Thoughts:
The Ice Swan is a powerful and beautiful novel of exile, heartbreak, redemption, and love amid war.
Wynn is a hero who was at first glance quite … Normal. Until I got further in the book and his strengths and his character showed that the author made a character who went deeper in ways that I loved seeing and made the words jump off of the pages even more.
Svetlana is a heroine I could instantly like and I felt her emotions as surly as if they were my own.
Ciesielski wove a story that charmed, delighted, and made me fall in love. I love every bit, the characters, the setting, the mystery and danger, and the romance.
And, I’ll not spoil it by naming the character but there was one side character who I LOVED seeing more of even when I expected his part in the story was over.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
The Ice Swan
by J’nell Ciesielski
Publication Date: July 6, 2021
Thomas Nelson
eBook & Paperback; 400 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
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
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound
About the Author
With a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Winner of the Romance Through the Ages Award and the Maggie Award, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle.
Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com. You can also find J’nell on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, July 6 Review at Rachelle Loves Books Wednesday, July 7 Review at Crystal’s Library Review at Gwendalyn’s Books Thursday, July 8 Review at Nursebookie Review at The Lit Bitch Review at McCombs on Main Friday, July 9 Review at Two Bookish Babes Monday, July 12 Review at Pursuing Stacie Review at The Caffeinated Bibliophile Tuesday, July 13 Review at Wishful Endings Interview at Books & Benches Wednesday, July 14 Review at Novels Alive Thursday, July 15 Review at The Green Mockingbird Friday, July 16 Review at Amy’s Booket List Review at Read Review Rejoice Sunday, July 18 Review at Reader_ceygo Monday, July 19 Review at Bookworlder Interview at Reader_ceygo Tuesday, July 20 Review at A Darn Good Read Review at Niki Loves to ReadGiveaway
Enter to win a paperback copy of The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski! We have 5 copies up for grabs! The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on July 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter. The Ice Swan https://widget.gleamjs.io/e.js
Abigail Kay Harris 
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