About the Book

Book:  Secrets in the Mist

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Release date: August 10, 2021

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.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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 award-winning steampunk series, The Soul Chronicles. Her debut novel, Daughter of Light, was a Christy and Carol Award finalist. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel. 

 

More from Morgan

I’m afraid to fly. At first, I tried to ignore it. Then the panic attacks came. And the one time I accidentally grabbed my neighbor’s arm during turbulence, which was really embarrassing. But it was when I was waiting for my 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 REVIEW 

With a steampunk theme this story is filled with gliders, flying  machines, strange places and a mist that causes many to avoid it. I was very curious about the mist and what kind of power it had. I was hooked by the time Cass had escaped and was wandering the streets alone. She is a very good character with strength that drives  her to survive.I loved her spunk and determination to find safety.   The world  she lives in is dangerous and barely survives on the meager food she steals.I couldn’t wait to see what adventure was in store for her. 

 It is easy to imagine the world Cass is in with exceptional details the author gives us. I could see the mist as it captured everything in its path. The flying machines were big and powerful as they took people to their towers that were safe from the darkness of the mist. We get a brief glimpse of Theo at the beginning of the book when he has a chance encounter with Cass. Somehow I knew he would become an important part of the story and I was excited to see how the author would fit him into the world that Cass knows. 

I don’t know about you, but I do not like to fly at all. I’ve been on a plane a few times and never once was I comfortable. I guess if I looked out the window I could see something  to distract me, but all I felt was fear. As I read this story I almost wanted to strap on a glider and feel the wind against my face and travel with Cass. Being a diver is dangerous but I thought it was so intriguing to go through the mist and explore the land below. 

The story involves missions to recover items for people and as a diver Cass must go into unknown places where creatures lurk. Teaming up with Cass, Theo thinks he can find the cure for the mist. Their journey is extremely dangerous and I was on the edge of my seat as they ascended down to the place where Theo hoped a long kept family secret could be found. There is a definite divide between the rich and poor in the story as power seems to fuel those who are in control. Theo and Cass will come face to face with something evil that challenges them in a fight to survive. 

The ending is spectacular and holds nothing back as this force is determined to stop Theo and Cass. By this time I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Would Cass and Theo survive ? Could they find the answer to make the mist disappear forever? I wish I could answer those questions, but the author cleverly left readers with a cliffhanger. Now we must wait for the next book to see what happens. 

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit.The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 31

Texas Book-aholic, September 1

Wishful Endings, September 2

Inklings and notions, September 2

Remembrancy, September 3

For Him and My Family, September 3

deb’s Book Review, September 4

Blogging With Carol, September 4

The Christian Fiction Girl, September 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 5

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 6

Mia Reads, September 6

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 7

Rebecca Tews, September 7

Aryn The Libraryan 📚, September 8

Where Faith and Books Meet, September 8

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 9

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, September 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 10

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 11

Mary Hake, September 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 12

Simple Harvest Reads, September 12 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Through the fire blogs, September 13

Daysong Reflections, September 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Morgan is giving away the grand prize package of Steampunk themed basket that includes a signed book, coffee by barnies, a soy candle (so it should be safe for everyone), and a $20 B&N gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/11621/secrets-in-the-mist-celebration-tour-giveaway