The Ice Swan
-
-
4.5 • 15 Ratings
-
-
- $11.99
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
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 hoping 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, 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
Adventurous World War I historical romanceFor fans of Kate Quinn, Beatriz Williams, and Aimie K. RunyanFull-length, stand-alone novel (approx. 120,000 words)Includes discussion questions for book clubs
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ciesielski (Beauty Among Ruins) delivers an intense love story set during WWI. Scottish marquis Wynn MacCallan is a skilled surgeon working in a Paris hospital when he meets Russian princess Svetlana Dalsky. Svetlana and her family fled the Bolsheviks and now survive by selling off their dwindling cache of jewels. Svetlana's hopeful that their fortunes will improve after she and Wynn save the life of Leonid Sheremetev, the son of one of Russia's most influential ex-pat families. But Leonid's father is a cruel man, and Svetlana's mother has accrued gambling debts at his establishment, the White Bear. Sheremetev forces Svetlana to don a ballet costume and dance at his club to pay off the money owed. Svetlana feels trapped by Sheremetev's lecherous attention and suspicious of his ties to the Bolsheviks—until Wynn offers her an out by proposing a marriage of convenience. As they travel to Scotland, they grow closer, but their relationship is strained by a secret Wynn is keeping and the continued Bolshevik threat. 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.
Customer Reviews
Incredible story!
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.