McNeese secretary publishes steamy, paranormal romance novels

McNeese secretary publishes steamy, paranormal romance novels

By David Ryan Palmer

and Erin Evans

Rice. Meyer. Hamilton. And if you look hard, you can find a local name in the paranormal romance genre.  Leger. 

Judith Leger, to be precise. 

That’s the pen name of Judy Leger, secretary and some would say beating heart of the Department of Agricultural Sciences over in Gayle Hall.  If you need something over in Gayle, she’s the one you start with.

That includes romance.  Leger’s a published romance author, with four books under her belt. 

“I am in the process of having a fifth book come out with Kensington Publishing.  I also have a personal essay in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Mother and Son Tales,” Leger said.

Her novels are not your typical stableboy/governess tale.  Take Dragon Wish: according to review website Shut Up and Read, “The author was able to grab my attention and did not let it go.  She was able to create a story that will take you on a journey from New Orleans to a magical planet…”

The inspiration for her paranormal romance novels flows from different creative spigots, so to speak.  “Most of the time, a story will come to me as I’m listening to music.  Sometimes, the idea comes through a dream.  Wraith’s Forest and Esmeralda both came from dreams,” Leger said.

“Presently, I’m working on a young adult fantasy romance.  I supposed you can describe it as being an urban legend type story, but more lean toward the fantasy with elves and faeries and a ton of magic,” she said.

Leger  has advice to give for anyone who has an itch to write.  “Never give up.  If writing is your passion, a need that never leaves you alone, then keep working at it,” she said.

“Writing, as with everything, takes practice and hard work.  You’ll face rejections and praises, but the best feeling you’ll ever have is seeing your book on the shelf or website and knowing people are reading it.”