Melanie Milburne

Melanie Milburne grew up on a small farm on the outskirts of Sydney and as a keen horse rider, often competed in local gymkhanas and even broke in a few horses from time to time. As she was surrounded by animals, she decided at an early age to become a nurse; however, she couldn't stand the sight of blood and so opted for a career in teaching.

She read her first Mills & Boon novel when she was 17 and that encouraged her to continue reading romance novels; the lure of the tall dark handsome hero, who in reality she fell in love with and agreed to marry on their second date! They moved to Scotland so her husband could work and study for his MD in surgery. Two lively sons later she decided teaching was the last thing she wanted to do!

She went back to University and up-graded her teaching diploma to a degree and then went on to do a Masters but she still felt as if something was missing. She sat down one day and began writing and everything clicked into place.

Melanie currently lives with her family in Hobart, Tasmania. She has now published 46 full-length novels for Harlequin Mills & Boon and her books are regularly released in several different countries, including Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. In 2004, she became the first Australian author in ten years to be contracted to Harlequin Mills & Boon Presents.

In 2000, Melanie placed second in the Romance Writers of Australia Emma Darcy Award. She is a two-time ARRA finalist and an eight-time CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award Winner. She was the winner of the ARRA Favourite Category/Series Romance for 2008. She is an active member of Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of Australia, and the Australian Romance Readers Association. She is also the recipient of the Holt Medallion Award's Award of Merit and the 2009 Booksellers Best Short Contemporary Category.

In her spare time, she learnt to swim as an adult and after some great coaching, she went from a non-swimmer to National Top Ten in Master's Swimming plus several State records. She looks on any scary task now in much the same way as she did swimming. Her motto is "Don't say I can't-Say I can try!!" As well as swimming she enjoys long distance running, and of course reading. Melanie also has a passion for the needs of children and animals and is active in supporting the Australian Children's Foundation.