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Melinda Leigh | Exclusive Excerpt: HER SECOND DEATH
Author Guest / December 6, 2021

Bree’s gaze snapped around the room and fell on some framed snapshots on a side table. Most of the photos focused on a little blonde girl. Bree’s heart kicked against her ribs. She’d known homicide would be challenging. Instead of the occasional dead body, death would be her focus on a daily basis. She’d come to terms with her new reality, but kids . . . For most cops, it was the child victims who broke them. “Lena is your daughter?” Romano asked. “Yeah.” Kelly jumped to her feet, her eyes wild. “You gotta find her.” Bree studied the photos.“How old is she?” “Five.” Kelly covered her mouth with one hand. She wrapped the other around her own waist. “Is there anyone James could have left Lena with?” Romano’s voice remained calm, but the tone had shifted. There was a layer of urgency under the quiet words. “Maybe his father. That’s who he lives with.” Kelly shoved a hand through her limp hair. She pulled out a phone and jabbed the screen. She turned on the speakerphone and held the cell in front of her mouth. A man answered in an angry voice. “Why are you calling me?” Kelly ignored…

Spotlight on SAVE YOUR BREATH by Melinda Leigh
Author Spotlight / September 17, 2019

SAVE YOUR BREATH by Melinda Leigh Morgan Dane #6 The #1 Amazon Charts bestselling series continues as Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger investigate the mysterious disappearance of a true-crime writer. When true-crime writer Olivia Cruz disappears with no signs of foul play, her new boyfriend, Lincoln Sharp, suspects the worst. He knows she didn’t leave willingly and turns to attorney Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger to find her before it’s too late. As they dig through Olivia’s life, they are shocked to discover a connection between her current book research on two cold murder cases and the suicide of one of Morgan’s prospective clients. As Morgan and Lance investigate, the number of suspects grows, but time is running out to find Olivia alive. When danger comes knocking at their door, Morgan and Lance realize that they may be the killer’s next targets. Romance Suspense | Suspense [Montlake Romance, On Sale: September 17, 2019, Trade Size / e-Book, ISBN: 9781542092838 / ] Buy SAVE YOUR BREATH: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR About Melinda Leigh Melinda Leigh abandoned…

Melinda Leigh | Why I love Writing a Series
Author Guest / March 19, 2019

A question I’m often asked is whether I prefer writing stand-alone novels or books in a series.  The Morgan Dane series was my first continuing character series, and I’ve enjoyed it much more than I anticipated. The slower, more organic progression of the romantic relationship allowed me to focus on the mystery plots in each book. I’m wasn’t forced to resolve every personal conflict in the span of one book. As a result, Morgan and Lance’s relationship feels natural and solid. SECRETS NEVER DIE is Morgan Dane’s fifth book, and I’ve recently finished book six, Save Your Breath, which releases in September 2019. Writing six books about one couple has allowed me to give my characters more complex, deeper arcs. Instead of 300 pages to develop their lives, I’ve had 1,800 pages to bring the cast of Morgan Dane to life. Their personalities are richer and their lives more realistic. If you’re a reader who must read a series in order, Say You’re Sorry is Morgan Dane’s first book. If not, begin with whichever title appeals to you the most. Each book has a stand-alone mystery plot. New readers shouldn’t feel lost if they begin in the middle. Morgan Dane…

Melinda Leigh | Exclusive Interview
Author Guest / March 18, 2019

Today, Fresh Fiction Editorial Manager Danielle Dresser chats with bestselling author Melinda Leigh about the latest book in her popular Morgan Dane Series, SECRETS NEVER DIE! Your Morgan Dane mystery series is long-running. For new readers, tell us a little bit about the series, and what inspired the creation of Morgan. Morgan was originally a secondary character in my Scarlet Falls Series. By the time I had finished writing Seconds to Live, she wanted her own story. I had been wanting to write a continuing character series for a while, and Morgan seemed perfect. She was already a complex character. I’d given her a deep backstory that begged for further development. What are the pros and cons of writing about Defense Attorney Morgan and PI Lance Kruger now that they are in an established relationship? After writing a dozen traditional romantic suspense novels, I was ready for a fresh challenge with the Morgan Dane Series. I enjoyed writing a continuing character series much more than I expected. In a traditional romance novel, the couple must achieve their happily ever after by the end of the book. Slowing down the romance to a pace that felt more organic meant I never…

Exclusive Excerpt | What I’ve Done by Melinda Leigh
Excerpt / September 17, 2018

Buy WHAT I’VE DONE: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR Plastic chairs and vending machines formed a small waiting area at the end of the hall in the emergency department. Lance leaned on a snack machine, assessing the pallor in Morgan’s face and the slight trembling of her fingers, which she was working hard to hide. “You should be resting.” “I know.” She sniffed, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “There’s nothing I’d like more than to go home and focus all my attention on an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s. But if I let go now, I’m not sure I could pull myself together again.” Her gaze broke away and traveled the hallway to where a deputy stood guard outside the room where Haley was being examined. The deputy had balked at being told to wait outside. The previous sheriff had been very old-school. There were no female deputies. The situation was unusual. Normally, the person being examined was the victim, not the accused. But seriously, where was Haley going to go? She was sick, and…

Exclusive Excerpt: HER LAST GOODBYE by Melinda Leigh
Author Guest , Excerpt / September 25, 2017

HER LAST GOODBYE by Melinda Leigh Morgan Dane #2 Young mother Chelsea Clark leaves the house for a girls’ night out…and vanishes. Her family knows she would never voluntarily leave her two small children. Her desperate husband—also the prime suspect—hires Morgan to find his wife and prove his innocence. As a single mother, Morgan sympathizes with Chelsea’s family and is determined to find her. She teams up with private investigator Lance Kruger. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier their investigation gets. When Morgan is stalked by a violent predator, everything—and everyone—she holds dear is in grave danger. Now, Morgan must track down a deranged criminal to protect her own family…but she won’t need to leave home to find him. She’s his next target. Romance Suspense | Thriller [Montlake Romance, On Sale: September 26, 2017, Trade Size / e-Book Kindle, ISBN: 9781542047968 / ] Buy HER LAST GOODBYE: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR Lance skimmed through the remaining documents in Chelsea’s file. Nothing jumped out at him. He closed the file on the card table in his office…

Melinda Leigh | How To Avoid Mood Killers
Author Guest / January 19, 2015

In my new romantic suspense HOUR OF NEED, Major Grant Barrett returns home from Afghanistan after the murders of his brother and sister-in-law to find that his infant niece and young nephew have been placed in foster care. Grant is thrust into parenting with no preparation for the role. Thankfully, he has a sexy neighbor and her family to help him. But when romance begins to form between Grant and Ellie, they find themselves juggling the chaos and demands that come with family life. How do they manage to find a second alone? To begin, they embrace the help of family. Ellie’s teen daughter loves to spend time with Grant’s nephew, and her grandmother bakes a mean casserole. Even Grant’s sister, a corporate attorney with less experience than Grant with kids, can learn to feed a baby, even if the learning process is comical. I have a houseful of kids and pets and chaos, and let’s face it: The most difficult thing about raising kids is finding the time to keep your relationship strong. Here are my tips for finding time for romance, learned over twenty years of marriage, kids, and chaos. 1. Teenagers are often great with young children…