Roberta Writes – Smothered by B.T. Clearwater Book Blog Tour

Picture caption: Book Blog Tour Banner for Smothered by B.T. Clearwater

The Giveaway

Leave a comment at each stop to let us know you were here and get an entry for a chance at one of three digitals copies to given away in a random drawing at the end of the tour.

About Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater

Picture caption: Cover of Smothered by B.T. Clearwater

Annie Brown’s life could use some renovation. She’s in trouble at work, her ex-boyfriend is stalking her, and she’s just inherited a dilapidated Victorian home from her late mother, who hasn’t quite moved out yet. The last thing Annie needs in her life is a man, but when handyman Mike Tolbert comes to fix her dishwasher, she lets him demo her doubt.

Mike doesn’t need the distraction of a relationship either. An Iraq War combat veteran and divorcee, Mike suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is dealing with a manipulative ex. Yet, something about Annie snags his heart and he finds he cannot walk away from her.

Annie’s mother doesn’t approve of their relationship, and she’s willing to cross from the realm of death to that of the living to control her daughter. With the ghost of her mother

haunting them, Mike and Annie face his PTSD, her troubles at work, and a deadly plot to steal her childhood home, all while fighting to keep their love alive.

Excerpt Reading: “Mike’s Flashback” (Chap. 11)

In this excerpt, from Chapter 11, Mike, who is dealing with P.T.S.D., has a flashback to a time when they were under fire and his friend was killed.

About B.T. Clearwater

Picture caption: Author B.T. Clearwater photograph

B.T. Clearwater grew up writing stories, winning Literary Student of the Year for Lake George Central High School in 1984. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Western State Colorado University, graduating both Summa Cum Laude, and is a two-time alum of the Superstars Writing Seminars run by Kevin J. Anderson. B.T. routinely judges the Zebulon writing contest for Pike’s Peak Writers, and has published fiction under the science fiction, fantasy, romance, western, horror, and crime genres under different pen names. B.T. Clearwater lives in Colorado Springs with a dog, a cat, and a cast of fictional characters for company.

Tour Schedule

Mon. 6/1: Writing to be Read – Reading: Annie’s Opening Scene (Chap. 1)

Tues. 6/2: Roberta Writes – Reading: Mike’s Flashback (Chap. 11)

Wed. 6/3: Undawnted – Interview

Thurs. 6/4: Writing to be Read – Reading: A Ghostly Appearance by Mother Mary (Chap. 10)

Fri. 6/5: Poetry by Mich, Hotel by Masticadores, and Masticadores Phillipines – Reading: Annie and Jason (Chap. 5)

Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday and The Flower Hour

Tanka Tuesday

Melissa’s challenge is to write a haiku or micro poem that is a little edgy or off beat. I’m not sure mine fit the criteria of edgy but here they are.

You can join Tanka Tuesday here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/05/26/tankatuesday-poetry-challenge-no-66-exploring-haiku-5-26-26/

three giraffes

exchanging news at

The Salt Lick

Picture caption: These three giraffes all look so startled. The photograph gave me a giggle.

***

ginger calf

walks with confidence

tail flicking

Picture caption: Ginger giraffe calf with a ox pecker on its neck

***

eager mom

awkwardly bending

to reach treat

Picture caption: These giraffes really made me laugh. They looked so funny. This one had five ox peckers on its back.

The Flower Hour

These photographs of South African autumn / early winter flowers are for Terri’s The Flower Hour. You can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/26/the-flower-hour-32-going-to-the-dog-woods/

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Pig’s Ear
Aloe
Aloe
Indian Tree Spurge
Candelabra aloe
Candelabra aloe

In Touch with Nature – The Animal Performance, a song parody of Cabaret

Thanks for Kaye Lynne Booth for hosting this post.

It is my grand finale for Dan Antion’s TDWC26 which you can join here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

In Touch with Nature – The Animal Performance (Cabaret)

Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, TDWC26, Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, CFFC, Bird of the Week, Sunday Stills and Thank you’s

Tanka Tuesday

Colleen’s challenge is to write a poem using homophones. You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/05/19/first-sighting-tankatuesday-fun-with-homophones/

Gaining Wisdom (American cinquain)

learning

to wait, suss out

people and surroundings

assessment lends weight to future

choices

TDWC26 and Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge

This is the last week of Dan’s TDWC26. I’ve used a photograph by Yvette Prior. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

Esther’s challenge for this week is eyes. As the glass inlets in the doors reminded me of eyes, I put the two challenges together. You can join in Esther’s challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/05/20/writing-prompts-115/

Picture caption: Photography submitted to Dan Antion’s TDWC26 by Yvette Prior.

I spy with my little eye …

something …

but what is it?

“A hartebeest,” says TC

“I disagree. It’s a common tsessebe.”

“A tess… a … what?“

“A tsessebe.”

“There’s no such creature!

Check on your phone.“

“Hmmm! AI says … it’s an elk.”

“What! You don’t get elk in South Africa.“

“I know that. Let me try a different picture.

“Now AI says its a mammal.”

“What kind of mammal?“

“AI doesn’t go into details. It’s just a mammal.”

“Useless AI. It’s having illusions.“

“Not really. A tsessebe is a mammal.”

The two sets of photographs below are of first a hartebeest and second a tsessebe. You can see how similar they look.

Bird of the Week

I took this photograph on Friday at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. TC and I were there for two days to celebrate his birthday which is tomorrow. It’s not the best of my photographs (TC was hogging my camera) but it was such a striking blue that I’m using it for this poem. It’s nice not having to work on a Friday in my new job. If I do have to work on a Friday, I get another day off at a later date so that is very nice for me.

You can join in Bird of the Week here: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2026/05/19/indian-grey-hornbill-birds-of-the-week-invitation-clxix/

Picture caption: A striking Malachite Kingfisher in the dam at Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Malachite Kingfisher (freestyle poem)

Perching atop a reed

surveying its surrounds

Malachite kingfisher

Drops!

Splash!

Pops up with a struggling captive

small fish

grasped around its middle

Toss!

It flops

Into an open beak

Swallow!

Sunday Stills

Terri is showcasing babies this week for Sunday Stills. I just happened to have photographed a few babies at Pilanesberg this weekend.

You can join in Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/24/sunday-stills-always-be-my-baby/

Two pictures of an adorable zebra foal.

Photographs of a giraffe foal. It’s main and coat are still ginger, the colouring of newborn giraffes.

Photographs of young kudus. These are adolescents.

CFFC

Dan is showcasing signs. I rarely photograph signs but this one at the lodge gave me a giggle. You can join in CFFC here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/05/18/leftover-signs/

Thank you!

Thank you to wonderful poet and author, Freya Pickard, who shared a wonderful review of my book, Burning Butterflies. You can read Freya’s review here: https://purehaiku.wordpress.com/2026/05/22/burning-butterflies/

A huge thank you to Sally Cronin from Smorgasbord Blog Magazine for showcasing an extract from my poetry book: Burning Butterflies. You can read Sally’s lovely post here: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2026/05/23/smorgasbord-book-promotions-2026-share-an-excerpt-boost-one-of-your-books-poetry-art-burning-butterflies-poetry-about-southern-african-flora-and-fauna-by-robbie-cheadle/

Roberta Writes – TDWC26, W3, and The Flower Hour

My poem for W3 (which is two days late) was inspired by two photographs from Dan’s TDWC26 as follows:

Picture caption: This building appears to me to have many doors which my mind interpreted as many relationships in life. The photograph was contributed by Dan Antion.

Alone (freestyle poem)

We walk alone

navigating our way

up hills, over obstacles, down slopes

Sometimes, we walk with another

a lover, friend, family member,

even a group

These periods of companionship

often bring great happiness

But, every life phase has an ending

Someone’s life must be shattered

Someone must suffer pain

Someone must be left behind

It’s best to acknowledge that ultimately

we walk our paths alone

Picture caption: My mind interpreted this single door standing alone as a solitary person – the one left behind to go on alone. This photograph was contributed by Lois.

You can join in Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

You can read other poet’s W3 contributions here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/05/13/w3-prompt-211-weave-written-weekly/

The Flower Hour

Three photographs of my late autumn garden for Terri’s The Flower Hour which you can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/19/the-flower-hour-31-local-lilacs-and-lupine/

Tiny flowers growing in a crack between the rocks
Late autumn bougainvillea against yellow autumn leaves
The aloe tree is full of flowers this year
A single red rose

Roberta Writes – d’Verse, TDWC26, Sunday Stills, The Flower Hour, and Thursday Doors

After six weeks of sabbatical, I am starting a new job on Monday. I’m glad I was able to see Paris over Easter and nurse my mother and Michael through the new Flu B. It is a reduced hours job so I’ll see how that goes. Wish me luck.

d’Verse, TDWC26, Sunday Stills, and The Flower Hour

Restless Jo provided a delightful photograph for Dan’s TDWC26. This yellow, blue and white house was the initial inspiration for my haibun below. You can join Dan’s challenge here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

Punam from d’Verse provided some artworks as inspiration for her Poetics Tuesday: What art says challenge. You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2026/05/12/poetics-tuesday-what-art-says/

Terri’s Sunday Stills challenge is pastels. My Primrose antique doll and the flowers in the background are pastels. The flowers are for Terri’s The Flower Hour challenge too.

You can join in Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/10/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-pink-and-pastels/

You can join in The Flower Hour here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/12/the-flower-hour-30-camellia-a-little-closer/

A Fresh Coat of Paint (haibun)

Picture caption: Yellow, blue, and white house photograph contributed by Restless Jo

Primrose looked at her freshly painted home with satisfaction. Arthur had recently finished reading a first edition of Tom Sawyer. He’d been so inspired he’d volunteered to give her dolls house home a fresh look. It looked terrific. Its yellow, blue, and white walls sparkled under the bright display lights of the antique children’s books and toys room.

She glanced at the tapestry on the opposite wall. The dark yellow room was exquisitely sew with careful, even stitches. She liked the wall hanging and it helped to keep the room warm and snug. Museums were drafty. She was glad she had her delightful dolls house to live in and her home wasn’t merely a 2D dream.

rainbow dreams elude

bricks and mortar evidence

my reality

Picture caption: Art inspiration provided by Punam

Click on the bar to view Primrose, an antique doll form Faversham in England, with a background of roses I received for Mothers Day last Sunday. A little past their prime but they are still pretty … and pastel. You will also see Arthur, a vintage doll from Graaf Reinet in South Africa.

Thursday Doors

These are a few more random photographs form my short trip to Paris over Easter.

The two images above are of the moving walkway in the Paris Airport (Charles de Gaulle). It was very long and there wasn’t another soul in sight. For me, it was a little creepy as it was my first time in this airport. I was glad to see the door at the end of the walkway coming into sight.

Roberta Writes – Book Blog Tour: The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder by Lindsey Martin- Bowen

Picture caption: The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder book tour banner

Introduction

Today I’m delighted to welcome poet and author Lindsey Martin-Bowen to Roberta Writes. Lindsey is showcasing her latest book, The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder, a romantic comedy.

The Giveaway

We’re giving away three digital copies of The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder in a random giveaway.

Leave a comment to enter.

Opportunity for an entry at every stop.

Tour Schedule

Mon. 5/11 – “Inspirational backgrounds for The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder”

Post – Poetry by Mich: Hotel by Masticadores: Masticadores Phillipines:

Tues. 5/12 – “Phase Two – Sunny-Side Up” Reading – Roberta Writes:

Wed. 5/13 – “Charli’s Character” Post – Carla Loves to Read:

Thurs. 5/14 – “Phase Fourteen – Let Me Know the Way” Reading – Patty’s Worlds:

Fri. 5/15 – “About the Dark Horse (the black stallion with blue eyes)” Post – Writing to be Read

About The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder

Recently divorced Charli 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 Charli’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.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/The-Dark-Horse-Waits-in-Boulder

Reading: Phase Two – Sunny-Side Up

About Lindsey Martin-Bowen

Picture caption: Author photograph of 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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