ACTRESS-author-extraordinaire Judy Nunn had the crowd at "hello” at her performance and live book reading for Sunshine Coast Libraries.

The event, promoting her novel Sanctuary, was held at The Events Centre, Caloundra, on November 8.

Her first three novels, The Glitter Game, Centre Stage and Araluen became instant best-sellers.

She has since developed a love of writing Australian historically-based fiction and her fame as a novelist has grown.

Sanctuary is described as a compelling novel, where compassion meets bigotry, hatred meets love and, ultimately, despair meets hope on the windswept shores of Australia.

A total of 150 people joined the festivities, with special guest MC Sami Muirhead, from radio station Mix FM, and live music by Jay Bishoff.