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The Time and the Place
- GenresRomance
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
About the author
Essie Summers
106 books54 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 24, 2021
4 ½ Stars ~ It's been ages since I've treated myself to a romance written by Essie Summers. I wish I hadn't left it so long. Ms Summers was a true master storyteller. Her descriptions of her beloved New Zealand casts a spell and you feel the awe she held for the land around her.
Catherine, at 23, has been the guardian of her 7 year old niece for the past four years since the suicide of her brother. She lives in an annex built onto her older brother & sister-in-laws home where Catherine can count on help with child care. She works as the school secretary at the local boys college and is engaged to the sports master. She's very proud of the school and has been concerned on it's lowering standards with the past rector. A new one is about to take over, and she sincerely hopes that he'll bring pride back to the school.
This is where the story begins. Catherine tumbles down a hillside onto the road and fortunately for her, Hugh has good reflexes and brakes his car. Unhurt except bruises, Hugh scopes her up and insists she goes with him. He's quite taken with Catherine and they enjoy the rest of the afternoon together. Unbeknownst to Catherine, Hugh is the new rector, and she laments her week ahead as her new boss is starting and she hopes he won't be too hard on the boys. When she learns who he is, she's quite determined not to like him.
Hugh, at 35, is looking forward to his new position as Rector. Thanks to Catherine's chatter, he has a good sense on the mood of the teachers and the students before he steps in. He's a fair man, a listener, but he doesn't put up with fools and manipulators. He's rather shocked at Catherine's choice of fiancé, as Ken is rather selfish and controlling. Subtly he tries to open her eyes to Ken's shallowness. Ken repeatedly lets her down, and they even argue on her guardianship of her niece.
Just as Catherine makes up her mind to end her engagement, along comes Delia, a woman she believes Hugh was once in love with. Delia is the ultimate evil other woman; constantly undermining Catherine and promoting rumours to seed doubt. This is a woman obsessed and determined to get the man no matter the cost.
Of course, in good Harlequin fashion, the right boy and the right girl are brought together, when at last "a small tornado" erupts in Catherine and she finally confronts Hugh. A rather apt HEA for these two soul mates.
Catherine, at 23, has been the guardian of her 7 year old niece for the past four years since the suicide of her brother. She lives in an annex built onto her older brother & sister-in-laws home where Catherine can count on help with child care. She works as the school secretary at the local boys college and is engaged to the sports master. She's very proud of the school and has been concerned on it's lowering standards with the past rector. A new one is about to take over, and she sincerely hopes that he'll bring pride back to the school.
This is where the story begins. Catherine tumbles down a hillside onto the road and fortunately for her, Hugh has good reflexes and brakes his car. Unhurt except bruises, Hugh scopes her up and insists she goes with him. He's quite taken with Catherine and they enjoy the rest of the afternoon together. Unbeknownst to Catherine, Hugh is the new rector, and she laments her week ahead as her new boss is starting and she hopes he won't be too hard on the boys. When she learns who he is, she's quite determined not to like him.
Hugh, at 35, is looking forward to his new position as Rector. Thanks to Catherine's chatter, he has a good sense on the mood of the teachers and the students before he steps in. He's a fair man, a listener, but he doesn't put up with fools and manipulators. He's rather shocked at Catherine's choice of fiancé, as Ken is rather selfish and controlling. Subtly he tries to open her eyes to Ken's shallowness. Ken repeatedly lets her down, and they even argue on her guardianship of her niece.
Just as Catherine makes up her mind to end her engagement, along comes Delia, a woman she believes Hugh was once in love with. Delia is the ultimate evil other woman; constantly undermining Catherine and promoting rumours to seed doubt. This is a woman obsessed and determined to get the man no matter the cost.
Of course, in good Harlequin fashion, the right boy and the right girl are brought together, when at last "a small tornado" erupts in Catherine and she finally confronts Hugh. A rather apt HEA for these two soul mates.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2022
OMG this was just one ridiculous Big Mis Situation after another 🙄
May 2, 2024
I wonder what happened to the dog from the first few pages? He's never mentioned again. Plus the niece she has adopted spends hardly any time with her, why is that? The hero is complacent about the OW until the very end - and if he did dislike her, why travel through Europe with her in the past? Why does this beautiful, rich woman want a 35 year old rector that desperately? Why did they go overnight on a ship for a course with a sports master? What did the ex-All Black see in so dreary a woman (23 going on 53). Honestly there are so many hanging threads in this one - the only conclusion that is reached is that she'll be warming his slippers (how does she do this - sounds nice), making his dinner, getting his pipe out and blissfully touring Scotland in December (when the roads are too icy to go far) which is her "motherland" despite never visiting. The hero is disappointing and the heroine is DRAB.
Hmmm. I know Essie fans won't like me for this, but it's below par.
Hmmm. I know Essie fans won't like me for this, but it's below par.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2013
This is a sweet story of the secretary boss kind set in a school. Catherine is a Friday's child, loving and giving, caring for her four year old niece after the death of her brother and working at his old school where he was a teacher before his death.
She is engaged to the sports master, a buff former All Black rugby player but things are not all sweetness and light as he is not keen to take on a child in their marriage.
Catherine's first meeting with Hugh Murdoch, the new Rector of the school is fraught with embarrassment for her. First she falls down a slope almost in front of the wheels of his car and then, bonding with the stranger, tells him all about how the school is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new headmaster. Oooops.
From their the relationship develops. Hugh is totally adorbs and the bestest Rector of the school ever of course. Her fiance is shown to be narrow minded and selfish through his own actions.
There are no really dramatic moments in this story. Some heartbreak for Catherine as she sees the daughter of one of Hugh's old friends seeming to take up his attention. Misunderstandings abound but we the reader can see the game. All is resolved however and a sweet and romantic ending.
She is engaged to the sports master, a buff former All Black rugby player but things are not all sweetness and light as he is not keen to take on a child in their marriage.
Catherine's first meeting with Hugh Murdoch, the new Rector of the school is fraught with embarrassment for her. First she falls down a slope almost in front of the wheels of his car and then, bonding with the stranger, tells him all about how the school is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new headmaster. Oooops.
From their the relationship develops. Hugh is totally adorbs and the bestest Rector of the school ever of course. Her fiance is shown to be narrow minded and selfish through his own actions.
There are no really dramatic moments in this story. Some heartbreak for Catherine as she sees the daughter of one of Hugh's old friends seeming to take up his attention. Misunderstandings abound but we the reader can see the game. All is resolved however and a sweet and romantic ending.
Want to Read
July 16, 2012Sholto was no knight in shining armor! Sholto Ransome, the millionaire yachtowner, had saved Armorel's life and then taken her under his wing as hertrustee. And a very comfortable wing it was--finishing school, life in Paris,Switzerland, Italy. He gave her the best of everything, and Armorel was dulygrateful. But Sholto could not give her the one thing she most wanted fromhim--his love. As time passed, Armorel realized he was a cynical,cold-hearted womanizer. Was it too late to save herself, before she went theway of all his other conquests?
February 27, 2016
When the school where she works as secretary gets a new headmaster, Catherine is worried whether he will fit in, especially after the failure of the previous head. But she never expects to discover that she not only admires and respects Hugh Murdoch, she is beginning to love him as well. Only, she's already engaged, to another teacher at the school. How she is able to solve these problems and find happiness makes for a very enjoyable and sweet romantic story.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews