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A Kind Of Magic
Rosie already knew the sort of man she wanted to marry—and Fergus Cameron couldn't be further from that ideal! Arrogant and determined to always get his own way, he was much too sure of himself for Rosie's peace of mind.
Yet he had also made it clear that he, too, had decided on the girl he wanted to marry…but did his plans include her? Only time would tell
Yet he had also made it clear that he, too, had decided on the girl he wanted to marry…but did his plans include her? Only time would tell
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1992
108 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Betty Neels
580 books419 followersEvelyn Jessy "Betty" Neels was born on September 15, 1910 in Devon to a family with firm roots in the civil service. She said she had a blissfully happy childhood and teenage years.(This stood her in good stead later for the tribulations to come with the Second World War). She was sent away to boarding school, and then went on to train as a nurse, gaining her SRN and SCM, that is, State Registered Nurse and State Certificate of Midwifery.
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
In 1939 she was called up to the Territorial Army Nursing Service, which later became the Queen Alexandra Reserves, and was sent to France with the Casualty Clearing Station. This comprised eight nursing sisters, including Betty, to 100 men! In other circumstances, she thought that might have been quite thrilling! When France was invaded in 1940, all the nursing sisters managed to escape in the charge of an army major, undertaking a lengthy and terrifying journey to Boulogne in an ambulance. They were incredibly fortunate to be put on the last hospital ship to be leaving the port of Boulogne. But Betty's war didn't end there, for she was posted to Scotland, and then on to Northern Ireland, where she met her Dutch husband. He was a seaman aboard a minesweeper, which was bombed. He survived and was sent to the south of Holland to guard the sluices. However, when they had to abandon their post, they were told to escape if they could, and along with a small number of other men, he marched into Belgium. They stole a ship and managed to get it across the Channel to Dover before being transferred to the Atlantic run on the convoys. Sadly he became ill, and that was when he was transferred to hospital in Northern Ireland, where he met Betty. They eventually married, and were blessed with a daughter. They were posted to London, but were bombed out. As with most of the population, they made the best of things.
When the war finally ended, she and her husband were repatriated to Holland. As his family had believed he had died when his ship went down, this was a very emotional homecoming. The small family lived in Holland for 13 years, and Betty resumed her nursing career there. When they decided to return to England, Betty continued her nursing and when she eventually retired she had reached the position of night superintendent.
Betty Neels began writing almost by accident. She had retired from nursing, but her inquiring mind had no intention of vegetating, and her new career was born when she heard a lady in her local library bemoaning the lack of good romance novels. There was little in Betty's background to suggest that she might eventually become a much-loved novelist.
Her first book, Sister Peters in Amsterdam, was published in 1969, and by dint of often writing four books a year, she eventually completed 134 books. She was always quite firm upon the point that the Dutch doctors who frequently appeared in her stories were *not* based upon her husband, but rather upon an amalgam of several of the doctors she met while nursing in Holland.
To her millions of fans around the world, Betty Neels epitomized romance. She was always amazed and touched that her books were so widely appreciated. She never sought plaudits and remained a very private person, but it made her very happy to know that she brought such pleasure to so many readers, while herself gaining a quiet joy from spinning her stories. It is perhaps a reflection of her upbringing in an earlier time that the men and women who peopled her stories have a kindliness and good manners, coupled to honesty and integrity, that is not always present in our modern world. Her myriad of fans found a warmth and a reassurance of a better world in her stories, along with characters who touched the heart, which is all and more than one could ask of a romance writer. She received a great deal of fan mail, and there was always a comment upon the fascinating places she visited in her stories. Quite often those of her fans fortunate enough to visit Ho
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March 22, 2024I think this is my favourite BN so far. I cannot help being biased towards the irresistible Scotland setting.
While the male MC is in the usual aloof BN-mould (despite being a rich Scottish doctor instead of a Dutch one), he is less high-handed and patronising than most, that's a big plus. :)
While the male MC is in the usual aloof BN-mould (despite being a rich Scottish doctor instead of a Dutch one), he is less high-handed and patronising than most, that's a big plus. :)
October 21, 2020
This is the one set in Scotland, with the memorably irascible granny. A huge part of BN's appeal for me is the warmly drawn secondary characters that grace her best books, and this one is no exception. Rosie has a loving family, so not one of BN's lonely waifs, and she's pretty and confident and mostly a match for the RSD (Rich Scottish Doctor) hero, Fergus. Like many an BN hero before him, Fergus plays his cards close to his chest, keeping the heroine off kilter--and she does some very silly things as a result (like pretending she's almost engaged to someone else). All the usual tropes wrapped up in a slightly different setting with engaging characters--it's a marvel La Neels managed to pull off so many similar books and yet keep readers like me coming back for more. Comforting and idealized and a nice stop along my journey to read all of BN's impressive catalog.
June 22, 2023
Rather delightful! And the Scottish setting is superb.
March 15, 2015
I've recently begun reading the books by Betty Neels. They do tend to follow a formula but what I enjoy is her gift for making each of her characters likeable. Most of the stories seem to involve a hospital setting with a nurse and a doctor/surgeon/visiting consultant. This story gets away from that. Okay, the hero, Sir Fergus Cameron turns out to be consultant/professor who travels a good bit. When he meets the heroine, he is filling in for the regular doctor when the heroine's grandmother hurts her ankle on a trip to the Scottish Highlands. That's another difference. Most of this story involves Rosie MacDonald's family's return to their home in the Scottish Highlands after six difficult years in England.
The romance develops gradually after the initial meeting. Rosie takes an instant dislike to his manner when she answers for her grandmother when he is asking questions. As he tells her later, she is somewhat "prickly". But he perseveres.
I found their bickering amusing. It's very real. They are attracted to each other but Rosie has her guard up. It helps that we know what each are thinking rather than just reading what they say to each other.
She's received and turned down marriage proposals in the past and would like to marry a man who loves her. But she speaks her mind and it will take a strong man not to be put off by her straightforward ways. As one young doctor tells Sir Fergus - he wouldn't think of marrying her, as much as he enjoys her company, she argues too much.
This is at the top of my list of favorite Betty Neels stories, along with A Girl to Love, Two Weeks to Remember and The Quiet Professor.
The romance develops gradually after the initial meeting. Rosie takes an instant dislike to his manner when she answers for her grandmother when he is asking questions. As he tells her later, she is somewhat "prickly". But he perseveres.
I found their bickering amusing. It's very real. They are attracted to each other but Rosie has her guard up. It helps that we know what each are thinking rather than just reading what they say to each other.
She's received and turned down marriage proposals in the past and would like to marry a man who loves her. But she speaks her mind and it will take a strong man not to be put off by her straightforward ways. As one young doctor tells Sir Fergus - he wouldn't think of marrying her, as much as he enjoys her company, she argues too much.
This is at the top of my list of favorite Betty Neels stories, along with A Girl to Love, Two Weeks to Remember and The Quiet Professor.
May 7, 2021
Lovely story of a young girl, (not a nurse lol), and a Dr. who meet in the Scottish Highlands. Rosie and Fergus are both quite likable, though they don't take to each other right off. I enjoyed watching their friendship develop into love. I also liked Rosie's crabby grandmother, who provides much of the tension in this story. but most of all I loved the descriptions of the Highlands - the mountains and hills, lochs and marshes, the rain and the night sky. This is the most setting-rich of Neels books that I've read, and I loved every minute of it. No wonder Rosie and Fergus' families love their home so much. The author made it sound wonderful. :)
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
NB - If you enjoy Neel's books join the conversation at the GR group Betty Neels Junkies. See you there!
April 13, 2014
This was an okay read by Betty, but definitely not one of her cornerstones.
The heroine was sweet and impulsive. The hero a little brusque at times, but likable. Unlike her earlier work, you get to know his POV quite early on. A great travelogue of Scotland and that point alone made it worth reading.
The heroine was sweet and impulsive. The hero a little brusque at times, but likable. Unlike her earlier work, you get to know his POV quite early on. A great travelogue of Scotland and that point alone made it worth reading.
November 15, 2016
A lovely book from TGB. Fergus (NOT the typical romantic hero name ) actually was fairly clear about his feelings for Rosie, going out of his way to see her whenever possible. Rosie is the weak spot, IMO, seeming a bit immature at times. However, the travelogue bits about Scotland are so wonderful (the cover of my version shows the Hogwarts Express viaduct - okay, the Glenfinnan Viaduct) and serves almost as a character in the story.
******reread November 2016******
In the beginning, Rosie MacDonald is living with her mother and father in Wiltshire, far from her beloved Highlands. Her father lost most of his capital through a bad investment and he turned the family home over to his brother.
Rosie's grandmother is an important character in the story. She is autocratic, demanding and spoilt. She decides to take a train tour of Scotland (no doubt the Belmond Royal) and "requests" that Rosie accompany her. She basically wants an unpaid servant to attend her and fetch and carry. But Rosie agrees, taking leave from her job as a clerk-typist in a law office, which she hates.
During the tour, Mrs. MacDonald suffers a fall and sprains her ankle. The local doctor is called, but
******reread November 2016******
In the beginning, Rosie MacDonald is living with her mother and father in Wiltshire, far from her beloved Highlands. Her father lost most of his capital through a bad investment and he turned the family home over to his brother.
Rosie's grandmother is an important character in the story. She is autocratic, demanding and spoilt. She decides to take a train tour of Scotland (no doubt the Belmond Royal) and "requests" that Rosie accompany her. She basically wants an unpaid servant to attend her and fetch and carry. But Rosie agrees, taking leave from her job as a clerk-typist in a law office, which she hates.
During the tour, Mrs. MacDonald suffers a fall and sprains her ankle. The local doctor is called, but
April 10, 2021
Like the Queen' song This one is a Kind of Magic it mostly set in the Highland of Scotland having been there made the story even nicer
Like Betty Neels Novel you know what will happen but getting from A to C the B route takes you around with lovely descriptions & story lines so you want to know how it happens
Like Betty Neels Novel you know what will happen but getting from A to C the B route takes you around with lovely descriptions & story lines so you want to know how it happens
July 22, 2025
Not one of BN bests. It’s one of those gruff doctor decides he’s interested in the FMC, but when asked if he is married says ‘I hope to be so soon’ in the most vague way ever. And then he is surprised that she doesn’t openly express romantic interest in him.
On the other hand, I did enjoy the Scotland setting.
On the other hand, I did enjoy the Scotland setting.
November 9, 2022
My first unfinished Betty Neels! Which is really too bad because Betty went out on a limb with this one. The gal was pretty (!!!) and didn't work anywhere near a hospital, and this time the doctor was Scottish, not Dutch!
Sorry for all the exclamation points, but if you read more than one Betty Neels, you will understand my astonishment. Unfortunately, this book was like going on a trip to Scotland (good) with an crotchety old woman (bad), with the doctor just kind of in the background, and the romance practically nonexistent. I think there was a faint attempt at the enemies-to-lovers trope, but even that was muted. By 51% I realized I didn't care about these two, and I was ready to euthanize Granny.
Sorry for all the exclamation points, but if you read more than one Betty Neels, you will understand my astonishment. Unfortunately, this book was like going on a trip to Scotland (good) with an crotchety old woman (bad), with the doctor just kind of in the background, and the romance practically nonexistent. I think there was a faint attempt at the enemies-to-lovers trope, but even that was muted. By 51% I realized I didn't care about these two, and I was ready to euthanize Granny.
September 8, 2012
What can I say? Betty Neels wrote gentle, somewhat traditional love stories. The setting was interesting - highlands of Scotland. Although the characters were typical wealthy male & deserving female there was an attempt at inserting a greater spark of independence in the female character.
Still it was a sweet read & someday I hope to travel in that area :-)
Still it was a sweet read & someday I hope to travel in that area :-)
April 22, 2013
A quick read...an old fashioned love story....Fergus was a bit abrupt and came across as stuffy....Rosie was more likeable...her patience with granny was almost saintly...I would have lost mine a long time ago...the author painted a lovely picture of small scottish life...especially enjoyed when she wrote about food...could go for a nice high tea.
January 14, 2023
A very sweet story. Nothing violent, gaudy, or over-rated. I love how both main characters are at both in love and confused at the same time. This is quite refreshing since Betty Neels has a habit of making the male protagonist all knowing and the female without a clue. Just a simple love story to enjoy over a cup of coffee or cocoa on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
June 13, 2011
This book was very charming. I didn't really feel the spark between the characters and certain things could have been concluded better but nevertheless it was a good read and left me with a smile on my face.
Sir Fergus Cameron was a gem of a character.
Sir Fergus Cameron was a gem of a character.
August 21, 2012
Have read several of books by this author and they are great, easy, clean, reads. The same basic story line in all I have read so far but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying each one. Light and easy with HEA.
September 25, 2009
Modern
June 1, 2012
I liked this book!
October 28, 2012
Classic Neels, slight twist on location (Scotland) and the nationality of the families involved and the level of independence of the female lead.
April 8, 2013
I really love this author and enjoy the simple and wholesome stories.
July 10, 2013
Betty Neels is always just what the doctor ordered.
January 2, 2015
Sweet story about returning to your childhood home and finding love.
April 16, 2015
3.5 stars
December 6, 2015
Loved! Great setting. Adorable characters. Cute story!
December 7, 2016
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
August 22, 2019
Typical Betty Neels Story
Not really interesting or exciting, other than lovely descriptions of food, clothing and scenery. If you are a Neels fan, you'll enjoy.
Not really interesting or exciting, other than lovely descriptions of food, clothing and scenery. If you are a Neels fan, you'll enjoy.
August 6, 2013
Nice book. Also a nice change having it set in Scotland rather than holland.
January 9, 2018
OMG a Scottish hero and heroine, set in the Scottish Highlands?! Love it all!
I was really disappointed Rosie's train holiday with her granny through the Scottish Highlands was curtailed, but it was how they met Dr Cameron. Turned out he was Sir Fergus Cameron! A renowned orthopaedic surgeon in the UK and Europe.
Rosie's grandmother was such a difficult woman, and it says a lot about Fergus' charms that he was always able to please her and still get his way.
His oblique references to his future wife were so transparent to us but Rosie just got more miserable. As she liked him more and more, she also realised he's getting further and further from her reach. Her childish story of her and Dr Douglas served to make things more embarrassing but funny to us!
I liked that Fergus recognised his feelings for Rosie early, but just that he wanted her to willingly fall into his waiting hands like a ripe fruit without any coercion from him...wise or arrogant?
It was so delightful to read about Rosie's ancestral home and the surroundings. Their walks around the lochs and moors were vividly described. Fergus' ancestral homes sounded gorgeous too!
Love this book!
I was really disappointed Rosie's train holiday with her granny through the Scottish Highlands was curtailed, but it was how they met Dr Cameron. Turned out he was Sir Fergus Cameron! A renowned orthopaedic surgeon in the UK and Europe.
Rosie's grandmother was such a difficult woman, and it says a lot about Fergus' charms that he was always able to please her and still get his way.
His oblique references to his future wife were so transparent to us but Rosie just got more miserable. As she liked him more and more, she also realised he's getting further and further from her reach. Her childish story of her and Dr Douglas served to make things more embarrassing but funny to us!
I liked that Fergus recognised his feelings for Rosie early, but just that he wanted her to willingly fall into his waiting hands like a ripe fruit without any coercion from him...wise or arrogant?
It was so delightful to read about Rosie's ancestral home and the surroundings. Their walks around the lochs and moors were vividly described. Fergus' ancestral homes sounded gorgeous too!
Love this book!
September 28, 2024
While reading this book, my dawning realisation about the heroine in this story and almost all other BN heroines, is that they have so much potential and are instead left there to their own devices to be smothered in the mundane chores of daily life. No wonder most of them are close to hysteria, they’re forced to stifle their passions and potentials and stuff their minds into the narrow boxes allotted to them. This more than anything contributes to the angst and tension one feels throughout. The heroine in this one is no exception, she’s a beautiful, bright capable girl whose life is so narrow compared to the hero’s, and still the idiot hero coyly leads her on to suppose there’s another woman he’s contemplating to marry and still has the cheek to berate her as to why she worked herself up into supposing there were other women in his life. This, after taking another girl to a ball. « Eye roll »
This one was one of the unsatisfactory ones because at the end I felt sorry for the poor girl who’s obviously so overwrought with boredom that when he finally deigns to propose she’s overcome with relief and gratitude.
This one was one of the unsatisfactory ones because at the end I felt sorry for the poor girl who’s obviously so overwrought with boredom that when he finally deigns to propose she’s overcome with relief and gratitude.
November 11, 2025
I understand I am stepping into a world of books I am not acquainted with here, but why does the author seems to have more interest in literally everything else in the book apart from the lackluster romance in the middle? You best believe we heard more of her demanding grandmother, the various cafes and restaurants, and even the cars and roads of Scotland than we did them 'falling' for each other.
Yeah Fergus, you told her you expected to be married soon, of course she didn't leap to the conclusion you were talking about her? because that would be mad.
Yeah Fergus, you told her you expected to be married soon, of course she didn't leap to the conclusion you were talking about her? because that would be mad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2023
This was one of the few boring novels of Betty neels.Usually I find her books to bring feel good factor but this book was a drag fest. Both H and h were boring. The h had a negative opinion on H from the beginning. I really couldn't understand how they fell in love when they neither worked together nor stayed close by.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews