The Secret Swan

"The Secret Swan" is an exquisite book - original storyline, wonderful characters and beautiful prose. I like everything about it., especially the heroine Amiranth (Lily), she really is strong, intelligent, clever, resourceful (not like the heroines in so many other romance fictions who we are told to be intelligent but are actually too stupid to live), she saves and helps the hero, Tristan numerous times, a truly worthy match for him. I am a cynical reader, but in my opition this book is a near masterpiece. Don't miss it!!!Ms Abe, you are a brilliant diamond among so many mediocre writers in this field. Please don't ever stop writing.

"The Secret Swan" was amazing. I surely do not know what book that anonymous Peruvian read, but it was not this one.First off, this is a MEDIEVAL. If you do not like medievals, OR ARE PUT OFF BY COMPLEX CHARACTERS AND INTENSE SITUATIONS, don't bother. Read something else.But if you, like many of us with great taste and who know how to spend our money (!!!!!), do enjoy this genre, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It is captivating.Amiranth and Tristan are intense. They rock. Their emotions are real, and they fully take you on a wonderous journey. This novel is less about action than emotion. There are secrets and misunderstandings, but Abe makes it all convincing. Amiranth is every shy girl, loving a distant dream. And Tristan especially is amazing in his ability to fight his past and change into a true hero. Loved it. Can't rate it high enough.Abe is one of the best, the BEST, in this genre. Better belive it.

Tristan Geraint, Earl of Haverlocke, married fifteen year old Lady Amiranth St. Clare. He immediately deposited her at his remote Safere estate and left for the glory of war. Eight years later, after escaping the French prison he had dwelled in the entire time, he returned to Safere a changed man. All he wanted now was the love of a wife he had spurned long ago, a home, and no more killings. Lady Amiranth had loved Tristan for years before they married. On the day of their union, she found out that he only married her because the king demanded it. She never even had time to show him how happy they could be. He left only days after the ceremony. Time passed. Eight long years went by. Everyone at Safere was either gone or dead from the plague. Lily, the cousin Amiranth resembled so much, had succumbed to The Black Death only two months before. She was alone. "Amiranth, Countess of Haverlocke" was placed upon Lily's stone. Taking the place of Lily, the king would think Amiranth dead and no longer press her to remarry. She was alone, but she was free! That was, until Tristan unexpectedly returned! Playing Lily, she nursed the feverish Tristan back to health and they departed to one of his larger estates. The countryside was hostile. No town would allow them entrance for fear of plague carriers. And when they finally reached Glynwallen Castle, Tristan found out that Liam had done more than just take over his title! ***** A d*** good read! Viewers, Historical Romance stories get no better than this one! It's not only highly recommended, it is extremely recommended! I loved it so much, that it will never leave my possession! Awesome! *****

I picked this book up so that I would have something to read while working the night shift. I thought that a romance was safe because I could put it down again. WRONG!!! This was wonderful! I couldn't put it down! It was one of those books that just pulls the heart strings and keeps you wanting more! Read this book!

In 1341, though scared, teenager Lady Amiranth St. Clair looks forward to marriage to Tristan Geraint, who she has admired from afar for several years. However, Tristan fails to share her enthusiasm. He married her for her impeccable background, which is perfect for her to beget his heir. Tristan breaks Amiranth's heart and travels to the continent to fight. However, his dreams of glory turn into a living nightmare because he is now a prisoner of war, rotting in a French dungeon. Only dreams of Amiranth keep him sane and alive.Eight years later, Tristan returns home seeking Amiranth, but instead he meets her cousin Lily. Tristan falls in love with Lily, who detests him. Adding to his confusion is that many of the people once loyal to him are dead, victims of the plague scourging England. Much of those alive are loyal to Tristan's brother Liam, who does not want to give up the Earldom. Obtaining Lily's help, Tristan tries to regain what he lost including a love of a lifetime.THE SECRET SWAN is a superb medieval romance that will keep readers up late in order to finish it in one sitting. The lead characters are filled with depth so they seem real and their relationships genuine. The support cast, including the graphic descriptions of the plague, provides the needed impetus to a cleverly designed plot. Shana Abe ably renders her audience with what will be considered one of the sub-genre's top novels of the year.Harriet Klausner