A Kind of Magic

A Kind of Magic by Betty Neels, 1992 Harlequin

    Rosie MacDonald and her parents left their family home in the Scottish Highlands to "Uncle Donald" after Mr. MacDonald realized an unfortunate investment. The family is living in Wiltshire when Rosie's grandmother demands the young lady accompany her on a rail tour of the highlands. 

     Eager for a vacation and a glimpse of her old stomping grounds, Rosie consents to her domineering grandmother's demands. Rosie plans the time as a break for her aunt who normally cares for her grandmother. Mrs. MacDonald demands the constant attendance and exacting standards of those who care for her. 

     When her grandmother sprains her ankle at their first stop Rosie and Mrs. MacDonald must allow their new acquaintances on the train to move on without them. The local doctor has several responsibilities and has received assistance from Fergus Cameron. 

     Mrs. MacDonald finds the youngish doctor to be competent despite the dislike between Rosie and the doctor. Fergus doesn't reveal to Rosie or her grandmother this renown in the medical world. Fergus takes every chance he gets to visit with the young lady, even going so far as to bring her along with him when he examines her Uncle Donald. 

     With her grandmother's recovery and Uncle Donald's death, the MacDonald family returns to their home allowing Fergus to further his suit with the unsuspecting Rosie. 

     More passionate than her earlier novels,  A Kind of Magic follows the meeting of independent Rosie and strong-willed Fergus as they grow toward each other in a true Neels romance. 

Fate Is Remarkable

Fate is Remarkable by Betty Neels, 1970 Harlequin

     Sara Dunn is Sister in a London hospital. She works well with consulting Doctor Hugo van Elven in Outpatients. The doctor is a handsome man, rumored to be mourning an old flame and Sara is focused on her career and the young surgical registrar she's been seeing. When one of their respiratory patients and her cat need caring for after surgery and in her few remaining weeks the doctor uses the opportunity to orchestrate time with the pretty young nurse.
     Sarah is seeing the surgical registrar, Steven, who has a big announcement, however, it isn't what Sarah expects. When Steven announces his engagement to the daughter of a surgical consultant, Doctor van Elven attempts to distract Sarah from the breakup. She is more than happy to help their patient redecorate for her remaining time.
     The doctor continues to woo Sister Sarah as he continues to fall in love with her. When he proposes he cites mutual liking but Sarah challenges a marriage without love. She agrees to the pairing but questions whether the doctor is still caught on his former flame crowd in on her happiness.
     Hugo and Sarah develop a life together without the traditional romance. The more she learns about her new husband the more Sarah years for the spark. When his former girlfriend shows up, Sarah realizes just her deep her feelings run, and how far she is willing to go to make him happy.
     Sarah and Hugo get their happy ending in true Betty Neels form. Some bumps along the way make the journey worth the wait. Though Sarah and Hugo deal with loss and some tense situations, Fate is Remarkable is a good read for younger readers and an enjoyable romance for any age.

Wish with the Candles

 Wish with the Candles by Betty Neels, 1972 Harlequin

     Emma Hastings is on vacation with her mother in Holland when she bumps (literally) into Professor Justin Teylingen's Rolls Royce. His disdain for the family's questionably reliable little car sets the association between Emma and the professor on its side, but he takes the opportunity to do the English ladies a good turn. Professor Teylingen suggests a garage in their next overnight to "change a plug" and a concert to Emma and her mother to while away the time - where he arranges to make tickets close to his party coincidentally affordable. The vacation is a success and Emma is attracted to the well-heeled man despite the fender-bender. 

     The Hastings women return to England--Mrs. Hastings to her little home in the country and Emma to her nursing position in a Southampton hospital. Acting as Theatre Sister she enjoys her work and has reasonable prospects, but she is surprised when the visiting surgeon is the handsome Dutch professor. Emma's budding hopes of some kind of relationship are trampled when he seems to show more interest in her prettier younger sister. 

     Between her friendly relationship with the men of the hospital and the interest in her vibrant younger sister Emma is blindsided by her feelings for the professor and frets that he is interested in something more significant with the younger girl. The professor is invited to join the Hastings women in the country: an invitation from Mrs. Hastings presented by her younger daughter. 

     In the country Emma is at the center of the local happenings when she finds one of her elderly neighbors has fallen into a disused well on her property. The rescue paints Emma favorably and helps the professor in his attempts at a romantic gesture. However, when given a chance at an actual date with the man of her dreams Emma cries off: she doesn't feel well. The professor mocks her but is startled when she nearly collapses during surgery the next day. 

     After an appendectomy the professor is apologetic and offers, practically insists that Emma recover at his home in Holland. Emma agrees and is escorted by her younger sister as nursemaid and companion. Justin's aunt Wilhelmina and gorgeous cousin Saskia live at the family home and he leaves the Hastings girls in their care as he continues his work. Wilhelmina does not appreciate that her nephew has invited eligible young women into their home and strongly suggests to Emma that he and his cousin have strong feelings for each other. 

     Emma flees. She has realized she loves Justin and cannot stand the thought of being a charity case or being let down easily. Justin realizes what has happened and, after clearly setting boundaries with his aunt, follows Emma home. In true Neels fashion the conflict is resolved and love conquers all. 

     

A Star Looks Down

A Star Looks Down by Betty Neels, 1975 Harlequin Romance

     Elizabeth Partridge works as Staff Nurse at a busy London hospital preparing patients for surgery and releasing them to Recovery. Beth is a plain girl with a younger brother to support and is intent on giving her brother his best chance.
     When William introduces her to a visiting professor Beth is amused by the reverence her brother treats him to. Professor Alexander Van Zeust is a kind man in his later thirties to Beth's fresh-faced twenties but a handsome man, nonetheless. When the professor's sister is hospitalized for appendicitis he seeks out Beth to care for his four nieces and nephews.
     Beth and the children get on, but when one week turns to three, turns to five Beth finds herself falling for the kind doctor and his family. The professor, his sister, and her children invite Beth to his country home, near where she grew up; and later to their home in Holland.
     When disaster strikes and the professor discovers Beth, as unsuitable as she believes, has fallen in love Beth decides there's nothing to be done and returns to England. Whether the professor follows her or not, Beth has made up her mind and is waiting for Alexander to change it.
     Betty Neels wrote simple love stories with predictable plots, A Star Looks Down is a refreshingly unique installment full of old-fashioned romance. Suitable for readers of romance of all ages Beth's story is a new variation of the same, favorite melody.

A Girl to Love

A Girl to Love by Betty Neels, 1982 Harlequin Romance

     For several years Sadie Gillard had cared for her invalid grandmother, and when her grandmother dies Saide is left with nothing to her name. Her grandmother has mortgaged the house to pay for their lives and the cottage must be sold to pay the debts. Sadie makes plans to find a job as a mother's help or household help to make a living.
     The cottage is sold to a television writer who uses the cottage as a writing retreat. Sadie's solicitor secures the position of housekeeper for her allowing the young woman to live and work in her own home. The man is a widower with two small daughters. Mr. Oliver Trentham brings his daughters to the cottage Sadie is concerned the girls are too quiet and fearful of their father. The girls' governess, Miss Murch, does not approve of Sadie or how she interacts with Anna and Julie, and Miss Murch strives to paint Sadie in the worst possible light.
     Mr. Trentham notices that his daughters are not as he imagines children should be and catches Miss Murch as she plots to Sadie's face. Mr. Trenham releases Miss Murch from her position and Sadie takes on the role of governess in addition to her housekeeping.
     Sadie falls for the two children and joins them when the little family goes back to London. In London, Mr. Trentham takes the advice of his daughters and dates "pretty ladies" to find a new wife. Sadie discovers feelings she wasn't expecting and the dates begin to rankle.
     In true Betty fashion, the story is a sweet old-fashioned romance suitable for readers of all ages. Trentham is a television writer and somewhat neglectful father and Sadie is the answer to their unasked question.

All Else Confusion

All Else Confusion by Betty Neels, 1982 Harlequin

     Annis is from a large family full of love. When her childhood friend introduces her to Jake Royle she cannot stand the man. Jake likes the pretty girl and maneuvers to get her a position as companion to his godmother. Annis adores the old woman and in the few weeks she cares for the woman she develops a strong rapport.
     Jake Royle and his godmother do not reveal to Annis that she is dying. An over-excited and over-filled schedule reveal it to Annis as the lovely old woman dies. Jake asks Annis to stay on and help him settle the last things and after a couple weeks of companionship Jake asks her to marry him.
     Annis realizes she loves the financial mogul desptie his wealth and the arrogance it gives him. Knowing he may never return her feelings to teh same degree, the young woman agrees. Their marriage starts on a good foot - Annis gets along with Jake's family and housekeeper, she fits into his life easily.
     But some time through their honeymoon Jake's business interrupts a peaceful vacation and Annis begins to doubt how well she can love a man who shows no inclination to love her back. When Jake suggests she stay with her family in the country rather than their flat in London his new wife despairs of their marriage becoming anything more.
     Annis and Jake Royle must decide if tehir marriage is to continue when one loves the other withotu any hope of reciprication. The pair travel to more exotic locations than many of Betty Neels's characters: Spain and Italy rather than her usual Dutch excursions, but like most of her stories, Betty's characters hold with her old-fashioned values.

Britannia All at Sea

Britannia All at Sea by Betty Neels, 1978 Harlequin

     When the important consulting doctor interrupts her supporting one of her nurses Staff Nurse Britannia Smith sends him back to the ward like a misbehaving child. Professor Jake Luitingh van Thien doesn't appear to like the Staff Nurse - while he is kind to the rest of the staff he is cold and shows no emotion to the splendidly built young woman. Despite his lack of encouragement Britannia decides she will marry him.
     She doesn't have much chance to nurture their romance when the Dutch professor returns to Holland. But when a close friend invites Britannia along on a visit with her godparents, Britannia accepts it as a sign from the Fates and joins. She has no definite plan to forward their relationship, but that doesn't stop Britannia from hoping.
      Britannia and her friend are surprised when the professor appears across their cycling path one day. When her friend accepts a proposal from a young man she meets at her godparents' Britannia is given the opportunity to spend more time with the doctor.
     Jake invites her to see his Dutch hospital and he and Britannia spend significant time together. Their association is progressing as Britannia hopes, until she meets Madeleine de Venz. Madeleine is beautiful and sophisticated, coming from the professor's background, and has plans to marry the rich and handsome doctor.
     The English nurse is swamped with feelings of inadequacy when she contemplates stepping between the professor and what she believes to be his best interests. Will Britannia marry her handsome doctor, or is the idea of love at first sight an illusion?
     We follow another of Betty Neels's nurses as she attempts to find love despite her own inclinations and her chosen man's temperament. Readers of all ages looking for clean romance will enjoy another of Neels's stories.

No Need to Say Goodbye

No Need to Say Goodbye by Betty Neels, 1989 Harlequin Romance

     Louise Payne is Night Sister in a busy London hospital in charge of her three younger siblings: Zoe, Michael, and Christine. Dr. Aldo van der Linden is a consultant in the hospital. When their landlord sells their building, Louise is worried their family will have nowhere to go, but their father's estranged sister leaves Louise her home and the small family has a place to land.
   Upon moving into Ivy Cottage in the little town of Much Hadham Louise and her little family discover Dr. van der Linden lives just blocks away. Louise finds a new position at a nearby hospital, which falls through, urging her to accept a  position as Dr. van der Linden's nurse.
     Louise is blind to the doctor's attention, seeing it directed at her vivacious younger sister. She tries to convince herself she supports a marriage between Aldo and Zoe, but something keeps bringing Louise down when she imagines her sister marrying the doctor. When she has an opportunity to meet his family, Louise thinks Aldo is vying for her support of his marriage and realizes she loves the frustrating doctor.
     In a boy-meets-girl style, Neels introduces the reader to a female character believing the man in her life is in love with someone else, all the while wishing he will love her. Louise finally realizes her own feelings only to be dunked in guilt at ruining what she hopes is her younger sister's chance at happiness. No Need to Say Goodbye is appropriate for readers of all ages; a good clean romance.

The Course of True Love

The Course of True Love by Betty Neels, 1988 Harlequin

     Claribel Brown was waiting for the bus when she was knocked off the sidewalk and injured her ankle. Fortunately Dr. Marc van Borsele was driving past and helps the young woman home and checks her ankle. When she meets him again at the hospital where she works as a physiologist Claribel is annoyed by the arrogant doctor.
     Marc helps Claribel get home to her family's country home, but on the way the two encounter a terrible car accident. A young girl who simply must return to her parents before they discover she was out with a boy-friend latches on to the doctor. Young Irma flirts and makes a nuisance of herself as Claribel and Marc give her a ride home.
     Though Marc and Claribel continue to see each other, the girl returns repetitively, first visiting Marc at hospital. Later following him about town, and she even appears at his home. When Marc asks her for to participate in a false engagement to hold off the other girl Claribel is at first vehemently opposed. Eventually she gives in and the visits for a snack after work become elaborate visits to popular nightspots. Claribel wears his great-grandmother's ring and flashes it about as Irma follows the couple around town.
     When Irma is relentless. In a last ditch effort to convince her Marc is beyond her reach he invites Claribel to his home in Holland. When Irma follows them it appears to Claribel Irma's attempts to draw Marc from their engagement are succeeding and she wishes the fake engagement was real.
     Like any good romance The Course of True Love includes a dashing hero, clueless heroine, the evil stalker, and an international vacation to bring the two lead characters together. Claribel Brown and Marc van Borsele find a grudging friendship and a little something more. Appropriate for romance readers of all ages, this story is a quick and quirky read.

A Girl Named Rose

A Girl Named Rose by Betty Neels, 1986 Harlequin

     When Rose and her friend are lost in Amsterdam and a storm breaks, what do they do? Well, the only thing to do is obviously knock on the nearest door. It is standing in this door that Rose meets the eminent surgeonSybren Werdmer ter Sane. Not only did the meeting lead the girls in the right direction, but it changed the course of Rose's life.
   The doctor suggests a job nursing his godson, and Rose takes the opportunity. She grows to love her new life, and the man who made it possible. But will he ever see Rose as more than the lost girl on his doorstep?
     Betty Neels' novels are tender stories about the simplicity of new love. A Girl Named Rose takes place mainly in Holland and is an enjoyable read for any romance reader.

Waiting for Deborah

Waiting for Deborah by Betty Neels, 2012 Harlequin

     Originally published in 1994, Waiting for Deborah tells the story of a young British woman whose stepfather has recently died and her step-brother and -sister have pushed her out of her home. In her quest for independence, Deborah meets Dr. James Marlow at a job nursing an elderly woman recuperating from a stroke and is slowly taken in by his kindness and concern.  Things don't go well with her haughty employer and, when the patient is well enough, Deborah is dismissed to find another job.
     As she moves from job to job, Dr. Marlow is always there, somehow in the background and picking her up when things go wrong. But as Deborah falls for the brooding doctor, she begins to wonder whether what he feels for her is a romantic passion or the concern for a lost puppy.
     Like many of Betty Neels' books, Waiting for Deborah focuses on the romance of the relationship between Deborah and Dr. Marlow. Unlike more modern stories, the most mature content is "he kissed her hard" as Neels focuses on what connects the two. It is a suitable choice for younger readers looking for romance without the risque content of more recent romance novels.