Author Spotlight - Valerie Haight

Imagine getting your dream job after college. You're happily married, but hubby's feeling a little left behind. On a business trip, you get attacked. Your husband isn't there, but your hot co-worker is. He saves your life and now the two of you share a bond that threatens your marriage. This is the basis for the book, Happenstance, by Valerie Haight. I just read it, and absolutely loved it. I have to say, I did not know which way it was going to go. The ending was perfect, but you'll have to get a copy to find out. The links to purchase Happenstance are at the end of the blog.

I met Valerie on Twitter, and I was immediately won over by her energetic personality. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she is very generous in supporting and encouraging her fellow authors. I am very happy to introduce to you, my cyberbud, Valerie Haight.

Thank you so much for featuring me on your awesome blog! We connected a long time ago and you can bet there was a reason we didn’t lose touch! I have so much admiration for you and I’m honored to be here talking about my first release, Happenstance.

Turquoise Morning Press picked me up after I queried their After Happily Ever signature line about a year ago. I wrote this story using some of the relationship conflict I witness at my corporate day job and I’m thrilled each time someone tells me they loved the story. Here’s what they’re talking about:

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 learned to like putting my MC’s through the wringer and when that happened, the party was on. Taryn was so much fun to write because of her constant angst while I wreaked havoc on both Devin and Wade. Yes, I’m awful. J My favorite genres are suspense and romance so I couldn’t resist merging them in Taryn’s story. Here’s an excerpt from Happenstance:

“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 grabbed 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.

Happenstance is available now at these sites!

Turquoise Morning Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Author Bio:

Valerie Haight is a short story writer and contemporary suspense and romance novelist. She is a member of Ozarks Writer’s League where she placed first in a flash fiction contest and a published author with Turquoise Morning Press.

Tweet with me @Valeriebrbr, follow me on Facebook or find out the latest on my Author Page about my upcoming short stories Raeanne Revealed in the Orange Karen Tribute Anthology out in April and Magnolia Brides in a TMP wedding anthology out in June! I also give way more than my two cents on my website. 

Thanks again, M.E.! Wishing you much success in 2013!