At the #CMCon16 Beach: Nancy Northcott

Nancy NorthcottAs one of the #CMCon16 featured bloggers, I get to have a little fun with a few of the fabulous authors who will be hitting the beach for Coastal Magic 2016 by showcasing their many stories. Last year I interviewed four of the the CMC15 authors, but this year I’m changing it up. I came up with this really fun idea to have the authors introduce us to their worlds by sending their characters to the beach.

Quite a few of the authors took me up on it and today Nancy Northcott is taking us to the beach with Brody and Stacie, the hero and heroine from Green Beer, Nancy’s story in the Tiny Treats 2: A St. Patrick’s Day Collection anthology from her Light Mage Wars series.

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Waves

NNorthcott-SentinelBrody Hamilton’s date arched one delicate eyebrow above her sunglasses. “Did you just shoot the Stare of Death at that guy?”

“He was checking you out.” Brody raised his voice a tad because of the waves crashing on the shore.

He couldn’t entirely blame Beach Rat Boy. With long, brown hair, a killer body that rocked her red bikini, and a megawatt smile, Stacie King would get any guy’s attention.

She groaned, but a laugh rippled at the edges. “He had on sunglasses.”

“Doesn’t matter. I knew.” Brody kept his voice light, but it probably didn’t fool her.

Although Stacie shook her head, she was smiling. “We can call it a day if you want.”

“Nuh-uh.” He settled back on the blanket. “Your days off are too rare, though I still think it’s odd an oceanographer would choose the beach to relax.”

“I like the water. Besides, I thought it’d be good to just chill for a while.”

Maybe because he’d been on a rough mission last night? As a deputy shire reeve in the secret mage government, he helped to free captives held by the ghouls, the dark magic users who were the mages’ deadly enemies. Unable to breed among themselves, they kidnapped mages or Mundanes for that purpose. And other equally ugly ones. Seeing the damage, even in a successful rescue, took its toll. But he hadn’t meant for Stacie to see his angst.

Especially since she’d expressed concern a couple of times over the moods his work sometimes caused. Was that why they hadn’t moved much beyond the friend zone? Had she decided he wasn’t boyfriend material?

He flashed her a smile. “Chilling. Great plan.”

“I thought so.”

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From the corner of her eye, Stacie caught Brody’s quick frown. He covered well, but she’d known him long enough to tell when something was eating at him.

The beach soothed her, but nothing could wash away the horrible things he saw in his work. He wouldn’t discuss it, though, and she wasn’t sure she could handle the resulting moods in the long run. She wanted him. Badly. But a lover risked more than a friend. So here they were, stuck in a first-gear relationship.

A stacked blonde in a black tank suit with high-cut legs walked by.

“My turn for the Stare of Death.” Stacie poked Brody. “She was so scoping you out.”

Tall, darkly handsome, and strong, he drew women’s eyes, but he seemed unaware of that.

Rolling onto his side, he grinned at her. “I’m too busy thinking about you to notice her, babe.”

He leaned in for a kiss, but she kept it short.

Brody rested his forehead against hers. “You need me to talk about it. Don’t you?”

She stroked his cheek. “If it’s too hard–”

His finger against her lips stopped her. “It’s tough, but losing you would be worse. We can handle this if you’ll be patient with me.”

Stacie studied him for a moment. He seemed serious.

“I’m in,” she said, and kissed him.

The End

Thanks to Jackie and Literary Escapism for hosting me today. I can’t wait to see everyone in February!
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Meet Nancy Northcott!

Nancy Northcott’s childhood ambition was to grow up and become Wonder Woman. Around fourth grade, she realized it was too late to acquire Amazon genes, but she still loved comic books, science fiction, fantasy and YA romance. A sucker for fast action and wrenching emotion, Nancy combines the romance and high stakes she loves in the books she writes.

Her debut novel, Renegade, received a starred review from Library Journal. The reviewer called it “genre fiction at its best.” Nancy is a three-time RWA Golden Heart finalist and has won the Maggie, the Molly, the Emerald City Opener, and Put Your Heart in a Book.

Married since 1987, Nancy and her husband have one son, a bossy dog, and a house full of books.

Contact Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | GoodReads | Amazon | Pinterest

NNorthcott-WarriorWant to purchase Nancy’s novels?
Light Mage Wars

  1. Sentinel
  2. Warrior

Protectors

  1. Renegade
  2. Protector
  3. Guardian

Capitol Danger
Alpha Immortals Box Set

CMC16

Don’t miss your chance to meet over 50 fabulous urban fantasy, paranormal, and romance authors at Coastal Magic next February! This super casual book-lover weekend happens on Daytona Beach, and gives everyone the chance to hang out with fellow readers and amazing storytellers.

REGISTRATION is now open! If you haven’t been to Coastal Magic yet, you’re missing out on a lot of fun. Be sure to keep up with all things Coastal Magic, by following it via your own personal social media drug of choice: Facebook |Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | RSVP at the Facebook Event.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.