Ryder Samhaln's destiny was set out for her before she was even born. The heir of the Samhaln Family and the future leader of the Banks, she was brought up to follow directly in her mother's footprints. That all changes when she meets Kylan, a young servant for her family. After running away together, they end up at the front door of the Ghostmen, a feared international gang whose members fell from the Nine Clans' good graces. Their leader, Hasan Ayabal, a once kind person with ambiguous morals and a dark past, takes in the two strays. Outside forces, internal fighting, and a large bounty over Hasan's, Kylan's and Ryder's heads threaten to tear Ryder away from the freedom she tasted. Taking a group of Ghostmen with her, she discovers a dark sin that her seemingly godlike parents have committed. Threatened, alone, and with no one to help her, Ryder has to right the wrongs that she, her family, and those who came before her before her life crumbles.
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.
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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.