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Monday, July 18, 2011

Melanie Milburne: What Would You Do For Money?

Who wouldn't love to be so rich they never had to worry about another bill? I think most of us dream of being financially solvent. Imagine never having to think twice about buying something, or being able to help others really generously without compromising your own interests. Most of us work hard to provide for ourselves and our families and take pride in doing so. But what if you had no skills in which to do so? What if you were totally dependent on others for your survival?

That is exactly the situation my heroine Jade Somerville is in. She has lived off her father's trust fund ever since she dropped out of school. She has a reputation as a party girl, a wild child from a privileged background who doesn't care about anyone but herself. And that reputation has suited Jade just fine until recently.
But then she is informed of the terms of her godfather's will. She must marry her arch enemy Nic Sabbatini or be left penniless. Her father has already withdrawn her trust fund so she must find a way to convince Nic to agree to the preposterous plan to marry for convenience.
What is a girl to do? But we are not talking about just any girl here. Jade is not lazy or unmotivated. She is disadvantaged by a disability she has somehow managed to keep a secret for all this time. She can't read any more than a few simple words. Her dyslexia is so bad she is severely limited in what she can do. Finding her way about by reading a map if out of the question. Reading a phone text or email is impossible for her. Can you imagine what that would be like? While I was writing this novel I thought of all the ways in which I relied on my ability to read. Like me, I bet you take it completely for granted. It's like driving: it becomes so automatic we don't register how many red lights we stopped at on the way home.
Like a lot of people who suffer from dyslexia Jade felt ashamed and believed herself to be stupid. But some of the most intelligent and creative people I know have dyslexia.
I really enjoyed pitting Jade against Nic as they both are such strong characters. Nic is the youngest son of the Sabbatini clan, a spoilt playboy who is used to getting his own way. But Jade is determined to get her way this time, even if it means dragging Nic kicking and screaming to the altar!
I hope you enjoy reading about how Jade tames the untameable Nic and in the process learns how to accept herself for the gifted and talented young woman she is.
What would you miss most if you couldn't read any more? I will send a signed copy of The Wedding Charade to a random comment posted.
Warmest wishes,
Melanie Milburne

***Chey is our winner!  Congrats, Chey!  :)  Please email me at totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your full name and mailing address so we can mail you the prize!***

14 comments:

Mary Preston said...

I would feel lost. Any spare moment I have I pick up a book. If I could no longer read, I would have gaps of time in my life. It would be very strange & most disconcerting.

Nell Dixon said...

I'd be devastated. I have dyscalculia, the math equivalent of dyslexia and life is challenging enough with that. I can't text, use a cashpoint, struggle to use any kind of pin number, can't remember or retain phone numbers, read digital clocks etc so to not be able to read either would mean I'd simply not be able to function.

Jo's Daughter said...

Emails from family and friends who I don't see in person. I would be devistated not being able to keep in touch through a simple email. I guess I always took it from granted that I could read, silly cause I enjoy it SO much... I didn't fully understand what a great gift it is. Thanks for reminding me :D

CrystalGB said...

I would miss all the great books that I read and the interaction with others that I enjoy online.

runner10 said...

I would miss escaping from reality for a few minutes. Reading for a few minutes helps me unwind at the end of the day. There would be a definite void in my life.

Estella said...

I would miss all the great books there left to read.
I wouldn't know what to do with myself, as I read a book a day.

penney said...

I'd go mad!! I can not sit and relax unless I have a book in my hands. I love books, my Mom brought me up reading books and I brought my 2 teenage girls up loving books.
Happy reading!
Penney

chey said...

I'd miss the information I get from books.

Leni said...

I would miss the quiet time that I spend while reading and throwing myself into a story.

lenikaye@yahoo.com

Melanie Milburne said...

Great comments, ladies. I can't imagine not being able to read.
Nell, I have a bit of a problem with maths, not serious but enough to frustrate me when it comes to quick mental arithmetic.

Melanie Milburne said...

Estella, you sound like me. A book a day girl! Are you a fast reader? I am very fast which means I go through a lot of books. My house is sagging under the weight of them. Thank goodness for ebooks!

Melanie Milburne said...

Jo's daughter, you brought up a good point. With email and Facebook and all things online what on earth would you do if you couldn't read? I often think of how hard it is for the visually impaired. I can't see much without my glasses but what if you couldn't see anything?

Pat Cochran said...

I'd greatly miss communicating with all
the fellow readers and all the authors
with whom I meet daily on web sites and
blog sites. I am a music minister in our parish church and would very much miss not being able to read new music. Most of all, I would miss reading all the letters and notes from my family and friends! The only ray of sunshine in this scenario would be being able to listen to audio versions of all the
books I'd want!

Melanie Milburne said...

Pat, I had forgotten about reading music. It's a skill I have been very fortunate to have acquired as a child and I would really miss not being able to read a new piece. Not that I'm any great expert! Your job sounds amazing. It must be so cool to hear all those voices singing.