Cynthia A. Morgan's Blog, page 44
February 12, 2022
An Unforgettable Series! – #Readers Share Insights into the first two books of The Mercy Series
Chad R Slabach Jr
Misericorde (Mercy Series Book One)
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2020…..Cynthia A Morgan wrote the Dark Fey trilogy and I loved that…this is a very different sort of book. For one, it’s slower paced and the work of a very talented author who has time (there are 3 more books to come in the series) to let the story unfold, to allow the reader to know and understand the characters, times, environments. She is patient and assured – 2 words I would hesitate to use to describe most anything culturally. We are raised on soundbites and fed headlines, but this book/series is, especially the more I think about it, so difficult to adequately distill into a short synopsis. It’s spiritual and human. It’s violent and tender. It’s desperate and deeply hopeful. I can’t wait to see where she takes us from here.
Who is your favorite/least favorite character and why?
My least favorite is easy: Sauvage. In a space that is forgetting any resemblance of gentleness or care, his absolute lack of humanity is repulsive.
My favorite has been Chevalier or Levesque for the same reason. As I raged at their apathy and unwillingness to DO SOMETHING, I knew why they didn’t (or couldn’t.) They did for the same reason we stand idly by while the least of us are utterly taken advantage of and great violence is inflicted. Morgan couldn’t have known the specific political/social landscape when she wrote it, but this story is perfect for us, now. I guess it’s perfect for any time, because we are too often Chevalier or Levesque and not enough Tzadkiel and Lourdes. (As it turns out, why I love them is that they DID finally DO SOMETHING and I am proud of them, and it gives me hope for us, for me.)
What surprised you about the story that you didn’t expect
In my reviews, I talk about your patience. It’s shocking to me that this story is given such beautiful space to breathe and be exactly what it is. It feels much less like a contrived product driven by bells and whistles and more like a living breathing organism. Then when the bells and whistles do come, they are genuine and unforced and we discover that we actually care deeply for these characters. It’s like we’re watching lives unfold and not just an event.
What are you hoping to see happen as the story moves forward?
Of course, I hope they find their way home and that they can heal from the tremendous amount of pain they’ve suffered. I don’t know if I can hope for anything other than Death to ride, it sounds like that is written so it shall be done. I just hope they all find peace. I love a happy ending (whether there can be a complete one with Death is doubtful.)
Which scene has lingered with you the most? Why?
The 2nd rape/abuse scene at the campsite was horrible and not something I will soon leave behind. It was much more impactful than the 1st (though the act itself is so vile) because I had grown to love them. I read it through tears, with an upset stomach. The visceral reaction I had was surprising…actually, I was absolutely sure the abuse wouldn’t happen. Absolutely sure! And then it did, written so descriptively it was REAL, and I barely kept from throwing up in horror. I still can’t move on.
Does the story remind you of any other books/movies?
There’s nothing like this.
Did you disagree with any of the character’s decisions and why?
I think the disagreement was in the complete breakdown in human kindness and civility, like “how can they do that???” But I know, I know. It’s a mirror of what we can become and an invitation to become something more of what we were created to be.
Did you get any message / positive inspiration from the story?
The invitation I mentioned previously, and the quote, “May we show our thankfulness through kindness and appreciate our blessings through generosity,” has become the subject in a series I am teaching in our faith community and has been quoted often in my life. We should all aim so high.
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Chad Slabach is the leader of a non-denominational faith community-based in south-central PA as well an as avid music fan and writer. You can find Chad on his WordPress Blog The Bridge Faith Community.
I’d like to Thank Chad immensely, not only for his enthusiastic support, but for taking time out of his busy schedule to read and review The Mercy Series AND to provide his insights in this Reverse View
Misericorde is the first installment in the Mercy series. It is a work of fiction in the epic fantasy genre and was penned by author Cynthia A. Morgan. Set after the first three horsemen of the apocalypse have been let loose upon Earth and shifted humanity into a feudalistic series of dictatorships, the Archangel of Mercy begs for a reprieve for humanity before the final horseman is unleashed. Given a hundred years to find a human capable of mercy and compassion, the Archangel is dangerously close to the deadline when they meet one person on a planet filled with hatred who may meet their criteria. The novel contains some moderate content that may not be suitable for readers below a mature teen level.
Author Cynthia A. Morgan has crafted a lavish and detailed read that audiences are sure to devour from cover to cover thanks to its quick pacing and highly engaging plot. I particularly adored Tzadkiel as a central character, whose determined belief that humanity may have hope yet is a central theme that endears him and his quest to us. There is a great atmosphere in the writing and lexical choices made by the author, painting the pseudo-medieval world with a bleak and desolate brush. This makes the juxtaposition of hope all the more important and prominent when the search reaches its potential conclusion. I found the plot structure to be well-timed and with plenty of ups and downs to keep the story interesting. Overall, I would certainly recommend Misericorde for fantasy fans everywhere.” – 5 STARS – Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Find Misericorde on Amazon
***Caution- This book contains brief scenes of violence and rape. Though not explicit, these may be triggers for some readers.***
~Morgan~
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Amazing Original Artwork by the following Exceptionally Talented Artists:
Telyuka
Lee Jun at DeviantArt.com
Jelena Pjevicaenaluck on Deviant ArtFebruary 7, 2022
What is God? – Understanding the Nature of the Unfathomable
I’ve heard it said that God is love, God is good and God is just. I’ve also heard the opposite; that God is jealous and wrathful. That God is unfair and unloving. After all, how can God be loving and good when children are abused and neglected, even to the point of death? How can God be just when the innocent are exploited every day and there is so much injustice in the world?
Is the answer a simple one? Could it be that we’ve pushed God away and now we’re left with the consequences?
Or perhaps, the world is what we make of it and we really haven’t done too great a job?
The age-old question remains, however: Why does God allow bad things to happen? One might argue that without challenges to overcome, we never grow or learn. One might also argue that it’s our own human nature that creates the bad things. I mean, let’s face it, we’re not all that skilled at getting along.
Grasping the un-grasp-ableIn the Bible, God reveals himself to man through incomprehensible images. A burning bush that doesn’t burn. A pillar of cloud and fire. A baby born of a virgin. In each case, God reveals Himself in a form of duality, as more than what we perceive and can comprehend, yet in each case, God states clearly: “I AM.”
It is narrated in the Quran that God says it would not be possible for ‘man’ to perceive Him, but to look upon the mountain and see Him in it. While such a description is as cryptic and difficult to comprehend as a bush that burns yet is not devoured by the flame, perhaps it is also the key to grasping the unattainable.
God is more than we understand. It’s that simple AND that complex.
What We Know“THE ONLY TRUE WISDOM IS IN KNOWING YOU KNOW NOTHING.” ― SOCRATES
Mankind is many things. We are brilliant…yet we are close-minded. We are compassionate and, still, we are cruel. We’re creative and destructive; inspirational and devastatingly monstrous. We have the capacity to explore the distant realms of space and time, yet we struggle with the simple concept of recycling. We have discovered the intricate workings of the body and can protect ourselves from disastrous outbreaks, yet we quibble over wearing a piece of cloth.
Some might say what we know far exceeds what we don’t know about the world around us, while others might offer that we’ve only scratched the surface of what we can discover. I believe the latter.
We know only as much as we choose to know.
We learn only what we allow ourselves to learn.
We comprehend only what we open ourselves to understand.
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”- Jesus speaking in Luke 18:17 NIV
“Honesty is the first book of wisdom.” Thomas Jefferson
“My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind”.- Albert Einstein
What Socrates, Jesus, and Einstein have in common“To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.” –Confucius
Whether you’ve made a career out of studying the great minds of philosophy or have taken only five minutes to research the concepts of wisdom and knowledge, the truth quickly becomes a glaring light in the shadows.
We don’t know everything.
The human ego likes to boast about all the things we know, but the simple fact is, for everything we know there are at least three things we don’t. Or, in scientific terms, for those of you who prefer numbers to words:
The Universe is: *

Learning happens when we first accept that we don’t know something and open ourselves to an idea we’ve not considered before. In other words, if we want to understand something, we first need to accept that we don’t. Then, we must allow ourselves the freedom to consider the possibilities.
The possibility that there’s more to life, the world, and the universe than we comprehend.
The possibility that, like dark matter and dark energy, there are worlds within worlds and secrets to the cosmos we cannot perceive.
The possibility that there’s a universe of unknown possibilities despite the fact that we cannot discern it.
String Theory suggests there are Ten Dimensions in the known universe. Each dimension embodies what we can or cannot comprehend. In the tenth dimension, everything possible and imaginable is covered. Hidden. Unknowable. Imperceivable.
Understanding the Nature of God?Perhaps to truly understand the nature of God, we simply need to accept that we cannot understand the nature of God.
Perhaps this is the true test of faith, to believe in something without proof.
To accept the possibility of the possibility because we know we don’t know.
To humble ourselves and allow the universe to be as incomprehensibly spectacular as IT IS.
~Thank You for reading ~If you’d like to have my articles sent directly to your email you can Do that here !
You can discover more about my award-winning novels and poetry by visiting my author website
~Morgan~.
Photo by William Farlow
*Quote by Ethan Siegel
February 6, 2022
BooknVolume Revamped!
After spending more hours looking at and testing various options for some long-overdue changes to BnV, I’ve finally made a decision and revamped the entire look of my blog.
For a long time now, I’ve wanted to re-set my theme to capture the visual side of my blog better. After all, I often spend as much time carefully selecting the artwork/image for each post as I do writing it and I wanted BnV to reflect the strong visual influence images have on my writing. So I made a decision and finally ran with it.
I’ve also updated the color -scheme, after many comments stating that reading on the old blue background was somewhat difficult. The last thing I want is to make my posts difficult to read after spending so much time creating them
So…….I’d love to hear what you think? Love it? Hate it? Please, don’t berate it. LOL
I hope you’ll pop in, have a look around and enjoy the new theme!
~Morgan~
February 4, 2022
#FridayFantasy – Beyond the Borders – #Mythical #FlashFiction
Beyond the borders of imagination, where reality blends with myth, a realm of enchantment presides over the tempestuous seas of time. Anchored in the distant past; yet sailing the present tides, this timeless dynasty abides amid lush and verdant green. Entwining tapestries of amber and sage bedeck the primordial weald; yet within the opulent splendor, peril intractably awaits.
Awaits the luckless, the vengeful, the courageous and unsuspecting, its beguiling temptation borne upon the breeze and its silken captivation steeped in sweet poison. A seduction so bewitching, even the emeraldine hues of its lavish domicile draw close in an oblivious embrace.
And though curiosity beckons the intrepid, none escape the invitation drenched in gilded phrases.
~Morgan~
~Thank You for reading ~If you enjoyed my article, you might also enjoy: The Nevermore- Realm of Dreams
If you’d like to have my articles sent directly to your email you can Do that here !
If you’d like to read EVERYTHING Medium has to offer consider signing up for a membership . Memberships are only $5 per month and this fee helps to support writers. (Memberships can be canceled at anytime.)
You can discover more about my award-winning novels and poetry by visiting my author website
Green Dragon found on: hdwallpapers.cat
February 2, 2022
I’m Never Sharing the Gospel Again- Why I Won’t Argue About God
I’ve always believed it important to have a moral foundation for living. Call it religion, spirituality, or your moral compass, keeping the many aspects of life grounded by following a few virtues or adhering to a belief is invaluable for our overall wellbeing. Even if that belief is non-belief.
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality encompasses many perspectives and is based upon the acceptance of the existence of something more significant than ourselves. It’s a universal experience that’s often described as sacred, transcendent or having a deep sense of interconnectedness.
Some may find their spiritual life is closely linked with a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue. Others may have a relationship with God without the need for a building or strict protocol. Still others find meaning through their connection to nature. Spirituality can be as individualized as each person and it can change throughout our lives, adapting to personal experiences or relationships.
The Non-Religious Trend
Being a writer/author, I spend a good deal of time on social media and connect with many types of people. When I first started out, back in 2013, I focused solely on my blog, writing inspirational poetry and articles about spirituality. It didn’t take me very long to learn how important it is to communicate using non-specific language.
In this so-called ‘modern era’, being politically correct often means being extremely cautious, particularly when using words such as God, Faith, Prayer. Instead of these, I learned if I wanted to remain as non-biased and accessible as possible, I should use such terms as The Universe, Universal Consciousness, Cosmos, Karma, Spirituality, Meditation and the like.
I also discovered, if I hoped to avoid unwanted and, oftentimes, surprisingly contentious verbal confrontations, I needed to stand on neutral ground. I had to write in a non-religious context, even when writing about religion. I learned the unfortunate truth that we’re simply no longer free to randomly express our beliefs, even when writing an opinion piece.
On the Offensive
Why do I say that? Simply because articles about religion, faith, spirituality, and/or beliefs always seem to generate vehement debate and sometimes hostile offense. Personally, I tend to think we’ve gone around the bend with ‘being offended’, but the right to be so seems to have superseded our other rights lately.
Or perhaps, it’s not such a new phenomenon.
Whether you believe in Jesus as the Son of God or not, many of the things He taught aren’t really all that absurd. Things such as keeping your word, turning the other cheek, loving your enemies, and not judging others. These moral guidelines are ones we can all choose to live by and they would certainly make the world a better place, regardless of who suggested them.
Surprisingly, Jesus also told believers not to share their faith with people who do not want to hear it. Though it sounds harsh, He said:
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they will trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.” — Matthew 7:6
The Harsh Reality
This may seem counter-intuitive, particularly when He also told His disciples to preach the gospel to all nations, until you consider how vehemently people react when you start talking to them about faith, spirituality, and beliefs. Is it possible that even 2000 years ago people were quick to be offended and ready, at the proverbial drop of a hat, to argue?
That doesn’t really count as a rhetorical question. Of course they were because, for all our technological, medical and scientific advances, human beings have not changed emotionally or mentally since the dawning of time. We still intentionally hurt each other, squander the world’s resources, ignore the meek, exploit the innocent, and crucify the idealistic.
Perhaps these two statements by Jesus should be considered in the reverse in order to comprehend them fully. First, “Go everywhere in the world. Tell the Good News to everyone.” — Mark 16:15; and then: “Do not give what is holy to dogs — they will only turn and attack you. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs — they will only trample them underfoot.”
Safety first
A common thing we all tend to say when parting is ‘Be Safe’ and it’s as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. Jesus apparently knew ‘how people are’ and, although He wanted the good news of His love and forgiveness shared, He didn’t want to risk the safety of those He loved.
It makes perfect sense to me, especially after experiencing ‘how people are’ first hand. Back when I started writing in 2013 and as recently as this year, I’ve received comments on my articles about faith, spirituality and beliefs that are startlingly antagonistic, which has led me to the inevitable.
I’m Never Sharing the Gospel Again
Not so many years ago I had a friend who would tell me about her problems, but never, ever took any of my advice about how to fix them or even make them better. I’m a fairly creative problem solver and would offer any number of possible solutions for her to consider, but, although they could have made her life better in many ways, she invariably rejected any suggestions I offered. She simply did As a result, I finally decided I would never offer her advice again.
The same is true for sharing the Good News of Jesus love and forgiveness. Despite the fact that we all need love and forgiveness and could benefit from the many pieces of good advice He offered, I’ve decided never to share the gospel again.
Allow Me to Clarify
That may seem an over-reaction. Maybe what I should say is, I’m never sharing the gospel again with anyone who obviously doesn’t want hear it. It’s simply not worth the risk. Besides, you know what happens when you try to give advice…
~Morgan~
This piece was inspired by The 49 Commands of Christ by Dan Foster
~Thank You for reading ~If you enjoyed my article, you might also enjoy: The Nevermore- Realm of Dreams
If you’d like to have my articles sent directly to your email you can Do that here !
If you’d like to read EVERYTHING Medium has to offer consider signing up for a membership . Memberships are only $5 per month and this fee helps to support writers. (Memberships can be canceled at anytime.)
You can discover more about my award-winning novels and poetry by visiting my author website
January 30, 2022
Stepping into another Realm – An Introduction to the #Epic #YA #Fantasy #DarkFey
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The story of Dark Fey is set in a fantasy realm of Jyndari, a world of beauty, magic, Light and Darkness. It is peopled by Feyfolk, winged beings the size of any human who are born with gifts of telepathy, empathy and sometimes magic. It relates how the Power of Hope, Acceptance and Forgiveness can change the world, if you take Positive Action to create Change through doing what is Right.
The only way to achieve Peace is to become Peace.
Although their two realms exist in close proximity, most Fey of the Light have never seen an actual Dark Fey and many Dark Fey only encounter very young Fey of the Light; yet crossings and abductions happen every day.
As their temples are desecrated, homes are pillaged and plundered, and the peaceful tranquility so important to the Fey of the Light is repeatedly shattered, the Fey Guard stand as protectors. They are mighty in battle and fierce in their vigilance to protect the fragile balance of life for the peaceful Fey of Light
All Fey are born with special abilities, or gifts, such as telepathy, empathy, discernment, or the ability to dream walk. Many also have a gift of magic, though not all, such as spell-casting, enchantment, light bending or element wielding. While the Fey of the Light are beautiful and live harmoniously, the Reviled Fey are the opposite; they revere darkness and fill their lives with cruelty and evil, but all Reviled Fey begin their lives as Fey of the Light. The change comes only if they are abducted as childfey and forced to undergo the Integration, a process of intentional neglect and cruelty designed to twist them away from the Light.
This level of horror is not incorporated into the Dark Fey Trilogy simply for the sake of it. One does not need to open the pages of a book to discover the unthinkable, as the darkness typically embodied in fantasy genre stories by some terrifying being or creature is very much alive in our own reality and this is the underlying motivation for the darkness woven into Dark Fey. It was based in great part on the terrifying, yet true-life events of the Lord’s Resistance Army or LRA, a rebel militant group in Uganda that has for over 20 years abducted children from their homes; forcing them to commit horrifying acts of violence against each other and their own people. These children suffer a very real Integration and, like the childfey of Jyndari, they endure violence and cruelty at the hands of truly sadistic overlords. This is how the Reviled came to life and became the horrifyingly cruel beings depicted in Dark Fey.
This story shares the Power of Hope, Acceptance and Forgiveness through the ideal that you can change the world, if you take Positive Action to Create Change through doing what is Right.
Many times during your journey through the Dark Fey Trilogy, you will encounter words that seem to be capitalized for no apparent reason; yet,it should be noted, these capitalizations are anything but random. They mark either proper nouns, such as Fey of the Light, the Temple, Fey Guards, the Reviled, or the Light, which is not simply a glimmering of illumination, but a connotation that is highly important in the spirituality of Fey. If a word holds specific meaning, it may also be capitalized, such as See, Know, or Understand. You may encounter such words when they are in reference to a Fey gift, such as telepathy, empathy, or discernment, and they carry significant weight so, in order to emphasize their importance, capitalization is used.
Join me as we embark into this realm of Light and Dark. Allow your imagination take over as you experience the Jyndari forest and The Fey of the Light’s struggle with The Reviled. Let the Light reach outward from these pages and draws you into on a journey that promises to change your way of thinking.
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Discover More About Dark Fey on its official website
The Reviled
Standing In Shadows
Breaking Into The Light
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~Morgan~
January 24, 2022
BookNVolume Newsletter- Sign up Today for $1!

The new year is always filled with new opportunities and ideas. Resolutions aside, one thing I’m determined to do differently this year is to get/stay more connected with my readers. Yes, YOU!
One way I plan to do this is through a new, dedicated newsletter that will deliver Teasers from ALL of my books, new Poetry, Inspirational articles, character interviews, and a whole lot more directly to your mailbox.
No more annoying redirects or READ HERE links! No need to sign in and search through the reader and you’ll never miss a sale or giveaway again (yes, there will be plenty of both throughout the year!)
I’m taking suggestions as well. If you want to know something about one of my stories or characters, places or cultures, just let me know. You can comment below or through the Ask Away form available through the newsletter.
The best news of all, though is that for a limited time, you can save 80% off the montly subscription. Sign up for just $1 a month!
I’m looking forward to answering your questions, sharing book related content that will enhance your reading enjoyment, and staying connected.
~Morgan~
BookNVolume Newsletter

The new year is always filled with new opportunities and ideas. Resolutions aside, one thing I’m determined to do differently this year is to get/stay more connected with my readers. Yes, YOU!
One way I plan to do this is through a new, dedicated newsletter that will deliver Teasers from ALL of my books, new Poetry, Inspirational articles, character interviews, and a whole lot more directly to your mailbox.
No more annoying redirects or READ HERE links! No need to sign in and search through the reader and you’ll never miss a sale or giveaway again (yes, there will be plenty of both throughout the year!)
I’m taking suggestions as well. If you want to know something about one of my stories or characters, places or cultures, just let me know. You can comment below or through the Ask Away form available through the newsletter.
The best news of all, though is that for a limited time, you can sign up for only $5 a month!
I’m looking forward to answering your questions, sharing book related content that will enhance your reading enjoyment, and staying connected.
~Morgan~
January 20, 2022
New Year News – What I’ve Been Upto
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Happy New Year!!I hope you have all had a blessed and beautiful holiday season. I did, and, after a much-needed break over the holidays to relax, restore and reflect on everything I’ve been doing, I realized I’ve been doing a little too much.
As a published author, I’ve been working on book three of my dystopian fantasy The Mercy Series most of the year. I’d hoped it would be ready by May 2021, but it’s been a slow go and is still not done. …though it shall be soon!!!
Some other things I’ve been doing include taking a Master’s Class from author Linda Kaari Predovsky to learn the business of writing, the skills needed to acquire an agent, and how to achieve a writer’s status that will allow me to write full time and quit the 9-5er. I’ve also been working on a regency-period romance that is currently 152K words and ready to be broken into parts and queried. AND I began a non-fiction book exploring those things for which we have no answers, such as the paranormal, life after death, the mysteries of the spirit, music, communication, and other unknowns.
Additionally, I began writing on Medium over the summer and have been working diligently to maintain a schedule of writing at least three articles a week by writing for a number of publications that include ILLUMINATION, Writer’s Blokke, Backyard Church, Coffee Times, New Earth Consciousness, Dancing Elephant Press, and several others.
Other projects I also began include becoming an Inspiration Coach and Positivity Practitioner on Core Spirit, opening a newsletter through Substack, creating another writing blog on Simily, developing a storefront on Tee Public for my inspirational quotes and book covers called Visually Lyrical Inspirations, creating a page on Quora called Fantasy Can Change Reality, and continuing development of my author website.
Top it all off with a lovely dish of COVID, which I tested positive with on Dec 30th and am still recovering from today (cough, ack, wheeeeze!)
Needless to say, the new year has brought revelations, as it often does. The main one for me is that I’ve been doing a bit too much (Ya Think?!) and I need to Re-prioritize. So, my New Year’s Resolutions are:
Reconnect and Renew BooknVolumeWrite!!!! Write!!!! Write!!!!!!Maintain and Abstain!I look forward to renewing our connection and learning what you’ve been up to as well.
~Morgan~
January 7, 2022
Fervency – #DailyHaikuChallenge
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Fervency of Light
Smiling into the Darkness
Sweet Expectancy
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To take part in the Daily Haiku Challenge see The Original Post from Day One
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Day 54 / 365
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~Morgan~
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~Morgan~
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Beautiful photograph by lmdm43 on Flickr. Thank You~