Morgan L. Busse – Character Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Morgan Busse shares insight into her characters’ romance from her Fantasy title, Mark of the Raven. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for an autographed copy. Deadline: Nov 24th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Morgan:

Disclaimer: there are spoilers in the questions below!

• What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time?

Selene has grown up in a family with very little love, which also means very little physical affection. So when she meets Damien Maris, every time he lifts her hand and kisses her knuckles, it takes her by surprise, and she secretly finds she enjoys the small gesture.

• How soon after meeting the heroine did the hero know she was the one?

Selene was never “the one”. As the sole heir of House Maris, Damien has a duty to marry a prestigious woman from a powerful house to strengthen political ties. But when he has to make a choice to save Selene by marrying her or let her die, he makes the choice to marry her.

• How soon after meeting the hero did the heroine know he was the one?

Selene starts to fall for Damien when she walks in his dreams and sees what kind of man he is. He is completely different than anyone she has ever known, and carries a light and hope inside of him that she longs for. When she is given the task to assassinate him, she struggles between her duty to her family and her longing for something more than she has known. In the end, she chooses freedom from her past and a chance at a new life.

• Who is most romantic, your hero or your heroine?

Definitely Damien! Selene has grown up in a family were her parents barely tolerate each other and her mother is the matriarch of House Ravenwood. Selene knows she will end up marrying for an alliance or politics and only hopes she can at least respect her spouse. Damien, on the other hand, watched his parent’s love for each other and wants that for himself. Both find love in the end.

• What is the most caring thing your hero has ever done for your heroine?

When Selene chooses to defect from her family, Damien offers her sanctuary in his own lands. In essence, he saves her life and provides her with a new life.

• What is the most caring thing your heroine has ever done for your hero?

Selene chooses not to take Damien’s life. I think that’s pretty caring!

• Who said, “I love you” first, your hero or your heroine?

Neither yet. Mark of the Raven ends with a hasty marriage to save Selene’s life (you’ll have to read Flight of the Raven to see what happens next!)

About Morgan: Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series, the Carol Award-winning steampunk series, The Soul Chronicles, and The Ravenwood Saga, a new fantasy series from Bethany House. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel. Learn more & connect:

Morgan’s Website           Morgan’s Facebook           Morgan’s Twitter          Morgan’s Goodreads           Morgan’s Books

About the book – Mark of the Raven: 

Lady Selene Has Come into Her Family’s Power.
But Has She Inherited a Gift or a Curse?

Lady Selene is heir to the House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking. As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person’s dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires. Soon after the gifting, however, Selene discovers that the Ravenwood women have been secretly using their gift to gather information or to assassinate those responsible for the fall of House Ravenwood to the Dominia Empire hundreds of years ago. 
 
As she becomes more entrenched in Ravenwood’s dark past, Selene longs to find out the true reason behind her family’s gift, believing that its original intent could not have been for such evil purposes, but she is torn about upholding her family’s legacy–a legacy that supports her people. Selene’s dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations–but who is also prophesied to bring about the downfall of her own house.
 
One path holds glory and power and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood. The other path holds shame and likely death. Which will she choose? And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

Can’t wait for the drawing. Get your copy now!             Mark of the Raven – Amazon 

Question for Readers: What is your favorite romantic gesture in real life, books, or movies? (it doesn’t have to be a kiss, it can be doing the dishes or holding hands).