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A Case of Heart Trouble
Dallas was afraid to let herself dream! Dallas Drew was the youngest and prettiest nurse at the hospital, and certainly the most inexperienced. Naturally, when the glamorous and popular Dr. Martin Loring became a patient there, she wasn't allowed to take a hand in nursing him. So it came as a considerable surprise when he picked Dallas to supervise his convalescence at his home in Yorkshire. For Dallas it was one of the happiest times in her life. But she couldn't help wondering about his reason for choosing her....
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First published January 1, 1962
43 people want to read
About the author
Susan Barrie
49 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 - 9 of 10 reviews
November 16, 2020
A sweet, beautiful 21 year-old nurse is asked to “private” the hunky surgeon consultant at his ancestral home in Yorkshire. Seems he fell in love with her when she was sitting by his bed right after his accident (hit by a London bus) and wants her for the rest of his convalescence.
It’s highly unusual, but heroine is happy to leave London and see more of the countryside. Plus, she’s half in love with the hero already.
Hero is moody with a mysterious past. He has an 8 year-old daughter in boarding school and an AWOL wife. Heroine eventually finds out the wife is dead and the “Mrs. Loring” that showed up for a visit was the wife’s twin sister.
But the damage has been done. She thinks he’s married. Heroine asks to go back to London after the hero kisses her and she slaps him. Hero thinks she has changed her mind about him – so he sends her back after a frigid parting.
Heroine sinks into a decline, contracts the flu and is a shadow of herself when the hero sees her again several months later. He asks her to return to Yorkshire to nurse his daughter who has been ill at boarding school.
Heroine agrees. For a week all is well until sister-in-law shows up. She’s there to snag her sister’s husband and do a spot of painting. Hero reluctantly allows OW to use a room as a studio while she stays elsewhere. When hero leaves for London again, the sister-in-law moves in to torment the heroine.
It’s all good vintage OW fun – including the lies she tells the hero about the heroine’s “affair” with his cousin, the local good-time Charlie.
Hero is moody all over again – until the heroine is caught out in the rain looking for his daughter’s puppy. He finally realizes that the OW is evil and declares his love as he is taking the heroine’s temperature.
There is an epilogue of sorts with the sister-in-law saying her regretful goodbyes and the hero planning on a honeymoon in Switzerland where they will drop the 8 year-old off at boarding school!
LOL – no need for pesky kids around while they make another heir.
Just a nice, well-paced vintage story with an appealing heroine and smitten (in a moody way) hero.
It’s highly unusual, but heroine is happy to leave London and see more of the countryside. Plus, she’s half in love with the hero already.
Hero is moody with a mysterious past. He has an 8 year-old daughter in boarding school and an AWOL wife. Heroine eventually finds out the wife is dead and the “Mrs. Loring” that showed up for a visit was the wife’s twin sister.
But the damage has been done. She thinks he’s married. Heroine asks to go back to London after the hero kisses her and she slaps him. Hero thinks she has changed her mind about him – so he sends her back after a frigid parting.
Heroine sinks into a decline, contracts the flu and is a shadow of herself when the hero sees her again several months later. He asks her to return to Yorkshire to nurse his daughter who has been ill at boarding school.
Heroine agrees. For a week all is well until sister-in-law shows up. She’s there to snag her sister’s husband and do a spot of painting. Hero reluctantly allows OW to use a room as a studio while she stays elsewhere. When hero leaves for London again, the sister-in-law moves in to torment the heroine.
It’s all good vintage OW fun – including the lies she tells the hero about the heroine’s “affair” with his cousin, the local good-time Charlie.
Hero is moody all over again – until the heroine is caught out in the rain looking for his daughter’s puppy. He finally realizes that the OW is evil and declares his love as he is taking the heroine’s temperature.
There is an epilogue of sorts with the sister-in-law saying her regretful goodbyes and the hero planning on a honeymoon in Switzerland where they will drop the 8 year-old off at boarding school!
LOL – no need for pesky kids around while they make another heir.
Just a nice, well-paced vintage story with an appealing heroine and smitten (in a moody way) hero.
July 6, 2015
Oh. Dear. God. I love Ida Crowe (Susan Barrie, in this case). She is now my new favourite author. At the rate I'm going, I'm going to have a whole handful of favourite authors now.
This book was so sweet and angsty and extremely well written. I enjoyed it so much, I wish I could have the joy of reading it all over again without knowing how it's going to end. It kept you on your toes throughout the entire book, you never knew what was going to happen. In the middle you think everything is resolved because of the tender and loving way Martin treats Dallas, but no. He turns into an ass again and you keep wondering what the hell is going on inside his head.
The heroine, Dallas, was all that I ask for in a heroine. She was sweet and understanding, completely professional at all times and (the best part) was in love with the hero right from the beginning. Did I ever tell y'all how much I love novels in which the heroines are in love with the heroes right from the start of book? BECAUSE I DO. SO, SO VERY MUCH.
There was one thing I didn't like about Dallas, though. She was a doormat in front of the antagonist, Joanna. I really hated the scene where Joanna calls her into her studio and yells at her and demeans her and Dallas says nothing at all. I wished she would have stood firm in front of the enemy (so to speak). And I wish she'd have given it as good as she got it. But Dallas was a sweethearted doormat, she took it all in silence and quietly went away. I wish I could have smacked her head with a stick at that point. Still, it wasn't so bad. I loved her.
The hero, Dr Martin Loring, was quite different. He definitely wasn't a beta, but a charming, naughty alpha. I loved the risqué jokes he always made with Dallas (and I loved the way she'd always blush) and I loved the constant twinkling in his eyes. The scene where he pulls her down onto his bed to kiss her was my favourite. And I laughed when she slapped him for it. But the poor sweetheart started crying because she slapped him :') I loved Dallas! Okay, now back to the hero. He was extremely moody and very, very jealous. Did I tell you that I love controlling, possessive alphas too? And Martin fit the description. I loved him as well.
Now for the antagonist, Joanna. Ida Crowe (Susan Barrie) wrote her so well that she was a three dimensional character for us readers. On one side she was so very bitchy and taunting, and then she'd just come and apologise and do something that'd make her look human. I love authors who write antagonists like that, like they have more sides to them than just the evil side. Makes it look so much more realistic. Even though I hated her very, very, very much throughout the story (I wanted to grab a kitchen knife and hack her in small pieces and scatter them throughout the globe, and I'm not a violent person), I kind of liked her at the end.
I also loved little puppy Joe. Although I can't say the same about Martin's daughter. I had a very meh feeling towards her.
All in all, this was a wonderful read. A 4.6 stars.
This book was so sweet and angsty and extremely well written. I enjoyed it so much, I wish I could have the joy of reading it all over again without knowing how it's going to end. It kept you on your toes throughout the entire book, you never knew what was going to happen. In the middle you think everything is resolved because of the tender and loving way Martin treats Dallas, but no. He turns into an ass again and you keep wondering what the hell is going on inside his head.
The heroine, Dallas, was all that I ask for in a heroine. She was sweet and understanding, completely professional at all times and (the best part) was in love with the hero right from the beginning. Did I ever tell y'all how much I love novels in which the heroines are in love with the heroes right from the start of book? BECAUSE I DO. SO, SO VERY MUCH.
There was one thing I didn't like about Dallas, though. She was a doormat in front of the antagonist, Joanna. I really hated the scene where Joanna calls her into her studio and yells at her and demeans her and Dallas says nothing at all. I wished she would have stood firm in front of the enemy (so to speak). And I wish she'd have given it as good as she got it. But Dallas was a sweethearted doormat, she took it all in silence and quietly went away. I wish I could have smacked her head with a stick at that point. Still, it wasn't so bad. I loved her.
The hero, Dr Martin Loring, was quite different. He definitely wasn't a beta, but a charming, naughty alpha. I loved the risqué jokes he always made with Dallas (and I loved the way she'd always blush) and I loved the constant twinkling in his eyes. The scene where he pulls her down onto his bed to kiss her was my favourite. And I laughed when she slapped him for it. But the poor sweetheart started crying because she slapped him :') I loved Dallas! Okay, now back to the hero. He was extremely moody and very, very jealous. Did I tell you that I love controlling, possessive alphas too? And Martin fit the description. I loved him as well.
Now for the antagonist, Joanna. Ida Crowe (Susan Barrie) wrote her so well that she was a three dimensional character for us readers. On one side she was so very bitchy and taunting, and then she'd just come and apologise and do something that'd make her look human. I love authors who write antagonists like that, like they have more sides to them than just the evil side. Makes it look so much more realistic. Even though I hated her very, very, very much throughout the story (I wanted to grab a kitchen knife and hack her in small pieces and scatter them throughout the globe, and I'm not a violent person), I kind of liked her at the end.
I also loved little puppy Joe. Although I can't say the same about Martin's daughter. I had a very meh feeling towards her.
All in all, this was a wonderful read. A 4.6 stars.
August 2, 2013
Maybe I just had too high of an expectation for this book, but I didn't get that feel good, happy, sigh kind of moment when I finished it. In fact, I was hoping he would end up with evil OW. They so deserved each other. This was a case where the heroine "could have" and "should have" done better for herself. His actions were truly unforgivable.
I guess because she was young and naive, she fell for him, But honestly, I see a life of misery for her.
Also, the plot was confusing. He has a sister-in-law (his wife's twin) that has the same last name as him. Was she married to his brother? another cousin? That was never fully explained and made things very confusing.
I guess because she was young and naive, she fell for him, But honestly, I see a life of misery for her.
Also, the plot was confusing. He has a sister-in-law (his wife's twin) that has the same last name as him. Was she married to his brother? another cousin? That was never fully explained and made things very confusing.
July 29, 2013
Love these old school romances between the innocent young nurse and the distinguishd older consultant at her hospital. When Dr Martin Loring is in an accident, he is nursed at the hospital where he is a consultant and Dallas Drew is the nurse who sits with him those first two nights when he is unconscious. Once he is conscious of course he is too important for a little student nurse to wait on so she doesn't see him again until he's almost ready to leave.
However he's organised that she be the nurse to look after him at home during his convalescence. All goes well until the appearance of Mrs Loring. Misunderstandings abound and it is months before Dallas sees Dr Loring again. By then he is fit and healthy but she has been ill through the London winter.
I've read this story a couple of times. It is essentially a May-December romance. Martin Loring is 37 years old and Dallas is 21. He is widower and the Mrs Joanna Loring is his widowed sister-in-law. Apparently Joanna and Maureen were twins and married the Loring brothers.
Dr Loring has a daughter Stephanie from his marriage and it is her ill health that gives him the excuse to have Dallas back at his Yorkshire home. Things don't go quite as he hopes thanks to Joanna's appearance while he is away.
All is naturally resolved in the end with a really sweet ending.
However he's organised that she be the nurse to look after him at home during his convalescence. All goes well until the appearance of Mrs Loring. Misunderstandings abound and it is months before Dallas sees Dr Loring again. By then he is fit and healthy but she has been ill through the London winter.
I've read this story a couple of times. It is essentially a May-December romance. Martin Loring is 37 years old and Dallas is 21. He is widower and the Mrs Joanna Loring is his widowed sister-in-law. Apparently Joanna and Maureen were twins and married the Loring brothers.
Dr Loring has a daughter Stephanie from his marriage and it is her ill health that gives him the excuse to have Dallas back at his Yorkshire home. Things don't go quite as he hopes thanks to Joanna's appearance while he is away.
All is naturally resolved in the end with a really sweet ending.
June 10, 2018
Ah, real life intervenes in the case of this book. The H has a really, REALLY pronounced mean streak and the h has only the smallest amount of defense against it. I couldn't help but imagining him lashing out at her whenever he got in a mood.
March 14, 2021
3 ½ Stars ~ Susan Barrie is one of the many pseudonyms used by Ida Crowe-Pollack, who was a wonderful storyteller. In this May-December romance, she uses her magic to give us the story of widower-father doctor, Martin Loring, 37 and innocent junior nurse, Dallas Drew, 21.
After a horrific accident Martin is sent to the very hospital he is a consultant in. The first few nights he's in a terrible way, and Drew is given the task of his special night nurse. When he comes to his senses, Dallas is too junior to be his regular nurse, so she doesn't see him again until he's almost well enough to recover at home. When his room buzzer calls, Dallas is the only nurse around to hear it, so she answers his call. He's pleasantly surprised when she appears, and informs her that he's chosen her to be his special nurse to aid in his recovery at his home in Yorkshire.
Though a difficult patient, Dallas's patience and strength of will pushes Martin in his recovery. He's a bit of a flirt and likes to push Dallas' buttons. Dallas firmly tells herself, not to take him seriously, not to dream, but she knows it's already too late and she's in love with him. And then everything goes terribly wrong when Mrs. Loring arrives. The very next day, Dallas travels back to her London hospital and doesn't see the good doctor again for several months.
While Martin takes his recovery on to a Mediterranean cruise and then an extended stay in the Bahamas, Dallas works hard and succumbs to a very virulent strain of the flu. It knocks her down, forcing her to miss Christmas and then in mid-January sent home for a two week recovery. On her first day back on duty, she bumps into Martin and Matron. Martin stops her and enquires what has happened as she's far from well. Matron explains about Dallas' illness and too wonders if Dallas is back too soon. Of course, Dallas declares herself fit, even while still coughing.
There are several misunderstandings that keep these two on a cool level. The big one for Dallas is of course the Mrs. Loring, but she finds out that she's the widow of Martin's brother Roger and the mystery of why she looks like the wife, is she's also the twin of Martin's deceased wife. Martin is besotted with Dallas, though he keeps that a secret. When his eight year old daughter (away a boarding school) becomes unwell, he decides to enlist Dallas to be her nurse-cum-governess and return them both to fully recover in Yorkshire.
For a wonderful week, Dallas is made to feel special to Martin and she adores his daughter. And again, on the eve before Martin must return to London, that doubleganger Mrs. Loring makes another appearance. This time she doesn't hide her true intent, to become Martin's wife. Spinning tall tales to both Dallas and Martin, she builds a rift between them and nearly succeeds.
I thoroughly enjoyed this love story. From the beginning pages, the author had me eager to read on to find out what was going to happen next. As Martin's history with his dead wife is slowly revealed, it redeemed some of his earlier harsh treatment of Dallas. His final declarations at the HEA made his redemption complete. I think this one goes on the keeper shelf to be cherished another day.
After a horrific accident Martin is sent to the very hospital he is a consultant in. The first few nights he's in a terrible way, and Drew is given the task of his special night nurse. When he comes to his senses, Dallas is too junior to be his regular nurse, so she doesn't see him again until he's almost well enough to recover at home. When his room buzzer calls, Dallas is the only nurse around to hear it, so she answers his call. He's pleasantly surprised when she appears, and informs her that he's chosen her to be his special nurse to aid in his recovery at his home in Yorkshire.
Though a difficult patient, Dallas's patience and strength of will pushes Martin in his recovery. He's a bit of a flirt and likes to push Dallas' buttons. Dallas firmly tells herself, not to take him seriously, not to dream, but she knows it's already too late and she's in love with him. And then everything goes terribly wrong when Mrs. Loring arrives. The very next day, Dallas travels back to her London hospital and doesn't see the good doctor again for several months.
While Martin takes his recovery on to a Mediterranean cruise and then an extended stay in the Bahamas, Dallas works hard and succumbs to a very virulent strain of the flu. It knocks her down, forcing her to miss Christmas and then in mid-January sent home for a two week recovery. On her first day back on duty, she bumps into Martin and Matron. Martin stops her and enquires what has happened as she's far from well. Matron explains about Dallas' illness and too wonders if Dallas is back too soon. Of course, Dallas declares herself fit, even while still coughing.
There are several misunderstandings that keep these two on a cool level. The big one for Dallas is of course the Mrs. Loring, but she finds out that she's the widow of Martin's brother Roger and the mystery of why she looks like the wife, is she's also the twin of Martin's deceased wife. Martin is besotted with Dallas, though he keeps that a secret. When his eight year old daughter (away a boarding school) becomes unwell, he decides to enlist Dallas to be her nurse-cum-governess and return them both to fully recover in Yorkshire.
For a wonderful week, Dallas is made to feel special to Martin and she adores his daughter. And again, on the eve before Martin must return to London, that doubleganger Mrs. Loring makes another appearance. This time she doesn't hide her true intent, to become Martin's wife. Spinning tall tales to both Dallas and Martin, she builds a rift between them and nearly succeeds.
I thoroughly enjoyed this love story. From the beginning pages, the author had me eager to read on to find out what was going to happen next. As Martin's history with his dead wife is slowly revealed, it redeemed some of his earlier harsh treatment of Dallas. His final declarations at the HEA made his redemption complete. I think this one goes on the keeper shelf to be cherished another day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2020
Originally published in 1962 by Mills and Boon this is the Harlequin 1963 edition. A lovely tender story which I really enjoyed and only just have discovered. This was not amongst my mum's kept editions of older Mills & Boon Classic Romances.
SYNOPSIS:
Dallas Drew was the youngest and prettiest nurse at the hospital, and certainly the most inexperienced. Naturally, when the glamorous and popular Dr. Martin Loring became a patient there, she wasn't allowed to take a hand in nursing him.
So it came as a considerable surprise when he picked Dallas to supervise his convalescence at his home in Yorkshire.
For Dallas it was one of the happiest times in her life. But she couldn't help wondering about his reason for choosing her....
SYNOPSIS:
Dallas Drew was the youngest and prettiest nurse at the hospital, and certainly the most inexperienced. Naturally, when the glamorous and popular Dr. Martin Loring became a patient there, she wasn't allowed to take a hand in nursing him.
So it came as a considerable surprise when he picked Dallas to supervise his convalescence at his home in Yorkshire.
For Dallas it was one of the happiest times in her life. But she couldn't help wondering about his reason for choosing her....
June 22, 2021
Very s l o w. Didn’t like the hero. Waste of time.
August 23, 2023
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Sweet vintage goodness!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 10 reviews