Not by Appointment

Challowsford #2

by Essie Summers, Unknown Author

Jocelyn takes nanny job for two orphans and falls in love with their uncle.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Contemporary, Harlequin Romance

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Essie Summers was a New Zealand author who wrote so vividly of the people and landscape of her native country that she was offered The Order Of the British Empire for her contributions to New Zealand tourism.

Ethel Snelson Summers was born on on July 24, 1912 to a newly-emigrated couple, Ethel Snelson and Edwin Summers, situated in Bordesley Street in Christchurch, Essie was always proud of both her British heritage and her New Zealand citizenship. Both her parents were exceptional storytellers, and this, combined with her early introduction to the Anne of Green Gables stories, engendered in her a life-long fascination with the craft of writing and the colorful legacy of pioneers everywhere.

Leaving school at 14 when her father's butcher shop experienced financial difficulties, she worked for a number of years in draper's shops and later turned her experiences to good use in writing the romantic novels for which she became famous.

She met her husband-to-be William Flett when she was only 13 years old, but it was 13 years before she consented to marry him. A minister's wife and the mother of two, William and Elizabeth, she still found many opportunities to pen short stories, poetry and newspaper columns before embarking on her first novel, which sold to the firm of Mills & Boon in 1956.

Summers died in Taradale, Hawkes Bay on the August 27, 1998.

http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/...

Reviews

[Ann aka Iftcan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, let me first of all say--this is probably a 2.5 to 3 book, on it's own merits. However, when I read this book many years ago, I was in hospital, awaiting the results of a biopsy on a lump in my throat after having surgery to remove the lump and my thyroid. This was the book I was reading when the report finally came back as still pre-cancerous. I remembered everything about the book, EXCEPT the author and title. While its a simple little formula romance, great for a totally mindless read, one that most of the time you wouldn't remember 5 minutes after reading it, this still gets those 5 stars for the memory it has for me.

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes this is the 11th Essie Summers book I've read this week. She is like that. They are such friendly reads and so many of them are linked with characters from one book turning up in later books.

This is linked to Nurse Abroad which I reviewed yesterday. Magnus Isbister is a cousin of Sarah Isbister and Jocelyn Alexander is a cousin to Grant however they hadn't really met in spite of attending a family wedding at the same time when Jos is a youngster.

Essie is a great one for the evil conniving woman causing problems and this is a big part of the plot to bring Jos and Magnus together. Ina is the sister-in-law of Alex, the twin brother of Magnus and she caused quite a bit of trouble in the marriage by dominating Alex's wife Jan. However that was all sorted and they were very happy with their two children Una and Ninian until an accident left the children orphans. Ina tried to take over the children despite Magnus being the appointed guardian.

Jocelyn turns up by accident and is drawn into a conspiracy to prove Magnus is a suitable guardian. She is a nurse and well qualified to care for the children and also Aunt Clarissa who is there to be a chaperone.

Despite a bad start, the relationship develops very nicely between author Magnus and Jos. He is a boisterous and extroverted character with a past that has left him touchy and Jos has a small heartbreak of her own. This is a story where most of the obstacles are external ones and they are resolved very satisfactorily.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jocelyn is an older heroine (27). When she finds herself falling in love with her boss, a doctor with a jealous wife, she leaves. On vacation before seeking a new position (she's a nurse), a serious of mishaps land her at Ronaldsay, where Magnus Isbister, an author, needs a nurse-housekeeper to look after his orphaned nephew and niece as well as his aunt. Both Jocelyn and Magnus have Orcadian ancestors, and even relatives in common. But there is a hint of scandal in his past — will it and another jealous woman keep them from finding happiness together? Once again Summers sets this sweet romance against the lush scenery of New Zealand, this time in Fiordland. I have always enjoyed the children she frequently includes in her books, but in this one, despite being integral to the plot, they seem to disappear into the background in the latter parts of the story. A little mystery is solved (though the author misuses the word "ancestor"). Recommended.

[Beth Hirschenbein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful to read again.

Loved this book the first time around in paperback. I used to buy them every month, but was happy when there was a new one by Essie Summers. So glad that they are finally coming back in digital editions. Can’t wait until there are more books available to read.

[Nadosha · Rating 3 out of 5]

هذة القصة تختلف عن بقية قصص سمرز بأنها تحتوي على وصف أكثر من الأحداث وحشو لا يضر حذفة من القصة ولا يؤثر في الأحداث.
الا ان فيها كثير من الواقعيه وتصلح للمراهقين لأنها خاليه من المشاهد الحميمة ٠

[Melanie Emry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her best

I love the characters and the setting. This shows Essie's love of New Zealand. It also features (as her novels often do) characters who must rise above circumstances much harder than simply finding their way to romance.