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A Trace of Memory
Alone in an alien forest, her memory gone. What if rescue only makes things worse?
The girl wakes, in unremembered surroundings, to find she is injured, her gown dirtied and torn. What happened to bring her to this is a mystery. Moreover, she does not know who she is.
Finding a damsel in distress in his grounds, the Earl of Wytham is prompt to the rescue. Yet Charles cannot rid himself of the suspicion this is one more ploy to inveigle him into matrimony.
As Elaine—called so for want of any other name—recovers snatches of her past, questions mount. Is she married or merely a mistress? Why has no one come to claim her? Convinced she is not free, Elaine dare not give in to her heart.
Can Charles overcome his doubts and indulge his growing attraction to Elaine? Or will the truth arrive too late?
The girl wakes, in unremembered surroundings, to find she is injured, her gown dirtied and torn. What happened to bring her to this is a mystery. Moreover, she does not know who she is.
Finding a damsel in distress in his grounds, the Earl of Wytham is prompt to the rescue. Yet Charles cannot rid himself of the suspicion this is one more ploy to inveigle him into matrimony.
As Elaine—called so for want of any other name—recovers snatches of her past, questions mount. Is she married or merely a mistress? Why has no one come to claim her? Convinced she is not free, Elaine dare not give in to her heart.
Can Charles overcome his doubts and indulge his growing attraction to Elaine? Or will the truth arrive too late?
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
66 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Bailey
93 books303 followersAn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 18, 2020
Although I enjoyed this story and it was in keeping with the sensibilities of the day, I found the pace of the story was too slow for me. The latter part did move along more quickly. Elaine did slowly regain her memory through flashbacks of her past. Charles is wary of Elaine, at first, as he has had many women trying to trap him into marriage. There are interfering reactions, a would-be fiancée and a slow burning romance. I do wish it had an epilogue. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 16, 2020
Fascinating Story!
I enjoyed this romantic story with its mystery which needed solving.
Elaine was wandering around in a forrest dazed and bleeding from a head wound.
Charles Clevedon, Earl of Wytham is inspecting his forrest with his two sisters (who are desperately trying to get him to marry) when he comes across Elaine and of course he immediately takes her home and into his care while she recovers and regains her memory.
The story is fascinating with lovely characters, (a good mix of both lovable and hateful ones) and the beauty and angst of falling in love. This is a story which is really worth reading for its entertainment and enjoyment value.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of the ebook and my voluntary and unbiased review is recorded above.
I enjoyed this romantic story with its mystery which needed solving.
Elaine was wandering around in a forrest dazed and bleeding from a head wound.
Charles Clevedon, Earl of Wytham is inspecting his forrest with his two sisters (who are desperately trying to get him to marry) when he comes across Elaine and of course he immediately takes her home and into his care while she recovers and regains her memory.
The story is fascinating with lovely characters, (a good mix of both lovable and hateful ones) and the beauty and angst of falling in love. This is a story which is really worth reading for its entertainment and enjoyment value.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of the ebook and my voluntary and unbiased review is recorded above.
April 19, 2025
Slow moving. Too slow moving. The romance between Elaine and Charles takes forever to change and grow, and Elaine's battle to recover her memory takes too long. And the reveal of the dastardly villain at the end strained credulity.
Spoiler:
It was nice to have a heroine with a French backstory in a Regency novel.
Spoiler:
It was nice to have a heroine with a French backstory in a Regency novel.
October 17, 2019
Ho solo una parola per descrivere questo libro: noia.
Idea interessante ma sviluppata poco e male, purtroppo.
Peccato.
Idea interessante ma sviluppata poco e male, purtroppo.
Peccato.
December 13, 2020
Flawlessly written historical romance
What a pleasure to read this lovely slow-burn (and clean) love story. The Earl is so very upper-crust, immune to the years of scheming marriage-minded misses, deaf to the urgings of his family that he do his duty and produce and heir. All that changes with the strange discovery os a beautiful young woman found wandering the woods of his estate. She's injured, suffering concussion and exposure to the damp, and occasionally mumbles to herself in French. - yet she swears she cannot speak the language! She's a mystery, and the Earl's sisters suspect another marriage entrapment attempt, but the Earl is not so sure. His suspicions war with his attraction and his desire to protect her. His honorable intentions force him to relinquish her to the custody of another - but at what cost? Angst, suspense, duplicity, and the most astonishingly delicious period dialogue accompany the perfectly detailed scenes of this most excellent Regency-era romance. Most highly recommended!
What a pleasure to read this lovely slow-burn (and clean) love story. The Earl is so very upper-crust, immune to the years of scheming marriage-minded misses, deaf to the urgings of his family that he do his duty and produce and heir. All that changes with the strange discovery os a beautiful young woman found wandering the woods of his estate. She's injured, suffering concussion and exposure to the damp, and occasionally mumbles to herself in French. - yet she swears she cannot speak the language! She's a mystery, and the Earl's sisters suspect another marriage entrapment attempt, but the Earl is not so sure. His suspicions war with his attraction and his desire to protect her. His honorable intentions force him to relinquish her to the custody of another - but at what cost? Angst, suspense, duplicity, and the most astonishingly delicious period dialogue accompany the perfectly detailed scenes of this most excellent Regency-era romance. Most highly recommended!
October 16, 2020
Although I enjoyed this story and it was in keeping with the sensibilities of the day, I found the pace of the story was too slow for me. The latter part did move along more quickly. Elaine did slowly regain her memory through flashbacks of her past. Charles is wary of Elaine, at first, as he has had many women trying to trap him into marriage. There are interfering reactions, a would-be fiancée and a slow burning romance. I do wish it had an epilogue. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 17, 2020
Charles, the Earl of Wyntham, has had plenty of experience with women trying to trap him into matrimony, and it is perhaps not surprising that when he finds a woman injured in his woods and claiming to have completely lost her memory, he's suspicious that it's just another plot. But the woman, whom they call Elaine, seems genuine, and an unexpected attraction grows between them. Unfortunately, the memories that gradually start to creep back suggest that she may be already married - and that she may be in some sort of danger. Will they work out what the danger is in time to protect her from it? And will Charles be able to survive giving her up if she really is married?
This is a well-written and enjoyable story, not your typical storyline, but done well. The unfolding of memories is gradual and done in a believable way, and the characters felt like real people. The touch of suspense was good, and the content was generally clean, though I could have done without the (admittedly brief) mention of a dream that included slightly more detail than I wanted. Nevertheless, a good read.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
This is a well-written and enjoyable story, not your typical storyline, but done well. The unfolding of memories is gradual and done in a believable way, and the characters felt like real people. The touch of suspense was good, and the content was generally clean, though I could have done without the (admittedly brief) mention of a dream that included slightly more detail than I wanted. Nevertheless, a good read.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
September 28, 2020
This was a story to get lost in - in the good way. I found this engrossing and not a single dull moment or redundant/repetitive thought. Charles and his two married sisters find "Elaine" on their Sunday stroll. What a puzzle she presents! Harriet is very suspicious and scents a trap for her brother, while Meg is thrilled to have a handsome young woman to push toward her bachelor brother. Charles' own thoughts on this unknown beauty is somewhere in between. I especially liked Meg's husband, Matt; at times he provided some dry humor with his teasing remarks.
I felt Ms Bailey did a good job in describing how Elaine slowly regains her memory; it's not one of those "hit the head again and all memories return" situations.
I read an advance copy of this re-issue; the thoughts expressed are my own.
I felt Ms Bailey did a good job in describing how Elaine slowly regains her memory; it's not one of those "hit the head again and all memories return" situations.
I read an advance copy of this re-issue; the thoughts expressed are my own.
October 3, 2020
When Elaine wakes up, she realises with dread that she has lost her memory. She cannot recall anything, not even her name. The first person she sees is Charles, a wealthy and eligible Earl, who is suspicious that her memory loss is part of a plot to entrap him into marriage. Nonetheless, he offers Elaine his protection and helps her find out about her background.
The characters, their reactions, and arising situations are well described. Several times, I had the impression to be in the same room, taking part in the rising tension between the characters. Though I have no idea how Elaine might have felt through the ordeal of memory loss, I had the impression that her reactions were relatable. I enjoyed that the story had so many facets and that, through it all, the protagonists helped a human being in need.
The characters, their reactions, and arising situations are well described. Several times, I had the impression to be in the same room, taking part in the rising tension between the characters. Though I have no idea how Elaine might have felt through the ordeal of memory loss, I had the impression that her reactions were relatable. I enjoyed that the story had so many facets and that, through it all, the protagonists helped a human being in need.
October 26, 2020
Wonderful
Bailey is a terrific writer, which readers of her Lady Fan mysteries know already. In this novel, she plays on the trope of amnesia like a harp. Elaine’s distress is palpable, and the small cast of characters is finely drawn. As the mystery slowly unfolds, the relationships shift and develop. The resolution was expected but the reveal is very well done. These are characters that you want to meet again, to share the journey and see what happens.
Bailey is a terrific writer, which readers of her Lady Fan mysteries know already. In this novel, she plays on the trope of amnesia like a harp. Elaine’s distress is palpable, and the small cast of characters is finely drawn. As the mystery slowly unfolds, the relationships shift and develop. The resolution was expected but the reveal is very well done. These are characters that you want to meet again, to share the journey and see what happens.
December 2, 2023
Missing Memories and Not Enough Matt
A great premise and an enjoyable quick read. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because the side characters were a little too 2-dimensional. I think if she spent more time on the redrafting and polishing, she could have built a stronger relationship between Charles and his brother-in-law, Matt, who had a lot of potential for being a really great character.
This kind of premise helps ground happy-ending stories like these, so they are more relatable. I really enjoyed it.
A great premise and an enjoyable quick read. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was because the side characters were a little too 2-dimensional. I think if she spent more time on the redrafting and polishing, she could have built a stronger relationship between Charles and his brother-in-law, Matt, who had a lot of potential for being a really great character.
This kind of premise helps ground happy-ending stories like these, so they are more relatable. I really enjoyed it.
February 4, 2024
nice read
This story had a bit of everything from intrigue, mystery and of course a hea. Elaine cannot recall how or why this she was left in woods all night unconscious and with an injury to her head. In fact she cannot recall anything including her name. She approaches Charles and his two sisters as they are walking together in an open field alongside the woods. All the mystery and romance begins right up to their hea, when all is resolved
This story had a bit of everything from intrigue, mystery and of course a hea. Elaine cannot recall how or why this she was left in woods all night unconscious and with an injury to her head. In fact she cannot recall anything including her name. She approaches Charles and his two sisters as they are walking together in an open field alongside the woods. All the mystery and romance begins right up to their hea, when all is resolved
November 11, 2023
This was a nice story. Nothing really stood out to me. I thought it drug a little but I kept reading wanting to see how it played out. It was believable and nothing over the top.
Clean romance with no religion.
Clean romance with no religion.
December 21, 2023
just lovely!
I have read many books by this author. However, for some reason, this one really touched my heart.! Such a lovely and beautiful story. It was very reassuring and satisfying to watch the characters grow and the story unfold. Highly recommend.
I have read many books by this author. However, for some reason, this one really touched my heart.! Such a lovely and beautiful story. It was very reassuring and satisfying to watch the characters grow and the story unfold. Highly recommend.
February 24, 2024
An Affair to remember
This was a very enjoyable story. Elaine's lost memory and Charles's developing attraction for her kept the story exciting. The ending brought everything together nicely.
This was a very enjoyable story. Elaine's lost memory and Charles's developing attraction for her kept the story exciting. The ending brought everything together nicely.
March 3, 2024
lost memory
The author did well inDescribing the case of amnesia.
Heroine seemed so confused even with flashes of memory. Villain was not well developed as a person rather as a plot necessity.
The author did well inDescribing the case of amnesia.
Heroine seemed so confused even with flashes of memory. Villain was not well developed as a person rather as a plot necessity.
January 24, 2025
Trapped?
A beautiful amnesiac! A scheming harpy! A most eligible Earl and his two meddling sisters! A villain in a black suit and hat. Put them altogether with clever dialogue and a page-turning plot and you have an engaging novel.
A beautiful amnesiac! A scheming harpy! A most eligible Earl and his two meddling sisters! A villain in a black suit and hat. Put them altogether with clever dialogue and a page-turning plot and you have an engaging novel.
June 12, 2019
Great clean read
This was a very well written clean story. I had a hard time putting it down. The mystery surrounding Elaine was enjoyable to unravel.
I would highly recommend.
This was a very well written clean story. I had a hard time putting it down. The mystery surrounding Elaine was enjoyable to unravel.
I would highly recommend.
January 17, 2021
A good story but slow to develop.
April 14, 2021
Liked
A smooth little story that flowed well and was believable/enjoyable.The characters within developed slowly and were also believable,th I one I read quickly☺
A smooth little story that flowed well and was believable/enjoyable.The characters within developed slowly and were also believable,th I one I read quickly☺
July 29, 2021
Well Done Story
A mix of many characters and an excellent ending.
I heartily recommend this to all who enjoy a good Regency romance.
A mix of many characters and an excellent ending.
I heartily recommend this to all who enjoy a good Regency romance.
November 6, 2021
Reviting from beginning to end.
Twists & turns all believable and pulling you further into all the characters, thanks for this wonderful romance I couldn’t put it down.
Twists & turns all believable and pulling you further into all the characters, thanks for this wonderful romance I couldn’t put it down.
August 14, 2024
The Forlorn French Girl
A lovely story. I like the viewpoints from both the hero and heroine. Interesting mystery. Lost memory. Evil villain. Strange that he did not seduce her.
A lovely story. I like the viewpoints from both the hero and heroine. Interesting mystery. Lost memory. Evil villain. Strange that he did not seduce her.
June 29, 2009
I admit that amnesia is one of my least favorite plots, but I decided to read this anyway. I've enjoyed Bailey's stories in the past but this one was marred by the whole amnesia thing. I didn't like that the h/h were attracted to each other and then in love without knowing anything about the heroine's past. I wouldn't say this is a terrible novel, it just wasn't for me.
January 11, 2011
Actually more a 3.5. I haven't read a Harlequin book in years. They are better than they were 20 years ago.
Want to read
June 4, 20121790s
March 25, 2013
Not a bad mystery, not a lot of romance
May 28, 2014
First read: June 2011.
Second read: May 2014 (while looking for books tothrow sell).
Second read: May 2014 (while looking for books to
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews