A Visit from Sir Nicholas

Overview

Everyone knows that an Effington always getsher way ... but this time it's not going to be easy! Lady Elizabeth Effington simply could not suitably feel the joy of the Christmas season. Ten years had passed since she had boldly declared her love for Sir Nicholas Collingsworth. He rebuffed her and set out to seek his fortunes, while Elizabeth was left a woman scorned. Now, she discovers in horror that the inheritance she's managed beautifully was never hers to control. No, power over her finances lay in the hands of the last man she ever wants to see again: Nicholas! But running Elizabeth's life isn't part of Nick's plans. He's intrigued when he discovers that the frivolous and flighty girl he once knew has turned into a beautiful and capable woman. Nick vows to woo -- and win -- her, and while she seems unmoved by his fervent seduction, he swears he will not rest until she accepts that most precious gift of all -- the gift of love.

Editorial Reviews

While Alexander's many fans will snatch up her latest romance featuring the irrepressible Effington family (The Pursuit of Marriage, etc.), newcomers may wonder what all the fuss is about. In this lusterless Victorian-era novel, Nicholas Collingsworth casts away the burgeoning affection of Elizabeth Effington so that she can marry his best friend, then departs to make his fortune abroad. When Nicholas returns to London 10 years later, Elizabeth is a lovely young widow, and he pledges to correct his mistake by winning her heart and hand. With few genuine obstacles to contend with besides Elizabeth's pride and stubbornness, Nicholas's campaign lacks tension. A possible threat to their happiness springs out of nowhere four-fifths of the way through, providing momentary excitement, but it fizzles out before its dramatic potential is explored. Elizabeth's impulsiveness adds some sparks, but when she throws a vase for the third time in a fit of bad temper-this time a priceless Ming aimed directly at Nicholas's head and flung "with all her strength"-readers may wonder if Nicholas should wait 10 more years for the lady to grow up. One shining beacon is Alexander's dialogue, which screenwriters might envy for its rat-a-tat zing. But those seeking surprises should pass up this bland holiday offering. Agent, Meg Ruley. (Dec.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.

Author Information

Bio of Victoria Alexander

New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander was an award-winning television reporter until she discovered fiction was much more fun than real life. She turned to writing full-time and is still shocked it worked out. Since the publication of her first book in 1995, she has written twenty-one full-length novels and six novellas. Her books have hit the top ten on the New York Times bestseller list and regularly appear on the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists, as well. She has twice been nominated for the Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award. Victoria credits much of her writing success to her experiences as a reporter. Her years as a broadcast journalist were spent in two radically different areas of the country: West Virginia and Nebraska. In West Virginia, she covered both natural and manmade disasters. She was on the scene when a power plant construction accident in a small town left 52 men dead. She once spent the night on a mountain waiting to learn of the fate of coal miners trapped in a mine collapse. Victoria was producing a newscast when her husband (who worked at the same television station) and several other journalists were held hostage by a disturbed Vietnam veteran. In Nebraska, she reported on the farm crisis and watched people lose land that had been in their families for generations. She covered the story that was the basis of the movie Boys Don't Cry and once acted as the link between police and a gunman who had barricaded himself in his home. Her investigative work exposed the trucking of New York City garbage to a small-town dump in rural Nebraska. During her journalism career, Victoria covered every president from Ford to Clinton. She knows firsthand what it feels like to be surrounded by rising floodwaters and inside a burning building. She's interviewed movie stars, including Kevin Costner; ridden an elephant; and flown in a governor's helicopter. She's covered a national political convention and Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Denver, as well as small-town festivals celebrating everything from walnuts to Glenn Miller. Her work was honored by numerous organizations, including the Associated Press who called her feature about a firefighter's school "storytelling genius." It was the encouragement she needed to turn from news to fiction. She's never looked back. Victoria grew up traveling the world as an Air Force brat. Today, she lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband (whose name she routinely uses when she needs a dead husband in a book), two kids in college (buy her books!), two bearded collies who believe they're human, a house under constant renovation and the accompanying parade of men in tool belts, and never-ending chaos. She laughs a great deal--she has to. Victoria claims her love of romance and journalism is due to the influence of her favorite comic book character: Lois Lane, a terrific reporter and a great heroine who pursued Superman with an unwavering determination. And why not? He was extremely well-drawn.

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Additional Info

Imprint

HarperCollins

Filesize

566.15 KB

Number of Pages

384

eBook ISBN

9780061157226