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🌟 Please join me in welcoming author Morgan Brice to Stories That Make You Smile! Morgan is here today celebrating the recent release of The Rising, her second Badlands novel. She’s kindly sat down to answer a few questions about the book, herself, and her writing process! 🌟
The Rising by Morgan Brice
A psychic medium and a cop team up to solve supernatural murders in Myrtle Beach.
Series: Badlands (book#2)
Cover Artist: Natania Barron
Release Date: February 13, 2019
Length: 228 pages
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Pairing / Genre(s) / Keyword(s): M/M Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Blurb
A big storm is brewing, there’s a killer on the loose, and the ghosts of Myrtle Beach are restless. Psychic medium Simon Kincaide and his sexy cop boyfriend, homicide detective Vic D’Amato have their hands full helping the Grand Strand brace for rough surf, driving rain and high winds as a winter storm roars toward shore.
Everyone’s on edge, and rumors are rampant about sightings of Blackcoat Benny, a ghostly omen of danger, and worse, the Gallows Nine, the spirits of nine infamous criminals hanged back in the 1700s, a harbinger of disaster. Rough tides wash the wreck of an old pirate ship into shallow waters, high winds threaten to damage an old mansion with a dark past, and the citizens of the beach town hunker down to ride out the storm.
As the skies grow dark and the sea turns wild, several men from prominent local families end up dead under suspicious circumstances. Simon’s premonition confirms Vic’s gut feeling—the killing is just getting started. As Simon tries to reach out to the spirits of the murdered men to help the investigation, he’s attacked by malicious ghosts that don’t want anyone getting in the way of their long-overdue vengeance.
With the storm hammering the coast, and new victims piling up, Simon is certain that the sins and secrets of the past are coming due, and that the murders have a supernatural link. Vic and Simon race to stop the murders against an unholy deadline, but as they battle rising tides and risen ghosts, can they save the intended victims without getting trapped themselves.
Trigger Warning: Mentions of suicide (not main characters)
Excerpt
Grand Strand Ghost Tours didn’t just arise from Simon’s passion for myth, legend, and folklore; it was rooted in his abilities as a psychic medium. Sure, the ghost tours were largely entertainment, but Simon also gave private psychic readings and conducted séances by appointment. Along with the books he wrote about ghosts and the speaking engagements he provided for local organizations, Simon had managed to create a thriving business. He leaned against the railing, enjoying a moment of contentment.
Or maybe, the calm before the storm, a little voice in the back of his mind warned.
His phone buzzed, and Simon pulled it from his pocket and smiled. “Hey. Miss me?”
“Always.” Homicide lieutenant Vic D’Amato’s voice was a husky rumble. “I just wanted to check what time you finish up tonight. Figured it was my turn to pick up dinner.” The tone in Vic’s voice promised far more than food, and Simon felt the anticipation go right to his dick.
“I should be finished around seven. It’s off-season, so no tours on Mondays. You have a busy day lined up?” Simon asked as he started walking toward his favorite coffee shop.
“Not yet, and I’m hoping it stays that way,” Vic replied. “It’s never a good thing when we’re busy.”
“Let me know if you hear anything official about the storm. I’ve heard six different forecasts, and I haven’t even gotten coffee yet.”
“Sure thing—but don’t expect anything dependable yet. We’re too far out.”
Simon knew how changeable forecasts could be so close to the ocean. Still, Myrtle Beach had barely gotten back on its feet after the last hurricane, so the news of another severe winter storm—hurricane or not—had everyone on edge.
“Be careful out there,” Simon said, letting his voice drop to a growl. “I love you.”
“Love you, too. Stay out of trouble.”
Despite the forecasts, Simon couldn’t help feeling a spring in his step after talking with Vic. They’d been together for less than a year, but Simon was finding it more and more difficult to remember what life was like before meeting his handsome homicide cop. Vic had officially moved into Simon’s retro blue bungalow after the holidays, and while they were still working out their new living situation, Simon had never been happier.”
“The boardwalk might not be busy, but Le Mizzenmast, Simon’s favorite coffee shop, was always bustling. The locals called it Le Miz, not to be confused with the musical. The building had previously been a pirate-themed attraction, and when Tracey Cullen took over, she couldn’t afford to remodel, so she just incorporated the pirate decor into her theme and went with it.
“Hi, Simon!” Tracey called with a wave from behind the register. “You want the usual?” When Simon nodded, Tracey turned to her barista. “One Dread Pirate Roberts and a mocha please!”
Simon took his place in line, remembering how he and Vic had met right here, waiting for coffee. Simon had taken one look at Vic’s muscled body, his dark brown eyes, and the ink on his arms and felt an instant attraction. After all these months and several hair-raising adventures, the magnetism had only gotten stronger. Being in love felt wonderful, and Simon resolved to enjoy every minute of it.”
Excerpt From: Morgan Brice. The Rising: A Badlands Novel.
☆ Interview ☆
Congratulations on your new release. Please tell us a little bit about it. What’s your favorite aspect or part of the story? Do you have a favorite character? Who/Why?
The Rising pits psychic medium Simon Kincaide and his boyfriend, Homicide Lieutenant Vic D’Amato, against pirate ghosts, vengeful spirits, old family secrets, a haunted house, and a killer on the loose. It’s set in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which is one of my favorite places. I think my favorite aspect is seeing Simon and Vic’s relationship deepen as they learn to trust each other and work together. Simon and Vic are both my favorites, because they are so much fun to write!
The Rising is the third book in the Badlands series. They can be read as stand-alone, but of course you’ll know more about the characters and their relationship if you read them all.
Are you a planner or a pantser? How much do you know about your story before you start writing? How often does your plan change? Why does this work best for you?
I write multiple books a year, so I have to be a planner! I write a pretty detailed outline, and most of the time I stick pretty close to it. Now a lot of the details come to me as I’m writing, so the funny parts and some of the plot twists happen in the moment, which is one of the things I love about writing!
Do deadlines motivate you or block you? How do you deal with them?
Deadlines motivate me and help me plan my time. I have all kinds of schedules and to-do lists!
Do you schedule a certain amount of time for writing each day/week, or do you just work it in when you can? Would you like to change this, or does your current method work well for you?
I write full-time, which is what I always wanted to do so I feel very lucky. It’s our full-time job, so that’s also motivating because it’s how we pay the bills!
What are your favorite genres when it comes to your own pleasure reading? Do you prefer to read ebooks or print?
I read a lot of MM romance, and especially love the paranormal ones. I also read a lot of urban fantasy and mystery.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing is my favorite thing, so it energizes me and makes me very happy!
What advice would you give to newbie writers?
Hang in there. It takes longer than you think it will, but if you keep at it and keep writing, it will happen.
What are your short-term and long-term writing goals?
My short-term goal is to finish the book I’m working on! And my long-term goal would be to write all the books I have in my head.
Does your research lead to bizarre internet searches? If so, tell us about some of your wackier searches, or ones that would make you nervous if your computer were ever confiscated by law enforcement.
I’m always looking up stuff on magic, supernatural creatures, rituals, ghosts, hauntings and the occult. So if anyone’s watching my account, maybe they’re afraid I’ll turn them into a frog!
Thank you for having me as a guest! I hope folks will check out The Rising and the whole Badlands series, as well as my Witchbane books. You can also stay in touch by joining my Facebook Group: www.Facebook.com/groups/WorldsOfMorganBrice
Or following me on Pinterest (for Morgan and Gail) www.Pinterest.com/Gzmartin where I post photos of places and people who inspire my books. I’m also on Twitter: @MorganBriceBook and you can get a free Badlands short story (Restless Nights) and sign up for my newsletter here: https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/js6x0fq8
Meet the Author
Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin. Morgan writes urban fantasy male/male paranormal romance, with plenty of action, adventure and supernatural thrills to go with the happily ever after. Gail writes epic fantasy and urban fantasy, and together with co-author hubby Larry N. Martin, steampunk and comedic horror, all of which have less romance, more explosions. Characters from her Gail books make frequent appearances in secondary roles in her Morgan books, and vice versa.
On the rare occasions Morgan isn’t writing, she’s either reading, cooking, or spoiling two very pampered dogs.
Other books include Witchbane, Burn, Dark Rivers, and Badlands. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!
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Twitter: @MorganBriceBook
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This is such a fun series, and I love the way it ties into the universe penned by the author’s alter-ego!