Patty Fletcher of Patty’s World blog has kindly hosted today’s stop on the “Once Upon an Ever After” Book Blog Tour featuring my short story, The War Babies. This story was inspired by the ‘canary’ girls who worked in the munitions factory in the UK during WW1 and Hans Christian Anderson’s short story, The Storks.
Thank you for hosting, Patty.
Welcome to the WordCrafter “Once Upon an Ever After” Book Blog Tour
Before I begin Day two, Kaye has a word or two to share.
Welcome to the WordCrafter Once Upon an Ever After Book Blog Tour, where we’re launching Once Upon an Ever After: Modern Myths & Folklore with guest posts from contributing authors about their story inspirations, reviews and an interview the anthology and WordCrafter Press with me, Kaye Lynne Booth. So, stick with us by following the schedule below, to learn more about this mystical new anthology and its authors. Check back daily, as I’ll be adding the links as they go live.
Tour Schedule
Monday – August 22 – Opening Day Post – Writing to be Read – Intro. & Guest Post – Sarah Lyn Eaton
Tuesday – August 23 – Patty’s World – Review & Guest Post – Robbie Cheadle
Wednesday – August 24 – The Showers of Blessings – Guest Post – Olivia Merchiston
Thursday – August 25 –Roberta Writes – Interview w/ Kaye Lynne Booth
Friday – August 26 – Zigler’s News – Review & Guest Post – Lyndsay Elizabeth Gilbert
Saturday – August 27 – Closing Post – Writing to be Read – Guest Post – A.E. Lanier
Digital Giveaway
For a chance to win a free digital copy of Once Upon an Ever After, just leave a comment to show you were here. Follow the tour and comment at each stop for more chances to win. Three copies will be given away in a random drawing. (Yep. I literally draw the names out of a hat.)
This anthology was by invitation only, which means I invited the authors because of specific stories, which caught my imagination. The result is a unique collaboration with a wonderful group of authors who have been an absolute pleasure to work with.
My Thoughts…
I must say, Kaye’s words of “A wonderful group of authors” is right on the mark. The stories in this anthology are quite amazing.
Today, I’ll be reviewing Robbie Cheadle’s War Babies. Before I do, here’s a word from Robbie.
Robbie’s Thoughts in her own words…
The theme for this short story collection was a little daunting for me at the time I received the notification about this anthology, Once Upon an Ever After. I am not a person who can necessarily write to any prompt as I need to be inspired. I have written some modern fairy tales loosely linked to a fairy tale which could be called the inspiration for the story, but the mood must be upon me to do that.
I wanted to write a story about the British women who worked in munitions manufacturing trinitrotoluene shells during the First World War. They were nicknamed ‘Canary Girls’ because exposure to TNT is toxic and repeated expose turns the skin an orange-yellow.
These Canary Girls may not have been fighting in the trenches, but the job they did was fraught with danger. The factories where the munitions were manufactured were targets for enemy fire and were often bombed. In addition, they risked personal injury if they tapped the detonator too hard when they fitted it into the top of the casing.
You can continue reading here: https://pattysworlds.com/wordcrafter-once-upon-an-ever-after-book-blog-tour-day-two-wordcrafter-writingtoberead-bookblogtour/
roberta-writes.com 
Congratulations on this new release, Robbie!
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Thanks, Jan 💜
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Best of luck with this new release, Robbie. You continue to amaze.
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Thank you, Jacqui 💐. I wrote a few short stories over my Covid recovery period.
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Good luck with this, Robbie and everyone!
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Thank you, Clive.
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Well written and enjoyable to read. I have heard of these brave women in the past but I don’t know where I heard it. Thank you for giving me–others, pleasure to read it, Robbie.
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HI Danny, I am so pleased you enjoyed this post. Thank you for letting me know.
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Congratulations, Robbie! Your story about these women is important and sobering — another reminder of the great cost of war and the exploitation of not only soldiers but many other people.
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Hi Dave, women and children also suffered hugely during the war.I’ve been on a bit of a mission to write some of the stories of these women. Thank you for your comment 😊
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congrats on the wonderful review, Robbie! all of your research pays off…
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Thank you, Jim.
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👍
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Congrats Robbie
Sounds like a great read
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Thank you, Yvette. I am trying to focus on historical writing and especially stories that share the role of women in wars.
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Great approach!!
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Such a great idea for a story!
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Thank you, Jan. I am writing a novel about the radium girls and their contribution to WW1. I am rather fascinated by women during WW1.
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A great mission, Robbie! Yes, war has made life hellish for countless women and children. 😦
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Hi Dave, you are right. A colleague of mine has just returned from a trip to Egypt. She said you can see the country is war-torn and she was grateful to come home to a normal functioning country. So sad.
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Your story sounds amazing, Robbie. Sounds like a great anthology.
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Hi Darlene, thank you. I am going to read the rest of the stories. I’ve read one and was impressed by it.
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Congratulations Robbie. I like the way you are able to work history into your work, and this is an intriguing combination. (K)
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Hi Kerfe, I am glad it appealed to you. I like to highlight the contribution of women to wars as it is often overlooked in history.
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Congratulations, Robbie. You’re so prolific! Hugs on the wing.
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So are you, Teagan. You are an inspiration to me.
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Congratulations, Robbie! Your story sounds amazing with a great purpose, and the anthology sounds wonderful. You continue to inspire.
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Thank you, Lauren. The canary girls continue to fascinate me. The part played by women in both world wars has been significantly underplayed in the past.
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We had the “Bomb Girls” in Canada.
So many women stepped up to the plate in WWII.
After the war, women were expected to step away from the plate, for the men coming home.
It did not last long. The 60’s changed many things. Still, women are not 100% equal to me, except in Sweeden.
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They are not equal here either, even corporate women like me.
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men…. not me… lol..
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