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Arts & Entertainment

Local Author Writes Another Royal Gem

Local author Donna Russo Morin launches her third historical fiction novel – a perfect Valentine's read packed with suspense, intrigue and passion. Reprinted with permission of The NK View February 2011

What do you want to be when you grow up? We all heard that question throughout our younger years and had honed responses like "firefighter," "astronaut," "doctor" and "dinosaur" to please our elders. Unfortunately, many of us are still asking ourselves the same question and wondering what exactly we want to do with our lives.

Not Donna Russo Morin. Morin is one of those very auspicious individuals who is fortunate to be living her dream as an award-winning author, crafting historical fiction novels. Last month marked the release of her third novel and she is already under contract with a major publisher for her fourth. 

“When I’m researching material for any of my books and getting ready to create, sometimes I literally lose my breath because of the adrenaline rush I get when I’m working,” says a wide-eyed Morin.

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Morin, a former contributor to the North Kingstown View released her first book, "The Courtier’s Secret," in 2009 through Kensington Books. It went on to become a a finalist for a National Readers’ Choice Award and was named the "Best First Book" by RWI-RWA. Her second novel, "The Secret of the Glass," was chosen as an "Outstanding Pick for 2010" by Book Illuminations.

Her genre of historical fiction packs a lot more than history into the pages. She’s received countless reviews calling her a master storyteller and praising the extraordinary and riveting characters she brings to life in her stories. Morin has candidly admitted she’s become quite the history nerd over the past decade, recalling when she first became infatuated with historical fiction after reading author Diana Gabaldon’s "Outlander" novels. These historical sci-fi romance stories are where she got her first taste of this type of novel and she knew immediately that a comparable genre was for her.

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Morin’s books are truly a labor of love. She spends at least six months conducting intensive research into whatever time period she is writing about to give the story an authentic flair, interweaving her signature page-turning intrigue that enraptures the reader and keeps them guessing until the final pages.

“The research process is an aspect of my work that I am truly ardent about," she said. "In addition to months of academic study, I have been known to add some peculiar hands on research. For 'To Serve a King,' I learned to shoot a bow and arrow, as does my main character, though she is much more adept at it than I am, as the divots in my garage wall will testify,” she laughs.

As with her first two novels, there is always a story behind the story. The inspiration for "To Serve a King" was simply because Morin had always wanted to do a female espionage tale. Initially, she had developed a basic plot for one set during the American Revolution. Unfortunately, neither the market nor her editor supported the setting. A few years later, after intensively researching European history, she discovered Francois I, who reigned over France at nearly the exact same time as Henry VIII.

“I thought of what he and I had in common, in historical fiction and, while François was not only more powerful and contributed more to the world, he has always taken a back seat to Henry in terms of history of the period," said Morin. "These two kings, along with Charles V of Spain, were constantly trying to outdo and overthrow the other. In that, I found the context for my story."

Morin is also very candid in saying that her first two books as well as "To Serve a King" all have a subliminal theme mirroring events or emotions taking place in her own life. 

“I was going through one of the most challenging phases of my life while I was writing this book," Morin said. "It was so challenging in fact, I wasn’t sure I would get it written. And, as happens for many people in such circumstances, overcoming the emotions of such challenges — anger and hate — is the true test. And so it is for my main character, Geneviève Gravois. 'To Serve a King' is a story of intrigue, murder, passion and betrayal. But, at its heart, it is a story of redemption."

With two successful novels under her belt and the newly released third, Morin admits she’s learned a thing or two about the publishing business. 

“I must confess that when my first book was published I was fairly clueless about the business of being an author, most specifically in terms of promotion,” she states. Experience has helped guide her with each new published book and she notes that, as an author, she has to keep up with the ever-changing marketing techniques but fortunately authors do begin to build a reputation through reviews and awards which allow her to concentrate on the job she loves so much, writing.

Like most artists, Morin keeps to a writing routine to stay on task with deadlines.  With a contractual requirement to produce a book a year, she typically takes six months to conduct research and six months to write. According to Morin, she aims to write 2,000 words a day, five days a week during the six-month writing period. As if that isn't arduous enough, Morin also has to wrangle in her two sons.

“My wonderful sons are very supportive of my work. However, they still can’t seem to equate my fingers flying furiously across a keyboard with the fact that I’m working, and will often stand directly in front of me and chatter," said Morin.

During one such interruption while Morin was writing a "particularly dark and angst-filled passage," her sons gave her a genius idea for her novel by breaking the tension with their jokes. After the laughter subsided, Morin realized what her novel was missing: comedic relief. With some re-crafting, Morin created two characters to lighten the piece – a set of musician brothers from Italy who conduct mischievous and embarrassing pranks on each other, adding some levity to the court and to the story.

While the written muse is most definitely her passion, Morin has been enjoying another aspect to her published works – speaking about them. Invitations are extended to her on a frequent basis with each successive book, including workshops and speaking engagements.

"This fall I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the yearly conference of Delta Kappa Gamma, a fraternal organization of women educators, where I spoke of the parallels between modern women and women throughout history. It was a wonderful evening,” recalls Morin.

When her first book, "The Courtier’s Secret," was released two years ago, she set a personal and professional goal for herself to publish one book a year from here on out. When asked if those goals had changed, she openly says, “As long as my own life allows, I’m going for it. I know that I feel incomplete if I’m not writing, so it’s best if I just keep at it,” says an energized Morin.

She also realizes how fortunate she is to be living out her dream as a published author.

“Each time a book releases, I am almost overwhelmed with gratitude," she said. "I will never forget that being an author is lifelong dream and with each book, the achievement of it is something I consider a gift.”

You needn’t be a history buff to enjoy any of Morin’s novels. The themes of the human experience that are explored in "To Serve a King" make it one that all types of readers will find enticing. Morin reminds that there is a great deal of intrigue, adventure, murder and passion, all with a wide appeal!

Her fourth work in progress is tentatively titled "The King’s Agent," a Renaissance art history mystery that finds Battista della Palla, an Italian in the service of the French king, and a woman known only as Aurelia in a search across Italy for a triptych that reveals the secret to a power – a power that could change the face of European control. Together they must survive and triumph over three challenges that mirror the worlds in Dante’s Divine Comedy. "The King's Agent" is set for release in early 2012 through Kensington Books.

Books are available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon, Kensington Books and other local bookstores. Contact the author at www.donnarussomorin.com.

 

Reprinted with permission of NK View, February 2011.

 

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