Hello Reader. October was a hard month for me personally, with things happening that I never expected, and was completely unprepared for. Seeming to reflect that, the trees outside my window have gone bare almost overnight.
It was a difficult month—one that was both chaotic and quiet, so I'm okay with it now being November! I'm having to learn how to be kind to myself a bit more, to rest when I can, and to show up when I’m truly needed. The silver lining of all those sleepless nights is that I’ve poured the hours into writing… and I can officially say I’ve finished Gerallt’s story! I’m aiming for an early January 2026 release, so keep everything crossed for me!
As November begins, it brings with it the ancient Welsh observance of Calan Gaeaf (pronounced KAH-lan GAY-av)—the first day of winter, on November 1st. The night before, Nos Calan Gaeaf, is when the veil between worlds grows thin. Fires were lit to keep away wandering spirits, and families would gather close around the hearth, sharing food and stories deep into the night.
It was said that on this night, one should avoid crossroads and churchyards, for fear of meeting the Hwch Ddu Gwta—the tailless black sow who chased stragglers through the dark. But for all its shadowed folklore, Calan Gaeaf was never just about fear; it was a celebration of community, protection, and transition—saying farewell to summer’s light and welcoming the introspection of winter.
I love the thought of it as a threshold: a pause between seasons, between light and dark, between who we were and who we’re becoming. It reminds me that endings are not just endings—they are the soil where new stories begin to take root.
If you’re seeking a little light this week, here are a few small things that have brought me comfort:
- 🌙 A mug of herbal tea and a well-loved book. Especially if it's raining!
- 🎧 I've been listening to my favourite playlist that has everything on there from 80s glam rock to Eurovision hits. One that is guaranteed to stop me in my tracks is Myfanwy by Cerys Matthews. (I'm sure you recognise the name!)
📖 And a simple reminder to any who need it:
“Not all light is born from flame — some comes from within.”
Anyway, what else has happened since last we spoke? Let me tell you... 💙
Stories often begin as whispers — echoes of myth, fragments of dreams, a wind stirring the trees. For me, the Brodyr Alarch series started with a whisper: Sealed with a Curse. That first book introduced a world of magic, divine bargains, and mortal hearts intertwined with fate.
Loving both Wales and Germany, I’ve always felt caught between two landscapes: one of mist and legend, and one of forests and fairy tales. Both are steeped in folklore, and both shaped the series’ tapestry — the melancholy of Welsh myth and the enchantment of German Märchen.
Whispers and Wings is the final thread in this tapestry. When violence and fate intertwine, Gerallt is led to Aderyn, a girl whose gifts may hold the key to true healing. A swan’s wing. A vow. A love that defies the shadows of the past.
✨ Step into Caerwynd soon. The final flight of the Brodyr Alarch saga is coming soon—and Advanced Reader Copies will be available from 12th November.
Prepare to follow a story of love, redemption, and mythic wonder.
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For twenty-four years, Gerallt has borne Arianrhod’s blessing of a swan’s wing in place of his arm as a living reminder of a past he cannot forget. He kept the wing as a memento, a symbol of his vow to seek redemption and right the wrongs that had shadowed his life in Melthkior.
When an act of violence leaves him helpless, a vision of starlight leads him to Aderyn, a humble girl who listens to the secret language of geese. Through her patience and uncanny gifts, Gerallt learns that true healing may not come from strength or steel—but from love, patience, and the courage to embrace who he truly is.
Yet shadows of the past linger. A betrayal long ago by Mared, fuelled by ambition and dark bargains with the Otherworld, still threatens to claim what is right. Within the walls of Prince Eryndor’s hall at Caerwynd, where song and starlight collide, Gerallt and Aderyn must face the lingering shadows of deceit—and fight to claim the freedom and love that has long been denied them.
A mythic tale of love, redemption, and the intertwining of mortal hearts with divine hands, Whispers and Wings tells the story of a curse that lasts a lifetime, and the love strong enough to make it whole.
Blending the timeless tale of Brother Grimm’s The Goose Girl with the ancient mythology of Welsh deities, Whispers and Wings is the final installment in the Brodyr Alarch series, with Sealed with a Curse as the unifying thread that weaves the series into a single, mythic tapestry.
#Fantasy
#Romance
#WelshGods
#BrodyrAlarch6
#BrothersGrimm
#FairytaleRetelling
November 2025
November carries a quieter kind of magic. The celebrations of Samhain and Nos Calan Gaeaf have passed, yet their echoes linger in the lengthening nights and the scent of smoke on the air. The world feels slower now as nature turns fully inward and we begin the long descent into winter.
This is a month of reflection and restoration, a time to honour what we’ve gathered from the year and to tend the embers of what we wish to carry forward. The land lies fallow, but beneath the surface, new dreams and stories are already taking root.
As the veil between worlds begins to thicken once more, November invites us to rest, to listen, and to find comfort in the quiet. The golden light fades, but the hearth burns brighter for it—a reminder that even in stillness, there is life.
Here are some notable dates to keep in mind this month:
- 1st November – Calan Gaeaf (Wales) 🕯️
Calan Gaeaf marks the beginning of winter in the old Welsh calendar — a threshold between seasons and a time to remember those who came before us. It’s a day for reflection, rest, and gentle renewal after the celebrations of Samhain night.
- 1st November – National Author's Day (US) 📝
National Author’s Day is a celebration of the storytellers who shape our worlds with words. It’s a day to honour authors of all kinds—from novelists and poets to journalists and playwrights—and to recognise the dedication, imagination, and courage it takes to bring stories to life.
- 2nd November – Día de los Muertos (Mexican tradition) 💀
Also known as the Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos is a vibrant celebration of life and memory in Mexican culture. Families build ofrendas (altars), visit gravesites, and honour their ancestors with food, flowers, music, and offerings — a reminder that love transcends the boundary between worlds.
- 5th November – Full Moon 🌕
November’s full moon is symbolising preparation and endurance as the world grows colder. For me, it’s a time to reflect on what I’ve gathered from the year so far—the lessons, the moments of magic— and to release what no longer serves before winter’s quiet settles in. The moon rises bright and silver, a reminder that even in the deepening dark, light endures.
- 5th November - Bonfire Night (UK) 🔥
A night of fire and folklore, Bonfire Night commemorates the foiled Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Across the UK, skies bloom with fireworks and communities gather around bonfires — a fitting echo of our ancient need to bring light into the darkening season.
- 13th November – World Kindness Day 🤝
A day to celebrate compassion in all its forms. World Kindness Day encourages simple, heartfelt acts that remind us how powerful gentleness can be—in our communities, our relationships, and within ourselves.
- 19th November - International Men's Day 🌍
A time to recognise and celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, highlight issues of health and well-being, and encourage open conversations about balance, empathy, and connection.
- 27th November - Thanksgiving (US) 🦃
Traditionally a day of gratitude and togetherness, Thanksgiving is also an opportunity to reflect on abundance — not just of food, but of friendship, generosity, and shared stories.
FREE BOOKS (November)
As November settles in with its long evenings and silver-lit skies, I’m delighted to share two book bundles with you — filled with fantasy, science fiction, and women’s fiction that warm the heart and spark the imagination. These collections bring together talented authors offering tales of magic, resilience, love, and new beginnings — the perfect companions for quiet nights and cups of something warm.
They’re free for a limited time, so be sure to explore them while the enchantment lasts. ✨📚
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What’s on your calendar this month? Any exciting plans or events you’re looking forward to? I’d love to hear about them—and yes, AUTHORS, that invitation includes you!
If you haven’t already, come join my Facebook group, Morgan’s Musings—it’s where we keep the conversations (and bookish fun) going.
Wherever this finds you, I hope you’re finding warmth in the small things — the quiet rituals that carry us through. May your nights be kind, your stories patient, and your heart ready for whatever new beginnings wait beneath the frost.
Thank you, as always, for being here—your support means the world. Keep an eye on your inbox for more updates soon, and don’t hesitate to hit reply if you’d like to share, ask a question, or simply say hello.
Until next month, take care and happy reading! 💙
