Customer Reviews

A Visit From Sir Nicholas

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1843 Lady Elizabeth Effington is confused as much as perhaps Scrooge was when the first two ghosts and Marley visited him. Elizabeth has loved Charles for a long time, but the kisses of Nicholas Collingsworth send her into ecstasy. She tells Nicholas she loves him, but he insists she marry his friend and forget him as he will go to America. Nicholas leaves and Elizabeth marries Charles and has two children with him, but her spouse dies.

In 1853 Nick returns to England responsible for Elizabeth's finances as his friend her late husband stipulated he would. To her chagrin Elizabeth still wants Nick, but she refuses to embarrass and humiliate herself again. Nick has always regretted his rejection of his beloved though he did so for noble reasons. Now he wants her in his bed bit not just as a temporary companion, but as his wife.

This terrific holiday Victorian Effington romance is a superb tale starring two likable protagonists and the ghost of Charles, beloved by both of them. The outtakes from Dickens' A Christmas Carol add depth by emphasizing the season and in some ways paralleling the main story line. Fans will appreciate this delightful yuletide historical second chance at love tale that emphasizes the belief in late December miracles.

Harriet Klausner

Well, another "Effington Family" read has been delightfully offered to fans of the historical romance genre. Ms. Alexander's trademark humor, and characters have been combined into another read that is truly a stand alone in a series that is beyond popular with fans the world over.

Lizzie has loved Nicholas almost from the moment she was introduced to the young orphaned boy. They have practically grown up together and although there is an "agreement" that she will marry one man...she still can't help but feel the attraction that now lies between Nicholas and herself. She finally decides on the eve of Nicholas' departure to gift him not only with a book, but with her feelings as well. But, this tender hearted young lady is about to be hurt and forced into a relationship that just might not be the best thing for her.

Nicholas is not about to let history repeat itself. His father had married his mother despite the fact that his Uncle Fredrick loved her as well. On top of this his father took off to make a fortune and instead ended up in dire straights. He wants to make something of himself instead of having it handed to him. This means leaving England and heading to the new world well, that's what, he's going to have to do. But fate will bring him back to the one and only woman that he will ever love. But, will it be too late and will the once loving Elizabeth be something much different?

Nicholas and Lizzie is a product of his or her own making. Still even though they are separated by several years, ignore what they're feeling they managed to get their happy ending. Some things did bother me about the read but they were minor when taken into consideration the entire book. Ms. Alexander has created a wonderful "Regency" family and it's fun to see that she has managed to continue it without becoming too stale or overdone. This is a quick read and one that fans will enjoy and appreciate.

A Visit From Sir Nicholas is an enjoyable read if you can look past the flaws. Elizabeth's reasons for denying what she feels for Nicholas are understandable, but she can get a little annoying. Nicholas and Elizabeth both make decisions that can be frustrating to the reader because the decisions they make that keeps them apart seem completely unneccesary to an outsider. However, Victoria Alexander has provided plenty of explanation concerning WHY the characters do what they do, so the characters actions are consistent with their personality. Once I understood Elizabeth and Nicholas, I enjoyed watching them both overcome their hangups and come together. I especially like how A Christmas Carol was incorporated into the book. I was touched by how Nicholas cherished the book because Elizabeth had given it to him.

Well, I read and enjoyed this during my weekly commute to work on mass transit. I liked Nicholas and the whole idea of relating a romantic story of second chances to the central theme prominent in Dicken's Christmas Carol. I guess what disappointed me a bit was the character of Elizabeth Effington Langley. I found myself a bit perplexed at times while reading this because her whole demeanor seemed to be an irritable young woman who got angry rather quickly and did little more than arch an eyebrow on occasion in her conversational exchanges. I was hoping for more of a heroine, I guess. I suppose I wanted someone with more depth or maybe a cheerier disposition. That was the only thing that left me feeling a little disappointed with this book. Otherwise, nice, fun read!

I quit this book at about 80 pages. In most regencies you either see an "unmatched" couple buck society and be possibly snubbed for true love OR do the "noble" thing and marry for a proper match and forsake true love. The two characters in this book do the latter but meet up again 10 years later. I'm one of those who would rather they face scandal and be together so this was not my cup of tea. Miss Alexander does seem a very compentant writer so I plan on trying other of her books.

I initially wrote a review after reading about half of this book and getting caught up in some of the other reviews listed here. I am back to revise my review and tell you that this is a wonderfully touching book. All the items the critics have offered here I think are overblown - the characters are well developed, their motivations fully explained and the story line, is unique. Afterall while we always know the 2 characters are going to end up happily ever-after, in this book the main characters have already told us they were deeply in love with each other - circumstances let them part with each other and it wasn't until they were older and wiser that they were able to come together.

I do still have one criticism, I wish the author had brought in more of her original characters - Lizzie's parents were the stars of their own story several years ago but they never appear, for the most part, in this book. But on the other hand -if you've not been following the Effington stories you'll have no trouble picking up here.

Usually I love this author-and will buy her future books but had a hard time swallowing this one.

I found myself skimming pages or skipping some actually out of boredom. Nicholas was no true hero. Given the story we know he's in line to inherit an earldom and one of substance. Why wouldn't he feel he has something to offer Elizabeth,our heroine? He says he truly knows her like no one else does, so why let her go to a man who obviously couldn't appreciate her?

Also, Nicholas disappears to America for a decade, and yet the husband gives Nicholas control of the family finances after his (husband) death instead of the heroine's brother-a marquess, and supposedly one of his closest friends, or the heroine's father..a duke? More unbelieveable was that Nicholas closed her credit accounts, yet she's the daughter of the powerful Duke of Effington? For those of us who've read 'The Marriage Lesson' know the Duke would never let his daughter be without any resources and that Marianne (the duchess) would have been outraged at such treatment to her daughter-yet she laughs it off!

Hopefully the next Effington novel will be more inline with Ms Alexander's previous novels

A visit from Sir Nicholas is part of the Effington series. This story starts Christmas Eve 1852 with Lady Elizabeth Effington trying to decide between Charles or Nicholas - decisions are made and fates are sealed. The story continues 10 years later and Lady Elizabeth Effington has been given a second chance. The characters are strong and very funny ~ enjoy! I would recommend the Effington Series The Wedding Bargain, Husband List, Marriage Lesson, The Prince's Bride, Her Highness, My Wife, Love with the Proper Husband, The Lady in Question, The Pursuit of Marriage, A Visit from Sir Nicholas, When We Meet Again (my favorite and conclusion of the previous earlier stories The Prince's Bride, Her Highness, My Wife sub-plots) and the most recent Let It Be Love.

I always have high hopes for Victoria Alexander, but recently her books have been wildly uneven endeavors. Her earlier novels made her a favorite of mine and hooked me (along with Julia Quinn & Suzanne Enoch) on romances. Sadly, this book is only so-so.

It started out with a bang, and the dialogue was splendid. I adored Nicholas' scene playing pirate with her boys. Indeed, Nicholas is pretty darn great most of the time. But Elizabeth is trying--yes, her vase-throwing was very annoying--and I wasn't crazy about her as a mother. She has good moments, but I think she's the weakest link in this book.

I have to call the book average -- and that's not a good thing for this writer.

This is just fun! It doesn't pretend to be anything else, but Lizzie and Nick are...well, fun! Their characters are layered, but not deeply, angstily (I know, probably not a real word) so. I even love the kids, particularly Adam. Good job, Ms. Alexander!