Cynthia A. Morgan's Blog, page 165
September 18, 2017
Revisions – #DarkFey #CoverReveal
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I am so excited and proud to share the newly revised cover for Dark Fey The Reviled with you 
Avenue – #DailyHaikuChallenge
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Avenue of gold
The soft scent of rustling leaves
Bringing Sighs and Smiles
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To take part in the Daily Haiku Challenge see The Original Post from Day One
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Day 319 / 365
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~Morgan~
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Beautiful Photograph found on Google. Credit Gratefully Acknowledged to the Original Photographer. Thank You~
Filed under: Daily Haiku Challenge Tagged: Autumn, Autumn Foliage, Beautiful Photographs, BnV, BooknVolume, Haiku Challenge, Nature, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, trees, ~Morgan~
September 17, 2017
Forgiveness…
The parable of the unforgiving servant. This parable is pretty straight forward and applicable to today’s world. Like the se
The parable of the unforgiving servant. This parable is pretty straight forward and applicable to today’s world. Like the servant in today’s scripture we are to forgive as we have been forgiven. All day, every day.
Forgiveness, the amazing power that forgiveness possesses, it frees both the offender and the offended. It breaks the shackles and chains of resentment, grudges and bitterness. With such tremendous power, forgiveness should be our number one option, our go to when needed, right?
It doesn’t seem to work that way does it? When we are injured, our feelings get hurt or some event brings to light those things that we are insecure about – are we quick to forgive…..or are we quick to retaliate?
You’ve heard me tell you I’m a hypocrite before right? When reading scripture or preparing a sermon I often times get exposed for my own behavior, for my own sin, for my unwillingness at times to forgive.
Sometimes we like to own those offenses, they become a badge of honor to tell others about and plot revenge. Do you know what such and such did to me? Can you believe that?
I’ll tell you something I don’t get mad, I get even. Ever had that phrase go through your mind and off your lips? In our broken, human form revenge, retaliation, emotion and anger move us toward retribution.
But why would we want to hang onto such ugliness? An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Those looking for scripture to support their case for revenge often cite that passage.
The message that Christ brought almost always turns human motive and cultural norms and expectations 180 degrees. Completely reverses what was to be expected.
You must be last in order to be first, those that are humble will be exalted. This passage is no different. The disciple Peter approaches Christ and asks him this question, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?
Seven times seems like enough doesn’t it? Seven slams, seven sarcastic remarks, seven times you make me mad, seven times you injure me verbally, physically, emotionally or spiritually and I will forgive. But the eighth time, you’re mine.
I don’t know where Peter got that number, but it caused me to think and reflect. If you get beyond those that you live with, spouse, children, family and close friends. If someone made you mad seven times how much time would you be spending with them?
Probably not a whole lot. I would be avoiding them as much as possible. I have a lot of work to do on this forgiveness thing.
Christ responds to Peter’s question of is seven times enough to forgive, “Not seven times, but 77 times.” I read another translation that said 70 times 7. Are you kidding, at least 77 and as many as 490 times?
As much as them seems to be I look at those married couples that have been together for decades, some for half a century or longer. Do you think that forgiveness has been part of their story?
I think that it would have to be. The inability to forgive leads to bitterness. Is it enjoyable to be around someone that is bitter? Our existence was not made to be heavy and burdensome with the weight of every slight one has ever encountered.
Our existence is meant to be light and joyful, full of compassion with hearts willing to forgive. The granting of forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It can be done in person or in prayer.
After telling Peter how many times he would have to forgive he speaks the parable of the unforgiving servant. “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. One that owed 10,000 talents was brought to him.”
A talent is a measurement of weight, it is approximately 130 pounds of what was probably a precious metal or something of value. 10,000 talents is equal to 1.3 million pounds of gold, silver or some other valuable commodity. 1.3 million pounds.
It was more than a lifetime of debt, a debt that could not be repaid. The servant that owed this amount was well aware that he couldn’t pay it and when the king ordered that he, his wife and children and all their possession be sold to pay it, he begged for patience, he begged for forgiveness.
And what did the king that was owed this extraordinary amount of money do? He forgave it. Just like that….You know the bible is rich with symbolism, who do you think that the king in this scripture is?
……It is the God we serve, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of heaven is like a king that paid the ransom for those who could not pay it. Who sent his son to die in their place. A king that opened the treasure chest of grace and shared it with all and it pleased him to do so.
The servant fell in front of the king and begged not to be sold into slavery. The kind of slavery that carrying grudges and resentments bring. The king said that I forgive you of everything, all of it.
As the parable continues the servant that had been forgiven of a mountain of debt, whose family had been spared from being split up and sold into slavery, turns to another servant who owes him a fraction of the debt that he just had cancelled and seizes him by the throat and demands payment.
This servant got down on his hands and knees and pleads for more time, pleads for forgiveness. The man that had been forgiven of so much refused to forgive a far smaller debt and had him thrown into prison until he could pay the debt he owed.
Very ironic that given the blessing, the good fortune that was extended that he couldn’t extend even a fraction to someone else. Any guesses on who the unforgiving servant is in this parable…….
I’m afraid that it has been each one of us at some point in our life. I know it has been me, I suspect it has been you. It has been anyone that has withheld forgiveness in spite of how much they have been forgiven.
We have all been hurt, injured, slighted, talked about, gossiped about or made fun of at some point in our life. We have to let those things go, we can’t control what other people do, we can only control our response to such things.
Word got back to the king of what had taken place. The servant that had been forgiven of a lifetime of debt was summoned to appear before him. “You wicked slave!” he says, “I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have mercy on your fellow man, as I had mercy on you?”
In his anger the king handed over the unforgiving servant to be tortured until he could pay his entire debt. Christ would end the parable with this word of warning, “So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
An unwillingness to forgive not only haunts us in this life, but in the one to come. Hard hearts, hearts of those whose lives are painfully difficult have to be soften by coming to faith, by knowing the healing power of our God.
We are called to set the example, to live lives full of grace, mercy and compassion to be an example, to witness to those that are distant from God. To show a willingness to forgive as our Father in heaven has forgiven us. rvant in today’s scripture we are to forgive as we have been forgiven. All day, every day.
Pastor Shawn, Seymour UMC
Author of Incomplete
Forgiveness, the amazing power that forgiveness possesses, it frees both the offender and the offended. It breaks the shackles and chains of resentment, grudges and bitterness. With such tremendous power, forgiveness should be our number one option, our go to when needed, right?
It doesn’t seem to work that way does it? When we are injured, our feelings get hurt or some event brings to light those things that we are insecure about – are we quick to forgive…..or are we quick to retaliate?
You’ve heard me tell you I’m a hypocrite before right? When reading scripture or preparing a sermon I often times get exposed for my own behavior, for my own sin, for my unwillingness at times to forgive.
Sometimes we like to own those offenses, they become a badge of honor to tell others about and plot revenge. Do you know what such and such did to me? Can you believe that?
I’ll tell you something I don’t get mad, I get even. Ever had that phrase go through your mind and off your lips? In our broken, human form revenge, retaliation, emotion and anger move us toward retribution.
But why would we want to hang onto such ugliness? An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Those looking for scripture to support their case for revenge often cite that passage.
The message that Christ brought almost always turns human motive and cultural norms and expectations 180 degrees. Completely reverses what was to be expected.
You must be last in order to be first, those that are humble will be exalted. This passage is no different. The disciple Peter approaches Christ and asks him this question, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?
Seven times seems like enough doesn’t it? Seven slams, seven sarcastic remarks, seven times you make me mad, seven times you injure me verbally, physically, emotionally or spiritually and I will forgive. But the eighth time, you’re mine.
I don’t know where Peter got that number, but it caused me to think and reflect. If you get beyond those that you live with, spouse, children, family and close friends. If someone made you mad seven times how much time would you be spending with them?
Probably not a whole lot. I would be avoiding them as much as possible. I have a lot of work to do on this forgiveness thing.
Christ responds to Peter’s question of is seven times enough to forgive, “Not seven times, but 77 times.” I read another translation that said 70 times 7. Are you kidding, at least 77 and as many as 490 times?
As much as them seems to be I look at those married couples that have been together for decades, some for half a century or longer. Do you think that forgiveness has been part of their story?
I think that it would have to be. The inability to forgive leads to bitterness. Is it enjoyable to be around someone that is bitter? Our existence was not made to be heavy and burdensome with the weight of every slight one has ever encountered.
Our existence is meant to be light and joyful, full of compassion with hearts willing to forgive. The granting of forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. It can be done in person or in prayer.
After telling Peter how many times he would have to forgive he speaks the parable of the unforgiving servant. “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. One that owed 10,000 talents was brought to him.”
A talent is a measurement of weight, it is approximately 130 pounds of what was probably a precious metal or something of value. 10,000 talents is equal to 1.3 million pounds of gold, silver or some other valuable commodity. 1.3 million pounds.
It was more than a lifetime of debt, a debt that could not be repaid. The servant that owed this amount was well aware that he couldn’t pay it and when the king ordered that he, his wife and children and all their possession be sold to pay it, he begged for patience, he begged for forgiveness.
And what did the king that was owed this extraordinary amount of money do? He forgave it. Just like that….You know the bible is rich with symbolism, who do you think that the king in this scripture is?
……It is the God we serve, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of heaven is like a king that paid the ransom for those who could not pay it. Who sent his son to die in their place. A king that opened the treasure chest of grace and shared it with all and it pleased him to do so.
The servant fell in front of the king and begged not to be sold into slavery. The kind of slavery that carrying grudges and resentments bring. The king said that I forgive you of everything, all of it.
As the parable continues the servant that had been forgiven of a mountain of debt, whose family had been spared from being split up and sold into slavery, turns to another servant who owes him a fraction of the debt that he just had cancelled and seizes him by the throat and demands payment.
This servant got down on his hands and knees and pleads for more time, pleads for forgiveness. The man that had been forgiven of so much refused to forgive a far smaller debt and had him thrown into prison until he could pay the debt he owed.
Very ironic that given the blessing, the good fortune that was extended that he couldn’t extend even a fraction to someone else. Any guesses on who the unforgiving servant is in this parable…….
I’m afraid that it has been each one of us at some point in our life. I know it has been me, I suspect it has been you. It has been anyone that has withheld forgiveness in spite of how much they have been forgiven.
We have all been hurt, injured, slighted, talked about, gossiped about or made fun of at some point in our life. We have to let those things go, we can’t control what other people do, we can only control our response to such things.
Word got back to the king of what had taken place. The servant that had been forgiven of a lifetime of debt was summoned to appear before him. “You wicked slave!” he says, “I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have mercy on your fellow man, as I had mercy on you?”
In his anger the king handed over the unforgiving servant to be tortured until he could pay his entire debt. Christ would end the parable with this word of warning, “So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
An unwillingness to forgive not only haunts us in this life, but in the one to come. Hard hearts, hearts of those whose lives are painfully difficult have to be soften by coming to faith, by knowing the healing power of our God.
We are called to set the example, to live lives full of grace, mercy and compassion to be an example, to witness to those that are distant from God. To show a willingness to forgive as our Father in heaven has forgiven us.
Pastor Shawn LaRue
Author of Incomplete
Filed under: Guest Bloggers on BnV, Poetry Tagged: Blogging, christianity, Faith, Humanity, Inspiration, life, Reflections, Religion, Truth, WordPress
Tumbling Laughter – #DailyHaikuChallenge
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Tumbling laughter
Echoing in the stillness
Will you Laugh along?
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To take part in the Daily Haiku Challenge see The Original Post from Day One
.
Day 318 / 365
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~Morgan~
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.
.
Beautiful Photograph found on Google. Credit Gratefully Acknowledged to the Original Photographer. Thank You~
Filed under: Daily Haiku Challenge Tagged: Beautiful Photographs, BnV, BooknVolume, Harmony, Inspiration, Joy, Laughter, Nature, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, spirituality, ~Morgan~
In The Lime Light – #YAFantasy #CharacterSpotlight – #Author J.Steven Young
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Today I am proud to introduce you to Author J. Steven Young, who shares adventurous and imaginative observations on life across multiple genres, including children’s activity books, young adult and fantasy. His Hashtag Magic collection is quickly moving up the fantasy charts on Amazon and the third book in the series is now released.
Raised in the Chicago area, J. Steven witnessed his fair share of injustice growing up and always imagined how he could make life better for everyone if only he’d had magic or super powers. It took years for him to understand that he did have a gift. Though he traveled the globe in his youth, he still favors the lands of his imagination and wants nothing more than to share his visions with the world. He hopes his gift will allow readers to escape from reality, if only for a spell.
Following his education in technology, with a focus in writing and communication, he’s spent his career working in the tech and travel industries. It allows for some creativity, but it doesn’t compare to the freedom of creating new worlds and magical creatures.
A passionate home chef, J. Steven, can often be found in the kitchen with his agreeable husband, Tom, and their spunky little Siamese kitten, GusGus, who runs the house. When he isn’t working or writing, J. Steven is never more than a step or thought away from adventure. Whether spending time in his enchanted garden, conjuring up new recipes or spending time with family and friends, he’s always dreaming up new fiction based on over-the-top characterizations of the people he meets.
J. Steven is the author of over a dozen books and lives in Chicago, Illinois.
Today J. Steven is talking with his character, Fizzlewink, seen below.
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Interviewer: Welcome Fizzlewink, Happy to have you here today. Why don’t you start by telling us a little about yourself?
Fizzlewink: I’m only doing this because I lost a bet with an old witch. I’m a little blue man who mentors young magic users and I take the appearance of a cat when mundanes are around.
Interviewer: Mundanes?
Fizzlewink: The non-magical. Plain, short-lived, unremarkable humans.
Interviewer: You seem jaded by humans, what is your history with them?
Fizzlewink: I have walked this Earth for centuries. In the times of magical recession, the time where the power force of magic–Emassa—was limited, I began serving as a muse to humans. Some humans were more intelligent than others, but in the end, it was me who did all the work through suggestion. Once magical energy began to flow again, I was able to seek out those with a gift and return to mentoring mages.
Interviewer: You say ‘mages’ why not witches?
Fizzlewink: I have history with many magical types, and witches I have trust issues with. It was the great witch of the Maya who created my kind, so I do owe her my existence. However, we were created to be used and lied to. Now that I have been in that witch’s presence again of late, she has done nothing to sway my opinion.
Interviewer: Well I suppose we can avoid that subject. What is the best thing that ever happened to you?
Fizzlewink: My family. I have a wonderful mate and three little kits. Kits are children to my people since we all take a form of cat as a guise, we also call our offspring kits, similar to kittens.
Interviewer: How sweet, and where are your family now?
Fizzlewink: Locked away in a time sealed spell. Another manipulation of that witch. I have to complete my work with her grandson and see an end to our current dilemma before I can be reunited.
Interviewer: What is this current dilemma?
Fizzlewink: A complete resurgence of all magical power focused on the boy Colby Stevens. He is some kind of fulcrum of power we have yet to understand, but his existence has brought about some strange events and changes to magic.
Interviewer: Colby, he is your student at present I understand. What has he done to magic?
Fizzlewink: Well he created a shortcut. He’s cheating magic by using his gizmos you modern-type call smart devices. He calls it Hashtag Magic, because he can type in spells with that funny symbol and his program makes the proper runes to enact the magic. It’s an embarrassment to the ancient magical community.
Interviewer: What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?
Fizzlewink: Ha. No magic involved in that. I have been watching over Colby since he was a child, and without his magic. The little monster just saw me as the family cat and one day covered me with glue and glitter. It happened so fast he may have actually tapped into magic, but I’m uncertain. What I do know is that I looked like a four-legged mobile disco ball for days until I got myself cleaned up.
Interviewer: Any final words of advice to those just learning their own magic?
Fizzlewink: No Shortcuts to magic. You need to learn from the basics and build a proper foundation because you can’t always depend on those shortcuts to get you out of sticky situations.
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Please be sure to discover more about J.Steven through his social network:
Website: www.jstevenyoung.com
Series website: www.hashtagmagic.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/Author.JStevenYoung
Amazon Author: Author.to/JStevenYoung
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jstevenyoung
instagram: author.jstevenyoung
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Thank You J.Steven for sharing your time and talent with BnV
September 16, 2017
Crimson – #DailyHaikuChallenge
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Crimson glistening
As shivers Dance on the breeze
Sweet Autumn painting
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To take part in the Daily Haiku Challenge see The Original Post from Day One
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Day 317 / 365
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~Morgan~
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Beautiful Photograph found on Google. Credit Gratefully Acknowledged to the Original Photographer. Thank You~
Filed under: Daily Haiku Challenge Tagged: Autumn, Autumn Foliage, Beautiful Photographs, BnV, BooknVolume, Changing Seasons, Haiku Challenge, Nature, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, ~Morgan~
In The Lime Light – #FantasyAuthor #CharacterSpotlight – Melissa Sasina
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Today I am sharing a Character Interview by fellow fantasy author Melissa Sasina. Let me tell you a little bit about her book.
Everything had been taken from her: her family, her home, and nearly her life. Now, two years later, Mæja is still haunted by what the Empire did to her. But a new deception is afoot: the Empire is seeking five sacred treasures to reawaken the dark god, Loki, which could plunge all of Midgard into irreparable darkness. With betrayal fresh in mind, she seeks to reclaim the ancient treasures before they fall into enemy hands. She is joined by the pirate Ril and his accomplice Mjrn, as well as roguish rebels Connor and Linkyn. Their unlikely alliance is now the only defense against an Empire that could destroy all of Midgard. Embark with Mæja on a treasure hunt of epic proportions….
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Now let me tell you a little about her character Ril: (The portrait above was drawn by Melissa!)
Ril is a snarky pirate with an airship called The Sacred Hart. He first joins Maeja in the hopes of getting the rare treasure of Odin’s ring, Draupnir, from her. Ril has a love for anything of wealth and can be a bit guarded about his past.
Let’s start off simple. What is your name? *sits book down* Ril.
That’s it? Just Ril? I prefer Ril. After all, what respectable pirate walks around named Ril’Hounithra?
Didn’t know pirates could be respectable. So, did you always want to be a thief? Tch. Don’t mix me with common thieves. I am a pirate.
Thief, pirate, what’s the difference? I have an airship. And, no, I didn’t always want to be a pirate. However, an opportunity presented itself and I would have been a fool to turn it down. I got the escape I wanted. *smiles smugly*
It is said that your airship was your first act of piracy. Is that true? Yes. I stole The Sacred Hart right out from under the Empire’s nose. They never saw it coming.
That weapon you carry called a mage gun, have you used it much? No, and I would prefer not to. I really do detest bloodshed. I’d rather not soil my cuffs if possible.
Are mage guns common where you are from? They are quite rare. This was the only one I’ve found intact. The High Order of mages ruled them dangerous and it’s forbidden to make more. After all, the town of Rhudan was leveled to ruins in an explosion making their bullets. It’s hard to find mages willing to make my ammunition.
I see you have purple tipped hair. Is that something that is natural for your race, or something you’ve done yourself? Adding color to one’s hair is something those of us with higher class enjoy doing. Although…I have been considering letting it just grow out.
You said that adding color to hair is something the upper class enjoy. Does that mean you are of a higher class? Of course. How could you assume anything less? *straightens the cuffs of his sleeves*
What about those colorful stones hanging from your ears? Do they have any significance? They’re called speakstones and they allow me to get in touch with my contacts when I need certain information, or to ask for a favor.
So, tell me, is there any special treasure in particular that you have your eye on? *grins* Of course. Such a rare and beautiful treasure. Unfortunately, I cannot divulge any more information on this subject.
What sort of hobbies might a pirate such as yourself have when not stealing away rare treasures? I quite enjoy a good book. I have quite the collection in my quarters.
Do you have a favorite book? Many, but I’ve always held a fondness for “One Hundred and One Tales of Odd Nese.”
Wait. Isn’t that a storybook for children? Tch. Never dismiss a classic.
How about your traveling companions? What are your thoughts on each of them? Maeja is an intriguing woman, a stubborn challenge I am quite enjoying. Connor and Linkyn are more trouble than they are worth most times and horribly foul mouthed. As for Mjrn, she is the perfect accomplice. She handles The Sacred Hart well when I need her to.
One last question. You seem to take pleasure in stirring up trouble. Why is that? *grin broadens* I’m a pirate. It’s what I do. Where’s the fun in behaving?
Well, I’m afraid that’s all we have time for today. It’s been a pleasure talking to you. Of course it has. *picks book up and returns to reading*
Melissa was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and has always been a traveler in her own fantasy worlds. Her love for writing began in her childhood and never let up, leading to the creation of several short stories. Inspired by the words of her High School English teacher, Melissa decided to pursue her passion for the magical as an adult and has since then published two series, The Priestess Trilogy and The Chronicles of Midgard, with a third in the works. When not writing, she enjoys video and tabletop gaming, drawing, and procrastinating on the internet. Melissa still lives in Ohio with her husband and son, although one day she would love to travel the world to the places that are the inspiration behind her writing.
Please Visit Melissa at her Social Media places:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormelissasasina/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelissaSasina
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissasasina/Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Sasina/e/B005E9Y7VU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1504209862&sr=8-1
~Morgan~
Filed under: Authors Books Reviews & Interviews Tagged: Author Intervies, Author spotlight, BnV, BooknVolume, Epic Fantasy, Indie Authors, Supporting Indie Authors, YA Books, ~Morgan~ 
September 15, 2017
#FridayFantasy – Painted – #DailyHaikuChallenge
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Singing in the void
Painted on the shining breeze
Memory of olde
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To take part in the Daily Haiku Challenge see The Original Post from Day One
.
Day 316 / 365
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~Morgan~
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Beautiful Photograph found on Google. Credit Gratefully Acknowledged to the Original Photographer. Thank You~
Filed under: Daily Haiku Challenge, Friday FeyDay / Fantasy Tagged: Beautiful Photographs, BnV, BooknVolume, Fantasy, Haiku Writing, Memory, Nature, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, time, ~Morgan~
2017 #VirtualFantasyCon – Where Magic Rules!
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I am so excited to share the news with you !! October 15-21, 2017 I will be participating in this years #VirtualFantasyCon, along with MANY other talented Fantasy Authors. It gives us all an opportunity to share our books with readers around the world and to learn more about each other as well.
I will soon be sharing a Facebook Event Page link to a page where you will be able to find information about my Epic YAFantasy (if you don’t already know as much as I do!) I will also be running a few fun games and contests throughout the week, as well as a Stellar Giveaway with FREE BOOKS
#FridayFantasy – Kiss of Silence
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He Speaks to me
In the Hush of Night
In Blissful Tranquility’s
Ethereal Light
Speaking Soft
In the Moonlight’s Glow
Kiss of Silence
Rushing Slow
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~Morgan~
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Beautiful Original Artwork by: mary-espen at deviantart.com
Filed under: Friday FeyDay / Fantasy Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Darkness, Desire, Dreams, Night, Poem, poetry, Poetry Blog, relationships, Romance, Silence, ~Morgan~
