Mel's Shelves: Blog Tour/Excerpt: Widow's Rule by Alaina Stanford

Author Bio

I have one of those brains that won't turn off at night. Many nights I would distract my intellect by revamping a movie, book or TV show in my mind. I would twist and turn the plots and characters to achieve the ending I preferred. That developed into side stories about my favorite minor characters. Each night I fell asleep in the middle of a grand adventure. It wasn't long before I began to create stories of my own and put pen to paper.

I love a good adventure. I love a good romance. As the mother of seven children, I also learned to love to play video games. One day it occurred to me to write an adventure that flowed like a video game and I added a touch of romance. Thus, Hypnotic Journey was born. The HJ characters are like a family to me. They are foolish, daring, resourceful, passionate and dedicated to their friends.

My love for Science Fiction gave birth to the Treborel Series. It’s a paranormal Sci-Fi romance featuring a psychotic villain and a multiple layerof hero's fighting to survive the chaos.

I write about how friendship and love can carry you through situations that you might not otherwise survive. You will find my stories exciting and steamy, but I am not an erotic writer. My stories fade to dark when the steam begins to rise, but take it from me, the steam does rise and emotions do soar.

Links to social media sites for the author

www.twitter.com/awritr
www.facebook.com/alainastanfordhypnoticjourney

Seven months pregnant with three small children and a new job was difficult for most women even with a spouse at their side. Whitney was alone, but she was strong. She would not be broken. When her boys ask to take karate lessons like their friends, Whitney shifts her budget to accommodate them. It sounded like a good outlet for their emotions and energy. The one thing she didn’t plan on was her attraction to the soft spoken, muscular karate instructor. Whitney wasn’t looking for love, romance or a lover, especially someone so masculine, so outgoing, so handsome, so sexy as Heath Dixon.

Instead, Whitney concentrates on work and her children. A new client, Veronica Nelson, an elderly woman with a sweet smile hires Whitney as her corporate attorney. Whitney discovers Veronica has an intellectual property rights claim against a lucrative corporation that owes her millions of dollars. Veronica client refuses to go to the police. Instead, she asks Whitney to rewrite her Will.

Shortly thereafter Veronica dies mysteriously. Thus begins a chain of events that spiral quickly out of control. Whitney discovers there are some things she cannot face alone and finds herself turning to the only man who can protect her.

Buy your copy here:http://www.amazon.com/Widows-Rule-Book-5-ebook/dp/B00V9MOFYU/ref

Excerpt:

Josh glanced at Whitney, who was pulling a file from her briefcase. She removed a packet from the file and handed it to Josh. He lifted a large folded piece of paper from the file and spread it out on the table explaining, “Mrs. Stevenson, the economy has taken a hard hit the last few years. During that time, my team has concentrated on building luxury homes. My clients use these as vacation homes for the summer and ski season. But I believe the most urgent need right now is for smaller, affordable homes for new and growing families. I’m not talking about low-income homes. My goal is to build a subdivision with three basic floor plans and modest amenities for three-bedroom homes. I’ll offer a full unfinished basement and a two-car garage, something that a lower middle-class family can afford. I’m targeting families that want to get out of the condominium complexes and into a house. I want to offer these families a chance for a home with a backyard where their children can play, instead of in the street or a playground on the other side of the complex.”

Veronica’s dark eyes studied the plan then turned to gaze at Josh, and then Whitney. She asked, “This property is not close to the ski resorts, so a residential platform seems appropriate. Mrs. Lawson, do you and your husband ski? I imagine that living surrounded by mountains affords you the opportunity to indulge in that sport.”

Whitney’s face went pale. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. Josh placed his hand on Whitney’s shoulder and said, “Whitney’s husband passed away this past winter. You may have heard about the shooting in a warehouse in Ogden. Whitney’s husband Mason sacrificed his life to save two teenagers, one of which was my son.”

“Oh dear,” Veronica said quietly. “Yes, I do recall something about a tragedy in Ogden.” She looked past Josh to Whitney and said, “I’m sorry dear. I didn’t realize…”

Whitney forced a smile and managed, “There’s no need to apologize.”

Warren cleared his throat and said, “Now that the warm and fuzzies are over, mother, please sign the document.”

Josh shot Warren an angry glare. Warren leaned back in his chair and fell silent. Veronica ignored him and added, “Please be my guests this evening for dinner. I usually dine alone, so your company would be a nice change, and I’m sure my chef can whip up something perfectly suited for a mother-to-be.”

Josh gave Whitney a curious glance and she nodded. “We’d be delighted, Mrs. Stevenson,” he answered with a smile.

“Very well then,” she signed the papers, then slid them back toward the attorneys and added, “and now that the deal is done, you must call me Veronica.”