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Two for the Heart
In The Proposal by Betty Neels, Francesca's dull life is changed forever when she meets Renier Pitt-Colwyn in a London park. In The Engagement by Ellen James, Kristin needs a father for her son, while businessman Andrew needs a temporary fiancee. Can they come to an arrangement?
- GenresRomance
229 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Betty Neels
584 books422 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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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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July 27, 2011In 'The Proposal' by Betty Neels, Francesca is working as a companion taking the abuse of a selfish woman because she gets lodging provided for her and her sister. Since the death of her parents, she has been the sole provider for their little family, but meeting Renier goes a long ways to improving their lot in life.
In 'The Engagement', newly divorced veternarian Kristin has move herself and young son to Oklahoma to start life over. Signng her son up for a program to have a volunteer "Dad" seemd like a good idea, until Andrew appeared and took on the role of Dad and fiance. Not telling her, but having it come out at a cocktail party, that was not a date, makes things worse.
The first story was very enjoyable. Betty Neels always provides a great story. The second story by Ellen James was a little dry and seemed difficult to read, but overall, OK.
In 'The Engagement', newly divorced veternarian Kristin has move herself and young son to Oklahoma to start life over. Signng her son up for a program to have a volunteer "Dad" seemd like a good idea, until Andrew appeared and took on the role of Dad and fiance. Not telling her, but having it come out at a cocktail party, that was not a date, makes things worse.
The first story was very enjoyable. Betty Neels always provides a great story. The second story by Ellen James was a little dry and seemed difficult to read, but overall, OK.
April 15, 2015
This is a two-fer containing two novellas, one of which is The Proposal by Betty Neels, which is the subject of this review.
Francesca her sister are poor orphans. Francescaworks for the very gauche, nouveau riche Lady Mortimor for a pittance because an apartment comes with the job, which gives the two of them a place to live. One of Francesca's regular duties is to take Bobo, a Yorkie, for his daily walk. It is on one of these walks that Francesca meets Renier Pitt-Colwyn, the half-Dutch RBD, and his very large, shaggy dog, Brontes.
Renier soons finds out Francesca's back story and takes it upon himself to improve her lot. He arranges for her to go to work for his best friend's widow as a governess for her small daughter, while Mum, who is an actress, goes on tour with her acting company. The little girl, Peggy, is very unhappy, still grieving for her father whom she loved very much. Her mother cares nothing for her because she isn't a pretty child.
Renier goes on to arrange for Peggy to go to live permanently with her paternal grandparents, which puts Francescaout of a job. Not to worry, though, because he quickly makes his Declaration and Proposal.
Nice little story.
Francesca her sister are poor orphans. Francescaworks for the very gauche, nouveau riche Lady Mortimor for a pittance because an apartment comes with the job, which gives the two of them a place to live. One of Francesca's regular duties is to take Bobo, a Yorkie, for his daily walk. It is on one of these walks that Francesca meets Renier Pitt-Colwyn, the half-Dutch RBD, and his very large, shaggy dog, Brontes.
Renier soons finds out Francesca's back story and takes it upon himself to improve her lot. He arranges for her to go to work for his best friend's widow as a governess for her small daughter, while Mum, who is an actress, goes on tour with her acting company. The little girl, Peggy, is very unhappy, still grieving for her father whom she loved very much. Her mother cares nothing for her because she isn't a pretty child.
Renier goes on to arrange for Peggy to go to live permanently with her paternal grandparents, which puts Francescaout of a job. Not to worry, though, because he quickly makes his Declaration and Proposal.
Nice little story.
December 19, 2020
This is a combination of two short novellas by Betty Neels and Ellen James. I had read it before, but forgotten the story. Part one by Betty Neels is a typical old-fashioned love story in her style. The second by Ellen James. Both are romantic and sweet and were a nice way to pass a winter's day. Not long enough to really get into the individual characters, but fun to read.
August 24, 2012
Harlequin Romance #3299, published especially for Valentine's Day 1994. These are novelettes but I really enjoyed them. Especially Betty Neels' The Proposal. I didn't like The Engagement as well.
So, why did I give this 5 stars? If I could have split them up, The Engagement wouldn't have received 5 stars, probably only 3. But the rating is based on The Proposal. It was pure Betty Neels.
I find once I read one Betty Neels book, I can't wait to pick up another. This is a novelette - short & sweet. I discovered Betty Neels many years ago & go through a cycle of reading all of my Betty Neels books every few years. This was one I didn't know I had & so have never read it before. It was refreshing to get a "new" Betty Neels book. (Read 8/21/12)
The Engagement by Ellen James was a fun read. What a mixed up soul Dr. Mabry is. Good thing her pretend fiance is more than the playboy the towns folk think him to be. (Read 8/20/12)
So, why did I give this 5 stars? If I could have split them up, The Engagement wouldn't have received 5 stars, probably only 3. But the rating is based on The Proposal. It was pure Betty Neels.
I find once I read one Betty Neels book, I can't wait to pick up another. This is a novelette - short & sweet. I discovered Betty Neels many years ago & go through a cycle of reading all of my Betty Neels books every few years. This was one I didn't know I had & so have never read it before. It was refreshing to get a "new" Betty Neels book. (Read 8/21/12)
The Engagement by Ellen James was a fun read. What a mixed up soul Dr. Mabry is. Good thing her pretend fiance is more than the playboy the towns folk think him to be. (Read 8/20/12)
August 19, 2019
As with most Betty Neels books, I have a difficult time reading them. When the heroine continues to call the hero by his last name for the entire book and then in the last chapter, they profess they're undying love, it stretches even my imagination. But I know that Betty Neels has quite a following so she appeals to some readers - just not me. Very tame by today's standards. "The Proposal" by Betty Neels was a struggle to finish but I did. The 2nd story "The Engagement" by Ellen James wasn't much better.
July 9, 2023
Typical Harlequin. Attitude in The Engagement dated, a little rushed. But they’re more novellas.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews