Cynthia A. Morgan's Blog, page 77
November 29, 2020
#StayTuned #Podcast – A Chat about #Books, #CharacterDevelopment, #TheWall, & More
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“Some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would” …work at The Wall Music Store (Sorry, but it has been Far Far too long since I dropped some classic lit on ya!) (Moby Dick, if you were wondering).
At The Wall, I met and hired a young man by the name of Troy. Nice Guy. Reliable, diligent, and lots of fun to work with. He knew his stuff when it came to music….so it’s no surprise that now…um, several years later (wink wink), he should be the creator of his own (well, his and his friend Howie’s,, actually) podcast.
“Stay Tuned is 2 dudes with dreams of entertaining you. If you have any questions or suggestions please email us at staytunedtnh@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter @staytunedtnh Stay Tuned is a podcast about everything happening locally and beyond. We have experts in sports, news, health and just about anything beyond your imagination. Sit back and hear some voices from the past, present and future.”
To make a short story long- I was recently invited to chat with them about my books, my writing journey, things I’ve learned along the way, and how I come up with the crazy languages I put in all my books. (and a few more things, too!)
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Listen to the Podcast here
It was great fun and I hope you’ll sit down with a cuppa and have a listen
November 27, 2020
Enchanted Realm= #Poetry of the #Mystical #NaturalWorld
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Silent Whispers
from an Enchanted Realm
Delicate Reminders
That Overwhelm
As the day unfolds
Into Night
Treading Softly;
Memory’s Acolyte
Recanting all that has been
Said Before
While mysteries softly Implore
Silent Whispers
From the Enchanted Domain
Entreat and Beguile
Again and again
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~Morgan~
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Beautiful Original Photography found on Pinterest. Credit Gratefully Acknowledged to the Original Photographer. Thank You~
337- A #Book that #Challenges #Perceptions-#NewRelease #Mystery #Thriller
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Hello readers,
Today I’m bringing to you an exclusive interview with Samuel Darte, lead character of M Jonathan Lee’s upcoming release ‘337’. When Sam was just a boy, his mother disappeared without a trace leaving him and his younger brother, Tom, at home with their father. This forced family relationships to breaking point to fracture. The disappearance of Sandra Darte changed his life forever.
Hi Sam, thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Please make yourself comfy!
Thank you.
So we’ve read all about what happened to your mum and the events after, but how would you describe your experience of it all when you were just a young boy?
Well, I guess like you said, I was quite young when it all started and there are bits that don’t remember all that well. When she first disappeared, I just remember being scared and confused, I just couldn’t fathom how she could leave us. I think that’s why I pursued it for so long – none of the conclusions answered all my questions. It was a weird feeling of betrayal too, when Tom and I read that note addressed to Dad it just said “I’ve left you. Look after the boys”… glossing over the fact that she was leaving us too. Then with everything that came out afterwards, some things made sense and other things just didn’t fit, it was so confusing.
I can only imagine how overwhelming it was for you. If you could go back and change anything, is there anything you regret doing, or not doing, during that period of your life?
It was a tough time for all of us and I’ve definitely done things I’m not proud of. But my biggest regret is not talking to Gramma sooner and trying to make things right. It’s shameful that she had to be on her deathbed for me to be brave enough to go and talk to her, but at least I did go in the end. Better late than never. But yeah, I wish I’d been kinder to her, understood more.
You were just a boy, it can’t have been easy. Now you’re older, how do you think the events of your youth changed you?
Well I’d never heard voices before it all, I can tell you that much. [He chuckles grimly] I think it’d be impossible to pinpoint something it didn’t change. I’ve lived with it for so long now that what happened… it’s part of me. I guess after going through so much, I felt justified in closing myself off from stuff, relationships and all that. But I don’t know what I’d have turned out like if it hadn’t happened so who knows, just got to work with what I’ve got and make the best of it.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Sam. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you today. I can’t wait to read more about your story when 337 is released on 30th November!
My Review: 5-Stars!- One added simply for ingenuity!
What’s unique about 337 is the simple fact that you can read the book from both directions. Yes, you can start at the beginning or you can start at the end. The cover is cleverly designed to be the same, with the exception of color, no matter which way you hold the book. It’s an intriguing device to get you to think ‘outside the box’, to consider what you wouldn’t usually consider the norm as the norm. The characters step out from the crisp pages like person you meet on your travels through the day. Some stay, some disappear, but you are left with an indelible memory of them.
Emotive and poignant, the gentle story picks up its pace, weaving imagery like a painter transposing a landscape. I became aware of a heaviness within the main character, Sam, and quickly understood how sad he was, how the confusion he faced as a child permeated his entire life.
A powerful story about perceptions and learning how to look beyond, 337 is a quiet thriller…. if that’s possible. A mystery memoir…so to speak. It’s not what you anticipate when you dive in and suddenly, just when you think you’ve got things sorted, the ending happens.
Beautifully written and ingeniously devised, 337 is a book you need to experience.
Yes, its Available to pre-order on Amazon now!
Author Bio and Handles: @mjonathanlee @hideawayfall
M Jonathan Lee is a nationally shortlisted author and mental health campaigner. His first novel The Radio was nationally shortlisted in the Novel Prize 2012. Since that time he has gone on to publish five further novels with ‘337’ being his sixth novel. Jonathan is a tireless campaigner for mental health awareness and writes his own column regularly for the Huffington Post. He has recently written for the Big Issue and spoken at length about his own personal struggle in the British national press on the BBC and Radio Talk Europe.
Endlessly fascinated by the human condition and what leads people to do the things they do to one another, Jonathan is obsessed with writing stories with twists where nothing is exactly how it first appears.
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~Morgan~
A Little Hole in Heaven
Opened up that Christmas day
When Jesus Son of God
Came to earth as a little babe
When He left His throne above
He traveled through that hole
A host of angels followed
And one His story told
He told it to some shepherds
Out in the field that night
They trembled at the Angel
For he shone with heavenly light
He told them that a Savior
Was born in Bethlehem
The full angelic choir sang
The shepherds went to greet Him
That hole let out the brilliant light
That surged from Jesus throne
It looked as if a giant star
Above the manger shone
Three kings from far off countries
Saw the brilliant star so bright
They set off on a journey
With gifts for the promised child
Yes a little hole in heaven
Opened up that Christmas night
Through it came our Savior
Coming down to give us Light
He shone the Light from heaven
So that we could see our sin
Then He died as our redeemer
If our hearts would now repent
Open up your heart to Jesus
On this blessed Christmas day
He came down from heaven’s glory
So He could light your way t
For more inspiring Christian Poetry, please visit my page at
https://psalmistpetegardner.com
November 24, 2020
A Thankful Heart – #Thoughts for #Thanksgiving
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A Thankful Heart is Open to Blessings
because it is closed to worry, doubt, and wailing.
A Thankful Heart is Filled with Love
because it empties itself of loathing, greed, and envy.
A Thankful Heart is Overflowing with Peace
because it does not Share itself with lies, distrust, and negativity.
A Thankful Heart Touches Others with its Blessings and Love
because it is Ever in the Presence of Love and Blessing.
A Thankful Heart Speaks in Kindness, Patience and Empowerment
because it does not Speak of hate, intolerance or to incapacitate.
A Thankful Heart Chooses its Path Each Day with Diligence and Joy
because it does not Concentrate on what it cannot do.
A Thankful Heart Walks in Hope, Love, Peace and Joy
because it Knows nothing else.
A Thankful Heart Shares its Purpose
because it is Incapable of Withholding All that Pours from its Abundant Profusion.
Embark upon Each New Day with a Thankful Heart
and You will Find Endless Blessings for which to be Thankful.
You are a Blessing for which I am very thankful. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
~Morgan~
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Beautiful Image found at: plattform.com
November 22, 2020
THIS BOOK Y’ALL GOOSEBUMPS, REVOLUTIONARY, STUNNING- A #BookReview by Amy Johnson
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I simply had to share this delightful, not to mention (dare I use the word) stellar review of Misericorde …I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
Posted on November 21, 2020 by amyjohnson895
In the year 2446, the world exists as a mere shell of what it used to be. The Great Catalyst tore the human race apart as the Horsemen rode. War, Pestilence, Famine… All that remains to ride is Death.
Archangel Tzadkiel, Angel of Mercy, had taken the task upon himself to find one human on the planet who understands what mercy is. Humans are a vile species, though, and as his journey nears its end, he fears he may never find that person. When he is captured by the soldiers of The Bastion, hope wanes even further.
A mere scullery maid, Lourdes hears screams from her room every night. They break her heart and haunt her nightmares, and even though she doesn’t even know who they come from, she swear to find him and help him.
When she does exactly that, though, Lourdes discovers she’s opened a door that she might regret and entered a world darker than she ever imagined.
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Style/Length:
Let me just get this off my chest before we start.
OMG THIS BOOK Y’ALL GOOSEBUMPS REVOLUTIONARY STUNNING!
*clears throat* I, um, really enjoyed this book, guys. Morgan’s style is absolutely breathtaking. It’s thick with descriptions of the world she has created (which is incredible) and the people who live in it. It reads like a fantasy in that way, because it seems like a brand new created world. In reality, it’s what’s left of ours.
It was a rather long read, and at first, I struggled to get into it. My kindle is set up to track my percentage through the book because that’s how I set my pace. So, I was about 30% of the way through and had been reading for DAYS. Thats a bit unusual for me, considering how fast I read. But the beginning was just so description heavy that I didn’t want to miss anything by hurrying.
But DUDE did it get good after 50%. I scarfed this book down like Tzadkiel eating oatmeal (you’d understand that if you read Misericorde
November 18, 2020
Excited Doesn’t Even Come Close!- #GoldenNetwork.TV #PressRelease!
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Firstly, I am Blessed and am Overwhelmingly Thankful.
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Golden Network TV to produce and broadcast expanded trailers for Cynthia A. Morgan’s books, including the Mercy Series!!
That’s right. And Yes, Im Speechless……
Golden Network TV (GNTV) has reached an agreement with award-winning author Cynthia A. Morgan to produce several 10- to 20-minute expanded book trailers.
‘Golden Network.TV Library,’ which highlights outstanding books…is giving authors access to a broader audience who will then be able to learn about their books on a global streaming network…”
— Temma Hammond, CEO of GNTV
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA, November 17, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ — The works of author Cynthia A. Morgan will be featured prominently in an innovative new project from Golden Network TV (GNTV). GNTV is now beginning to produce expanded book trailers based on her books, the Dark Fey Trilogy and the Misericorde (French for “Mercy”) books (“Mercy Series”). Soon the users and subscribers of GNTV will have access to these exciting productions through GNTV’s streaming service.
GNTV, based in Nevada, is a streaming service backed by Vimeo, and delivered through Roku via the internet. It recently launched its new subscription streaming service dedicated to meeting the needs and interests of seniors.
The CEO of GNTV, Temma Hammond, explained that “Cynthia Morgan has been invited by GoldenNetwork.TV to be part of a new program called, ‘Golden Network.TV Library,’ which highlights outstanding books. The show is giving authors access to a broader audience who will then be able to learn about their books on a global streaming network that is supported by Roku.”
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GNTV’s plan is to bring in professional readers, actors, voice-over artists, and digital graphic designers for this project. Each of these mini movies will spotlight the highpoints of the story much like a movie trailer, but will contain no spoilers and will not reveal the endings to each book. These collections will be available to stream on Roku globally. With a goal of providing quality streamable programming for their network and showcasing up-and-coming as well as Pulitzer Prize winning authors, GNTV is thus offering an exciting new entertainment choice for viewers.
Morgan says she is honored “to be part of such an exciting new venture. The opportunity to share the strong positive themes my series offers to a much broader audience is tremendous. The tagline for my young adult fantasy trilogy Dark Fey is ‘The only way to achieve Peace is to become Peace.’ Similarly, the motif for my dystopian dark fantasy, ‘The Mercy Series’ tetralogy, is ‘May we show our thankfulness through kindness and appreciate our blessings through generosity.’ Both series invite readers to create change through positive action.”
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I want to express my sincerest Gratitude to Temma Hammond of GoldenNetwork.TV for offering me such an overwhelming opportunity.
I also would like to thank Mike Meier for the gift of putting together this amazing press release. I am without words.
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~Morgan~
November 11, 2020
Not Forgotten – #VeteransDay #Remembrance
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The echoes may fade into solitary hours
Graves strewn with commemorative flowers
Yet Memory lives in the Heart
in the Mind
Remembrance not forgotten
of Sacrifice that Binds.
In Loving Remembrance of all those who have and who still do serve this country/ Every country. On this day of Honour as we recall the sacrifices made, it may be the best time of all to understand that ALL soldiers serve for love of their own country and to protect and honour the way of life THEY hold dear. Right or Wrong, Truth or Lies, the Soldier carries the heaviest burden.
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Performed By Sgt.MacKenzie
Scottish:
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears
Ains a year say a prayer faur me
Close yir een an remember me…..
~Morgan~
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Soldier Image found at: newbyzantines.net
Save
November 10, 2020
#Podcasts, Previews, and Possibilities – An Insight Behind #TheMercySeries
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Podcasts are not necessarily new. There are nearly as many as there are blogs, but for me, they are a new venture. To be a guest on a well-produced, popular podcast is an exciting honor and, to be that podcast’s First Ever author narrator makes the honor doubly amazing.
Author, international speaker and, yep, you guessed it, podcaster Dr Victor Acquista invited me to participate in his show by narrating a scene from Misericorde and then sharing some insights behind that scene. Typically, he reads the narrative himself, but he gave me the opportunity to narrate the scene on my own and liked it so much, he incorporated it into the podcast.
So, without further ado, I’d like to share with you my first ever podcast presentation, and Misericorde’s debut on the airwaves.
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Dr Acquista’s podcast- Podfobler Productions is a mashup of fiction, nonfiction, ideas, and commentary created and narrated by Dr. Acquista. You can find more shows, as well as learn more about Victor on his website or via his Facebook Page. In addition to YouTube, shows are also on the following platforms: ANCHOR, SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS, BREAKER, GOOGLE PODCASTS, POCKET CASTS, RADIO PUBLIC
Dr. Victor Acquista is a successful international author and speaker following careers as a primary-care physician and medical executive. He previously helped to co-found The Collaborative for Community Health, a non-profit, is a founding member of Rivervalley Market, a food co-op, and authored a syndicated Health and Wellness column. He is known for “Writing to Raise Consciousness” through his non-fiction and workshops that focus on personal growth and transformation, especially as pertains to health and wellness. As well as his fiction, which includes social messaging intended to get the reader engaged in thought provoking themes.
I am truly thankful for the opportunity Victor provided, not only to be part of such an amazing podcast, but because through the process, I’ve learned a great deal. So much so, that a podcast of my very own is now among my projects for 2021!
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~Morgan~
November 8, 2020
#BookoftheYear #Award!
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I’m Tremendously Delighted and just can’t help sharing the news:)
Misericorde has won the Independent Author Network #BookoftheYear #Award for #Fantasy #Fiction!!!! (Sorry, did I shout that?)
What does that mean, you ask? Well, the qualities they were looking for in this year’s submissions of Fiction were: “Vibrant covers, attention-grabbing openings, memorable characters, crisp dialogue, captivating and original plots, and climactic, memorable endings.”
What it means to me? I joined IAN (Independent Author Network) in 2013 and every year I’ve watch other, well-deserving authors win awards for their books. It’s taken 7 years, but to win this award is not only exciting…it’s validation that means more to me than I can adequately express.
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Two of Misericorde’s newest UK Reviews:
Fifty Sheds of Books
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars Misericorde
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 November 2020
Verified Purchase
Misericorde is set in the future, 2446, yet the story contains echoes of our time. Indeed, with its theme of us versus them, the haves and the have-nots, you could state that the story is timeless.
The story is set up nicely. With the environment damaged, resources limited and the first three of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse recent visitors, the Archangel of Mercy, Tzadkiel, seeks to prevent the arrival of Death.
Can Tzadkiel succeed and find a human who displays genuine compassion and mercy? And could Lourdes, a young peasant girl, be the key to his quest?
Entertaining and thought-provoking in equal measure, Misericorde is an excellent read, particularly for lovers of dystopian and fantasy stories. In addition, if care for our environment and fairness stir your emotions then the subject-matter will certainly draw you into the book.
Misericorde is an impressive novel. Well-written, the author tackles important subjects with great success.
Sibyl Mory
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT STORYTELLING
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 October 2020
Verified Purchase
In a future nightmarish dystopian world nearly 100 years after the Great Cataclysm, Lourdes is a servant at The Bastion of Resolution where The Eminent Protectorate lives. She hears horrendous screams emanating from Tower Obligar, the place of torture. Tzadkiel has been given 100 years to find one person who can exhibit mercy, and thereby prevent the Apocalypse bringing down the final curtain. No spoilers, but there then ensues a gripping and imaginative story (with a clever melange of futuristic fantasy, Biblical echoes and the sonorous tones of classical-novel storytelling) as their paths cross. Also exquisitely written. Recommended.
Misericorde on Amazon
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Thank you for allowing me the joy of sharing this moment with You!
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~Morgan~