Cynthia A. Morgan's Blog, page 343

Sweetest Longing

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Uncertain Fair,

How this Heart Longs for Thy Tender Touch!

Bejeweled Night in All her Splendour

Lays as fallow, barren dust

In comparison to Thy Most Gentle Caress!

UnSpoken Temptation,

How this Heart heaves in Sighs for Thy Lingering Gaze!

The Depths of Calypso’s Resplendent Abyss

Are but transitory shoal,

Beside the Majesty of Thy most Fleeting Glance!

Speak often,

Oh Most Protracted Sigh,

And tell of this poor Heart’s Sweet Longing,

Beguiled and Unbending

To the Ravages of Inopportune Time,

Hold Fast, Sweet Longing!

Hold Fast and Keep Thy Measure

Knowing This Hour of forlorn division

Is but one Ephemeral Moment,

Compared to the Eternity of Thy Love

Shared with Mine in

Sweetest Longing!

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~Morgan~

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Breathtaking Music: Lament by Patrick Cassidy

Filed under: Music and Muse Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Desire, Heart, Longing, Love, Poem, poetry, relationships, Romance, Soul Mates, time, Waiting, ~Morgan~

Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows

Dark Fey: Standing In Shadows is Book Two of the Dark Fey Trilogy.

Book one, Dark Fey: The Reviled began the journey, introducing us to the Mystical Realm of Jyndari, the home of the Fey of the Light, winged beings with extraordinary gifts and abilities who live harmoniously in a close knit community where art and music, scholarly devotion to the ancient texts, and faithful adherence to tradition are all sacred. In Jyndari we meet a young Fey of the Light, Ayla who was discovered at a very young age to have the especially rare combination of gifts: empathic telepathy as well as discernment and healing. She was dedicated to become a Guardian of Childfey and spent her entire young years in the seclusion of the Temple where she studied magic and the ancient rites; where she was taught about the mortal enemy of all Fey of the Light, The Reviled.

We also meet Gairynzvl, a Reviled Fey who comes in shadows and silence; who lingers near Ayla trying to communicate with her. He longs for freedom from his Captivity among the Dark Fey, but he needs her help to escape them. Through her extraordinary gifts she listens to him when no others will; she touches his pain and eases his suffering and she helps him in his attempt to escape The Reviled.

Known also as The Cursed, the Dark Ones or The Reviled Fey cannot love, are unable to abide peace or harmony, and do not admire beauty or talent without avarice. Because of their cursed state, they also cannot bring life into the world in the form of Innocence. In order to reproduce themselves they come to Jyndari in the shadows and abduct childfey, returning them to their own dark realm, the Uunglarda, where they are forced to endure The Integration. The intentionally cruel process of neglect, abuse and deprivation is designed to turn childfey from the Light and twist them into monsters.

In Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows we discover more about Gairynzvl and why he wants to return into the dark realm of The Reviled. He longs to attempt a rescue of the innocent childfey trapped there!

But it will take more than one fey to breach the borders of The Uunglarda and to slip past the legions of Dark Fey who abide there. It will take magic and strength, courage and military strategy and it will shake the foundations of everything The Fey of The Light have accepted as truth for thousands of years. Nevertheless, Gairynzvl knows the secret ways in and out of the dark realm; he is able to open portals and through his gifts of telepathic empathy, he can find the childfey standing, waiting, in the shadows.

Slipping into the darkness through darkness is easy. Escaping out again with squalling, terrified childfey is another matter, but if they are captured his band of Liberators will pray for death long before it comes. Worse, their success could spark full scale war and unleash the barbaric hatred and viciousness of The Reviled upon the peace-loving Fey of The Light.

Can Gairynzvl convince Ayla and The Temple Elders to allow him to return to the Uunglarda, the realm of The Reviled? Who will join him to aid these Innocent Childfey, trapped in the realm of shadows and fear? And Will the Fey of the Light risk a savage war in order to rescue them?

Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows coming in December 2015!!

~Morgan~

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The Amazing & Beautiful photograph used on the cover of Dark Fey: Standing is Shadows is taken by French Photographer David Gentet. You can find more of his stunning photography on his Deviant Art Gallery here: http://uraeus82.deviantart.com

Filed under: Dark Fey Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Dark Fey, Dark Fey Trilogy, Fantasy, Feyfolk, New Book, Shadows, Upcoming Release, ~Morgan~

Fragile

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Breath

Of All that is Intangible,

Laying Promise across the Path,

Singing in the Shadows of Understanding

Where Perception Plays amidst the rolling Clouds of Whispering Time,

Shallow Dream, Most Incomprehensible,

Delivering, Disguising, Directing

The Harbingers of Light who Dance upon Sparrow’s Wings!

Sing

Sweet Breath

Of All that Encompasses Mystery,

Speak of other times and days of History,

Once Deeply Sought, Now Long Unremembered,

Build a Bridge of Comprehension

Beyond this Mortal Gash of Limited Dwelling,

Into a Realm of Constancy and Hope and Purpose;

Beyond our Scope of Imagination,

Engendering, Encompassing Enigma;

Breathe

And Make this Fragile knowledge I call my own,

All that Bends to your Dulcet Harmony.

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful Music: Aurora by Hans Zimmer

Filed under: Music and Muse Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Hans Zimmer, Harmony, Hope, Inspiration, life, Nature, Poem, poetry, relationships, spirituality, time, ~Morgan~

In The Lime Light – Roari Benjamin – Society in the Shadow of Civilization

Is it Saturday already? OH How time flies, but no matter, because Saturdays mean Lime Lights and that is fine with me :) Time to shine the spotlight on another well-deserving Writer/Creater/Poet/Author who I recently met via Twitter (great place, Really, you ought to visit sometime if you don’t usually). But who you can also visit at her blog: http://roaribenjamin.blogspot.com So, go ahead, grab a steaming cup of something soothing, sit back, relax and allow me to present Roari Benjamin, writer of sci-fi and fantasy laced with romance and adventure. She lives in Southern California’s High Desert with the love of her life, their son and daughter, three cats, two dogs, and a turtle. Roari LOVES being in the water, in spite of the fact that she lives in a desert.

Creator of the Society of the Shadow Civilization, Roari is the Author of 3 published books, with 3 more on the way; she blogs, she writes poetry, is currently invovled in NaNoWriMo (http://nanowrimo.org) and she found time to “sit down” with me to talk about her writing and what inspires her.

Hi Roari, Thank You for joining me for this week’s Lime Light! Ready to talk about yourself with wild abandon? GREAT! Let’s go:

Thanks for inviting me to your beautiful blog, Morgan. I’m incredibly honored to be here!

Please Introduce us to your Blog. What is it all about? What sorts of posts do you lean towards?

Roari Benjamin’s Blog -formerly Roari’s Ramblings – is really a place I hope to introduce my writing, and myself to readers. As an Indie Author, it serves as my author website.

My posts are relatively random. I’ve shared sample chapters, short stories, some of my experiences in self-publishing, and a poem I wrote for a woman I met in the bookstore. Occasionally, I voice my opinion on TV shows – I want my Revenge back! Then, there’s the one with the video of Flutter, my hummingbird friend, taking a shower by the spigot. Yes, I talk to and name the critters in my yard. I also post some of my “Midnight Ramblings,” which aren’t always right at midnight, but are the result of whatever comes to mind when I decide to write in the late hours.

What Inspires and stirs your creativity?

Nature, music, science, visual art, and, of course, countless works of other writers. Animals fall under nature, but I feel the need to highlight them because they often turn up as characters in my stories. Ideas sneak up on me, usually after midnight. I really don’t plan on it. Except in November – I was bitten by the NaNoWriMo bug in 2009, and have been afflicted the entire month every year since. Which means, by the time your readers see this, my eyes will be bloodshot, and I’ll be having caffeine and Halloween candy jitters….

How has your blog helped you as a writer/Indie Author? What things have you learned along the way that you never anticipated?

I find it to be good practice, in a different form of writing. The more I write, the better I get. At least, that’s how I think the theory is supposed to work? It also gives the search engines something to find ;) Admittedly, I’m still learning. I never expected Twitter to be so effective at bringing readers in. Visits to my blog skyrocketed over the summer, when I started twittering. Go figure! It was a nice surprise.

Tell us about your book(s):

My first novel, The Shadow Watcher, is book one of the Society in the Shadow of Civilization series. It’s a blend of mystery, adventure, science fiction and fantasy. I call it a sci-fi fairytale….

After college, Samantha Marquet distanced herself from the small fortune her father left behind. Determined to make her own way in the world, she works as a content writer and part-time bartender to make ends meet, hoping to publish her first novel soon. She also lives with the strange sensation someone’s watching….

When enemies Sam never knew existed attack, the man behind the mysterious presence she senses must come forward to protect her. She soon remembers seeing him once before, at her father’s funeral. And she realizes he hasn’t aged a day in the seventeen years since.

The Shadow Watcher reveals Sam’s true inheritance is the key to his youth. Something more powerful than money. Something far more valuable. Something many others are desperate to possess. Now that they’ve found her, the best way he can protect Sam is to guide her into the secret world founded by her grandfather, the Society in the Shadow of Civilization.

In book two, A Shadow in Doubt, after learning of the Society, and its secrets, Sam knows her life will never be the same. Though, now aware of the dangers she faces, she feels better prepared to take care of herself. But, while Sam’s learning the ins and outs of the Society, she’s also trying to sort out her feelings for her Shadow Watcher – who sent her a warning, telling Sam she has to push him away.

She also needs to know if her boyfriend pursued their relationship because he was interested in her, or because he’s working with her enemies. She accepts his marriage proposal in hopes of learning the truth. But, just when Sam thinks her life can’t get any more confusing, her ex-fiancé walks back into her life, acting not at all like the man she knew.

To complicate matters further, prisoners from the attack at the Society’s Complex share disturbing information about the U.C.E.’s plans, implying the Marquet family has long been misguided by the one they trusted most.

Fore Shadows: Escape 2169 is a companion short story, but can be read alone. Told by Sam’s grandfather, Dr. Samuel Marks, he narrates the hours leading to the formation of the Society. My suggestion is to read it between The Shadow Watcher and A Shadow in Doubt, as it gives some insight about the founding members of the Society, and adds another layer to the story. But, that’s just my suggestion ;) I’ll be working on more Fore Shadows, and a novella narrated by Jayden, Sam’s best friend, before moving on to book three, Of Shadows and Sovereigns.

Sounds Fantastic!! What Inspired you to write your books?

While poking around Writing.com one night, an idea came to me for what I thought would be a short horror story. It started with a scene where Sam meets her Shadow Watcher (which is in the first chapter). I had no idea who, or what, he was – only that he’d been following her for years, and hadn’t aged. And their connection was intense. I knew he wasn’t a vampire, or ghost, but not much else. So, I had to come up with another reason for his lasting youth.

After pondering and abandoning the Fountain of Youth, I moved on to the Philosopher’s Stone and the Tree of Life. From some combination of those legends, and random internet articles about GMOs and super foods, emerged the Flamella tree.

Then, I realized I needed to look to the future before I could look to the past. I’ve always loved time-travel stories. A Sound of Thunder (Bradbury), Timeline (Crichton), A Wrinkle in Time (L’Engle) are among old favorites. I also have a very worn copy of Lightning (Koontz) in my possession, which definitely had an influence. Once I started down the path of time-travel, it kind of spiraled out of control….

From what Point of View do you prefer to write? Is there a reason?

I really don’t have a preference; I guess it depends on what I’m writing. The Shadow Watcher was my first attempt at a novel in first person. Originally the first few chapters were written in third person. When I went back to it, I decided to switch it up, and liked the result in first person much better. But, it doesn’t work for every story.

How would you describe your “Voice” or Style of writing?

Hmmm…. That’s a tough one. Again, it depends on what I’m writing. I have a twisted sense of humor, sometimes it’s a little bent, and I try to scatter bits of it around. Some of my characters are better at expressing it than others.

What genre do you prefer to write or are you truly eclectic?

I like to stay under the speculative umbrella. As a reader, I’m drawn to fantasy – like Dark Fey: The Reviled-, non-sciencey sci-fi and paranormal, so, it’s what I write, primarily. Right now, I’m working on a YA fantasy novel involving elves who cause nightmares, among other things. There’s also this pirate who’s been bugging me to write her story. So, I’m also researching a historical high-seas murder mystery adventure.

Do you painstakingly plot out your story; are you a discovery writer or a bit of both? Why?

Definitely discovery. Ideas or characters usually come to me, I rarely seek them out. Once they do, I’ll write out five to ten thousand words in a week or so. Then, I’ll think on it, usually a long while, and make a rough outline. Certain events become set in stone, while others, not so much. Sometimes, I can’t see the whole picture until I’m writing out the scene, then, things change. Sometimes, my characters are adamant about what they want to do. When their choices are better than mine, I give in.

Share an insight or secret about your book(s).

Ultimately, the series is a love story. There’s just some really big the-fate-of-the-world-is-resting-on-our-shoulders kind of obstacles standing in my time-crossed lovers’ way. Just remember, what seems impossible today, may already be possible tomorrow….

What do you feel is your best advice to share with other aspiring authors?

I’m going to fall back on what’s helped me. Read what your author heroes have written on writing, not just their books. They leave little gems of wisdom all over the internet.

Something Anne Rice shared on her website stayed with me – “Go where the pleasure is in your writing. Go where the pain is. Write the book you would like to read.” I especially like this part -“And remember, there are no rules for our profession. Ignore rules. Ignore what I say here if it doesn’t help you. Do it your own way.” ( http://annerice.com/Chamber-OnWriting.html )

OH this is Great Roari! Wait right there…I need to get more popcorn….:) While Im gone, say hello to Artemis, who appears as Sam’s cat in her books, and is Roari’s real life writing companion

OK now, let’s find out about the person behind the writer, so to speak. If you had to describe yourself to someone who has never met you, what might you say?

I’m a thirty-something mom of two, who never really grew up. What I lack in height, I make up for with imagination.

If you could meet one person from the past, who might it be and why?

Just one? Since a handful of interesting people have made their way into my books as characters already, I’ll pick one who’s not. Leonardo da Vinci. I think to see a mind like his in action would be something almost magical to behold.

When you are NOT writing, what is your favourite pastime?

I love being outdoors – working in my garden, playing or walking with my kids and dogs, hiking, swimming, camping, talking to lizards and hummingbirds…. It’s also my favorite place to read. Family time is really the big thing right now though, anyway we can get it. The boy is ten, the girl just turned eight, and I’m just trying to take it all in. They’re getting into sports, music and science now, and growing way too fast!

Describe Your Dream Getaway Destination. Have you ever been there? What makes this place Irresistible to you?

My bucket list is long, there are so many amazing sights in this world to behold. Spending a night in one of those glass-topped igloos, under the Northern Lights, is near the top. But, I really don’t do well in the cold. So, I’d have to say my Ideal destination would be somewhere warm and tropical, preferably with beaches and mai tais. I’ve been to Hawaii, once, and for me it’s definitely a little piece of Heaven on Earth. The best mai tais I found while there came with brunch on a little boat, on the way back from snorkeling around Molokini.

Speaking of Hawaii…. While walking through Lahaina one evening, I stopped in Christian Riese Lassen’s gallery. I love, love, love his work. I was the only one in the room, lost in an enchanted undersea world, when the curator came over and asked, “Would you like to see something?” I said, “Sure!” Then, he said, “I don’t show this to everyone,” and turned down the lights in the room. Keep reading, it’s safe. He walked me over to one of the paintings, adjusted the controls for the lighting, and it came alive! The dolphins were swimming, the light in the water danced… it was amazing. Something I will never forget.

Do you have a Mantra?

No, I can’t say that I do. But, there is a Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot) quote that sticks with me – “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” I’ve reinvented myself more than once already, and I suspect I’m not done.

Roari, Thank You So Much for taking the time to share So Much about yourself, your writing and what Inspires you. The World grows a little bit smaller each time a soul opens :)

You can find Roari in ALL of the following places:

Links for The Shadow Watcher

Amazon: http://bit.ly/tswamazon

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/tswnook

iTunes: http://bit.ly/tswtunes

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/tswsmashwords

Links for A Shadow in Doubt

Amazon: http://bit.ly/Kindle2ASID

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/NookASID

iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunesASID

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/SmashASID

Links for Fore Shadows: Escape 2169

Amazon: http://bit.ly/10yV0XL

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Nook2169

iTunes: http://bit.ly/iTunes2169

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/Smash2169

The Shadow Watcher and Escape 2169 are both available to read free, and A Shadow in Doubt is on sale for .99¢ through November.

Where else you may find me lurking online:

Writing.com – https://www.writing.com/main/portfolio/view/isiterrasource

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/The-Shadow-Watcher-727074813985971

Twitter – https://twitter.com/roaribenjamin

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5819549.Roari_Benjamin

~Morgan~

Filed under: Your Beautiful Life Tagged: Author Interviews, Authors, Bloggers, BnV, BooknVolume, Books, Indie Authors, Indie Publishing, poetry, Self-Publishing, Writers, Writing, ~Morgan~

Friday Fantasy – Sweetly Incarnate

Bright Zephyr of Unknown Tomorrow,

Gilded Secret of Improbability,

Guide these Thoughts of Straying Sorrow,

And Break the shackles of Conformity.

Dance upon the Midnight Breeze,

Sing and Chant in Harmonious tune,

Of Winsome Laughter through Emeraldine Trees,

Of the Dappled Luminous Glowing Moon.

Ruse of Captive Games, Unspoken,

Hindering Ever the chance of Fate,

Whisper Hope, what once was Broken,

Of Ethereal Magic, Sweetly Incarnate.

Summer Night of Trilling Song,

Worship Singing in Ancient Rhyme,

Transforming Quietly where I Belong

Into Purest Passion, Beguilingly Sublime.

Desire Kindled in Softest Touch

Of Golden Morning Kissing Land,

Temptation Paints in Tranquility, Much,

By Mystery’s Enchanted, Persuasive Hand.

~Morgan~

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#1 Beautiful Original Artwork by: Rodmendez

#2 Beautiful Artwork found at: angelfire.com

#3 Beautiful Artwork found at: bestfantasystories.com

#4 Beautiful Artwork found at: Layoutsparks.com

Filed under: Friday Fantasy, Poetry Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Desire, Fantasy, Love, Memory, Night, passion, Poem, poetry, relationships, Romance, ~Morgan~

Friday Fantasy – Your Song’s Sweet Sound- Sonnet XXVIIII

Speak not when this pale shallow glass

Shall fall in broken shale upon the floor,

Scattering winsome Laughter as Seasons pass,

Whispering in Retrospect, More and More.

Like Fallen Roses in the Burgeoning Rush of May,

When Petals Glisten and Drop in Heavy Balm,

This Passion, Once Remembered, forgets to Play,

And Now sits brooding, Silent in the Broken Calm.

Transparent and Untended in the Willow-ribbon haze,

This Mirror of True Love, now Tarnished Lies,

Reflecting Naught but my Own Shifting Gaze,

While Memory Above the Void, Unraveled, Flies.

Now as the Darkness Seeps and Sinks Around,

My Yearning Heart Strains to Hear Your Songs Sweet Sound.

~Morgan~

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Beautiful Original Artwork by: Anne Stokes

Filed under: Friday Fantasy, Sonnets Tagged: BnV, BooknVolume, Fantasy, Gothic, Longing, Love, Memory, passion, Poem, poetry, relationships, Romance, ~Morgan~

It’s Party Time!!!

Hello once again. Yes, I am still busy working on promotion for the upcoming release of Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows, but I did not want to neglect you NOR did I wish to leave anyone out. Out of what you quizzically ask? Well………..(since you asked) ( I Know…I asked, really, but nevertheless) I am working on a Facebook event (Nov 27-30) to help Launch Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows and would like to extend the invitation, not only to stop by and peruse all the freebies, enter the giveaways that will be running and rub elbows, electronically-speaking, with fellow authors, but to invite anyone who might be interested to participate in the event.

How might you join in? Very simple…You can offer a Free book/photo/or service either through a giveaway/contest (where people have to visit your FB /blog page, follow you on twitter, etc) in order to have a chance to win OR might you consider contributing a copy of your book as part of the GRAND PRIZE?  I would share a post about you and link to your site in return.

Just a bit of fun to kick things off and, hopefully, gain some networking for all invovled. Hope to see you there : https://www.facebook.com/events/818373964939127

If you’re interested, drop a comment and we shall confer ;) ☆.•°*°•.☆Dark Fey: Standing in Shadows Release Party☆.•°*°•.☆

Thanks Ever So and as ever, Best of Success :)

~Morgan~

Filed under: Dark Fey Tagged: BnV, Book Launch, Book Promotion, BooknVolume, Facebook Event, Free Books, Giveaways, Networking, Writing, ~Morgan~

Being All

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Being All,

Be All to me,

Love, In Love’s Vast Symphony,

Creator,

Creating All I See,

Infinite Splendor, All In Thee.

Vision of Symphonic Trilogy,

Pause to Ponder,

Impossibility,

Of All I Feel, All I see,

Being All,

Be All in Me.

Sweetest Harmony,

Beyond Insecurity,

Treasure of Trust,

Incomprehensibly,

Implacable Time in Fair Mystery,

Magnificent Ocean, Beauteous Sea,

Being All,

Be All of Me!

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~Morgan~

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Many Many Thanks to Ben Naga of bennaga.wordpress.com for sharing this Exquisite piece of music with me, which in turn inspired these words and this emotion.

Beautiful Photograph found at: petewilkinsonart.com

Filed under: Music and Muse Tagged: Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, eternity, Harmony, Inspiration, life, Music, Nature, photography, Poem, poetry, relationships, spirituality, ~Morgan~

Wordless Wednesday – Ravaging Russets

~Morgan~

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Beautiful Photographs found on Pinterest….Acknowledgment Given to the Amazing Original Photographers.

Filed under: Wordless Wednesday Tagged: Autumn Foliage, Autumn Leaves, Autumn Splendor, Beautiful Photographs, Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, Colours, Light, Nature, photography, ~Morgan~

Wordless Wednesday – Autumnal Lavender

~Morgan~

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All Photos found on Pinterest. Credit Acknowledge to the original photographers.

Filed under: Wordless Wednesday Tagged: Autumn, Autumn Colours, Autumn Foliage, Autumn Leaves, Autumn Splendor, Beautiful Photographs, Beauty, BnV, BooknVolume, lavender, Nature, photography, ~Morgan~