Originally from the United Kingdom, Morgan Sheppard now resides in Germany, although she freely admits to having left part of her heart in Wales. Whilst a writer mainly in the fantasy genre, Morgan is more than happy to share her love of reading amongst the many different genres out there, and can always be found with a book close by.
Time to catch up on what's been happening this past week, and see what's coming up.
Hello Reader, is March blowing in like a lion for you? It's been quite breezy here in my little part of Germany, with days full of sunshine and showers. I love this time of year when I start to see greenery poke through all the brown. I even managed to get a couple of hours out in the garden yesterday.
Little Pud was at home for the latter part of last week with the cough and cold that has wiped out half of the school. She lost her voice and was feeling horrible. Luckily, she's feeling better now and has gone back to school to do the two exams she missed last week. Fingers crossed for a good week. 💙
So, what has happened since last we spoke? Let me tell you...
This Week
Happy Birthday, Hiraeth
I can't believe Hiraeth is now three years old! Set in Beddgelert, North Wales, this is a Magical Realism story with Merlin and dragons making an appearance. It was one of my favourites to write, but I think I feel that way about all of them.
Have you read Hiraeth? What was your favourite part? 💙
By the time they reached Merlin’s Pool, Ellis’ hand was dripping blood. “I’m going to rinse it out under the waterfall,” said Ellis. “That should do it until we get back. Maybe it is worse than I thought.”
“I’m coming with you this time,” said Luke, and they carefully made their way to the water’s edge.
Ellis stuck her hand in the water, the coldness making her gasp, as she watched the blood whirl away with the current. Her hand tingled as she kept it underwater. She put a hand to her head as the water made her dizzy.
“Ellis, are you okay?”
She tried to turn to Luke to find out why his voice sounded so far away. Instead, the world moved around her, and she was unable to focus. In her mind, she saw the quintessential version of Merlin with long white hair and a staff. He had his hand on the shoulder joint of a red dragon. Merlin smiled and the dragon roared. “Croeso adref, Gwarcheidwad Ddraig,” he said before the darkness cradled Ellis.
Merlin's Pool on the Dinas Emrys Trail
Austrian National Library in Vienna, Austria
The former court library to the House of Habsburg, this Baroque treasure hosts over 7 million objects dating back as far as the 4th century. The Austrian National Library found its permanent home in the Hofburg Palace in 1735 after the space was constructed by architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and his son Johann Emanuel. A work of art all on its own, the State Hall of the library stretches nearly 80 meters with a vibrant ceiling fresco by painter Daniel Gran and a collection of four Venetian globes.
Les Misérables
#FamilyMovieNight was a classic that only Mr Shep had watched before! Big Pud thoroughly enjoyed it; Little Pud thought it was good but all the songs sounded the same, and I was blown away by Anne Hathaway's voice! Samantha Barks at Eponine was also outstanding. I'm glad I've seen it now.
Terrwyn's story is coming along nicely. I managed to get over 10k written last week. I didn't get much done on Friday because of Little Pud, so I snuck some words in on Saturday morning before anyone was awake, giving me an average of 2k a day. I'll take that!
What are you up to? Do you have any special plans or events coming up? Let me know if you fancy sharing.
If you want daily updates, don't forget to join my FB group - Morgan's Musings.
Don't forget to check the book below - another new release from the #FaRo Authors! Until next week...
Take care and have fun! 💙
Travel through time and find love in medieval Japan with witches, samurai, ninja, and yokai in this captivating fantasy romance collection.
Sword and Mirror - When Ciara finds herself stranded in medieval Japan in the middle of a territorial war, she must enter into a fake relationship with a samurai warlord to survive. No one gave her a heads-up about supernatural enemies, though.
Smoke and Jewel - Following a lead on her cousin’s disappearance, Karen’s luck seem to run out as she finds herself in a war-torn Japan. The only way out is to convince the ninja who captured her, but they stand on different sides.
Blades and Feathers - The plan was easy: infiltrate the stronghold of a greenhorn lord, obtain the treasure, get out. Falling for him was never her intention.
This is a collection of the first three books of the Yokai Treasures, a romantasy series set in 16th-century Japan, heavily influenced by folklore and fantasy elements.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Morgan Sheppard now resides in Germany, although she freely admits to having left part of her heart in Wales. Whilst a writer mainly in the fantasy genre, Morgan is more than happy to share her love of reading amongst the many different genres out there, and can always be found with a book close by.
My Monthly Dispatch Time to catch up on what's been happening this past month, and see what's coming up. Hello Reader. October is here, and it feels like a month made for stories – crisp evenings, golden leaves, and that touch of magic in the air. This year, it’s especially special for me, and I’d love to share a few celebrations with you. A Decade of StoriesI can hardly believe it, but this month marks my 10-year publiversary. Ten years since I first pressed “publish” and nervously sent my...
Hey Reader. In Wales, the second harvest is known as Gŵyl Canol Hydref (pronounced gwill can-ol hud-rev)—the Mid-Harvest Festival. It falls in the turning weeks of September, when grapes hang heavy on the vine and the air carries the first hint of frost. Like many such observances across Celtic lands, it is both a thanksgiving and a warding, but in Cymru it takes on a character all its own: steeped in wine, wheat, and the quiet strength of the oak. In the south, where vines were once...
My Monthly Dispatch Time to catch up on what's been happening this past month, and see what's coming up. 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...