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Castle Thunderbird
When Noel took a job as companion to the teenage ward of rich Gerard de Freer in a fairytale Austrian castle, she had expected to be able to cope with a rebellious sixteen-year-old. But the real problem turned out to be Gerard's difficult, jealous housekeeper, Harriet Raynes
Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
About the author
Susan Barrie
51 books7 followersOne of many pseudonyms used by Ida Julia Pollock, née Crowe.
Mrs. Pollack was a British writer of several short-stories and 125 romance novels that were published under her married name and under a number of different pseudonyms: Joan M. Allen; Susan Barrie, Pamela Kent, Averil Ives, Anita Charles, Barbara Rowan, Jane Beaufort, Rose Burghley, Mary Whistler and Marguerite Bell. She has sold millions of copies over her 90-year career. She has been referred to as the "world's oldest novelist" who was still active at 105 and continued writing until her death.
Ida and her husband, Lt Colonel Hugh Alexander Pollock, DSO (1888–1971), a veteran of war and Winston Churchill's collaborator and editor, had a daughter, Rosemary Pollock, who is also a romance writer.
Mrs. Pollack was a British writer of several short-stories and 125 romance novels that were published under her married name and under a number of different pseudonyms: Joan M. Allen; Susan Barrie, Pamela Kent, Averil Ives, Anita Charles, Barbara Rowan, Jane Beaufort, Rose Burghley, Mary Whistler and Marguerite Bell. She has sold millions of copies over her 90-year career. She has been referred to as the "world's oldest novelist" who was still active at 105 and continued writing until her death.
Ida and her husband, Lt Colonel Hugh Alexander Pollock, DSO (1888–1971), a veteran of war and Winston Churchill's collaborator and editor, had a daughter, Rosemary Pollock, who is also a romance writer.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 17, 2013
3 Stars ~ Noel is a very attractive young woman who after the death of her uncle is now alone in the world. She arrives in London, and begins to look for employment and finding an ad for a companion to a teenage girl, she immediately applies. Gerard had accepted his role of guardian to Clia but now that she's 17, he's at a loss on how to proceed. One look at Noel and he's certain he's found the right woman to be Clia's role model. Hired, Noel finds herself off to Austria where she'll be staying with Clia and Gerard's housekeeper, Hilary, whom Gerard seems to admire tremendously. Right from the moment she arrives, she is aware that Hilary is off balance and requires kid glove treatment. And when Gerard arrives as well for a few weeks, it's obvious that Hilary has her claws in him.
This originally started as 2 1/2 Stars, but as I began writing my review, I realized that I actually found this a charming read, even though it was rather silly in places. Gerard is written as the tough hero with a tender side, but his acceptance of Hilary's bizarre behaviour lessens him as a hero. It is rather annoying that the reason he kept Hilary on isn't really given in a satisfying way. Noel is a strong heroine, she's smart and tremendously beautiful, and not at all conceited with it. The chemistry between Gerard and Noel barely gets started and wam, we're at the HEA. The evil other woman was scarey in a psychotic sort of way. That witch needed a trip to the white coat resort. While not a book for the reread shelf, this was entertaining in a OTT sort of way.
This originally started as 2 1/2 Stars, but as I began writing my review, I realized that I actually found this a charming read, even though it was rather silly in places. Gerard is written as the tough hero with a tender side, but his acceptance of Hilary's bizarre behaviour lessens him as a hero. It is rather annoying that the reason he kept Hilary on isn't really given in a satisfying way. Noel is a strong heroine, she's smart and tremendously beautiful, and not at all conceited with it. The chemistry between Gerard and Noel barely gets started and wam, we're at the HEA. The evil other woman was scarey in a psychotic sort of way. That witch needed a trip to the white coat resort. While not a book for the reread shelf, this was entertaining in a OTT sort of way.
July 12, 2012
A classic governess tale with the heroine Noel travelling to Austria to be a companion to the sixteen year old ward of the hero Gerard de Freer. In a fairytale Austrian Castle.
The fly in the ointment is the bad tempered old friend of the family Harriet. She is Gerard's housekeeper and the bane of the servants lives. Her ambitions are clear and of course young Noel is immediately singled out for trouble.
Add in some other gentlemen who seem rather quicker to appreciate the attractive young heroine and we have plenty of misunderstandings and hurt pride and feelings. Until Harriet carries her jealous temper too far.
Another lovely sweet story from a favourite vintage author.
The fly in the ointment is the bad tempered old friend of the family Harriet. She is Gerard's housekeeper and the bane of the servants lives. Her ambitions are clear and of course young Noel is immediately singled out for trouble.
Add in some other gentlemen who seem rather quicker to appreciate the attractive young heroine and we have plenty of misunderstandings and hurt pride and feelings. Until Harriet carries her jealous temper too far.
Another lovely sweet story from a favourite vintage author.
June 14, 2024
Very vintage, vintage with a really crazy OW!! We didn't get to see her get her comeuppance though!!
June 15, 2021
A nice clean romance based in Austria. The fairytale ambience is occasionally evoked by the scenic austrian background and it's "sugar coated white castle" by the blue lake. I enjoyed it even though I found the characters a bit bland. Also, I found it it interesting that the heroine has to talk Clia (H's ward) out of falling in love with her guardian due to their twenty year age difference, as the guardian-ward romance happens to be a trope on its own. Overall, the book is nice with a believable Hea.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews