Category Archives: My Books

God's Character, My Books

The Cost of Saving the World

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A lot of stories involve the hero saving the world. But is that realistic if you consider what the hero has been through? What if saving the world means saving the villain? Or that bully who made the hero’s life terrible back in high school? Or the person who lied and it cost the hero his or her job, home, or even their first love?

When I started writing Blood Secrets, it hit me (and therefore Cass as I was writing her story), that if she saved her world—all the people who were forced to live on mountaintops, airships, and sky islands because of the deadly Mist that covered everything else—she would be saving the people who saw her as lesser than. The people who forced everyone else off the mountains to die in the Mist, including her parents. The same people who would never think of saving someone like her.

As I wrote her story, I felt Cass’s resentment and anger towards the “echelons”—those at the top of society and literally the world. She was fine with saving others like her. But the thought of saving the people who ordered the purges that killed so many made her feel sick. In her mind, they didn’t deserve her sacrifice.

Honestly, I had never thought about it before. The hero saves the world. It’s what a hero does. But this was the first time I really thought about what that meant, and who it meant saving. It made me look at myself. Would I be willing to save everyone? Even those who have hurt me? Who have cost me so much in my life? Ugh. That’s a hard thought.

People love heroes, and sometimes even want to be one themselves. But the reality is being a hero is really hard. It’s not just saving the world; it’s saving those who live in the world. The good and the bad. Those deserving and those not so much. That’s what a real hero does.

I won’t share what decision Cass made because that is part of her journey. But I’m glad I was able to write her story because it made me think more about how I would react in her situation. And about God, who ultimately gave all to save a world that did not want Him.

My Books, Personal

How Writing Helped Me Overcome My Fear of Flying

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I’m afraid to fly. At first, I tried to ignore it. Then the panic attacks came. And there was this one time I accidentally grabbed my neighbor’s arm during turbulence, which was really embarrassing. But it all came to a head when I was waiting for a flight at the airport and felt like I was going to burst into tears right there at the gate that I knew I needed help.

I didn’t want to stop flying. I love traveling! But the fear of plummeting to the ground scared me, so I talked to my doctor and was given medicine to help me calm down. The problem is it made me really groggy. But hey, at least I could fly again.

Then I started writing Secrets in the Mist. Half of this book is about flying and one third is hang gliding. You know, flying with just a kite on your back. To write realistically about hang gliding, I started studying the sport. I read all the articles I could find, watched a lot of YouTube videos, and in the end spent over 10 hours immersing myself in the sky.

As I first imagined, then wrote each scene in Secrets in the Mist, something started to happen. I started to lose my fear of flying. It wasn’t the first time I tried to read the science behind flight to help me lose my fear of flying, but this time, I was doing it in my head. I was feeling the air and wind, tilting my glider, catching the air drafts, and not just understanding how to fly in my mind, but also with my heart.

I realized a plane couldn’t fall out of the sky just like my character couldn’t fall out of the sky. That an experienced flyer understood what to do in storms and sudden gusts of wind. And should the plane actually lose its engines, the pilot would help it glide to the ground the same way my gliders eased their way to a landing.

Not only that, by creating the exhilarating feelings my character felt when she was gliding began to seep into my psyche. I felt her joy and freedom, her lack of fear, and even more, how she felt more connected to God when it was just her, the wind, and the sky. I saw the beauty of flying through my character’s eyes.

I can fly now. Without medication. I actually enjoy the takeoffs and the feeling of the plane gliding through the air. Will I try hang gliding someday? Probably not, I still hate heights. But I never dreamed that writing about flying would help me overcome my fear of it. This is the power of imagination, and the power of story.

My Books, Writing

Happy Release Day!

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Today is the day! Secrets in the Mist is now available! Yeah!!! Do you have your copy yet? Staying up until 2am to read?

What’s lurking in the Mist is the least of their worries…

In a world where humanity lives in the sky to escape a deadly mist below, Cass’s only goal is survival. That is, until she finds a job on the airship Daedalus as a diver. Now she explores ruined cities, looking for treasure and people’s lost heirlooms until a young man hires her to find the impossible: a way to eradicate the Mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the Five Families that rule the skies. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the Mist and hopes to stop the purges used to control overpopulation. But what he finds are horrifying secrets and lethal ambition. If he continues his quest, it could mean his own death.

The Mist is rising and soon the world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning what’s left of humanity into the undead.

~Buy Now~

My Books, Writing

Cover Reveal for Secrets in the Mist

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I’m so excited to share with you the cover for Secrets in the Mist, the first book my new steampunk series. And, without further ado, here it is!!!


What’s lurking in the Mist is the least of their worries…

In a world where humanity lives in the sky to escape a deadly mist below, Cass’s only goal is survival. That is, until she finds a job on the airship Daedalus as a diver. Now she explores ruined cities, looking for treasure and people’s lost heirlooms until a young man hires her to find the impossible: a way to eradicate the Mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the Five Families that rule the skies. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the deadly Mist and hopes to stop the purges used to control overpopulation. But what he finds are horrifying secrets and lethal ambition. If he continues his quest, it could mean his own death.

The Mist is rising and soon the world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning what’s left of humanity into the undead.

***

Isn’t it beautiful! It captures everything I wanted in this cover: the steampunk genre, a sense of adventure, and the world where this story takes place 🙂 Here are more facts about Secrets in the Mist:

—This will be my first Limited-Edition Hardcover. Yep! Notice Limited Edition. Which means if you want this lovely book in hardcover, order as soon as possible!

—Secrets in the Mist releases AUGUST 2021, just in time for that vacation or beach read this summer 🙂

—This is the first book in the SKYWORLD series. It’s a dualogy, which means you only have to wait for one more book to find out the ending 🙂

—This book will look amazing on your bookshelf. Seriously. Because it’s beautiful!

~ORDER NOW~

My Books, Writing

New Book Contract!

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I’m excited to announce that I’ve officially signed with Enclave Publishing for my new series, Skyworld. The first book, Secrets in the Mist, comes out August 2021. Yeah, I know that’s a long time to wait, but I can guarantee it will be worth it! In the meantime, here is what it’s about:

In a world covered in a deadly mist that forces humanity to live in the sky, Cass escapes the purges and survives by her wits until she stumbles onto the airship Daedalus and finds a job as a diver. As a diver, she explores the ruined cities within the mist, searching for treasure and family heirlooms for the rich. But everything changes when a young man hires her to find the very thing that will turn their world upside down: a way to eradicate the mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the five powerful families that rule the sky over the mist. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the deadly mist that turns people in the undead and hopes to stop the purges used to control over-population. But what he finds are secrets and ambition, and with each question comes horrifying answers. If he continues his search, not only will he encounter opposition, but perhaps even his own death.

But the mist is rising and if a remedy isn’t found soon, the entire world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning all of humankind into monsters.

Just to give you a little background into writing this story, I started taking down notes for Skyworld back in 2015, spent over 10 hours watching videos and reading blogs about hang gliding (and almost went to an airfield to try it out myself!) so I could write the gliding scenes, and have become an expert on 19th century medicine (well, not really, but it feels like it :)). And by getting into my characters and flight, I actually started overcoming my fear of flying (talk about the power of story!).

So there you have it, a new steampunk series coming your way in 2021!

And speaking of steampunk…

Morgan audio BOTH

My other steampunk series, The Soul Chronicles, is now available in audiobook form and narrated by Jaimee Draper. I’ve been listening to these books during a couple long car rides over the last few weeks and let me just say Jaimee has nailed this story with her wonderful narration. Her voice fits Kat perfectly! So if you’ve been wanting to check out the steampunk genre or haven’t had a chance to read this series, consider picking up these audiobooks today 🙂

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My Books

Release Day for Cry of the Raven

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Happy Release Day!

Can you believe it? The final installment of the Ravenwood Saga is finally here! It’s been a long time coming (I started writing this series back in 2016). And while I was writing this particular book, I was trying to sell our house, raise 4 teens without my husband and best friend (he was working in another state while I stayed back to sell our house), homeschooling, then moving to another state. Let’s just say it was stressful! Sometimes I don’t remember what I wrote. But God watched over me and my family, I finished the series and love how it turned out, and now I get to share the final story with all of you. Enjoy, my friends!

ORDER NOW

 

Tainted Audio

More news! Yes, you read that right! I’m so excited to share that my award-winning steampunk series will be available in audio format this May! Perfect timing for those summer road trips or long work commutes! And it’s available for pre-order now 🙂

PRE-ORDER NOW

 

So what am I up to now? I’m currently working on a new steampunk series tentatively called The Plague Wars and I’m halfway through the first book. I hope to have more news about it soon, but in the meantime, here is the blurb:

In a world covered in a deadly mist that forces humanity to live in the sky, Cass escapes the purges and survives by her wits until she stumbles onto the airship Daedalus and finds a job as a diver. As a diver, she explores the ruined cities within the mist, searching for treasure and family heirlooms for the rich. But everything changes when a young man hires her to find the very thing that will turn their world upside down: a way to eradicate the mist.

Theodore Winchester is a member of one of the five powerful families that rule the sky over the mist. Following in his father’s footsteps, he searches for the source of the deadly mist that turns people in the undead and hopes to stop the purges used to control over-population. But what he finds are secrets and ambition, and with each question comes horrifying answers. If he continues his search, not only will he encounter opposition, but perhaps even his own death.

But the mist is rising and if a remedy isn’t found soon, the entire world will be enveloped in its deadly embrace, turning all of humankind into monsters.

Until then, thank you, readers!

My Books

Ebook Sale!

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Ebook Boxset Sale! $3.99

Friends! My award-winning steampunk series is now available in an ebook box set and is currently on sale! I don’t know how long this sale will be, so don’t wait too long 😉

And if you’ve already read this series and enjoyed it, would you consider taking a moment to write a review for the box set? I would greatly appreciate that. Thank you!

Buy Now

 

My Books

Cover for Cry of the Raven

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Here it is! The cover for Cry of the Raven, the final book in the Ravenwood Saga (coming February 2020).

CotR Cover

Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire’s attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband’s power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?

Book 3, The Ravenwood Saga

 

Cry of the Raven is now available for pre-order on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Raven-Ravenwood-Saga-Morgan-Busse

You can also add it to your Goodreads shelf: www.goodreads.com/book/show/45886444-cry-of-the-raven

My Books

Release Day for Flight of the Raven!

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Outcast. Stranger. Lady of House Maris.

Dear Friends,
Aaaaaa! It’s here! The release day for Flight of the Raven! I know many of you have been waiting to find out what happens next with Selene and Damien! Can I just share my heart with you for a minute (before you rush off to start this new novel😄)? I’ve always wanted to write about a married couple: how marriage is about love, mutual respect, being there for each other, and being a team. Flight of the Raven (and Cry of the Raven, the next book) are just that: a look at marriage (with a bunch of dreams, nightmares, and a war thrown in). I hope that this series encourages your heart, helps you with the darkness you are wrestling with right now, and that you find the Light that is always there.

~Morgan L. Busse

Click here to buy Flight of the Raven.

My Books, Writing

Ten Favorite Characters from Flight of the Raven

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Ten Favorite Characters fromI was asked a couple weeks ago to name ten favorite characters from my upcoming novel, Flight of the Raven (which comes out at the end of this month, yeah!), and I thought I would share that list with all of you here (because I know you’re as excited as I am to meet all of these people!). So here you go 🙂

Lady Selene Ravenwood (main character): I love her desire to not accept what fate/destiny/or her mother has planned for her, but to search for who she really is and what the dreamwalking gift can be used for. I also love her dual swords and long, raven-colored hair!

Lord Damien Maris: Ah, Damien! What can I say? He’s strong and gentle, powerful but understands the consequences of his power, and fiercely protects his people. He has the ability to control water and uses it to create walls out of rivers to keep out enemies. However, his power will wash away anyone who is not part of his people, on either side of the river.

Taegis (Damien’s guardian): He’s been watching over House Maris ever since Damien was young, and was there to help Damien when his family passed away. He’s a councilor, guardian, and friend.

Cohen: He’s young, he’s tall, and he has wild hair. And he looks nothing like a monk. But it is his curiosity about the world, and his heart for people has led him to be selected to be the next abbott. He hasn’t quite adjusted to his height and is always banging his long legs on tables and chairs.

Karl (personal guard to House Maris): Dark and brooding, with a painful past and is not sure about Lord Damien marrying someone from House Ravenwood. Eventually, he becomes Lady Selene’s personal guard.

Sten (personal guard to House Maris): jolly and stout, with many brothers and a love for life. He likes to whittle figures out of wood.

Lady Bryren Merek: leader of House Merek and the wyvern riders. Her house is known for their courage, and Lady Bryren is known for speaking her mind. Her wyvern is a large copper female named Shannu.

Lady Ragna Ravenwood: Selene’s mother. Cold, rigid, and focused on one thing: to tear every other great house down and build her own up. She is known for her beauty and strength.

Lady Amara Ravenwood (Selene’s sister): she’s always been jealous of her sister until she discovers the burden Selene has been carrying for years. Now she’s questioning everything she’s ever known. She fights with a single sword.

Breven (a pilgrim): sweet young man with a brilliant smile and a huge heart. No wonder Amara starts to fall for him. He’s from the city of knowledge, Shanalona, and hopes to work in the massive libraries there someday.

 

And there you go, a little peek into some new and returning characters in Flight of the Raven!

Haven’t read the first book, Mark of the Raven? Then check it out here.

Haven’t pre-ordered your copy of Flight of the Raven? Then head over here.