Guest -Melinda Leigh

Welcome to the Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers, Melinda! We are so happy to have you with us today. Please tell us a little about yourself.


Hi, Patrice, and thanks for inviting me to your blog today. I love to hang out at home with my family and dogs. I’m a terrible cook, a reluctant housekeeper, and an Olympic level procrastinator, but once I get sucked into the vortex of a story, it’s hard to stop writing. On my most productive days, I’m still in my pajamas at noon. I’ve been yanked out of my creative stupor many times by the mailman, who must think I’m a total slob.

 Melinda, you have won numerous contests over the years with your romantic suspense stories. Did this help in your agent hunt, and secure your first sale?

SHE CAN RUN is the first book I ever wrote. The one I started by sitting down in front of the computer and saying to myself, “I’m going to write a book.” Needless to say, the first draft wasn’t pretty. Entering contests helped me develop my craft. They gave me important feedback and taught me to accept criticism. Most importantly, they flagged the aspects of writing that I needed to learn. SHE CAN RUN went through five complete rewrites, each one a little better than the last, before I signed with my agent, who subsequently sold the book to Montlake.

Melinda, can you tell us about Montlake Romance, and the vision for this Amazon romance publishing line? You are one of the first authors under contract, and it must be a thrilling, exciting time. Will they market for you, or will you be expected to market yourself?

I’m thrilled to be publishing my first book with Montlake Romance. Since Montlake’s vision is to publish the most compelling romantic fiction, I am honored to be among the first authors chosen for the new imprint. The experience has been nothing but positive. The staff has been supportive and knowledgeable in all areas of publishing. Still, all writers need to market themselves, even those with plenty of publisher support. A team effort is the best approach to building a successful career.

 Can you tell us a little about your contracted story, SHE CAN RUN?

SHE CAN RUN, available November 28 from Montlake Romance

When a woman on the run takes refuge at a secluded mansion, she finds herself under the watchful eye of a former cop whose curiosity about her shadowy past is matched only by their undeniable passion.

Ten months ago, Elizabeth Baker uncovered a dangerous secret about her politician husband—a secret that nearly got her killed. Now she and her children are running for their lives. When Beth is hired as the caretaker of a remote Pennsylvania estate, she dares to hope she has found a corner of the world where Congressman Richard Baker can’t find them. But when her new boss dies suddenly and his nephew inherits the estate, Beth is faced with outwitting a former homicide detective who is very smart, very suspicious—and very attractive.

Forced into retirement by an injury and grieving the loss of his uncle, Jack O’Malley is unprepared to share his new home with a strange woman and her two kids. He is even less prepared for the instantaneous attraction he feels whenever Beth enters the room. She is beautiful, intelligent, kind…and obviously terrified of someone or something. As Jack’s investigation uncovers the shocking details of Beth’s past, the rural community is shaken by the murder of a local woman  Driven by instinct and desire, Jack is determined to keep Beth and her children safe, even if doing so means putting his heart—and his life —on the line.

Wow - Melinda! This sounds like a fascinating story. I see why you never gave up on this book, and I'm so proud and pleased for you that Montlake had the vision to pick this up. I wish you great success with this new publishing venture. Thank you for coming here today. And please let us know what you are currently working on.

Find out more about Melinda at melindaleighauthor.com.

Pre-order SHE CAN RUN on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/She-Can-Run-ebook/dp/B0053TIB6I/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1307876540&sr=1-2