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Corbins #3
Memory's Embrace
A classic Western romance from beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller.
In the wilderness of 1880s Oregon, beautiful Tess Bishop was captivated by the most fascinating stranger ever to drift into her small lumber town--a man as handsome and cultured as he was mysterious.
Soon she discovered he was really Keith Corbin--torn by a terrible grief, fleeing his memories and the rich privilege of his former life. Bravely, Tess helped him hide his identity, and willingly, she joined him on his flight. She vowed to make him forget the sorrow that kept him on the run...and free his soul at last for the sweet fullness of her love!
In the wilderness of 1880s Oregon, beautiful Tess Bishop was captivated by the most fascinating stranger ever to drift into her small lumber town--a man as handsome and cultured as he was mysterious.
Soon she discovered he was really Keith Corbin--torn by a terrible grief, fleeing his memories and the rich privilege of his former life. Bravely, Tess helped him hide his identity, and willingly, she joined him on his flight. She vowed to make him forget the sorrow that kept him on the run...and free his soul at last for the sweet fullness of her love!
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
547 books3,292 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 21, 2011
I enjoyed this story but had serious issues with the "best friend", Emma. My goodness she was completely selfish! Her lie caused her mother to shoot Keith and almost kill him but oh, all is forgiven. Ridiculous! That was my biggest annoyance with this book.
Other than that, a good read.
Other than that, a good read.
Did Not Finish
April 4, 2026Racy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2014
Classic Linda Lael Miller. I was surprised I had already read the other books in this series as I have no real memory of them and the places and events in this novel did not bring them to mind. So, this is very much a stand alone book. It is in no way necessary to read the other books first.
I find it difficult to review this book without revealing outcomes, so I apologize for its vagueness.
Miller's characters tend to be outrageous and act as though that is the normal order of things. Tess Bishop does not disappoint. She sees things one way and moves forward to make it real.
She is devoted to her family, no matter their faults. And their faults cause her tremendous grief.
She is also devoted to her photography. I particularly liked the way she started her photography business with utterly no knowledge of developing photos and so she blithely and successfully used a manual to learn.
The key to the novel, of course, is her tempestuous relationship with Keith Corbin. Every conceivable disaster is thrown in to keep them apart. And, as should be no surprise to Miller fans, family leads the way.
Miller's book is loaded with characters, yet she deftly introduces each new set and keeps them straight for the reader.
I find it difficult to review this book without revealing outcomes, so I apologize for its vagueness.
Miller's characters tend to be outrageous and act as though that is the normal order of things. Tess Bishop does not disappoint. She sees things one way and moves forward to make it real.
She is devoted to her family, no matter their faults. And their faults cause her tremendous grief.
She is also devoted to her photography. I particularly liked the way she started her photography business with utterly no knowledge of developing photos and so she blithely and successfully used a manual to learn.
The key to the novel, of course, is her tempestuous relationship with Keith Corbin. Every conceivable disaster is thrown in to keep them apart. And, as should be no surprise to Miller fans, family leads the way.
Miller's book is loaded with characters, yet she deftly introduces each new set and keeps them straight for the reader.
August 27, 2012
Shocking, loved it every world was flawless.. Kind of liked it the most out of all three Corbin books. Finished right before class today, and could not for the life of me concentrate on math, was just reeling from the book. Keith is seriously tied with Jeff as my favorite Corbin brother. Tess is by far my favorite lady in the series. This story had so much action, and the romance burned the freaking pages. Going to put off reading Melissa's book for a while just so the series doesn't have to end so soon.
September 5, 2013
This was a great book about the third brother in this series. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to read about their sister, Melissa. Keith, who was a preacher, was mad at God because his wife was killed on their wedding day. He stepped away and got very angry at God. Like his new wife later said, she knew that Keith really had faith in God because he was on one on one speaking terms with God when they argued. Keith knew that Tess was the woman for him and always had been, it just took a little faith in believing.
January 26, 2014
I like Linda's historical books best, this happens to be one.
I've read the other Corbin books and enjoyed them, this one was descent. The problem I have with this story is the constant mental illnesses, do we really need 4 crazy people?
There were a lot of characters that I did not like in this book. I also felt like I didn't really get to know Keith.
I've read the other Corbin books and enjoyed them, this one was descent. The problem I have with this story is the constant mental illnesses, do we really need 4 crazy people?
There were a lot of characters that I did not like in this book. I also felt like I didn't really get to know Keith.
June 27, 2014
This book might be, my favorite in the series, but I really love Jeff's story too and Adam's for that matter, so I may not have a favorite. Keith is my favorite brother and Tess is my favorite heroine, but I cannot say theirs is the better story. The whole original trilogy should be read together. However, I would skip the fourth book, which was written later and feels rushed and just added.
August 16, 2015
Linda is an automatic buy for me .....I love all her books this one is no exception.....Keith/Joel and Tess were a great love story and felt their Chemistry from the beginning....highly recommend all her books....
April 24, 2014
I really enjoyed this read. Keith Corbin really struggles with his wife's death and meeting a new woman who sets his life on edge.
October 9, 2023
This is part of the Corbin series. Keith Cobin in his grief after losing his wife on their wedding day, leaves his profession as a preacher and becomes a peddler by the name of Joel Shiloh. As he reaches close to the town of Simpkinsville, Tess Bishop comes across him. To her, he is the most fascinating, handsome, cultured stranger she has ever seen. From there on their lives will never be the same. A pretty good read.
July 10, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! I loved all the words I had to look up, all the drama, the love, the story, just all in all this was a really good read. I also really enjoyed how the intimate scenes were portrayed. I am very disinterested in reading nasty scenes in books, and skip over them most of the time, but these were not as vulgar but instead more sweet, which I greatly appreciated. I am most definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
January 16, 2019
This one was a bit different than the other two Corbin books. Adam and Jeff could be a bit more harsh and complicated. I loved Keith's softer heart and tender ways with his bride. I really enjoyed Tess's character and how strong and assertive she is. She also seems to have a lot of class, which I loved as well. Overall, Adam's was probably my favorite in the Corbin men series.
October 18, 2017
A hero/heroine in love with another woman/man is not really my thing. I a jealous all the time... I am jealous for the heroine... I am annoyed for the heroine... But after the hero came back for the heroine they go all sweetie sweetie ...T.T The murder surprised me U.U
September 30, 2018
Memory's Embrace was a good end to the trilogy. All three brothers found everlasting love. This book was much better than the second (Corbin's Fancy) and much more enjoyable.... some of the characters were written to be hated, and some were annoying but the main characters were enjoyable.
April 21, 2021
This is an old favorite that I tracked down after many years. Every now and then I would think of these characters and want to revisit them. I can’t honestly tell you why I’m particularly drawn to this particular title, but I’m glad to have found it again.
May 30, 2023
Great story, poor editing
Sensuous and intriguing plot with numerous twists and turns. However, abysmal lack of editing made it a chore to read. Frequently I make an effort to notify editors of problems but these were so ubiquitous as to render it useless.
Sensuous and intriguing plot with numerous twists and turns. However, abysmal lack of editing made it a chore to read. Frequently I make an effort to notify editors of problems but these were so ubiquitous as to render it useless.
February 23, 2024
Hard to Dislike
At first I disliked this story. I couldn’t like any of the characters. Eventually, though they grew on me. Tess grew up and her husband settled down. It ended up being a nice story.
At first I disliked this story. I couldn’t like any of the characters. Eventually, though they grew on me. Tess grew up and her husband settled down. It ended up being a nice story.
October 23, 2019
Good but then got boring
April 23, 2020
Fantastic Read
Another fantastic story in the series. Can't wait to read the 4th one in this series. The love stories are wonderful. Plan on reading more of her books.
Another fantastic story in the series. Can't wait to read the 4th one in this series. The love stories are wonderful. Plan on reading more of her books.
September 22, 2022
By far my favorite of the series.
May 23, 2023
Memory's Embrace
Another sweet, scary and loveable Corbin story. These brothers are strong and very capable men. Their wives are strong and independent women.
Another sweet, scary and loveable Corbin story. These brothers are strong and very capable men. Their wives are strong and independent women.
September 6, 2026
A scandalous read
October 23, 2025
Between 3.5 and 4 stars
Probably my favorite of the series. This one has a pretty wild plot but I love the characters. They both connect pretty early on and stay committed. I like that he is very supportive of her dreams and what she wants to do. He is working through his own grief and she is also supportive of him. I can't really comment to much on the plot because it is pretty different. But I loved the whole journey.
Probably my favorite of the series. This one has a pretty wild plot but I love the characters. They both connect pretty early on and stay committed. I like that he is very supportive of her dreams and what she wants to do. He is working through his own grief and she is also supportive of him. I can't really comment to much on the plot because it is pretty different. But I loved the whole journey.
March 15, 2015
A very good story and easy read. One of Miller's best. Tess is living with her aunt after her mother has a break
down when she meets a peddler coming thru town. Is Joel his real name? When circumstances happen and Tess leaves town with him the story really gets moving, one thing after another happens and the story is very interesting. Twists and turns and a love story as well.
down when she meets a peddler coming thru town. Is Joel his real name? When circumstances happen and Tess leaves town with him the story really gets moving, one thing after another happens and the story is very interesting. Twists and turns and a love story as well.
Read
February 13, 2010Love the sultry romance between Tess and Keith. An excellent Western read!
November 2, 2011
this is my fave corbin book!!! loved keith and tess, such a good book!!!!
August 15, 2013
All of Mrs. Miller's books are a GREAT read!! Always worth read over again!
August 3, 2014
wonderful!
August 5, 2015
My first Linda Lael Miller book -- cannot wait to read more. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews