Copper would suffer tremendously if we prolonged his life, and the thought of him suffering shattered my heart as well. 

Lauren – Though it still wasn’t easy, so before I decided, I looked at her, crying my heart out, saying, “I don’t want to be an adult right now. I want you to tell me what to do.” I knew it wasn’t her decision to make, so I nodded my head. Matt was silently emotional sitting in a chair, and I sat on the floor with Copper’s head on my leg while he peacefully left our world. I buried my face in his fur and sobbed like I’ve never sobbed before. 
After that fateful day, my husband and I needed some time to let our emotions settle. As our daughter says, “We need to give ourselves grace.” 
Recently, I heard in a movie, “Love is worth the grief.” It truly is…
So, I don’t know the timeline, but we’ll know when the right time comes. ♥️

Resa – When Copper passed, you fell on your pen, and wrote King Copper.  Can you put into words how writing was a catharsis? Did you go through stages, a journey,  as you wrote? 

Lauren – I had written several fun poems when Copper was with us, so when he passed, it felt natural to write through the grief. Instead of moping around the house and crying all the time, my grief found a destination in poetry form. Writing kept me busy, kept me focused to the end of a poem, and then another was inspired. Sure, I had down time to fall in a chair and simply cry for a few minutes before I ‘got up again.’ But those times didn’t consume me because of the writing.

One More Moment

A dog barks in the
distance causing me to pause,
it sounds like Copper’s
a wild imagination
longing for one more moment

Lauren – I can’t say if there were stages, but it was an emotional journey that felt like I had been sucker punched. I’m grateful to be a writer so that my grief had a place to go. I can’t imagine what those days, weeks, and months would have looked like without being able to put my emotions down on paper. Before I knew it, a poetry collection had evolved, and that’s when I decided to pay tribute to Copper in book form. I’m so glad I did, not only for me, but for my family too.

Resa – Where do you find yourself today, your missing of Copper, now that the book is out there and people have been reacting?

Lauren – My book has received beautiful and touching reviews, so it’s heartwarming to know how Copper has touched the hearts of those who have loved and lost a pet. Many friends have fallen in love with Copper, and that warms my heart. He didn’t know how lovable he was. He didn’t know how handsome or regal he was, but all 80 lbs. of him was pure unconditional love.

In some poems, Copper writes to Lauren

ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE

I see you dry your tears; how sad you seem to be.
Please know that I am here, but I'm also feeling free. 


- Copper Boy

Lauren – I’m emotional as I type. Sigh…I’m just grateful for the reception my collection has received. And I hope my poems provide comfort for those who are also grieving the loss of their dog or cat. Life is part joy and part loss then comes acceptance. This is what King Copper is all about. We know he’s frolicking in lush, green meadows with our dogs who had previously passed and he’s not in pain anymore. Knowing this allows acceptance in our minds because he lives in our hearts forever. 🤎🧡🤎

I only have1 drawing of Copper, so I did my best with it for this post

About Lauren Scott

Bio

This is a wonderful book!

King Copper is available on Amazon worldwide. Click on the book cover, and go to King Copper on Amazon USA

OR – Buy King Copper on KOBO

My heartfelt thanks to Lauren, for sharing her heart here today!

Sexual Harassment

On By ResaIn Book Reviews226 Comments

by: Merril D. Smith

I thought I knew everything about sexual harassment.

Seems a lot of life is learning what I already know, then learning it better.

What I Already Knew

That the majority of sexual harassments are committed by men on women. However, it also includes women harassing men, men harassing men, and women harassing women.

Many victims don’t report due to: retaliation, fear of job loss, no promotions, shame, humiliation, self blame and helplessness.

That it happens in the corporate world, in the military, in the streets, in prisons, in religions and online.

The Book’s Introduction: Anita Hill

Photo R. Michael Jenkins – Wikimedia Commons

The book says –“In 1991, Anita Hill testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her experiences with Clarence Thomas” Then continues “Though she did not coin the term “sexual harassment”, Hill’s testimony introduced both the phrase and the concept to many Americans,”

I was honoured to be the costume designer on Strange Justice, a Showtime movie about the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas hearings.

Based on the book by Jane Meyer and Jill Abramson, the details on all that is public record are beyond litigation. I even copied everyone’s clothes as closely as possible.

Although I had followed the event in the news, I had no idea how horribly and sneakily Anita Hill was treated, in preference and deference to Clarence Thomas.


None of the men on the Senate hearing panel believed or wanted to believe Hill. Angela Wright, who had also been harassed by Thomas, waited 3 days to testify, but was never called. When production wrapped, I was –

Cheesed Off!

In my way of thinking, I believe Hill was sexually harassed (victimized) twice, once by Thomas in the course of their working relationship, and a second time by the Senate Committee because they sidelined her, threw her under the bus, in favour of Thomas.

Resa – So, Merril, what do you say to what I just said?

Merril – Anita Hill was one public face. What happened to her has happened to thousands of women in some way–the harassment at work and the denial by men that it happened. I believe her accounts of what happened and that Clarence Thomas, now a Supreme Court Justice, sexually harassed her. What possible reason would she have to make it up?

Was she treated as she was by the Senate committee because she is a woman? Yes, I think she was. Similarly, the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh by Christine Blasey Ford were not taken seriously–the FBI did not investigate– and she received death threats. She and her family had to live in hotels.

Read about it! For Christine Blasey Ford, the fallout of the Kavanaugh hearing is ongoing.  

Some of What I Learned

Sexual assault is a crime. Sexual harassment is a civil rights issue.

Defining what sexual harassment is has proven to be tricky.

Gunning- “the notorious practice of prisoners openly masturbating in front of female staff.”

Phyllis Schlafly

“lawyer, conservative leader, antifeminist,”

“1970’s helped to assure the defeat of The Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.”

One of her thoughts on workplace sexual harassment was:

If Congress could stop”government induced inflation” women would not be forced to work outside the home and Congress could “keep women out of places where they don’t belong”.

There’s lots more, but talking about her makes me gassy.

“women who complain about sexual harassment often cause more problems than they solve” –Washington Post on trump supporters’ thoughts – 2016 election

There are rules for reporting and handling cases of Sexual Harassment

“backlash stress” Fear of being accused of sexual harassment causing missed work and limited interactions with co-workers

I was shocked to find out just how much sexual harassment is an issue in schools, and that it’s still prevalent despite laws.

Title IX (1972) – “prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex for any school or educational activity that receives or benefits from federal financial assistance.”

Me Too – Created by Tarana Burke as Just Be Inc. in 2003, then renamed Me Too in 2007,

Alyssa Milano, unaware of Burke’s movement, popularized #MeToo online. When made aware of Burke, Milano reached out.

Besides “Sexual Harassment” Merril has written an article: “Unworthy of Humane Treatment: The Old Story of Prison Rape in the United States and Consequences for Survivors”(2018) 

AND – “Encyclopedia of Rape and Sexual Violence” (2018) 2 volumes

Resa – Whew! I’m impressed. Is there more?

Merril – The article on prison rape was written for a book I co-edited with scholar Tuba Inal, Rape Cultures and Survivors: An International Perspective. 

It is in Vol. 2, Rape Cultures and Their Consequence for the Survivors. We each wrote a chapter for the book. Yes, it came out the same year as the Encyclopedia of Rape and Sexual Violence, for which I also wrote some articles. 

I have also written or edited other works that touched on violence against women, including:

Encyclopedia of Rape (2004) Sex Without Consent: Rape and Sexual Coercion in America (ed) 2001

Sex and Sexuality in Early America (1998)

Breaking the Bonds: Marital Discord in Pennsylvania, 1730-1830 (1991)

And a recent chapter on Sex in Eighteenth-Century Philadelphia

Resa – What was it like while writing the books and the article? Were you angry, sad? Did it upset you emotionally? Was it hard to focus? Did you feel like running away?

Merril – I was–I am–indignant that women have been and still are often treated as second-class citizens. Reading accounts of rape is upsetting. Of course, it is! When I was reading about rape and war crimes it was particularly difficult, and I had to take breaks to go outside. But I think it’s important that people know about such things. I had contracts to complete these books.

Resa – Since the publication of “Sexual Harassment” (2020) has there been anything you would update or add in the book now?

Merill – Well, laws have changed. Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction was overturned for procedural reasons. I’ve no doubt he’s guilty.

I discussed the current president in his first administration, and now here we are with him again, and things are worse. Government agencies are being dismantled. So how and where do people report workplace sexual harassment? And I can’t imagine such reports being investigated in the military either. Trans people are more at risk than they were before. 

Resa -Does the overturning of Roe V. Wade figure into this, at all? 

Merril – Well, it figures into the treatment of women as second-class citizens. The Dobbs decision allowed states to criminalize abortion. We’ve seen this has applied to women with life-threatening pregnancies, and the arrest of women who have had miscarriages. This is all part of the dismantling of our democracy, and it all is part of Project 2025’s plan to set up a theocracy. This goes along with old ideas of a strong man at the top of government, and each household with  its own male ruler.

I should point out something that people may not know, but abortion was not a criminal act in early America. 

Resa– Now that is most interesting!

Not just still cheesed … more cheesed!

This 360 page reference book has 7 sections: Background and History, Problems, Controversies and Solutions, Perspectives, Profiles, Data and Documents, Resources, Chronology.

I borrowed “Sexual Harassment” from the Toronto Public Library System, renewed it the 3 allowed times, then had to keep it overdue. It is a well researched reference book based on: laws, court cases, studies, publicly documented hearings and various other factual data.

This is not a page turning novel, yet it is gripping in a different and real way.

These books are available on Amazon, as well as in libraries.

NOTE: “Sexual Harassment”, the book, focuses on the US and its definitions. Obviously, it exists everywhere, but it’s not against the law everywhere

While the Bombs Fell & Art & African Animals

On By ResaIn Animal Lives Matter, Tributes315 Comments

by: Robbie Cheadle

Robbie Cheadle/aka Roberta Eaton Cheadle was at it before, and she’s still at it . Her mission, as far as I can tell, is to draw attention to critical realities with her creative prowess.

Although an earlier book by Robbie (published 2018), I have just read it recently. Well penned by Robbie via her mother’s memories, this book opened my mind’s eye.

Resa – How/when did the 2 of you decide to write this book?

Robbie – My mother has always told me stories about her life as a child growing up during, and after, WW2. There was food rationing and life was hard. The schools had bomb shelters and you had to go into them if the sirens went off.

My mom was young but her older siblings talked about it, as did her parents who lived through two world wars. I decided to write down mom’s memories and she was pleased. It was as simple as that. Mom had quite a bit to do with the book as she read each chapter and gave me changes if I took to much poetic license. It was a fun exercise and I learned a lot more about her childhood during this time.

Resa – When and/or why did she leave UK for South Africa?

Robbie, aged 9 months, on the deck of the passenger liner that brought her from the UK to South Africa.

Robbie – My mom left the UK for South Africa after my biological father died of a massive heart attack in front of her. I was three months old at the time. We came to South Africa on a passenger liner when I was nine months old. Amazingly, I recently wrote a poem about it.

(The poem was a response to a writing prompt, reblogged below.)

Robbie’s Inspiration – Esther Chilton’s writing prompt: The Photograph #poetry

Allow me to digress momentarily to say how happy I am that Robbie wound up in S. Africa, with the animals and loving them. This is her new painting of a leopard, inspired from her recent trip to Sabi Sands.

© Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Resa – When writing While the Bombs Fell, did the memories come with fond or sad feelings. Perhaps bittersweet?

Robbie – I think the memories about mom’s father and mother are bittersweet. Mom had a free and interesting childhood despite the food shortages. Children could roam around, usually in large packs of mixed ages, and they went swimming, took long walks, climbed trees. I think mom’s childhood was lovely, much nicer than my own children’s as crime and traffic have curtailed freedoms where I live. 

Mom’s father died of appendicitis when she was sixteen. It was quite horrific as his appendix burst and he died of blood poisoning. Mom said she went to visit him in the hospital in Norwich just before he died. He looked so awful she ran away and went home. Her mother died of a heart attack induced by high blood pressure in her early seventies. My mother gave birth to my youngest sister just after her mom died. My aunt didn’t tell her about the death for some time as she didn’t want to upset her post-partum. 

Resa – I seem to remember you saying you wrote While the Bombs Fell to help children today to understand about war. Am I correct?

Robbie – Yes, that is correct. Young people are very removed from nature and the realities of life. They spend a significant amount of time in imaginary worlds on-line. I believe that understanding history is important to prevent repetition of the same mistakes. The teaching of history in schools has become very selective now, so I wrote this book to present a civilian child’s perspective of growing up during a world war. Admittedly, it feels as if everyone, including the politicians, have forgotten our collective history currently.

(To the left are 2 of Robbie’s many children’s books, some co-authored with her son, Michael.)

Resa – I think young adults around the world would benefit from this book as well. War is an abstract reality. Yes, we see it on the news all the time, but we are detached from experiencing the reality, and often numb from overexposure. What say you about that?

Robbie – I think that is exactly what I was said above. People are removed from the realities of war because it has become an abstract concept and something that happens far away in other places. I think the computer and other games children and adults play, glamourize war in much the same way as it was glamourized in paintings in past eras. 

Robbie – I like to write about the realities of war and the devastating impact war experiences have on people, civilians at home and the men on the fronts.I explored this same topic in my novel, A Ghost and His Gold. War destroys lives and countries. 

Resa – I adore A Ghost and His Gold! Are you currently writing another novel? If not, any plans to?

Robbie – It is currently very busy at work, and this will continue until the end of March, so I won’t get much writing done outside of poetry and blog posts.

Resa – What is your most recent publication?

Robbie – I published three books last year as follows: Square Peg in a Round Hole, a collection of poems, artworks, and photographs; And the Grave Awaits, a collection of paranormal short stories (a few of which focus on civilians in war situations)

Sesi says goodbye to Granny, a children’s book including photographs and artworks about African elephants as well as some facts about African elephants in the wild.

Robbie – I am working on another anthology of poems for a WordCrafter Poetry Treasures publication. This latest one, book 5 in the series, is called Small Pleasures and the cover is being designed by the talented Teagan Riordain Geneviene.

Resa – Excellent, yes, Teagan is fabulous!

Robbie – I have received first round edits on my collection of South Africa based historical short stories and poems. I haven’t made much progress with addressing the suggestions and comments yet as I haven’t had much time.

Filmed by Robbie on her recent visit to Sabi Sands

Robbie – I am also advanced with a new book of my own poetry called, All About Animals. I have some editorial comments on that book which I need to address, and I also need to create the cover. The artwork is done but I need to turn it into a book cover. I am also working on the artwork for Michael and my new children’s books which is about leopards.

Male Leopard – Sabi Sands – 2025 © Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Robbie – I have three other poetry books in various stages of completion, but I generally only publish one a year. I have plenty of time to work on those. I also have a novel about the radium girls and America’s involvement in WW1 that is 2/3rds complete. I need blocks of time to work on a novel so that is waiting. I also have another children’s book outline completed but no artwork as yet.

I have the first four chapters of After the Bombs Fell drafted as well as a middle school book about Alice in Wonderland’s cat, Dinah, in progress. It is all about time for creative projects and I seem to have less and less currently. My youngest son is in his final year of high school so there are a lot of demands, and my father is very ill and that has impacted heavily on my life in several ways.

Resa – I am so sorry to hear about your father!

Robbie Went to Japan

While she was there, Robbie found some fabulous street art, and thought of me.

Ginza Street wall art – photo © Robbie Cheadle

You will find other posts about her trip on her blogs, but this one is special to me. It’s not just being thought of, but I believe in the power of art (all the arts), and art in the streets reaches many people that art in galleries never will.

Roberta Writes – d’Verse Reimagining the ordinary and street art on Ginza Street #poetry #streetart #Africananimals
About

Robbie is a prolific writer. You can find her books on Amazon sites around the globe. Just search “Robbie Cheadle” for children and youth books – “Roberta Eaton Cheadle” for adult books.

Some of her books are also available on KOBO.

Visit Robbie on her blogs:

Roberta Writes and Robbies Inspiration

Robbie has a YouTube Channel  filled with African wildlife videos, readings and cooking videos.

On Robbie’s Unsplash Page find African nature & wildlife for free downloads.

Thank You Robbie!

On By ResaIn Book Reviews, Thank You's

Years ago I wrote a book. That was fun. Promoting and selling it; a big scary, hairy monster with horns. Eventually, it wound up in the menu on my blog, for free download. Robbie found it, read it and has now reviewed it!

Roberta Writes – book review: Nine Black Lives by Resa McConaghy and ‘Skart’ #bookreview #readingcommunity #art

Robbie also found it on amazon. I did tweak the ending after that, which is in the download. Is one version better? I don’t know. Anyway, if you click on the book cover, it will take you to the free download page.

She also said lovely things about my other creative endeavours – Art Gowns drawing & collecting Street Art.

Robbie, this is a wonderful happening for me. Thank you! 🌹

Once a Soldier, Now a Ghost

On By ResaIn Interviews, Outside the Box Book Reviews116 Comments

by: MIKE STEEDEN

Mike Steeden’s adult historical romance embraces an idea of civilized existence via art, passion, love and peace. Set primarily in post WWII Montmartre, France, the story stakes a solid background in the horror of World War II’s Pacific War, and post WWII England.

Resa –   In your books, and in prose on your blog, you often write of war, in particular WWII. I appreciate this, as I feel many have become indifferent to Nazis and white supremacy. Of course there was also the Pacific War aspect to WWII. To what do you owe this interest? 

Mike Steeden – When it comes to WWII in my books, it’s all about my dad, a person who lives in my heart for no other reason than being my father. Jim, a tall good-looking man with wavy hair, who at 18 years was likely to become the centre forward for Brentford Football Club. Then ‘bang’, England was at war with the Huns.

Resa – Ahh, I had no idea. Please continue!

Mike – At just nineteen years, dad was captured by the Germans just outside Dunkirk whilst trying to retreat back to the beaches and possible sanctuary. The truck he was driving ran out of fuel just a few miles short of the beachhead. He and his mates were armed, amazingly, with only useless wooden rifles.

(that’s been validated, by the way…as there were not enough real ones to go round, and the Army wanted to make it look like all conscripts were armed.)

In the event, he and his comrades were herded up with the other POWs and, over several months, were marched across Europe to a camp right next door to the Krakow Concentration Camp in Poland, which would be his home for the next five years. His camp was named Stalag V1118 for what that may be worth.

Resa –A fascinating story, and we’ll end the post wth the rest of it.

Back to the book – Mike takes the protagonist, Green Eyes, famed French artist Zerach and the post war horror from England to France. It’s a mess in both countries, but France has Paris; specifically Montmartre. Once in Montmartre, Green Eyes, becomes an artists’ model.

Resa – Another topic you like to write about is Montmartre, the art scene and lifestyle therein. Tell me about this?

Mike – Whereas most modern nations are those thought of as ‘science led,’ in France it is ‘art’. It is for that reason I love Paris, the home of creative activity of all artistic kinds. To me, art is everything.

For the sake of it, think of June 1924 in the magical period of the ‘Années folles’. I often dream that I am in ‘The City of Love’, Paris by any other name.

"Overnight, spring has turned to summer, and it is as if the tantalizing romantic May dance of titillation has been fully consumed beneath the clear blue skies of the summer equinox. 
There are no shadows under the high sun of noon this day as Shirley, my wife, and I walk the Luxembourg Gardens. 

Ever the actress she has adopted for this trip her very best mid-Atlantic accent in order that she will fit in when we meet up with the ‘others’, mostly arty-farty American writers of the ‘Lost Generation’ on the ‘left bank’ a little later on. 
For now though, we just take our time, hand in hand, thinking of last night’s wanton frolics."       © Mike Steeden

Mike – That, you see, is Paris.

Resa – So, Montmartre is part of Paris?

Mike – The region of Montmartre is the home of this planet’s art of all kind. It is there we find Ezra Pound, T S Elliot, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda, all chatting about Gertrude Stein’s party in Montmartre last evening.

Resa – Why Montmartre? Did you live there at one time?

Mike – Well, it is impressive with wonderful views overlooking Paris itself. Moreover, the town square is busy with a mass of wild street artists and cafés galore where one can grab a cup, take a seat, and linger like a local. Then there is the beauty of the buildings, old but magical. Give us another life and we’ll live there for ever.

When Green Eyes new friend, Charlotte, showed up at her Montmartre home wearing a lilac lace opera coat, I was fascinated by the coat. Green Eyes had to have it. I had to draw it.

Resa – Is this a coat you saw somewhere or did you make it up?

Mike – An odd one is this. I went over the top picturing Charlotte, as I desperately wanted the poor girl to be dressed in style even though that was all she was wearing. Why, I don’t really know; it was just a feeling for humble gratitude, albeit that she’d soon be happily naked thereafter.

‘Panash’ I call it, yet to give such a classic coat (I’m not very clever when thinking these things. I simply see them in my mind!) with captivating sequins, to Green Eyes who she hardly knew at the time, ensured a brand-new friendship, hence the story went on its romantic way.  

Charlotte also shows up in an Avant-Garde kimono. As there is no further description, I came up with this, and shot in the morning light’s shadows.

Fascinated by the saga of Mike’s father? Here is the rest, as told by Mike.

Mike – As a prisoner he was, as I understand it, used effectively as slave labour down the coal mines of Silesia. The prisoners were regularly manacled…also validated…and that awful fact came back to haunt him in the nightmares of the dementia of his dotage, the poor sod. Nevertheless, post war and safely home, Jim, a six footer plus and the youngest of ten made it back to England five stone lighter than when he left these shores weighing in at a mere eight stone, yet picked up where he left off and eventually, after his apprenticeship, became an accomplished bricklayer. Sadly with frosted feet due to having no shoes during the war his dream to play for Brentford Football Club never happened.

Another thing, when back in England, Jim discovered his family had spent every last penny of his away…not a kind thing for a young man to take in and not go mad.

There you have, Miss Resa, a true tale that is glued to my heart and books. He wasn’t a bad old boy. He made me a fast bowler at cricket as well as teaching me how to throw darts pretty well. But basically, it was him and him alone who filled my brain with his WW2 torture…hence my stories.”

Meet Mike Steeden

Check out Mike’s About Page &/or Visit Mike on his blog!

About

Mike is a prolific writer. Click on the book cover below to go to his Amazon page!

“To me, art is everything.”

– Mike Steeden

And the Grave Awaits – by: Roberta Eaton Cheadle

On By ResaIn Outside the Box Book Reviews178 Comments

These roses have been drawn. Unlike real roses, their image will never die. They will wait for us, forever.

Curtia Wright

Much is to be gleaned, at the foot of a grave; more than you know. Roberta Eaton Cheadle takes us to more than one place of eternal rest. She has fifteen tales for us to learn from.

Photo courtesy of Timothy Price ©

Be it an icy death, in a cold cruel world of the future,

Sumartist

…. or a legend fraught from old wives’ tales, where tables turn in the wretched pit of a spider’s lair, should we be afraid?

Resa – Robbie, in And the Grave Awaits, Whether you have built a story from an old legend or an actual happening, there is something to be gleaned from each: a moral, life lesson or historical fact.

In other books, IE: Lion Scream, your sublime poetry (accompanied by brilliant photography)is filled with nature’s beauty, although animals and environment might cry out. 

“A Ghost and his Gold” shows the horror and senselessness of war. Yet, reveals a better nature of man, through its riveting story .

All the while you are teaching about the Boer War.

Your children’s books teach about many things, and are a positive energy.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO DO THE GOOD WORK?

Robbie – Your question is an interesting one. I am a sensitive person and I see a lot of things that make me feel saddened. On the other hand, I am a very positive person and I usually manage to find the silver lining in life. I think both of these aspects of my personality, the seeing and the positivity, come through in my writing.

I love to share information, photographs, and interesting bits and pieces with other people. It promotes conversations and ignites new thought processes and ideas.

Fondant spider made by Robbie

I think this love of sharing knowledge also comes through in my writing.

I especially like to teach children.

They are so eager to learn and discover.

Beehive cake art made by Robbie

Resa – From what age through adult do you think  And the Grave Awaits is cool to read?

Robbie – And the Grave Awaits is for adults, 18 years and upwards. 

Resa – I had to ask because  so many movies that are extremely violent and sexually suggestive are rated 14+ these days. When I was a kid, those same movies would have been restricted to 18+ , and we would have to show ID to get into the theatre.

Video games can be wildly violent, sexually suggestive, and seem to have very little parental oversight. This book seems mild compared to the games and movies I am referencing. I hope you don’t think I’m silly for asking. It occurred to me out of the blue, while working on the post.

Robbie– It is a thought provoking question and one I found a little difficult to answer. I listed this book on Amazon as a ‘normal’ adult book. No explicit sex obviously, and not overly dark compared to other books.

South Africa is still a conservative society, but it’s what I know and what I use as a benchmark. My aim with this book was to make people think about historical events and the reasons behind them. My purpose is to remind people what can happen if we don’t retain the human rights our ancestors fought for. People quickly forget the past and don’t know how easily rights can be undermined to the detriment of the ordinary person. 

I don’t consider it to be a YA book, although teens could read it, because the characters are not teens. My understanding from what I’ve read is its the age of the characters rather than the content per say, that separates YA and adult. 

Resa – I really appreciate your thoughtfulness on this topic. I have read a lot of your books, and have become a huge fan, because of your intrepid stance on what you convey through all of your artistic endeavours.

Following is a selection of street art. As in the first images of this post and in the cake and fondant art of Robbie’s, each image represents a tale in And the Grave Awaits.

  • Shalak Attack
  • Mandy van Leeuwen
  • The Half Decent
  • Nick Sweetman

If you’ve read the book and can’t figure what an image could represent, just ask in comments. If you haven’t read the book, you’ll have to read it to figure them out!

About

Robbie is a prolific writer. You can find her books on Amazon sites around the globe. Just search “Robbie Cheadle” for children and youth books – “Roberta Eaton Cheadle” for adult books.

Some of her books are also available on KOBO.

Visit Robbie on her blogs:

Roberta Writes and Robbies Inspiration

Robbie has a YouTube Channel  filled with African wildlife videos, readings and cooking videos.

On Robbie’s Unsplash Page find African nature & wildlife for free downloads.

Pics of street art © Resa McConaghy

Have Bags Will Travel – by: D.G. Kaye

On By ResaIn Book Reviews144 Comments

She’s travelled the world and the 7 seas!

Written in memoir style, the author instills through her mostly hilarious adventures, how to adhere to travel restrictions.

As a pre 9/11 traveller, D.G. notes that one used to enjoy (“the thrill of the journey as much as the destination itself.”) Those golden days are long gone.

Times changed again, post Covid. We all know what inconveniences, feasibly horrors, can arise during travelling. Whether journeying by plane, boat or rail, one of the obvious issues is luggage.

From Toronto to Chicago to London to Las Vegas to Paris to Greece to the Caribbean to Venezuela and home again, D.G. has run the baggage gauntlet. (“Who opens a suitcase before it gets on the luggage belts and runs over it with some unknown vehicle?”)

Seems the only place D.G. hasn’t travelled, with suitcases and carry on, is back in time.

From the 2 books I’ve read by D.G. I know she is shopaholic, with a severe penchant for shoes. (“I carefully plot out which shoes and purses will match which clothes.” & “So what if I thought I might need to change my outfit 3 times a day?”)

I get it! I’m not wearing the same shoes I wore on the beach to the club at night.

There’s even a chapter in the book: Me, My Shoes, and I where the author wins a $500.00 slots prize in Vegas, and immediately heads off to buy a purse, (“along with four pairs of shoes I’d also been sad to leave behind after already purchasing four pairs”)

One of her strongest suggestions is to buy a luggage scale. There was an airport incident when heading out to a Caribbean cruise.

“It was only after that incident that I ……. invested in a portable luggage scale.” The incident? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find that out.

This short book is a delightful read, where much travel advice exposes itself through the author’s memories. At the end, D.G. neatly sums up her essential tips. The final tip – “Have Fun!“

ABOUT D.G KAYE

About the Author

D.G. Kaye is a Canadian author living in Toronto. She is a nonfiction writer of memoirs about her life experiences, matters of the heart, and women’s issues. Her positive outlook keeps her on track, allowing her to take on life’s challenges with a dose of humor and a mission to overcome adversity.

D.G. began writing when pen and paper became the tools to express her pent-up emotions during her turbulent childhood. She began journaling about her life at a young age and continued writing about the people and events that left imprints and lessons. She writes books to share her stories and inspiration.

D.G. is a big advocate for kindness and for empowering women. Her favorite saying is “For every kindness, there should be kindness in return. Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”

When she’s not writing, D.G. loves to read (self-help books and stories of triumph), cook (concocting new recipes, never to come out the same way twice), shop (only if it’s a great sale), play poker (when she gets the chance), and, most of all, travel.

Follow D.G. on her social sites:

D.G. Kaye’s blog

D.G. Kaye on Twitter

D.G. Kaye on Facebook

D.G Kaye on Linkedin

Visit D.G.’s author page and books on Amazon

Podcasts on Youtube: Grief the Real Talk

**Shoe photos taken by Resa from Cinderella’s Revenge (Chronicle Books) & “Shoes” (Workman Publishing). These photos may not be used for any purpose other than this blog post.**