#BadMoonRising Through the Nethergate by Roberta Eaton Cheadle #YA #horror #paranormal

On By Teri PolenIn Uncategorized

Happy Friday! Today’s author has written, read, and reviewed so many books I honestly believe she’s triplets – or maybe she just never sleeps. And she works another job. And also whips up stunning baking creations. Almost forgot – and because of the pandemic, she’s overseeing her sons’ virtual schooling. And now you’re thinking my theories aren’t so far-fetched, right? See which Stephen King books kept her up at night. Welcome Roberta Eaton Cheadle (Robbie)!

Would you rather sleep in a coffin for one night or spend the night in a haunted house?

I could not bear to be closed up inside a coffin even for one minute, so I’ll have to risk the haunted house. Ghosts and spirits seem to avoid me as I’ve never seen or heard one, even though I have visited many castles and mansions which are reputed to be haunted. I live in a house that is supposed to be haunted by the spirits of some bandits who were shot and killed in the kitchen during a shoot-out with the authorities in 1939. None of my family have ever seen any sight or sound of these men.

Has a movie or book scared you so much you couldn’t sleep?  Which one?

I read Salem’s Lot by Stephen King when I was ten years old. It scared me so much I had to stop reading it by 6 P.M. every evening otherwise I couldn’t sleep at night. I still think that this book, and The Shining by Stephen King, are the scariest books I’ve ever read. I distinctly remember the description of the first murder of the small boy, Ralphie Glick. It was one of the creepiest and most upsetting scenes I can remember out of all the hundreds of books I’ve read.

Would you rather use a Ouija board or participate in a séance?

Ouija boards and séances are not common here in South Africa. I have only read about both methods of communicating with spirits through books I’ve read by American authors. I would choose to use an Ouija board as I researched how to use them and how they work for my forthcoming novel, A Ghost and His Gold. I feel I would be more informed and knowledgeable about using an Ouija board as a result.

Do you write to music?

No, I find music to be a distraction when I write or work. I don’t need complete silence as I am used to a lot of background noise, but I can’t help listening to music and I loose my focus.

Describe your writing space.

Haha, I don’t have a designated writing space. For years now I’ve worked on the run, carrying my laptop and cell phone around with me wherever I go and connecting to the internet via a SIM card or free Wifi. I have worked on planes, trains and in cars as well as in hotels, airports and on the tube. I have also worked while my children attend tennis, karate and music lessons and while having tea or drinks with friends. My job never ends and so I make use of modern technology to stay on top of it. When I started writing in 2016, I applied these same methods to my writing. I wrote several sections of Through the Nethergate on return aeroplane journeys to the UK and Finland in 2018. I also wrote some sections while I was on holiday at a game farm near the Pilanesberg Game Reserve in South Africa. When I write at home, I often write at the dining room table, but I also write at the table in the kitchen and sitting in my lounge. The boys and Terence have their own lounge with their own TV and gaming paraphernalia. I don’t have a TV, preferring to be surrounded by my doll and African art collections.

What are you working on now?

I have recently finished A Ghost and His Gold, a 118 000 word book about a haunting involving three ghosts all of whom died during and just after the Second Anglo Boer War in South Africa between 1899 to 1902. The ghosts are an Afrikaner farmer, a British soldier, and the teenage daughter of the Afrikaner farmer. The book tells their backstories and how their souls came to be trapped on earth rather than ascending to heaven. This book is told in sections alternating between the haunted couple, Michelle and Tom Cleveland, and the three ghosts. I have experimented with some different writing techniques and styles in this book including a section that is the war-time diary of Robert, the British soldier. I have also moved between present tense and pass tense writing.

I also have short stories included in two anthologies which are being released this month. I have two short horror stories in Spellbound, a horror anthology with a twisted fairy tales theme compiled by Dan Alatorre. I also have two short stories in Spirits of the West, a paranormal anthology with a frontier tales theme, compiled and edited by Kaye Lynne Booth.

Margaret, a girl born with second sight, has the unique ability to bring ghosts trapped between Heaven and Hell back to life. When her parents die suddenly, she goes to live with her beloved grandfather, but the cellar of her grandfather’s ancient inn is haunted by an evil spirit of its own.

In the town of Bungay, a black dog wanders the streets, enslaving the ghosts of those who have died unnatural deaths. When Margaret arrives, these phantoms congregate at the inn, hoping she can free them from the clutches of Hugh Bigod, the 12th century ghost who has drawn them away from Heaven’s White Light in his canine guise.

With the help of her grandfather and the spirits she has befriended, Margaret sets out to defeat Hugh Bigod, only to discover he wants to use her for his own ends – to take over Hell itself.

Purchase Roberta Eaton Cheadle’s Books from:

TSL Publications

Lulu.com

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Author Bio

Hello, my name is Robbie, short for Roberta. I am an author with seven published children’s picture books in the Sir Chocolate books series for children aged 2 to 9 years old (co-authored with my son, Michael Cheadle), one published middle grade book in the Silly Willy series and one published preteen/young adult fictionalised biography about my mother’s life as a young girl growing up in an English town in Suffolk during World War II called While the Bombs Fell (co-authored with my mother, Elsie Hancy Eaton). All of my children’s book are written under Robbie Cheadle and are published by TSL Publications.

I have recently branched into adult and young adult horror and supernatural writing and, in order to clearly differential my children’s books from my adult writing, I plan to publish these books under Roberta Eaton Cheadle. My first supernatural book published in that name, Through the Nethergate, is now available.

I have participated in a number of anthologies:

Two short stories in #1 Amazon bestselling anthology, Dark Visions, a collection of horror stories edited by Dan Alatorre;
Three short stories in Death Among Us, an anthology of murder mystery stories, edited by Stephen Bentley;
Three short stories in #1 Amazon bestselling anthology, Nightmareland, a collection of horror stories edited by Dan Alatorre;
Two short stories in Whispers of the Past, an anthology of paranormal stories, edited by Kaye Lynne Booth.; and
Two short stories in Spellbound, an anthology of horror stories edited by Dan Alatorre.

I also have a book of poetry called Open a new door, with fellow South African poet, Kim Blades.

Follow Roberta Cheadle Eaton at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertaEaton17

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19631306.Roberta_Eaton_Cheadle

Website: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

84 thoughts on “#BadMoonRising Through the Nethergate by Roberta Eaton Cheadle #YA #horror #paranormal”

  5. Always fun learning more about fellow authors. A Ghost and His Gold appeals to me, not just for the ghost story. I have a storyboard set in Africa at about this same timeframe. Still deciding whether to go with the war or set it some time after that.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hi Craig, I remember you blogging about possibly writing a book set in South Africa at this time. I have two short stories in another anthology coming out soon that are also about South African history. These two are both set during the Great Trek which took place earlier (1836). I am also going to write a story about the 1820 settles from England. South African history is not as well known as history from some other countries. It makes it really interesting to research and write about.

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      1. I love it. It’s a rich history. My debates are more structural in nature. Do I want automobile access to the bush, or horses? that kind of thing. Then, to make it one of my tales, it needs some witch doctor angle to it. I also know that one of my main characters is Kim, but it’s short for Kimberlite which might give you a clue as to where it’s all heading. Someday I’ll have it all hammered out. In the mean time, I hope you move a bunch of copies today.

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  8. I enjoyed Through the Nethergate, and I’m looking forward to A Ghost and his Gold. Great answers to the interview, Robbie. I’m like you in that I need silence for writing. Music isn’t distracting, but it has too much of an influence on my prose. Another fun post, Teri. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. Robbie, you are an Energizer bunny! Hopefully, you’re familiar with the commercials and know what I mean. You just go, go go, and never stop. I would be exhausted with all have to stay on top of. You certainly make good use of time for writing, which shows from all the books you’ve been producing.
    This was a fun interview. Salem’s Lot and The Shining are two of my favorite King stories (along with It). I really enjoyed Through the Nethergate and will be looking forward to A Ghost and His Gold.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thank you, Mae. It is also in my top five along with The Stand and Dead Zone [do you think Stephen King actually foresaw the future with that one?] And then there are my favourite Bachman books which are more scary because most of them are dystopia or historical. I do know the Energizer bunny ad, it is a good one. Strangely, I don’t really see myself like that at all.

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  16. “,,,preferring to be surrounded by my doll and African art collections….” One of the things that can creep me out for no rational reason whatsoever is something that looks human but isn’t alive like dolls and manikins.

    I like the idea of you keeping your two pen names similar. That way people can distinguish your writings but still know who you are.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Hi Alden, that was my idea. I have one Amazon page for both pen names but separate blogs and twitter accounts.
      I have always loved dolls and I used to make them out of corncobs and paper, clay and anything else that worked. Now I make them out of fondant and buy vintage and antique dolls to admire.

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  19. Excellent post, Robbie, and very interesting interview. Love the concept of your newest book, and have Through the Nethergate on my Kindle, ready when I am. Wishing you the best of luck with it and with all your endeavors. I can’t imagine being as busy as you, but I sure do admire that kind of energy. And stamina!

    Great post, Robbie & Teri! Sharing! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Marcia. I wonder what you will think of Through the Nethergate. Some reviewers have said it is complex. I am sure I will slow down as I get older. I sometimes have a short lie down on a Sunday afternoon because I think I should and because people keep telling me I never rest and relax. The problem is, I then stay up later in the evening.

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. I say if you feel energetic and in the mood to tackle things, and aren’t suffering from overload stress or burnout, go for it. There’s plenty of time to rest as you get older. In other words, make hay while the sun shines. 😀 And good for you! 🙂

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  20. Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
    I apologize for being late with this one, but yesterday was kind of a lost cause in many ways. However, I’m here now and I heartily suggest you check out Robbie Cheadle’s Bad Moon Rising post on Teri Polen’s blog. It’s excellent, so I know you’ll enjoy it, if you haven’t already been there. And I hope you’ll share this one far and wide, unless again, you’ve already done so! 😀 Thanks to Robbie and to Teri for such a super post! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  21. Pingback: #BadMoonRising – Guest post and about Teri Polen

  27. Teri, I totally agree about the triplets explanation. Robbie’s energy astounds me.
    You know, it really never fails — If I’m watching for a particular post, then I miss it. So, I’m late again, but happy to see Robbie’s visit here, Teri. (And just shared it far and wide.)
    I very much agree about Salem’s Lot. I watched a TV movie version staring David Soul when I was in my teens. I was so scared I don’t remember much, except that I was terrified. LOL. Since books are more frightening than television to me, I wouldn’t dare read the book.
    Robbie, wishing you huge success with A Ghost and His Gold. Hugs all around!

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    1. I am always astonished when people say I have a lot of energy, Teagan. I don’t really see myself like that at all. I’ve only ever watched the films of The Shining and Carrie. Both were excellent but no where near as scary as the books for me. The descriptions in Salem’s Lot were so chilling.

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      1. I can imagine how it would not feel that way to you… No doubt you are tired at the end of the day, and still have more you wish you could have finished. But I promise you Robbie, you accomplish several times more in a day than I ever could — not just now, but at any point in my life. Hugs on the wing.

        Liked by 2 people

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        1. I am usually tired, Teagan, by 9.30pm and I always read until 10pm when I try to get to bed. Sometimes my boys keep me up with their antics. There is always so much to do. I am enjoying myself making the decorations for my mother’s marvelous birthday cake this weekend. We are having a 60s party. So exciting.

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