1. Tell us something about you and your books

I write western romance and all of my stories have been set in the West with the exception of one that never got published. I love a western setting. There’s something about rugged cowboys and the women who love them that gets my imagination fired up. I sold my first book in 2002 to Dorchester Publishing. It was called ,Knight on the Texas Plains. My second one, The Cowboy Who Came Calling,followed a year later. And my third single title, Redemption, was a 2005 release. I quit writing for a little over a year when my husband passed away and am just now getting back into the game thanks to good friend and fellow writer, Jodi Thomas. She asked me to join her, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace in two anthologies,Give Me a Texan and Give Me a Cowboy. I’m glad I said yes. The work on these anthologies has been the medicine I needed.

2. Whats your latest book about?

Texas Tempest, my story in Give Me a Cowboy, is the latest story I’ve written. It features a gun-for-hire cowboy and a woman rancher who’s a five-time widow. Tempest LeDoux is bound and determined to find a man who won’t up and die on her. The minute McKenna Smith rides into the Texas Panhandle town she has him pegged for husband number six. Only one problem with that. . .McKenna has other ideas. His plans don’t include a pushy widow, even if she is the prettiest woman hes ever seen. But saying no to Tempest is harder than it looks. McKenna learns that there are worse things than settling down with the only woman who can make him mind his manners. Before its all said and done, Tempest has him wrapped around her finger and liking it.

3. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

I’m always amazed at the places I get my ideas. Sometimes its in the checkout line at the grocery store, sometimes its from a line in a song, and once it came from a commercial on TV. Movies are a wonderful place to get ideas. So are innocent conversations. I just never know when somethings going to strike my fancy.

4. What advice would you give to other aspiring authors about getting their work placed with a big publishing company?

Write the best story you can and trust your instincts. Even when it seems all you can get are rejections, keep hammering away. Perseverance definitely pays off. You should never ever give up. I got enough rejections to paper my wall before I finally sold. You just have to believe in yourself and keep writing.

5. Please give us a list of all of your books currently available.

The only ones currently available are the two anthologies,Give Me a Texan and Give Me a Cowboy.

Unfortunately, my three single titles are all out of print.

6. How long does it take you to do research on the books you write?

I never stop researching when I write a book. There are always a bunch of little things that come up as I write. I can’t anticipate everything that I need to know when I first begin a story. I probably spend about ten hours or so on research after everything is added together. But, I love to research things. I always run across interesting tidbits that I can put into my story as I go. I love it when something jumps out and surprises me.

7. How do you give credit to any research you do?

Sometimes I write a note to the reader at the end of the book, especially if the research turns up neat information that seems totally made up in the story but is actually true. I want them to know it. And sometimes I give credit in the dedication if it goes to a specific person. My research comes from lots of different sources and I’m careful not to include too awfully much in my story. After all, its a piece of fiction meant to entertain, not a history book.

Well, Linda you have offered excellent advice. Thanks for being here.

You are a wonderful and dear friend.

Walk in peace and harmony,

Melinda

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