Children’s Books
Historical Romance
About Vicki
Vicki is a freelance writer and author. As a teenager she wanted to be a journalist, a marine biologist and then a primary school teacher. But her desire to explore the world was greater and so deferring university, she found a job in a multinational that would pay enough to let her do just that. North America and Antarctica remain the only continents she hasn’t travelled.
Roll forward 37 years. After an extended holiday, and lots of time to think, Vicki decided to take a sabbatical from the 50-60-hour weeks of her corporate career. A series of short courses sandwiched into weekends had rekindled her passion to write and she enrolled in a 12-month program.
When it was cancelled after 6 months, she was left with the bones of two children’s stories, 20,000 words of a historical romance and a determination to finish them and hold a printed copy of each in her hands. And then the pandemic struck!
She was lucky to find a fabulous publishing coach who held her hand during 2020 and gave her the confidence into 2021 and beyond. Her team today consists of two wonderful editors, one for each genre; an amazing illustrator; and a fantastic designer.
Vicki hopes her stories showcase humour and heart. Certainly, that’s what’s in her mind as she writes.
When not at her keyboard, she can be found walking the pathways of her local area or at the beach with her golden retriever and westie, cycling and drinking chai lattes. Most times in that order!
She’s looking forward to the day her writing keeps her in champagne (or the best Australian sparkling wine)!
Vicki Milliken
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Spoil the one you love with a 1920s Romance!
A signed Author copy for the one you love, beautifully gift wrapped!
What are people saying?
The Battle for Eliza, the first book in the Misses of Melbourne series.
“The writing flows and is so easy to read and draws you in immediately. I started the book on a Saturday afternoon, and it was consumed within 24 hours.”
Kiss by Kiss, the second book in the Misses of Melbourne series.
“A little beauty with hidden depths whilst being a thoroughly fun read!”
Latest Newsletter
Curious Easter Customs!
Unlike many parts of the world, Easter in Australia is an autumn celebration. It represents the final long weekend—typically 4 days—before winter, and the last opportunity for camping, swimming, picnics and games outdoors with family and friends.
But what about those in earlier centuries, elsewhere in the world? How did they celebrate?
The celebration takes its name from the pagan goddess of Spring, Easter, in whose honour a festival was held in the month of April to invoke fertility on the land. So, while many may associate Easter with Christian beliefs, it is not surprising that many of the customs originate from pagan rites.
For example, it was considered unlucky not to wear new clothes—or at least something for the first time. Lucky to see a lamb Easter morning, so long as it was facing you. But if it turned away, misfortune would follow.
English customs were wide and varied and often reported in Australian newspapers—unsurprisingly, given our historic ties.
One article talked about men being allowed to claim a kiss for every buckle they had in their possession on Easter Sunday. Squirreling of these items would take place in the weeks before and many a young woman would find buckles missing from her shoes in the lead up to Easter.
Other articles referenced a custom in the North of England called ‘heaving’. On Easter Monday, men would heave or lift women from the ground. On Tuesday, the women would return the compliment. Kisses and gifts of money were involved, although I’m not clear as to whether this was as an enticement or a penalty.
Other English traditions have included rolling down Greenwich Hill, horse racing, wrestling or playing water quintain. This involved a boat at speed, carrying a man with a lance in hand attempting to break it against a shield attached to a pole across a stream and remain standing. Ahhh, the curiosities of ancient England.
The giving of gifts has always been popular at Easter. Eggs especially—often hardboiled, painted, dyed, stained, gilded, sometimes containing curios and articles of jewellery. In Germany, it was the custom to present an emblematic print of 3 hens holding a basket in which 3 eggs resided. A French superstition regarded eggs laid on Good Friday and kept throughout the year, claimed they were good for extinguishing fires. Can you imagine the smell!
Theories of the origins of hot cross buns are many. One of the earliest variations may date back to ancient Roman times after archaeologists found two carbonised loaves in the ruins of Pompeii. The loaves were each marked with a cross.
I love my hot cross buns—traditional, no fancy chocolate concoctions—toasted or untoasted and smothered with vegemite. Now, this is not something for the faint hearted and isn’t something many—if any—of my family and friends recommend. But it remains my little Easter custom and many would agree, deserves to be added to the ‘curious Easter customs’ vault. Bon appétit!
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