Tamera Mowry-Housley Details Grief Over Niece's Death In New Memoir: 'Robbed Of All Your Potential'

Tamera Mowry-Housley is telling all in her new memoir, "You Should Sit Down For This: A Memoir About Wine, Life and Cookies." In the book being released this week, the actress details her life story from childhood to her rise to stardom and everything in between. And for the first time since losing her niece, Alaina Housley, 18, she's opening up about the tragic event and how it's changed her life.

Housley was one of 12 killed in a mass shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California in November 2018. In the new memoir, Mowry-Housley recounts finding out her niece was killed and how it has affected her. "On the night of November 7, 2018, not too long after going to sleep, my husband's phone rang. It was Arik, Adam's brother, "Alaina went out dancing with friends, and there was a shooting—it's all I know right now," Mowry-Housely wrote in her book. "A shooting? Alaina? This is impossible, she has to be okay. The same nightmare that has destroyed too many families in this country had arrived in our bedroom—and unfortunately the nightmare was real."

The excerpt from the book continues, "Alaina, you and I clicked instantly. We bonded over fun, girly things like manicures, hair braiding, makeup, and clothes. I was in love with Adam, and I was smitten with your entire family, but it didn't take me long to come to a surprising conclusion. That you, Alaina, were my favorite Housley. You know that, right, Alaina? And I'm sorry for Adam! But it's the honest-to-God truth," she wrote. "We sang so well together, too. I treasure the photograph of us right after we sang the national anthem together before the first Napa Valley 1839 soccer game. I often show that picture to people because it captures the essence of our relationship. Our faces show lots of love with a big side of silly. We look so proud and happy in that picture!"

Mowry-Housely continues explaining the feelings that have come over here during this tragic time and the thoughts she was having. "But this is the part that haunts me sometimes. Alaina, you wanted me to come see you to talk about acting and your new life in college, and I couldn't make it work. I didn't think much of it, because I was going to see you at Aden's birthday party the next week. In a million years I couldn't have imagined I'd never see you again. It's impossible to make sense of this," she wrote. "Someone with a gun went into a bar and stole your life along with the lives of eleven other innocent people. I ache for everything that was stolen. Your graduation from Pepperdine, your first job after college, the traveling you would have done, the men you would have dated, helping you through your first broken heart, the songs you would have sung, your wedding (you stole the show in mine you looked so pretty!), your first baby. We were robbed of all your potential—your entire future."

The "Sister, Sister" actress announced the devastating news on her Instagram page on November 8, 2018. The post was captioned, "Alaina. My sweet, sweet Alaina. My heart breaks. I’m still in disbelief. It’s not fair how you were taken and how soon you were taken from us. I was blessed to know you ever since you were 5. You stole my heart. I will miss our inside jokes, us serenading at the piano. Thank you for being patient with me learning how to braid your hair, and I will never forget our duet singing the national anthem at Napa’s soccer game. I love you. I love you. I love you. You are gonna make one gorgeous angel. My heart and prayers are with every victim of this tragedy."

Mowry-Housley announced her book on Instagram a few weeks ago with a video of her drinking wine, eating a cookie set to Adrian Berenguer's "Little Things." She captioned the video, "YOU GUYS!!!! I WROTE A BOOK!!!! It’s been 2 years in the making and I couldn’t wait to share it with you all! I couldn’t be more proud of it! I laugh, I cry and give you my whole heart ❤️."

Her caption continued with what readers can expect in her book. "I talk about EVERYTHING! 😃 How I got into the business 🎬, how I overcame my insecurities, how hard it was leaving my day-time talk show, mommy-guilt, SEX 🤗, marriage, and what I have to look forward to in the future! I wrote with you all in mind; sitting, chatting it up with moi and of course having WINE and Cookies! I hope to inspire, encourage and help us all own our authentic selves and live a good life. 🙏🏽"