Cross Pacific Passion

About the Book

Ilya and Melanie wrote a collection of poems to each other from the time they first read each other’s work to the time Ilya came to Australia to be with Melanie.

About the Author

Ilya has written and published numerous poems and translated four books of classical Russian poetry. He has spent most of his life in America and featured at readings in Washington, DC and in California. Melanie is talented in many forms of art. At the age of 12, her art piece was exhibited in the Herald– Sun out door Art Show and later at St John Vianneys Art exhibition. She also came semi—finalist in Goi Peace foundations Annual International essay contest on the theme, “Respect for Life”. Melanie and Ilya are married and living together happily in Melbourne, Australia. They have a daughter named Lillian Gaia Shambat, who is already showing great talent.