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

Shannon here: Morgan L. Busse shares insight into her hero and heroine’s relationship in her latest Speculative Fiction release, Flight of the Raven. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: May 25th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Morgan:  

When I started writing The Ravenwood Saga, I knew that I would have a married couple and wanted to portray how love, mutual respect, and helping each other plays out in a healthy marriage, even in a fantasy world. Flight of the Raven, the second book in The Ravenwood Saga, is the story of Damien and Selene’s growing relationship.

• What’s the most romantic present the hero ever bought for the heroine?

Selene comes from a family bent on power, which left very little room for love. Damien, on the other hand, came from a family who showed love and affection for each other daily. Because of that, Damien wanted to show Selene a different way and to start making good memories for her. So shortly after their marriage, he invites her to experience something he and his brother used to do with their mother. I won’t give away what it was, but it left a deep impression on Selene’s heart.

• What’s the most romantic present the heroine ever bought the hero?

Damien and Selene’s marriage is one of convenience. But as the story progresses, Selene starts to realize that she really wants this marriage. She starts to fall in love with the man who gave up his choice of wife in order to marry her and save her. And in order for their marriage to work, she needs work toward it. Her most romantic “present” is when she finally approaches Damien and accepts their marriage and gives herself to him.

• Do the hero and heroine have a favorite romantic vacation destination?

Damien and Selene live along the rocky coast of the Northern Shores (imagine the Oregon or Washington coast). Their favorite spot is a cliff that juts out from the castle and overlooks the sea. 

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

Damien has a habit of lifting Selene’s fingers and kissing her knuckles. It’s a simple gesture, but it melts her heart every time.

• Who is most romantic, the hero or heroine?

Damien is by far the more romantic out of the two. Because of her past, Selene has learned to hide her heart and her feelings, and it is with Damien’s slow coaxing that she begins to open up and realize how wonderful affection and love can be.

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

In Mark of the Raven (the first book) Selene’s family believes Damien’s family will destroy them, so they send Selene to assassinate him. But when she finally goes to do the task, she realizes she can’t do it, that she doesn’t want to become a murderer and believes there is a better way for her family. In saving Damien, she knows she is forfeiting her life.

But Damien offers her sanctuary in his country, so Selene helps him escape. Unfortunately, they are chased by her family and when they reach the river that divides their countries, Damien realizes he can’t use his power to raise the river border because it will also kill Selene (his power will only protect his people). So in order to save her, he marries her on the spot and makes her part of his family.

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

Near the end of Flight of the Raven, Damien finally tells Selene he loves her. But she doesn’t get a chance to respond until the next book.

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 and the steampunk series The Soul Chronicles. She is a Christy and INSPY Award finalist and recently won the Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel. Visit her online at www.morganlbusse.com.

About the book – Flight of the Raven: 

Selene Ravenwood, once the heir to House Ravenwood, is now an exile. On the run and free of her family’s destiny, Selene hopes to find the real reason her family was given the gift of dreamwalking. But first she must adapt to her new life as wife to Lord Damien Maris, the man she was originally assigned to kill. 

While adjusting to her marriage and her home in the north, her power over dreams begins to grow. As the strongest dreamwalker to exist in ages, her expanding power attracts not only nightmares but the attention of the Dark Lady herself. 

With a war looming on the horizon and a wicked being after her gift, Selene is faced with a choice: embrace the Dark Lady’s offer, or search out the one who gave her the gift of dreamwalking. One path offers power, the other offers freedom. But time is running out, and soon her choice will be made for her.

Question for Readers: What is your favorite game or activity?

Come back May 17th for Caryl McAdoo!