Melody Heck Gatto

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About Melody Heck Gatto

USA Today Bestselling Author, Melody Heck Gatto was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband, son, dog, and two cats. The whole family is avid Pittsburgh Penguins fans and like going to hockey games when they get the chance. Melody enjoys taking her son to meet the players on game days. It's no secret that meeting the players is just as exciting for her as it is for her son, especially when it comes to her favorite player!
Having met a handful of hockey players, she likes to adopt features of their personalities into her characters. And going to games and practices is where she gets her ideas for her fictional on-ice scenes.
Melody is a Hallmark movie junkie. She adores the Christmas movies and all the cutesy (and sometimes cliché) romance and loves to get swept away in it all. She also enjoys binge-watching her favorite tv shows BONES (with hunky Agent Booth), SUPERNATURAL (she have a "secret" crush on Sam Winchester), and CHICAGO PD (sexy cops Halstead and Ruzek!).
When she gets the chance to read she likes to read other hockey romance authors or holiday romances.
Currently, she is working on some self-care and adopting a "getting-healthy" lifestyle, and blogging about it. Telling the cyber-world that she ate a cupcake is a humorous way of staying accountable, lol.

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Books By Melody Heck Gatto

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Playing the Game: Renegades 3 (The Renegades Series) Sep 22, 2015

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 30 )

$2.99

The star player. The chosen one. Tyler Kidd ruled the hockey league. He was driven hard by a hatred for losing. Yet behind his on ice persona he was damaged. Betrayed by the one he loved, he battled his demons with alcohol and women. One fueled the other and spiraled out of control. Losing his spot on the team was not on Tyler’s agenda, until it was. Faced with ruining his career, he had one chance to make things right and not lose the one thing he lived for. Hockey.
Charged with taking hold of Tyler’s career, Paige Martin never dreamed her new job as Renegades PR assistant meant cleaning up after his mistakes. She never imagined she would see a side of him he showed to no-one. And she definitely never thought she’d end up in his bed.
She was everything he never knew he needed and he was everything she knew she should never touch. Lines blur, careers are on the line. But what happens when you have no other choice than playing the game?

Other Formats: Paperback

Melting the Ice (The Renegades Series Book 10) Mar 25, 2019

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 16 )

$3.99

Talia never imagined that at almost forty years old, she’d be newly single again. Not to mention picking up a sexy young man at a Pittsburgh bar. What she thought was a one-night stand, turned into night after night of the best sex she’d ever had. Even the news that he was a teammate of her brother couldn’t extinguish the desire she had for Harrison. Somehow, he had made himself a permanent fixture in her bed and was slowly moving in on her heart. He fawned over her like no man ever had before, and she was loving the attention, but she wasn’t ready to give her heart away so easily. Not after what she just went through.
Harrison vowed off relationships. He was a self-proclaimed lifelong bachelor. Talia was simply supposed to be a notch in his bedpost, a hook-up. But he was drawn to this woman with such an animal attraction. Typically, he never bedded the same woman twice, yet he couldn’t get enough of Talia.
Talia wasn’t looking for a new relationship. Even after being estranged from her husband for two years, filing those final papers felt so…well, final.
Closing that period of her life was scary, but it was time to put on her big-girl pants and figure out the next chapter. Trouble was, falling in love again was not part of that plan.

Other Formats: Paperback

Score On Me: Renegades 1 (The Renegades Series) Oct 11, 2014

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 90 )

$0.99

Fangirl romance. Ever wonder what would happen if your hockey crush fell for you? Kat Torella never imagined it would happen to her.
Happily ever after? Not on Kat’s radar. She didn’t believe in it, at least not for her. More to the point, she wasn’t sure she was even built for love. Cautious where her heart is concerned, Kat instead focuses on her career.
But when she meets him, Kat throws caution to the wind. After all, what girl wouldn’t want to spend a steamy night with her all-time hockey crush? Especially one with mesmerizing chocolate brown eyes, a swoon worthy smile, and shaggy sex hair.
Kris Lafleur, sexy star defenseman for the Pittsburgh Renegades ice hockey team has spent the last year dedicating himself to the game while getting over a disastrous relationship. A hopeless romantic, deep down Kris longs for a girl who is attracted to him and not his bank account.
A guy like Kris Lafleur would never see a future with someone like her. But Kris has other ideas and he’s determined not to let Kat walk out of his life. His heart insists she’s the real deal, and he wants her, baggage and all.
While Kat battles her insecurities, Kris contends with interference from a well-meaning teammate who wants to save him from being burned again. And when it looks like history is repeating and trust is called into play, will their love be strong enough to survive?

Other Formats: Paperback

Shot at Love: Renegades 8 (The Renegades Hockey Series) Dec 15, 2017

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 9 )

$3.99

Everyone needs rules to live by, but are they worth giving up your one shot at love?

Luc didn’t mean to fall for his teammate’s little sister. He had no intention of breaking the guy code: sisters were strictly off limits. Luc knew that breaking the rule could not only destroy a friendship but derail his career. And he didn’t think her brother was bluffing.

As soon as Luc found out the gorgeous brunette he’d been eyeing turned out to be his goalie’s sister, he hit the brakes. But then she said those four little words: I don’t date athletes.

Challenge accepted.

Now Luc couldn’t get Kassie out of his mind. She was turning his world upside down. This girl was the Juliet to his Romeo, the jelly to his peanut butter, the queen to his king.

But how could he prove to her that his reputation was a thing of the past? He was ready to do anything in his power to change her mind. He only hoped her brother didn’t kill him in the process.

Other Formats: Paperback

Body Checked: After the Buzzer (The Renegades Series Book 9) May 1, 2018

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 14 )

$3.99

Matt had one talent – putting the smackdown on dirty players on the opposing teams.
If they stepped up on one of his guys, he was there to tear them right down.
Romance was not his forte. It wasn't even in his wheelhouse.
He was a professional hockey league enforcer. A fighter. A goon.
Matt enjoyed being at the top of his game, the Renegades' lead tough guy.
But years of fighting have taken a toll. His body is finally turning on him.
Only Matt isn’t ready to hang up his skates just yet; his heart is still in the game, and hockey is his world.
Women find the bad-boy on-ice aggression sexy, but they aren't prepared to deal with his after-game pain. Love has been cruel, redemption is out of reach, and Matt feels he doesn't deserve happiness. He's developed a talent for driving people away, never allowing anyone to get too close.
When his whole world starts to spiral out of control, someone unexpected finds her way past his tough-guy exterior. But is she strong enough to melt his icy heart and force him to let her in?

Other Formats: Paperback

SHOOTOUT SAVE: Renegades 6 (The Renegades Hockey Series) Mar 6, 2017

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 16 )

$2.99

Is it true that love overcomes all?

Gorgeous hunk, Kaden O’Conner is carefree and always smiling. Why wouldn’t he be? He’s hot property—one half of the Renegades star goalie tandem—a confirmed bachelor, and has his pick of beautiful women. Everything he ever wanted has landed in his lap, and he’s determined to enjoy himself.
Alison Bishop had her professional figure skating chances ruined by an injury, but the natural beauty picked herself up, built up her own business, and still manages to teach kids how to ice skate in her spare time.
When an ice skating lesson overlaps a Renegades hockey fundraiser, Alison meets Kaden by chance, and is quickly catapulted into a hot romance that would melt the ice caps! Skates are off as the two throw caution to the wind. It’s all fun and games—until it isn’t.
When reality drops a bombshell in their laps, they find their romance is suddenly on thin ice. Now Kaden is on a mission to thaw Alison’s permafrost before he loses the one thing in life he didn’t realize he needed.

Other Formats: Paperback

Shutout: Renegades 5 (The Renegades Hockey Series) Aug 12, 2016

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 20 )

$2.99

Love can be the best trophy and the sweetest consolation prize.

Shutout is the story of Dominic Zanetti (Renegades goalie) and Hailee Valentine.

Dominic is flirty, swoon-worthy and tattooed. He's only ever truly loved one woman - Hailee - the one that got away. But that was a lifetime ago. She left a scar on his heart so deep that no bunny would ever fill it. No girl measured up to his Hailee – not that he wanted anyone to. If he was lucky enough to find her again, he wasn’t going to let her go so easily.

Hailee is stubborn, talented, tattooed, and not the kind of woman to let a man take care of her. She refuses to sit in the kitchen and bake pies for anyone. She is her own woman and plans to stay that way. That's why she had to leave Dominic all those years ago. Hailee kept herself hidden away in a hockey-free bubble, avoiding all aspects of the game and eliminating the possibility of running into him. Her heart missed Dominic, but her brain knew that she couldn’t be what he needed. It was just better this way. She had her own dreams and wasn’t about to give up on them, even if it meant giving him up.

When all things in her life finally start to fall neatly into place, one thing is still missing. Dominic.

Dominic was used to shutting out teams on the ice, but didn’t like being shutout by her. Hailee already had his heart, all she had to do was take down the walls she built, and stop playing games.

Other Formats: Paperback

Blindsided: Renegades 7 (The Renegades Hockey Series) Jun 15, 2017

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 15 )

$3.99

Sam Morris, the “surfer-boy” star of the Renegades, has hockey running through his veins. He lives and breathes the game. The only thing he’s crazier about is his family. Trina’s love saved him from himself after a season of losing and injuries. She was his life, his partner in crime, and his biggest fan. Adding their daughter to the mix gave him the perfect hat-trick in life. Hockey, love, and a family.
Trina Kidd Morris, sister of Renegades captain, Tyler Kidd, grew up in the world of hockey and knows how the players are wired. She understands the level of dedication the men put into the game. Her husband, Sam, applied the same single-minded devotion to bring her back to life after her devastating loss. He’s her hero, her love, and her best friend.
Sam and Trina are a match made in heaven. The love of a lifetime. Beautiful and blond, with a little mini-me, they are the picture-perfect family.
That is, until Sam is blindsided by a hit. When the ice cracks around him, his career is threatened. The lines become blurred between good choices and bad, and his fairytale marriage is on the line.
Trina pledged her commitment to Sam, but how can she remain at his side, when words cut deep and she’s forced to protect her family?
And after losing so much, can Sam win the fight for his family before his entire world falls apart?

Other Formats: Paperback

Zambonis and Mistletoe - A Holiday Romance: Renegades 4 (The Renegades Hockey Series) Dec 1, 2015

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 43 )

$2.99

From Saint Nick to reindeer and jingle bells, Rylee's story is one magical tale.
Nick is the General Manager of the Renegades. He's tall, dark and handsome. His looks were not lost on Rylee and his impeccable manners intrigued her. The holiday season had her wondering if what she thought was an accidental meeting wasn't really a gift from Jolly Ol' Saint Nick?

Other Formats: Paperback

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Renegades 2 (The Renegades Series) Apr 15, 2015

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 39 )

$2.99

Sometimes love is messy, and unpredictable. The one you're with isn't always the one you're meant to be with.

One year ago, Gia Torella made a huge mistake. After several glasses of champagne at her sister’s wedding, she hooked up with arrogant and egotistical Patrick Dubois, the most imposing hockey player on the Pittsburgh Renegades professional hockey team — both on the ice and off. But she vowed to forget that brief passionate encounter, even if her body remembered all the wild and incredible things they did that night. She’s moved on from Patrick, and her solid, dependable, nice-guy boyfriend is proof of that.

Patrick has never forgotten their one night of passion. Even though she’s the girlfriend of Tyler Kidd, his team’s captain and therefore completely off-limits, all he can think about is her curvy body, her bubbly personality, and the way she screamed out his name during the best sex he’s ever had. Since their night together, he’s given up on the puck bunnies, the partying, and the random hook-ups, and he’s willing to become the man she needs.

They both know it’s wrong, but they’re drawn to each other in a whirlwind of passion. Can Patrick convince Gia that he has really changed into someone she could depend upon… and that sometimes love is worth the penalty for Unsportsmanlike Conduct?

Other Formats: Paperback

Icing Isn't Only for Cookies: A Renegades Series Holiday Tale (The Renegades Series) Dec 10, 2018

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 2 )

$0.99

This novella was previously published in the Hockey Holidays Anthology in November 2018.

Avery James was finally getting her life together after an ugly break-up. It had taken almost an entire year, but she could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The Pink Ribbon Cupcakery was busy with orders for Christmas cookies, holiday cupcakes, and preparing for the local orphanage’s annual Christmas Eve party. She was enjoying the busy holiday season. When she came face to face with her one-night stand from last New Year’s Eve, her jolly mood came to a crashing halt. Literally.
In his brash, self-important, smug way, Kyler Wilson flirted his way into her life, her bakery, and her heart. Her brain wanted her to square off her shoulders and tell him that this was her bakery, and her rules, and that he could save the smooth-talking for some other girl, because she wasn’t ready to be hurt by love again. However, her heart seemed to be in charge. Her legs felt like they were going to crumble each time hockey-boy flashed a grin.
It wasn’t that she didn’t find him deliciously handsome and irresistible, but after being so vulnerable at the hands of her former fiancé, she never wanted to be in that position again. She’d be damned if she was going to swoon like a groupie. Even though tall, dark and handsome Kyler made her weak in the knees with every smoldering look. The deep rumble of his voice sent her heart a flutter. His kisses were pure heaven, and his rock-hard body had her craving more.
Kyler could see right through the sugary sweet baker. She wanted him. But then again, what girl didn’t? But unlike the usual bunnies that fell at his feet, she was one tough-cookie. And the challenge of breaking through that defensive outer shell was riveting. A year ago, a bottle of tequila helped him get a glimpse of the fun, and free-spirited Avery, and he was on a mission to find that girl again.

Other Formats: Paperback

Until You: Prequel to the Renegades Series (The Renegades Hockey Series Book 0) Jun 19, 2014

by Melody Heck Gatto

( 22 )

$2.99

Until You is a short, sweet and sexy read about falling in love and healing old wounds.
It is a prequel in The Renegades Series about Sam Morris and Trina Kidd.

Trina never imagined she'd end up in bed with a hot surfer dude when she set out for a quiet getaway from the chaos that was her life. Her family meant well, but they were smothering her. She needed to get away.
The beach was her escape. It was her retreat away from the mess her life had become. Being there did something magical to her. It slowed her pulse, it captivated her senses, it took away all her stress. The soft lapping of the waves, the heat of the sun and the welcoming sand molding around her feet; it was her paradise.
Her drop dead gorgeous neighbor wasn't too bad either. Dirty blond hair, sparkling blue eyes and a panty dropping smile. That sexy smile made her feel like a nervous schoolgirl. Being close to him was the first she had felt alive in a long time. Her life has been hell the past year. She felt fortunate to come out the other side unscathed. Now it was time for her to take time and regroup.
One night with Sam was a perfect distraction. A distraction that she needed more than she knew. Trina found herself wrapped up in his charm and good looks. He was handsome and genuine in every way that she needed right now. He was an adventure that she desperately needed in her life. Unfortunately, her personal demons threatened to keep her from true happiness. It might be time for her and her dog Toby to run again.

Sam was a professional hockey player from the west coast. He had a rough season riddled with injuries and couldn't shake the stink of not even coming close to being in the playoffs. He needed to get away. He needed to clear his head before he embarked on a summer of family obligations. Hiding out on the east coast with his dog sounded like a good place to start. A nice quiet, peaceful beach vacation. Until he met Trina.
The moment he laid eyes on her he was smitten. Sam hadn't crushed on a girl like this since junior high. That one night changed everything. He knew what his life had been missing: her. Trina was more than one night stand material. She was a woman that deserved love and devotion. He wanted to give that to her and wasn't going to leave without her.

Other Formats: Paperback

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