This week my review for the recent release A Ghost and His Gold by Roberta Eaton Cheadle
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 lie 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.
My review for the book June 5th 2021
This was certainly an ambitious project from a number of perspectives. The fusion of paranormal and history with two stories running in parallel is a challenge, but the author has succeeded in writing a flowing saga spanning 130 years. All the characters are excellently crafted and are memorable..
Usually it is left to the victors to write the history of wars, but that means you get the abridged truth and their own atrocities and failures tend to be skirted over. In this account of the Second Boer War between 1899 and 1902, both sides of the conflict are represented by two soldiers, enemies, but united in death by a need for resolution and forgiveness. They share the unabridged truth from their individual perspectives of the military and civilian devastation that occurs during this period, and it makes for sombre reading.
Their accounts of the conflict have been meticulously researched and provide a compelling behind the scenes background, not just to the military victories and defeats, but the appalling impact on whole families, the Boer way of life and Africa’s future. Those who worked the land with their native farm workers saw treasure in the earth and in the animals that grazed the grasslands, and fought for the right to retain their rights. The British Army was sent into battle to secure what lay beneath the ground for politicians who wanted gold and to remove the right to autonomy.
Men on the front line from both sides suffered from ineffective leadership and devastating losses but the conflict spread uncontained across the veld due to the scorched earth policy which destroyed farms and livestock, leaving nothing for the Boers to return to. Families were incarcerated in concentration camps lacking the basic human needs leading to the deaths of thousands of women and children from starvation and disease..
Running parallel to this personal account of two men caught up in this vortex, is the story of a modern day couple living on the land once a thriving Boer farm. The earth holds secrets and the house, now built over the rubble of its troubled past, also contains an unresolved mystery. One that has attracted the attention of another ghost who is not seeking forgiveness but revenge.
The author manages the various threads of the story with skill, weaving them back and forth across the loom of time. She brings them together for a dramatic climax which will shake the foundations of the future, as the dead and living claim their right to be heard.
Head over to buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
A small selection of other books by Robbie and Michael Cheadle and as Roberta Eaton Cheadle.
Read the reviews and Buy the books :Amazon US – And:Amazon UK – Follow Robbie : Goodreads – blog: Robbie’s Inspiration- Twitter: @bakeandwrite
I am a South African writer specialising in historical, paranormal and horror novels and short stories. I am an avid reader in these genres and my writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, the Bronte sisters, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
I was educated at the University of South Africa where I achieved a Bachelor of Accounting Science in 1996 and a Honours Bachelor of Accounting Science in 1997. I was admitted as a member of The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2000.
I have worked in corporate finance from 2001 until the present date and have written seven publications relating to investing in Africa. I have won several awards over my twenty year career in the category of Transactional Support Services.
I have been published a number of anthologies and have two published YA books, While the Bombs Fell and Through the Nethergate. I have recently published my first adult novel called A Ghost and His Gold which is partly set in South Africa during the Second Anglo Boer War.
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you will head over to buy Robbie’s latest book.. thanks Sally
A wonderful Review Sally, gave me an insight. Well done Robbie!
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Thanks very much… Robbie did an amazing job.
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Hi Bella, thank you for reading and commenting. Sally’s review is very insightful.
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Congratulations, Robbie, on this stellar review!
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Thanks Jan..xx♥
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Thank you, Jan. I am delighted.
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This is a wonderful review, Sally, and congratulations to Robbie on a remarkable book. xx
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Thanks Alex.. and Robbie deserved the boost for a job well done…hugsx
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Thank you, Alex. Sally’s review is wonderfully in depth.
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Great review, Sally. I’ve just been reading a book about abuses of power and the nature of rulers and empires, and it mentioned the Boer War and its atrocities, and it was harrowing. I know Robbie excels at research, so thank you for the recommendation.
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Thanks Olga.. abuse of power can be laid at the door of most nations past and present. Today with the internet it is considerably more difficult to hide them but certain nations still manage to get away with them… hugsx
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Hi Olga, I have been reading a lot of books about war and its consequences lately too. I have been on a bit of a run with three books about WW1 and now Gone with the Wind which is about the American Civil war although more from a civilian POV. These are part of my research for one of my current WIPs about America’s role in WW1. Thank you for your kind comment.
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Excellent review. Robbie has a compelling way of combining history and narrative.(k)
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Thanks very much and I totally agree.. Have a good week.
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Thank you, Kerfe.
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Nice review, Sally. I have this one on my radar!
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Thanks Joan… terrific read ahead.. x
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Hi Joan, I’m pleased Sally’s review has interested you. I am so delighted by it.
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I am very much wanting to read this book after Sally’s fabulous review it certainly sounds like a brilliant read you can immerse yourself in…:) x
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Thanks Carol.. a period in history that tends to be overlooked and it deserves the spotlight Robbie has put it under…hugsx
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Thank you for your interest, Carol. Sally’s review is brilliant.
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Absolutely, Robbie and I am sure well deserved…x
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Very much looking forward to reading this one. I know it’s going to be great based on other books that I’ve read from Robbie.
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I am sure you will enjoy Pete. Robbie has done a fantastic job. xx
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Thank you, Pete. I will be interested in your opinion. Most of the books about war I’ve read have been written by men, so I am curious as to what men think of my war scenes.
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Splendid review, Sally! And kudos to Robbie the author!
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Thanks very much Audrey…hugsx
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HI Audrey, thank you, Sally’s review is outstanding.
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Marvelous review, Sally. I agree this book from Robbie is wonderful. It’s clear that she put her heart into crafting it. Hugs to you both.
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Thanks for adding your recommendation Teagan.. have a lovely week hugsx
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Hi Teagan, thank you. This book does have a piece of my soul in it. All my writing about South Africa does. Such a great country with a pitted and painful past.
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Excellent review Sally. I love your comment about the victors writing the history, so true. I also enjoyed this book very much and learned a lot as well. Robbie did an amazing job with this story.
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Thanks very much Carla and for adding your recommendation.. Robbie did as you say an amazing job… enjoy the coming week.. hugsx
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Hi Carla, lovely to see you here. Thank you for your lovely review too. I am so pleased that people are appreciating this book which is close to my heart.
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What a great review for Robbie’s fabulous book, Sally. Toni x
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Thanks Toni.. hugs♥
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Thank you, Toni. Sally is a marvelous reviewer and I am thrilled by her review.
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Wow! What an excellent review! I know little of the history of Africa or the Boer Wars, but I’m intrigued by this story. I’ve got this book on my TBR pile! I might have to move it up! Congratulations, Robbie. This sounds amazing! ❤️
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Thanks Colleen.. a well researched and terrific fictional read too..♥
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Great! I grabbed a copy. ❤️
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Hi Colleen, I am so delighted by Sally’s review and I am pleased it interested you. Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy the book when you get to it.
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Thanks so much, Robbie. I like history (you know how eclectic my reading tastes are, LOL) and of course, anything paranormal. I can’t wait to read it! ❤
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An excellent review, Sally. Congratulations to Robbie.
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Thanks John… super book.. hugs
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Thank you, John, I am delighted by Sally’s review.
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Wow! What a fabulous review Sally. Robbie’s book is pulling me in. Thanks for the inspiration.
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Fantastic that’s great Balroop..hugs ♥
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Hi Balroop, Sally has written a lovely review and I am glad it intrigued you.
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Great review – Robbie’s book sounds terrific. I don’t know much about the Boer War and this seems like a good place to start.
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Thanks Barbara.. and this book certainly covers the major events and players during this three years.. great place to start.. xx
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Hi Barbara, I am really pleased to be introducing people to a little bit of South African history. If you decide to read it, I hope you enjoy it.
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Excellent review of a deeply compelling story, Sally. Congrats to Robbie!
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Thanks Jacquie.. Robbie did an amazing job..xx
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Hi Jacquie, Sally has written a lovely review. Thank you also for your support and review. Hugs.
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Great review and a book I am looking forward to reading next.
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Terrific thanks Denise..hugs
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Hi Denise, thank you for your support. Sally has written a splendid review and I feel very privileged.
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I just was able to get this book onto my kindle, Sally, and I can’t wait to read it. Robbie does a wonderful job of weaving history into her story-telling. Great review. 🙂
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Great reading ahead Diana. hugsx
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Hi Diana, thank you for your efforts to get this book onto your kindle. I hope you enjoy it. Sally has written a splendid review and I appreciate it.
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You’re welcome. Took me long enough, but I’m delighted to have it now! ❤
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So much about this book sounds fascinating. Excellent review, Sally.
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Thanks Jacqui.. and excellent read..xx
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Thank you, Jacqui. Sally’s review is amazing and in-depth.
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Book Reviews – #Paranormal #Historical #BoerWar The Ghost and his Gold by Roberta Eaton Chea dle. #Tip #ReadingWithTheAuthors – PattysWorld
what a wonderful review; Robbie is so multi-talented…
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Thanks Jim and Robbie is definitely multi-talented.. x
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Thank you, Jim, you are very kind.
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Living proof that we know where the great writers are coming from… they are already here. Congratulations, Robbie.
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I agree Annette.. hugs ♥
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Thank you, Annette, you are such a wonderful friend. Sally has written a brilliant review and I am highly appreciative.
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What a fantastic in-depth review for Robbie’s book. This surely looks an amazing read and I certainly look forward to reading it, when I get ‘there’. Congrats to Robbie on this fab review! ❤
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Thanks Debby.. one to enjoy and Robbie did an excellent job.. ♥♥
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HI Debby, thank you for your lovely comment. Sally has written a wonderful review for this book and I am thrilled.
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Well deserved! 🙂
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Thank you, Debby
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xx
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Wow! What an excellent review, Sally. Thank you for sharing. Robbie has weaved a skillful and intriguing plot! Well done, Robbie and congratulations.
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Thanks Mark and definitely a recommended read..have a good weekend. x
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Hi Mark, thank you, I appreciate your kind comment. Sally’s review is wonderful and comprehensive.
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Its another wonderful history related book, by Robbie! I love the possibility learning unknown history, using novels like this one. Thank you for the great review, Sally! xx Michael
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Thanks Michael and definitely one for your TBR…hugsx
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Have it on the TBR, and also have read some pages. But i will need more time for reading a bigger part. hugsx
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Enjoy…hugsx
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Indeed, Sally! Its great! xx
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Hi Michael, I am glad you enjoyed Sally’s lovely review. I am completely delighted by it.
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Its a wonderful review, for your fantastic book, Robbie! Honestly i never was really interested in history, but your way of telling within a ghost story is wonderful xx
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – May 30th – June 5th 2021 – 1970s chart hits, PR for authors, short stories, book reviews, Health and Humour | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Congratulations, Robbie. Wonderful feature and review. Thank you, Sally, for sharing A Ghost and His Gold with readers. 💗
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Hi Gwen, thank you for reading and commenting. Sally’s review is wonderful and I am simply delighted.
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A compelling review! I’m really looking forward to reading A Ghost and His Gold.
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Hi Liz, I hope you enjoy it when you get to it. I am thrilled that readers are enjoying and appreciating this book. Sally’s review is wonderful.
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I’m sure I will!
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A fantastic review, Sally. I am reading this book right now. It is a book one needs to read slowly otherwise things can be missed. Excellent attention to detail.
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Hi Darlene, I hope you are enjoying the book. I always find historical books require a bit of extra attention while reading too. That is one of the reasons I like to listen to historical books as audio books. The narrators always read slower than I would and I pick up more. Have a wonderful evening.
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I have it on Kindle, Robbie.
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I am delighted to hear that, Danny. I am interested in your opinion and you may discover some interesting history that is useful to you with your current writing venture.
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I’ve read this one. I learned SO much about SA history. Tom’s story was particularly scary to me. I was scared for him and of him. Good review!
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Hi Priscilla, thank you for reading and reviewing this book. I am glad you learned a bit about South African history. There are a lot of parallels between our pioneering history and the American settlers.
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Great review, Sally. Such vivid and memorable descriptions of our country’s history in Robbie’s book… such a worthwhile read!
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Thank you, Chris. I appreciate your comment and your support of my book.
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Hi Sally, thank you for reading and reviewing A Ghost and His Gold. I am beyond delighted with your review and complete understanding of this book and its meaning. Have a wonderful weekend.
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A pleasure Robbie.. I appreciate all that went into creating this amazing story..hugsx
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You too, Sally.
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Reblogged this on and commented:
Sally Cronin has written a most compelling and wonderful review of A Ghost and His Gold. I am completely delighted by her complete understanding of this story and my writing goals and intentions. Thank you, Sally.
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A terrific read Robbie and delighted to review…enjoy the rest of your weekend. xx
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