Today I am so pleased to welcome Morgan Brice to Joyfully Jay. Morgan has come to talk to us about her latest release, Midnight on the Midway. She has also brought along a great giveaway. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!
Exclusive Excerpt
Games Galore And More was a high-tech destination that offered the newest arcade-style video games, Skee-ball, pinball, bowling, escape rooms, a blacklight indoor mini-golf range, and billiards, as well as a full bar with an appealing snack menu.
That looked exactly like what Drake needed to blow off steam and work out the restlessness from the adrenaline surge. Even better, it was something he could do by himself that still felt social. Maybe he could find someone to play billiards or golf with once he was there. If he was really lucky, he might get lucky. Drake wasn’t counting on that, but it was nice to think about. He drove his black Silverado, not planning to have more than one or two beers.
Games Galore was an arcade player’s wet dream, playing up the fun with bright colors, neon, and strings of white bulb lights. Drake felt the day’s tension and danger fade as he walked inside to the cacophony of music, bells, game noises, and the occasional grand prize siren.
This was a Wednesday night, so the place wasn’t packed like Drake had feared. He found a spot at the bar and ordered wings, fries, and a beer. Habit and training meant he checked his surroundings. No one looked out of place. One group of college-aged guys were having a good time with a deer-hunting video game. A few couples drifted from game to game, more interested in each other than in points or tickets.
At the end of the bar, Drake noticed a good-looking man eating a Reuben and watching strangers play their games. Since the man’s attention was elsewhere, Drake took the opportunity to enjoy the view.
He guessed the stranger was early thirties, close to his age, give or take a few years. Short reddish blond hair and a slender-but-fit build appealed to Drake, although he hadn’t really come to the arcade to cruise for a date. He wondered why the man was there by himself. Was he at loose ends, like Drake, wanting the company of a public meal? He didn’t seem interested in the sporting events playing on the big screens over the bar and hadn’t talked to anyone except the bartender.
Reluctantly, Drake tore his attention away from the stranger. He eyed the games and tried to decide what to do next.
Video racing was more fun with a partner. Drake was tolerably good at pinball—enough not to have the game end right away—and some of the new machines looked cool. He knew the basketball games were rigged by having a narrow hoop to make shots harder to sink, but he still usually had good luck.
The elaborate large-scale zombie hunt video games reminded Drake too much of his day job. Billiards, mini-golf, bowling, and the escape room weren’t one-person games. Then he saw the pinball machines and Skee-Ball, and grinned.
He paid for his meal and when he looked up, searching for the server, he caught the cute stranger giving him the once-over. Amused and curious, Drake smiled but didn’t make any move to attract the man or put him off.
Let’s see what happens. Maybe I’ll at least find someone to play a few games with.
The double entendre wasn’t lost on him, although it had been a while since he had hooked up with someone.
First, he warmed up shooting hoops, missing more than he sank. He didn’t care—he wasn’t in it for the tickets, although he scooped them up when he finished.
Drake checked out the pinball machines next. He rarely hit high scores, but he loved how hands-on the game was and the fun of the lights and bells. It reminded him of the small, crowded, smoky arcade in his hometown, where he had spent a lot of his teenage years.
“You’re pretty good.”
Drake looked up when his game ended to see the blond guy from the bar leaning against the next machine.
“Thanks. I’m no wizard, but I get some extra rounds.”
“Want to try some of the two-player games? That is if you’re not here with someone…”
Drake smiled. “No, I’m not with anyone. And I’d love to try some of those games.” He paused. “I’m Drake.”
“Garrett,” the other man said with a grin that made Drake’s heart skip a beat. “Want to race?”
Blurb
Carnival of Mysteries, Book 24
Supernatural secret agents, vampires, and veterinarians!
Drake Carlson is an agent for the Federal Bureau of Supernatural Investigation. He’s psychic and gets visions of alternate realities. Drake is tracking magical Mafiosi involved in paranormal crime. On a rare night out, he goes to an arcade and ends up in a Skee-Ball competition with Garrett Thompson, a cute veterinarian, and they really hit it off. More arcade dates and a visit to the Carnival of Mysteries lead to hot nights and a growing connection, and Drake begins to think he and Garrett could forge a forever relationship.
Then a mobster with a sick dog kidnaps Garrett, and a vampire henchman puts Garrett under his thrall. Drake is going to need all the help he can get—from the carnival, his own psychic mojo, and some paranormally skilled friends to catch the mobster, rescue Garrett—and, of course, save the dog—on the way to his happily-ever-after.
Midnight on the Midway is a fast-paced MM paranormal romance filled with supernatural suspense, found family, a brave veterinarian, vengeful vampires, sarcastic ghosts, midway magic, a fearless fed, hurt/comfort angst, love-conquers-all tension, and a very happy ending!
Part of the multi-author, shared-world Carnival of Mysteries series. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Bio
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.
Series include Witchbane, Badlands, Treasure Trail, Kings of the Mountain and Fox Hollow. Watch for more in these series, plus new series coming soon!
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Giveaway
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You can also enter the giveaway on our Instagram post or click here for your chance to win an e-copy of your choice from Morgan or Gail’s backlist!
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