Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A life-long lover of books, she started writing when her youngest child entered first grade as a way to preserve her sanity. Over the next few years, she joined Romance Writers of America, learned a few things about writing a book, and decided the process was way more fun than analyzing financial statements. Melinda’s debut romantic suspense novel, SHE CAN RUN, was published by Montlake Romance in 2011.

Melinda’s stories have won writing awards including Put Your Heart in a Book, The Marlene Award, Where the Magic Begins and The Gateway to the Best.  SHE CAN RUN released in November 2011 and became the #1 Bestseller in Kindle Romantic Suspense.  SHE CAN RUN was nominated for a 2012 International Thriller Award for Best First Novel.

Melinda is also an avid martial artist. She holds a 2nd degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and teaches women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house in the suburbs with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of dogs and two new rescue cats.  With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination.

Melinda is a member of Liberty States Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Kiss of Death, and International Thriller Writers.  You can also find her at Attacking the Page: A Blog on Martial Arts & Writing Action.

Melinda is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Author Photos by John Tannock Photography