The Todmorden romantic fiction author is a guest at a literary lunch hosted our sister newspaper the Evening Courier (Meet The Authors, October 22) and now has 14 novels under the name of Melinda Hammond, plus a couple more written under then pen-name of Sarah Mallory.

Linda juggles her writing with her job, now part-time, of PA at Todmorden furniture manufacturers James Sutcliffe and Sons. Writing under her pen name, Melinda Hammond, she tasted success when her first novel, Fortune's Lady was published in 1982, and then two years later, saw the publication of a second and then a third.

Since then, the words have flowed and late last month Linda saw the publication of Lucasta, her 14th book for Robert Hale books.

The story centres around a young girl, Lucasta who rebels against being presented at her London season and paraded like cattle at the marriage mart. Instead she's happy for her sister to make an advantageous marriage. However, when a cold-blooded murder takes place, it is Lucasta's practical nature that saves the day.

It ended an exciting month, says Linda. "First of all, my very first original e-book, Moonshadows, was published by Samhain Publishing. I have some of my earlier Melinda Hammond books published in this format by www.regencyreads.com, but this is the first time a book has first been published in the electronic format, with a print version to follow next year.

""Moonshadow is a little bit different from the usual Melinda Hammond style. It's a Georgian lover story overlaid with a contemporary romance and just a hint of ghostly goings-on thrown in," she said.

And in addition to the hardback edition of Lucasta making the shops Linda has also heard that the paperback edition of her first Harlequin Historical novel, More Than A Governess (writing as Sarah Mallory) has sold out in America. The book is due to be released in the Uk on Mother's Day next year and a second Sarah Mallory novel has also been accepted by Harlequin Mills and Boon. The Wicked Baron is scheduled for publication in the U.S. next May.

The Meet The Authors literary lunch takes place at Berties Banqueting Rooms, Elland, on October 22, and tickets are £23.50 (£210 for a table of 10), where Linda will feature alongside romantic comedy author Carole Matthews and historical thriller writer Andrew Martin.

Any available tickets can be obtained from the Courier, Todmorden News, Hebden Bridge Times or Brighouse Echo offices. Tickets can be booked by telephone for credit or debit card payment - the number is 01422 260358.

The Courier has come up with a special offer for Linda's fans who cannot make the lunch. Readers can get her latest book Lucasta at a discounted price by ringing Combined Book Services on 01892 837171, quoting "Halifax Courier."