Full review can be found on my website: https://diaryofdifference.com/2018/06/03/the-camelot-shadow-sean-gibson-book-review/

‘’I can either tell you my tale, or I can respond to your feeble witticisms. I cannot, in my mildly inebriated state, do both.’’

This is not your usual story related to King Arthur, Merlin and Camelot. This will, in fact, be quite different story and not only unusual, but one of a kind.

We go back in time when Queen Victoria was ruling over England. In a time when the author really liked to point out the fact that the characters are using trains. It was pointed out so much, that I had to do a bit of research to see if trains existed in that time. They did – apparently England had the oldest rail transport in the world. And Queen Victoria was one of the first royals to use that form of transport too.

Now, I am not even sure why I kept going on about trains… Back to the story…

The Camelot Shadow covers the story of Lord Alfred Fitzwilliam, a man whose wife is ill from an incurable illness. When an opportunity arises, giving him the chance and hope that he might save the life of his lover, he goes on a mission to find an object from the time when King Arthur was the ruler of England, and Merlin was his companion.

With a help from a group of people, Alfred digs the history and the stories of the past, only to discover that not everything he believed in was true, and not everyone that he trusted is his ally.

A story that reminded me of Dan Brown’s work. Quite similar in the sense of clues, history, what is a myth and what is a fact, though also quite distinctive, as it covers people’s characters so well, describing their personalities in a powerful way.

‘’Wealth. Status. Happiness. A perfect life. All built on an ephemeral foundation, an impossibility masking a lie that, if exposed, if openly acknowledged, would bring it all crashing down around our heads.’’

When a great disappointment comes around, and all hope is gone, people change, and people feel things. A person starts to wonder what they did wrong, what could they have done differently, what if… Alfred is one of the people where we will see his change over the chapters. For better or for worse, I’ll let you decide.

‘’It was Guinevere’s infidelity that brought down Arthur’s Camelot’’ – he said, wiping a trickle of Scotch from his chin with the back of his sleeve. ‘’It was God’s cruelty that brought down mine.’’

A book that explains good and evil in the unusual way. I thought I could explain good and evil, but sometimes my evil can do you good, and your good can do harm to everyone. And power… oh what people are capable to do for power…

‘’Power, Arthur had taught him, was not something to covet, but rather something to treat in the same manner one might handle a wild mastiff – with considerable respect, constant vigilance, and a trace of fear. ‘’

If you are a fan of history fiction, and stories about Arthur and Merlin, you would definitely want to dive in into this book and get lost into the world. And that is not the only thing that this book covers… It covers hope, faith, loss, love, good, evil, power, guilt and everything in between. Get ready for an adventure. One full of bravery and magic. And maybe… maybe some hope.

A huge thank you to the author, Sean Gibson, who was kind enough to give me an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

View my review on my website.

This might be one of the best vampire books I have read. The story behind it is different than any other vampire books I've read before. 
When you combine vampires and humans with superpower abilities - you get the hybrids that are in this book. 

There are six ''brothers'' who are vampire hybrids and they all have different abilities.
This book focuses on Blaze, who went through seven months of hell. 
His tattoos can't cover the scars he will have for life. But meeting the love of his life might make his burden weigh less - or will it?

This is a story that will bring you on the edge and make you bite your nails constantly - but it is definitely worth reading it!

NOTE TO READERS: As you may know from my blog description/bio, I am currently in the process of studying for my MLS (Master's in Library Science); part of that involves writing some blog posts about various aspects of my education/experience/etc. In the hope that you all might get to know me a little better, I've opted to keep these posts on my blog along with reviews and other more public-minded posts; please feel free to reach out to me in the comments: I would love to know how your experiences compare and contrast with mine, and I hope to be able to get to know my readers better through some of this sharing.

This is a bandwaggon I'd hoped never to have to jump onto, but just in case -- here are links to my profile pages on other websites:

ThemisAthena on Leafmarks

Themis-Athena on Goodreads

Themis-Athena on Libib

ThemisAthena on FictFact

Lioness at Large on Wordpress

ThemisAthena on Pinterest

Ulrike on LinkedIn

Ulrike on Facebook

Essentially my handle is the same on all sites except for LinkedIn, Facebook and Wordpress; just note that sometimes it's hyphenated and sometimes it isn't, depending on the respective site's user name parameters.

ETA1: My Wordpress blog -- Lioness at Large -- is now operational, too.  Currently I'm still mainly copying my reviews there just to have an additional home for them, but I think from here on out I'll be blogging on WP as well.

The only other sites (besides BookLikes) where I've so far actually interacted with others are Leafmarks and Facebook.

ETA2: Well, duh.  Bookstooge just shared Leafmarks's announcement that the site will be shutting down as of July 1.  There goes yet another option then ...

So that leaves Facebook as the only other site where I am truly active.  Time to start experimenting with the others for real, I supose.

FWIW, up to now, this has been my stance vis-à-vis my accounts on the other sites, respectively (and to the extent not expressly struck, the following is still true):

Libib and Fictfact to me are merely (as yet incomplete) backup book catalogues.

Pinterest is my "everything but the kitchen sink" meme repository.

Wordpress is not much more more than an ID and a blog devoid of even the first post at the moment, so as to be able to follow other people's blogs (on WP and elsewhere).  Depending on how things go on here, this may or may not change.
It has changed.

LinkedIn is another "just in case" account.

Goodreads, finally, is also merely a temporary expedient.  I pulled out of there in 2013 and have no intention to go back for good -- just using my vestige ID as a fall back option in the current situation.

For most of us Pinterest is a rabbit hole of joy and putting off any kind of work.

I try to help with that by gathering all the Romance Books under a single theme and images to match.

Here are the most popular of my Pinterest Boards and Images of the year.

1. Dirty Talker 

My favorite book in this theme is The Story Guy by Mary Ann Rivers 

I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only.

Carrie West is happy with her life . . . isn’t she? But when she sees this provocative online ad, the thirtysomething librarian can’t help but be tempted. After all, the photo of the anonymous poster is far too attractive to ignore. And when Wednesday finally arrives, it brings a first kiss that’s hotter than any she’s ever imagined. Brian Newburgh is an attorney, but there’s more to his life . . . that he won't share with Carrie. Determined to have more than just Wednesdays, Carrie embarks on a quest to learn Brian’s story, certain that he will be worth the cost. But is she ready to gamble her heart on a man who just might be The One . . . even though she has no idea how their love story will end?

2. Interracial Romance Novels

My favorite book in this theme is Talk Sweetly to Me by Courtney Milan

Nobody knows who Miss Rose Sweetly is, and she prefers it that way. She’s a shy, mathematically-minded shopkeeper’s daughter who dreams of the stars. Women like her only ever come to attention through scandal. She’ll take obscurity, thank you very much.

All of England knows who Stephen Shaughnessy is. He’s an infamous advice columnist and a known rake. When he moves into the house next door to Rose, she discovers that he’s also wickedly funny, devilishly flirtatious, and heart-stoppingly handsome. But when he takes an interest in her mathematical work, she realizes that Mr. Shaughnessy isn’t just a scandal waiting to happen. He’s waiting to happen to her…and if she’s not careful, she’ll give in to certain ruination.

3. Disabled Heroes of Romance

My favorite book in this theme is Simple Jess by  Pamela Morsi

Jesse Best is a simple man with simple ambitions, his own dog, his own gun and a woman. In this very special return to Marrying Stone, Jesse gets his chance at all three.

Althea Winsloe is a widow with a son. All she wants is to give her boy a better childhood than her own. But a young woman sitting on a prime piece of farmland is bound to draw attention from her envious neighbors and swains on every side. Interfering relatives and the confession of an illicit kiss force her to make her choice of a new husband by Christmas Day.

Chock full of Ozarks vocabulary, mountain culture and characters that you are sure you know, Simple Jess is a unique and beloved romance novel that no reader should miss.

4. Pretend: Romances where the relationship starts as a fake dating, marriage or engagement.

My favorite book in this theme is His Road Home by Anna Richland

Special Forces medic Rey Cruz needs to find a fiancée, fast, or he'll end up in a marriage orchestrated by an Afghan warlord. Finding a picture online of a girl he barely knew back home, he fakes an engagement photo, thinking no one else will see it. But when Rey loses both legs and the ability to speak while rescuing a local boy, the image goes viral.

Seattle marine biologist Grace Kim is shocked to find out she's engaged. When she's offered a plane ticket to visit her "fiancé," she takes it, looking for the answer to one question: Why did he lie? Touched by Rey's funny texts and the determination she sees in him, Grace offers her friendship—a big step for someone who prefers whales to most company.

And when Rey is finally sent home, Grace agrees to help him drive his classic car cross-country over Thanksgiving—a once-in-a-lifetime road trip that leads to what feels like real love. In front of his friends and family, she plays the caring fiancée, but what place will Grace have in Rey's new life once he's ready to be on his own again?

5. Disabled Heroines of Romance

My favorite book in this theme is Never a Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer

HE HIDES HIS TRUE COLORS . . .

Miss Grace Fairchild is under no illusions about her charms. Painfully plain, she is a soldier's daughter who has spent her life being useful, not learning the treacherous ways of the ton. She may have been caught in a scandal with society's favorite rogue, but how can she marry him when it means losing herself?

WHILE SHE HIDES HER TRUE SELF . . .

Diccan Hilliard doesn't know which of his enemies drugged him and dumped him in Grace's bed, but he does know the outcome. He and Grace must marry. To his surprise, a wild, heady passion flares between them. Yet Diccan is trapped in a deadly game of intrigue Grace knows nothing about. Will his lies destroy Grace just as he realizes how desperately he needs her? And how can he hope for a future with her, when an old enemy has set his murderous sights on them both?

6. Storytime: Fairytale Retelling Romance Novels or with Fairytale Creatures.

My favorite book in this theme is The Chocolate Kiss by Laura Florand

Welcome to La Maison des Sorcieres. Where the window display is an enchanted forest of sweets, a collection of conical hats delights the eye and the habitués nibble chocolate witches from fanciful mismatched china. While in their tiny blue kitchen, Magalie Chaudron and her two aunts stir wishes into bubbling pots of heavenly chocolat chaud.

But no amount of wishing will rid them of interloper Philippe Lyonais, who has the gall to open one of his world famous pastry shops right down the street. Philippe's creations seem to hold a magic of their own, drawing crowds of beautiful women to their little isle amidst the Seine, and tempting even Magalie to venture out of her ivory tower and take a chance, a taste. . .a kiss.

Parisian princesses, chocolate witches, pâtissier princes and sweet wishes--an enchanting tale of amour et chocolat.

7. Geeky Heroines of Romance

My favorite book in this theme is The Beast In Him by Shelly Laurenston

Some things are so worth waiting for. Like the moment when Jessica Ward "accidentally" bumps into heartthrob Bobby Ray Smith and shows him just how far she's come since high school. Back then, Jess turned to jelly any time Smitty got near her. Some things haven't changed. Except now Jess is a success on her own terms. And she can enjoy a romp--or twenty--with a big, bad wolf and walk away. Easy.

The sexy, polished CEO who hires Smitty's security firm might be a million miles from the lovable geek he knew, but her kiss, her touch, is every bit as hot as he imagined. Jess was never the kind to ask for help, and she doesn't want it now--but someone is targeting her Pack. And Smitty's not going to turn tail and run. Not before proving that their sheet-scorching animal lust is only the start of something even wilder. . .

8. Turn of the Century Romance

My favorite book in this theme is Beast by Judith Ivory

An exquisite American heiress, Louise Vandermeer is beautiful, brilliant. . . and bored-which is why she has agreed to a daring adventure: to travel across the ocean to marry an aristocrat abroad. Rumor has it her intended is a hideous cad-a grim prospect that propels her into a passionate, reckless affair with a compelling stranger she never sees in the light of day.

Though scarred by a childhood illness, Charles d'Harcourt has successfully wooed Europe's most sophisticated beauties. For a lark, he contrived to travel incognito on his own fiancee's ship-and seduce the young chit in utter darkness. But the rake's prank backfired. It was he who was smitten-while the hot-tempered Lulu, now his wife, loves only her shipboard lover, unaware it was d'Harcourt all the time! And Charles will never have her heart-unless he can open her eyes to the prince who hides within.

9. Oops! Unplanned Pregnancy

My favorite book in this theme is Once a Pirate by Susan Grant

Fighter pilot Lieutenant Carly Callahan was ready for a much-deserved break as soon as her latest mission was complete. She just never envisioned that taking time to sort out her life meant going back in time! But when her F-18 goes down in the ocean during a storm, reality, logic, and time become a tangled mess. Now she’s stranded on a pirate ship in the year 1821 with a man who believes she is a blue-blooded Englishwoman, one worthy of a pirate’s ransom plan.

Captain Andrew Spencer planned on extracting revenge from the man who ruined his life…and the heiress he’s taken aboard ship is precisely the way to do it. Except, the strangely garbed, half-drowned blonde hoisted onto his deck not only refuses to admit she’s his highborn target, she claims to be from another century entirely. Nonsense! Or is it? The more time he spends with her the more he wants to believe, for her talk of flying machines combined with her bravery and fire is enough to melt his cold heart and reconsider his plans. But with enemies closing in all around them, a deadly, desperate scheme may be the only way to save Carly and fulfill their dream of a life together …if they can find each other again through time.

10. Boss: Romance Novel Style

My favorite book in this theme is Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid

There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris: 1) She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (Too Much Trivial Information), especially when she is unnerved, 2) No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan, and 3) She doesn't know how to knit.

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan- aka Sir McHotpants- witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn- the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies- to make her an offer she can't refuse.

Do you have favorite books in these themes? Let me know!

Also, great images to match? Gimme!