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About the Book
Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian court, a Russian princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it.Book Synopsis
Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian monarchy, a princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it.1917, Petrograd. Fleeing the murderous flames of the Russian Revolution, Princess Svetlana Dalsky hopes to find safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the city is buckling under the weight of the Great War, and the Bolsheviks will not rest until they have erased every Russian aristocrat from memory. Svetlana and her family are forced into hiding in Paris's underbelly, with little to their name but the jewels they sewed into their corsets before their terrifying escape.
Born the second son of a Scottish duke, the only title Wynn MacCallan cares for is that of surgeon. Putting his talents with a scalpel to good use in the hospitals in Paris, Wynn pushes the boundaries of medical science to give his patients the best care possible. After treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter. Intrigued by this mysterious, cold, and beautiful woman, Wynn follows Svetlana to an underground Russian club where drink, dance, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka.
Out of money and options, Svetlana agrees to a marriage of convenience with the handsome and brilliant Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her family's debts. It's the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn cannot help but hope the marriage will turn into one of true affection. When Wynn's life takes an unexpected turn, so does Svetlana's--and soon Paris becomes as dangerous as Petrograd. And as the Bolsheviks chase them to Scotland and beyond, Wynn and Svetlana begin to wonder if they will ever be able to outrun the love they are beginning to feel for one another.
"The Ice Swan is a ray of light in the middle of a Europe that was sinking into darkness. Ciesielski's talent for storytelling from the heart is a feast for the readers' eyes." --Mario Escobar, international bestselling author of Remember Me and Children of the Stars
- Exciting World War I historical romance
- For fans of Kate Quinn, Beatriz Williams, and Aimie K. Runyan
- Full-length, stand-alone novel (approx. 120,000 words)
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Review Quotes
'Ciesielski (Beauty Among Ruins) delivers an intense love story set during WWI . . . Ciesielski's attention to historical detail and heart-tugging look at wartime tragedy add depth and emotion to Wynn and Svetlana's relationship. Fans of historical romance should snap this up.'--Publishers Weekly
Dimensions (Overall): 9 Inches (H) x 1 Inches (W) x 6 Inches (D)
Weight: 1 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 400
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Romance
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Format: Paperback
Author: J'Nell Ciesielski
Book theme: 20th Century, Historical
Language: English
Street Date: July 6, 2021
TCIN: 82565797
UPC: 9780785248422
Item Number (DPCI): 059-04-7372
Origin: Made in the USA
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Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 5.5 inches width x 8.38 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1 pounds
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4.5 out of 5 stars with 8 reviews
So Lovely!
4 out of 5 stars
Rebecca Maney - 4 years ago
4.5 stars "There was something about her that called to a lost part of him. She possessed a strength of character that bolstered his own. . . . . . She inspired him." The ice swan . . . beautiful in an intoxicating kind of way and yet controlled . . . to the point of dismissing any emotion that would threaten the frozen state of her heart; a defense mechanism at best and calculating at worst. Her official title was Her Serenity the Princess Svetlana Dmitrievna Dalsky and army surgeon Doctor Wynn MacCallan was instantly besotted. Their chance meeting altered the course of their lives; Svetlana, along with her mother and sister, had been forced to flee Russia, along with many other aristocrats trying to escape execution during the Bolshevik Revolution. Living like beggars, Svetlana was introduced to a powerful Russian businessman operating in Paris, whose attentions turned dangerous enough that Svetlana felt a tremulous relief when Wynn made his generous offer of protection; marriage. Whisked off to her husband's native Scotland, Svetlana's life began all over again. Would she and Wynn, who was becoming a recognized leader in the emerging field of cardiology, ever have the opportunity to explore their bruised and buried feelings or would they forever be waiting along the walls of the ballroom, never to share the dance? "Loving you isn't an entanglement. It's a privilege." Whisk yourself away into the pages of this lovely story which showcases this author's ability to dig deeper and soar higher than ever before.
Captivating Historical Fiction
4 out of 5 stars
Connie Saunders - 4 years ago
From Russia, to France, and then Scotland....The Ice Swan is an absorbing story that involves the Great War, Russian nobility, and the murderous plots of the Bolshevik Party. To escape execution, Princess Svetlana Dalsky, her mother, and sister are forced to free from their life of luxury in Petrograd, Russia. What follows is an exciting tale of danger, intrigue, and a marriage of convenience. It also shows the difference in the attitudes of affluent people. Svetlana's mother is a snob about being a member of Russian aristocracy, and her influence on her daughters is very apparent. Thankfully, Svetlana meets Dr. Wynn MacCallan and her mindset undergoes a change. He is a Duke who chooses to serve his fellow man by being a doctor, and his family in Scotland chooses to use their titles to help others less fortunate. I was truly smitten with Wynn, but will Svetlana recognize his remarkable values? Author J'Nell Ciesielski paints a vivid picture of two very different people who struggle to overcome their pasts to work toward a brighter future. Can Wynn melt away her layers of loneliness and self-protection, and help Svetlana become more than an ice maiden, or as the title implies, an ice swan? I enjoyed learning more about the Russian Revolution and the Great War era. I recommend The Ice Swan to all who enjoy historical fiction and clean romance. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
Intrigue, Romance=/satisfying WWI Story
5 out of 5 stars
Babbling Becky L - 4 years ago
Open the Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski and be deeply immersed in the fearful world of the Bolshevik Revolution combined with WWI. Look over your shoulder every step with Princess Svetlana as she runs for the lives of herself and her family. Who does she dare trust? Can she support her histrionic mother without enabling her erratic behavior? What of her own dreams? “I had hope once.” ... “Such notions belong to ruins of the past.” Can she find hope amid tragedy or will fear and distrust win for life? I love Ciesielski’s suspenseful, smooth style of writing that places the reader smack-dab in the middle of the action, and even in the mental indecision of both Svetlana and Dr. Wynn. I love the witty, excellent repartee between Svetlana and Wynn. I love Dr. Wynn for his persistence, great desire to help people, and his desire to push medical boundaries to improve medicine. I think of books like this, comparable to the book of Esther in the Bible. Not a lot of reference to God or prayers, yet the discerning reader can see His fingerprints all over the final masterpiece. Well done, Ms. Ciesielski!! Anxious for your next book!! I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and no positive review was required.
Intriguing historical romance
5 out of 5 stars
- 4 years ago
J'nell Ciesielski is a new-to-me author, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Ice Swan. The tidbits of information regarding ballet throughout the story and the historical aspect of the Russian revolution of 1917 and the Bolsheviks were quite interesting. The author gives a realistic portrayal of what some Russian royals had to endure, the continued dangers even after they fled the country, and the severe societal and financial reversals. Marriage of convenience stories are a favorite of mine, and I found the changing and development of Svetlana and Wynn's relationship throughout the story very satisfying. I loved both of these characters--Svetlana for her strength and loyalty to her family, and the responsibility she shows in fulfilling her roles in life, despite the huge changes in her life, and Wynn for his protectiveness toward Svetlana, and the way he handles the unexpected challenges he faces--both learning to thrive even though things are not as they wished or had been taken from them. Several twists to the plot with some wow-I-did-not-see-that-coming situations kept my interest high. Readers who enjoy historical romance will not want to miss The Ice Swan. I will be looking for more of Ms. Ciesielski's books. I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. I was not required to write a favorable review, and the opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
Incredible story!
5 out of 5 stars
Betti - 4 years ago
We know what lies in the balance at this moment, and what is happening right now. The hour for courage strikes upon our clocks, and courage will not desert us. — AKHMATOVA The Russian Revolution has displaced many and murdered many more. Princess Svetlana Dalsky, her sister and mother must flee before they too, are caught up in the mayhem and killed. Arriving in Paris they must now try to survive with little more than the jewels hidden in the few clothes they have on their backs. 1918 finds Paris in the midst of The Great War. Refugees are everywhere. With great courage in the direst of circumstances, Svetlana remains strong and holds her little family together. Edwynn MacCallan, as the second son of the Duke of Kilbride, chooses to become a surgeon, since managing the estate goes to his older brother. Doing all he can to put the unfortunate wounded back together again, he dreams of returning to Scotland and his goal to help change the field of cardiac surgery. A chance meeting brings him into a whole new world, one that he certainly would not have chosen to be part of. The author takes us into the less desirable areas of life during wartime. The reader lives through many of the horrors along with these well developed characters. Through the many unexpected circumstances, the heroine remains focused, always ready to help the downtrodden. I found myself wondering what my reaction would have been and whether I would have had the courage and fortitude to stand strong. I wish I could give more than 5 stars to this incredible book, published by Thomas Nelson. An ARC was received through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.
Not My Favorite
3 out of 5 stars
Deana - 4 years ago
I had such a hard time getting into this book at first. I don’t know if it was the Russian language throughout the story, the broken English or the fact that I didn’t like Svetlana. I thought she was snotty and I was getting tired of being reminded that she was a princess in her country of Russia. Then I spoke to a dear friend who was reading the book also. She gave me a different perspective of the princess. Maybe she was being snotty to people because she was in fear. Wow. That made a lot of sense. When we are afraid we put up defenses to protect ourselves. Well no wonder she was acting the way she was. After all she had to flee her country to survive. With nothing but the clothes she had along with a few jewels and her mother and her sister she had to lean on her instincts to keep herself and others alive. I enjoyed getting to know Wynn the most. His ability as a surgeon is much needed as the war rages on. When he finds himself helping Svetlana and her family their journey begins as we witness destruction and danger. It was interesting to read about how difficult it was to hide out and not be recognized as Svetlana tries to keep her family safe from the enemy. Finding shelter was hard and at times they did without warmth and food. There is one part of the story that I really liked. Wynn performs a surgery that others question and it does take a toll on him as his surgery comes into question by the board. Although there is a lot going on in the story I just could not connect with Svetlana. I did like how we see pride becoming a stumbling block for the two main characters. They each had to find a way to let go of hurt and accept that sometimes change is to help us not hurt us. It is a good story that shows how determined people are when faced with struggles and I did like how Wynn was there to protect Svetlana. This is not one of my favorite books by this author, but I do think there were some great moments in the story that shows how important trust and forgiveness is. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
captivating novel set during WWI
5 out of 5 stars
- 4 years ago
"A man's heart holds a secret chamber where only one woman may enter. A place shaped for only her to breathe life into the darkened recesses and drum out a unique rhythm never before heard." I have loved every single J'nell Ciesielski book I have read and The Ice Swan is no exception. Set mostly in 1918 war-torn Paris, the author has that magical ability to bring that specific time period and place to life in full color - from the decrepit and deceiving conditions where the Russians aristocrats hide from the Bolsheviks to pain-filled and oftentimes hopeless atmosphere of the field hospital to peaceful Scotland. In the midst of fear, war, and struggle for survival, Svetlana and Wynn's romance is passionate, all-consuming, and quite delightful. Their dialogue is absolutely hilarious as perpetually hopeful and humorous Wynn attempts to befriend and then woo Svetlana who is unyielding and extremely proud. Circumstances continue to bring them together as Svetlana learns to accept Wynn's help and softens toward him. Wynn is absolutely endearing and thoroughly charming in his determination, focus, compassion, and wit. Wynn's complete devotion, love, and sacrifice for her is quite incredible. I also learned some history of medicine through Wynn's surgical brilliance, which was fascinating. If you enjoy historical romance, you will totally love this book. Another winner for the author! I received the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.
Wonderful
5 out of 5 stars
ChritianFictionandMore - 4 years ago
The Ice Swan has numerous elements which sets it apart from the historical fiction I have read of late. It is set during the Great War, and includes a story line based around the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, neither of which have been prevalent in my reading. Ciesielski does a wonderful job of creating empathy for those displaced by the Revolution while drawing a clear line between the elite who learned to cope and improve themselves in their new circumstances and those who relied on their sense of entitlement. Her wordsmithing is lovely in her description of the beauty and grace of Princess Svetlana Dalsky's dance and demeanor. Through the character of Doctor Wynn MacCallan, Ciesielski informs readers of the difficulties associated with improvements in medical procedures in the early twentieth century. A criminal element known as the Black Claw adds an edge of suspense to the story as one of their leaders seeks revenge on the elegant Svetlana. I found it truly difficult to do this book justice in this review, and hope that you will experience The Ice Swan for yourself. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.