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 felt rushed to conclude Morgan and
Lance’s story. I could focus on the mystery thriller plot and let the romantic plot simmer. One
of the cons is that the romance reader must be willing to stay with the series to see the
romantic conflicts resolved. But a very strong pro is the larger payoff at the end of the series.
I am always so curious about writers’ processes, especially suspense authors. How do you
develop your plotlines, while keeping characters, story, and the mystery all in mind?
My characters and plots never leave my mind.
Whatever book I am working on is in my head almost nonstop until it’s finished. This allows me
to keep track of the many working parts of the novel, but it also contributes to chronic
insomnia.
With such a heavy subject matter, what do you do to unwind while writing your books?
My dogs and my husband keep me (mostly) sane.
We are also lucky to live on the coast in Florida. There’s nothing better to clear my head than a
long walk on the beach. Lately, I’ve been re-watching Game of Thrones in preparation for the
final season. But no matter what I do, I am not easy to live with during the month leading up to
my deadline. The book becomes all-consuming. My husband slips into my office, leaves
chocolate, and carefully backs away. It’s also his job to make sure I eat and shower and to
keep the house stocked with the essentials: Coffee, ice cream, and wine.
I love all of your pet photos on social media! Can you tell us more about your four-legged
friends?
We have two rescue dogs, Bandit and Ladybug.
Bandit is a feisty spaniel/dachshund mix we
rescued about ten years ago. He can usually be found within three feet of my husband. Last
summer, we lost our rescue bulldog mix, Roxy, to a probable heart attack. She had been
heartworm positive when we adopted her. We treated her, but those nasty worms can leave
permanent damage. My husband and I were devastated, but what we didn’t expect was how
inconsolable Bandit was. Within a few weeks, we began searching for a new companion for
him. After a few unsuccessful trials, we found Ladybug at a local rescue. She is a
pointer/American bulldog mix with the loveliest disposition. Bandit bonded with her almost
immediately. As everyone who follows me on social media knows, Ladybug rarely lets me out
of her sight. She is almost always plastered to my side, even when I’m trying to exercise.
What’s next for you?
I am very excited to be starting a brand-new series.
As Morgan Dane readers already know, the sheriff’s department of fictional Randolph County
has been plagued with corruption, leaving the position of sheriff vacant. Enter homicide
detective Bree Taggert!
Rapid Fire Random Questions
Favorite candy: chocolate with salted
caramel
Favorite way to be kind to yourself: a
massage
Best compliment you recently gave to someone: I loved your book!
Favorite flower: Peony
Random interesting fact you like to tell people: I
kill people for a living. ;-)
Best vacation you’ve ever taken: 10 days in Italy.
Earliest celebrity crush: Shaun Cassidy
Cake or pie: Yes
Last book you read that you really LOVED: Educated by Tara Westover
You have a totally free afternoon - no deadlines, no obligations, no Twitter
notifications! What do you do?: Go to Disney World!
Morgan Dane #5
The #1 Amazon Charts bestselling series continues as Morgan Dane and PI Lance Kruger
fight for the innocence of a young murder suspect—if only they could find him.When a retired sheriff’s deputy is shot to death in his home, his troubled teenage stepson,
Evan, becomes the prime suspect. Even more incriminating, the boy disappeared from the
scene of the crime.
Desperate to find her son, Evan’s mother begs PI Lance Kruger for help. She knows her son is
innocent. Kruger and defense attorney Morgan Dane want to believe that too, but the
evidence against the boy is damning. Just as the trail goes cold, another deputy vanishes. His
shocking connection to Evan’s stepfather throws the investigation into chaos as Lance and
Morgan fear the worst…that Evan is the killer’s new target.
With so many secrets to unravel, will Lance and Morgan find him before it’s too late?
Romance Suspense [Montlake Romance, On
Sale: March 19, 2019, Trade Size / e-Book, ISBN: 9781542040181 / ]
Melinda Leigh abandoned her career in banking to raise her kids and never looked
back. She started writing as a hobby and became addicted to creating characters and stories.
Her debut novel, She Can Run, was a #1 Kindle bestseller in Romantic Suspense, a 2011 Best
Book Finalist (the Romance Reviews), and a nominee for the 2012 International Thriller Award
for Best First Book. She is also a three-time Daphne du Maurier Award finalist and the winner
of the Golden Leaf Award.
When she isn’t writing, Melinda is an avid martial artist and holds a second-degree black belt
in Kenpo karate. She lives in a messy house with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of
dogs, and two rescue cats.
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