Of Love & Legend: A King Arthur and Guinevere Story

Lore & Legend Series

by Vanessa K. Eccles

Chivalry isn't dead.

The enchanted wood lured Guinevere into its embrace all of her teen years. It held her whole heart until the night it introduced her to Arthur.

A murder.
A sword.
A secret.
A destiny.

Chosen by the heavens and convinced by the passion she feels, she makes a decision that will begin a legend and be told from now until forever.

OF LOVE & LEGEND is a young adult paranormal romance with an Arthurian spin. In keeping with Arthur's reputation of honor and Guinevere's thirst for love, this short read hopes to satisfy your longing for clean but zealous passion.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Retellings, Romance

ebook

Published May 11, 2017

About the author

Vanessa K. Eccles is the creator of lovely and terrifying creatures. In the search for beautifully broken characters, she’s not afraid to delve into the dark side of humanity and fantasy to find the most authentic and relatable monsters, reminding us all that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

She’s currently the writer, host, and producer of the Fabled Collective podcast.

She and her Prince Charming live in hauntingly beautiful Savannah, GA, with their three dogs.

Reviews

[Danni (bookswithdanni) · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐ 2 Stars ⭐ (Audiobook)

Didn't like this book.

The narrator was hard to understand at some points and I was really confused for the majority. Maybe if I'd read the book instead of listening to the audio I might have liked it a little more.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Often stilted and cliche with a forced pairing.

Arthur repeatedly asking Guinevere to tell him what her father did to her and then kissing her during that conversation was awkward and disgusting at best and manipulative and controlling at worst.

Every time Guinevere is questioning their relationship, she emphasizes still wanting him.

Several sentences use famous book titles or quotes as key description.

This reads like the worst of Christian fan fiction stereotypes.

[Chrystele Myriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical at first, but hey! I found myself fangirling over this story! I love the Arthurian Legends so much, so I am kinda picky on the stories written on it! And I loved this one!

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book disappointing. The voice actress read very stilted, the writing seemed untrained and juvenile, the tale was unoriginal and cliche. It took me awhile to finish as I kept leaving it to read an interesting book, then came back just to see if it got better and to have it count towards my annual reading goal by finishing it.

I see some have rated it five stars which goes to show that everyone has a different taste in books so you may enjoy it. Though read it, don’t get the audiobook.

[Ronnie Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story. It is well written and captivating. I was completely drawn in.

[Kathy Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding short story! Well written, and the writer draws you in making you wish that you had more to read!

[Jacki · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only made it through the first fifteen minutes and had to stop. I don't even have words for this.

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short story based on the Arthurian legend. It basically covered the first meeting of Arthur and Guinevere. It has a lot of depth as it debates duty vs love and if certain things like love and family are still important versus the greater good and destiny. I loved that Guinevere had a fleshed-out backstory. It’s not the story I’m used to for her since I’m used to her being nobility before she married Arthur. But it’s still an interesting backstory, nevertheless, giving her a more rounded personality. Arthur though, felt lacking in personality. Kind and caring, yes, but his backstory turned him into a thing, rather than a person, just a tool driven to fulfill his mission and destiny, and really no opinion on whether or not he actually liked doing any of that. With this being a short story, there wasn’t that much to the actual story itself beyond their first meeting. There was some beautiful magic, but really, the majority of the story was spent with Guinevere debating and arguing and waffling with herself of if she should be with Arthur.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summer reading at the library has a bingo card I fill out every year. This leads you to books that under normal circumstances you would absolutely never pick up.

Pros: The grammar is excellent. I cannot say that about every book I’ve read. It also has a plot line that can be followed. Again, not every book in my read pile has that.

Cons: While I understand that fiction by its very definition requires the reader to suspend your disbelief…. This goes way too far!

At this point I would believe in the possibility of three legged walking venomous carnivorous seven foot tall aggressive plants before this premise!!! (See “The Day of the Triffids)

[Mary Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! This is my favorite of Eccles' work. I read this in an hour without moving from my seat on a night I felt grumpy and needed something to give a little hope and magic in my life. This did just that! I loved the descriptions of Arthur and especially Gwenivere's backstory. The backwards rain was beautiful, and the readability of the prose, dialogue, and setting was just magic! If you like retellings with a twist, check this one out. Maybe if I'm lucky, Eccles will do one about Lancelot.

[Muzmuz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really, really, REALLY wanted to DNF it,but since it was such a short read just went ahead and finished it.
the story is a retelling of how Arthur and Guinevere meet and then get married ... but it felt more of cheesy youngster story wrapped in a fantasy setting.... told mainly in Guinevere's voice.

[Big Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this novella. Big mistake. The narrator's, also the author, voice did not lend to easy listening. Her was just short of nails on a chalk board...kind of screechy. The story itself was bland. Even though the story is about King Arthur and Guinevere, there was no spark and the characters were flat.

[Cap · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea behind the book, it’s a cool concept that woulda been nice to explore more. But I wasn’t a big fan of how it was told. Definitely woulda been cool to see more behind Arthur and what he was.

[Kathryn Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

What insight of story of Guinevere and Arthur long before the legends really began. I really like the story of Guinevere or her side of the Legends or point of view, so to speak. It was a great listen. Will look for more of this Author.

[Sabrina Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 1 of Lore & Legend series. This is a short story detailed. The story is written well and the characters are developed to realistic.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Auburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short

A short reimagining of king Arthur and his love. Though the plot was new there was a small trigger warning for some people. It also kind of felt super sad.

[Jessica Vroman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great spin on the original story

[Deandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Of Love & Legend" gave these characters of legend a touch of humanity, thank you.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short story of King Arthur’s story of Guinevere. Well done.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not waste the time. It was rushed and hard for me to finish.