Deborah Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 35 novels in romance

Romance novel

The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...

 and women's fiction

Women's fiction

Women's fiction is an umbrella term for books that are marketed to female readers, and includes many mainstream novels, romantic fiction, "chick lit,"and other sub genres. It is distinct from Women's writing, which refers to literature written by women...

. Her books include 21 series romances under her real name and under two pen names (Jackie Leigh and Jacquelyn Lennox). Her bigger novels include Miracle, Blue Willow, Silk and Stone, A Place To Call Home, When Venus Fell, On Bear Mountain, Charming Grace, Sweet Hush, The Stone Flower Garden, Alice at Heart, Diary of a Radical Mermaid, The Crossroads Cafe, A Gentle Rain, and Solomon's Seal: Discovery.

A Gentle Rain was a Romance Writers of America

Romance Writers of America

Romance Writers of America is a national non-profit genre writers association. It provides networking and support to individuals seriously pursuing a career in romance fiction and supports top authors such as Nora Roberts and Judith McNaught.-History:...

 RITA finalist in 2008. In 2004 Sweet Hush was optioned for film by the producers of The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries (film)

The Princess Diaries is a 2001 comedy film produced by singer and actress Whitney Houston and directed by Garry Marshall. It is based on Meg Cabot's 2000 novel of the same name...

.

Smith is also editorial director and a founding partner of BelleBooks, a small press (2000–present) co-owned by Smith, former RWA V.P. Debra Dixon, and veteran authors Sandra Chastain and Martha Shields Crockett. BelleBooks has currently published more than 25 novels and anthologies including two illustrated children's books and one nonfiction booklet, Bra Talk, by Susan Nethero.

Smith's 2008 novels include Just a Little Bit Guilty, a romantic comedy

Romantic Comedy

Romantic Comedy can refer to* Romantic Comedy , a 1979 play written by Bernard Slade* Romantic Comedy , a 1983 film adapted from the play and starring Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen...

, and Solomon's Seal: Discovery, a contemporary paranormal.

Her 2009 projects include a dark urban fantasy

Urban fantasy

Urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods...

novel entitled Soul Catcher, (under the pen name Leigh Bridger) and a women's fiction trilogy set in Asheville, North Carolina and featuring a family of great cooks. The books in the trilogy are entitled Kitchen Charms, Pickle Spells, and Biscuit Witch.

External links

• http://www.deborah-smith.com
• http://www.leighbridger.com
• http://www.bellebooks.com