At the #CMCon19 Beach: Low Tide by Morgan Brice (Gail Z. Martin)

As one of the #CMCon17 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 2018 by showcasing their many stories. We had so much fun with last year’s At the Beach feature, that we’re doing it again.

Today Morgan Brice is taking us to the beach with Simon Kincaide & Vic D’Amato from her summer release Badlands.


Low Tide

“Did you have a good night?”

Simon Kincaide locked the door to Grand Strand Ghost Tours and turned toward the sexy voice that had greeted him. “It is now,” he replied, taking a step toward Vic D’Amato, just close enough to be in his personal space, staking claim. The heat that flared in Vic’s eyes made Simon smile.

Simon loved it when his boyfriend came by to walk him home after a late night at the shop. Vic’s hours as a Myrtle Beach homicide detective weren’t always predictable, and in the months they’d been together, they had learned to steal every second together. “How was your evening?”

Vic shrugged, a sure tell that he’d had a rough shift. “Better, now.”

Vic never did anything halfway, something that Simon loved about his partner. That same trait made it hard for Vic to let the responsibilities of his job go, even in his precious free time. Simon took in Vic’s careworn expression, and smiled as an idea came to mind.

“Come walk on the beach with me.”

Vic looked at Simon like he’d lost his mind. “Now? It’s dark.”

“Even better. We don’t need sunscreen.”

“But we’ll ruin our shoes.”

“We’ll have to take them off.” Before Vic could protest more, Simon gave Vic’s wrist a tug, and dashed across the boardwalk.

“Simon, I don’t think—”

“Just for a little ways. Please?” Simon saw the surrender in Vic’s eyes, and his partner nodded, allowing himself to be led down the stairs over the dunes to the broad expanse of sand. Simon stopped on the last step to slip out of his shoes, and Vic grudgingly did the same, carrying his shoes on two fingers as he and Simon slipped and slid through loose sand to where the footing got better.

Low tide meant that the beach was at its broadest, flat and firm where the waves had saturated it. The closer they got to the water, the more the breeze picked up, smelling of the ocean. The waves rolled in, lapping gently, and the moon’s reflected light laid a path to the horizon.

With the ocean to their right, the boardwalk with its music and lights was on their left, and ahead lay the bright neon of the huge Skywheel, providing enough light to see on the shadowed beach. Given the late hour, there were few other beachcombers on this stretch. Simon let his fingers brush against Vic’s, lightly taking hold of his hand. Vic tensed at the public gesture, then relaxed and twined their fingers together.

They walked side by side, shoulders bumping, hands joined, no sounds except the thunder of the waves, the rustle of the wind, and the beating of their hearts.

“This is … nice.” Vic sounded tentative. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Walked on the beach at night?” Simon cocked his head to look at Vic, surprised at the admission.

“Walked on the beach at all,” Vic admitted. “Well, I chased a perp once. But that doesn’t count.”

“And you’ve lived here how long?”

Vic ducked his head and looked away. “Coupla years. Just…didn’t see the point.”

“And now?”

Vic turned back to meet Simon’s gaze, dark eyes full of promises. “Now all I see is you.”


Meet Morgan Brice / Gail Z. Martin!

Gail Z. Martin discovered her passion for science fiction, fantasy and ghost stories in elementary school. The first story she wroteat age fivewas about a vampire. Her favorite TV show as a preschooler was Dark Shadows. At age 14, she decided to become a writer. She enjoys attending science fiction/fantasy conventions, Renaissance fairs and living history sites. She is married and has three children, a Himalayan cat, a Maltese and a golden retriever.

Contact Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | AmazonWattpad
Gail Z. Martin: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Amazon | YouTube

If you haven’t read Morgan before, here’s what you’ve been missing:
Badlands
Witchbane
Burn (Witchbane Novella)
Writing as Gail Z. Martin…
Assassin’s Honor (Assassins of Landria #1)
Spells, Salt, & Steel (New Templars #1)
Scourge (Darkhurst #1)
Ruin Creek (Storm & Fury #1)
Deadly Curiosities (Deadly Curiosities #1)
The Summoner (Chronicles of the Necromancer #1)
The Sworn (Fallen Kings Cycle #1)
Ice Forged (Ascendant Kingdoms #1)
Vanities (Deadly Curiosities Adventure #1)
Raider’s Curse (Jonmarc Vahanian #1)
Arctic Prison (Blaine McFadden #1)

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.