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The Silver Veil
Her past was now part of a pitch-black abyss. Roslynn Ferrier couldn't recall why she had come to Australia, and she was fearful of whatever painful memory had made her mind demand oblivion in amnesia.
Piecing together the puzzle of her past with the complex Dr. Sholto McNaughton, she fell in love ... only to be rejected. She might recover, but would she ever again look on life or love with a quiet heart?
Piecing together the puzzle of her past with the complex Dr. Sholto McNaughton, she fell in love ... only to be rejected. She might recover, but would she ever again look on life or love with a quiet heart?
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1982
About the author
Margaret Way
626 books165 followersMargaret Way was born and educated in the river city of Brisbane, Australia. Before her marriage she was a well-known pianist, teacher, vocal coach and accompanist, but her hectic musical career came to a halt when her son was born and the demands of motherhood dictated a change of pace.
On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."
Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."
On a fortuitous impulse she decided to try her hand at romance writing and was thrilled when Mills & Boon accepted her first effort, Time of the Jacaranda, which they published less than a year later in 1970; a feat that brought tears to her father's eyes. Some seventy odd books have followed resulting in a loyal readership whose letters provide a source of support and encouragement. A driving force in all her writing has been the promotion of her much loved country, Australia. She delights in bringing it alive for her readers; its people, way of life, environment, flora and fauna. Her efforts so far have not excited official recognition, but she expects one day she will be awarded the "Order of Australia."
Her interests remain with the arts. She still plays the piano seriously, but her "top Cs" have gone. She is still addicted to collecting antiques and paintings and browsing through galleries. She now lives within sight and sound of beautiful Moreton Bay and its islands, inspiration for some of her books. Her house is full of books, spectacular plants, Chinese screens and pots. She is devoted to her garden and spends much time "directing the design and digging and providing cold drinks and chocolates."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 7, 2017
So, if you are going into a juicy amnesia plot with the heroine possibly falling back into the hands of unscrupulous, murdering family members, why make her regain her memory a third way in and remove the threat? That takes all the fun!
This story read as if the author couldn't quite make up her mind what the conflict should be. Between the heroine and the family members she suspects of murdering her sister and marrying her off for pecuniary reasons? Or between the heroine and the grabby, homicidal widow who is the heroine's rival for the doctor hero's affection?
The book, as a result, felt disjointed and lacking in vigor. Every time she would go down a certain road, she pulled back and made in another direction.
Too bad because amnesia plots can be fun.
This story read as if the author couldn't quite make up her mind what the conflict should be. Between the heroine and the family members she suspects of murdering her sister and marrying her off for pecuniary reasons? Or between the heroine and the grabby, homicidal widow who is the heroine's rival for the doctor hero's affection?
The book, as a result, felt disjointed and lacking in vigor. Every time she would go down a certain road, she pulled back and made in another direction.
Too bad because amnesia plots can be fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2020
Some fun tropes: amnesia, scheming family who want the heroine's inheritance, May/December, Doctor/Patient.
Alas, the most exciting part - the heroine waking up in a hospital bed with amnesia and instantly in love with her neurologist - is quickly solved.
Then the action moves to the hero's grandmother's house where the heroine recovers and attracts the attention of two wanna be OMs and the OW who has been obsessed with the elusive hero for years.
I was so bored, it took two days to finish this. Just no narrative energy at the end.
I think the 20 year-old heroine will outlive the 35ish hero and will perhaps have a more exciting second romance.
Alas, the most exciting part - the heroine waking up in a hospital bed with amnesia and instantly in love with her neurologist - is quickly solved.
Then the action moves to the hero's grandmother's house where the heroine recovers and attracts the attention of two wanna be OMs and the OW who has been obsessed with the elusive hero for years.
I was so bored, it took two days to finish this. Just no narrative energy at the end.
I think the 20 year-old heroine will outlive the 35ish hero and will perhaps have a more exciting second romance.
July 9, 2025
Rich girl heroine (19) from England goes to Australia after her sister dies and she blames her fiancé. She gets injured in an accident and the hero (35) is the neurologist that saves her life. She falls in love with him at first sight and he remains dedicated to his job, despite his increasing attraction for her - as a person and in a physical sense. He sends her to his grandmother in the country to recuperate and pops back at times.
She is up front about her devotion to him at all times, and realises that he finds it inconvenient as he is committed to his job (although he later tells her he has had lots of affairs). He proposes a marriage so that he can continue to work without being side tracked, but she decides to leave and go home to sort things out.
The HEA comes when she returns after a couple of months as now he realises he is completely in love with her. She is going to go to university and learn to write and they are getting married ASAP.
I quite liked how devoted the hero is - he has genuine empathy and wants to help everyone. Also he likes the OW, but not in a romantic sense and tells the heroine so. In fact they are both really honest, so there is not a lot of conflict once her memory returns (she has amnesia for a number of weeks).
It’s different and I quite enjoyed it - 3 stars.
She is up front about her devotion to him at all times, and realises that he finds it inconvenient as he is committed to his job (although he later tells her he has had lots of affairs). He proposes a marriage so that he can continue to work without being side tracked, but she decides to leave and go home to sort things out.
The HEA comes when she returns after a couple of months as now he realises he is completely in love with her. She is going to go to university and learn to write and they are getting married ASAP.
I quite liked how devoted the hero is - he has genuine empathy and wants to help everyone. Also he likes the OW, but not in a romantic sense and tells the heroine so. In fact they are both really honest, so there is not a lot of conflict once her memory returns (she has amnesia for a number of weeks).
It’s different and I quite enjoyed it - 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2018
Meh. It was just ok.
The amnesia plot was not expounded upon and was resolved too soon in the story so the story lost momentum. I thought her nasty conniving relatives would soon get their comeuppance but they just disappeared from the story.
Then the rest of the story is just the overwrought feelings of the heroine, but I can’t blame her since she is only 19,and well that’s how teenagers react. The nasty OW shows her hand at some point, but she’s not too vicious as some of Margaret Way’s other villains, just very jealous and presumptuous.
Even in the end I didn’t like how she made it too easy for her lousy relatives, who obviously didn’t even care enough about her beloved older sister, who died.
The amnesia plot was not expounded upon and was resolved too soon in the story so the story lost momentum. I thought her nasty conniving relatives would soon get their comeuppance but they just disappeared from the story.
Then the rest of the story is just the overwrought feelings of the heroine, but I can’t blame her since she is only 19,and well that’s how teenagers react. The nasty OW shows her hand at some point, but she’s not too vicious as some of Margaret Way’s other villains, just very jealous and presumptuous.
Even in the end I didn’t like how she made it too easy for her lousy relatives, who obviously didn’t even care enough about her beloved older sister, who died.
October 13, 2019
Her past was now part of a pitch-black abyss. Roslynn Ferrier couldn't recall why she had come to Australia, and she was fearful of whatever painful memory had made her mind demand oblivion in amnesia.
Piecing together the puzzle of her past with the complex Dr. Sholto McNaughton, she fell in love ... only to be rejected. She might recover, but would she ever again look on life or love with a quiet heart?
Piecing together the puzzle of her past with the complex Dr. Sholto McNaughton, she fell in love ... only to be rejected. She might recover, but would she ever again look on life or love with a quiet heart?
December 14, 2022
I recently expressed interest in reading older Harlequin novels, as a lover of vintage covers, and pulled out 'The Silver Veil' by Margaret Way from my collection.
The beginning immediately grabs the reader's attention, diving straight into the central theme of the plot, Roslynn's amnesia. The victim of a car crash, Roslynn wakes up in a hospital with a concussion and a broken leg. There she meets her love interest, Sholto McNaughton, a highly respected neurosurgeon, who takes it upon himself to lead her case and finds himself invested despite the distance he put between them. Throughout the entirety of the book, the author utilizes classic tropes such as amnesia, the heroine's inheritance to which her family relies on, family tragedy and mourning, love at first sight and the dependence of a patient to her doctor.
As 'The Siver Veil' was written in the early eighties, the language is somewhat outdated, and the way Way writes the conversation between her characters is often fragmented and confusing when switching from one topic to another. It is also agonizingly dry at times. I feel she could have used more separation between paragraphs when moving on from one event/one place to another and as I read, I pointed out hints of mistaken grammar and punctuation that could have been avoided with better editing. These are the biggest cons I have.
The pros, for one, is pacing. Othe reviews pointed out the rushed climax with her amnesia and its solution. While Roslynn does gain her memory back halfway through the book, I consider the loss of her memory only have of the main conflict. The other half is the heroine coming to terms with her past and forgiving her family for the part they played in her sister's death and their nosiness in her affairs. She is also finding her independence and learning what true love is in all its fantasy and misery, especially with a man married to his career. The romance between Roslynn and Sholto is one of slow discovery. It is frustrating as he is afraid to become involved with a woman knowing how dedicated he is to his work, yet he is pulled towards his lovely patient. Roslynn becomes his number one supporter and one of the family as she falls in love with Australia and his wise grandmother who turned out to be my favorite character. There is an undeniable attraction, but they are respectful of each other's boundaries and so willing to put aside their own feelings to ultimately do what's best for the other. This is what love should be. The age difference did not bother me but be warned that there is a fifteen-year difference between them.
All the characters experience growth, whether small or large, even the conniving Laura and her nephew who, in the end, come to terms with the end of her dream and his scheme.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and finished it in two days while comfortable on my bed.
The beginning immediately grabs the reader's attention, diving straight into the central theme of the plot, Roslynn's amnesia. The victim of a car crash, Roslynn wakes up in a hospital with a concussion and a broken leg. There she meets her love interest, Sholto McNaughton, a highly respected neurosurgeon, who takes it upon himself to lead her case and finds himself invested despite the distance he put between them. Throughout the entirety of the book, the author utilizes classic tropes such as amnesia, the heroine's inheritance to which her family relies on, family tragedy and mourning, love at first sight and the dependence of a patient to her doctor.
As 'The Siver Veil' was written in the early eighties, the language is somewhat outdated, and the way Way writes the conversation between her characters is often fragmented and confusing when switching from one topic to another. It is also agonizingly dry at times. I feel she could have used more separation between paragraphs when moving on from one event/one place to another and as I read, I pointed out hints of mistaken grammar and punctuation that could have been avoided with better editing. These are the biggest cons I have.
The pros, for one, is pacing. Othe reviews pointed out the rushed climax with her amnesia and its solution. While Roslynn does gain her memory back halfway through the book, I consider the loss of her memory only have of the main conflict. The other half is the heroine coming to terms with her past and forgiving her family for the part they played in her sister's death and their nosiness in her affairs. She is also finding her independence and learning what true love is in all its fantasy and misery, especially with a man married to his career. The romance between Roslynn and Sholto is one of slow discovery. It is frustrating as he is afraid to become involved with a woman knowing how dedicated he is to his work, yet he is pulled towards his lovely patient. Roslynn becomes his number one supporter and one of the family as she falls in love with Australia and his wise grandmother who turned out to be my favorite character. There is an undeniable attraction, but they are respectful of each other's boundaries and so willing to put aside their own feelings to ultimately do what's best for the other. This is what love should be. The age difference did not bother me but be warned that there is a fifteen-year difference between them.
All the characters experience growth, whether small or large, even the conniving Laura and her nephew who, in the end, come to terms with the end of her dream and his scheme.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and finished it in two days while comfortable on my bed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2020
4 ½ Stars ~ I'd forgotten how Margaret Way's writing could be so eloquent and compelling. Though there are many many books written by her that I have not read, this one will always be a favourite.
Roslynn wakes up in an Australian hospital to stare deeply into the most beautiful blue-green eyes she'd ever seen. The eyes belong to Sholto McNaughton who is assessing her after an accident results in a broken leg and a dangerous head wound. As a neuro surgeon he worries that he'll be unable to save her. After surgery and many days of fuzzy in and outs, Roslynn is finally alert. But when Sholto calls her Marianne, she knows that's not right, even though she can't recall her true name or anything that has happened in her life before the accident.
After police enquiries, it's discovered that she is 19 year old, Roslynn who fled England under her sisters name. Sholto tells her that after the loss of her parents, her mother's cousin moved in and took guardianship of her and Marianne. Sadly, a year ago, Marianne drowned, a tragic accident that Roslynn had never really got over. He tells her that she's engaged to her cousin and he's on his way to Australia, most anxious to be with her and take her home. Roslyn can't fathom being engaged to anyone, and instinctively she's afraid, very much afraid. Being an emotional person, she works herself up to near hysterics, which forces Sholto to take over and cocoon her with his grandmother for her recovery.
I thought this was very well done. Amnesia stories are a favourite for me, especially ones with vulnerable heroines and strong white knight heroes. The immediate bond between Sholto and Roslynn is believable, even though he brushes off her feelings as a crush. Roslynn's journey to discover herself, also sees her mature. She's deeply in love with Sholto and though he proposes marriage, she realizes its for his peace of mind, not because he loves her. He's so dedicated to his patients, that he fears worrying about her will interfere. The HEA is sigh worthy.
Roslynn wakes up in an Australian hospital to stare deeply into the most beautiful blue-green eyes she'd ever seen. The eyes belong to Sholto McNaughton who is assessing her after an accident results in a broken leg and a dangerous head wound. As a neuro surgeon he worries that he'll be unable to save her. After surgery and many days of fuzzy in and outs, Roslynn is finally alert. But when Sholto calls her Marianne, she knows that's not right, even though she can't recall her true name or anything that has happened in her life before the accident.
After police enquiries, it's discovered that she is 19 year old, Roslynn who fled England under her sisters name. Sholto tells her that after the loss of her parents, her mother's cousin moved in and took guardianship of her and Marianne. Sadly, a year ago, Marianne drowned, a tragic accident that Roslynn had never really got over. He tells her that she's engaged to her cousin and he's on his way to Australia, most anxious to be with her and take her home. Roslyn can't fathom being engaged to anyone, and instinctively she's afraid, very much afraid. Being an emotional person, she works herself up to near hysterics, which forces Sholto to take over and cocoon her with his grandmother for her recovery.
I thought this was very well done. Amnesia stories are a favourite for me, especially ones with vulnerable heroines and strong white knight heroes. The immediate bond between Sholto and Roslynn is believable, even though he brushes off her feelings as a crush. Roslynn's journey to discover herself, also sees her mature. She's deeply in love with Sholto and though he proposes marriage, she realizes its for his peace of mind, not because he loves her. He's so dedicated to his patients, that he fears worrying about her will interfere. The HEA is sigh worthy.
August 1, 2020
A very enjoyable read at the time. Both my mum and I liked this story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews