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Camelot #1
A Touch Of Camelot
Sensual, upbeat historical Western romance with a Camelot twist.
Set in Kansas, Virginia City, and San Francisco, 1879.
Guinevere Pierce was raised at the knee of one of the slickest con artists in the West, but can she con her way out of this one?
When Gwin and her kid brother Arthur become witnesses to murder and then targets themselves, there's no time for games. There's only time to run.
Cole Shepherd is a new Pinkerton detective. His first assignment? To escort the beautiful and deceptive Gwin Pierce and her brother across country to testify.
When Gwin sets eyes on her Pinkerton escort, she's stunned. Cole's is the face that has haunted her romantic dreams since she was a girl. He's her Sir Lancelot, but now he's her captor. And he's leading them toward a trap that Gwin must convince him could cost them their lives.
From the Kansas prairie to the sparkling hills of San Francisco, theirs is an attraction they can't resist. Maybe some dreams do come true.
Winner of Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award, A TOUCH OF CAMELOT was previously published in paperback under the name Donna Grove. This edition has been revised and updated for Kindle.
Set in Kansas, Virginia City, and San Francisco, 1879.
Guinevere Pierce was raised at the knee of one of the slickest con artists in the West, but can she con her way out of this one?
When Gwin and her kid brother Arthur become witnesses to murder and then targets themselves, there's no time for games. There's only time to run.
Cole Shepherd is a new Pinkerton detective. His first assignment? To escort the beautiful and deceptive Gwin Pierce and her brother across country to testify.
When Gwin sets eyes on her Pinkerton escort, she's stunned. Cole's is the face that has haunted her romantic dreams since she was a girl. He's her Sir Lancelot, but now he's her captor. And he's leading them toward a trap that Gwin must convince him could cost them their lives.
From the Kansas prairie to the sparkling hills of San Francisco, theirs is an attraction they can't resist. Maybe some dreams do come true.
Winner of Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award, A TOUCH OF CAMELOT was previously published in paperback under the name Donna Grove. This edition has been revised and updated for Kindle.
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First published October 8, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 10, 2016
4.5 stars
The story, winner of Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award, has a lot of heart written all over. It’s delightful, funny, and very different from the Western HR genre I’m used to reading.
A newly minted Pinkerton detective, Cole Shepherd, reluctantly takes an assignment to escort Guinevere (Gwin) Pierce and her brother Arthur back to San Francisco to testify on a trial. Since Gwin is prepared to do everything possible not to return to San Francisco and Cole is eager to complete his assignment, both protagonists became adversaries right away. Their battle of wills became a delightful platform from which to amuse readers with witty dialogue and snappy come-backs. The story is well paced with very likable characters and fantastic setting.
If you are Western HR fan and looking for some light and amusing read, don’t miss this story.
The story, winner of Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award, has a lot of heart written all over. It’s delightful, funny, and very different from the Western HR genre I’m used to reading.
A newly minted Pinkerton detective, Cole Shepherd, reluctantly takes an assignment to escort Guinevere (Gwin) Pierce and her brother Arthur back to San Francisco to testify on a trial. Since Gwin is prepared to do everything possible not to return to San Francisco and Cole is eager to complete his assignment, both protagonists became adversaries right away. Their battle of wills became a delightful platform from which to amuse readers with witty dialogue and snappy come-backs. The story is well paced with very likable characters and fantastic setting.
If you are Western HR fan and looking for some light and amusing read, don’t miss this story.
May 5, 2016
Esta ha sido una historia muy dulce, entretenida y light.
El “toque” de Camelot ha sido muy tierno y original, y el “suspense” interesante.
Lo mejor de todo han sido los diálogos entre los protagonistas. De lo más ocurrentes, sarcásticos y divertidos. Y su primer encuentro… sigh… fue algo especial…
Tanto Cole como Gwin son listos, tienen recursos y saben lo que quieren y como conseguirlo, de ahí que sus interacciones sean tan divertidas, ninguno da su brazo a torcer. Y Arthur, el hermano de Gwin, es para llevárselo a casa…un tesoro.
Al principio de la historia, Gwin y Arthur son testigos del asesinato del resto de su familia. Después de un altercado con la ley, deciden darse a la fuga y desaparecer del mapa, es ahí donde entra en juego Cole, un joven y novato detective en Pinkerton, encargado de encontrarlos y custodiarlos de vuelta a San Francisco.
Este es un caso claro de polos opuestos que se atraen: Cole, serio y responsable, con un sentido de la responsabilidad exagerado ha cumplido el sueño de su vida, ser detective privado en la agencia Pinkerton, por otro lado tenemos a Gwin y Arthur que desde que tienen uso de razón se dedican al pillaje, estafando y engañando a todo lo que se encuentran a su paso…así que imagina como van a saltar chispas cuando estos dos se encuentran.
No sé yo Gwin, dale un poco de cuartelillo al hombre. ;)
Y así durante casi toda la historia. Muy divertido.
La parte del suspense ha sido también interesante aunque la resolución ha quedado un poco apresurada, y las conclusiones a las que llega Cole hubiesen necesitado alguna explicación más.
Por ponerle alguna pega, me hubiese gustado más si Cole hubiese sido más “atento” u “honesto” con Gwin…le costó un poco llegar a la conclusión de que . Gwin, sin embargo, ha sido casi perfecta, a pesar de su pequeño momento TSTL, pero no tiene mayor importancia. Y si hay un personaje dulce y tierno ese es Arthur…
Me ha encantado.
Es una historia de amor muy light, sin pretensiones y dulce.
This one has been a sweet and funny story.
The "touch" of Camelot was clever and original and the suspense had been interesting.
The best of all had been the banter between the MC´s. It had been witty, sarcastic and funny. And their first encounter... sigh... that was something special...
Both Cole and Gwin are smart, have resources and know what they want and how to get it, hence their interactions are so funny, none let the other twist his/her arm. And Arthur, Gwin's brother, is a treasure, you´ll want to pack him and take him home with you.
At the beginning of the story, Gwin and Arthur are witnesses to the murder of the rest of their family. After an altercation with the law, they decide to flee and vanish, it is there where comes into play Cole, a young and rookie detective at Pinkerton, who is gave the assignment to find them and escort them back to San Francisco.
This is a clear case of opposites attract: Cole, serious and upright, with an exaggerated sense of responsibility has fulfilled the dream of his life, being a private detective at Pinkerton Agency, on the other hand we have Gwin and Arthur who, as far as they can remember, have been engaged in looting, cheating and deceiving everyone they meet... so you can imagine the sparks flying...
I don't know, Gwin, give some credit the poor man. ;)
And so the story goes on…
The suspense has been interesting though I found the resolution a bit rushed, and the conclusions which Cole reaches would have needed further explanation.
I would have like the story better if Cole had been more "attentive" or "honest" with Gwin... he found it slightly difficult to reach the conclusion that Gwin, however has been almost perfect, despite her small TSTL moment. And if there is a sweet and tender character that is Arthur...
I liked it a lot.
It is a light, unpretentious and sweet story.
El “toque” de Camelot ha sido muy tierno y original, y el “suspense” interesante.
Lo mejor de todo han sido los diálogos entre los protagonistas. De lo más ocurrentes, sarcásticos y divertidos. Y su primer encuentro… sigh… fue algo especial…
Tanto Cole como Gwin son listos, tienen recursos y saben lo que quieren y como conseguirlo, de ahí que sus interacciones sean tan divertidas, ninguno da su brazo a torcer. Y Arthur, el hermano de Gwin, es para llevárselo a casa…un tesoro.
Al principio de la historia, Gwin y Arthur son testigos del asesinato del resto de su familia. Después de un altercado con la ley, deciden darse a la fuga y desaparecer del mapa, es ahí donde entra en juego Cole, un joven y novato detective en Pinkerton, encargado de encontrarlos y custodiarlos de vuelta a San Francisco.
Este es un caso claro de polos opuestos que se atraen: Cole, serio y responsable, con un sentido de la responsabilidad exagerado ha cumplido el sueño de su vida, ser detective privado en la agencia Pinkerton, por otro lado tenemos a Gwin y Arthur que desde que tienen uso de razón se dedican al pillaje, estafando y engañando a todo lo que se encuentran a su paso…así que imagina como van a saltar chispas cuando estos dos se encuentran.
Gwin thought that even if she had the nerve to strip down to the quick and parade naked before his eyes, his only reaction would be to raise one faintly disapproving eyebrown. “Miss Pierce, you´re liable to catch your death of cold. Now, stop all this nonsense and get dressed.”
No sé yo Gwin, dale un poco de cuartelillo al hombre. ;)
Y así durante casi toda la historia. Muy divertido.
La parte del suspense ha sido también interesante aunque la resolución ha quedado un poco apresurada, y las conclusiones a las que llega Cole hubiesen necesitado alguna explicación más.
Por ponerle alguna pega, me hubiese gustado más si Cole hubiese sido más “atento” u “honesto” con Gwin…le costó un poco llegar a la conclusión de que . Gwin, sin embargo, ha sido casi perfecta, a pesar de su pequeño momento TSTL, pero no tiene mayor importancia. Y si hay un personaje dulce y tierno ese es Arthur…
Me ha encantado.
Es una historia de amor muy light, sin pretensiones y dulce.
This one has been a sweet and funny story.
The "touch" of Camelot was clever and original and the suspense had been interesting.
The best of all had been the banter between the MC´s. It had been witty, sarcastic and funny. And their first encounter... sigh... that was something special...
Both Cole and Gwin are smart, have resources and know what they want and how to get it, hence their interactions are so funny, none let the other twist his/her arm. And Arthur, Gwin's brother, is a treasure, you´ll want to pack him and take him home with you.
At the beginning of the story, Gwin and Arthur are witnesses to the murder of the rest of their family. After an altercation with the law, they decide to flee and vanish, it is there where comes into play Cole, a young and rookie detective at Pinkerton, who is gave the assignment to find them and escort them back to San Francisco.
This is a clear case of opposites attract: Cole, serious and upright, with an exaggerated sense of responsibility has fulfilled the dream of his life, being a private detective at Pinkerton Agency, on the other hand we have Gwin and Arthur who, as far as they can remember, have been engaged in looting, cheating and deceiving everyone they meet... so you can imagine the sparks flying...
Gwin thought that even if she had the nerve to strip down to the quick and parade naked before his eyes, his only reaction would be to raise one faintly disapproving eyebrown. " Miss Pierce, you´re liable to catch your death of cold. Now, stop all this nonsense and get dressed. "
I don't know, Gwin, give some credit the poor man. ;)
And so the story goes on…
The suspense has been interesting though I found the resolution a bit rushed, and the conclusions which Cole reaches would have needed further explanation.
I would have like the story better if Cole had been more "attentive" or "honest" with Gwin... he found it slightly difficult to reach the conclusion that Gwin, however has been almost perfect, despite her small TSTL moment. And if there is a sweet and tender character that is Arthur...
I liked it a lot.
It is a light, unpretentious and sweet story.
May 18, 2016
Donna Grove wrote only four books before vanishing into thin air. A TOUCH OF CAMELOT was her first and she did a very good job. I am surprised more people haven't read this book. First published in 1994, it is an 'American West' romance with a touch of homespun. And an underlying theme concerning Sir Lancelot.
*Update* After a long absence, Ms. Grove is back again writing under her new name, Delynn Royer.
Guinevere Pierce is strong, assertive and intelligent. She is also a thief. Her younger brother Arthur -yes, you heard me right- assists her with her scams. And then they witness a murder.
Cole Shepherd had just started to work as a Pinkerton detective and his first job is none other than finding these two schemers and solving the case. He has his hands full when he takes on the Pierces. Cole has some mild ups and downs but not with the overkill you see in so many romances today. Think of Mr. McDreamy with some snarky humor. The dialog between all the main characters is fun. You enjoy reading what they say to each other,
You also enjoy the bad guys. While reading the book I thought at times of the old TV show, Brisco County, Jr. with Bruce Campbell in his younger days. Goofy and fun to watch.
'Gwin' gave as good as she got. Her first responsibility as long as she can remember is to take care of her younger brother. She has some trust issues and that was probably why I did not give this story five stars. That, and a couple TSTL moments but they were over before you knew it. If you are looking for a light read, some wonderful moments, and great dialog, try this romance. Then look for RETURN TO CAMELOT, the sequel and Arthur's story.
*Update* After a long absence, Ms. Grove is back again writing under her new name, Delynn Royer.
Guinevere Pierce is strong, assertive and intelligent. She is also a thief. Her younger brother Arthur -yes, you heard me right- assists her with her scams. And then they witness a murder.
Cole Shepherd had just started to work as a Pinkerton detective and his first job is none other than finding these two schemers and solving the case. He has his hands full when he takes on the Pierces. Cole has some mild ups and downs but not with the overkill you see in so many romances today. Think of Mr. McDreamy with some snarky humor. The dialog between all the main characters is fun. You enjoy reading what they say to each other,
You also enjoy the bad guys. While reading the book I thought at times of the old TV show, Brisco County, Jr. with Bruce Campbell in his younger days. Goofy and fun to watch.
'Gwin' gave as good as she got. Her first responsibility as long as she can remember is to take care of her younger brother. She has some trust issues and that was probably why I did not give this story five stars. That, and a couple TSTL moments but they were over before you knew it. If you are looking for a light read, some wonderful moments, and great dialog, try this romance. Then look for RETURN TO CAMELOT, the sequel and Arthur's story.
August 3, 2016
2.5 stars
Very competent story, with likable H&H, and a good plot line. Won't go back to this, but worth the read.
Very competent story, with likable H&H, and a good plot line. Won't go back to this, but worth the read.
June 20, 2025
The blurb sounded super interesting, but I just did not enjoy reading this. I don’t think this author’s style is for me, throughout the book I could not stand the MMC. I loved Gwin but her character was just not enough to give this book a higher rating.
August 16, 2012
I absolutely love the way that this novel started. The prologue introduces us to Gwin and Cole, both much younger than we will see them in the next chapter yet we are able to see their characters formed from the start. Gwin, a wily pick-pocket at a young age and Cole, already serving justice, even unofficially.
From the first chapter, you are launched, head first into the world of con-men and snake-oil salesmen of the old west. The odd thing is, you like them. You can easily sympathize with Gwin and her brother Arthur as they flee for their lives after their troupe is murdered. Upon meeting the very upstanding Cole, you wonder what character flaw he could possibly have as he seems perfect…too perfect.
A Touch of Camelot is a fun chase through the Old West as a Pinkerton Detective on his first solo assignment tries to deliver a devious card-sharp and her younger brother to authorities to testify. What he didn’t expect was that, while protecting them from murder attempts, he would be so attracted to the crafty con-artist.
Gwin is a feisty female heroine who longs to find her prince but has been so disillusioned by her past she is willing to throw away the chance at it when Cole comes along looking and acting like the Lancelot of her dreams. It was fun to read their banter and reciprocated attempts to thwart the other.
The only problem I had with this book it is seemed to lag a little in the middle. There seemed to be a few things that Gwin agreed to, or went along with, simply for the sake of moving the plot but seemed out of character. Cole, as well, was a bit too perfect. His only real flaw was that he seemed judgmental at times.
Other than this, the descriptions are fantastic and Ms. Royer does a great job of showing you the surroundings. You can visualize any location she takes you. Her dialogue is superb and well timed. I can’t wait to purchase the next Camelot novel which will take me on Arthur’s quest.
From the first chapter, you are launched, head first into the world of con-men and snake-oil salesmen of the old west. The odd thing is, you like them. You can easily sympathize with Gwin and her brother Arthur as they flee for their lives after their troupe is murdered. Upon meeting the very upstanding Cole, you wonder what character flaw he could possibly have as he seems perfect…too perfect.
A Touch of Camelot is a fun chase through the Old West as a Pinkerton Detective on his first solo assignment tries to deliver a devious card-sharp and her younger brother to authorities to testify. What he didn’t expect was that, while protecting them from murder attempts, he would be so attracted to the crafty con-artist.
Gwin is a feisty female heroine who longs to find her prince but has been so disillusioned by her past she is willing to throw away the chance at it when Cole comes along looking and acting like the Lancelot of her dreams. It was fun to read their banter and reciprocated attempts to thwart the other.
The only problem I had with this book it is seemed to lag a little in the middle. There seemed to be a few things that Gwin agreed to, or went along with, simply for the sake of moving the plot but seemed out of character. Cole, as well, was a bit too perfect. His only real flaw was that he seemed judgmental at times.
Other than this, the descriptions are fantastic and Ms. Royer does a great job of showing you the surroundings. You can visualize any location she takes you. Her dialogue is superb and well timed. I can’t wait to purchase the next Camelot novel which will take me on Arthur’s quest.
the-kindle-black-hole
October 23, 2012I think this is the same book as this, http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Camelot-T...
Must head to work, research later. Free on kindle this morning.
Must head to work, research later. Free on kindle this morning.
July 26, 2012
enjoyable and fairly creative for a romance novel.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews