Book Title: Badlands
Author: Morgan Brice
Cover Artist: Natania Barron
Genre/s: urban fantasy, MM paranormal romance
Buy Links
Blurb
“Bikes are a big deal here,” Simon said to fill the pause. “I’m always amazed at how many come through for Bike Week.” Several major motorcycle events each summer turned the Grand Strand into a cavalcade of the hottest cycles on the coast.
Cop Dude shrugged. “I always liked Born to Run. Springsteen fan. What can I say?”
“Sir?” the voice called from the counter, making Simon turn away. “You’re next.” Simon had never been less happy to get to the front of the line.
“I’ll have a Dread Pirate Roberts,” he mumbled, not wanting to look like an idiot to the guy he was trying to impress. He handed over the money, took his change as she rang him up, dropped a one dollar bill in the tip jar, and moved down the counter to wait for his drink.
“I’ll try that, too,” the cop said, flashing him a grin. “What the hell? Live life on the edge.”
Le Miz baristas were fast. Simon knew he needed to come up with a way to extend the conversation without looking like a creeper or lose the connection, maybe forever. Just as the barista handed both of them their drinks, a deafening thunderclap sounded, rattling the windows, and the rain came pouring down.
“Want to grab a table?” Simon asked, nervous enough that his throat felt tight. “We’ll drown if we go out there now.”
“Sure. Why not.”
Simon led the way through the crowded outer room where the tables were all taken to the back room where there was once a display of pirate doubloons and recovered sunken treasures. The room kept its murals of sailing ships and scruffy pirates, along with the odds and ends left behind by the previous owners—a beat-up old chest, a pirate mannequin everyone called “Mo” and a bedraggled stuffed parrot on a perch, dubbed “Percy” by Le Miz regulars.
“You must come here a lot to know there’s a second room.”
“Told you, I take my coffee very seriously,” Simon teased as he sat down. “I’m Simon, by the way.”
“Vic,” the man replied. “So what’s in this mystery drink?”
“Do you like the smell?” Simon asked.
Vic leaned over his cup, took a deep breath, and his eyes fluttered almost closed. Simon's heart did a little samba, instantly imagining what Vic would look like blissed out and debauched after sweaty sex. Simon’s erection strained at the fly of his jeans, and he was insanely glad they were seated at a table where Vic couldn’t see how aroused he was.
“Good?” Simon asked, hating that he sounded a little breathless.
“Yeah,” Vic replied, with a little moan that made Simon painfully hard.
“Glad I could turn you on to a good thing,” Simon replied, hoping he hadn’t read the signals wrong since he was blatantly flirting.
“Much obliged,” Vic replied, and maybe it was Simon’s imagination that the man’s voice dropped a little lower, a bit huskier, than before.
“You’ve been here before, you said?” Simon asked, finding that his pick-up skills were as woefully rusty as his ability to make polite chit-chat.
“A few times,” Vic replied. “I haven’t gotten to the boardwalk as much as I’d like.”
“I try not to overdo the special coffees,” Simon said with a self-conscious smile. “I know the sugar adds up. But you’ve got to do something to make yourself feel good now and then, right?” Oh lord, that sounded really bad. I can’t believe I said that.
A wicked twinkle came into Vic’s eyes. “I’m all for feeling good,” he replied, and his foot bumped into Simon’s beneath the table.
It’s just his foot. Doesn’t mean anything. Could have been an accident,Simon told himself, but Vic didn’t move away, and Simon hoped his smile looked encouraging instead of merely nervous.
“So are you in town for business or pleasure?” Simon asked, and cringed internally. What’s wrong with me? I’m never smooth, but I didn’t used to be this awful at picking up a date.“I mean, are you a local or just visiting?”
Vic’s full, sensuous lips quirked in a smile. “Neither,” he replied.
Simon tried and failed at not staring at his lips and imagining them around his cock. Get a grip!Shit, that only changed the mental image to a hand job. So not working! Don’t fuck this up.That didn’t help at all.
“Moved here not too long ago, so I don’t feel quite like a local, but definitely not a tourist,” Vic added.
“You can still take in the sights, even if you live here. Most people don’t take time to enjoy what’s in their backyards. I’d love to show you some of my favorite spots.” Oh, just shoot me now. That sounded like the worst line from a cheap porno. I totally suck at this. No, don’t think about sucking…
“Sounds fun,” Vic said, and Simon was so lost in his embarrassment that he almost missed it.
“You would?” he asked, then cleared his throat. “I mean, that’s great,” he failed miserably to cover his awkward reply. Simon was just about to ask for Vic’s number when Vic’s phone went off.
The ringtone sounded odd, and Vic’s manner shifted in the blink of an eye, going from casual and relaxed to tense and alert. “I’ve got to take this,” he said, without even glancing at the number. “I’m sorry. It’s work. Confidential—need to step away.” With that, he got up and headed toward the service corridor that went toward the men’s room, taking his coffee with him.
Vic is a homicide detective who was let go from the force in Pittsburgh, when a paranormal event causes him to make a grave error on the job. He is further disgraced when he tells the truth about the supernatural event that occurred, causing the error, and no one believes him.
Simon is a medium and a clairvoyant who had a good life. A professor in the Humanities department, teaching folklore and mythology, he loved teaching and spending time with his fiancé, but when one of his student’s parents’, who has a lot of clout with the university, discovers the material Simon is teaching, he complains to the school and has Simon fired, after which Simon’s fiancé, a fellow professor, scared of the effect this will have on his career, dumps him.
Vic and Simon have both relocated to Myrtle Beach to try to start over and put their lives back together. When they meet in line at a local coffee shop, the mutual attraction is instant.
This is the story I’ve been craving. Lately, I’ve wanted a good romance mixed with some mystery and suspense and that’s exactly what I got while reading Badlands. I absolutely loved this story. It was well-written, fast-paced and exciting. It kept me sitting on the edge of my seat and turning the pages.
The author did a great job at balancing the romance and mystery. The mystery kept me intrigued and entertained and the chemistry between Vic and Simon was off the charts. While there were times I wanted to strangle Vic, together they fit and were hot.
This was such an enjoyable read. I wanted a conclusion, but I wasn’t ready for the story to end. This is my first book by this author, but I can promise, it won’t be my last. I’ll definitely be checking out her other book, Witchbane, as well as looking forward to much more in the future. Definitely recommendable!!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
What I Loved: I totally loved Simon. He was funny and charming and had such a good heart for all that he’d dealt with growing up with his abilities. I loved that he could be slightly awkward as well because it just made him that more endearing.
I truly think Morgan Brice has a great voice for storytelling. This is the second book I have read by Morgan and with both, I found myself completely enraptured with the story and the characters. There’s a wonderful balance of mystery, paranormal elements, romance and action. It’s definitely an entertaining read.
What I Liked: While I liked Vic, I had a harder time with his character. I understood the circumstances that led to Vic transferring from Pittsburgh and I felt for him, he just seemed a bit standoffish to me. He obviously has his reasons for it and his trust issues are understandable but the way he treated Simon after the first reading, irritated me. He wanted the info and then when he got it, he was mad, distrustful and rude.
What I Didn’t Like: honestly, I really enjoyed this story and the romance. I don’t have anything that I can really say I didn’t like.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book to readers. If you want mystery and romance with a bit of paranormal/supernatural elements, this is a fantastic choice.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Badlands can be summed up as a book with a great plot but with less than interesting characters. The storyline - a murder mystery infused with the paranormal - was fantastic. The plot points made sense and the story moved along at a good pace. By the end, every mystery was solved in a satisfying way.
The setting, Myrtle Beach, a mainstay of my own childhood was what made me choose this book. The author mixed in real landmarks with fictional ones to make it feel like coming home.
Having said all that, I really could not get into the main characters. This constant whiny tension between Simon and Vic -- does he like me, do I like him, will he call, does he care, do I love him -- felt more like teenagers instead of mid-30s, grown, professional men! This saddens me because there was some heat between them, but the cheesy language and the constant doubts just ruined it for me. These characters simply were not likable in my opinion.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Morgan Brice is the romance pen name of bestselling author Gail Z. Martin.
Simon Kincaide owns a boardwalk shop in Myrtle Beach where he runs ghost tours & does seances and private psychic readings, a fresh start after his abilities cost him his lover and his job as a folklore professor. Jaded cop Vic D’Amato saw something supernatural he couldn’t explain during a shootout several years ago in Pittsburgh and relocated to Myrtle Beach to leave the past behind, still skeptical about the paranormal. But when the search for a serial killer hits a dead end, Vic battles his skepticism to ask Simon for help. As the body count rises, Simon’s involvement makes him a target, and a suspect. But Simon can't say no, even if it costs him his life and heart.
Excerpt
What Amazon reviewers are saying about Badlands:
"...steamy, complicated and totally engaging."
"Highly recommend this one."
"An excellent well written book..."
"A brilliant story that has you invested in the characters and guessing what will happen next."
"Can't say enough good things about this book!"
Excerpt
“Bikes are a big deal here,” Simon said to fill the pause. “I’m always amazed at how many come through for Bike Week.” Several major motorcycle events each summer turned the Grand Strand into a cavalcade of the hottest cycles on the coast.
Cop Dude shrugged. “I always liked Born to Run. Springsteen fan. What can I say?”
“Sir?” the voice called from the counter, making Simon turn away. “You’re next.” Simon had never been less happy to get to the front of the line.
“I’ll have a Dread Pirate Roberts,” he mumbled, not wanting to look like an idiot to the guy he was trying to impress. He handed over the money, took his change as she rang him up, dropped a one dollar bill in the tip jar, and moved down the counter to wait for his drink.
“I’ll try that, too,” the cop said, flashing him a grin. “What the hell? Live life on the edge.”
Le Miz baristas were fast. Simon knew he needed to come up with a way to extend the conversation without looking like a creeper or lose the connection, maybe forever. Just as the barista handed both of them their drinks, a deafening thunderclap sounded, rattling the windows, and the rain came pouring down.
“Want to grab a table?” Simon asked, nervous enough that his throat felt tight. “We’ll drown if we go out there now.”
“Sure. Why not.”
Simon led the way through the crowded outer room where the tables were all taken to the back room where there was once a display of pirate doubloons and recovered sunken treasures. The room kept its murals of sailing ships and scruffy pirates, along with the odds and ends left behind by the previous owners—a beat-up old chest, a pirate mannequin everyone called “Mo” and a bedraggled stuffed parrot on a perch, dubbed “Percy” by Le Miz regulars.
“You must come here a lot to know there’s a second room.”
“Told you, I take my coffee very seriously,” Simon teased as he sat down. “I’m Simon, by the way.”
“Vic,” the man replied. “So what’s in this mystery drink?”
“Do you like the smell?” Simon asked.
Vic leaned over his cup, took a deep breath, and his eyes fluttered almost closed. Simon's heart did a little samba, instantly imagining what Vic would look like blissed out and debauched after sweaty sex. Simon’s erection strained at the fly of his jeans, and he was insanely glad they were seated at a table where Vic couldn’t see how aroused he was.
“Good?” Simon asked, hating that he sounded a little breathless.
“Yeah,” Vic replied, with a little moan that made Simon painfully hard.
“Glad I could turn you on to a good thing,” Simon replied, hoping he hadn’t read the signals wrong since he was blatantly flirting.
“Much obliged,” Vic replied, and maybe it was Simon’s imagination that the man’s voice dropped a little lower, a bit huskier, than before.
“You’ve been here before, you said?” Simon asked, finding that his pick-up skills were as woefully rusty as his ability to make polite chit-chat.
“A few times,” Vic replied. “I haven’t gotten to the boardwalk as much as I’d like.”
“I try not to overdo the special coffees,” Simon said with a self-conscious smile. “I know the sugar adds up. But you’ve got to do something to make yourself feel good now and then, right?” Oh lord, that sounded really bad. I can’t believe I said that.
A wicked twinkle came into Vic’s eyes. “I’m all for feeling good,” he replied, and his foot bumped into Simon’s beneath the table.
It’s just his foot. Doesn’t mean anything. Could have been an accident,Simon told himself, but Vic didn’t move away, and Simon hoped his smile looked encouraging instead of merely nervous.
“So are you in town for business or pleasure?” Simon asked, and cringed internally. What’s wrong with me? I’m never smooth, but I didn’t used to be this awful at picking up a date.“I mean, are you a local or just visiting?”
Vic’s full, sensuous lips quirked in a smile. “Neither,” he replied.
Simon tried and failed at not staring at his lips and imagining them around his cock. Get a grip!Shit, that only changed the mental image to a hand job. So not working! Don’t fuck this up.That didn’t help at all.
“Moved here not too long ago, so I don’t feel quite like a local, but definitely not a tourist,” Vic added.
“You can still take in the sights, even if you live here. Most people don’t take time to enjoy what’s in their backyards. I’d love to show you some of my favorite spots.” Oh, just shoot me now. That sounded like the worst line from a cheap porno. I totally suck at this. No, don’t think about sucking…
“Sounds fun,” Vic said, and Simon was so lost in his embarrassment that he almost missed it.
“You would?” he asked, then cleared his throat. “I mean, that’s great,” he failed miserably to cover his awkward reply. Simon was just about to ask for Vic’s number when Vic’s phone went off.
The ringtone sounded odd, and Vic’s manner shifted in the blink of an eye, going from casual and relaxed to tense and alert. “I’ve got to take this,” he said, without even glancing at the number. “I’m sorry. It’s work. Confidential—need to step away.” With that, he got up and headed toward the service corridor that went toward the men’s room, taking his coffee with him.
5 + Stars
Vic is a homicide detective who was let go from the force in Pittsburgh, when a paranormal event causes him to make a grave error on the job. He is further disgraced when he tells the truth about the supernatural event that occurred, causing the error, and no one believes him.
Simon is a medium and a clairvoyant who had a good life. A professor in the Humanities department, teaching folklore and mythology, he loved teaching and spending time with his fiancé, but when one of his student’s parents’, who has a lot of clout with the university, discovers the material Simon is teaching, he complains to the school and has Simon fired, after which Simon’s fiancé, a fellow professor, scared of the effect this will have on his career, dumps him.
Vic and Simon have both relocated to Myrtle Beach to try to start over and put their lives back together. When they meet in line at a local coffee shop, the mutual attraction is instant.
This is the story I’ve been craving. Lately, I’ve wanted a good romance mixed with some mystery and suspense and that’s exactly what I got while reading Badlands. I absolutely loved this story. It was well-written, fast-paced and exciting. It kept me sitting on the edge of my seat and turning the pages.
The author did a great job at balancing the romance and mystery. The mystery kept me intrigued and entertained and the chemistry between Vic and Simon was off the charts. While there were times I wanted to strangle Vic, together they fit and were hot.
This was such an enjoyable read. I wanted a conclusion, but I wasn’t ready for the story to end. This is my first book by this author, but I can promise, it won’t be my last. I’ll definitely be checking out her other book, Witchbane, as well as looking forward to much more in the future. Definitely recommendable!!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
4.5 Stars!
What I Loved: I totally loved Simon. He was funny and charming and had such a good heart for all that he’d dealt with growing up with his abilities. I loved that he could be slightly awkward as well because it just made him that more endearing.
I truly think Morgan Brice has a great voice for storytelling. This is the second book I have read by Morgan and with both, I found myself completely enraptured with the story and the characters. There’s a wonderful balance of mystery, paranormal elements, romance and action. It’s definitely an entertaining read.
What I Liked: While I liked Vic, I had a harder time with his character. I understood the circumstances that led to Vic transferring from Pittsburgh and I felt for him, he just seemed a bit standoffish to me. He obviously has his reasons for it and his trust issues are understandable but the way he treated Simon after the first reading, irritated me. He wanted the info and then when he got it, he was mad, distrustful and rude.
What I Didn’t Like: honestly, I really enjoyed this story and the romance. I don’t have anything that I can really say I didn’t like.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book to readers. If you want mystery and romance with a bit of paranormal/supernatural elements, this is a fantastic choice.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
3 Stars
Badlands can be summed up as a book with a great plot but with less than interesting characters. The storyline - a murder mystery infused with the paranormal - was fantastic. The plot points made sense and the story moved along at a good pace. By the end, every mystery was solved in a satisfying way.
The setting, Myrtle Beach, a mainstay of my own childhood was what made me choose this book. The author mixed in real landmarks with fictional ones to make it feel like coming home.
Having said all that, I really could not get into the main characters. This constant whiny tension between Simon and Vic -- does he like me, do I like him, will he call, does he care, do I love him -- felt more like teenagers instead of mid-30s, grown, professional men! This saddens me because there was some heat between them, but the cheesy language and the constant doubts just ruined it for me. These characters simply were not likable in my opinion.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
About 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 Morgan Brice will be a Supporting Author at Gay Romantic Lit convention and a Hosting Author at RomCon in October.
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