Read & Cook – On the Beach by Nevil Shute and chicken shawarma recipe

Posted: March 11, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Recipes, Review, Robbie Reads and Cooks | Tags: #ReadandCook, #recipe, #RobbieCheadle, Book Review, Chicken Shawarmas, Neville Shute, On the Beach, Read and Cook, Robbie Cheadle, Writing to be Read | 54 Comments

Given the current state of affairs in the world, I think now is a good time to share my review of this post and pre-apocalyptic novel.

My review of On the Beach by Nevil Shute

Picture caption: Cover of On the Beach by Nevil Shute

One the Beach is a post-apocalyptic novel set in Australia. The Northern Hemisphere has been completely destroyed by a nuclear war, and the residents of Southern Hemisphere are waiting for the inevitable arrival of deadly radiation. The story is set in Australia during the heat of the summer, and all of the characters are struggling to come to grips with their situations as short-term survivors of the war and the awful knowledge of their impending deaths from radiation as the nuclear fallout travels steadily southwards.

Lieutenant Commander Peter Holmes of the Royal Australian Navy is given a new and welcome assignment during this period of waiting for the inevitable deaths of himself and his family. He is appointed as the liaison officer to the American submarine, the U.S.S. Scorpion, commanded by Dwight Towers from New England in the U.S.A. The Scorpion had been near Australian waters when the global conflict erupted, and Towers and his men are now stranded with no country or homes to return to. There is an immediate contrast between the two men, Holmes and Towers, as Holmes still has his home, his wife and his baby daughter while Towers knows his home and family are gone. Towers, however, has retreated into fantasy of a sort where he still thinks of his wife and children as being alive and well and waiting for his return home even though he knows they are dead. It is incredibly moving and makes Towers’ loss that much more tragic and poignant.

Towers’ submarine has been placed under Australian command and Holmes is tasked with inspecting the Scorpion and briefing Towers about their orders to set out northwards in search of surviving life. This mission gives Holmes a small glimmer of hope that all might not be lost. In an attempt to distract Towers from his unhappy situation, Holmes extends an invitation for Towers to visit his home in Falmouth and enjoy the beach and time with Holmes’ family and friends. Towers accepts and during the visit is introduced to Moira Davidson, a beautiful and engaging young lady who has turned to alcohol and partying for solace.

The story involves three primary threads, namely, the journey of the submarine and its findings, a light romance of a sort between Moira and Towers, and the preparations by the Australian characters for their eventual deaths from radiation.

This story was an exceptionally intense and sad read for me as the characters are all such decent and ordinary people. The beach setting and sunny days at the beginning of the story combined with the forced merrymaking and pleasure taking of Holmes group of acquaintances slowly gives way to the cold and bleakness of winter and the acceptance by the various characters of their deaths. Many choose to end their lives with a pill provided by the Government for this purpose prior to succumbing to the radiation poisoning. There is no happy ending to this story and that is what’s so striking and awful about this story. There is no hope for survival for anyone right from the beginning. This is one of the few books I’ve read in my life that has made me cry.

The standout theme for me of this novel is finding meaning and purpose in the face of certain death. All of the characters in On the Beach exist in a strange period of time between the ending of the Northern Hemisphere through nuclear war and the ending of their own existence when the radioactive fallout reaches them, a period of approximately six months. The novel delves into the reactions of different people to an uncontrollable situation that can only end in death and demonstrates how some people can rise above despair and self-pity and make the most of the time they have left. Some characters turn to perpetual drunkenness or reckless car racing, but many resolve to carry on to the end with dignity and continue to do their duty. For Holmes, his duty includes continuing with his navel duties even though they ultimately become irrelevant. His wife continues to care for their baby daughter and run her home as if nothing could ever harm them.

This book was written at the height of the Cold War when the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in ideological rivalry and a nuclear arms race. On the Beach reflects the fears of the period about a potential nuclear war and the destructive potential of atomic bombs.

Quotes from On the Beach

“It’s not the end of the world at all,” he said. “It’s only the end of us. The world will go on just the same, only we shan’t be in it. I dare say it will get along all right without us.” Dwight Towers raised his head. “I suppose that’s right. There didn’t seem to be much wrong with Cairns, or Port Moresby either.” He paused, thinking of the flowering trees that he had seen on shore through the periscope, cascaras and flame trees, the palms standing in the sunlight. “Maybe we’ve been too silly to deserve a world like this,” he said. The scientist said, “That’s absolutely and precisely right.” There didn’t seem to be much more to say upon that subject, so they went up on to the bridge for a smoke, in the sunlight and fresh air.”

“Mary looked at her gratefully. “Well, that’s what I think. I mean, I couldn’t bear to—to just stop doing things and do nothing. You might as well die now and get it over.” Moira nodded. “If what they say is right, we’re none of us going to have time to do all that we planned to do. But we can keep on doing it as long as we can.”

“Two days later they reached Port Darwin and lay in the harbour beneath the town. Here they could see nothing but the wharf, the roof of Government House, and a bit of the Darwin Hotel. Fishing boats lay at anchor and they cruised around these, hailing, and examining them through the periscope. They learned nothing, save for the inference that when the end had come the people had died tidily. “It’s what animals do,” John Osborne said. “Creep away into holes to die. They’re probably all in bed.” “That’s enough about that,” the captain said. “It’s true,” the scientist remarked. “Okay, it’s true. Now let’s not talk about it any more.” The report certainly was going to be a difficult one to write.”

Purchase On the Beach from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Beach-Nevil-Shute/dp/0307473996

Recipe for chicken shawarmas

Picture caption: my final chicken shawarma which was delicious

Marinade

15 ml garlic flakes

15 ml ground coriander

15 ml cardamon

5 ml ground cayenne pepper

20 ml ground paprika

10 ml chicken stock powder

black pepper to taste

10 ml lemon juice

45 ml olive oil

Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add 8 cubed skinless chicken breasts, cover, and leave to marinade for at least three hours. Overnight is best.

Cook the chicken pieces in a wok or frying pan until they are cooked through.

Yoghurt sauce

250 ml double thick Greek yoghurt

10 ml garlic flakes

5 ml cumin

2,5 ml lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl.

Slice5 or 6 flatbreads in half. Slice tomato, red onion, cheese, and lettuce.

Assemble your shawarmas by adding a layer of lettuce, tomato, cheese, red onion, and chicken and topping it all with the yoghurt sauce.

Picture caption: these are the sides I prepared including the yoghurt sauce

Picture caption: inside of the chicken shawarma

About Robbie Cheadle

Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author photograph 2025

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/

Find Robbie Cheadle

Blog https://wordpress.com/home/robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com

Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle

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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 segment of “Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and their themed anthologies.

Tales From the Hanging Tree: Imprints of Tragedy: There exists a tree that is timeless, spanning across all dimensions, which absorbs every life as those who are hanged as they die… and it remembers every one. The stories within are a select few of the Tales From the Hanging Tree.

Curses: Chronicles of Darkness:

There are all types of curses.

Cursed places, cursed items, cursed people, cursed families.

Curses that last throughout time. Curses which can’t be broken. Curses which are brought upon ourselves. Curses that will kill you and those that will only make you wish you were dead.

Legends: Monsters That Go Bump in the Night: Coming in 2026

Lindsey’s Writing Practice: Out-of-this-world Writing Exercise

Posted: March 4, 2026 | Author: Lindsey Martin-Bowen | Filed under: Fiction, Lindsey's Writing Practice, Writing | Tags: Lindsay Martin-Bowen, Lindsey's Writing Practice, writing exercise, Writing to be Read | 14 Comments

Woman with giant pencil standing next to stack of giant papers. Bookshelves in the background. Text: Lindsey's Writing Practice with Lindsey Martin-Bowen

COFFEE, TEA, or TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER

About a month ago, an interesting piece landed in my online mailbox.

A writer named Alle posted “tips for writing emotionally heavy scenes.” It went like this:

Alle sez:

1. Make a cup of tea while you don’t think about the work. Let images, phrases, feelings

float under you and through you.

2. Take a heartening sniff of the freshly brewed tea. Sip and savor. This moment is for you.

3. To your writing space.

4. Sit comfortably. Feet flat on the ground.

5. Write relentlessly. Write-write-write and don’t stop.

6. Check your feet. Still flat?

7. Write som’ more.

When you feel you have a first draft, lean back to enjoy many more sips.

Although I’m sure Alle’s suggestions will help many writers—and dear readers, please use them if you believe they’ll kick-start your work. (And please share with me if those hints do.)

Nevertheless, every writer is different. This technique would not work for me—not for an “emotionally heavy scene.” That tea would likely send me back to bed. (Perhaps I might dream about an emotionally heavy scene, but when I awoke, I’d likely forget it.)

So what are my suggestions for penning a heavy emotional scene?

Drink coffee. Lots of it. At least, as much as you’ll require to get your pulse flowing with the heat of that “emotionally heavy scene.” I am serious here. I admit, my coffee leans more toward cafe au lait (half-coffee, half-milk). Plus, I add a bit of hot water, just so I don’t become too jittery. But I need a drink that helps me soar with those emotions I attempt to capture on the page. Especially when they contain dialogue—or spats between lovers or siblings. Or between enemies. I mean, c’on: tea for emotion? (Perhaps that works if one is wearing a kimono and performing The Mikado. But I’ll never sing opera—no matter how hard I try.) In short, I must get down and dirty with only coffee.

And then, here’s an exercise that might work well for we coffee-drinkers. Not only would it be emotional, but it might also keep us from floating too far from the earth:

First, select one of your favorite songs—with or without lyrics—and play it on whatever device works for you. Savor it while you sip that coffee, then

—Imagine you meet an alien whose world is identical to yours—EXCEPT it consists of NO MUSIC. While you sip away and savor the music, write what you would tell the alien about music. (And note—trying to describe this to a being from a planet where music does not exist will likely become a highly emotional scene, correct?) How will that alien respond?

—So, explore your thoughts and feelings about music.

—Consider what OTHERS might feel and think.

—What do you know about music anyway? How would you explain it?

—What do you observe about yourself when you listen to it?

—Do you experience an overwhelming feeling that the music creates?

—Are you able to connect what you already know and feel to something you are experiencing and observing while you listen to the music?

—Are you able to predict how the alien will respond, how he or she would feel?

REMEMBER: Writing is discovering.

Finally, after undergoing this writing exercise, consider what new observations, discoveries, relations to what you knew about music before this exercise. Have you experienced any new connections to understanding your relationship with music and expressing it to some being who had never experienced it?

And please remember to have fun with this. I did.

About Lindsey Martin-Bowen

On Halloween 2023, redbat books released Lindsey Martin-Bowen’s 7th poetry collection, CASHING CHECKS with Jim Morrison. Her 4th collection, Where Water Meets the Rock, was nominated for a Pulitzer; her 3rd, CROSSING KANSAS with Jim Morrison was a finalist in the QuillsEdge Press 2015-2016 Contest. In 2017, it won the Kansas Writers Assn award, “Looks Like a Million.” Writer’s Digest gave her “Vegetable Linguistics” an Honorable Mention in its 85th Annual (2017) Contest. Her Inside Virgil’s Garage (Chatter House Press 2013) was a runner-up in the 2015 Nelson Poetry Book Award. McClatchy Newspapers named her Standing on the Edge of the World (Woodley Press/Washburn University) was one of the Ten Top Poetry Books of 2008. It was nominated for a Pen Award.

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This post sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services.

Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need,WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.

Stop by and see what we have to offer today: https://writingtoberead.com/readings-for-writers/wordcrafter-quality-writing-author-services/

WordCrafter News: March Release – “The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions” and the 2026 Read an Ebook Week

Posted: February 23, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Blog Tour, Book Release, Book Sales, Books, Fiction, Kickstarter, romance, Science Fiction, Smashwords, Time travel, WordCrafter Book Blog Tours, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press | Tags: 2026 Read an Ebook Week, Book Blog Tours, Book Release, Kaye Lynne Booth, Kickstarter, Kickstarter campaign, Smashwords Sale, The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2 Double Visions, Time Travel Adventure Series, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press, Writing to be Read | 1 Comment

March Release

After many delays, the long-awaited release of The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions will finally arrive on March 24, 2026. I’m going all out to launch this book with both a Kickstarter and a blog tour, run simultaneously. It’s such a wild and fun story, I’m really hoping to see it do well. The Kickstarter campaign will run March 1 through 28 and the tour will run March 23-27.

About The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions

In 1887, LeRoy is stuck, bringing trouble down on those around him. Sissy is kidnapped and he’s the only one who can save her.

She wakes up in 2030, in a future very different to the one she knows, one in which she may not have been born. Amaryllis will stop at nothing to find LeRoy fix what she messed up in the past.

She and a version of Monique which is different from the one she grew up with travel back to 1887 to try and make things right.

Add two time travel regulators from the future who are after the time module, and things begin to get wild.

When the time loops are crossed, things change, but not the way Amaryllis intended and pretty soon, everybody is seeing doubles.

Purchase Link:

The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions Kickstarter Campaign

It’s almost here! The Kickstarter campaign for The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions starts Sunday, March 1. The campaign goal is $500 and we’ve got lots of rewards and several tier levels to choose from. Of course, you can get early digital copies and signed print copies of the second book in my Time Travel Adventure series at considerably less than offered through distributors when the book comes out on March 24th. Book 1 will also be available for less than retail as an add on, as well as several digital books from my catalog. But the really fun stuff is the Time Travel Adventure Series Poster and the Rock Star & The Outlaw Goodie Bag, offered at the highest tier level. But you don’t need to spend a lot to show your support, with the lowest tier level is only $5.00 and add ons are as low as $2 each.

Backing a Kickstarter campaign is a great way to show support for your favorite authors, because it’s similar to direct selling, cutting out retailers, and allowing the author to keep more of the profit from their book. You can back the Kickstarter by picking a reward tier and making a pledge. Only after the campaign funds, do you owe the money pledged, and if it doesn’t fund, you don’t owe a thing. And, if the campaign does fund, you’ll get all the cool items included in your reward tier, plus any add ons that you chose.

By clicking on the link below and indicating your interest, you will be notified as soon as the campaign goes live on March 1, so you can back the project at the reward level of your choice. Digital rewards will be fulfilled immediately after the Kickstarter campaign ends, and tangible rewards will be delivered by the end of May. Your support is appreciated. Together we can make The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions a huge success.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kayelynnebooth-wcp/the-rock-star-and-the-outlaw-2-double-visions

The WordCrafter Double Visions Book Blog Tour

The WordCrafter Double Visions Book Blog Tour will add the final send off for The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions at the end of the Kickstarter campaign, March 23-27. Meet my main p.o.v. characters and learn about the writing of the series in my guest posts, hear excerpt readings from the book, check out the reviews, and catch my review with DL Mullen on Undawnted. Of course, we’ll have a giveaway, three digital copies and one signed print copy.

Looking for Reviewers

I am looking for dependable reviewers to post reviews of The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions, (ideally, on the day of release to push the book up in the ratings). Reviews can be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and even on your own blog. If you send me a copy or a link before the blog tour starts, I can include them on the tour, as well. If you are interested, let me know in the comments and I’ll send you a digital copy for review.

2026 Read an Ebook Week on Smashwords

March 1 – 7 is the 2026 Read an Ebook Week on Smashwords. Select WordCrafter Press books will be discounted 25% – 75%, with many WP titles offered for free, only on the Smashwords Store. Below you’ll see a list of WP titles and their discounted prices. But, hurry! The sale lasts only one week. That’s one week to get these great WordCrafter Press titles at these great discounted rates.

Behind Closed Doors: A Collection of Unusual Poems, by Robbie Cheadle – $2.99 (25%)

Feral Tenderness: Poetry and Photography, by Arthur Rosch – $2.99 (25%)

Shadow Blade, by Chris Barili – $5.54 (25%)

Baiting the Hook, by Chris Barili – Free

Hidden Secrets, by Kaye Lynne Booth – $1.99 (75%)

Last Call and Other Short Fiction, by Kaye Lynne Booth – Free

Small Wonders: Reflective Poems, by Kaye Lynne Booth – .99 (75%)

Women in the West Adventure Series, by Kaye Lynne Booth

Delilah – $2.49 (50%)

Sarah – $3.49 (50%)

Narrating the Paranormal Anthology Series

Whispers of the Past – Free

Spirits of the West – Free

Where Spirits Linger – Free

Lingering Spirit Whispers set – $3.49

Ask the Authors Writing Reference Series

Ask the Authors – Free

Ask the Authors 2022 – Free

Poetry Treasures Series

Poetry Treasures – .99 (75%)

Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships – .99 (75%)

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions – $1.99 (50%)

Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature – $1.99 (50%)

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures – $2.99 (25%)

The Midnight Dark Fiction Anthology Series

Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Tales – $1.74 (75%)

Midnight Garden: Where Dark Tales Grow – $3.49 (50%)

Midnight Oil: Stories to Fuel Your Nightmares – $5.24 (25%)

Themed Anthologies

Curses: Chronicles of Darkness – $2.99 (25%)

Tales From the Hanging Tree: Imprints of Tragedy – $2.99 (25%)

Once Upon an Ever After – $2.99 (25% off)

Visions – $3.74 (25% off)

Refracted Reflections – $2.99 (25% off)

About Author 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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This post sponsored by WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services.

Whether it’s editing, publishing, or promotion that you need,WordCrafter Quality Writing & Author Services can help at a price you can afford.

Stop by and see what we have to offer today: https://writingtoberead.com/readings-for-writers/wordcrafter-quality-writing-author-services/

A Birthday Wish in 2026

Posted: February 20, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Release, Books, Fiction, Kickstarter, Science Fiction, Time travel, WordCrafter Press | Tags: Kaye Lynne Booth, Kickstarter, My Birthday, The Rockstar & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions, Writing to be Read | 6 Comments

My birthday is March 3! And this year, I have a birthday wish that you can help to fulfill.

After two long years of waiting, the second book in my Time Travel Adventure series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions is finally ready to release. I’m doing the launch for this one a little different and run the book blog tour simultaneously with a Kickstarter campaign. Buying through the Kickstarter is better, because you can get digital copies much cheaper than you can through retailers, or exclusive items, like signed print copies and merchandise that isn’t available anywhere else. And, when you buy through the Kickstarter, I get to keep more money from the sale than I do when they sell through retailers. My funding goal is $500, but I wouldn’t cry if we exceeded that by far.

I haven’t run a Kickstarter in a couple of years, so it feels good to get back in the saddle. It is wonderful to watch those pledges rise, and there is nothing like the feeling of success once your campaign funds.

So, that’s my birthday wish; to successfully fund The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions Kickstarter campaign. And while I doubt that it will fund in only two days, (it would be nice, but doubtful), if it funds before the end of the campaign, on March 28th, I will still consider my birthday wish fulfilled. You can help give me my birthday wish by clicking on the link below and indicating your interest. Once I have at least ten followers, my following will be shown publicly. All you are doing now is expressing interest. Then, you will be notified when the campaign launches on March 1, and you can show your support at the reward level of your choice.

You can back the project for as little as $5, and every little bit counts when the pledges are building. You don’t need to pay your pledge until after the campaign ends, and if it doesn’t fund, you owe nothing. But my wish is that the campaign funds and maybe even exceeds the goal, which is why I’m asking for your support.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kayelynnebooth-wcp/the-rock-star-and-the-outlaw-2-double-visions

Won’t you please help give this old gal the best birthday ever?

About The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions

If you read the first book, you may not need any coaxing to buy Book 2. But in case you haven’t, let me tell you a little about The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions. This is a ‘gotta have it’ time travel story; a truly wild and crazy ride.

Book Cover: The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions, by Kaye Lynne Booth

In 1887, LeRoy is stuck, bringing trouble down on those around him. Sissy is kidnapped and he’s the only one who can save her.

She wakes up in 2030, in a future very different to the one she knows, one in which she may not have been born. Amaryllis will stop at nothing to find LeRoy fix what she messed up in the past.

She and a version of Monique which is different from the one she grew up with travel back to 1887 to try and make things right.

Add two time travel regulators from the future who are after the time module, and things begin to get wild.

When the time loops are crossed, things change, but not the way Amaryllis intended and pretty soon, everybody is seeing doubles.

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.

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This post is sponsored by the Time Travel Adventure Series and WordCrafter Press.

When a Woman with a Guitar Meets a Cowboy with a Gun, It’s Time to Travel

The Rock Star & The Outlaw: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Star-Outlaw-Time-Travel-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0CJBRRCN1/

The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Seeing Doubles: Coming in March 2026

Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and author, Laura Lyndhurst, and a review

Posted: February 18, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Collection, Interview, Poetry, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: #RobbieCheadle, #TreasuringPoetry, Book Review, Interview, Laura Lyndhurst, Poetry, Robbie Cheadle, Social Climbing and Other Poems, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read | 31 Comments

A riverbed with lillypads, water, and grasses.
Text: Treasuring Poetry 2026 with Robbie Cheadle and Kaye Lynne Booth

Hi everyone, today I’m thrilled to introduce you to Laura Lyndhurst. Laura is an accomplished author and poet and is also a new member of Story Empire blog which is a great resource for writers. You can read Laura’s first Story Empire post here: https://storyempire.com/2026/02/10/sowing-the-seeds-of-a-story/

Welcome Laura!

Tell us a bit about yourself and your poetry journey. How did you come to be a poet?

I never intended to write poetry. At school it was my least-favourite of the three prose-poetry-drama disciplines, and I didn’t like many of the poems that we studied. It was the same at university, when I finally got there in my forties. I was obliged to study Romanticism for my first-year core module, and I hated it. Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelly; I wasn’t keen on them, although I was okay with some of Keats’s work. In the second year I couldn’t help but study more poetry, and I didn’t mind John Donne at all.

As to my own work, it was when I joined a Facebook writing group that it started. The group leader decided to post a picture every day for the month of October, inviting the group members to write a few paragraphs of prose around them. I sat with the first picture, thought, wrote—and what came out was poetry. The leader and members liked it, and thereafter I challenged myself to write poem every day from the picture prompt. At the end of the months I decided to publish them in a book, to claim copyright on them as much as anything. I called it October Poems, after the month in which I wrote them, and three more little collections followed in the next year or two.

What is your favourite poem by another poet and why?

That’s difficult. I like poetry more now than I used to, and there are several poets whose work appeals. I tend to listen to Leonard Cohen’s songs more than I read his poems, but he does have a way with lyrics; I mean, ‘the place is dead as Heaven on a Saturday night’ is so great. Hardy’s ‘The Darkling Thrush’ is up there, along with ‘This Be The Verse’ by Phillip Larkin. ‘Pity me not because the light of day’ by Edna St. Vincent Millay and ‘Rubbish at Adultery’ by Sophie Hannah attract, from the serious and the not-so as well. Choice for today, however, has to be ‘Refugee Blues’ by W.H. Auden. It never gets old, unfortunately, and although it’s written around one specific ethnic refugee group it can be applied to the myriad groups in existence before and since it was written; and now, in the 2020s, it feels massively relevant. You can find it here: https://allpoetry.com/refugee-blues

What is your favourite style of poetry and why?

Another difficult question. I don’t have a favourite style as such. I’ll read many different poems, some I’ll like and some I won’t, but the style of writing doesn’t have much bearing on why I like them or not. I do have an author friend, Thomas Leverett, who writes extensively in haiku form, and I loved his E Pluribus Haiku, which feels like travelling around the USA in haiku form. It’s on the link below, if you’re interested.https://www.amazon.com/Pluribus-Haiku-Anthology-3487-ebook/dp/B08X2YRQB2

Which is your favourite of your own poems?

I love them all, some more than others, it has to be admitted. I’ll choose the last one I wrote, however, because it is the last one and about ‘the end’. It’s from Social Climbing and Other Poems, and inspired by Clive Thompson’s photo of the altar of a Greek Orthodox Church.

Due Process

Your case has been a lengthy one; eighty-four years it’s taken, to

observe your less-than-perfect deeds and gather evidence to

aid the prosecution. But now you’ll have your day in court and

the jury gathered here, the Twelve, will finally decide, for or

against, whether you stay righteous here or whether you go down.

You wish to conduct your own defence? No, really, that won’t do, you’ll

be given representation. One of these saintly suits here gathered,

yes, that’s right, the ones with haloed wigs, will intercede for you.

Sorry for the delay; we understand that it’s a real nerve-wracking time for

you, but we can’t begin until His Honour gets here to take His place there,

in the big chair. The witnesses are here for you, plus jury, twelve good men

and true, not to forget the female sex, the immaculate, to try to push

your sins aside and hide you ‘neath their garments of compassion.

But nothing can occur until the God-Father is here; He’s judge

and jury all in one, Divine Justice in person. So please don’t fret,

or maybe do, for He knows you as well as you, and maybe better.

This whole set-up is just for show, to satisfy the need to see the

wheels of justice set in motion; your sentence fixed already,

your judgement day is here.

And here Our Father approaches now.

The court will rise …

Tell us a bit about your book, Social Climbing and other poems – what is the inspiration for the collection?

At the time I was friends with a photographer, Clive Thompson, and one of his pictures inspired a poem – ‘So This is Christmas’, which I recently published on my blog. Clive then allowed me to put together a book of my poems written to the prompts of some of his pictures.

What’s next for Laura Lyndhurst in the world of writing?

No more poetry, I’m afraid; nothing planned, at any rate, but if something occurs then I’ll be putting it together. At present I’m editing my latest novel, a whodunnit of sorts; a new departure for me, sort-of, because although I like adding a bit of a mystery to some of my stories this will be the first time I’ve brought the police in to investigate. It’s more focussed on before the murder, the personalities involved and their potential motivations. After that I’ll see what else occurs to me.

Many thanks for interviewing me. I’ve enjoyed it very much.

My review of SOCIAL CLIMBING: and Other Poems

Picture caption: The cover of Social Climbing and Other Poems featuring a pair of shiny, red high heeled shoes against a white background inset into a red background

When I saw the cover of this collection, the shiny, red high heeled shoes against a white background, it reminded me of the movie, The Devil Wears Prada featuring Merril Streep and I was completely fascinated. I was not disappointed as this interesting collection of freestyle poems is a head on collision with an array of social situations, many of which are uncomfortable.

“The sit inside and watch the show, these Parisian fans of opera; but we,

lacking the means to buy the tickets for the red-plush, well-upholstered

seats and ornate murals, gilt-decked swirls and whirls of rococo decor,

prefer to take our entertainment in quite another way. Out here in the street”

from Street Theatre

Laura slices to the heart of human emotions and frustrations and these poetic expressions resonated with me. One poem I particularly delighted over is “I don’t know much about art but I know what I like”.

“So I’m breaking out of normalcy,

gone so very Modernisth,

this El Greco’s got his paintbox out

and given life a twist.”

Honestly, this poem made me laugh until I cried. Fantastic!

Each poem is introduced with a beautiful colour photograph by photographer, Clive Thompson.

Do yourself a favour, purchase this collection and allow Laura to put your life in perspective for you.

About Laura Lyndhurst

Picture caption: Author photograph of Laura Lyndhurst

Laura Lyndhurst was born and grew up in North London, England, before marrying and travelling with her husband in the course of his career.

When settled back in the UK she became a mature student and gained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English and Literature before training and working as a teacher.

She started writing in the last few years in the peace and quiet of rural Lincolnshire, and published her debut novel, Fairytales Don’t Come True, in May 2020. This book forms the first of a trilogy, Criminal Conversation, of which the second is Degenerate, Regenerate and All That We Are Heir To the third. Innocent, Guilty, the first of another trilogy, continues the story told in these three books and leads on to The Future of Our House, which is followed by Uphill, Downhill, Over, Out as the sixth and final book to end the series. An Honourable Institution was published as a stand-alone novel in January 2025, as was The Guilty Party in September 2025.

Laura also developed a taste for psychological suspense, which led to the writing and publication of You Know What You Did, to which What Else Did You Do? is the sequel.

Laura has also published four small books of poems, October Poems, Thanksgiving Poems and Prose Pieces, Poet-Pourri and Social Climbing and Other Poems.

Find Laura Lyndhurst

Website: https://booksthatmakeyouthink2.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.lyndhurst (personal profile)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauralyndhurstauthor/ (author profile)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Laura-Lyndhurst/author/B088QFJJ3Q

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20336562.Laura_Lyndhurst

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyndhurstlauraauthor/

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/lyndhurstlaura/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alectrona47

About Robbie Cheadle

Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author picture

South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

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This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.

Get Your Copy Today!

Poetry Treasures: https://books2read.com/PoetryTreasures

Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: https://books2read.com/PT2-Relationships

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: https://books2read.com/u/b5qnBR

Poetry Treasures 4:In Touch With Nature: https://books2read.com/PT4-Nature

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures: https://books2read.com/PT5-SmallPleasures

Book Review: “Wild Seduction”

Posted: February 13, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Fiction, Review, romance, Western, western romance | Tags: Amber Everly, Book Reveiw, Kaye Lynne Booth, western romance, Wild Seduction, Writing to be Read | Leave a comment

About Wild Seduction

Dr. Rowan Ashford is an elite equine trauma surgeon—precise, ambitious, and on the run from a career-ending crisis. Her task is simple: travel to the snowy isolation of Montana, save a prize stud named Legacy, and earn enough to wipe out a crushing, $500,000 debt. The only thing standing between her and financial freedom is Jake Wild, a formidable, stone-cold rancher whose only priority is the bottom line—the crippling ledger of Wild Acres.

Haunted by his father’s legacy of failure, Jake views Rowan as a temporary, high-cost asset. He’s determined to keep the brilliant, fiery surgeon who saved his horse at arm’s length, fearing that any emotional attachment will lead to the ultimate loss. But when a brutal winter blizzard traps them alone in the isolated ranch house, the fight for survival quickly ignites a desperate, undeniable passion.

Under the pressure of a life-or-death rescue, Jake’s stoic shell shatters, revealing the vulnerable man beneath. Rowan forces him to choose: cling to the past and the fear of commitment, or embrace a future where their passion is matched by a powerful, multi-million dollar partnership. The seduction of Wild Acres is fierce, but the vow they make in the firelight is forever.

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Seduction-Amber-Everly-ebook/dp/B0FWV7DNMY

My Review of Wild Seduction

I received a free digital copy of Wild Seduction, by Amber Everly, from the review program on Sandra’s Book Club in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.

I chose this book because I liked the cover. The cover image and the title told me the story would be western romance, which is right up my alley. Although I’m not a big romance reader, in 2018, I was a judge for the Western Writers of America Spur awards and romance was my category, so I can honestly say I’ve read a lot of western romance.

Luke Wild is a traditional rancher, who values the old ways handed down by his father. He bears the weight of his father’s legacy, but feels inadequate to carry it on, especially when the ranch is failing and on the verge of going under. Rowan is the headstrong veterinarian who can save his prize horse and the ranch with all her modern medicine and equipment, if he’ll give her control to do so. Two strong willed characters, they go head-to-head in the struggle to save the horse and accept each other for their strengths.

In Wild Seduction, Everly follows classic romance story structure, for the most part, and romance tropes, making this book 1 in the series. She veers from the standard his view/her view with alternating chapters by adding more than main two P.O.V. characters, Luke and Rowan, including brief chapter viewpoints of brothers Nick and Mike , and that of foreman Pete. We don’t hear a lot from these other characters, and I found it kind of distracting, as I couldn’t see the author’s purpose in including them. If they were being introduced because their stories will be told in subsequent books in the series, they did not feel important enough here, I felt like they were just there to make the reader aware of the characters, but that could have been accomplished through the viewpoint of Luke, and not felt out of place. That being said, I felt the alternating chapters worked well to let the story unfold.

I had some difficulty relating to the characters for a couple of different reasons. One, I am not familiar with the ranching world or the veterinary world, but Everly did a great job of introducing me to these other areas and educating me in an unobtrusive way. But also, these character’s insight is way too clear to be believable. Luke knows he’s his own greatest obstacle because of his feelings of obligation to tradition and his father’s ways. Rowan knows the faults that are holding her back, giving both of them clear choices to make. But I find most people are not that honest with themselves and must struggle to identify and admit what’s blocking them before they can deal with it, and I don’t see that happening with either of these characters. Usually everyone around can see the trouble before the main character does. But these two know who they are and what they want quite clearly, leaving the path to creating a romance with their opposites on a straight path with few surprises.

A classic western romance with a good volley between character point of views. I give Wild Seduction four 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.

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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.

Read & Cook – Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara and Multicoloured Jelly Cupcakes

Posted: February 11, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Collection, Poetry, Read and Cook, Recipes, Review | Tags: #ReadandCook, #RobbieCheadle, Book Reveiw, Nicole Sara, Poetry, Recipes, Rhyming Dreams, Writing to be Read | 32 Comments

Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara

What Amazon says

Rhyming Dreams is an enchanting and engaging collection of poems about the heart’s winding journey through deep wistful longing towards bliss and belonging along the meandering road of love and loss, hope and healing. This book is for anyone who dreams a lot, loves deeply, and has both good and bad days.. like steps on a pathway, be them confident or hesitating, nevertheless tirelessly searching for happiness in the enjoyment of small things around, yet so sweet, that life has to offer.

Each and every poem in this debut collection is deeply rooted in personal moments and experiences but still wonderfully universal, so that you feel taken by the hand and shown the beauty and brightness of it all, thus wholeheartedly invited to gently give yourself grace beyond the sadness of blue gloomy days, the tears or the brokenness.

This collection of beautifully flowing and uplifting verse is a soothing balm for the soul in search of serenity, helping the reader to reach peaceful shores deep within.

for here, on Earth, you and I
bearing within us the sky
we dance away beneath whispering stars
trying to reach beyond rails and bars
(fromKinship)

My review

Picture caption: Cover of Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara featuring a female goddess in tones of blue against a turquoise background

The poetry content of Rhyming Dreams is a delightfully ethereal as its striking cover of a female goddess in shades of blue against a turquoise background. The poet introduces this collection with an overview about the large variety of different steps she has taken during her life and how they have led her on different journeys. Some steps are hard to take and some are taken quickly, heedless of potential danger, but all lead to change. The overarching message in this introduction and in this book, is that no matter how tough life gets, our feet always eventually grow wings again and our steps led us upwards, in pursuit of our dreams and better opportunities.

Many of the poems are written in rhyming verse which is a favourite form of mine, and all are exquisitely beautiful. Each poem is matched with one of the poet’s wonderful colour photographs that compliment the words. One of the objectives of this collection is to create and share beauty by engaging all of the senses in a sensuous and vivid way. It creates a path of poems to joy and gratitude.

One of my favourite poems in the collection is called Starry Steps and it provides a small peek into the collection.

Starry Steps
“to step on stairs
of stars

to breathe in their light,
their dream

touching their statin star dust
beyond clouds

and the moon…
smiling
from within their shine

and hiding behind veils of rays
to fall asleep

sun in your heart…”

A poetry collection that uplifts and inspires.

Purchase Rhyming Dreams by Nicole Sara from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Rhyming-Dreams-Nicole-Sara-ebook/dp/B0DCZXWMBF

Multicoloured Jelly Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 each red, green, orange, blue and pink jelly; 1 lemon jelly; 125 ml evaporated milk; and 250 ml clear apple juice

Method

Make up the red, green, orange, blue and pink jellies according to the instructions on the packet. When set, chop the jellies roughly into squares. Heat the apple juice and dissolve the lemon jelly in the juice and allow to cool. Add the slightly beaten evaporated milk. Place cupcake holders on a baking tray and fill them to three quarters full with different coloured squares of jelly. Cover the jelly pieces with the lemon mixture. Place in the refrigerator to set overnight.

About Robbie Cheadle

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

Find Robbie Cheadle

Blog https://wordpress.com/home/robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com

Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyFo_OJLPqFa9ZhHnCfHUA

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle

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This segment of “Read and Cook with Robbie Cheadle” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and their themed anthologies.

Curses: Chronicles of Darkness:

There are all types of curses.

Cursed places, cursed items, cursed people, cursed families.

Curses that last throughout time. Curses which can’t be broken. Curses which are brought upon ourselves. Curses that will kill you and those that will only make you wish you were dead.

Legends: Monsters That Go Bump in the Night: Coming in 2026

LINDSEY’S WRITING PRACTICE: Book Review

Posted: February 4, 2026 | Author: Lindsey Martin-Bowen | Filed under: Anthology, Book Review, Books, Dark fiction, Fiction, Lindsey's Writing Practice, Review, Short Fiction, Stories | Tags: Book Reveiw, Lindsey Martin-Bowen, Lindsey's Writing Practice, Midnight Garden, Writing to be Read | 3 Comments

Anthology Review: MIDNIGHT GARDEN: Where Dark Tales Grow

Book Cover: Midnight Garden, Where Dark Tales Grow, edited by Kaye Lynne Booth

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/MidnightGardenAnthology

Readers who relish dark tales will love this collection of numerous stories that often blend humorous word play to add levity to some very dark situations. For example, this second anthology in the Midnight Anthology Series, MIDNIGHT GARDEN, opens with award-winning author Paul Kane’s “Drip Feed.” The story incorporates light-hearted word-play into a grim setting–the polar opposite of the romantic backdrop in Kane’s “The White Lady,” from the 2023 MIDNIGHT ROOST collection.

In fact, this dark tale unsettled my psyche so much, I almost refused to comment upon it until after I read it a second time. Then, I focused upon its metaphoric interpretation,which is quite valid, especially considering our current world situation. And like many stories in this group, this one reveals some strong feminist themes. Thus, I now urge readers to “hang in there” while they peruse this midnight story.
Likewise, Ell Rodman’s “The Drummer,” set four hundred years ago in “Cull County.”
(yes—look up the noun definition for “cull” to glean this story’s underlying interpretation), projects both in-depth—but frightening images. (Note it ends in a fiery place where the Drummer ”wore fitted black robes, bearing a massive wooden hammer and a dark shield.”) Along with incorporating history into this piece, Rodman’s detailed descriptions of the environment keep readers traveling a mysterious path to the tale’s conclusion.
Also suspenseful but not as grim,, DL Mullan’s “Kurst,” is one of my favorites in this collection. Set in Salt Pines, a village in Arizona, “between dreamy pine peaks and unfathomable horrors,” the story opens when Karen Kurst leaves her editing job to checkout the “Kurst inheritance” on the Toronto National Forest’s eastern edge. After she encounters Sheriff “Bear” Barrett, who offers her background about her inheritance and eading materials, this story takes readers on a wild—frightening—but fulfilling “ride.”
Another favorite, Roberta Eaton Cheadle’s “Amahle’s Demon” reveals how little we often understand about our fellow creatures, which can result in heartbreaking ends. One of six elephants comprising a “sanctuary herd” recently moved to “another kraal near the visitors’ centre, ready for the afternoon tour.” Unfortunately, a much smaller creature—and a human’s ignorance led to an ending that evoked my tears.
Denise Aparo’s “Jack Moon and the Vanishing Book” (also a favorite tale) takes readers on a magical adventure of the mind—or perhaps into a different dimension via a “much sought-after Vanishing Book that steals souls.” While enjoying this other worldly piece, readers may decide whether it’s an earthly adventure or a magical one while enjoying the ride.
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As I mentioned in my review of Midnight Roost, I’m mostly a rom-com fan, and Jon Shannon’s “Stitch” could fall into that category. But with a warning: Yes, it’s a romantic story about the characters Andy, a taxidermist and his wife, Julie, a superb seamstress, and the unusual creations they build together, which many of their colleagues consider bizarre. This tale comes with a warning, too: Its ironic humor is quite dark—and leads to a surprise “tongue-in-cheek” ending.
Julie Jones’s “Black Moon” serves as an allegory much like stories from ancient Greece. In fact, it brings to mind C.S. Lewis’s novel, Till We Have Faces, based upon Greek mythological characters.
In contrast, “Antepenultimate,” Molly Ertel ‘s first person narrative, initially evokes chuckles at the narrator’s obsession with the ticking of an antique “KIT-Cat Klock” that began “talking” to her until the narrator became obsessed with an internal urge that leads her down a terrible—and terrifying path.
Similarly, Kaye Lynne Booth’s first -person narrator in “The Puppet Men,” another of my favorites, awakens in a pitch-black room, where she encounters “A thin sliver of light coming in under the door” that clued [her] “memory” to recount she was sleeping in a dark room in her grandmothers house. There, she also hears “high-pitched , twittering, kind of chirpy” voices coming from her grandmother’s felt puppet collection. As an adult, she remains obsessed with those voices she found so threatening that she puts off back surgery to avoid the anesthetic, which she fears will bring the “evil puppets” back into her life.
In a similar vein, Alex Constance’s “The Peddler,” another “dark” tale, serves as an allegory about the downfalls of greed. And Constance’s description of the peddler, “Ichabod” reminded me of Disney’s Ichabod Crane in Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” especially in Disney’s cartoon version of that tale.

Although Danacka Scrimshaw’s “The Fae Game” at first appears to be a much “lighter: tale than most of those in this collection, the “flip” at its conclusion inspires in the reader feelings that are quite eerie.,

Prolific author Joseph Carrabis penned five stories in this collection, each with merit:

—“Striders,” with a “just desserts” ending, this sci-fi piece gives another nod to feminism
—“Grande Ture,” a short, intense tale that creates a strong statement about AI.
—“The Last Drop,” which illustrates ignorance and bigotry often leads to the opposite of bliss.
—And what I consider Carrabis’s literary masterpiece in this collection,“The Tomb,” a deep tale centering around a blind man who undergoes an operation to retain his sight. Although its plot varies significantly from the Val Kilmer 1999 film, At First Sight. (based upon a true case study by Dr. Oliver Sacks), it shares one of the movie’s sequence of events that creates the stories’ themes about the protagonist: being blind, undergoing an operation that gives him sight, then becoming disoriented when adapting to a visual world—and realizing he had more “sight” in his physical blindness. (Carrabis’s tale contains more “dark” physical drama in its conclusion.)

Aptly scribed with engaging (albeit sometimes weird) characters, all stories in this collection entice readers via their talented, skilled authors. And even if a story is terribly dark, most readers would likely concur it ends with characters reaping well-deserved fates—or “poetic justice,” such as those in Robbie White’s“Fire Sale at the Burdock Family Business” and Zack Ellafy’s “Self-Mutiny,”with its “poetic justice” ending. Indeed, even a narrator reaps his “just dessert in Paul Martz’s “The Blackest Ink.”

And for this well-written collection’s finale, the 2024 Wordcrafter Dark Fiction Contest winner, an engaging but eerie saga,‘The Seagull Man,” by M.J. Mallon unfolds with a detailed description of that bird-like man, who wears grey and white clothes and strolls regularly to the shore with a flock of seagulls circling him along the way. In contrast, “[t]he inhabitants of Cave Birdie knew of the Seagull Man’s reputation, his legend, and avoided contact with him.”

As the tale progresses, the reader learns why his neighbors avoid him—and most likely shares their reaction until the story unfolds in an unanticipated manner—a story that might be defined as a fantastical, especially for this reviewer who’s partial to Rom-Coms, including the eerie ones.

About Lindsey Martin-Bowen

On Halloween 2023, redbat books released Lindsey Martin-Bowen’s 7th poetry collection, CASHING CHECKS with Jim Morrison. Her 4 th collection, Where Water Meets the Rock, was nominated for a Pulitzer; her 3rd, CROSSING KANSAS with Jim Morrison was a finalist in the QuillsEdge Press 2015-2016 Contest. In 2017, it won the Kansas Writers Assn award, “Looks Like a Million.” Writer’s Digest gave her “Vegetable Linguistics” an Honorable Mention in its 85th Annual (2017) Contest. Her Inside Virgil’s Garage (Chatter House Press 2013) was a runner-up in the 2015 Nelson Poetry Book Award. McClatchy Newspapers named her Standing on the Edge of the World (Woodley Press/Washburn University) was one of the Ten Top Poetry Books of 2008. It was nominated for a Pen Award.

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This segment of “Lindsey’s Writing Practice” 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

Writer’s Corner: Who Are You Writing For?

Posted: February 2, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Promotion, Writer's Corner, Writing | Tags: BookMarketing, Kaye Lynne Booth, Writer's Corner, Writing, Writing to be Read | 2 Comments

Who are you writing for?

This was the first question posed to me in graduate school. And it baffled me. What did my instructor mean? I write because I have something to say, because there are words inside of me that need to come out. At the time, if there was any one person I wrote for it was my deceased son, Michael, who had been my biggest fan when he was alive.

But that wasn’t what he meant. He meant who was my target audience. I wasn’t writing for an audience of teenaged boys, who were on the verge of becoming men, which is the audience my son would fall into. At the time I had written a few short stories, and had not yet tried my hand at a longer, book length work, but nothing that members of such an audience would be drawn to.

He meant that I needed to know about the persons who would want to read my books, so I could write them in a way that would appeal to them and draw readers from that group to them. I needed to know what their reader expectations are, so I can be sure my story meets them. After all, it’s not a romance if there isn’t a HEA (Happily Ever After), or at least a HFN (Happy For Now), in the ending.

That’s a trope of romance, but it is one that every reader of romance will expect to find, and they will be disappointed if your story doesn’t deliver it. So, it’s important to know the tropes for your genre, as well. But the original question of who you are writing for is important for more reasons than that one, because you need this knowledge about your target reader audience not only to write to expectation, but to market your book properly. You need to know who your book is aimed at and then you need to know where to find them, so you can get book promotions in front of them.

Being a multi-genre author makes it all more difficult. Multi-genre authors need to know tropes for each genre they write in, and they need to know the audience for each genre, as well. I must be sure I’m not marketing my western historical women’s fiction of my Women in the West adventure series someplace where all the gamers hang out, because they won’t give a fig about those books. However, they might be interested in the dark fiction anthologies in the Midnight anthology series, so it might be smart to market those books there. Anthologies have several authors, who all write to a slightly different audience, so in that way, they may widen the scope of audience appeal. But the need to know who you are trying to appeal to is just as great, if not greater than it was when I was creating the books.

Children’s books are tricky, because you’re writing for the kids, but marketing to the parents. Although the books aren’t written for adults, if they don’t appeal to the parents, they aren’t going to sell. When you write for kids, you bury the message within the story framework, so it is delivered subtly, as they are entertained by the story. In my marketing, I point out that each book carries with it a moral lesson, even though the kids wouldn’t give a fig about that. If the wonderful illustrations by Robbie Cheadle draw the child’s attention, the ammunition is there to help convince the parents.

As you can see, who you are writing for is important to know for several reasons. So, what’s your answer?

Who are you writing for?

About Author Kaye Lynne Booth

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This segment of “Writer’s Corner” is sponsored by the Robbie’s Inspiration blog site, where you can find ideas on writing and baking with hostess, Robbie Cheadle.

WordCrafter News: February – Writing Month: “The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions”

Posted: January 26, 2026 | Author: kayelynnebooth | Filed under: Book Promotion, Books, Fiction, Science Fiction, Time travel, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press, Writing | Tags: First in Series Promotion, The Rock Star & the Outlaw, The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2 Double Visions, Time Travel Adventure Series, WordCrafter News, WordCrafter Press | Leave a comment

If you follow Writing to be Read, then you know that I was a big NaNoWriMo participant each November for several years now. I found that it offered an opportunity to get a good start on a novel in a thirty-day period, and I enjoyed the more structured writing regime, although I don’t think I could keep it up over a longer period. It is just too rigorous.

But in November of 2025, there was no more NaNoWriMo, and so, I had to decide how to proceed, since I had the month set aside to start writing the third book in my Women in the West adventure series, Marta. The solution I came up with was to run the challenge for myself. I didn’t have the fifty thousand words by November first, but I was very close. I crossed that threshold on December 3. Not too bad.

Doing it on my own, proved that I didn’t need a fancy digital counter to keep track of my progress, or fancy digital badges to tell me I was doing good. It proved that I had the discipline to get the words to page and determination to follow through. 50,000 words is a good start on a novel and Marta is now at over 55,000. But doing it on my own also taught me that I like cranking out novels in this manner. So much so, that in my 2026 production schedule, I’ve set aside two months to be writing months, and February is one of them.

For this February, my focus will actually be on putting the finishing touches on The Rock Star & The Outlaw 2: Double Visions, the second book in my time travel adventure series. This book was originally scheduled to release in 2025, and the story is written. Computer issues prevented me to complete it on time, so I’m really happy to finally be able to set it up for publishing. I will be doing a final read through and edit, adding the extensive playlist for the second book (with more viewpoint characters in this book, there are more than two playlists for this one), and do all the formatting to make it publishing ready.

Perhaps I should call this a production month, rather than a writing month, since my focus will be on publishing preparations and promotion. Whatever I call it, there is no doubt I’ll be busy. I’m planning to launch Double Visions with the usual blog tour, but I’m going to do it during the additional Kickstarter campaign for the book, so the two will run simultaneously. There will plenty to do to set all of that up, I assure you. There are blog posts to write, excerpt readings and book trailers to create, and rewards to set-up, as well as organizing tour hosts and soliciting reviews.