Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Meet the Authors 2023 -#Flashfiction Annette Rochelle Aben, #AfricanWildlife Robbie Cheadle , #Suspense Alex Craigie

Welcome to the 2023 series of meet the authors. This series offers me the opportunity to not just share my personal recommendation for the author, but to also check for new books I might have missed, changes to biographies and profile photos and check links.

I also I hope will introduce you to previously unknown authors to you and their books. As the curator of a towering TBR like most of you, I hope it will also encourage you to move books waiting in line up the queue.

The first writer today is author, poet and motivator Annette Rochelle Aben. Her ability to coax emotion out of readers with her flash fiction and poetry is amazing.

Meet Annette Rochelle Aben

Words are like threads that when woven together with passion and purpose can create a tapestry in which you long to wander. That passion was ignited in me when I was a small child and continues to burn bright even today. I was encouraged by educators who challenged me to try and by career paths that demanded I become a proficient wordsmith. I would like to think I have done them proud.

Over the years, I have won awards, been nominated for an EMMY for television writing, and penned a #1 Best Selling book of poetry. My collection of books available here on Amazon include self-help, inspirational, and of course poetry. I have been invited to participate in anthologies and collections, several of which are here as well. Welcome to my world of words. Should you find something in which to lose yourself, I shall raise my glass in a toast to your happiness. Thank you for your kind attention.

A selection of books by Annette Rochelle Aben

My review for Tell Me A Story

Whether it is verse or prose, Annette Rochelle Aben creates stories that touch the heart. It takes skill to write a story in only 99 words and each of the 75 stories reflect that artistry beautifully.

The stories are a celebration of life, love and simple everyday events that remain in our memories through childhood and beyond. There are one or two that hint at the darker side of life, such as Bedfellows but most are heartwarming and thought provoking.

I enjoyed all the stories, but I would like to give a special mention to just some of the gems. Chocoholics, Daybreak, Determination, Giddy Up Go, Gnome More, Last Request and Somewhere Out There.

Some lines in the stories have also stayed in my thoughts about the collection.

‘Legs with the strength of over-cooked spaghetti’

‘Into the darkness of the cave of fear breaks the light of a new day’

This is a lovely read to in one sitting or enjoy dipping into, written by a wonderful storyteller with an eye for detail.. Highly recommended.

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Follow Annette: Goodreads – Blog: Annette Rochelle Aben WordPress – Twitter:@YouAreTheExpert

The next author and poet is Robbie Cheadle who writes across several genres including children’s, YA, Paranormal and poetry. We are not sure how she manages to find the time as she also works full-time and is a master confectioner.

Meet Robbie Cheadle

Robbie Cheadle is a South African children’s author and poet with eleven children’s books and two poetry books.

The eight Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.

Robbie and Michael have also written Haunted Halloween Holiday, a delightful fantasy story for children aged 5 to 9. Count Sugular and his family hire a caravan to attend a Halloween party at the Haunted House in Ghost Valley. This story is beautifully illustrated with Robbie’s fondant and cake art creations.

Robbie has also published two books for older children which incorporate recipes that are relevant to the storylines.

Robbie has two adult novels in the paranormal historical and supernatural fantasy genres published under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle. She also has short stories, in the horror and paranormal genre, and poems included in several anthologies.

Robbie Cheadle contributes two monthly posts to https://writingtoberead.com, namely, Growing Bookworms, a series providing advice to caregivers on how to encourage children to read and write, and Treasuring Poetry, a series aimed at introducing poetry lovers to new poets and poetry books.

In addition, Roberta Eaton Cheadle contributes one monthly post to https://writingtoberead.com called Dark Origins: African Myths and Legends which shares information about the cultures, myths and legends of the indigenous people of southern Africa.

A selection of books  by Robbie and Michael Cheadle and as Roberta Eaton Cheadle

My review for the collection Lion Scream March 20th 2023

This is a collection of poetry, essays and a short story highlighting both the wonder of the wildlife of South Africa and the tragic decrease in the number of these amazing creatures who have populated the earth for many thousands of years largely due to man’s predation in one way or another.

The poetry captures in 99 syllables the beauty and the tragedy with skill and insight. I particularly liked Hippopotamus (“Hippo”) – Don’t be fooled and Jackal Love although all have great appeal and are thought provoking. There is also a wonderful and entertaining acknowledgement of the natures of the animals, reptiles, birds and insects that are featured. The poems are complemented by stunning photography of wildlife and scenery taken on holidays across this beautiful country.

It is clear that conservation is a key element of the preservation of most of the endangered species, and the author shares links to many of the videos that she has filmed on trips to sanctuaries around South Africa. It is also evident that for all that is done to increase the numbers of animals at risk, there are many who are determined to undermine their efforts.

It is a reflection of this that rhinos, for example, in sanctuaries have their horns removed to dissuade poachers.

The short story at the end sadly reflects on how the impact of our modern world and the fears of the future, prey on the minds of the younger generation, who struggle under that burden.

This collection is educational and brings the individual creatures and their challenges to thrive into sharp focus. It is also entertaining and having access to the many videos filmed by the author adds an added element to their stories. It will leave you more aware of their plight but also marvelling in their beauty.

Read the reviews and Buy the books :Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Robbie : Goodreads – blog: Robbie’s Inspiration- Twitter: @bakeandwrite

The next author is Alex Craigie who writes books that feature elements that we can all relate to. Romance, mystery, crime and family relationships. I have enjoyed them all.

Meet Alex Craigie

Alex Craigie is the pen name of Trish Power.

Trish was ten when her first play was performed at school. It was in rhyming couplets and written in pencil in a book with imperial weights and measures printed on the back.

When her children were young, she wrote short stories for magazines before returning to the teaching job that she loved.

Trish has had three books published under the pen name of Alex Craigie. The first two books cross genre boundaries and feature elements of romance, thriller and suspense against a backdrop of social issues. Someone Close to Home highlights the problems affecting care homes while Acts of Convenience has issues concerning the health service at its heart. Her third book. Means to Deceive, is a psychological thriller.

Someone Close to Home has won a Chill with a Book award and a Chill with the Book of the Month award. In 2019 it was one of the top ten bestsellers in its category on Amazon.

Books by Alex Craigie

My review for The Bubble Reputation

A suspense novella that hits close to home for anyone who shares their life online, particularly if they have celebrity status.

For Emmie Hobson the nightmare has just become a reality. Her reputation as an  author and presenter has taken years to establish, and she is much loved by both parents and the children who read her books and watch her television programme.

The unscrupulous editor of a celebrity focused magazine, works on the principle of not letting the facts get in the way of a good story. Manipulation of events, photographs and hearsay are the weapons of choice, and a total disregard for the devastating consequences of the vitreol, are the spoils of this vicious campaign.

Unfortunately fame is not admired by everyone. There are those whose lives are not as fortunate, who see the glitter, but not the hard work required to reach this level of success, and take great pleasure in bringing that person down.

The story explores the devastation this kind of onslought can bring to an individual, their families and those close to them. It highlights how difficult it is to counter the allegations, especially when those responsible keep throwing more fuel on the fire.

As always the author has a wonderful grasp of human nature and paints a graphic picture of how quickly this kind of online bullying can escalate. The characters are wonderful, and whilst feeling empathy for those being victimised, those who are behind the campaign will certainly infuriate and anger the reader.

It is a cautionary tale for all of us who share our lives online. Is this a sobering read? Absolutely. However, the author has one or two solutions up her sleeves and there are very satisfying moments that will have you cheering for the good guys. And they are out there, attempting to make themselves heard above the noise of the mob.

I can highly recommend to anyone who enjoys an emotion stirring story that carries you along to a well choreographed climax. 

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US – Follow Alex: Goodreads – Alex Craigie via: Facebook