Perhaps I have seen too many documentaries about the late Barbara Cartland, or too many send-ups of the life of a romantic novelist.
In Linda's case this could not be further from the truth.
The hard-working Calderdale author, who will be a guest at the Courier's literary lunch, Meet The Authors, on October 22, now has 14 novels under the name of Melinda Hammond plus a couple more written under then pen-name of Sarah Mallory.
But despite this all being achieved in a relatively short time – Linda completes a book in just over a year – she still does not class herself as a full-time writer.
In fact, the 55-year-old still manages to fit in a "proper" day job as well.
"Well I'm now only working part-time," says Linda who is a PA at James Sutcliffe and Sons, Todmorden.
"As a result, every other spare minute is spent writing but, because I love it so much, it's really good fun. It's not a chore."
Linda is originally from Bristol and moved to Todmorden, to her home in the lovely hill-top setting of Shore, almost 20 years ago. It is a location, she admits, that inspires her creativ- ity.
"It's wonderful living here because the scenery and surroundings are breathtaking. It's all a little bit raw, not too pretty and I love that," she says.
She admits however that it can be distracting and that sometimes she is tempted to leave the computer and head outside and into the hills for a walk. But living in an isolated spot can have its advantages.
"We don't get too many callers who pop in because they just happen to be passing by and distract me," she says.
Linda started writing when her children – Marianne and twins Steven and Paul – were small. They are all now in their 20s.
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 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.
Last month was a busy time for Linda not just because she saw Lucasta in print but because she also heard that another of her books, More Than A Governess – written under the pen name of Sarah Mallory for Harlequin Mills and Boon – had sold out in America.
On top of that she celebrated her very first e-book Moonshadows being released by Samhain Publishing.
Linda's genre is historical romance and she admits her plots and characters can take her to some interesting and unusual places in the name of research.
"The research can take up quite a lot of time but I do love this element of it. You start looking at a certain period of history and when you sit down to write you realise how little you actually know about it," she says.
"For example, for one story I needed to know all about fresco painting so I went down to Buckinghamshire and looked around these lovely old houses.
"The problem is you can spend all your time researching and never get round to writing the book!
"I do enjoy learning a bit more about something though each time I start on a new novel."
Linda is also a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and was recently involved in a libraries project to promote romantic fiction.
She has also visited the US as part of the Historical Novel Society, sitting on a panel looking at the differences between American and English romantic fiction.
"I love mixing with other writers because that can really help. It's good to bounce ideas off one another and pick up tips," she says.
She is working on another book for Harlequin Mills and Boon which will centre around smuggling along the south east coast in Kent and Sussex.
More research then?
"Yes, there'll be more research," she says, laughing.
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."