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Goblin Hill
Only after the tragic deaths of her adoptive parents, did Faith learn the whereabouts of her real father. She could not rest until she had gone to New Zealand in search of him. But the real problem, she soon realized, was her father's grim stepson Gareth Morgan, who could not forget the family scandal-- or forgive Faith for it!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
2 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Essie Summers
106 books52 followersEssie 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/...
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/...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 15 reviews
April 22, 2025
New Zealand is the setting for this story of a Seekret Baybee, now grown young woman, who discovers the identity of her biological father and infiltrates his family under a Seekret Identity in order to get to know him. After the divorce from heroine's mother, Bio Dad went on to marry again, to a woman who had a son from a previous relationship. The hero of this piece is the bio dad's stepson, now all grown up too.
I will probably remember this one for the hero going on and on and on. And. On. How he was super elated at the news that his stepdad's first wife had died. He absolutely despised her even though he never met her. Her crime? Divorcing her husband! The hero is completely whacked. This was not an acrimonious divorce where the heroine's mother tortured and cheated on her father. It was simply a bad match. After two years, it became evident their infatuation had faded and what remained was their incompatibility. So they took the very mature step of divorcing.
That the hero declared his joy again and again and again about some poor, innocent lady's death was bad enough, but that he did it repeatedly before that lady's daughter, kind of killed the "hero" vibe for me. Fortunately for him, the heroine was such a Mary Sue, she would forgive everyone for every wrong committed on earth, so he and she did eventually get their HEA. For me, this so-called romance was dismal.
I will probably remember this one for the hero going on and on and on. And. On. How he was super elated at the news that his stepdad's first wife had died. He absolutely despised her even though he never met her. Her crime? Divorcing her husband! The hero is completely whacked. This was not an acrimonious divorce where the heroine's mother tortured and cheated on her father. It was simply a bad match. After two years, it became evident their infatuation had faded and what remained was their incompatibility. So they took the very mature step of divorcing.
That the hero declared his joy again and again and again about some poor, innocent lady's death was bad enough, but that he did it repeatedly before that lady's daughter, kind of killed the "hero" vibe for me. Fortunately for him, the heroine was such a Mary Sue, she would forgive everyone for every wrong committed on earth, so he and she did eventually get their HEA. For me, this so-called romance was dismal.
October 12, 2013
The book synopsis is very good except the lead female character went to London for a month to learn about her real parents from her godmother after the death of her adoptive parents and learning that she was adopted.
Faith was hired by her great aunts to document the family history and write a book for the future generation starting from the time her great grand parents left Scotland to the more recent time. There were many touching stories and passages but there was this one poem sent to her great grand mother from a distant cousin in America after losing her only son that really touched me.
"Honey, there will be a hoop And hills to roll it down... (God couldn't give a little boy The burden of a crown).
He'll show you lots of trees to climb and where he keeps the swings. (God, let him have a ball and bat Instead of shining wings!)
And will He let you sail a kite Up where the sky is clear, Without tall buildings stooping down? Of course He will, my dear!
Now close your eyes . . . I'll kiss them shut The way I always do .. . (I must . . . I must not cry, dear God, Until he's safe with You.)"
Faith was hired by her great aunts to document the family history and write a book for the future generation starting from the time her great grand parents left Scotland to the more recent time. There were many touching stories and passages but there was this one poem sent to her great grand mother from a distant cousin in America after losing her only son that really touched me.
"Honey, there will be a hoop And hills to roll it down... (God couldn't give a little boy The burden of a crown).
He'll show you lots of trees to climb and where he keeps the swings. (God, let him have a ball and bat Instead of shining wings!)
And will He let you sail a kite Up where the sky is clear, Without tall buildings stooping down? Of course He will, my dear!
Now close your eyes . . . I'll kiss them shut The way I always do .. . (I must . . . I must not cry, dear God, Until he's safe with You.)"
July 30, 2025
“Goblin Hill” is the story of Faith and Gareth.
What a lovely book.
Our heroine’s adoptive parents die in a short period of time, leaving her heartbroken. She traces her paternity, and shockingly discovers the identity of her familiar birth mother and long lost father.
The heroine then visits Goblin Hill for a job, but soon lands in the epicenter of her long lost family. Be it a battle of wills with a initially skeptical and soon smitten hero, or the altruistic yet meddlesome behavior of his loving family, we see her discover her roots, fall in love with her people and yet remain distant to avoid pain to those she loved. She is a beautifully written, smart and witty main character who goes on a journey of finding herself. Love that we had no villains, just genuinely caring characters all around.
I really enjoyed it
Safe
4/5
What a lovely book.
Our heroine’s adoptive parents die in a short period of time, leaving her heartbroken. She traces her paternity, and shockingly discovers the identity of her familiar birth mother and long lost father.
The heroine then visits Goblin Hill for a job, but soon lands in the epicenter of her long lost family. Be it a battle of wills with a initially skeptical and soon smitten hero, or the altruistic yet meddlesome behavior of his loving family, we see her discover her roots, fall in love with her people and yet remain distant to avoid pain to those she loved. She is a beautifully written, smart and witty main character who goes on a journey of finding herself. Love that we had no villains, just genuinely caring characters all around.
I really enjoyed it
Safe
4/5
November 26, 2019
Heroine discovers her family of birth when her adoptive parents die. After attending her birth mother’s deathbed, heroine goes “undercover” to meet her birth father and meets her stepbrother (his mother is married to the hero’s father). Hero hates her birth mother, so heroine decides she should keep her identity quiet.
That’s it. That’s the plot.
This is a typical scenario for ES and it’s solved with everyone loving the heroine on sight, the family deciding to “understand” the actress birth mother for choosing her career over farm life, and the stepbrother inheriting everything.
This is a very low-key story. No OW. Only one death-defying incident with poachers. Lots and lots of NZ history, family history, and poetry.
This would be boring for most readers, however, I enjoyed hunting for L.M. Montgomery Easter eggs. The Story Girl is mentioned out right. Heroine’s name is Meredith Faith. Faith Meredith was the oldest daughter of the minister’s family in Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside. ES uses so many phrases and descriptions from L.M.M.’s novels that I’m almost tempted to run plagiarism software. (Not that I know how)
I finally figured out why the characters quoting poetry or using descriptive language in L.M. Montgomery’s stories never bothered me and it bothers me in ES’s stories. L.M. Montgomery always has a character scold Anne (or whomever) for getting above herself or make fun of their pretensions. She lets us know that these characters are living in their own heads and people do notice. Not everyone is a kindred spirit, or aspires to be, or needs to be. ES has everyone spouting poetry and agreeing on everything (except for the OW when there is one).
Naksed has all the details in her review.
That’s it. That’s the plot.
This is a typical scenario for ES and it’s solved with everyone loving the heroine on sight, the family deciding to “understand” the actress birth mother for choosing her career over farm life, and the stepbrother inheriting everything.
This is a very low-key story. No OW. Only one death-defying incident with poachers. Lots and lots of NZ history, family history, and poetry.
This would be boring for most readers, however, I enjoyed hunting for L.M. Montgomery Easter eggs. The Story Girl is mentioned out right. Heroine’s name is Meredith Faith. Faith Meredith was the oldest daughter of the minister’s family in Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside. ES uses so many phrases and descriptions from L.M.M.’s novels that I’m almost tempted to run plagiarism software. (Not that I know how)
I finally figured out why the characters quoting poetry or using descriptive language in L.M. Montgomery’s stories never bothered me and it bothers me in ES’s stories. L.M. Montgomery always has a character scold Anne (or whomever) for getting above herself or make fun of their pretensions. She lets us know that these characters are living in their own heads and people do notice. Not everyone is a kindred spirit, or aspires to be, or needs to be. ES has everyone spouting poetry and agreeing on everything (except for the OW when there is one).
Naksed has all the details in her review.
November 3, 2013
Like The Tender Leaves, this is a family reunion romance. It's a little different as the heroine learns quite early she was adopted and the specifics of who her real parents are.
The complication in this case comes from the hero, Gareth, who is protective of his mother and feels any reminder of his step-father's first wife can only be painful.
There is a lot of history in this story as the heroine, Faith comes to Goblin Hill to help write the family history in the hope of meeting her father and his family anonymously.
It is a little different to similar stories as we get to see Gareth's feelings quite clearly. An enjoyable read.
The complication in this case comes from the hero, Gareth, who is protective of his mother and feels any reminder of his step-father's first wife can only be painful.
There is a lot of history in this story as the heroine, Faith comes to Goblin Hill to help write the family history in the hope of meeting her father and his family anonymously.
It is a little different to similar stories as we get to see Gareth's feelings quite clearly. An enjoyable read.
November 6, 2016
Wonderful book. Full of heartache and loss for the heroine. After the death of her loving parents, Faith finds out that she was an adopted child. When she reveals to her boyfriend, he and his snobbish mother reject her. In her grief she goes to visit her godmother, hoping to find out who her real parents are. Another twist in the tale, her godmother, a famous actress, reveals that she is in fact her mother. She had her when she was a younger wife newly divorced from her husband and dead set on having an acting career. She gave the child up to her good friends who were childless but kept in touch as a godmother. She also reveals that Faith's father never knew about her. Soon after she also passes away. Faith feels totally alone in the world and decides to look for her father. She knows he has a farm in the South of New Zealand. She decides to look for a job nearby and hopefully run into him or his family.
Serendipitously, she finds a job with his grand aunts. They are writing a history of their family and needed someone to transcribe their stories. It is the perfect job for her. She is a bit apprehensive since when she arrives, she meets the step-son of her father and he tells her of his deep animosity to his step-father's first wife. She is suddenly loath to reveal her identity. However she takes it as an opportunity to get to know the family she should have had.
It's quite a poignant story since she fits in so well with all her relatives and gets to know her grand parents. They all feel a kinship to her. The hero Garth, her father's step son, is attracted to her, but she is very wary of revealing her true relationship, so she makes up a story that she has a previous attachment. The story moves on in this manner until the tension builds and everything comes to a head. They do have their HEA and a perfect happy conclusion.
Serendipitously, she finds a job with his grand aunts. They are writing a history of their family and needed someone to transcribe their stories. It is the perfect job for her. She is a bit apprehensive since when she arrives, she meets the step-son of her father and he tells her of his deep animosity to his step-father's first wife. She is suddenly loath to reveal her identity. However she takes it as an opportunity to get to know the family she should have had.
It's quite a poignant story since she fits in so well with all her relatives and gets to know her grand parents. They all feel a kinship to her. The hero Garth, her father's step son, is attracted to her, but she is very wary of revealing her true relationship, so she makes up a story that she has a previous attachment. The story moves on in this manner until the tension builds and everything comes to a head. They do have their HEA and a perfect happy conclusion.
September 26, 2015
While searching for her real father, Faith is asked to compile the history of a New Zealand pioneer farming family. The book describes the fictional history of the family over a 120 odd year period as settlers in New Zealand and that description itself is fascinating.
A lovely old-fashioned romance with misunderstandings and a knight-errand hero.
A lovely old-fashioned romance with misunderstandings and a knight-errand hero.
April 9, 2012
Heroine goes in search of father, lies about a lot of things, falls in love with stepbrother and then the whole truth is revealed. It was effin great!
November 4, 2017
This is one of my favorites; I have read it a number of times, but still enjoy rereading it. After the deaths Faith's parents, she is very surprised to learn that she had been adopted as an infant, and that her beloved godmother was actually her mother (this happens early in the book, so it not really a spoiler). In addition, her father is still alive, and married again, but never even knew she existed. So she decides to try and find a job in that area, and secretly meet her family. Then maybe, just maybe, in time she can reveal who she really is. But her very first meeting with Gareth Morgan, her father's stepson, puts paid to that, as he expresses is deeply abiding resentment of her father's first wife. Now, no matter how much she comes to love everyone at Goblin Hill, Gareth included, she must keep her secret, and somehow tear herself away. If only, somehow, Gareth could understand.
July 24, 2025
The usual kind of book from Essie Summers with a girl wanting to know her real father - I don't know how many times she has used that trope (eye roll). But I enjoyed the story because the heroine (25, as usual) is not sanctimonious or perfect (and I loved how she reacted to her birth mother) and the hero is flawed, but soon smitten. It has the Essie Summers style cast of characters, poetry and an annoying child, but I wished the ending was established better (and 16 sheep were not brutally slaughtered, which they didn't seem upset about).
3 1/2 stars
3 1/2 stars
January 16, 2019
I read Harlequin Romances by the truck load when I was in high school more than 40 years ago, and Essie Summers was one of my favorite authors. A friend just moved to New Zealand, and I got a hankering to reread some of these books because they are set there. The descriptions of the settings are great, but I'm way too old for these--they are just way too predictable for anyone who has read a few books. I find the conflicts to be sort of eye-rollingly silly.
abrierto-to-read-hr-other
August 6, 2022Only after the tragic deaths of her adoptive parents, did Faith learn the whereabouts of her real father. She could not rest until she had gone to New Zealand in search of him. But the real problem, she soon realized, was her father's grim stepson Gareth Morgan, who could not forget the family scandal-- or forgive Faith for it!
February 15, 2021
Loved the family drama
January 22, 2023
Beautiful story! I enjoyed it 😊
Displaying 1 - 14 of 15 reviews