INTRIGUE. TENSION. LOVE AFFAIRS: In The Historical Romance series, a set of stand-alone novels, Vivian Stuart builds her compelling narratives around the dramatic lives of sea captains, nurses, surgeons, and members of the aristocracy. Stuart takes us back to the societies of the 20th century, drawing on her own experience of places across Australia, India, East Asia, and the Middle East. Young Doctor Mason was dedicated, sympathetic, and a very good doctor. When Kate Cluny came to assist him in his practice she knew she was going to enjoy her work, even though, in off-duty moments, Joe Mason was cool and distant to her. And then one day Barbie Ryker walked into the surgery and asked to see Joe Mason again ... Barbie Ryker who was beautiful and clever, and who had broken Joe's heart once before. Kate didn't know just how Barbie was going to win Joe back again, but she knew the lovely, scheming woman was going to try ...