The four gods and goddesses Deus, Mortem, Umbra, Lux, Multis, and Concursus each had their own realm to keep the peace. Deus was the keeper of the god and goddess realm, where only heroes were welcome; anyone who could not keep the standard was sent to the Inanis, a void-like prison where there was no escape. The second goddess, the goddess of the death realm oversaw the afterlife and made sure the dead were remembered and celebrated. Umbra was the keeper of the shadows, she was the evilest and vile of all the gods and goddesses. She was a living nightmare. Lux was the complete opposite she was the keeper of the light realms, she brought warmth and security. Concursus and Multis were the parents of all the gods and goddesses, once a week all their children would come to their realm to celebrate each other's realms.
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
***
Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.