Let international bestselling author Colleen McCullough sweep you away with this enthralling, evocative and emotional saga of one woman''s quest to come to terms with a new life. If you like Victoria Hislop, Lucinda Riley and Fiona Valpy, you''ll love this!

''Fast-moving and immensely readable... Back to the open spaces, merciless climate and sheer pioneering stance of the magical THE THORN BIRDS, this book is a page turner from start to finish'' -- Maeve Binchy
''A compelling, passionate and gritty saga that was well worth the wait'' -- She
''A powerful saga'' -- Mirror
''Absorbing'' -- Sunday Telegraph
''I could put this book down. I was consumed with it'' -- ***** Reader review
''This book is utterly compelling and quite simply, I loved it. I wanted to finish it, but, didn''t want it to end. Beautifully written, descriptive passages. A truly Master author. Thank you'' -- ***** Reader review
''One of the best reads I''ve had in years'' -- ***** Reader review
''Thoroughly loved this book, I was hooked from the first page!'' -- ***** Reader review

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Alexander Kinross is remembered in his native Scotland only as a shiftless boilermaker''s apprentice. But when he writes from Australia to summon his bride, his relatives realize he is now a man to be reckoned with.

Arriving in Sydney after a difficult voyage, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Drummond meets her husband-to-be and discovers that he frightens and repels her.

Isolated in Alexander''s great house, Elizabeth finds that marriage does not prompt her husband to enlighten her about his past life - nor his present one, in which his mistress, the sensuous, tough, outspoken Ruby Costevan, still plays a part...

Will she be able to forge a happy new life in this new world?