WordCrafter News: Winners of the “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Tour Giveaway, May Release – “The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder” & Spring Book Sale
Posted: April 27, 2026 Filed under: Book Sales, Books, Children's Books, Fiction, Giveaways, Relationships, Romantic Comedy, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press | Tags: A Dark Horse Waits in Boulder, Book Release, Giveaway Winners, Lindsey Martin-Bowen, My Backyard Friends series, Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons, Spring Book Sale, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press Leave a comment
Winners of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour Giveaway
We had a great tour last week to celebrate the release of Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons. guest posts and poetry readings from the contributors, as well as learning fun facts about them and catching reviews of their latest releases. We had All those who followed the tour, or just dropped in a left a comment were entered in a random drawing to win one of five digital copies of the poetry anthology. (I think I originally said three, but we had so many wonderful commenters on this tour, I felt the need to give away five.) Now it’s time to reveal and congratulate the winners of the Giveaway, and here they are:
And the winners are:
(Drumroll please)
- Beth
- Teagan Genevienne
- T.W. Dittmer
- Beetlypete
- Lauren Scott Author
If your name is on the above list and you have not heard from me, please contact me at KLBWordCrafter@gmail to get your volume of Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons.
May Release: The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder, by Lindsey Martin-Bowen
WordCrafter Press is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Lindsey Martin-Bowen’s debut novel, The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder. Scheduled for release on May 12, 2026, you won’t want to miss this zany rom-com and the quirky Charlie Erickson, who is full of surprises that will keep you chuckling through to the last page.
Recently divorced Charlie Erickson arrives in Boulder, Colorado during the 1970s—a wild time for that city—where she hopes to develop her “rock poet” talent and find the perfect mate. Instead, she links up with the imperfect Ched Lyons, a Boulder native who leads her in a multitude of adventures, including scaling a mountain and a 1,200-mile motorcycle ride to southeastern Utah. While she intermittently envisions a black stallion with blue eyes, who puzzles and enchants her, she also strives to make sense of its appearance.
Through Charlie’s snarky humor recounting her tales, readers will enjoy this Rom-Com doubling as a woman’s adventure story and may relate to scenes from the wild, zany era that followed the serious, revolutionary 1960s.
WordCrafter Spring Book Sale
April showers bring May flowers, and great prices on the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series.
During the month of May, (May 1-31), all volumes of the My Backyard Friends will be priced at $2.50 each at the links below:
Heather Hummingbird Makes a New Friend
Timothy Turtle Discovers Jelly Beans
Charlie Chickadee Gets a New Home
But that’s not all! You can get an even better deal by purchasing here on site. You can get all 3 for $6.
Available only on the My Backyard Friends Kid’s Book Series page, right here on the WordCrafter Press site.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This post is sponsored by Small Wonders: Reflective Poems, by Kaye Lynne Booth and WordCrafter Press.
The world is filled with amazing things, if we will just stop a moment and take notice. In this vast universe, we are but tiny individuals, filled with awe and amazement. From reflections on first love, to reflections on growing old. The poems within these pages express a lifetime of unique reflections in Small Wonders.
Get Your Copy Now: https://books2read.com/SmallWonders
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Day 6 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour – Nolcha Fox, Melissa Lemay, and Robbie Cheadle
Posted: April 25, 2026 Filed under: Anthology, Blog Tour, Book Review, Giveaways, Poetry, Review, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Book Reviews, Book trailer, Giveaway, Melissa Lemay, Nolcha Fox, Poetry Anthology, Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons, Robbie Cheadle, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours 31 Comments
Welcome to Day 6 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons Book Blog Tour, where we’re sending off the sixth volume of the Poetry Treasures anthology series, Seasons. Each volume of this poetry anthology series features the work of the talented poets, spotlighted as guests on Robbie Cheadle’s blog series, “Treasuring Poetry”, from the previous year. Seasons’ poets were guests in 2025.
For this tour, you’ll meet two poets at each stop, with fun facts about them and reviews of their work. Some of the contributors also share guest posts or poetry readings. Today, we’re introducing Nolcha Fox and Robbie Cheadle. And we’re giving away three digital copies of the anthology in our Giveaway. Each comment earns a chance to win, so be sure to give a shout out and let us know you were there.
Giveaway
We’re giving away three digital copies of
Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons.
Follow the tour through the links in the schedule
and leave a comment at each stop for additional entries.
Winners will be chosen in a random drawing following the tour.
Tour Schedule
Mon. – Cindy Georgakas (Reading) & Kevin Morris – Poetry by Mich, Hotel by Masticadores, Masticadores Phillipines
Tues. – Jean-Jacques Fournier (Reading) & Colleen Chesebro (Reading) – Dragons Rule
Wed. – Freya Pickard & V.M. Sang (Reading) – JoyNealKidney.com
Thurs. – Joy Neal Kidney & Yvette Prior – Roberta Writes
Fri. – Michelle Ayon Navajas (Guest Post & Reading) & Marsha Ingrao (Guest Post & Reading) – Prior House
Sat. – Nolcha Fox, Melissa Lemay & Robbie Cheadle – Writing to be Read
Introducing Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons
Picture caption: Cover of Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons
Blurb
Open the cover
and you will discover
Poetry Treasures
from the guests on
Robbie Cheadle’s 2025
“Treasuring Poetry”
blog series
on Writing to be Read.
Join poets Robbie Cheadle, Cindy Georgakas, Freya Pickard, V.M. Sang, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Marsha Ingrao, Nolcha Fox, Joy Neal Kidney, Kevin Morris, Jean-Jacques Fournier, Melissa Lemay, Yvette Prior, and special guest, Colleen Chesbro share their personal seasons of poetry.
Purchase link
https://books2read.com/PT6Seasons
Short Trailer for Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons
Rave Reviews for Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons
Dawn Pisturino offers up our first review, posted on her blog site:
Next we have one from Marjorie Mallon on Kyrosmagica:
This one comes from Abbie Johnson Taylor on Abbie’s Corner:
/
Meet Nolcha Fox
Nolcha Fox’s poems have been curated in print and online journals. A best-selling author, her poetry books are available on Amazon and Dancing Girl Press. Nominated for Best Of The Net and Pushcart Prize multiple times. Editor of Chewers by Masticadores and LatinosUSA.
Website: https://writingaddiction2.wordpress.com/ and https://nolchafox2.wixsite.com/nolcha-s-written-wor/blog
Picture caption: Author photograph of Nolcha Fox
Fun Facts about Nolcha Fox
When I was a baby, my parents were so anxious to get out of North Carolina that they drove in front of a hurricane to get to Ohio.
My nickname as a toddler was Chatterbox.
I never learned how to sleep.
A review of Finger Painting with Words by Nolcha Fox (Robbie Cheadle – Treasuring Poetry)
Picture caption: Cover of Finger Paining with Words by Nolcha Fox
This is a relatively short collection of fascinating and different poems and the first collection I’ve read by this poet. I have read a lot of classic books and poems written by British authors and poets and have only recently started exploring American writers and poets. The difference in style and content is intriguing to me and I have developed a real appreciation for the boundaryless thought processes and unstructured writing styles of American writers.
For me as a reader, Nolcha Fox’s poetry is a wonderful example of thinking and writing outside the ‘box’ and I enjoyed each poem in this collection a great deal.
An example of this freedom in writing is her poem, Catch Them, as follows:
“In morning dark, the stars are blinding white,
rampaging fireflies on steroids.
Hollyhocks defy gravity and aphids
to kiss the sky before the weight of
summer
tilts them to kiss the ground.
Heat bakes the sidewalk
into squares of peanut butter fudge,
sweet sludge from oven top.
Each second a butterfly
I scoop with net of tangled words
before it flies pastward to cocoon.”
This is an interesting and thought provoking short collection of poems designed to make you think. I must also mention the lovely cover which I found very attractive.
Purchase Finger Painting with Words by Nolcha Fox from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Finger-Painting-Words-Nolcha-Fox-ebook/dp/B0DBNZ7WR9
Meet Melissa Lemay
Melissa Lemay lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, with her children and cats, and her snake, Charlotte. She writes about God, addiction, trauma, healing, motherhood, and many other things. She enjoys spending time with family, drinking good coffee, and being outdoors. She loves animals. Her poem, “Ephemeral,” was chosen as Poetic Publication of the Year for 2023 at Spillwords Press; she was Author of the Month for July 2024 and Author of the Year for 2024. She co-authored a poetry collection, Bro ken Rengay (Prolific Pulse Press, 2025) with Nolcha Fox and Barbara Leonhard. Find her at melissalemay.wordpress, collaborature.blogspot, and at dVerse Poets Pub.
Fun Facts About Melissa Lemay
I cannot blow a bubble with bubble gum.
I wrote my first short story (60 pages) in the sixth grade.
As an adult, I have carpal tunnel in my wrists and this makes it difficult for me to write with a pen and paper for very long.
A review of Bro Ken Rengay: Unruly Poetry, by Melissa Lemay, Nolcha Fox, and Barbara Leonhard (Review by Dawn Pasturino)
I’m new to the rengay form of Japanese poetry, but I’ve admired the poetic works of Fox, Lemay, and Leonhard for several years. Their collaboration on a collection of three-person rengay was bound to be a success.
The poets interlock like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to form poems that are witty, clever, and stunningly beautiful. Some of my favorites are “Off the Rails,” “Glitter Lips,” “Make Up Your Mind, Already,” and “Pain Will Do That.” The cover art by Lesley Scoble enhances the charm of this delightful little book. I give it five gold stars.
You can purchase Bro ken Rengay: Unruly Poetry, by Nolcha Fox, Melissa Lemay, and Barbara Leonhard from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Bro-ken-Rengay-Unruly-Poetry-ebook/dp/B0FQ4C9L9V
Meet Robbie Cheadle
South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, written and illustrated four poetry books and written and illustrated one celebration of cake and fondant art book with recipes. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/.
Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author photograph
Fun Facts about Robbie Cheadle
Robbie’s full name is Roberta, but she has never been called that. Her aunt called her Robbie as a baby and the name stuck. People are always surprised to discover Robbie is female.
Robbie is a qualified Chartered Accountant (South Africa) and has worked in corporate finance for nearly 30 years. Her area of expertise is documentation relating to various stock exchanges around the world.
Robbie was a gym instructor before she started her family. She taught 10 spinning classes a week at the local gym and entered several cycling challenges a year.
A review of Behind Closed Doors by Robbie Cheadle (Cindy Georgakas – “Celebrating Poetry”)
(https://lifesfinewhine.ca/2024/11/26/celebrating-poetry-by-cindy-georgakas-review/)
Picture caption: Cover of Behind Closed Doors by Robbie Cheadle
“Behind Closed Doors” is an elegant and engaging collection of poems written in various styles, either free or short form, poetry that is deeply relatable, drawing the reader’s attention to a variety of life’s aspects while conjuring up a swarm of emotions. In all its 6 parts, In the Boardroom, After death, In my mind, In the home, During lockdown and In nature, reading the poems feels both like a keen introduction to and a freely flowing zigzag through life’s moments… be them pleasant and enjoyable or much less so. And be them all closed, the “doors” – so convincingly part of the lovely title, still, the verses in the collection do ultimately slam them all open, airing out the “stuffy rooms” or letting the beauty in the “bright rooms” shine through refreshingly.
I was especially impressed by the grim details that could be read between the lines in the poems inspired by the corporate world (Achieving Tranquility, Do you want it enough?, The corporate hunt, Making A Splash). Nevertheless the verses inspired from the lockdown days also left a strong impression on me (No contact, Other Worldly, Lockdown days, I saw a fish a-swimming) with their harsh reminders of a sad reality in the whole world that the pandemic years also suddenly seemed to emphasize so acutely for us all, hopefully helping us to become more aware.
In the midst of the collection, two poems seemed to stand out to me, “A fabricated world” and “Stars in her eyes”. The latter feels like being in the eye of a storm, a calm and clear center, throbbing with all the beautifully bare truth and dreamy escape that the author’s heart can contain and express.
Equally impressive were all the poems that the author delightfully dedicates to the beloved members of her family, as was the last but one poem in the collection, “The best gift of all”, making the readers empathize with South African people on a blissfully rainy Christmas morning.
I gladly recommend “Behind Closed Doors” to everyone, as there is a little for everybody to delight in and learn about in Robbie’s wonderful collection.
Purchase Behind Closed Doors by Robbie Cheadle from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Closed-Doors-Robbie-Cheadle-ebook/dp/B09BBR94NC
Wrap-Up
That wraps up Day 6 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons as we finish up the tour, as well. Get your comments in for the giveaway entries. You can visit any stops that you missed through the links in the Tour Schedule at the top of this post. Winners will be selected in a random drawing and announced in Monday’s “WordCrafter News”, here on Writing to be Read.
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Day 5 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour
Posted: April 24, 2026 Filed under: Anthology, Blog Tour, Book Release, Books, Giveaways, Guest Post, Poetry, Poetry Readings, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Giveaway, Marsha Ingrao, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Poetry Anthology, Poetry Readings, Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press 1 CommentIt’s Day 5 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons Book Blog Tour, and we’re over at the Prior House Blog, Yvette Prior is hosting, with readings from contributors Michelle Ayon Navajas and Marsha Ingrao. Join us in sending off this fabulous poetry anthology and enter to win a free digital copy.
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Book Review: “25 Fires” & “In This Burning World”
Posted: April 24, 2026 Filed under: Apocalyptic, Book Review, Books, Collection, Poetry, Review | Tags: 25 Fires, Book Review, Eric S. Hoffman, In This Burning World, Mary Mackey, Poetry, Poetry Collection, Writing to be Read 5 Comments
About 25 Fires: A Call to What Comes Next
A book for anyone frustrated with the present – but unwilling to give up on the future.
25 Fires confronts a fractured world and asks: What comes next?
Told across 25 short, incendiary chapters, it traces an arc from the glittering cosmos to the choices of a single life.
Fierce and poetic.
Clear-eyed and human.
A book you can read in one sitting.
A fire you can carry for years.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/25-Fires-Call-What-Comes-ebook/dp/B0GNHJK9KT
My Review of 25 Fires
I received a digital copy of 25 Fires, from the author, Eric S. Hoffman, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
25 chapters of poetic verse make up this short book. It begins in the first section, titled “Inferno”, laying out the poet’s bleak vision of the world as we know it
“Our institutions are crumbling.
Schools are running on fumes.
Democracy sells to the highest bidder
And insulin costs more than your car.
We’re better than this.”
In the second section, titled “Smoke”, and deals with the desperation of dealing with life in today’s world. Chapter 7 depicts life in our world.
“is there anybody out there?
Is anyone actually home?
I wonder sometimes.
I scroll past all these comments and conversation.
I swipe through photos and updates about your dog.
But it all feels… empty.
And although many of these are a cry of woe, amongst the predictions of doom, there lies a message of hope, like in chapter 24, in the section titled Sparks:
“The shift has already started.
The new world is already being built.
Not by the biggest armies,
Or the deepest pockets,
Or the loudest mouths.
But the rest of us.
Getting our minds in order.
Putting our hands to work.
The single mom hunched behind a laptop.
The grandfather up at 3 a.m.inhis garage.
Little fires.
Scattered in the dark.
We may not see each other,
But together we’re illuminating what comes next.”
One must ponder which is more captivating, the verse or the message which it carries? This short volume is easily read in a single sitting, but you may want to go back and go over it again to absorb the full impact.
Poetic verse with an important message. I give 25 Fires four quills.
About In this Burning World
Poetry for a planet in crisis: Love, loss, and hope in a burning world.
In In This Burning World, Mary Mackey offers a powerful collection of poems that unflinchingly confront the realities of climate change. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, Mackey explores themes of apocalypse, love, and resilience, inviting readers to find hope and connection in the face of environmental destruction.
These poems capture the beauty of a world on the brink, while also celebrating the enduring power of human relationships. Perfect for readers seeking:
- Poetry that addresses climate change
- Inspirational verses about love and loss
- A hopeful perspective on the future
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/This-Burning-World-Poems-Apocalypse-ebook/dp/B0DYWXW9Z9
My Review of In This Burning World
I received a copy of In This Burning World: Poems of Love and Apocalypse from the author, Mary Mackey, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
Poems of love and apocalypse. It seemed to me a curious combination. I had to check out this poetry collection.
True to the title, there are poems depicting both. Poems of apocalypse bring vivid images of destruction and ruin.
When Mirrors Are Reversed
When mirrors are reversed
we will walk together through skeleton forests
along rivers that boil like molten glass
behind us ghost panthers
will stalk us through the dust of our cities
gathering up our unborn children
and unraveling our dreams
the skies will be filled with fish
and the oceans will be filled with crows
our mouths will be filled with dust
and we will not drown
we will smother
Poems of love evoke feelings of pleasure and contentment.
Walking Toward the Largo do Machado
when the smell of jasmine
flows through the streets of Catete like a warm fog
when the scent is so liquid you can
breathe it in get drunk and stagger
I think of all the years I have loved you
and all the years I will go on loving you
I think of how we protect each other from pain and betrayal
how each night we wrap ourselves around each other
and peace floats above our bed like a canopy of white petals
Somehow, they all fit together perfectly to form a tapestry of anticipation and hope.
A unique collection of poetry about climate change, life and love. I give This Burning World five quills.
About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and Book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
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Day 4 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour
Posted: April 23, 2026 Filed under: Anthology, Blog Tour, Book Release, Books, Giveaways, Poetry, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours | Tags: Joy Neal Kidney, Poetry Anthology, Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press, Yvette Prior 3 CommentsWe’re over at Robbie’s Inspiration for Day 4 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons Book Blog Tour with contributor guests Joy Neal Kidney and Yvette Prior. Join us in celebrating the release of this wonderful poetry anthology and enter the giveaway for a chance for a free digital copy.
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Day 3 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour
Posted: April 22, 2026 Filed under: Anthology, Blog Tour, Book Release, Books, Giveaways, Poetry, Poetry Readings, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours | Tags: Freya Pickard, Poetry, Poetry Anthology, Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons, V.M. Sang, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press 1 CommentDay 3 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour finds us over at Joy Neal Kidney’s blog site with fun facts and a poetry reading by V.M. Sang, and an introduction to Freya Pickard. Join us in celebrating the release of this amazing poetry anthology and enter the giveaway for a chance at a free digital copy of the book.
Day 3 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour – Joy Neal Kidney
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In Touch with Nature – The magnificent male leopard
Posted: April 22, 2026 Filed under: Animals, In Touch With Nature, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Wildlife | Tags: #InTouchWithNature, #RobbieCheadle, In Touch With Nature, Leopards, Robbie Cheadle, South Africa, Writing to be Read 43 Comments
Characteristics of male leopards
Leopards are powerful big cats and are closely related to lions, tigers, and jaguars.
The easiest way to tell the difference between a male and a female leopard is its size. Adult males typically weigh between sixty and seventy-five kilograms and are significantly larger and broader than females.
Male leopards establish large territories covering between thirty and one hundred kilometres and have a distinctive dewlap (loose skin under the neck). The heads of male leopards are broader and larger than the heads of females. The footprints of the males are also typically larger with a more rounded outer edge to the rear pad.
Males are solitary, coming together with females for only six or seven days to mate. The territory of a single males may overlap with those of several females.
Young male leopards leave their mothers to become independent at around eighteen to twenty four months of age. Males stay with their mothers longer than females in order to fully master hunting and territorial skills before leaving to live on their own. Male leopards become dominant at between four to six years of age and usually have to fight other males for control of territory.
In South Africa, leopards generally inhabit the same areas as lions and hyenas and compete with them for food.
Male leopards live for between ten and fifteen years, provided they survive their early, vulnerable years.
Slide the bar below to see the male (first picture) and the female (second picture) leopards.
Gallery
The gallery below sets out some of the photographs I took of a male leopard.
Picture captions: The pictures in the gallery above are of a female leopard. Her kill had fallen from the tree and she was picking at the remains. She then went up the tree and was resting on a branch and cleaning herself just like a house cat. The last picture is a dead baby zebra in a tree. It was dragged up there by a leopard which then left it to go and get a drink of water. It was a very tiny zebra so a little sad but leopards have to eat.
Into the Light: Leopard – artwork
Picture caption: Into the Light: Leopard in watercolours. An original artwork by Robbie Cheadle.
Exotic Pets (Double Ennead)
The poem below is extracted from my book ‘Lion Scream‘.
Bought as exotic pets
We are rescue cubs
Our owner didn’t know we could never be tamed
Our play is boisterous
We chew everything
***
Just over three months old
We have all our spots
And our denim-blue eyes have turned bright yellow
Play fighting each other
Teaches hunting skills
***
Everything is brand new
Exciting to us
A spider in its web, an experience
For our sister, who snaps,
And tries to eat it
About Roberta Eaton Cheadle
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 two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta is also the author and illustrator of seventeen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of four poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.
Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5
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Like this post? Are you a fan of this blog series? Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.
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This segment of “In Touch with Nature” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.
Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories: 20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Roost-Kaye-Lynne-Booth-ebook/dp/B0CL6FPLVJ
Midnight Garden: Where Dark Tales Grow: 17 authors bring you 21 magnificent dark tales. Stories of magic, monsters and mayhem. Tales of murder and madness which will make your skin crawl. These are the tales that explore your darkest fears. Read them in the Midnight Garden… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Garden-Where-Tales-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0DJNDQJD3
Midnight Oil: Stories to Fuel Your Nightmares: 14 authors bring you 16 dark tales that explore your deepest fears. These are the stories which nightmares are made of. Tales of monsters, mayhem, and madness which will make you shiver in the dark. Read them while you burn the Midnight Oil… if you dare. https://books2read.com/Midnight-Oil
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Day 2 of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour
Posted: April 21, 2026 Filed under: Anthology, Blog Tour, Book Release, Book Review, Books, Giveaways, Poetry, Poetry Readings, Review, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Colleen Chesebro, Dragons Rule, Jean-Jacques Fournier, Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons, V.M. Sang, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press 4 CommentsIt’s Day 2 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons Book Blog Tour, and we’re over at Dragons Rule with host and contributor V.M. Sang and contributor guests, Jean-Jacques Fournier and Colleen Chesebro. Join us in celebrating the release of this fabulous poetry anthology and get to know the contributors with fun facts, guest posts, poetry readings and reviews of their works. Leave a comment for a chance at a free digital copy of Seasons in our Giveaway.
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Opening Day of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour
Posted: April 20, 2026 Filed under: Anthology, Blog Tour, Book Release, Books, Giveaways, Poetry, Poetry Readings, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Cindy Georgakas, Hotel by Masticadores, Kevin Morris, Masticadores Phillipines, Michelle Ayon Navajas, Poetry, Poetry by Mich, Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours 8 CommentsJoin us for the opening day of the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons” Book Blog Tour with host Michelle Ayon Navajas and contributors Cindy Georgakas and Kevin Morris over on Poetry by Mich at the link below. Or you can catch it on Hotel by Masticadores and Masticadores Phillipines, where we have fun facts about each contributor and a reading by Cindy of her poem, “Dreaming of Summer”.
Help us celebrate the release of this fabulous poetry anthology, volume 6 of the Poetry Treasures Anthology Series, and get in on the free giveaway just by leaving a comment.
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Book Review: “Come Get Me”
Posted: April 17, 2026 Filed under: Audio Books, Audiobook Review, Book Review, Books, Crime, Fiction, Review, Suspense, Thriller | Tags: Book Review, Come Get Me, Crime Fiction, Molly Black, Rosanna Pilcher, Suspense/Thriller, Writing to be Read 3 CommentsAbout Come Get Me
When two dead bodies are found oddly staged on trains across the country, the FBI realizes a serial killer is at work. FBI BAU Special Agent Caitlin Dare wants to escape her dark past and never ride a train again. But when she is assigned to spearhead the case, Caitlin realizes she will have to play cat and mouse with this diabolical killer—even if it means facing her worst childhood fears.
Come Get Me is book 1 of a brand-new series by critically acclaimed and number one best-selling mystery and suspense author Molly Black, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.
The FBI is alarmed by the rash of killings on trains throughout the country, and they realize they have to put together a joint task force to tackle it. Through a partnership with the rail police, FBI Special Agent Cailtin Dare is chosen to spearhead the new unit designed to hunt killers using trains across the country.
But Cailtin remains haunted by memories of her missing sister, her unsolved case, her erratic conductor uncle, and a harrowing fear of trains.
Can Caitlin keep her own demons at bay long enough to face her past—and catch a killer?
A harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the Caitlin Dare series is a riveting mystery, packed with nonstop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you listening late into the night. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.
My Review of Come Get Me
I purchased an audiobook copy of Come Get Me, written by Molly Black and narrated by Rosanna Pilcher through a free Chirp deal. I am offering here an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
I’m not sure what it was about this book, but I had a hard time relating to the character, Caitlin Dare and the story. The story line is your average murder mystery, FBI crime thriller, but nothing unusual to make it stand out in any way. There were few places where I felt an impending sense of danger to keep me on the edge of my seat as any good thriller should. I was not particularly impressed by Pilcher’s narrative skills, as the narration sounded choppy, with missed beats often. I tried varying speeds, but it did not make it any better.
Caitlin Dare is an FBI agent that tends to go rogue and break the rules to achieve her final goal; a trope that is rather cliche and predictable. She is assigned to a new railroad crime unit and a new partner, where she is faced with having to prove herself to her superiors and to herself, by earning her partners trust and solving the latest string of murders, where victims are left posed in train cars, found only after the murderer has a chance to get away.
An average crime thriller, with a sub-par narration. I give Come Get Me three quills.
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About Kaye Lynne Booth
For Kaye Lynne Booth, writing is a passion. Kaye Lynne is an author with published short fiction and poetry, both online and in print, including her short story collection, Last Call and Other Short Fiction; and her paranormal mystery novella, Hidden Secrets; Books 1 & 2 of her Women in the West adventure series, Delilah and Sarah, and book 1 in her Time-Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, as well as her poetry collection, Small Wonders and The D.I.Y. Author writing resource.
Kaye holds a dual M.F.A. degree in Creative Writing with emphasis in genre fiction and screenwriting, and an M.A. in publishing. Kaye Lynne is the founder of WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services and WordCrafter Press, where she edits and publishes two short fiction anthologies and one poetry anthology every year amidst her many writing projects. She also maintains an authors’ blog and website, Writing to be Read, where she publishes content of interest in the literary world.
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Kaye Lynne Booth does honest book reviews on Writing to be Read in exchange for ARC digital copies, (she also accepts print copies). Have a book you’d like reviewed? You can request a review on the Book Review tab above.
