Adoring Isadora

by Elizabeth Bailey

A Romance Novel In the tradition of Regency Romance, an energetic country house tale of tangled plots and counter-plots. Determined to outfox the Errant Heir, Isadora finds she’s taken on a tougher challenge than she bargained for. Elizabeth Bailey is the author of historical fiction, including 18 romances for Harlequin Mills and Boon and the Lady Fan mystery series with Penguin’s Berkley Books. Adoring Isadora Isadora’s secret plan to save her family is frustrated by the arrival of the Errant Heir, with plans of his own. As Isadora prepares to thwart him, Lord Roborough’s friendliness and warmth undermines her determination—until she discovers he is a hardened gamester. As Roborough struggles to recover a wasted inheritance and counter Isadora’s attempts at sabotage, he is both intrigued and infuriated by her mercurial temperament. Bitterly hurt by her lack of trust, he despairs of a happy outcome. Will the truth serve to effect a reconciliation? Or will Isadora’s outrageous plot signal the end of all hope?

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 1995

About the author

An avid reader from an early age, Elizabeth Bailey grew up in colonial Africa under unconventional parentage and with theatre in the blood. Back in England, she trod the boards until discovering her true métier as a writer in her thirties, when she fulfilled an early addiction to Georgette Heyer by launching into historical romance. Eight years and eight books later, Elizabeth joined the Harlequin Mills & Boon stable, fuelling her writing with a secondary career teaching and directing drama, and writing plays into the bargain.

With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.

Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.

Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.

Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.

Reviews

[joyce ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author but this book I don't know if I liked or did not?The start was a bit dull and. full of words that bored me,a few chapters in it was better with a story line that made me think get on with it so I am reserving judgement.

[JANET SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Enjoyable

Excellent Story by Elizabeth, and so well written, it reminds me very much h of the writing of Georgette Beyer. The main characters Isodora and Roborough were engaging and made for one another. The extended family Isodora's mother and cousin Matty and children were also engaging albeit dysfunctional. The story was entertaining and at times amusing. I would thoroughly recommend it.