The Cattleman's Bride. Joan Kilby

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      HARLEQUIN SUPERROMANCE

      Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

      Two decades of bringing you the very best

      in romance reading.

      To recognize this important milestone,

      we’ve invited six very

      special authors—whose names you’re sure to recognize—

      to tell us how they feel about Superromance.

      Each title this month has a letter

      from one of these authors.

      Who better to write the foreword to Joan Kilby’s

      The Cattleman’s Bride than acclaimed author

      Margaret Way. Both writers live in Australia

      and both have the magical ability to make the land

      and its people come alive.

      The Cattleman’s Bride is the story of a man and a

      woman who must overcome differences as vast as

      the outback itself in resolving the dilemma that

      faces them. In that harsh and beautiful land,

      superficialities are stripped away as Sarah and

      Luke reach deep inside themselves and find a love

      that promises them a lifetime of fulfillment.

      This is Joan’s third book for Superromance.

      Her first novel earned her a RITA nomination for

      Best First Book, and her writing talents have

      merited a profile in the much-respected Writer’s

      Digest. It’s a pleasure to showcase Joan on this very

      special occasion for Superromance.

      Dear Reader,

      I was born and grew up in Vancouver, Canada, but have lived in Australia for ten years now. My first impressions of this beautiful land remain vivid—the colors, the scents, the intensity of the sun, the enormous blue sky and the wide-open spaces.

      The outback holds an almost mythical place in the hearts and minds of Australians, most of whom live in large cities along the coast. As I got to know more about the outback and talked with the people who live there, I was struck by the fact that, despite the harsh environment and the hardships they face, they passionately love their way of life.

      As my heroine, Sarah, discovers, it’s not an easy life, but in the challenge lies the reward. Her greatest reward is Luke—a modern-day pioneer, a battler who loves the land and the freedom to be his own man. In each other, Sarah and Luke discover that once-in-a-lifetime love that transcends all boundaries.

      I hope you find The Cattleman’s Bride as enjoyable and satisfying to read as it was for me to write. I love to hear from my readers. Please write me c/o Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9, or e-mail me at www.superauthors.com.

      Sincerely,

      Joan Kilby

      The Cattleman’s Bride

      Joan Kilby

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      FOREWORD BY MARGARET WAY

      When my editor, Paula Eykelhof, asked me if I would write a foreword for an upcoming Superromance, the year 2000 being the twentieth anniversary of the line, I agreed with pleasure—and with the sense of being honored for my own contribution to the big, bright, beautiful world of Harlequin romance novels.

      Although I have written some 80-odd books for the Harlequin Mills and Boon Romance series, it was only recently, through Paula’s encouragement, that I extended my boundaries to Superromance. The Australian Heiress, released in 1998, was the first. My second, already researched, is in the process of being written. It is again set in the Australian outback, and I hope it will be an exciting read with a fascinating and provocative theme. Ancient Egyptian presence in tropical far north Queensland? The hunt is on for treasure in the rainforests and crocodile-infested swamps of Australia’s top end wilderness coast. Be assured that a great romance figures in this story, along with the skulduggery and high tension. I look forward to seeing it in the Superromance lineup for 2001—and I hope you will, too.

      Although I greatly enjoyed writing for the Romance series and have done so for the past thirty years, Superromance has provided me with a fresh challenge. I derive considerable satisfaction from the longer story, which gives me the opportunity to weave a more complex plot, introduce more characters and let them speak as they develop a fuller personality.

      Being a successful writer (for which I must thank my publisher, my excellent caring editors and my loyal readers) must be one of the best jobs a woman can have. I love getting involved with my characters. I love falling in love with my heroes (yes, I do), but one of the most delightful aspects of the job is bringing pleasure to a lot of readers.

      And speaking of readers…I’ve recently had the pleasure of catching up on my Superromances. I read books by Jan Freed, Bethany Campbell, Margot Early and others—and I thoroughly enjoyed a diversity of compelling stories. On the newcomer front, I particularly enjoyed A Father’s Place by a fellow Australian, Joan Kilby. This book has an important message to deliver through a very engaging heroine. Such messages can change lives. I’m sure that writing such an eloquent first book gave Joan enormous pleasure and satisfaction. I know she’ll go on to even greater things.

      A peaceful and prosperous 2000 (and beyond) to all our readers (with the fervent hope for better government around the world!).

      Margaret Way

      Margaret Way is one of the best-known and most-loved romance writers in the world. Her books are usually set in her native Australia, which she writes about with passion and immense skill. She’s made Australia real for millions of readers. She continues to be published by Harlequin Romance—the original romance series. And her second Superromance will appear in February 2001.

      CONTENTS

       CHAPTER ONE

       CHAPTER TWO

       CHAPTER THREE

       CHAPTER FOUR

       CHAPTER FIVE

       CHAPTER SIX

       CHAPTER SEVEN

       CHAPTER EIGHT

       CHAPTER NINE

       CHAPTER TEN

       CHAPTER ELEVEN

       CHAPTER TWELVE

       CHAPTER