Spotlight & Giveaway: His Innocent’s Passionate Awakening by Melanie Milburne

Posted June 22nd, 2020 by in Blog, Spotlight / 51 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Melanie Milburne to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

Hi Melanie and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, His Innocent’s Passionate Awakening!

 
Hello! Great to be here!
 

Please summarize the book a la Twitter style for the readers here:

A shut-in social phobic, and a handsome billionaire in need of a must-be-seen-in-public paper wife.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

Artemisia Bellante stared at her father’s lawyer in abject horror. ‘But there must be some mistake. How can Castello Mirielle be… be mortgaged?’ It’s been in my father’s family for generations. Papa never mentioned anything about owing money to a bank.’
‘He didn’t owe it to a bank.’ The lawyer, Bruno Rossie, pushed a sheaf of papers across the desk towards Artie, his expression grave. ‘Have you heard of Luca Ferrantelli?’

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

My editor asked me to do a Sleeping Beauty themed book, so it was heaps of fun finding ways to spin (pun definitely intended!) a tale using an ivy-clad castle and a young woman who has been ‘asleep’ for a long time.

 

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

Luca is one of the very few men Artie has met in a decade of being shut-in her Castello due to her social phobia, so everything about him attracts her! Luca is attracted to Artie’s spirit as well as her vulnerability.
 

Using just 5 words, how would you describe Hero and Heroine’s love affair?

Passionate, mutual, magical.
 

The First Kiss…

Luca’s hand took her left one and slipped on the wedding ring as he repeated his vows. ‘I, Luca Benedetto, take you, Artemisia Elisabetta, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, in sickness and in health.’ He paused for a beat and continued with a rough edge to his voice, ‘I will love and honour you all the days of my life.’
Artie blinked back moisture gathering in her eyes. He sounded so convincing. He even looked convincing with his gaze so focused on her, his mouth smiling at her as if she was the most amazing woman who had ever walked upon the face of the earth.
It’s an act. Don’t be fooled by it. None of this means anything to him and neither should it mean anything to you.
‘You may kiss the bride.’
The priest’s words startled Artie out of her reverie and she only had time to snatch in a breath before Luca’s hands settled on her hips and drew her closer, his mouth descending inexorably towards hers. The first warm, firm press of his lips sent a jolt of electricity through her body. A jolt that travelled all the way down her spine and fizzed like a sparkler deep in her core. He lifted his lips off hers for an infinitesimal moment as if time had suddenly paused. Then he brought his mouth back to hers and sensations rippled through her as his lips moved against hers with increasing pressure, his hands on her hips bringing her even closer to the hard heat of his stirring body.
One of his hands left her hip to cradle one side of her face, his touch gentle, almost reverent, and yet his mouth was pure sin. Tempting, teasing, tantalising. She opened to him and his tongue touched hers and her insides quaked and throbbed with longing. She pressed closer, her arms going around his neck, her senses reeling as his tongue invited hers in an erotic dance. Every nerve in her lips and mouth awakened to his kiss, flowering open like soft petals to strong sunshine. She became aware of her body in a way she never had before—its needs, urges, flagrantly responding to the dark primal call of his.
Luca angled his head to change position, his tongue stroking against hers, a low, deep groan sounding in his throat. It thrilled her to know he was as undone by their kiss as she was. Thrilled and excited her to realise her own sensual power. Power she hadn’t known she possessed until now.

 

Without revealing too much, what is your favorite scene in the book?

I enjoyed writing the scene where Artie and Luca meet for the first time. He knows nothing about her social phobia and she is doing everything she can to hide it.

Artie blinked and sat up straighter on the sofa, crossing her legs to try and control the wayward urges going on in her lower body. What was wrong with her? He had barely exchanged more than half a dozen words with her and she was undressing him with her eyes. She curled her hands into balls on her lap and fixed a smile on her lips. ‘So, how was your drive from Milan? I hope it didn’t inconvenience you too much to come here?’ Who said she couldn’t do small talk?
Luca’s half-smile and his glittering forest floor eyes made something slip sideways in her stomach. ‘It didn’t inconvenience me at all. But we both know that was your intention, was it not?’
Artie forced herself to hold his penetrating gaze. ‘Signor Ferrantelli, I am not the sort of woman to jump when a man says jump.’
The dark gleam in his eyes intensified and a hot trickle of something liquid spilled deep in her core. ‘You may have no choice, given I now own nine tenths of Castello Mireille, unless you can buy me out within the next twenty-four hours.’ There was a don’t-mess-with-me warning in his tone that made her want to mess with him to see what would happen.
Artie disguised a swallow, her heart picking up its pace. ‘My father’s lawyer informed me of the unusual financial arrangement you made with my father. One wonders why you didn’t buy all of it off him while you had the chance.’
His gaze was unwavering. ‘He was a dying man who deserved some dignity in the last months of his life.’
Artie gave a cynical smile while her blood boiled in her veins and roaring anger bubbled in her chest. ‘Do you expect me to believe you felt some measure of compassion for him? Even while you were systematically taking his home away from him ancient stone by ancient stone?’
Luca didn’t change his casual posture on the sofa but a ripple of tension passed across his features, tightening his jaw, flaring his nose, hardening his eyes. ‘Your father approached me late last year for help. I gave it to him. It was a straightforward business deal. And now I have come to collect on my investment.’
Artie shot up from the sofa as if someone had pressed an ejector switch. She glared at him with the full force of her fury, chest heaving like she had just completed a marathon without training first. ‘You can’t take my home off me. I won’t allow it.’
Luca Ferrantelli’s gaze was diamond-hard. ‘My intention is to give the castello back to you—after a time. And for a price.’
Something heavy landed on the floor of her belly. ‘What price? You must know I can’t possibly raise the necessary funds to pay out the mortgage?’
He held her gaze in a lock that made the backs of her knees tingle. ‘I will erase the debt and give the deeds of the castello back if you agree to be my wife for six months.’

 

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would be absolutely crucial to include?

There is a scene where Artie is trying to hide her attraction to Luca but it proves to be nigh impossible!

‘What makes you think I want you to kiss me now? What would be the point? There’s no one here but us.’ Artie was proud of her calm and collected tone when inside her body was steaming, simmering, smouldering.
His thumb pressed lightly on the middle of her bottom lip, sending tingles down the length of her spine. ‘The way you’re looking at me.’
‘How am I looking at you?’
Eek. Was that her voice? She had to do something about her voice. None of that whispery, husky rubbish. She had to be brusque and matter-of-fact.
‘You must be imagining it.’
He cupped one side of her face with his hand, the slight roughness of his palm making her insides coil and tighten with lust. ‘Maybe.’ He gave a quick on-off smile and dropped his hand from her face. ‘So, the wedding. How does this weekend sound?’
Artie only just managed to suppress a gasp. ‘This weekend? What’s the rush?’
‘I’m not a fan of long engagements.’
‘Funny. But how am I going to find a dress in time? Or are you expecting me to turn up naked?’
Argh. Why did you say that?
A dark glint came into his eyes. ‘Now, there’s an idea.’
Artie pursed her lips, hoping her cheeks were not glowing as hot as they felt. ‘I can safely say I will never, ever be naked in front of you.’
He glided a lazy finger down her burning cheek, a smile in his eyes. ‘Have you been naked in front of anyone?’
Artie stepped back, annoyed with herself for not doing so earlier. She had to keep her distance. It was dangerous to stand so close to him. She had so little immunity to his sensual power. She had to remember he was a powerful magnet and she was a tiny iron filing.
‘I’m not going to discuss my private life with you. It’s none of your damn business.’
‘We have to know a few things about each other otherwise no one will accept our marriage as the real thing.’
Artie frowned. ‘What? Are you going to pretend you’re in love with me or something? Who’s going to believe it? We’re total opposites.’
‘Ah, but don’t they say opposites attract?’ His smile melted her bones—she could feel her legs trembling to keep her upright.
Artie compressed her lips and iced her gaze. ‘This may come as a surprise to a man with an ego the size of yours but I’m not attracted to you.’
He gave a deep chuckle. ‘Then you’re going to have to call on every bit of acting power you possess to convince my grandfather otherwise. Think you can do that, cara mia?’
The Italian endearment almost made her swoon. She hoisted her chin. ‘Do you, Mr Hardened Cynical Playboy, think you can act like a man passionately in love with his bride?’
His gaze held hers in a smouldering lock that made the backs of her knees tingle. ‘That will be the easy part.’

 

Readers should read this book …

If they want to revisit the Sleeping Beauty tale with a modern twist.

 

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I have just finished writing a my Wanted: A Billionaire trilogy, which has been lots of fun. Being in isolation has definitely made me super productive! The first book – One Night on the Virgin’s Terms is out in September. I’m about to start a new book but I haven’t yet decided on the plot or characters.

 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: A signed copy of His Innocent’s Passionate Awakening, as well as a surprise book from my backlist.

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: My heroine Artie has severe social phobia and has been unable to leave her house for a decade. Do you or does anyone you know have a phobia? Have you been able to overcome it?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from His Innocent’s Passionate Awakening:

ARTIE STOOD IN FRONT of the cheval mirror in her bedroom and checked her appearance. She had decided against wearing her mother’s wedding dress and chosen a cream satin ballgown of her mother’s instead. It was a classic design with a tulle underskirt that emphasised her neat waist, and a close-fitting bodice that hinted at the shape of her breasts without revealing too much cleavage. She hadn’t wanted to taint her mother’s beautiful wedding gown with her charade of a marriage. Her parents had married for love and lived happily together until Artie insisted on going to a birthday party against their wishes when she was fifteen.
She bit down on her lip until it hurt. Why had she been so adamant about going to that stupid party? Where were those supposed friends of hers now? Only a handful came to visit her in hospital. None had come to the castello once she had been released. None had come to her mother’s funeral. She had stood beside her father’s wheelchair as her mother was lowered into the family plot at the castello with her heart in pieces, guilt raining down on her heavier than what was coming from the dismal sky above. How could one teenage decision have so many unforeseen consequences?
Artie plucked at the skirt of her dress, her stomach an ants’ nest of nerves. Today was her wedding day. The day she married Luca Ferrantelli in a paper marriage to save her family home. Would this be another decision she would later regret? Or would the consolation of getting the castello back into her possession wipe out any misgivings? She glanced at the engagement ring on her hand. The longer she wore it, the more she loved it. She felt strangely connected to Luca’s grandmother by wearing her ring. But would the old lady spin in her grave to know Artie was entering into a loveless union with her grandson?
Rosa came in carrying a bouquet of flowers she had picked from the garden. ‘You look beautiful, Artie.’ She handed her the simple but fragrant bouquet. ‘You’re not wearing a veil?’
Artie brought the flowers up to her nose and breathed in the heady scent of roses and orange blossom. ‘This isn’t a proper wedding.’
Rosa frowned. ‘But it’s still a legal one. You might as well look like a proper bride. And make that handsome groom of yours sit up and take notice.’ She went to the large wardrobe and pulled out the long cardboard box where Artie’s mother’s wedding dress and veil were stored on the top shelf. She placed the box on the bed and lifted the lid and removed the tissue-wrapped heirloom hand-embroidered veil that had been worn by both Artie’s mother and grandmother. Rosa shook out the veil and then brought it over to Artie. ‘Come on. Indulge me.’
Artie rolled her eyes but gave in, allowing Rosa to fasten the veil on her head, securing it with hair pins. Rosa draped the veil over Artie’s face and then stepped back to inspect her handiwork. ‘You will knock Luca Ferrantelli’s socks off, sì?’
Artie turned back to look at her reflection. She did indeed look like a proper bride. She glanced at Rosa. ‘Tell me I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life. My second biggest, I mean.’
Rosa grasped one of Artie’s hands, her eyes shimmering with tears. ‘You have already lost so much. You can’t lose the castello as well. Sometimes we have to do whatever it takes to make the best of things.’ She released Artie’s hand and brushed at her eyes and gave a rueful smile. ‘Weddings always make me emotional. Just as well I didn’t get married myself.’
‘Would you have liked to?’ Artie was surprised she hadn’t thought to ask before now. Rosa was in her sixties and had been a part of the castello household for as long as Artie could remember. They had talked about many things over the years but not about the housekeeper’s love life or lack thereof.
Rosa made a business of fussing over the arrangement of the skirt of Artie’s gown. ‘I fell in love once a long time ago. It didn’t work out.’
‘What happened?’
Rosa bent down lower to pick a fallen rose petal off the floor. She scrunched it in her hand and gave a thin-lipped smile. ‘He married someone else. I never found anyone else who measured up.’
‘Oh, that’s so sad.’
Rosa laughed but it sounded tinny. ‘I saved myself a lot of heartache. Apparently, he’s been divorced three times since then.’ Her expression suddenly sobered. ‘Your parents were lucky to have found each other. I know they didn’t have as long together as they would have liked but it’s better to have five years with the right one than fifty with the wrong one.’
But what about six months with a man who had only met her a matter of days ago? A man who was so dangerously attractive, her blood raced every time he looked at her?

Excerpts. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Rather than lose her beloved estate to ultrarich playboy Luca Ferrantelli, Artemisia agrees to wed him…on paper. Traumatised by a devastating accident, the heiress hasn’t left the Castello in years. She knows nothing of the world outside- nothing of a man’s touch.
If there’s a chance that marrying Artie will give his grandfather the will to live, Luca must do it. But he’s determined to resist the addictive pull of Artie’s vibrancy and vulnerability. Until their scorching wedding kiss stirs the beauty to sensual new life!
Book Links: Amazon |
 
 

Meet the Author:

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.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | | Instagram |

 
 
 

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51 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: His Innocent’s Passionate Awakening by Melanie Milburne”

  3. Mary Preston

    I don’t know anyone with a severe phobia. Just the usual things like spiders – not me – my daughter.

    • Melanie Milburne

      Ori, I suspect phobias can occur in clusters in some people. How difficult for you! I hope you can take courage in knowing you’re not alone.

  6. janinecatmom

    I I also suffer from social anxiety, but not to the point where I am afraid to leave the house. I have several other phobias as well. I do not know how to overcome any of them.

    • Melanie Milburne

      I’m so sorry you suffer from multiple phobias. It must make life very difficult for you. Sending hugs.

      • janinecatmom

        It does to a certain extent. But I’m usually not as bad if I have my husband with me. Mostly, I just have to take some time to psych myself up to do something if it’s one of my phobias.

  7. laurieg72

    My husband has a thing with hand washing. It’s not a compulsion he doesn’t get anxious and worry constantly about it. However, forces me and him to wash hands a lot when exposed to anything he thinks may be dirty. It does drive me crazy sometimes.

    • Melanie Milburne

      I hear you! My husband is a surgeon and is always washing his hands too. It’s made me super conscious of hand hygiene, even before COVID 19!

  8. Mari Ann

    Yes, I have a social phobia since I was a teen & I still struggle with it every time I need to leave my house.

    • Melanie Milburne

      It’s such a crippling condition and can take a long time to get better. Small steps is the best way. Hope you can take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

    • Melanie Milburne

      Argh! Those stingy insects are enough to terrify anyone. Thanks for sharing.

  10. Pammie R.

    I have social phobia. I am also scared of the dark and haven’t slept without the TV on in years. I haven’t been able to overcome them because I have no help to do so.

    • Melanie Milburne

      I’m so sorry you don’t have help for your phobias. It must be so hard for you to be dealing with this on you own. My thoughts are with you.

  11. Debra Shutters

    I have a fear of water but that is because I almost drown twice and I can’t swim and have no desire to learn and I have a fear of heights.

    • Melanie Milburne

      The fear of drowning is a huge thing to overcome. I learned to swim as an adult because of a near drowning incident as a six year old. The first few times I went to the pool were terrifying but I gradually became more confident. The experts say ‘ baby steps’ and they’re not wrong! Hope you can overcome your phobias too.

  12. Karina Angeles

    My nephew has a phobia with germs. He’ll wash his hands so much that they get really dry and cracked. Now my brother buys him hand sanitizer. He’s hand are still dry (with constant use of sanitizer) but they are not cracked and bleeding like before.

    • Melanie Milburne

      I reckon there will be heaps of people with germ phobias now after COVID 19. I’ve become a bit that way myself! But it’s so hard for someone like your nephew when it gets to the point of washing so much it leaves the skin damaged. I hope he is able to overcome it soon.

  14. erahime

    Someone I know probably has a phobia of some sort. Heights, maybe. Not sure…

  15. Glenda M

    I know someone who is so terrified of spiders that he can’t even look at pictures of them without a mild panic attack. The real thing is so much worse for him

    • Melanie Milburne

      Glenda, I’m like that with rats and mice. It’s a full- blown phobia where I can’t see pictures or movies with them in. The worst of it is, I have two cats who sometimes leave a ghastly trophy for me at the back or front door. If my husband isn’t home, I have to get a neighbour to remove it. I wish I had the courage ( and the time) to go through a desensitisation program but the thought of having to look at them puts me off.

  18. Kim

    I don’t have a phobia or know anyone who does. But I will say that I have a people limit. Sometimes I just need to be away from them.

    • Melanie Milburne

      Kim, crowds can be a bit scary for some people. It can be a bit overwhelming to be surrounded by lots of bodies! And making small talk if you’re shy can be awfully difficult for some people. Thanks for sharing.

  20. Jana Leah

    I don’t know anybody that has any phobias. Or if they do they’re able to hide them.

    • Melanie Milburne

      It is very difficult for both a sufferer and their carers in coping with social phobia. So many adjustments have to be made so as not to overwhelm the sufferer. It means that sometimes everyone in the house has limited social contact in order to keep stress down for the sufferer. Thanks for sharing.

  23. Ellen C.

    I know people who developed a fear of flying. They don’t fly anymore.

  24. Jenny

    I know what it’s like to suffer from phobias. I have two, one being of mice. I can’t even look at them without getting the shakes and feeling ill. I first realised, and was then told by my GP that my reactions were because I had a phobia of mice, began in 1993. The second phobia is of most spiders, but in particular, Tarantula spiders. I’ve had that phobia all my life. I’ve been known to leave the house and cry bucket loads if I see a Tarantula until someone gets rid of it. If I’ve been home alone, I have a panic attack and grab a can of fly or bug spray and don’t stop spraying it till it is dead, or drowned. I use half to three quarters of the can usually. With mice I stand on furniture and get as high as I can, whilst having a panic attack and trying to ring for help. Obviously I still have not overcome my phobias. In the past, I have asked strangers for help to get rid of a mouse. Just thinking of it is making me tense. ☹ Sorry for the long ‘comment.

    • Melanie Milburne

      Don’t apologise, Jenny! I’m exactly the same with mice. Rays even more so. I can cope with spiders and even snakes. I’ve had it since I was three and it can be much worse if I’m anxious about other stuff. Having multiple phobias must be so hard for you. It’s fairly easy to avoid mice but not so easy with spiders. Sending you hugs!

    • Melanie Milburne

      Irma! I’ve never met anyone who had your phobia. But I do know someone who has a phobia about Dr Seuss’s Cat in the Hat. She completely freaks out if she sees a picture or if it comes on TV. It’s easy to laugh about a clown phobia but they are hard to avoid in some settings. I guess no trips to the circus for you!

  28. Daniel M

    yeah i have social phobia, i go out but not for gatherings, people suk

    • Melanie Milburne

      Lynne- I’ve heard phobias can run in families but I’m not sure if it’s a genetic thing or environmental influence. I guess witnessing a care giver in a phobic state might influence a young child to also be frightened of an object too. Thanks for sharing.

  35. Maureen Odea Tracy

    Would love to know Who is the male cover model on this book. Loved it.