Susan Barrie
Personal Information
Description
Ida Crowe was born on 12 April 1908 in Lewisham, Kent, England, the daughter of a single mother and a unknown father, who was rumoured to be a Russian duke, who her mother met at a ball in Greenwich. Ida narrowly escaped being smothered with a pillow by the nurse who attended her birth. From the age of ten, she knew she wanted to write. She began to write while still at school encouraged by her mother, with whom she lived in Hastings. Writing fiction since her very early teens, and setting her first publication ‘Palanquins and coloured lanterns’ in 1920's Shanghai, she had several stories in major magazines and short novels in print. At 20, she visited George Newnes's office in London, to sell her first full-length manuscript where she eventually met one of its editors, 39 year old Hugh Alexander Pollock (1888–1971), a distinguished veteran of World War I. Hugh had been married since 1924 to his second wife, the popular children's writer Enid Blyton, with whom he had two daughters Gillian Mary (1931–2007) and Imogen Mary (born 1935). Hugh was divorced from his first wife, Marion Atkinson, with whom he had two sons; William Cecil Alexander (1914–1916) and Edward Alistair (1915–1969). At the start of World War II, during the Blitz, Ida worked at a hostel for girls in London. Hugh, who had left publishing to join the army, was Commandant of a school for Home Guard officers, and his second marriage was in difficulties. Ida and Hugh met by chance, and feeling that Ida should be out of London, Hugh offered her a post as civilian secretary at the training centre. She accepted, and as the months went by their relationship intensified. During a bungled firearms training session Hugh was hit by shrapnel on a firing range, but when Ida contacted Enid, she declined to visit her husband, stating she was busy and hated hospitals. In May 1942, when Ida was visiting her mother in Hastings, a bomb destroyed the house. Ida escaped unhurt, but her mother was in hospital for two weeks. Hugh, who was sent overseas, paid for Ida to stay at Claridges, and decided to divorce his wife, who in 1941 had met Kenneth Fraser Darrell Waters and had begun a relationship with him. To get a quick divorce, Hugh cited his own adultery in the divorce petition. On 26 October 1943, Ida married Hugh at London's Guildhall register office, six days after Enid's marriage with Darrell Waters. In 1944, they had a daughter Rosemary Pollock, also a romance writer. Enid changed the name of their daughters, and Hugh did not see them again, although Enid had promised access during the divorce. After World War II, George Newnes, Hugh's old firm, decided not to work with him anymore. They also represented Enid Blyton and were not willing to let her go. After this the couple experienced financial problems and, in 1950, Hugh had to declare bankruptcy while he struggled with alcoholism. A determined Ida plunged back into her literary work, and deciding to write popular contemporary romances, she sold her first novel to Mills & Boon in 1952. Being in print with several major international publishers at the same time, she decided to use multiple pseudonyms. At that time, the pseudonyms were registered by the publishers and not by the writers. In the 1950s she wrote as Susan Barrie, Pamela Kent, Rose Burghley, and Mary Whistler to Mills & Boon, as Averil Ives and Barbara Rowan to Ward Lock, as Anita Charles to Wright & Brown, as Jane Beaufort to Collins. With the production of ten or twelve titles every year, it was not long before she became hugely popular. Eventually Ida became disenchanted with contemporary romances and decided to write her first historical romance, "The Gentle Masquerade", published in 1964 under her married name, Ida Pollock. After its success the Mills and Boon's "Masquerade" series of historical romances was launched. Ida wrote four more novels for this series as one of the four founding writers. Under her last pseudonym, Marguerite Bell, she also wrote historical romances. In the 1970s she slowed down, but continued to write. Besides romances she also published, as Barbara Rowan, a suspense novel and two Children/Young Adult books. Ida has more than a hundred novels under her married name and under her numerous pseudonyms, most of her novels have been reprinted by Mill & Boon (or Harlequin in the United States). Ida was a founding member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and in 2010 she helped in its 50th anniversary. During her marriage Ida travelled widely and lived in many parts of England. It was their daughter's bad asthma that brought the Pollocks to Cornwall. They also lived in Ireland, France, Italy, Malta and Switzerland, where they obtained a lasting cure for Rosemary's debilitating asthma. Hugh died at 8 November 1971 in Malta, where he is buried in the British military cemetery. After her husband's death, Ida returned with her daughter to England and they lived for several years in Wiltshire, before moving to Lanreath in 1986. Ida was also a recognised oil painter, and was selected for inclusion in a national exhibition in 2004. She also made model houses, usually scale miniatures of Georgian or Tudor buildings. Ida's autobiography, Starlight, published November 15, 2009, tells the story of the start of her career, her marriage, and her husband’s relationship with his ex-wife Enid Blyton. She died in 2013 at the age of 105.
Books
Mistress of Brown Furrows
To go from the shelter and seclusion of an English boarding-school to the vastness and glitter of London, a beautiful estate in Westmorland and the dreaming palaces of Venice - and to be surrounded by every comfort that money can buy - what a transformation! Yet everywhere Carol Inglis, who had been given so much, was haunted by the lack of something precious - the love of the man who had married her out of compassion, to save her from a life of poverty and hardship. Legally and logically, Timothy Carrington had owed Carol nothing. He'd promised her father to take care of her, and Timothy spared no expense. He gave her everything, in fact, except the one thing she truly wanted. Her heart yearned to reach his; to convince him she was more than an object of charity, her response more than simple gratitude. She was a woman -- capable of loving and being loved. What was she to do? How could she convince him that she was not a frail child but a woman capable of loving and being loved, of sharing his life and turning his house into a home?
Carpet of Dreams
Peta, young orphan with a background of vagabond life on the Continent, made a disconcerting addition to Geoffrey Wentworth's austere bachelor household--and he did not scruple to tell her so! It was not until he had driven her away to the attractions of a Florentine villa that he realized how badly he was going to miss her.
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....
Air Ticket
Could their new love compete with the old? After lonely years of raising her daughter, Caro was free to begin a new life. Her quest for change led her to Switzerland--and to tentative bliss in marriage to the handsome Dr. Lucien Andreas. Her happiness was threatened, however, by constant reminders of Lucien's first wife, Barbara. He'd cherished her and been shattered by her death. Caro's love for Lucien had barely begun to flourish. Was it destined to wither in Barbara's shadow?
Moon at the Full
Perhaps it was a little mischievous of Liane Daly to "lend" Stephanie a Paris flat that did not belong to her, but Liane's action had far-reaching consequences. For when the flat's rightful owner, an immensely rich and glamorous French count, surprised Steve there, he promptly offered her a job - no less than to be social secretary aboard his luxury yacht, cruising through the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean! Steve could not resist the opportunity of a few weeks in the glorious Mediterranean sunshine.
The House of the Laird
How could she be sure of him? When Karen collapsed in his arms at the railway station, lain Mackenzie had been more than gentlemanly. He had insisted she regain her health at his lovely Highland estate. But Karen wasn't only grateful for his kindness--she was deeply in love with him. And he wanted to protect her for the rest of his life. Yet...did he really love her, or was it just pity? Karen had doubts that such a marriage would ever work, so she ran away.....
The marriage wheel
Humphrey Lestrode had not wanted a female chauffeur, and he had only taken on Frederica Wells because at the time he had no alternative. But it was the behaviour of her family that was causing Frederica the most embarrassment in her new job!
Master of Melincourt
She feared losing her job--and love Edwina Sands had her work cut out for her, trying to cope with her rebellious charge, Tina Errol--as she received little support from Tina's indulgent guardian. Yet she enjoyed the child and the challenge. Coping with Tina was one thing. Trying not to be overwhelmed by her love for Tina's guardian was quite another. Especially since she was convinced that Jervis Errol was the one man she could never have.
The Quiet Heart
A French peasant girl and her personal conflict when her brother brings home a German wife.
The Wings of the Morning
'My dear Kathie, My godson, the Marques de Barrateira, and his stepmother have arrived unexpectedly, several days before I was looking forward to having them. I would like you, dear child, to come and join us for the weekend, and I hope this won't upset any of your own personal arrangements! My car will pick you up at two thirty this afternoon.' Kathie's two sisters could not understand this invitation from Lady Fitzosborne. Why would she invite quiet, plain young Kathie instead of her much more attractive sisters? And indeed Kathie was puzzled too. But she reasoned that no doubt Lady Fitzosborne needed someone to help with the household arrangements rather than someone to help entertain her guests, and so she set off for the weekend intending to be as useful as possible.
Four Roads to Windrush
"It's a mistake for you to work here." While old Mr. Martingale was her boss, Lindsay hadn't minded working in the hotel that had once been her family home. Now Philip Summers had taken over...
The Stars of San Cecilio
It was Elizabeth Waring's last night on the Costa Brava. The place was beautiful and romantic, and her holiday had been pleasant, but... nothing special had happened, and tomorrow she must go back to London and look for work. And then the miracle took place, and the man of her dreams spoke to her. Actually, he was Senor Julio Fernandez, and he offered her a job as governess to his small daughter. Working in Spain would be better than returning to London. At least that's what Lisa thought, but even a Spanish paradise contained a serpent. For Dona Beatriz de Camponelli made it very clear to Lisa that she intended to be the second Mrs. of Julio Fernandez. Accepting a English governess was one thing; but accepting a second Senora was another!
Hotel Stardust
HE WAS DETERMINED BUT SO WAS SHE. Commander Roger Merlin wasted no time putting his plan into action. He offered to buy Eve's inheritance, Treloan Manor, before she had even seen it! But she had no intention of selling the Georgian mansion-especially not to the arrogant Commander Merlin! Somehow she must keep the estate. Maybe it could be made to pay for itself as a hotel. And it would suit Eve perfectly to be in the same business as Roger Merlin. Competition was just what he deserved!
Wild Sonata
Melanie had considered Wroxford Priory her home, until the arrival of the new heir. It soon became obvious that Sir Luke knew nothing about her being the ward of his late uncle, and it wasn't long before Melanie moved out in a huff. but she was soon to return, and this time on a much more satisfactory basis. But soon she was back again-feeling rather differently about things this time!
So dear to my heart
From the moment the little black lamb is born, the life of a lonesome ten-year-old orphan centers around his struggle to keep and protect it, although God and proud, religious Granny Kinkaid seem to be against him.
Bride in Waiting
One of the most influential and glamorous cattlemen of northern Australia, Blake Courtland seems way out of ordinary Carolyn Donovan's reach. She is under no illusions - Blake couldn't possibly want to make his aggravating neighbor his blushing bride.
Accidental bride
The tall, dark, angry Austrian who helped Samantha Rivers after a skiing accident -- and gave her a blistering telling-off in the process! -- was, Samantha thought and hoped, just a 'ship that passed in the night'. She never expected or wanted to see him again. But she did meet him again much later, and in very different circumstances. For when her aristocratic school friend Elisabeth van Ultz invited Samantha to stay with her in the family castle in the Austrian Alps, Elisabeth's brother, the imperious Baron Stephan von Ultz, turned out to be none other than Samantha's angry acquaintance of the skiing incident. And Samantha like him no better than she had before...
Royal Purple
Paul Avery was only a waiter-yet he owned a delightful country cottage, and indulged in the most expensive tastes. Lucy was intrigued by him; her employer, a member of an exiled royal family, frowned on him. Which of them was right?
Victoria and the nightingale
"It's not your problem," Victoria told Sir Peter She knew they couldn't continue to take advantage of his hospitality. When Victoria had suddenly found herself jobless and responsible for a small orphaned boy, Sir Peter had generously provided them with a temporary home. But she couldn't accept his plan to adopt Johnny. How could she stay and take care of the boy, knowing that Sir Peter's fiancee wanted her to leave? Yet she had to think of Johnny, too. She couldn't take her own feelings for Sir Peter into account....