News

Racing Through the Year!

Where does the time go? I keep thinking the years go past so quickly because I'm getting older but even much younger people tell me how fast the year flies by. Before I know it I will be thinking about Christmas. Next month I will make the pudding and the cake. I can't believe it's time for that again!

I have been working on a Presents Duo. The first book is called Deserving of His Diamonds. It is easily the most emotional book I have ever written. The second is as yet untitled and I am loving the characters. Two sworn enemies are thrown together in a marriage of convenience in order to inherit a fortune. I'll keep you posted on who them and their title.

Writing is very time consuming so I guess that's why the year seems to have flashed by. I love the process of playing with characters. It is so deeply satisfying to craft a novel from a kernel of a story idea to the finished product. I don't think I will ever get tired of that wonderful feeling of achievement. 

Happy reading!

Melanie 

Romantic Book of the Year Win!

Attending The Australian Romance Writers 20th Anniversary Conference in Melbourne was particularly exciting for me as I won The R*BY award which is The Romantic Book of the Year. I was nominated in both the Sweet/Traditional and Sexy category. I won for the Sweet/Traditional for The Doctor's Rebel Knight.  Although my author's voice is more in line with the Sexy/Modern category, this book in particular had a softer approach as the characters more or less dictated that. This book is really special to me as I wrote it for The National Heart Foundation as part of their silent auction.
Hearing my name announced was just like being at The Oscars, What was so special was the roar of the crowd. I felt very humbled by everyone's support.

In my acceptance speech ( which I hastily thought of as I walked up to the podium) I spoke of how my triumph was really someone else's tragedy in that there can only be one winner. But then life is like that.  We all take turns at both triumph and tragedy, don't we?

Thank you to all of my readers who make my job all the more enjoyable at moments like this. To be awarded this accolade is truly an honour I will always treasure.

Warmest wishes,

Melanie Milburne

Back home and back at work.

What a fabulous time I had in New York! It was probably the best conference I've ever been at. I loved everything about it. So many lovely people and so many fabulous memories to take back home. It really was fantastic meeting up with other authors and doing lunch and afternoon tea or dinner. It's always great to have face to face time with editors and some I had met for the very first time so that was particularly lovely.

Now of course, it's back to work. I have a Presents duo I'm working on as well as another Medical which is screaming at me to be written. The characters have been in my head for months. I think it will be one of those glorious books that writes itself. Or at least that's what I hope!

Happy reading!

Melanie

New York Here I Come!

I am counting the days until I leave for New York for the Romance Writers of America conference. This will be my first conference in five years so I am really excited. It is also the first time I will have a book out, two in fact: One Last Night in June and The Wedding Charade in July.

The wonderful thing about traveling is it is so inspirational. The people you meet, the places you see, the food you eat: all of it adds to the tapestry of a writer's life.

Conferences are fabulous as I love talking to writers and aspiring writers and of course fans. It's great to meet people face to face, to catch up with editors over drinks or dinner. It's about the only time of the year when I get to feel like a world famous author! The rest of the time I am holed up in my office working all by myself.

If you are coming to New York I will be at the Literacy author signing as well as hanging around the conference so don't be shy! It will make my trip all the more wonderful to meet you. 

Happy reading and warmest wishes.

Melanie

Exciting News!

I am very excited to announce that I have received two nominations for the 2011 Australian Romance Writers Romantic Book of the Year contest! The winners will be announced at the 20th Anniversary conference in August in Melbourne.

The Doctor's Rebel Knight (Medical) was nominated in the sweet category and Scandal Unclaimed Love Child (Presents released as The Unclaimed Baby in the US) was nominated for the sexy category. I wrote The Doctor's Rebel Knight as part of my contribution to the silent auction for the National Heart Foundation. It is such a thrill to think this particular book has resonated with the readers/judges.

And of course I am equally thrilled that my first book of the Sabbatini Brother's Trilogy has been nominated. It was also nominated by the Australian Romance Readers Association.

This is definitely a career highlight for me. I am just so honored to be nominated amongst such fabulous writers.

And a very big thank you to all my readers!

Welcome to my new look!

Welcome to my new look website.  You can check out my latest release and read my reviews and don't forget to send me a message or make a comment while you're at it!

For all my US readers May is the month for the first of the Sabbatini Brothers Trilogy. Book One is out in a few days!  Book Two and Three will be out June and July.