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Twisted Time #1
A Connecticut Fashionista In King Arthur's Court
When a modern fashion editor strumbles back into Camelot and falls in love with Lancelot, how will the history of King Arthur's court change?
Once upon a time there lived an outspoken fashion editor named Kat, who certainly was not your typical damsel in distress. But when a gypsy curse sent her back in time to the days of King Arthur, she found she'd need every ounce of her 21st century wits (and pop culture references) to navigate the legend. After all, surviving a magical plot, an evil prince, and a case of mistaken identity - all without changing history or scuffing your Manolos - takes some doing!
Luckily, she's got her very own knight in shining armor, Lancelot du Lac, on her side. The honorable-to-a-fault and devastatingly handsome champion insists on helping her out, even though she's not quite sure she wants him to. After all, shouldn't he be off romancing Queen Guenevere or something? Will Kat manage to stay out of trouble long enough to get back to her beloved lattes, cosmopolitans and cashmere? And what will Lancelot's forbidden love mean for the kingdom of Camelot?
Once upon a time there lived an outspoken fashion editor named Kat, who certainly was not your typical damsel in distress. But when a gypsy curse sent her back in time to the days of King Arthur, she found she'd need every ounce of her 21st century wits (and pop culture references) to navigate the legend. After all, surviving a magical plot, an evil prince, and a case of mistaken identity - all without changing history or scuffing your Manolos - takes some doing!
Luckily, she's got her very own knight in shining armor, Lancelot du Lac, on her side. The honorable-to-a-fault and devastatingly handsome champion insists on helping her out, even though she's not quite sure she wants him to. After all, shouldn't he be off romancing Queen Guenevere or something? Will Kat manage to stay out of trouble long enough to get back to her beloved lattes, cosmopolitans and cashmere? And what will Lancelot's forbidden love mean for the kingdom of Camelot?
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2005
9 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
Mari Mancusi
64 books2,291 followersMari Mancusi grew up where the north wind meets the sea (otherwise known as Massachusetts), but has since made her home in the great state of Texas, mostly due to her love of summer. (And tacos.) A former Emmy Award winning TV news producer, today she is the author of more than two-dozen books for kids, teens, and adults, mostly of the sci-fi/fantasy variety. In addition to writing, Mari loves traveling, video games, and cosplaying. She is also Mom to an eight year old Frozen superfan who, when recently asked by her teacher to describe her hero answered: “My Mom!” (Okay, fine, she said Kristin Bell.)
You can find Mari online at www.marimancusi.com. She knows several Samanthas.
You can find Mari online at www.marimancusi.com. She knows several Samanthas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 2, 2015
The book was fabulous!
Except for one thing...THE ENDING.
I'm sitting here all like waiting for the happily ever after,
BUT NO.
IT HAD TO END AT THE MOST WORST PLACE EVER.
This was literally me when my mind finally absorbed what just happened...
YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
PLEASE WRITE A SEQUEL.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN LIKE 10 YEARS SINCE THIS BOOK HAS BEEN OUT. BUT PLEASE!!!
Except for one thing...THE ENDING.
I'm sitting here all like waiting for the happily ever after,
BUT NO.
IT HAD TO END AT THE MOST WORST PLACE EVER.
This was literally me when my mind finally absorbed what just happened...
YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
PLEASE WRITE A SEQUEL.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN LIKE 10 YEARS SINCE THIS BOOK HAS BEEN OUT. BUT PLEASE!!!
November 7, 2021
Once upon a time there lived a fashion editor, Katherine Jones, who was nicknamed Kat. One Saturday she was sent in an Armani suit and Manolo Blahniks to the King Arthur's Faire to write a story on the emerging trend of medieval clothing in the 21st century. Entering the faire in a bad mood, she meets a gypsy who places a curse on her and she is transported back to the time of King Arthur, Queen Guenevere and the handsome knight Sir Lancelot. Things go from bad to worse as Kat has to act as a spy - though she decides to play it like a female version of James Bond with a hint of Buffy - and is captured. Can Kat use her 21st century skills in the town of Camelot or is she out of depth? An excellent modern take on the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with 21st century influences throughout
June 3, 2009
Ack. This book is horrific. How did this get printed? Can we give it a negative score rating?
My review.. ? A shallow, self-absorbed, overly self-important, "omg if it isn't NYC it's nowhere" protagonist who is more concerned with her shoes, clothes, and the latest trend (that only she is savvy enough to detect of course - why doesn't her editor worship her already?!) deigns to visit a medieval faire (re-enactment) under serious duress wearing Armani (WHAT KIND OF MORON WEARS ARMANI - and Manolo Blahnik high heels - TO A FAIRE?!) to "visit the freaks". Did I mention she abhors tech and thinks the internet is only for those not lucky enough to be amazing like her to manage having such a stellar life on their own? A gypsy (who she is very rude to - how utterly New York stereotype of her) tells her fortune and soon she's at Camelot. Still bitching and being a pita. I won't even go into her attitude on men - no wonder she's single.
I skimmed the rest of the book. It seemed more of the same tripe (and that's an insult to tripe) and bother. At the end she brings Guinevere and Lancelot "back to her time" only to discover she's landed in 2110 at Arthur's Camelot.com outside of Poughkeepsie. *shudders* The fact the author has only the barest grasp of actual history is all that can be said about the Camelot episode, what she does have of it is highly romanticized (I suspect she saw the play a few times and wrote based upon that).
While I admit I do not enjoy romance novels mostly for what I perceive as "lack of plot"* issues, (I selected this title because it sounded like it might be fun) and my comments above should be taken with that grain of salt. However the parts I actively read didn't involve any romance.. just a lot of really badly written, and self-serving, drivel.
Of course an avid romance reader might find this a rather good book. Mileage varies.
* I don't mind novels that are well written, have a plot, and contain romance that is consistent with the story. But it appears that romance books for the sake of "romance" just don't cut it for me.
My review.. ? A shallow, self-absorbed, overly self-important, "omg if it isn't NYC it's nowhere" protagonist who is more concerned with her shoes, clothes, and the latest trend (that only she is savvy enough to detect of course - why doesn't her editor worship her already?!) deigns to visit a medieval faire (re-enactment) under serious duress wearing Armani (WHAT KIND OF MORON WEARS ARMANI - and Manolo Blahnik high heels - TO A FAIRE?!) to "visit the freaks". Did I mention she abhors tech and thinks the internet is only for those not lucky enough to be amazing like her to manage having such a stellar life on their own? A gypsy (who she is very rude to - how utterly New York stereotype of her) tells her fortune and soon she's at Camelot. Still bitching and being a pita. I won't even go into her attitude on men - no wonder she's single.
I skimmed the rest of the book. It seemed more of the same tripe (and that's an insult to tripe) and bother. At the end she brings Guinevere and Lancelot "back to her time" only to discover she's landed in 2110 at Arthur's Camelot.com outside of Poughkeepsie. *shudders* The fact the author has only the barest grasp of actual history is all that can be said about the Camelot episode, what she does have of it is highly romanticized (I suspect she saw the play a few times and wrote based upon that).
While I admit I do not enjoy romance novels mostly for what I perceive as "lack of plot"* issues, (I selected this title because it sounded like it might be fun) and my comments above should be taken with that grain of salt. However the parts I actively read didn't involve any romance.. just a lot of really badly written, and self-serving, drivel.
Of course an avid romance reader might find this a rather good book. Mileage varies.
* I don't mind novels that are well written, have a plot, and contain romance that is consistent with the story. But it appears that romance books for the sake of "romance" just don't cut it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2015
A clever time travel story that managed to find its way into Camelot and put a twist on the ending that I did not see coming.
June 3, 2022
Cute story with an interesting twist on the legend. I found the heroine, Kat, to be sassy and full of fire and the story contained quite a few LOL moments.
According to the author's website (www.mariannemancusi.com), there will be a sequel that will be published in 2007. This is an author I will definitely be on the lookout for.
According to the author's website (www.mariannemancusi.com), there will be a sequel that will be published in 2007. This is an author I will definitely be on the lookout for.
September 20, 2014
I have mixed feelings about this book but because I started reading it without actually knowing what to expect I have to admit that I truly enjoyed it and I was pleasantly surprised buy it.
The story is a nice twist on Mark Twain's novel and the author has clearly done some arthurian research, even if her main charactar Kat keep telling us that she knows nothing of King Arthur.
The book is narrated in first person and Kat has a lot of insight and her toughts are all written down. She was enjoyable, she was nice and full of enthusiasm, she did a lot of pop reference which was fun to read, she was clever and resourceful but I wasn't too fond of her false kowledge of feminism (how she tells us that she blames feminists for the absence of nice, chivalrly-addicted men like Lancelot) and the occasional racist slur that she uses describing a maybe Romani woman and the superficial homophobia in her ability to recognize all gay men with her gay radar and how her amazing gay friend was so great with clothes. In these parts she seemed more like a cliche woman out of Sex & The City than a real character.
I wasn't also too fond of the sex. Harlequin-style sex is not my thing.
I also had a little doubt about a part of the plot which I found difficult to explain if not for the desire of the author to have a certain plot resolution later. In particular I wasn't overly convinced with the necessity to present Kat to the court as Lancelot's sister when Lancelot and Kat are already lovers and Lancelot could simply present her as some sort of distant lover. I know this was needed to the later misunderstanding of Guinevere/Lancelot but that's exactly why I didn't buy it.
The whole Nimue as Lancelot's adoptive mother but then seducing Lancelot herself to distract him from Guinevere was a bit creepy and so was the first time between Lancelot and Kat when it's clear that Lancelot would prefer not to and Kat insists too much. It smelled of dubcon to me and I felt a little uncomfortable.
A part from this and the classic overused cliche of the saving-the-damsel-from-near-rape-and-death-twice I truly liked some parts. I like how the story of Guinevere was reinvented, how she met Arthur and simply her character. She was such a lovely Guinevere, so enthusiastic and in love with Arthur and a nice chance from what I expected. The friendship between Guinevere and Kat was adorable and by the end of the book I was fairly more invested in this than the love between Kat and Lancelot which seemed for me a bit too quick a development.
Arthur was quite a nice character too even if he didn't appear to much and I was happy to see Mordred in here also if I expected much more from him from his introduction and instead he ended up as the clearly-gay and closeted mysoginistic villain.
The end was my favourite thing. I was left with a big laugh and surprised by the twist and I sincerely think that I would gladly rea the sequel if the author has written one!
The story is a nice twist on Mark Twain's novel and the author has clearly done some arthurian research, even if her main charactar Kat keep telling us that she knows nothing of King Arthur.
The book is narrated in first person and Kat has a lot of insight and her toughts are all written down. She was enjoyable, she was nice and full of enthusiasm, she did a lot of pop reference which was fun to read, she was clever and resourceful but I wasn't too fond of her false kowledge of feminism (how she tells us that she blames feminists for the absence of nice, chivalrly-addicted men like Lancelot) and the occasional racist slur that she uses describing a maybe Romani woman and the superficial homophobia in her ability to recognize all gay men with her gay radar and how her amazing gay friend was so great with clothes. In these parts she seemed more like a cliche woman out of Sex & The City than a real character.
I wasn't also too fond of the sex. Harlequin-style sex is not my thing.
I also had a little doubt about a part of the plot which I found difficult to explain if not for the desire of the author to have a certain plot resolution later. In particular I wasn't overly convinced with the necessity to present Kat to the court as Lancelot's sister when Lancelot and Kat are already lovers and Lancelot could simply present her as some sort of distant lover. I know this was needed to the later misunderstanding of Guinevere/Lancelot but that's exactly why I didn't buy it.
The whole Nimue as Lancelot's adoptive mother but then seducing Lancelot herself to distract him from Guinevere was a bit creepy and so was the first time between Lancelot and Kat when it's clear that Lancelot would prefer not to and Kat insists too much. It smelled of dubcon to me and I felt a little uncomfortable.
A part from this and the classic overused cliche of the saving-the-damsel-from-near-rape-and-death-twice I truly liked some parts. I like how the story of Guinevere was reinvented, how she met Arthur and simply her character. She was such a lovely Guinevere, so enthusiastic and in love with Arthur and a nice chance from what I expected. The friendship between Guinevere and Kat was adorable and by the end of the book I was fairly more invested in this than the love between Kat and Lancelot which seemed for me a bit too quick a development.
Arthur was quite a nice character too even if he didn't appear to much and I was happy to see Mordred in here also if I expected much more from him from his introduction and instead he ended up as the clearly-gay and closeted mysoginistic villain.
The end was my favourite thing. I was left with a big laugh and surprised by the twist and I sincerely think that I would gladly rea the sequel if the author has written one!
August 26, 2017
It had major flaws and super cringe moments. No doubt about about it. And that ending!
But....I rate books on (among other things) how much they make me laugh/cry (I am all for books that make me feeel things), root for the characters (Female characters that take no shit are great), get involved in the story (aka: sitting on the edge of my seat), whether i want it to end or not and if i'm likely to re-read it. And this book checked almost all my boxes. Despite the horrible moments I can't help but really like this book. I'm probably going to re-read it a lot. In fact I think its going to become a guilty pleasure book.
Eh, what can I say? *Shrug* Loved this book.
But....I rate books on (among other things) how much they make me laugh/cry (I am all for books that make me feeel things), root for the characters (Female characters that take no shit are great), get involved in the story (aka: sitting on the edge of my seat), whether i want it to end or not and if i'm likely to re-read it. And this book checked almost all my boxes. Despite the horrible moments I can't help but really like this book. I'm probably going to re-read it a lot. In fact I think its going to become a guilty pleasure book.
Eh, what can I say? *Shrug* Loved this book.
January 4, 2012
A very funny, light read! The book is full of great ideas (the Atkins diet in Medieval times? Not a good idea!) and I just loved the (often hilarious) dialogues.
May 19, 2012
Awfully amusing, or amusingly awful?
May 11, 2023
If Mr. Blahnik could see me now, he'd be royally pissed off.
Katherine "Kat" Jones is a hot mess. She is an associate fashion editor sent to a Renaissance Faire to write an article on medieval garb. She insults a old woman who reads her palm and ends up being transported back to Camelot.
Kat was an incredibly annoying main character. Who goes to a Ren Faire in Armani and Manolos? Her self-centered patter was irritating in the 21st century. It was even more so in the past.
I generally enjoy time travel stories but like to have more accurate historical content. The characters were two dimensional and never developed enough to enjoy.
The plot was an insult to Mark Twain and to the Arthurian legend. Perhaps I'm just biased because years ago I did a thesis on Arthur and Camelot. I felt that the author could have done more research.
The romance with Lancelot was one redeeming quality. The ending made me shake my head. I read it out loud to my cats. Twice! No verdict from them on the end result.
This would have been a DNF had I not needed it for a couple of challenges.
Katherine "Kat" Jones is a hot mess. She is an associate fashion editor sent to a Renaissance Faire to write an article on medieval garb. She insults a old woman who reads her palm and ends up being transported back to Camelot.
Kat was an incredibly annoying main character. Who goes to a Ren Faire in Armani and Manolos? Her self-centered patter was irritating in the 21st century. It was even more so in the past.
I generally enjoy time travel stories but like to have more accurate historical content. The characters were two dimensional and never developed enough to enjoy.
The plot was an insult to Mark Twain and to the Arthurian legend. Perhaps I'm just biased because years ago I did a thesis on Arthur and Camelot. I felt that the author could have done more research.
The romance with Lancelot was one redeeming quality. The ending made me shake my head. I read it out loud to my cats. Twice! No verdict from them on the end result.
This would have been a DNF had I not needed it for a couple of challenges.
September 12, 2018
I picked up this book because I love stories of amazing women traveling through time and this sounded like fun. I didn’t have much fun reading it though. I found the main character very unlikeable and I know unlikeable characters aren’t always a good reason to dislike a book but it was tough to find anything else likeable. The main character is selfish and flippant. The dialogue is often the opposite of body positive and almost homophobic. I don’t care how great you think you gaydar is, you don’t go around outing people before they are ready, especially in eras where that sort of revelation could have you burnt at the stake. Also there are a number of comments about being raped by ‘ugly’ men as though being raped by attractive people makes it ok. It doesn’t. I’d have probably loved this 10 years ago but now it doesn’t hit the spot as it’s way too problematic. I wouldn’t recommend it.
June 29, 2018
Corny.
This one is way over the top corny. I love time travel novels, but this one has a wise-cracking girl sent back to Camelot and Sir Lancelot falls in love with her. She jive talked language to the citizens of Camelot and they understand her perfectly. I just cannot recommend this one at all.
This one is way over the top corny. I love time travel novels, but this one has a wise-cracking girl sent back to Camelot and Sir Lancelot falls in love with her. She jive talked language to the citizens of Camelot and they understand her perfectly. I just cannot recommend this one at all.
March 3, 2019
The story made me want to read more however I didn’t like how Kat was as a character, I found this book at an op shop because I like King Arthur stories. I thought the ending could have been better. Overall I would say this was an alright book.
March 18, 2016
Like, OMG, you will totally, like, LOVE how Lancey and Kat hook up!
Ugh. Or not.
Spoilers ahead, in case anyone hasn't read this yet.
I love fiction based in Medieval times and was hoping this book would be a fun read. I finished it, but Kat's stupidity, arrogance and shallowness, the over-the-top "love" scenes (is this chick lit or a trashy romance novel?), and the ending all made it more annoying than fun.
Yes, there are words that we use now that they wouldn't understand, and we do have a very different way of speaking, but must there be stupid phrases like "down-low" and "hook up"? Is Kat really 29 or is she 16? Most people grow out of that type of slang. She also is stupid enough to babble on like your typical vapid teenager when there are serious matters being discussed. And the nicknames? Again, is she a child? What adult can't call someone by their name and needs to abbreviate it or add an "ee" sound to the end? How disrespectful can a person be?
The fashion crap (a la "21st century fashion is SO much better than anything else") got really old. Kat was wearing beautifully dyed silk gowns and she constantly bitched that it wasn't D&G or Gucci and that none of it was black.
The sex scenes were pretty far off from the chick lit genre, definitely more fitting for romance. They were also seemingly the only thing that Kat & Lancelot had going for them. Love? Right. Try lust. (Edited much later to add that, apparently, they have changed the cover of this to better reflect this.)
Also, I saw the "purple veil" crap coming from so far away...
Contrary to all of this, the book had it's moments. I did like that most other characters were a bit less shallow and more noble, as one would expect. The twist to the folklore (misunderstanding, etc) was amusing.
All in all, it had a lot of potential, but fell short.
See more reviews here:
Ugh. Or not.
Spoilers ahead, in case anyone hasn't read this yet.
I love fiction based in Medieval times and was hoping this book would be a fun read. I finished it, but Kat's stupidity, arrogance and shallowness, the over-the-top "love" scenes (is this chick lit or a trashy romance novel?), and the ending all made it more annoying than fun.
Yes, there are words that we use now that they wouldn't understand, and we do have a very different way of speaking, but must there be stupid phrases like "down-low" and "hook up"? Is Kat really 29 or is she 16? Most people grow out of that type of slang. She also is stupid enough to babble on like your typical vapid teenager when there are serious matters being discussed. And the nicknames? Again, is she a child? What adult can't call someone by their name and needs to abbreviate it or add an "ee" sound to the end? How disrespectful can a person be?
The fashion crap (a la "21st century fashion is SO much better than anything else") got really old. Kat was wearing beautifully dyed silk gowns and she constantly bitched that it wasn't D&G or Gucci and that none of it was black.
The sex scenes were pretty far off from the chick lit genre, definitely more fitting for romance. They were also seemingly the only thing that Kat & Lancelot had going for them. Love? Right. Try lust. (Edited much later to add that, apparently, they have changed the cover of this to better reflect this.)
Also, I saw the "purple veil" crap coming from so far away...
Contrary to all of this, the book had it's moments. I did like that most other characters were a bit less shallow and more noble, as one would expect. The twist to the folklore (misunderstanding, etc) was amusing.
All in all, it had a lot of potential, but fell short.
See more reviews here:
January 5, 2017
A modern woman by the name of Kat is transported back in time by a gypsy curse and desperately wants to get back to the time of latte’s and phone reception. Handsome knight Lancelot and the Queen of Camelot, Guenevere are keen to help her. Kat will need all of her modern day sass and wit to stop from altering the course of events and changing the future forever. But what happens when she starts to fall for Lancelot?
This book is a very quick an easy read. Though there are a couple of plot twists, they’re easy to keep up with and would make this book a good, frivolous read on a holiday break. What I liked about this book is that all the common speech that we take for granted now, may not have been recognised back in the time of Camelot. And that came through in the book, with the characters looking at Kat weird and having no idea what she’s talking about. I did like Guenevere, she was so young and sweet. And I really enjoyed seeing the bit of a twist to her story and how much she loved Arthur. The relationship between her and Kat was probably the best one in the book.
I didn’t really like Kat though. I get that she’s supposed to be an airy fashionista, but it was to the point of not being relatable as a person. She was quite judgemental, was a tad too ditzy and lied too much to cover her arse. In regards to her relationship with Lancelot, man I can’t help but feel she practically raped him that first time. She pressured him so much to sleep with her and basically didn’t give him the option of saying no. If it was a guy who’d done that to a girl, he’d be in deep shit. I also couldn’t get past the damn nicknames all the way through. Calm down a bit please!
Overall, if you don’t read too much into it and just take it on face value as a flippant read that you don’t have to focus on too much, then it’s not too bad.
Read more on my blog.
This book is a very quick an easy read. Though there are a couple of plot twists, they’re easy to keep up with and would make this book a good, frivolous read on a holiday break. What I liked about this book is that all the common speech that we take for granted now, may not have been recognised back in the time of Camelot. And that came through in the book, with the characters looking at Kat weird and having no idea what she’s talking about. I did like Guenevere, she was so young and sweet. And I really enjoyed seeing the bit of a twist to her story and how much she loved Arthur. The relationship between her and Kat was probably the best one in the book.
I didn’t really like Kat though. I get that she’s supposed to be an airy fashionista, but it was to the point of not being relatable as a person. She was quite judgemental, was a tad too ditzy and lied too much to cover her arse. In regards to her relationship with Lancelot, man I can’t help but feel she practically raped him that first time. She pressured him so much to sleep with her and basically didn’t give him the option of saying no. If it was a guy who’d done that to a girl, he’d be in deep shit. I also couldn’t get past the damn nicknames all the way through. Calm down a bit please!
Overall, if you don’t read too much into it and just take it on face value as a flippant read that you don’t have to focus on too much, then it’s not too bad.
Read more on my blog.
October 13, 2015
It took a long time for me to decide what rating to give A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur’s Court by Mari Mancusi. This was the fun, sometimes silly, often thrilling adventure of Kat—a fashion editor who’s all about Starbucks and her Manolo’s, and not so much about medieval life—but it wasn’t without its snares.
Technically speaking, the writing was pretty decent. I found a small handful of typos throughout the book, but nothing terribly jarring. The writing overall was fluid, clear, and fast-paced. I didn’t feel like I was stumbling through awkward word choices or grammar issues. The romance between Lancelot and Kat was believable and steamy, and I rooted for them throughout the book. The world building was familiar and stuck pretty true to the core tale of Arthur and Camelot, and I enjoyed the idea behind the plot.
The problem for me, unfortunately, was Kat herself. I found it very difficult to like Kat. Honestly, she was kind of obnoxious and definitely more than a little self-centered. Her words and choices throughout the book were made with little forethought, often resulting in misunderstandings and trouble for the people around her, and instead of outright apologizing, most of the time she just pouted in her head about how no one liked her because she made bad first impressions. She certainly did at that—I hated her personality and found her more than a little annoying.
Still, the book was fun and a certainly interesting mash-up of an old classic tale and modern day drama. Overall, I rated the book a “meh”. I liked it, I’m glad I read it, but I would have liked it a lot more had Kat not been as obnoxious, and had her actions had more realistic consequences. She just wasn’t my idea of a fun heroine to follow around for the entirety of a book.
Technically speaking, the writing was pretty decent. I found a small handful of typos throughout the book, but nothing terribly jarring. The writing overall was fluid, clear, and fast-paced. I didn’t feel like I was stumbling through awkward word choices or grammar issues. The romance between Lancelot and Kat was believable and steamy, and I rooted for them throughout the book. The world building was familiar and stuck pretty true to the core tale of Arthur and Camelot, and I enjoyed the idea behind the plot.
The problem for me, unfortunately, was Kat herself. I found it very difficult to like Kat. Honestly, she was kind of obnoxious and definitely more than a little self-centered. Her words and choices throughout the book were made with little forethought, often resulting in misunderstandings and trouble for the people around her, and instead of outright apologizing, most of the time she just pouted in her head about how no one liked her because she made bad first impressions. She certainly did at that—I hated her personality and found her more than a little annoying.
Still, the book was fun and a certainly interesting mash-up of an old classic tale and modern day drama. Overall, I rated the book a “meh”. I liked it, I’m glad I read it, but I would have liked it a lot more had Kat not been as obnoxious, and had her actions had more realistic consequences. She just wasn’t my idea of a fun heroine to follow around for the entirety of a book.
September 25, 2014
I really like this fun, hilarious, sweet little read! It's not often that I read first person books but this one was awesome! I generally don't like first-person books, and I know I've said that in several reviews of good first person book, but this one did it for me. It had a little bit of everything that I desire in a fantastic read. It was funny, it was heartwarming, and had a hot boys and steamy scenes as well! I realize that this was a repub from a book that was 10 years old and being so it was edited, I guess, and updated a little. But something that bugged me a little bit was that there was an odd mix of very old references and new references that were plugged in to make it "updated." I am an old enough reader I got all the references but since there was such a range of generations, if you will, the new ones that were put in really jumped out to me. I almost would've preferred if it was left as it was originally with the old references. Mainly because the heroine (POV character) was only 22 years old, meaning she wouldn't have known some of the things she referenced. Unless she was a very learned person and I did not get that impression since she was so quirky. But that only took away a little bit. It was still an awesome story and I'm going to go dig up the second one! And I really wish Guen will have a story in the far future.
December 11, 2012
The Story: As the title says, a 21st century fashionista is sent back to the Middle Ages. King Arthur's court, to be specific. What happens when a cell-phone toting, Armani-wearing, back-talking city girl lands in the middle of the Knights of the Round Table? She gets thrown into the tower! Will Lancelot be her knight in shining armor, or is his heart already taken--by Queen Guenever?
My Thoughts: Definitely a fluff-read, but a diverting one at that. Silly and improbable with some good, clean fun. Kudos to Mancusi for writing a "behind the scenes" story in which Guenever does not come across as a vapid ho and Lancelot isn't a womanizing ninny. Up yours, Malory. I do have one gripe, though, with Mancusi's characterization. Kat Jones, our little time-traveler, is supposed to sophisticated yet not that bright. She talks about not paying attention back in school yet makes literary references and quotes FDR. I don't mind the author leaking into a character in principle, but since this is a first-person narrative a little consistency is necessary. No talking about The Odyssey if your character is supposed to be a flighty clotheshorse.
Recommendation: Good for killing time.
My Thoughts: Definitely a fluff-read, but a diverting one at that. Silly and improbable with some good, clean fun. Kudos to Mancusi for writing a "behind the scenes" story in which Guenever does not come across as a vapid ho and Lancelot isn't a womanizing ninny. Up yours, Malory. I do have one gripe, though, with Mancusi's characterization. Kat Jones, our little time-traveler, is supposed to sophisticated yet not that bright. She talks about not paying attention back in school yet makes literary references and quotes FDR. I don't mind the author leaking into a character in principle, but since this is a first-person narrative a little consistency is necessary. No talking about The Odyssey if your character is supposed to be a flighty clotheshorse.
Recommendation: Good for killing time.
September 11, 2008
Once upon a time there lived an outspoken fashion editor named Kat, who certainly was not your typical damsel in distress. But when a gypsy curse sent her back in time to the days of King Arthur, she found she'd need every ounce of her 21st century wits (and pop culture references) to navigate the legend. After all, surviving a magical plot, an evil prince, and a case of mistaken identity--all without changing history or scuffing your Manolos--takes some doing!
Luckily, she's got her very own knight in shining armor, Lancelot du Lac, on her side. The honorable-to-a-fault and devastatingly handsome champion insists on helping her out, even though she's not quite sure she wants him to. After all, shouldn't he be off romancing Queen Guenevere or something? Will Kat manage to stay out of trouble long enough to get back to her beloved café lattes, cosmopolitans and cashmere? And what will Lancelot's forbidden love mean for the kingdom of Camelot?
A wonderful take on the King Arthur legends, and the book was witty without being annoying, very much enjoyed it.
Luckily, she's got her very own knight in shining armor, Lancelot du Lac, on her side. The honorable-to-a-fault and devastatingly handsome champion insists on helping her out, even though she's not quite sure she wants him to. After all, shouldn't he be off romancing Queen Guenevere or something? Will Kat manage to stay out of trouble long enough to get back to her beloved café lattes, cosmopolitans and cashmere? And what will Lancelot's forbidden love mean for the kingdom of Camelot?
A wonderful take on the King Arthur legends, and the book was witty without being annoying, very much enjoyed it.
July 1, 2008
I was a sucker for a King Arthur story when I was a young teen. I’ve read more versions of it that you can imagine. In this one, Kat is transported back to Camelot. It takes her awhile to find out it wasn’t an accident – the Lady of the Lake and Merlin thought that Kat could prevent Lancelot and Guenevere from falling in love, thus being the downfall of Camelot.
It was a fun story, an easy read and entertaining. Even though you more or less know what’s going to happen – at least if you’re read ANY King Arthur stories – it was still a compelling story. The ending was an unexpected twist, so don’t read ahead!
The odd thing is, I found myself wishing I could go back to Camelot –era to meet the Lady of the Lake. I think I could share her mission of trying to stop the Christians from taking over – and destroying – most of the world.
It was a fun story, an easy read and entertaining. Even though you more or less know what’s going to happen – at least if you’re read ANY King Arthur stories – it was still a compelling story. The ending was an unexpected twist, so don’t read ahead!
The odd thing is, I found myself wishing I could go back to Camelot –era to meet the Lady of the Lake. I think I could share her mission of trying to stop the Christians from taking over – and destroying – most of the world.
October 24, 2014
This was a lot of fun and definitely different from other time travel romances I have read. Kat turns up in the time of Camelot after being rude to a fortune teller at a Medieval Fair in the 21st century. What I liked about it was that she kept her sassiness of a modern day girl while in the past and was still as suspicious of men as she was before she travelled and it kind of illustrated that people are people, whatever century they come from.
It was amusing, romantic and a great diversion. Will be reading the next one to see what happens to everyone. Lancelot is the honorable knight of folklore and slowly gets Kat to believe there are good men out there, even if you have to travel back in time to find them.
It was amusing, romantic and a great diversion. Will be reading the next one to see what happens to everyone. Lancelot is the honorable knight of folklore and slowly gets Kat to believe there are good men out there, even if you have to travel back in time to find them.
September 22, 2014
3.5- Cute story about a NYC girl who travels back in time due to a Gypsy curse in order to prevent Lancelot from ever falling in love with Guinevere (and thus saving Camelot from its demise).
I liked it. It was cute, sweet, and a little steamy. The whole incorporation of the different legends revolving around Camelot was interesting as well as the role that each of the characters played. I enjoyed seeing how Kat became involved with Lancelot and the ultimate role she played in the Guinevere/Arthur saga. It kept my attention well and was an enjoyable, easy read.
There was quite a twist at the end that has me wanting to keep reading the series.
I liked it. It was cute, sweet, and a little steamy. The whole incorporation of the different legends revolving around Camelot was interesting as well as the role that each of the characters played. I enjoyed seeing how Kat became involved with Lancelot and the ultimate role she played in the Guinevere/Arthur saga. It kept my attention well and was an enjoyable, easy read.
There was quite a twist at the end that has me wanting to keep reading the series.
June 10, 2011
You definitely have to be a hardcore chicklit fan to enjoy A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court, as its themes, heroine, and other elements are your standard chicklit fare. Fun and breezy reading, for sure, but it's not my cup of tea. I much prefer being provoked into thought with reading, as depth and meaning are a must to earn a place amongst my favourite books. This provided little of that.
Standard plot formula propped up with sass to carry whatever enjoyment readers can glean. Too much fodder for my liking.
Standard plot formula propped up with sass to carry whatever enjoyment readers can glean. Too much fodder for my liking.
December 30, 2017
I came across this book at my local used bookstore. I thought the title sounded catchy and as I read the back and flipped through the pages; the book seemed utterly entertaining!
A "prissy" "fashionista" or "diva" stuck in Medieval times without starbucks, designer high heels and especially no in door plumbing!
Really, my first impression was that it would be just a really fun read! This book defiantly exceeded my expectations!
Read the rest of my Review here on my blog!
http://alaskanbookgirl55.blogspot.com...
A "prissy" "fashionista" or "diva" stuck in Medieval times without starbucks, designer high heels and especially no in door plumbing!
Really, my first impression was that it would be just a really fun read! This book defiantly exceeded my expectations!
Read the rest of my Review here on my blog!
http://alaskanbookgirl55.blogspot.com...
June 29, 2011
Katherine Jones is our heroine in this novel. She is a bright fashion columnist and outspoken girl, which just happened to get thrown into Medieval era by accident (getting hit over the head with a flying lance). Later she know how she ended up in Camelot (back in King Arthur's day) because a gypsy put a curse on her to send her into another time.
This book is so hilarious, fun and easy to read. Recomend it!
This book is so hilarious, fun and easy to read. Recomend it!
October 17, 2011
I bought this book back when it was first published. I noticed it at a highway rest stop while on a high school trip and my friends ribbed me the entire time about my love of drugstore romances.
This was a cute, sexy, entertaining read and I wish I still had my copy - it went missing shortly after I finished reading it :(
I hope that I'll stumble onto another copy while used book shopping one of these days!
This was a cute, sexy, entertaining read and I wish I still had my copy - it went missing shortly after I finished reading it :(
I hope that I'll stumble onto another copy while used book shopping one of these days!
July 22, 2007
I found this book on Candy Covered Books and thought even though it didn't look like a book I would normally read, I'd give it a try. It was pretty cheesy and definitely not my cup of tea, but it was mildly entertaining. I didn't completely hate it, but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't read it. :)
April 22, 2009
this book is sooooo good. If I can give six stars then I will :) a perfect combination of my two favorite genres, historical and chicklit :)
Eventhough this is a light, funny book, the writer took time to research the details and history of King Arthur's era. Mixed with a lot of imagination and an overdose of fun and laugh, here's a chick lit with and attitude that is simply unputdownable.
Eventhough this is a light, funny book, the writer took time to research the details and history of King Arthur's era. Mixed with a lot of imagination and an overdose of fun and laugh, here's a chick lit with and attitude that is simply unputdownable.
June 19, 2010
if you love fictional stories that link history with it, then you will love this book! it's a new look on time travel romance and will leave you laughing and crying and begging for more. it's a different writing style than what i've read before, and the heroine definitley isn't like the others i've read about either. a good book that was fun to read. :)
January 25, 2011
Snippet; I enjoyed this book for what it is, light entertainment. It is the type of book I could curl up with by the heater in winter or on the beach on a hot summers day. It doesn't require too much thought to be entertained.
Full Review; http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/2009/1...
Full Review; http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/2009/1...
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