Hello Reader. It's September! How the hell did that happen? The Puds are back at school, the hot weather appears to be over, and the release date of Ravens and Ruin is inching ever closer.
What's it been like where you are?
Anyway, what else has happened since last we spoke? Let me tell you... 💙
The manuscript is out with my Critique Partner and Editor, and I'm waiting to hear back from them. I did another read-through just the other day, and changed things yet again. Not big things, just the wording in a few places, plus a couple of things I'd forgotten to mention. I've also been making promotional graphics, plus sorting out the covers for the paperback and hardcover versions. So far, it's all looking good for a release on the 7th of October. 💙
Speaking of which, this is your last chance to sign up for an ARC, as I'll be sending them out tomorrow.
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In a land where gods still whisper through stone and stream, one man’s forbidden gift may be the key to salvation or ruin.
Two years have passed since Harri was crowned King of Melthkior. Though peace holds above, something ancient stirs beneath the earth. When Ewan—the youngest of Arianrhod’s Brodyr Alarch and now General of the Melthkiorian army—unknowingly consumes the flesh of a White Snake, a druidic creature steeped in forbidden magic, he gains the ability to hear the thoughts of beasts, birds, and even the wounded land itself. But such gifts are never freely given.
As shadows gather beneath root and rock, and unrest bleeds through the land, Ewan finds an unlikely ally in Lowri, a healer-warrior of the old ways. Together, they are drawn into a quest shaped by two goddesses known to them: Branwen, mournful and vengeful, and Arianrhod, whose weavings bind fate to flesh. Tasked with three impossible challenges, Ewan must uncover forgotten truths, confront his deepest fears, and navigate the blurred boundary between love and sacrifice.
Ewan and Lowri face a path none have walked before. As the Veil between worlds begins to fray, they must decide whether the power to listen is enough… or if one must speak a truth that could shatter everything.
Ravens and Ruin presents a spellbinding reimagining of The White Snake, weaving together Brothers Grimm folklore and the ancient mythology of Welsh deities. As the penultimate instalment in the Brodyr Alarch series, it continues a sweeping tale of fate, love, and legacy. Sealed with a Curse serves as the unifying thread that binds the series into a single, mythic tapestry.
September 2025
I’ve always loved September. The light shifts, the air feels different, and there’s a quiet sense of turning toward autumn. This week, I managed to catch both a breathtaking sunrise and a glowing moonrise. Here is the sunrise, see below for the moonrise.
September is full of contrasts: celebrations of art and music, days of reflection, and reminders to care for one another. From the lively Elvis Festival to the more serious observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, the month carries both joy and depth. Here are a few highlights to mark on your calendar:
All Month
This September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems will offer visitors free entry, events or guided tours. It’s all part of Open Doors — Wales’ annual contribution to the European Heritage Days initiative, which invites heritage organisations, private owners, local authorities and others to open their doors or offer activities to the public free of charge during September. Funded and organised by Cadw, the ever-popular festival of Wales’ built heritage will this year, encourage Welsh residents and visitors alike to explore some of the country’s lesser-known and smaller-scale sites ― several of which are usually closed to the public. You can find the full list of events here.
5 Sept – International Day of Charity
A day set aside to honour the legacy of Mother Teresa and to celebrate the spirit of giving. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading kindness, it’s a gentle reminder of the impact charity has in shaping stronger, more compassionate communities.
7th Sept - Full Corn Moon
This moon is about release, reflection, and reconnecting to your inner wisdom. It invites you to slow down, and surrender to the season of change.
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
Declared by UNESCO back in 1966, this day continues to remind us how vital literacy is—for learning, for empowerment, and for opening doors to new opportunities.
10 Sept – World Suicide Prevention Day
A solemn but important observance, first marked in 2003, encouraging global commitment to mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
13 Sept – International Chocolate Day
Whether you prefer your chocolate dark, milk, or white, with or without nuts, there is barely anyone who can resist its flavour. This day is not to be confused with World Chocolate Day which is celebrated on July 7 every year. This one’s mainly an American celebration, but honestly, who needs an excuse to celebrate chocolate?
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
Established by the UN to mark the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, it’s a day to remember how vital our atmosphere is—and how collective action can protect it.
18–19 Sept – Wales International Film Festival
A celebration of storytelling on screen, featuring everything from feature films to documentaries. The best part? You can join virtually from anywhere in the world, thanks to the festival’s partner platform, SparQFest.
20–21 Sept – Abergavenny Food Festival
Abergavenny plays host to the best of Welsh, British and international producers for two days every September, alongside a wide variety of top chefs, entertainment, demonstrations and more... The festival enjoys an exceptional reputation as a place for chefs, food businesses, journalists, farmers and food producers to come together. They are known for being an inclusive and welcoming event, delivering a delicious opportunity for people from all walks of life to explore and learn about food.
20 Sept – International Red Panda Day
The reason this day is celebrated is to spread awareness of the red panda and promote the importance of protecting them from extinction. Unfortunately, red pandas are an endangered species, and they face lots of threats including poaching, deforestation and habitat loss.
21 Sept – Ironman Wales
With world-renowned spectator support and epic courses, this is the race that legends are made of. Hosted in the charming Welsh seaside village of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, athletes leave as friends in this unique, inviting and truly special destination nicknamed the "Iron Town". IRONMAN Wales sees Tenby come alive to a stunning sunrise swim on Tenby's sandy North Beach, wild bike course scenery along Pembrokeshire coastline, and a fan-filled town-centre run in Tenby.
22 Sept – Autumn Equinox / Gwyl Canol Hydref
The Autumn Equinox is the second of the year's harvest festivals, focusing on the completion of the harvest before the onset of winter. It is a celebration of the balance between light and darkness, day and night, as the sun's power begins to wane.
22 Sept – World Rose Day
Rose Day (or World Rose Day) is observed annually to show solidarity with cancer patients and to raise awareness about the disease. The day was established in memory of Melinda Rose, a 12-year-old girl from Canada who fought a rare form of blood cancer with courage and hope. On this day, people give roses, cards, and messages to cancer patients to symbolise love, care, and emotional support, bringing them renewed strength and courage to continue their fight against the illness.
23 Sept – International Day of Sign Languages
International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated annually across the world on 23 September every year along with International Week of the Deaf. The choice of 23 September is the same date that the World Federation of the Deaf was established in 1951.
26–28 Sept – Porthcawl Elvis Festival
Ending the month on a lively note, the Elvis Festival in Porthcawl is an annual event that celebrates the life and music of the legendary rock and roll icon, Elvis Presley. The Elvis Festival in Porthcawl has gained international recognition since its inception in 2004 and has become one of the largest Elvis events in the world. It attracts thousands of Elvis fans, both young and old, who come together to celebrate the enduring legacy of the "King of Rock and Roll."
FREE BOOKS (September)
I’ve got three special collections to share with you this month. These bundles feature bestselling authors coming together to offer a wonderful mix of new reads, and they look fantastic! They’re only available for a limited time, so be sure to grab them while you can. |
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.
That’s all from me for now. I hope September brings you quiet moments of calm, a touch of autumn magic, and plenty of time to sink into a good book.
Thank you, as always, for being here—your support means so much. 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 just say hello.
Until next month, take care and happy reading! 💙
