From the skies descended an angel, a being of immense beauty and rarity. It brought gifts to the people of Victoria, and though met with skepticism at first, it was eventually accepted into their society. But with the angel's arrival came an unforeseen calamity.
Monsters began to rain down from the heavens, laying waste to everything in their path. They pillaged, destroyed, and ravaged, ultimately annihilating ninety percent of humanity.
This catastrophe became known as the Great Lament. Three years later, the survivors began to rebuild, establishing shelters, havens, and guilds that employed 'hunters'-warriors armed to kill the monstrous invaders.
Victor, one of these hunters, harbored a deeper motive than most. During the Great Lament, his family was slaughtered, and his son taken from him in the most brutal way imaginable. Now, driven by a relentless thirst for revenge, he has set his sights on the Monarchs who rule the land.
With his shotgun in hand, Victor swore on his life that before he dies, he would rid the world of these tyrants.
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.