J'nell Ciesielski

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.… (altro)

In a novel staring a character I didn't expect to like I found a new favorite author!

The setting for "Beauty Among Ruins" was ripe for the picking in my opinion. How could it not be with WWI, Scotland, an old castle, a gruff laird who has a sweet sister, and a misunderstood heroine?!

Yet, at the very first I didn't expect to like Lily for I thought she was just going to rebel... How wrong I was! She grew into a charming character that I needed to know what happened to.

Alec is the same kind of gruffly endearing hero that I love in historical novels, almost a beast like in Beauty and the Beast, he hid behind walls that had been built for supposed protection and stayed to the shadows for a long time.

The slight air of mystery was just what I like in a historical wartime romance, it wasn't so much a surprise to find out who was the bad guy and who wasn't but it was still fun to wonder somewhat who the bad guy or ... maybe girl was.

16/18 for talk of past mistakes that were made by a character's father.

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.… (altro)

This book is intense! Wow, action packed from beginning to end! The story is loosely based on Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Some parts were graphic.

The characters are amazing! They are complex and multi-faceted. Jack is my favorite! He's a true leader. He plans ahead and cares about his team. Ivy is super smart and savvy.

I enjoyed the love story in the book. It provided relief from the dark parts of the story. The wedding portion was beautiful!

J'nelle is such a prolific writer! Her imagery in the books brings it to life.… (altro)

I enjoyed reading this book, but it has some dark parts to it. Much like the first book, there is violence, bloodshed, and drama. There are also a few uses of the d*** word. There's a bedroom scene, but nothing raunchy.

All that said, I love the characters! Ivy is a survivor. She gets knocked down, and she gets back up again. Jack, whew, just awesome! He suffers greatly. He sinks as low as anyone can go and is lifted back up through the love of his life, Ivy!

I was happy that Ivy and Jack got another chance. They truly deserved it. They suffered through betrayal and the deaths of close friends.

This book deals with the harsh reality of the occult. The Silver One was a true villain.

I appreciate all of the research done by the author. My favorite fact is that Josephine Baker owned a cheetah, and they were inseparable friends!… (altro)