Melinda grew up on an isolated sheep ranch, where mountain lions had been seen and yet she roamed unaccompanied. Being a rather optimistic, clueless of danger, sort she took to playing " what if" games that led her to become an author. She spends days trying to figure out new ways to say " He made her heart pound. " That might sound boring, but the challenge keeps her mentally ahead of her 3 kids and college sweetheart husband.