Karen Milne

Karen Milne grew up on the outskirts of Sydney on the upper North Shore surrounded by the natural beauty of the Australian bush. Through her Mothers side of the family, she is a seventh generation Australian with her ancestors Deborah Ellam and John Herbert arriving as convicts on the first fleet in Sydney Cove in January 1788.

In 1995, Karen first took an interest in her family history through extensive research conducted by the Herbert Association, of which her Mother and Aunt were members. Inspired by the story of Deborah, a young convict woman transported to the new penal colony of New South Wales, Karen wrote the book, ‘Deborah's Journey.’ A second book continuing the story of Deborah's life is currently in the works.

Karen is married with two adult daughters and currently lives on the banks of the beautiful Hawkesbury River, north-west of Sydney with her two horses, dog and three cats. She has a love of history of the Sydney area, particularly around the historic Macquarie towns of the Hawkesbury area.

Karen's debut novel, A New Dawn is available now in Paperback and eBook.

About A New Dawn: In May 1787, fourteen hundred people embark on an extraordinary voyage travelling half-way around the world. Deborah, a spirited and determined young English woman finds herself part of this remarkable crossing to a strange new world. Deborah could never imagine what lies ahead for her throughout the crossing and her arrival on this distant hostile shore. She must endure dreadful hardships and will be forced to confront her innermost deepest fears. Deep bonds of friendship through common adversity are developed when she finds many others in the same circumstance as herself. At the frontier of the settlement, an unlikely friendship develops as Deborah comes face to face with the militant Indigenous inhabitants of the country. Along her journey, Deborah encounters love, heartache and a betrayal she must learn to forgive if she is to survive and forge a new life for herself. Karen Milne grew up on the outskirts of Sydney on the upper North Shore surrounded by the natural beauty of the Australian bush. Through her Mothers side of the family, she is a seventh generation Australian with her ancestors Deborah Ellam and John Herbert arriving as convicts on the first fleet in Sydney Cove in January 1788.