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. Professionally speaking, Foster Ward was perfect. There it was, a model of neatness, beds and lockers beautifully tidy; there was the famous surgeon arriving to make his round, attended by his house surgeons of varying status and by eager but nervous students; there were the nurses, dutiful and efficient, ready to answer any questions he might ask. But beneath the decorous surface there surged many a strong emotion; love and ambition, professional and personal jealousy, fear and hope ... one way or another, the ward of a big hospital can provide them all.