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 Soul Chronicles, and The Ravenwood Saga. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist and winner of both the INSPY and the Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction.
In this interview, Morgan discusses the second book in her Skyworld Duology, titled Blood Secrets.
FF: What inspired the story in your book?
Blood Secrets is the second and final book in the Skyworld Duology. Secrets in the Mist, the first book, explores a world where humanity has to live on mountaintops and airships because of a deadly mist that covers the valleys. Blood Secrets explores the idea of saving humanity from the Mist, but it might not be worth saving. I wanted to take a deeper look at the idea that the heroine always saves the world and ask what if the heroine has been hurt by that world? What kinds of thoughts and emotions would she have on saving that world? Would she want to?
FF: What can you tell us about the main characters in your book?
In Secrets of the Mist, the reader is introduced to the two main characters. Cass is a self-sufficient survivor of the streets and Purges (in this world, when the cities become overpopulated, Purges are ordered to make room for those who are higher up in society).
Theo is the heir of one of the ruling families and at the highest peak of society. He is also an intellect and scientist, and when he discovers his family’s part in not only the Purges, but that they knew there was a way to save everyone but chose not to, he embarks on a journey to redeem his family and make things right.
FF: Which character surprised you the most?
Charity Atwood. She is a minor character in Secrets of the Mist, but she becomes important in book 2 and helps the main characters on their journey. I didn’t realize when I wrote her character in book 1 how important she would become in book 2.
FF: Why do you think storytelling is such a powerful way to share truth?
Stories have a way of worming their way into our hearts, minds, and souls in a way that nonfiction can’t. That’s why I like to write fiction. I can either tell you about grace through a sermon or blog post, or I can show you grace through a 300-page story. Usually, it’s a story that leaves a lasting impression on people more than a sermon, blog post, or nonfiction book.
FF: What was the challenge in creating a biblical viewpoint through the steampunk genre?
I didn’t really find it that challenging because when I create my steampunk world, I base it a lot on the 19th century. During that time there was a shift from religion to science, where science started to become “God” to many people (we still see this mentality today). I take characters and explore who God is, what science is, and how God is not only the beginning and end of science (as the Creator), but is also intricately involved in the world He created and loves.
FF: What do you want readers to take away after reading your book?
In Blood Secrets, I explored the idea of saving those who have hurt you. Cass lost her family to the Purges, is forced to live on the streets, and watches those who are deemed “less worthy” suffer at the hands of the ruling families. SPOILERS. When she finds out her blood might have the power to save everyone from the mist, she finds herself struggling with saving those who have hurt her. They don’t deserve it. And even worse, they were willing to sacrifice humanity to save themselves. This is a question I want readers to take away: what it really means to save the world—and how God saved us.
FF: Your first book, Daughter of Light, turned ten this year. What inspired you to start writing speculative fiction back then and continue through now?
I have always loved fantasy and science fiction. But there were times I would be disappointed when a book became aggressively anti-Christian, had scenes I had to skip, or were filled with cussing. So I started searching for speculative books that were deep, thought-provoking, imaginative, and inspired my faith. There were very few books like this so my husband encouraged me to write my own. That’s when I came up with the idea for Daughter of Light (a story about a woman who can see inside a person’s soul) and I’ve been writing ever since. If the emails and letters I receive are any indication, I’m not the only one who wants these books and I’m so thankful I can provide them for others.
FF: What can you tell us about your next book?
I just signed with Enclave Publishing for a new Viking-inspired fantasy series that has ties with Daughter of Light. Fans of my series are going to be excited for this new one!
FF: How has your faith or worldview impacted the way you tell stories?
My faith is always finding ways into my stories. I ask questions about the world, about God and about my faith and through my stories, I explore those answers.
Blood Secrets
Skyworld Duology #2
Morgan L. Busse
Enclave Escape
Genres: Steampunk/SciFi, YA/Teen
Release Date: August 9, 2022
ASIN: B09SVW2VNK
ISBN-13: 979-8886050004
Book Summary:
Not everyone wants to see the world saved…
Time is running out. Cities are being engulfed in the Mist and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Theo believes he has found a way to stop mankind from Turning, but he doesn’t know how to alter Cass’s unique blood into a cure. Or if it can even be done.
Meanwhile, Cass struggles with the idea that she is possibly the savior of the world—a world she is not sure is worth saving.
From the Winchester manse to the steel city of Decadenn, there is something more chasing Cass than the House of Lords or the masked man who can walk in the Mist. Soon she must decide if she will use her blood to save mankind or let those who only care about themselves perish.
CLICK TO BUY
Buy Blood Secrets from the FF Store HERE!
CLICK TO BUY
Buy Blood Secrets from Amazon HERE!noreferrer”>HERE!