Happenstance by Valerie Haight

Valerie Haight, one of the most beautiful women I know, stopped by to talk about her new book Happenstance, scheduled for release just before Christmas. Hello, Valerie!

Thank you Kelly, you rockin red-head you, for letting me brag and lollygag here today! (Yes, I lollygag EVERY chance I get.) I’m so excited to be a guest for your awesome blog and thrilled beyond words to be in such great company. Not only do I have a full belly and heart from Thanksgiving, but December’s right around the corner! That means my first release is almost here and I can’t wait to tell everyone about it.

Happenstance is my debut novella available through Turquoise Morning Press and will be released December 23, 2012! I wrote this story based on a corporate setting using some of the relationship conflict I witness on a day-to-day basis. I’m an administrative assistant in a corporate setting…Okay, a gopher. So I get to see a lot of Peyton Place happenings and file them in my scheming brain. I’ve got loads of ideas up there to peruse for more novels but today, let’s talk Happenstance!

Taryn Ballard is happily married and a newly appointed analyst for a prestigious shipping company.  Her career upsurges in record time but she’s about to discover the real price of corporate life.

While on yet another business trip, Taryn suffers a brutal attack by a carjacker. Her husband isn’t there, but her co-worker Devin is.  The accidental bond Taryn and Devin share pitches them into dangerous and confusing territory. Taryn struggles to discern both her feelings for her sexy protector and Wade's reaction to it all. Unfamiliar emotions blur the rules of the game and Wade's ready to quit.

Taryn must rise above disaster to save her marriage. But is she ready to let go of the man who saved her life? In a single moment, Happenstance changes everything.

I’d always heard I should put my MC through the wringer and that’s just what I did with Taryn. She was so much fun to write because I could really play havoc on both Devin’s and Wade’s feelings without harboring guilt myself! Yes, I’m awful. J My favorite two genres are suspense and romance so I couldn’t help mixing the two. Here’s a snippet to give you the feel of the book:

“Devin, it’s Taryn. You were right. The execs want me to meet them for dinner and I feel really foolish because I have a GPS and a connect-the-dot map from the concierge and I’m still lost.”

Devin laughed. “Not a problem. Where are you?”

Taryn took a second to locate the green street sign. “At the corner of First and Third at a tiny, ancient-looking convenience store.”

“Oh, I know the one. You’re right next to us. I could probably see you from the tower window. Okay, which restaurant are you looking for?”

Taryn gabbed the hand-drawn map. “Caminas.”

“I know where it is. Actually, it might be faster by freeway.”

“Of course it would. I just came from—”

An unexpected rush of damp, hot air hit her and Taryn turned, confused to see her door open wide. She sucked in a quick breath and saw too late the arm reaching for her. Terror gripped her as she zeroed in on the gun in her face.

I had so much fun writing this story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! You can purchase Happenstance here on December 23^rd!

Tweet with me @Valeriebrbr, follow me on  Facebook or find out the latest on my Author Page about my upcoming short story Magnolia Brides in a wedding anthology out in June!

THANKS, Valerie! Can't wait to read it...