One Perfect Knight

O'Brien's newest time-travel romance intertwines the legends of Camelot and a contemporary love story--and not with great success. When advertising executive Julie Gaffney mysteriously arrives in the magical city after touching a suit of armor, Sir Lancelot becomes her guide and protector as she enters the world of King Arthur and his knights. Sir Malvern, Lancelot's enemy, plots the destruction of Camelot by poisoning Arthur's mind with suspicions concerning Lancelot and Guinevere; meanwhile, Julie falls in love with Lancelot as she tries to thwart Malvern's evil machinations. In a physical struggle over King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, all three of them are transported to New York City. Lancelot begins working in a homeless shelter, Julie finds new inspiration in her career, and Malvern haunts an old bookstore searching for clues that hold the key to usurping Arthur's throne. Despite an interesting premise, readers will be frustrated by the superfluous subplots and characters that overwhelm the love story and squander the magic of Camelot. (Nov.)