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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Two Wars, Two Perspectives, One Chance at Life and Love

by Chautona Havig · 4 Comments

Well, J'nell Ciesielski has done it again with The Ice Swan. I so want to say, "A Scotsman and a Russian Princess walk through Paris..." via @chautonahavig

Look, I expected to like this book.  I mean, who wouldn’t? J’nell Ciesielski wrote it!  It was bound to be fabulous. Still, I hadn’t read the synopsis before I requested a review copy, and wow…

Not only do we have a Russian princess, we have a Scottish Marquis!  Wait, what?

Yeah. It’s a thing. And Wynn?  He’s… amazing.

Once again, J’nell has created a Scotsman I can’t help but loving and… he’s nothing like the one in her last book. (HERE’s the one I had with J’nell about him earlier this year)

the ice swan

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Two Wars, Two Perspectives, One Chance at Life and Love

At 25% into the book, I loved the characters (even the ones who annoy the pants off me, and trust me. Svetlana is annoying as all her imperious get out. That’s what the whole character growth thing is all about, right?

The juxtaposition of the Russian revolution during WWI, set in Paris where another revolution occurred almost a hundred-fifty years earlier… fascinating.  Doing all that with a cardiologist working near Paris with all the battle wounded and a Russian princess who happens to be a ballet dancer? What’s not to love?

The hot and cold relationship fits so perfectly in the personalities of both the characters and their respective countries.

Historically…

This book has everything going for it. I always forget the Russian Revolution took place right at the end of WWI.  Unlike many revolutions and wars for independence in history (French and American in particular), I’ve never been in support of either side of this one.  Ciesielski does a fabulous job of showing the unyielding, arrogant imperiousness of the Russian royals contrasted with the brutal, determination of the bolsheviks to slaughter them all. I find it strange to realize that those same Russians fled to the very country who treated their own nobles in the same way during their revolution–off with their heads, if you will.

Add to that the advances in medicine and technology, and this book has it all.

Along with a lovely romance.

Mostly. I can absolutely see what both of the characters love about the other.  The way it takes time for each to lay their hearts on the line for the other to accept or reject–perfect.  It makes total sense. Ciesielski even did a fabulous job of making me semi-understand Lana’s mother. Never thought that would happen.

My only quibble is the over-the-top protestations of undying love at the end. I kept telling myself that someone like Lana would, when she finally allowed herself to love and for that love to be known, could tip over from icy to fiery both in word and in deed.  But frankly, I rolled my eyes.

Seriously.  IT was like a page.  Maybe a page and a half of an entirely otherwise perfect book.  And I suspect 99% of other readers loved that.  So I’m calling this book a five-star, perfect win. In fact, despite requesting a review copy, I purchased it myself. Bravo, Ms. Ciesielski.  Bravo!

The ice swanAbout the Book

Book:  The Ice Swan

Author: J’Nell Ciesielski

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: July 6, 2021

Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian court, a Russian 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.

Born the second son of a 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. While treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter and underground Russian clubs where drink, culture, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka.

Out of money and options, Svetlana is forced into a marriage of convenience with Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her debts. It’s the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn can’t help hoping the marriage will turn into one of true affection. As the Bolsheviks chase them to different corners of the earth, Wynn and Svetlana begin to see they will never be able to outrun the love they have for one another.

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Comments

  1. Roxanne C. says

    July 25, 2021 at 5:59 am

    When a main character is annoying, I will stick with the book if it is a good one. The transformation of the abrasive character is often the best part of the story.

    Reply
  2. J'NELL CIESIESLKI says

    July 24, 2021 at 8:07 am

    Well, now I’m dying to know what you think of the rest of the book!

    Reply
  3. Lizzie Jane says

    July 22, 2021 at 9:52 am

    Can’t wait for the rest of your review! The Ice Swan sounds like a great read.

    Reply

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  1. The Ice Swan Book Review – Bliss, Books, and Jewels says:
    July 26, 2021 at 6:48 pm

    […] The Write Escape, July 21 […]

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
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