Friday, July 23, 2021

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Ice Swan by J’Nell Ciesielski

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.

Click here to get your copy!

Historical Romance books are a favorite genre of mine. I also really enjoy books by Author J'Nell Ciesielski, I have read several and they are always enjoyable. I was excited to read her newest novel, The Ice Swan, recently.

The time is 1917 in Russia. Princess Svetlana Dalsky is fleeing from Russia and going to Paris in hopes of finding safety. Her mother and sister are fleeing with her due to the Russian Revolution. They are living in the Basement of a Church and don't have many belongings with them. They are struggling with the different lifestyle they are having to live, coming from a family that had everything due to their status. One day when Svenlata is out on the streets, she is hit with a glass bottle. Dr. Wynn MacCallan is the town Surgeon and he comes to help Svenlata with her minor injury. The 2 are smitten by each other. Svenlata and Wynn eventually have a "marriage of convenience and Wynn is determined to help Svenlata pay off her debts. Wynn is also hoping that the marriage will turn into one of True Love. They continue to flee and eventually make it to Scotland in hopes they are safe from the Aristocrats that Princess Svenlata and her family are trying to get far away from. Will they finally find safety in Scotland? Will Svenlata and Wynn find TRUE LOVE?

I must admit that the Book Cover is one of the most beautiful covers I have EVER seen! The cover really was part of my excitement in reading this book. The storyline was a little slow to start, but once I really got into it, I really enjoyed the book. Marriage of Convenience books are always really interesting and this one was no different. I also felt that I really learned some History that I didn't remember learning before. The characters, especially Svenlata and Wynn, are very interesting. I highly recommend this book for those who like Historical Romance and Princess stories! GREAT BOOK!

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.

More from J’nell

When we think of the Great War we often only think about events happening right on the battlefield of France, Belgium, and Germany. It was a time of great upheaval for so many people and countries, none more so than Russia. It was during the Great War that the Bolsheviks rose up against the monarchy, assassinated the tsar and his family, and plunged Russia into civil war. The country was in such chaos that they pulled out of the war to deal with their own revolution. The Russian Revolution was the result of centuries of oppression and imperialism that finally boiled over. As the Bolsheviks seized power, nobles and anyone associated or favorable to the monarchy were stripped of their privileges and homes, many killed, and still thousands of others fled in fear of their lives where they became the great wave of White emigres.

The stories of the ill-fated Anastasia and the evil Rasputin are legendary, but it wasn’t until recently when I watched a Russian miniseries called Road to Calvary that I became fascinated with the nobles and their struggle and from all that an idea sparked that would become my upcoming release, The Ice Swan. It’s about a Russian princess fleeing the Revolution to Paris in 1917 where she meets a handsome surgeon who is breaking new grounds in cardiology. We see the plight of the White emigres who have taken refuge in Paris and founded their own little Russia in the heart of the city, the exhausted City of Light after four years of war, the overflowing hospitals, and highly controversial advancements in surgery. Plus, a romance to prove that true love can overcome any difference and who doesn’t need a little more love these days?