Shadow of the Swan by Nicola M. Cameron
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@Archaeolibrary, @YesItsNicolaC
#Historical, #Paranormal, #Romance
A determined academic, trapped by her ancestor’s pact. A gentleman vampire, sworn to protect her. And a deadly Fae king, bent on claiming her as his bride.
In the golden years of the Victorian Era, Louisa Wallingford investigates myths and legends around the globe with her historian uncle, until her life is torn apart by an ancient promise to a sadistic Fae royal. Faced with becoming his unwilling bride, Louisa’s only escape is an arranged marriage … to a handsome but distant vampire.
Sir Henry Carstairs gave up his humanity to save the queen he loved. When he failed, he vowed to protect her daughter and the country she ruled. Now, his vow requires him to enter an arranged marriage in order to protect a beautiful, headstrong scholar. But as their mock relationship becomes real, a deadly conflict between the British Empire and the Land of Faerie threatens to separate them forever.
5 out of 5 (exceptional)
Shadow of the Swan is a standalone novel set in Victorian England. I say standalone but I am seriously hoping it turns into more! Louisa is a strong and resilient female lead and Henry is superb, a rightful male balance to this pairing.
This story takes you from Egypt to England with all of the differences between the two brilliantly described. Louisa and Henry are supported by an amazing cast that I loved getting to know and I really want to see more of them! The pacing is spot-on with the whole book moving along nicely without a wasted word or unnecessary flourish.
This was a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed. So good to read a Nicola Cameron classic again. Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nicola Cameron is a married woman of a certain age who really likes writing about science fiction, fantasy, and sex. When not writing about those things, she likes to make Stuff™. And she may be rather fond of absinthe.
While possessing a healthy interest in sex since puberty, it wasn’t until 2012 that she decided to write about it. The skills picked up during her SF writing career transferred quite nicely to speculative romance. Her To Be Written work queue currently stands at around nineteen books, and her mojito-sodden Muse swans in from Bali every so often to add to the list, cackling to herself all the while.
Nicola plans to continue writing until she drops dead over her keyboard or makes enough money to buy a private island and hire Rory McCann as her personal trainer/masseur, whichever comes first.