#BadMoonRising A Ghost and His Gold by Roberta Eaton Cheadle #supernatural #paranormal #ghosts

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising

Poetry, children’s books, young adult, cookbooks, adult – today’s author writes in all of these genres. She also works in a demanding profession, is raising a family, and maintains several blogs. Makes you wonder if she ever sleeps. She learned about tarot cards from a fellow blogger (bet I know who) and incorporated them into her featured novel. Welcome Robbie Cheadle!

Have you ever had a tarot card reading?

I have never had a tarot card reading. I don’t know where you would go to get one here in South Africa. I learned about tarot cards through a series of posts by a fellow blogger and found them fascinating. They interested me so much that I researched the meanings of all the different tarot cards and wove them into my book, A Ghost and His Gold.

My main character, Michelle’s, best friend reads tarot cards and I have a few scenes with readings. I also closed out the tarot card readings as part of the conclusion of the story.

Here is a short extract:

“Alice turns over the card on the left. It’s the Moon. Paling slightly, she draws in a deep breath.

“The Moon in the past position, as it relates to romance, could mean that you have an inaccurate perception of your partner. It is possible that your partner has not been completely honest with you and has hidden secrets.”

Michelle grimaces, “That is rather concerning, especially considering the poltergeist, or whatever she is, said he was a lying cheat and that I was a traitor to my sex for marrying him. What can it all mean?”

“I’m not sure, Michelle, but it may not mean what you think it does. Let’s consider the next card and what it tells us about your relationship?”

Alice flips over the middle card and reveals the Ten of Swords.

Starting visibly, Michelle sucks in air through gritted teeth. “That’s not a good card in the context of a relationship,” she hisses.”

Would you rather dunk for apples or carve a Jack o’ lantern?

I have never dunked for apples but have read about it. I have actually assisted my dad with carving a Jack o’ lantern. Halloween is not celebrated much here in South Africa although in the past 10 years, a few people have parties on 31 October. I have always enjoyed the idea of Halloween and loved horror stories from a young age.

A few years ago, our local grocery store got carving pumpkins and we bought few to make Jack o’ Lanterns. They came out well, but sadly, I forgot to take a picture.

As you can see from this picture, our local pumpkins aren’t suitable for carving due to their thin skins and flat shape. When I was a girl, I used to wonder how on earth anyone managed to carve a pumpkin, I didn’t know there were different types of pumpkins.

Do you ever see figures in your peripheral vision?

I have seen figures in my peripheral vision, but sadly they are not ever ghosts or spirits, but usually my cat who likes to slink up behind me.

My character, Michelle, on the other hand, does see otherworldly shadows in her peripheral vision. This is evidenced in the following short extract:

“She inspected the board and, after removing the plastic covering, the planchette. There were no instructions on how it should be used. “I must look up how it works,” she murmured to herself.

A shadow shifted on the far wall of her office and an unexpected cold draft made her shiver. Glimpsing a subtle movement out of the corner of her eye, she swung around quickly, but saw nothing at all. There was no shadow on the wall.

Michelle picked up the Ouija board and planchette and placed them next to her laptop. As soon as I finish my work, I’ll do some research on these and how they work.”

Would you and your main character get along?

My main character, Michelle, shares similar characteristics to me in many ways. She is a chartered accountant [just like me] who has elected to leave full time employment and run her own small accounting business so that she can develop her career as a writer [I haven’t done exactly this but I do work reduced hours – in theory anyway]. Michelle’s husband is a chartered accountant [just like mine], but unlike my husband, Tom is the personification of everything I dislike in select individuals in the profession who participate in excessive drinking and extra marital affairs and who become the target of office gossip and speculation.

I think that Michelle is probably nicer and softer than I am. I don’t know if I would be able to forgive my partner misleading me and telling outright lies. I think, when I created Michelle, I made her a better version of me.

If you decided to write a spinoff of a side character, who would you choose?

Hmmmm! For me this question should be could you write a spinoff of a side character. I am not sure I could for the simple reason that, for me, when a book is finished and I sign off for the publisher to go ahead, all the characters disappear out of my head. So far, none of them have returned to tickle my writing fancy again. I only have three novels though so there is still time for it to happen. Somehow, I don’t think it will though. I am not a person who ever looks back or who is good at staying in contact with colleagues and acquaintances from the past. It is always about the future and something new and exciting for me. I’m even like this with baking, never creating the exact same cake or dish twice.

What are you working on now?

That is an interesting question, Teri. I seem to be having a bit of trouble settling on one idea at the moment, so I am working on five books at the same time. I like to write sections in my books from the perspective of different characters and so I am finishing a piece by a character or a chapter, as relevant, and then moving to another WIP.

The one I am currently progressing is called The Soldier and the Radium Girl and is a historical paranormal book about the First World War. I am writing from the American perspective which is quite interesting for me. I have to make sure I don’t slip into language like bloody which is not a term an American would use. I have an American Beta reader who is checking this for me. I am currently at 15,000 words with this story.

I am also working on the first book in a series about climate change and the fourth industrial revolution. This is a sci fi book, but it is heavily entrenched in reality and real future predictions for mankind. I am doing a lot of research for this book too, as I need to get the details of genetic engineering, climate change, pollution, and the future of the pandemic correct and then extrapolate these predictions forward. The writing and research for this book are quite intense which is why I need to take breaks from it. This book is approximately 45,000 words to date.

I am working on the sequel to While the Bombs Fell, a historical novel for teenagers about my mother’s life growing up in a small British town during WWII. I have progressed this document to about 15,000 words.

I am also writing a biography of my own childhood growing up in South Africa in the 80’s. It is stilled along the lines of My Naughty Little Sister by Dorothy Edwards and is called The Girl Who Loved Dolls. This one is approximately 10,000 words to date.

Finally, I am working on a new Sir Chocolate book called Chocolate Fudge saves the sugar dog story and cookbook which is due out before Christmas. All the artwork is finished and I am just finalizing the recipes before it goes to my publisher.

After Tom and Michelle Cleveland move into their recently built, modern townhouse, their housewarming party is disrupted when a drunken game with an Ouija board goes wrong and summonses a sinister poltergeist, Estelle, who died in 1904.

Estelle makes her presence known in a series of terrifying events, culminating in her attacking Tom in his sleep with a knife. But, Estelle isn’t alone. Who are the shadows lurking in the background – one in an old-fashioned slouch hat and the other, a soldier, carrying a rifle? 

After discovering their house has been built on the site of one of the original farms in Irene, Michelle becomes convinced that the answer to her horrifying visions lies in the past. She must unravel the stories of the three phantoms’ lives, and the circumstances surrounding their untimely deaths during the Second Anglo Boer War, in order to understand how they are tied together and why they are trapped in the world of ghosts between life and death. As the reasons behind Estelle’s malevolent behaviour towards Tom unfold, Michelle’s marriage comes under severe pressure and both their lives are threatened.

Purchase Roberta Eaton Cheadle’s books

TSL Books (paperback)

https://tslbooks.uk/product-tag/roberta-eaton-cheadle/

Lulu.com (ebook)

A Ghost and His Gold: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/robert-eaton-cheadle/a-ghost-and-his-gold/ebook/product-d858km.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Amazon US

Roberta Eaton Cheadle author biography

Roberta Eaton Cheadle is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.

 Roberta has short stories and poems in several anthologies and has 2 published novels, Through the Nethergate, a historical supernatural fantasy, and A Ghost and His Gold, a historical paranormal novel set in South Africa.

Roberta has 9 children’s books published under the name Robbie Cheadle.

Roberta was educated at the University of South Africa where she achieved a Bachelor of Accounting Science in 1996 and a Honours Bachelor of Accounting Science in 1997. She was admitted as a member of The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2000. Roberta has worked in corporate finance from 2001 until the present date and has written 7 publications relating to investing in Africa. She has won several awards over her 20-year career in the category of Transactional Support Services.

Follow Roberta Eaton Cheadle at:

Website

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

Blog

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

Goodreads

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

Twitter

Facebook

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

Amazon


70 thoughts on “#BadMoonRising A Ghost and His Gold by Roberta Eaton Cheadle #supernatural #paranormal #ghosts”

      1. Hi Darlene, thank you for visiting me here and for your lovely comment. Sometimes I just need a break from the history I am researching for a particular book. The Soldier and the Radium Girl is quite intense as it covers WW1 for an American perspective, the story of the radium girls and the politics at the time i.e. women’s suffrage and the right to contraception. I also have to research what was happening in the USA from a civilian perspective i.e. what shortages there were. It is the same with After the Bombs Fell and The Creeping Change (cli fi). I sometimes go to my collection of vignettes about my life and my love of dolls as this is easy to write and quite relaxing for me. Chocolate Fudge Saves the Sugar Dog is finished and now I am working on a Halloween fondant art book for next year.

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  2. That’s fascinating to me that you release a book and don’t look back. Many of my characters stick with me and never let go. Some of my earliest ones are still renting space in my head. That’s amazing that you can shut that off.

    And on an unrelated note, I didn’t know there were places that had never seen carving pumpkins. That kind of makes me sad.

    Best wishes to you, Robbie.

    Thanks, Teri.

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    2. HI Staci, we have different celebrations here like Heritage day when everyone dresses in their traditional outfits and makes traditional foods. It is wonderful to see the indigenous African people dress in their traditional dresses and shirts which have religious significance. There are 9 main tribal groups so there is a lot of variety. There are also people from Hindu, Muslim and Raj backgrounds and religions as well as the South African English and Afrikaans people. There are people from NIgeria, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Ghana and they all have their own cultures and mythology. It is incredibly interesting. Halloween isn’t big because it was considered to be Paganist in the past.

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      1. That would be amazing to see. I just learned Christmas celebrations were outlawed in certain parts of the US until… well, the dates vary between the 1600s and the 1800s, also because the trees and wreaths were considered Paganist. History and culture are fascinating.

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  3. Well, if Robbie weren’t busy enough juggling everything she does, working on five books at once is insane icing on a mammoth cake! I also sometimes forget that Halloween and pumpkin carving isn’t celebrated in all corners of the world. It’s become such a huge holiday in the U.S.it’s kind of mind-boggling to think some people never get to experience it. I’m glad Robbie bought pumpkins to carve!

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    2. Hi Mae, I have to many WIPs because I keep getting inspired by something or someone and then I feel I should write about it and off I go. I am trying to stay very focused and get The Soldier and the Radium Girl to my developmental editor early next year. My dad carved the pumpkins and tracked down the right kind of pumpkin for carving. He has always been an amazing dad and did such great things with us girls when we were small. He taught us to make fires and cook sausages, how to camp, pitch a tent, and he got us a real Christmas tree every year with pine needles that dropped everywhere. I love real trees at Christmas.

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  4. Victoria Zigler

    Great to see you featured here too, Robbie… And excellent choice of book to promote. For those who haven’t read it: I can assure you it’s excellent, since I’ve read it myself. Looking forward to those books you’re working on being finished and published, Robbie.

    Oh, and if you don’t get good pumpkins for carving, why not carve root vegetables instead? They used to carve things like turnips in the past, and I did that a couple of times myself. They’re great for a spooky vibe, since they resemble little shrunken heads if you carve faces in to them. Just a thought.

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    2. Hi Tori, thank you for the shout out about my book. I am so glad you enjoyed it. I have never thought about carving root vegetables but maybe I should do it with my nieces who would enjoy it very much. I learned about Halloween from books I read as a girl. South AFrica was a very conservative and ultra religious society when I was growing up and Halloween was never even mentioned. That has changed now, but Halloween hasn’t really taken off here.

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      1. Victoria Zigler

        Teri: you should definitely include some shrunken head root veg in your decorations. 😉

        Robbie: you’re welcome about the book. And that makes sense about why Halloween wouldn’t be such a big thing in South Africa. Glad you at least get to do something for Halloween now if you want,even if it’s not so big over there. Mind you, even in the UK it’s not as big of a thing as it is over in America and Canada, despite it having its origins over here. Anyway, I expect your nieces would have a great time carving faces in to root vegetables. Your boys might enjoy it too.

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    2. HI Priscilla, I am delighted to know you are also a cat person. I love cats very much. They do slink about your though and sometimes I trip over Pushy when she suddenly appears under my feet and then I feel all bad for accidentally treading on her paw or tail. Thank you for visiting me here.

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  6. I have this book on my Kindle app, waiting it’s turn. I understand Robbie’s method, and typically write two things at once. I don’t think I could handle five. I also understand leaving characters in the past. It was easy enough until I wanted a marketing focus. Lisa Burton is so fun that she gained a new life. Nowadays, I recycle a lot of characters, but only in The Hat Series. That means not everyone will fit, but it is fun.

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    1. Hi Craig, I am pleased you understand about the characters leaving me. I do have two trilogies planned out but those are more a family saga with generations of characters than a continuation of the same characters. I think part of the reason I have a few WIPs is that when I am very stressed at work (during busy periods like now), I find it more restful to write for children than for adults. Writing for adults requires a lot more effort and research.

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  7. What a fabulous interview with Robbie! I am always amazed at how she manages to juggle everything her life entails. I have this book waiting for me on my Kindle and knowing that she wove Tarot cards into the story makes me want to hurry it up! Congrats to Robbie, and thanks for sharing, Teri!

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    1. Hello, Jan, I wonder whose Tarot card series I was referring to? When you get to it, I will be interested in your opinion on my inclusion of Tarot card readings. I even watched your selection of the cards video very carefully so I could see how you did it. Thanks for visiting me here, Jan.

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  8. Okay, if I didn’t know it was Robbie being interviewed, but I read that the person was working on five books at once…I know it was Robbie! Five! Eek…I can barely work on one at a time. Great interview, ladies. Thanks for sharing, Teri.

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    1. Hi Jill, thank you for visiting me here and for your lovely comment. I work on my adult books and children’s books at different times in my working life cycle. If I am very stressed and over worked, writing for children and doing the related artwork helps calm me down and de-stress me. When I am doing stuff that’s a bit boring like training material and publications, then I write my adult novels as it keeps my mind active and stimulated.

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  10. My characters stay in my head. So much that I still have a hard time letting those from Driscoll Lake go.

    Interesting looking pumpkin, Robbie. And I’m with you on the peripheral vision thing. It’s always my cat (or cats).

    Nice interview! (And kudos for writing five books at once.)

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  11. Well done working five books at once, Robbie. It feels like when I was working that I worked on several parallel projects. Good for you, Robbie! I enjoyed reading A Ghost and His Gold. Best wishes to you for your full time job, full time writing, full time care taker, and full time mom! 🙂

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      1. I’m glad we all share of what we do to inspire each other, Robbie. When you said once that you used your lunch time to check the blogs, it gives me an idea that when my back hurts and need to rest on the couch, I could use my phone to check the blogs.

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          1. Sorry your mom and aunt have back pain also, Robbie. Many people have low back pain.

            We’re getting a love seat recliners. Hope it helps my back. We’ll check it out today. Probably get one with the tray for the laptop.

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  12. Hi Teri, thank you so much for hosting me for Bad Moon Rising. I really enjoy this series every year and think I’ve managed to visit all the posts even if I had to play catch up a bit. Having a son in his last month of high school is more effort than I realised. So many social events and celebrations as well as all the studying and anxiety. Have a lovely evening, Teri.

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  14. suerovens

    I love this interview – everything from writing so many books at once (!) to the shape of the pumpkins. I’m amazed at the “lack” of Halloween things in South Africa. I guess I just assumed it was like it is here in the states.Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂

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    2. HI Sue, thank you for reading and commenting. Things are different here in Southern Africa. Indigenous African people have their own myths and beliefs. The Tikoloshe is one and people still raise their beds on bricks because of this ancient folklore. If you are interested you can read about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikoloshe. Halloween has never really taken off here and I enjoy it so I share yours though my blogging.

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  15. Sorry I’m late today, Teri and Robbie, but I’m sure glad I found a moment before bedtime to stop by. What an interesting post! Loved learning more about you, Robbie, and can’t imagine how you manage to juggle so many different things at once. And I know for sure I could not work on 5 books at once. I’d have the folks from Riverbend popping up in the North Carolina mountains and vice versa. I’d never keep them straight. You’re an inspiration, that’s for sure. Super post, and much good luck with A Ghost and His Gold! Sounds like something I’d really enjoy, so definitely going to check it out. Much success with this one! 🤗💖

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  16. Pingback: #BadMoonRising – Post 18 Featuring Roberta Eaton Cheadle | The Write Stuff

      1. Yes I think all creative people are like that to a greater or lesser extent whether they are scribbling designs for their next invention when they are supposed to be relaxing or the artist waking up in the middle of the night with ideas for a new creation.

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  19. Wow! Every time I read something about Robbie, she amazes me more and more. I sympathise with her difficulties trying to settle into one of the WIP. This has happened to me at times, although I’m not sure I ever managed to have five books all going at the same time, but if anybody can manage, it is her, for sure. Good luck to Robbie and thanks for another wonderful post!

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  20. alexcraigie

    I’m sure I have cartoon stars and birds spinning around my head in stunned amazement at all that you do, Robbie! The job and the family would be more than enough for most people but you manage to juggle five books at the same time! I bow down before you in awe. x

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