Book Title: The Rising (Badlands, Book 2)
Author: Morgan Brice
Cover Artist: Natania Barron
Genre/s: Urban Fantasy, MM paranormal romance
Release Date: February 13, 2019
Can be read as a standalone
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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)
Love and Location
By Morgan Brice
As a reader, I really enjoy it when the setting of a book becomes so real to me that I feel like I’ve been there. Through books, I visited wonderful cities like London, New Orleans, New York City and San Francisco long before I had the chance to go in person. When I finally arrived, it seemed like reuniting with an old friend, because the books had made the cities so vivid to me.
So as an author, I do my best to give readers that same experience with the locations of my series. The Rising, my newest book in the Badlands series, is set in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a location near to my heart and someplace I’ve vacationed for years. Every beach town is different, with its own vibe, history, and landmarks, and I try to share my love of Myrtle Beach with my readers. From the boardwalk and the Wednesday night fireworks to the neon-lit Skywheel, to the sculpture and live oaks at Brookgreen Garden and of course, the white sand beaches, I want you to taste, smell and see the beach where the stories take place!
I really enjoy weaving together history, urban legends, folklore, landmarks and personal experience to give readers a sense of the place where the story unfolds. That’s important for me, because the location shapes the people who live there, as it does the food, entertainment, and social life. So in The Rising, set on the coast of South Carolina, pirate ghosts, a haunted plantation, and a looming storm at sea all drive the plot. Those are all elements that are very much a part of that setting, and very familiar to anyone who has lived in or visited the area.
The same is true in my Witchbane series, which has a different city as the setting for each book. The first book (Witchbane) takes place in Richmond, Virginia, a historic city that still struggles with its tragic past and its central role in the Civil War. I lived in Richmond, so it was fun to mentally revisit favorite locations, describe the food and mood of the city, and weave in elements of the folklore, ghost stories, and history. In Burn, the second book, the characters travel to several locations, including Centralia, Pennsylvania, an abandoned town where a coal seam has been burning for fifty years and may burn for another hundred. And in Dark Rivers, the characters travel to Pittsburgh, another city where I used to live, which has its own rich history, regional food, traditions and urban legends. I love sharing my favorite places, and I hope you’ll come to love them like my characters do!
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
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.
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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