Roberta Writes – Reblog: The Soldier and the Radium Girl Part 1: The Bloom of Youth, Chapter 1: Enlist in haste, repent at leisure (cont.)” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle

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Thank you to Nolcha Fox, editor of Chewers by Masticadores, for publishing episode 2 of chapter 1 of my work in progress novel, The Soldier and the Radium Girl.

I am sharing the first chapter of this novel to test the water as to whether it interests people. I would appreciate your comments as I decide whether to finish it or not.

If you missed last week’s episode, you can read it here: https://chewersmasticadores.wordpress.com/2025/10/10/the-soldier-and-the-radium-girl-part-1-the-bloom-of-youth-chapter-1-enlist-in-haste-repent-at-leisure-by-roberta-eaton-cheadle/

This cover design is by Teagan Riordain Geneviene. You can find out about Teagan and her amazing books and designs here: https://teagansbooks.com/2025/10/16/thursdaydoors-to-an-october-excerpt/

Jake Tanner

14 April 2017 (cont.)

Walking home through the emerald fields with Kate by his side, regret at all he’d be leaving behind dampened Jake’s enthusiasm. By the time he’d delivered Kate safely home and reached his own front door, the fiery eruption of excitement had slackened, and anxiety, like fine ash, coated his heart.

Jake’s ma was in the kitchen with his younger sister, Martha. The rich scents of roasting meat and apple and cinnamon enfolded him in their warm embrace. Mrs. Coombes, the cook, was not there. It was her bi-weekly day off, and Jake was pleased and relieved. Pleased that his ma was cooking, she was a great cook and her meals were always fit for a king, and relieved that he didn’t have to face Mrs. Coombes reaction to his news, as well as his ma’s and sister’s.

“Jake, you’re just in time to carry in the wood,” Martha cried, beaming. “I’ve filled the wood box, but it’s too heavy for me to carry.”

“I’ve enlisted, Ma.” Jake spat out his news like a bit of undigested food.

Continue reading here: https://chewersmasticadores.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/the-soldier-and-the-radium-girl-part-1-the-bloom-of-youth-chapter-1-enlist-in-haste-repent-at-leisure-cont-by-roberta-eaton-cheadle/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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36 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Reblog: The Soldier and the Radium Girl Part 1: The Bloom of Youth, Chapter 1: Enlist in haste, repent at leisure (cont.)” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle”

      1. Nice! 🙂

        By the way, there are several Oranges near me: Orange, East Orange, West Orange, and South Orange — all separate towns. Seton Hall is in South Orange, not Orange. 🙂

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  2. Hi, Robbie. It’s good to see you moving forward with this story. I realize you’ve had several starts and stops with it. (I definitely know how that is.) “Testing the waters” as you said might be a good way to settle your mind about it. I remember your initial enthusiasm about it, but I also know how that can shift. As I was telling someone else the other day, sometimes a story changes in a big way, or even morphs into something completely different than I originally intended. If we let ourselves be open to that possibility. My very best wishes to you with this book. Hugs.

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  5. Hi Robbie,

    The waters are warm and you’ve captured some wonderful windows that are enticing and draw the reader in. Go forward my friend in wonder and awe as we salute your pen that captures hearts. 💕

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  7. It’s a common theme in war fiction to show someone going off either in pursuit of glory or to do what feels right, only to discover war’s horrors. Nevertheless, it remains relevant, and Jake’s heart was in the right place.

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  9. The story sounds very captivating to me, Robbie. It makes me glad that my parents did not say something like that when I joined the Army. In fact, they had to sign their approval, since I was only 17 years old. When I volunteered for Vietnam service, they didn’t say anything bad to me when I was home on leave.

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  10. That is a great start of a story/excerpt. I feel sorry for Jake that his family was not more supportive but enlisting and going to war certainly have its downsides. Congratulations on the publication. It is going to be another great book and I am looking forward to reading it when it is done.

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