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The Ice Swan
The Ice Swan | J'nell Ciesielski
4 posts | 6 read | 5 to read
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
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KristiAhlers
The Ice Swan | J'nell Ciesielski
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For publishing year 2021 I chose this one and I LOVED it! Set in Russian and French during WWI a Russian princess and ballet dancer with her family flee Russia where she meets a Scottish Lord/doctor. Romance and history and intrigue. I truly enjoyed this one. #19822022 #balletreads #100readchallenge #readingchallenge2022 @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Stacking! 2y
KristiAhlers @Librarybelle I hope you enjoy it! 2y
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SBMC
The Ice Swan | J'nell Ciesielski
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#historicalromance #booklove
ISet 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. In the midst of fear, war, and struggle for survival, Svetlana and Wynn's romance is passionate, all-consuming, and quite delightful. I received the book from via Celebrate Lit Tours and opinions are solely my own.

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McCombsonMain
The Ice Swan | J'nell Ciesielski
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From the Russian emigre salons of Paris to the old splendor of a Scottish Highland castle, this book captured me from its opening pages

https://mccombsonmain.com/2021/07/08/review-ice-swan-ciesielski/

#historicalfiction #russianrevolution #hfvbt

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robinb
The Ice Swan | J'nell Ciesielski
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Princess Svetlana Dalsky flees the Russia Revolution (1917) leading her mother and sister to Paris as refugees. Wynn MacCallan, the second son of a Scottish duke, is a brilliant surgeon working in Paris during WW1. They meet by accident, and Wynn feels an immediate pull to the icy, proper Lana. There are Bolshevik baddies, an evil crime lord, and medical issues as they test their bonds of trust. While this was a fine love story, I found 🔻

robinb it a little overlong and myself frustrated at times with both Lana and her treatment of Wynn (blamed on her snobbishness/elite Russian heritage) and her exasperating mother‘s high handed/childish behavior. This was a soft pick for me. I have read a previous book from this author that I enjoyed more. 3.5/5⭐️ #coverlove 💙 (edited) 3y
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