This week our Spotlight on Author is on Melanie Milburne. She has a new book out this month, Cinderella's Scandalous Secret.

Melanie Milburne writes modern romance stories for Harlequin Mills and Boon. Her love affair with romance novels began when she read her first romance at the age of seventeen and it inspired a dream to one day become a romance author. With over 80 books in print and several industry awards and nominations for her work, Melanie enjoys crafting contemporary romance stories from her home in Hobart in beautiful Tasmania, where she lives with her husband and fur family of two dogs and two cats.

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Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?

Writing is all about delivering emotion to the page for the reader, but I don’t think it’s entirely necessary for a writer to be able to feel emotions strongly, as long as they can portray them through their characters. Having said that, I am an emotional person, so it certainly helps me craft deeply emotional stories.

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

When I learned to read, I realised words had immense power. And even before that, when my grandmother read to me as a small pre-schooler. Those words could transport me into other worlds and into the minds and hearts of the characters.

What are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?

Obviously the magazines that are affiliated with writers’ organisations such as Romance Writers of America, Australia, and New Zealand, but my go-to is gossip magazines. There’s a wealth of stories and characters there! You couldn’t make that stuff up…well, some of them do, I guess. J

What’s your favourite under-appreciated novel?

One I read very recently and enjoyed so much- it didn’t get the fanfare it deserved. Minnie Darke’s Star-Crossed. It was laugh-out-loud funny and poignant and deeply touching.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

I would have to say a dog but not just any old dog. An intelligent and loyal one like a poodle. J My second choice would be a horse. They are the most beautiful creatures, and I miss not owning one now, but my back garden isn’t big enough!

Tell us about your book...

Cinderella’s Scandalous Secret is about a young woman with a secret in her past that comes back to haunt her. Ilsa McBain had a passionate fling with hotelier Rafe Angeliri but broke off their relationship when she found out she was pregnant. A few months on, Rafe discovers her cleaning his penthouse in the Edinburgh hotel he is in the process of buying. When he learns she is pregnant, he insists on marrying her. But Ilsa knows the press will have a field day if they find out she is Rafe’s bride-to-be and her shameful secret will be a secret no more.

Cinderella's Scandalous Secret (Secret Heirs of Billionaires)

The maid has a secret

And it’s getting harder to hide!

Isla McBain’s affair with Rafe Angeleri was meant to be temporary, a chance to explore their passionate connection—but now she’s carrying the famous hotelier’s baby! This pregnancy will make headlines, but no one can know. Isla can’t risk anyone digging into her heartbreaking past and ruining Rafe’s impeccable reputation.

After learning about her pregnancy, Rafe is intent on sweeping her away to Sicily and marrying her! Isla is tempted beyond desire, but dare she step into the spotlight as Mrs. Angeleri?

Buy on:

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Amazon Aust Amazon UK