As always, I couldn’t have done this without my husband, Mark, or my two boys, Jacob and Nathaniel. You are my heart and soul and I love you all. Big extra thanks to Nate for his rock climbing knowledge and your patience in helping me to get it right.
Thanks to my family—especially my parents, Kerril and Jim, who always backed me no matter what I wanted to do and are so proud I continue to reach for my dreams. I wouldn’t be able to do that if you didn’t show me how.
Thanks to my writing friends—Laura, Chris, Marnie, Frana and Anita. I couldn’t have gotten here without you—but especially Marnie and Anita. Our writing weekend made all the difference. I would never have finished it otherwise and Max Permien would never be a character without you.
Also a big shout out to all my friends in Romance Writers of Australia—you are inspiration and mentor rolled into a big ball of supportive writerly love. Thank you.
To my agent, Alex Adsett: your faith in my work is always encouraging and I value your thoughts and advice. I’m so glad you’re on this journey with me. Thanks also have to go to Kate Cuthbert who told me I had to write this book because she wanted to read it and to Brooke Halliwell who then edited the original ebook version. Thanks especially to the editors who took over this project and brought it to print: Rachael Donovan, Laurie Ormond and Chrysoula Aiello and Annabel Blay. It was such a pleasure to work with all of you.
I’d also like to shout out to the Reid family who ran the horseriding camp I attended as a teenager, Seamist Palomino Stud near Anglesea—my inspiration for CoalCliff. And to Shelley and Paul at Buckle Up Bushrides in Merrijig, who put on an amazing four-day ride and answered many questions and made me remember just how special riding through the bush can be. And thank you to Daniel de Lorne and his hubby, Doctor Glen Lo, for their help and advice on the medical side of things. I really appreciate it – you’re the best!
To Liz: even though you left us early this year, you will always be in my work and I will treasure your presence in my life always.
Finally, my darling Helen Mardi Petrou. Even as you were losing your battle, you listened and hoped and talked about the future and helped me work through the knotty bits as you always did, with clarity and laughter and that piercing intelligence. I will forever miss being able to do that with you, but want you to know there are parts in this book that are most definitely you. Love you. Tomato hoppy frog.