I discovered reading in Mrs. Cook’s third grade classroom where I sat next to the five shelves of ratty books she called her ‘library.’ I don’t know if it was oversight or because it was the 80’s and things like seat belts were a novelty, but I found several Harlequin Romance books on those dusty shelves and thus my love of reading began. In the time since, I’ve read over a thousand books, all in the search of a great villain-hero. Maybe it’s the 80’s in me or the need to rebel against social norms but I miss the angst filled protagonist from days of yore. The darkly sensuous, and scandalous men, who spout lines like, “frankly dear I don’t give a damn.” Where are the intolerable to most, but underlying idealist men, but sans the cheesy one-liners? There is nothing more satisfying than reading male characters with paradoxical elements wonder their way through newfound love. Give me Rhett Butler or Lord Byron, not the latest version of the badass ‘Bro’ warrior. They exist, I promise you. I’ve been living with a vast array of such characters and their stories in my head since I can remember. The scenes and faces are ever changing but their demands to come to life are never ending. Either that or I am in desperate need of medication.
The Dacian series was born from my craving for great male characters who are equal parts sinful wickedness and good, pessimistic and hopeful, self-loathing and pompous, with a good dose of haughty! Visit me at melissagamble.com and join in the conversation, I would love to hear from you!
Melissa wrote her first romance novel at thirteen that has since been (thankfully) lost. She later wondered into the world of medicine where she spent the last two decades in emergency medicine and now spends her time in-between patients secretly writing steamy sex scenes. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Writers Guild. She is currently in the agonizing stage of finding an agent, shuffling through rejection letters and considering purchasing stock in Kleenex.
What People Say
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
J. K. Rowling
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
Dr. Seuss
Melissa Gamble 