Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite read. Today I’m talking to Mel Grebing about their book, Bulletproof Heart.

Rachel: Please tell our readers a little bit about you and your work.

Mel: Hi ya’ll. I’m Mel/MsLanna and my pronouns are they/them. I’ve been writing since I was six though my first stories lacked plot. Nowadays I write Old Adult stories, mostly romance and SFF with a side of fanfic. I mulled my debut novel Bulletproof Heart over in my head for 30 years. This is what I landed on:

Professional do-gooder Salma comes up against an assassin hired to kill her. She tries to save his life anyway, and finds herself as his target in a very different sense. But to make this relationship work, they will have to take on an international organisation of hitmen. Pan protagonists, kinky sex, and a hint of autism give this novel its unique flavour.

Rachel: What inspired you to write this book?

Mel: When I was a young girl, I watched MacGyver (1985) on TV and there was this unkillable villain who looked hot in black with a bazooka. I fell in love and just never stopped. I spent thousands of hours telling myself versions of the story of how to love/be loved by that man. I’m glad I finally landed on a version I am proud to share.

Rachel: How much research did you need to do for your book?

Mel: Surprisingly little. I looked up how fast people die from burning.

Rachel: Oh my! Is your work more plot-driven or character-driven? Or a secret, third thing?

Mel: Bulletproof Heart is mostly smut driven. I had those scenes first and then constructed a plot
around them. In general my characters take priority. They have issues to work through and I only give them a journey to do that.

Rachel: Who did you imagine reading your book as you wrote it? And who ended up reading it?

Mel: I imagine myself reading the books I write mostly. Stories I want and need. I don’t know who’ll end up reading Bulletproof Heart. I hope there are pan people out there looking to see themselves represented in m/f relationships.

Rachel: What’s your next writing project?

Mel: A second romance is in the making for publishing spring 2026. A non-binary protagonist dating a millionaire to help him win a bet. What could go wrong?

In October there will be a short romance novelette set in a hotel convention titled “Pros at Cons” in which an nonbinary volunteer has to be personal assistant for a celebrity they crushed on hard.

Rachel: It sounds like you have a lot going on! Tell us where the Night Beats community can find you and find your work!

Mel: I have a website I neglect too often http://melgrebing.com/ and am mostly active on Bluesky Of course, you can find me under MsLanna in other places as well. I like grabbing my username just in case.