The past week has been something of a "whirlwind" for first time author Melanie Grimsley (Higgins) from Fermanagh.

The young Kesh woman has been engaged in book launches for her newly released book, "Beauty for Ashes" The Miracle of Melanie Grimsley which she has co-written with well-known journalist, writer and columnist Ivan Little.

Melanie, now a wife and mother of two young sons, was seriously injured in a car fire in April 1988, which claimed the life of her older sister, Amanda. Her inspirational life story is captured in her new publication, which was launched at a book launch in Elim Pentecostal Church, Enniskillen at the weekend and in Belfast on Monday evening.

"The book launch on Friday night was amazing. It was a really brilliant night," said Melanie, who felt it had also been "so emotional as well." Among those who joined her were Oliver Quinn (who rescued Melanie), her doctor Roy Miller, her parents William and Pam and her sisters Elaine and Bethany.

Also present were Ivan Little, the co-author, and Cedric Wilson, the publisher, with whom she says she has formed good friendships.

The Enniskillen launch was followed by the Belfast launch and according to Melanie, who was speaking on Tuesday - prior to returning home to the county - they had been a "whirlwind" few days.

"The book is going really well," feels Melanie, who mentions that people have followed the story and now they want to find out the story behind it.

There has been a lot of media interest surrounding the title and Melanie has been interviewed on radio and television and there has been considerable newspaper coverage. Book signings to date have included those at Easons, Enniskillen and Belfast, and also at the Faith Mission bookshop in the city.

Melanie plans to travel to Dublin this Monday for a television interview and hopefully a book signing, while a book signing has also been arranged at the RealLife bookshop in Enniskillen on December 10.

The young woman, who was due to return to work yesterday, Wednesday, expressed the hope that this is just the start of the journey and that the book is well received.

"I am really pleased with it," said Melanie: "When I started writing with Ivan it was hard to picture what it would look like at the end. It is beyond anything I imagined it could be. It is just lovely."