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The Time is Short
"Love comes swiftly, at first meeting. There is an attraction that grows undeniably stronger until it is a fire inside. You do not believe in love like that?"
Morgana Carol never had been in love like that, and, hearing Felipe's words, she knew that now she never could be, that even if such a love did come her way, she must somehow find the strength to withstand it. A lovely tropical island provides the background to this poignant story of a nurse who, knowing that the future could not give her the same things as it did to others, found herself in the very situation she wished to avoid
Morgana Carol never had been in love like that, and, hearing Felipe's words, she knew that now she never could be, that even if such a love did come her way, she must somehow find the strength to withstand it. A lovely tropical island provides the background to this poignant story of a nurse who, knowing that the future could not give her the same things as it did to others, found herself in the very situation she wished to avoid
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
4 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Nerina Hilliard
20 books13 followersNorma Kathleen Hemming was born on September 1928 in Ilford, Essex, England, UK., she migrated to Australia in 1948.
She wrote for local pulp magazine Thrills Incorporated and enthusiastically participated in the Australian fan scene. She was a founding member of the femme fan group Vertical Horizons, and wrote and acted for the SF theatrical group The Arcturian Players. She returned to international publishing in the late 1950s with stories in Nebula SF and New Worlds. She also wrote eight romance novels for Mills & Boon under the pseudonym of Nerina Hilliard, only one was published before her death, through these she had a long posthumous career, because her romances were published from 1958 to 1976, returning royalties to her estate for three decades. She passed away at the age of 31 of breast canceron 4 July 1960 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
She wrote for local pulp magazine Thrills Incorporated and enthusiastically participated in the Australian fan scene. She was a founding member of the femme fan group Vertical Horizons, and wrote and acted for the SF theatrical group The Arcturian Players. She returned to international publishing in the late 1950s with stories in Nebula SF and New Worlds. She also wrote eight romance novels for Mills & Boon under the pseudonym of Nerina Hilliard, only one was published before her death, through these she had a long posthumous career, because her romances were published from 1958 to 1976, returning royalties to her estate for three decades. She passed away at the age of 31 of breast canceron 4 July 1960 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 4, 2016
This was an interesting plot! There are summaries below, so I won't give a blow-by-blow description. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy a story where the heroine had only months to live, but she was so busy traveling to a remote, idyllic island, fighting her attraction to the hero, learning to fall out of love with her ex, and delving into the secret sorrow of the Swiss doctor who was practicing on the island that she didn't have time to brood.
Fortunately, it was a convenient malady that caused the heroine to only have one blackout incident *and* while the hero was there to shatter his indifference. Very satisfying.
The story wraps up quickly after the blackout: The blackmailing ex had to leave the island. The good doctor got his confidence back after successfully operating on the heroine. The hero finally confesses his love. HEA
This was fun, old school story. The plot momentum did sag in places, and the heroine was a little too defensive around the hero, but all in all it was an enjoyable read.
Fortunately, it was a convenient malady that caused the heroine to only have one blackout incident *and* while the hero was there to shatter his indifference. Very satisfying.
The story wraps up quickly after the blackout: The blackmailing ex had to leave the island. The good doctor got his confidence back after successfully operating on the heroine. The hero finally confesses his love. HEA
This was fun, old school story. The plot momentum did sag in places, and the heroine was a little too defensive around the hero, but all in all it was an enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2024
You've got your regular, run-of-the-mill, Harlequin cheese... and then, you've got your Royale with Cheese. This book was the latter.
October 15, 2014
4 Stars ~ After receiving a letter from her fiance jilting her a few days before their marriage, Morgana decides to return his engagement ring. She's in a daze when she leaves the post office and doesn't see where she is going only hearing the screech of brakes. Having survived the accident, Morgana learns that she hasn't really survived at all, as the brain injury she has sustained will eventually kill her. She returns to her work as a nurse and that's where she meets Festa, an English woman who normally lives on a tropical Portuguese island. Festa suffers from pneumonia and a broken leg, and as she mends she wants to return to her home. Knowing Morgana's circumstances, she invites her to accompany her to Juamasa as her private nurse where no one except Festa shall know of her circumstances.
Juamasa is under the benevolent rule of the Marquez de Alviro Rialta, a man Morgana takes an instant dislike to, finding him to be arrogant and overbearing. In return, Felipe finds Morgana to be annoying and far too independent in her thoughts and deeds. Both are easily irritated and quick to temper when they are together which leads to some fiesty sparring. Morgana does her best to just ignore Felipe, but she finds that when she's busy thinking about him, she's not dwelling on how quickly the weeks are passing. To complicate her time left, her ex-fiance Phillip is on the island working as an engineer, and he wants to renew their relationship.
This is Ms. Hilliard's very first book and though it took me awhile to get used to her style of writing, once done, I found myself completely engaged in Morgana's plight. While sad in places as Morgana or Festa reflects on what will soon happen, this story was not morbid in any way. Written in the late 50's, the traditional culture of the Portuguese is portrayed with Felipe having strong opinions on the roles of women. Though he battles with Morgana over her independent nature, it's this very independence that attracts him. Of course, as this is Harleyland, Morgana experiences a miracle and she and Felipe have their HEA.
Juamasa is under the benevolent rule of the Marquez de Alviro Rialta, a man Morgana takes an instant dislike to, finding him to be arrogant and overbearing. In return, Felipe finds Morgana to be annoying and far too independent in her thoughts and deeds. Both are easily irritated and quick to temper when they are together which leads to some fiesty sparring. Morgana does her best to just ignore Felipe, but she finds that when she's busy thinking about him, she's not dwelling on how quickly the weeks are passing. To complicate her time left, her ex-fiance Phillip is on the island working as an engineer, and he wants to renew their relationship.
This is Ms. Hilliard's very first book and though it took me awhile to get used to her style of writing, once done, I found myself completely engaged in Morgana's plight. While sad in places as Morgana or Festa reflects on what will soon happen, this story was not morbid in any way. Written in the late 50's, the traditional culture of the Portuguese is portrayed with Felipe having strong opinions on the roles of women. Though he battles with Morgana over her independent nature, it's this very independence that attracts him. Of course, as this is Harleyland, Morgana experiences a miracle and she and Felipe have their HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2013
This is truly an Old Skool classic Harlequin. Originally published in 1960 as "Nurse Carol"s Secret".
This is probably the original angst filled melodrama that became the mainstay of HP's in the 1980's.
I don't know how to dscribe this book with out giving spoilers so I will just say that this one is worth a read if you like real old harlequins.
This is probably the original angst filled melodrama that became the mainstay of HP's in the 1980's.
I don't know how to dscribe this book with out giving spoilers so I will just say that this one is worth a read if you like real old harlequins.
April 4, 2011
Morgana is dying from a brain injury resulting from an accident. She had been jilted and as she was stepping out of the post office after mailing her engagement ring, she didn't see the car that hit her.
Not wanting to wallow in any more self-pity, she accompanies a friend to an island to work as a nurse/companion while she awaits her final days. She keeps her illness secret.
She meets the "lord" of the island, Felipe, and forms an uneasy relationship with him but they have a misunderstanding about the ex-fiance who like a bad penny turns up in the island. His parting words are ominous: he's going to avoid the island until she's returned to England.
Her sickness progresses until one day, when she's in severe pain, she thinks that she's hallucinating and imagining Felipe. She solemnly tells the hallucination not to worry because he need not put up with her presence for long as she is dying.
Drumroll, please.
Of course, this is a Mills&Boon so they do get a happy ending. They find the one and only brain surgeon able to perform the operation conveniently staying in the island as well.
I recommend this book to anybody liking the "Song of the Waves" by Anne Hampson and "For His Little Girl" by Lucy Gordon.
Not wanting to wallow in any more self-pity, she accompanies a friend to an island to work as a nurse/companion while she awaits her final days. She keeps her illness secret.
She meets the "lord" of the island, Felipe, and forms an uneasy relationship with him but they have a misunderstanding about the ex-fiance who like a bad penny turns up in the island. His parting words are ominous: he's going to avoid the island until she's returned to England.
Her sickness progresses until one day, when she's in severe pain, she thinks that she's hallucinating and imagining Felipe. She solemnly tells the hallucination not to worry because he need not put up with her presence for long as she is dying.
Drumroll, please.
Of course, this is a Mills&Boon so they do get a happy ending. They find the one and only brain surgeon able to perform the operation conveniently staying in the island as well.
I recommend this book to anybody liking the "Song of the Waves" by Anne Hampson and "For His Little Girl" by Lucy Gordon.
April 16, 2013
I've read this story several times, once as Nurse Carol's Secret and under the later title of The Time is Short.
This is a very angsty read about Morgana, a young woman with a brain injury that will kill her in a matter of months. To escape the pity of her hospital work mates, she takes a private nursing position with a kind woman who is returning to the Portuguese Island of Juamasa ruled by the Marquez de Alviro Rialta. Felipe and Morgana strike sparks off each other immediately but of course we all know what that means.
I very much enjoyed seeing our Portuguese alpha male brought to his knees, especially when he learns of her illness.
This is a very angsty read about Morgana, a young woman with a brain injury that will kill her in a matter of months. To escape the pity of her hospital work mates, she takes a private nursing position with a kind woman who is returning to the Portuguese Island of Juamasa ruled by the Marquez de Alviro Rialta. Felipe and Morgana strike sparks off each other immediately but of course we all know what that means.
I very much enjoyed seeing our Portuguese alpha male brought to his knees, especially when he learns of her illness.
August 4, 2025
Vintage Charm Book
A young nurse moves to a picturesque Portuguese island to care for a patient and escape a bleak, doomerish reality. Diagnosed with just three months to live, she vows to live without self-pity or regrets.
On the island, she meets a Portuguese marquis who begins to 'court' her through commands, decrees, and intrusive questions. The h bristles like a cat ready to defend her independence.
The h is an expert in reading people's expressions. She can detect the faintest hint of derision in H's eyes when he's standing across the room, and she certainly doesn't overlook his tiniest mocking smiles. It is tiresome, but then she's a nice character - except for her strong dislike of H.
A young nurse moves to a picturesque Portuguese island to care for a patient and escape a bleak, doomerish reality. Diagnosed with just three months to live, she vows to live without self-pity or regrets.
On the island, she meets a Portuguese marquis who begins to 'court' her through commands, decrees, and intrusive questions. The h bristles like a cat ready to defend her independence.
The h is an expert in reading people's expressions. She can detect the faintest hint of derision in H's eyes when he's standing across the room, and she certainly doesn't overlook his tiniest mocking smiles. It is tiresome, but then she's a nice character - except for her strong dislike of H.
August 23, 2025
A really charming vintage story with a nurse heroine who, with three months to live, goes with a patient to an island where a Portuguese nobleman becomes her hero. There’s rather a lot of sniping between them, but it patent to see that the hero becomes increasingly besotted and increasingly bitter - with jealousy against 2 OM. The first is her former fiancé and the second is the doctor with whom she has so much in common. The heroine is barely civil to the hero at times, but despite that, she’s rather admirable and thoroughly deserves her happy ending. The declaration scene is wonderful.
At least 4 stars from me.
At least 4 stars from me.
February 22, 2018
This is a wonderful earlier book. Although it was written before 1960, the story stands the test of time. It’s a sad story about a lovely young nurse who has just a few months to live. She goes to a tropical island to attend to her patient while at the same time, live out her last months.
The Hero is a Marques, whose family runs the island. The relationship between the main characters is mostly contentious, but they are fighting an attraction to each other. There is the added complication of the heroine’s ex fiancé who had jilted her months before. It is because of this incident that the heroine, in her distress, gets into an accident, and although she survives, now has an inoperable brain injury which will cause her to die in a few months.
The ex is merely a complication and doesn’t have too much story time in the book. The main story kept me riveted and I was anxiously waiting for the time the Hero would find out that the heroine was dying.
But then this is a Harley, so of course the heroine gets cured, after a heroic effort by the Hero to procure the drugs she needs. Now the whole island knows that he is in love with her and they get their happy ever after.
The Hero is a Marques, whose family runs the island. The relationship between the main characters is mostly contentious, but they are fighting an attraction to each other. There is the added complication of the heroine’s ex fiancé who had jilted her months before. It is because of this incident that the heroine, in her distress, gets into an accident, and although she survives, now has an inoperable brain injury which will cause her to die in a few months.
The ex is merely a complication and doesn’t have too much story time in the book. The main story kept me riveted and I was anxiously waiting for the time the Hero would find out that the heroine was dying.
But then this is a Harley, so of course the heroine gets cured, after a heroic effort by the Hero to procure the drugs she needs. Now the whole island knows that he is in love with her and they get their happy ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 5, 2014ما اقصر الوقت-نيرينا هيليارد
قبضة القدر حاسمة تنهال على الانسان بقسوة او بحنان لا يوصف. وهذه قصة الممرضة مورغانا فاي كارول التي يشبه اسمها اسماً اسطوريا في حكاية الملك آرثر الشهيرة, لكنها لم تكن تشبه المرأة القوية كما في الاسطورة, بل تركها الانفصال عن خطيبها فيليب مذهولة فلطمتها سيارة ...
ولما لم يبق لها في الحياة سوى ثلاثة أشهر قبلت الذهاب الى جزيرة خواماسا المشمسة مع مريضة صادفتها في المستشفى حيث تعمل, هناك التقت ثلاثة أشخاص: سيد الجزيرة المركيز الغريب والطبيب الغامض الذي يخفي سراً وراء عمله في تلك الجزيرة... وايضا خطيبها السابق ... فكيف تواجه قدرها مرة أخرى وهل تتغير مسيرة عمرها القصيرة.
قبضة القدر حاسمة تنهال على الانسان بقسوة او بحنان لا يوصف. وهذه قصة الممرضة مورغانا فاي كارول التي يشبه اسمها اسماً اسطوريا في حكاية الملك آرثر الشهيرة, لكنها لم تكن تشبه المرأة القوية كما في الاسطورة, بل تركها الانفصال عن خطيبها فيليب مذهولة فلطمتها سيارة ...
ولما لم يبق لها في الحياة سوى ثلاثة أشهر قبلت الذهاب الى جزيرة خواماسا المشمسة مع مريضة صادفتها في المستشفى حيث تعمل, هناك التقت ثلاثة أشخاص: سيد الجزيرة المركيز الغريب والطبيب الغامض الذي يخفي سراً وراء عمله في تلك الجزيرة... وايضا خطيبها السابق ... فكيف تواجه قدرها مرة أخرى وهل تتغير مسيرة عمرها القصيرة.
May 29, 2020
4Stars
I read this many years ago in my own native language and I remember really loving it, it was different than any other book that I read with a heroine who is about to die and that alone nearly broke my heart. And the way the hero fought to save her and didn't give up was everything I wished for. The ending definitely kept me on the edge of my seat because I was so eager to know what will happen between the two.
I read this many years ago in my own native language and I remember really loving it, it was different than any other book that I read with a heroine who is about to die and that alone nearly broke my heart. And the way the hero fought to save her and didn't give up was everything I wished for. The ending definitely kept me on the edge of my seat because I was so eager to know what will happen between the two.
September 29, 2020
Also known as The Time is Short this is One of my earliest favourites and remains a keeper to this day. I loved Morgana and Felipe and the development of her secret which was she believed she was facing death. This was one of my mum's M&B books she had collected and I found and loved. I have read this many times since.
June 14, 2014
fantastic
September 29, 2021
This book is also known as Nurse Carol 's Secret. The Time is short because Morgana Carol has a serious brain injury that could kill her in three months or less. She goes to a tropical island where she meets and clashes with a tall, dark and handsome man. I won't give away the rest.
January 26, 2023
Nurse Carol's Secret - The Time is Short
February 27, 2024
Antigoooo e agradável. Pode ler.
March 30, 2013
Read as Nurse Carol's Secret.
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September 22, 2018تحت عنوان ما أقصر الوقت
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews