Swan's Chance

The Wild Swan Trilogy #2

by Celeste De Blasis

Sweeping through history-from the lush Maryland horse country to the thunder of Gettysburg-the epic sage of Wild Swan continues. The unforgettable story of a family whose lives mirror their country's turbulent growth...a vibrant authentic panorama of its times.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance, Civil War, Novels

688 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1985

About the author

Millions of readers have fallen under the spell of the lush, enthralling and bestselling novels by Celeste De Blasis. Tales of adventure and romance set against the sweep of history—all are storytelling at its finest. After graduating from Pomona College, Celeste devoted her life to impeccable research and spellbinding writing. A native Californian, Celeste grew up on the historic Kemper Campbell Ranch in the Mojave Desert, where she lived until her death in 2001

Reviews

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a series you read over and over and never stop reading (or crying).

[Davyne DeSye · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a terrific continuation of Wild Swan! Like the first book in the series (of three), this story is about the life of Alexandria Thaine (now Alexandria Carrington Falconer), her life and her family during the American Civil War. This book can be read as a standalone…

Naturally, given the timeframe of the book, there are lives torn apart by opposing allegiances to either the North or the South, slaves, runaway slaves, the underground railroad, looters, battles, etc – all exciting and/or terrifying stuff. Through it all, Alex remains the strength and center of her family.

As with the first book in the series, the characterization is excellent, with each character standing out fully formed and knowable.

If you enjoy historical romance set during the time of the American Civil War, I strongly recommend picking this one up. I enjoyed this book immensely and will probably read it again!

[LemonLinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Civil War book is always dramatic and a Civil War romance generally has an element of death and destruction and this is no exception, however, it is seen through the eyes of a Maryland horse racing/ shipbuilding family with soldiers on both sides of the conflict and romance crossing boundaries and borders.

DeBlassis is a great story teller and a great character builder. She does include steamy hot sex scenes but balances that with real historical research of the time and place. Truly she is a master at HF.

[Bea]

Oh my. This is such an emotional book. I had forgotten how emotional, but then it had been 30+ years since I read it. I was also pleasantly surprised at how much of the book I remembered, though there was still a lot I'd forgotten. But the fact that parts of the book had stayed with me for 30+ years is pretty impressive, I think.

One thing I had forgotten is how much of a message book it was. By which I mean, the book's focus is on the Civil War and slavery, at times to the detriment of the overall story. It felt at times as if de Blasis was flying through decades just so she could get to the war. Slavery was tackled in the first book but really comes to the fore in this one. Alexandria, better known as Alex, is well known for her refusal to own slaves but living in Maryland and being a central member of horse racing and Thoroughbred breeding means she can't escape it. As the family expands and ages, they deal with the Underground Railroad, Black rights, and the growing friction between the North and South ,and the relative peace of the West. Oh! They also have a personal connection to the Cherokee Trail of Tears. There's absolutely white saviorism going on as the Carringtons and the Falconers have, for the most part, greater agency than their non-white characters, and they work to help slaves gain freedom and rights. There's a scene where a local plantation is sold to a family member who "took good care of" the slaves their while they ran it previously, and as soon as they own it, they free the slaves. Then they offer to hire all the former slaves and everyone accepts because this person was so good to them when they were slaves. It felt icky.

There's a lot happening and it gets crazy at times. This family as its fingers in everything. The books covers a longer stretch of time than book one, about 40 years. There's failed marriages, rape (off page, we only hear about it after the fact), arson, murder, attempted murder, blackmail, and of course, the Civil War. At the heart of it all is Alex, the matriarch and main character. The book ends when she's in her 70s and I don't remember much about what happens in the third and final book. Her romance with Rane is the glue of the story and I loved how solid they were. They made mistakes and hurt each other but always found their way back. Themes from the first book were continued here and into the next two generations. Alex tried desperately to not make the mistakes her parents made but her children and grandchildren led their own lives. Parental neglect and emotional abuse are touched on repeatedly as is the sacrifices you make for the ones you love. My heart broke for her son Nigel when, in order to save his daughter, Alex has to hurt him. He was partly to blame, but even so, it hurt. She loved them both but could only help one. I teared up a lot reading this one; there was a lot of death, and a lot of emotions. There are numerous romances and love stories (it is amazing the number of men who fall in love with Alex. Everyone loves her or wants to be her. SMH) but overall it's not a romance. It's a family saga and it absolutely tugs at your heart. I am ready for book three, especially as I don't seem to remember much, lol.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second tome of the trilogy primarily details Alex's children's choices in occupation and family for the 30 years prior to the Civil War and throughout its completion and for 30 years afterwards. Her horse farm, Wild Swan, her marriage to Rane and its outcomes of business and connection being a continuance of the epic family and thoroughbred race horse farm saga. Lots more characters than the first book, and I believe that was a problem for me in attachment. You find out much more about the implications and complications of and for her workers, who are not slaves. Many of the characters, even a few from the long past youth in England appear at intervals of visit. Samson's story was included. Her granddaughter becomes a focal point in these connections with the Underground Railroad and more. You do "get it" that she is the new focus for eventual running of the horse farm. No one else seems to fit in the way that De Blasis deems a fit. You never get as much about the shipping businesses as you do the horse farm focus.

This was good in spots and highly redundant of the first tale's episodes of youth. Either in further explanation or in more secrecies discovered of alliances. But I never, ever got the kind of spark connection I got with the first volume. Her kids are, every one, all individual stereotypes, IMHO. And Alex, of course, still beautiful and perfection in both looks and judgment. Grandkids too, relationships also- they are solved quickly and instinctively. Having a large family, I don't see that kind of simplicity in real life at all with numerous offspring in 3 generations or more depth.

It's long. Too long. If there had been a much better edit and not so much teaching of the race horse minutia, it would have held my interest far more. I had to force myself to get the closures that I wanted, because of how many travels or obstacles became "the usual" in Alex's way or in her granddaughter's.

I think I like my extreme detailed historical fiction not to have such a romantic nuance of this kind of "soul mate" persuasion centered here once again (in other descendants too). I find that unrealistic to the extreme. Others may not. But I do know that the war told in these "eyes" although a mighty attempt- it didn't parse as good history nor did it at times seem at all realistic for the Falconers' roles.

[Darby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this series and read it OVER and OVER. I read it so much the pages were falling out. Then during one of my moves, I lost the books. I miss them as I would like to reread them right now. I just searched my library's online catalog and of course they have books 2 and 3 but not the first. I read this book the first time when I was in high school. My Mom had read the first book and gave it to me to read. I ended up buying the 2nd and 3rd books when they came out as I just enjoyed Wild Swan so much that I needed to read the next books. It was the first time I read historical-romance/fiction. And it became a favorite of mine.

I remember how it made me laugh, cry and feel all the range of emotions of Alexandria Thane. Also the author seems to have really done her research for the history, the ship building, horse breeding and everything the book uses in its story.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A WILD HEART by Celeste De Blasis is the second book of the WILD SWAN trilogy originally published in 1984 and one of De Blasis most well-known and most ambitious works. A Wild Heart was previously titled A SWAN'S CHANCE published in 1984 with the last book in the trilogy published in 1989 called A SEASON OF SWANS.

De Blasis is a truly stand out writer with this series and why it has remained popular over thirty years later and truly stands the test of time with readers of multiple generations. I feel so privileged to be able to read De Blasis novels now with this re-release. As an avid historical fiction fan the era I read the least amount of is during the time of Civil War. Just as I had expected, A Wild Heart was not only a sweeping saga full of dramatic elements such as battles about allegiances for the North or the South but also slavery and the underground railroad. The story telling was brilliant, the research impeccable and rich in detail, and the characterization was no exception. Through Alexandria Carrington Falconer, the story is intriguing to say the least, but it's also about the legacy she has created, with her horse farm, her family, all in a very passionate and strong heroine I love reading about.

Though this book works as a stand-alone and I did love this very much, reading the first book will really delve into the wonderful characters DeBlasis has created for this trilogy. An engrossing read for historical fiction fans who enjoy an epic saga full of adventure, romance that is a deeply compelling read.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celeste De Blasis was ahead of her time in her portrayal of strong romantic heroines who took control of their own lives and demanded equal footing with their men. Give Heather from (Kathleen Woodiwiss') The Flame & the Flower her due, but she would have been knocked on her butt by any of De Blasis' formidable women. De Blasis' greatest accomplishment was the Wild Swan trilogy. The novels span the lives of Alexandria Carrington Falconer and her descendants from 1813 to 1894 in both England and America.

This is an excellent trilogy....I have read it twice...once in the early 80's and again in 2010....all of De Blasis books are very good.

[Pooja Peravali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweeping family saga that made me cry on occasion.

[Colleen Held · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the history and strength of the female characters.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading one of my all-time favorite series.. They are all so good!!!

[MT · Rating 4 out of 5]

disturbing echoes of current events.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series because I like how it was a nice, light story where everything basically worked out. I was hoping this would be the same case for the second, but I found this not to be the case. What really bothered me about this book was how emotionally detached I felt from everything that was happening. There were some real tragedies and deaths of characters we had previously grown close too, but I found the emotional reactions of the characters to be so wooden that it was hard to conjure any reaction. I also didn't like how many years of Alex's life this book spanned. We are taken through the marriage of her children, the birth of many grandchildren, the marriage of these grandchildren and the birth of her great-grandchildren all in one book and it was very overwhelming. Because De Blasis was trying to tell the stories of some many different characters, all of the stories seemed rushed and formulaic and, as a result, very little connection was built with the characters. I also found I began to tire of how perfect Alex seems to always be and how quickly the characters seem to resolve relationship challenges. This book was a bit of a chore to get through and I know I will not read it again.

[Teresa]

This is my favorite book of all time. There should be a mini series from this book.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our beloved Carringtons and Falconers meet the Civil War. Lots of love, lots of tears.

[𝕸𝖎𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖊𝖑 𝕮. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before anything else is said, I want to make one thing clear: I hated the smut in this book! It ruined everything and this book would’ve been 100 times better if that had been omitted or at least not so explicitly written in.

Now, I must say that this book was quite interesting because the author actually went off into the little side storylines of this book!!!
De Blasis writes about all of Alex’s children and her grandchildren.
Her children finding spouses and having kids, dying, having illnesses, having issues in work or finance, dealing with abusive partners, & more.

I really enjoyed the little love stories that took place in. This book, like Gincie and Travis finding each other while helping slaves escape up north (Travis had some great, romantic lines), Morgan finally noticing that he loved Sam (his friend since they were 8 y/o) and fighting for her, and Blaine and Philly.

Again, this is where the smut ruined things for me because once each couple was finally actually together, De Blasis writes about smut scene for them and goes into detail, especially since (excluding Larissa because she’d previously been married to Luke) most of the girls were virgins and experiencing all that for the first time . 🤦🏻‍♂️

But yeah, these little love stories were the best parts of this book.

As for the main reason we’re all here, Alex, I found myself still finding her just a tad annoying. She meddles in everything, lies to Rane and keeps secrets from him (but it gets a little bit upset when Rane kept secrets from her, like when he started to build different ships to sell for the war because he felt the civil war was coming soon), and is just weird sometimes.

For example, she never shuts up about how great the ranch, Wild Swan, is…. And when Rane asks her to accompany him for a short time while he negotiates with England about the civil war, she declines and stays home at Wild Swan… then in the next paragraph, she goes with Alastair to Washington to get away and relax. 🤔 Make that make sense.

Alex was also a crybaby in the end when Gincie and travis revealed that they were moving to California. Alex was upset and then acted all pick-me, thinking, “she would never go there. She knew it as absolutely as her own grandmother had known she would never see Maryland.”
Give me a break, Alex. You never know what could happen! They can always come back and visit, too!

Smart of Alex to send her horse stock away so they didn’t die or get taken in the war, but all that seemed too unrealistic, that she had the forethought to do that.

Lots of folks died that we readers got to know really well. Seth (Alex‘s grandson), Nigel (Alex’s son), Katy (Alex‘s Irish horse hand’s wife), Samson (head horse trainer and best friend of the family) etc.

This book was so crazy, with death every other chapter. Anyhoo, this book isn’t super well written, and I think that I only enjoyed it because I had already read book one and gotten to know all of these characters. I don’t know if I’m going to read book 3, because I’ll just have to deal with more smut scenes, and all of the scenes are just so repetitive and predictable. We’ll see. I don’t particularly like series of books that just go on and on about a family and follow the family line.

The storyline of Nigel’s wife burning down the barn and all that ensued after that was pretty interesting. It helped relieve the boredom that I was feeling from the storyline!! 😂
Piety was married to Nigel, abused their daughter Gincie, then burned down Alex‘s barn when Alex and the family got onto her for abusing Gincie, so Alex forced Piety to let her raise Gincie or she’d tell everyone what she had done, starting the fire and such. Crazy how all that went down.

P.S. No one wants to read smut scenes about 50 and 70 year olds. Rane is 70 at the end of this book! Ew!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book of the trilogy, A Wild Hope, concluded in 1831 with the marriage of Alex Carrington to Rane Falconer at Wild Swan, the thoroughbred horse farm which Alex and her first husband, St. John Carrington, had established in Maryland.

A Wild Heart picks up Alex's story five years later as she and Rane prepare to welcome visitors from England, her old friend Hugh Bettingdon, who she hasn't seen for 16 years, and his wife, Angelica.

The first part of the book deals with the years leading up to the outbreak of the American Civil War and encompasses significant historical events that affect the lives of those at Wild Swan and beyond. The financial crisis of 1837 triggers a depression that lasts until the mid 1840s, threatening the viability of the shipyard owned by Caleb Jennings and Rane. Morgan Falconer, Alex and Rane's son, and Boston Thaine, Alex's brother, witness the expulsion of the Cherokee from Georgia under the Indian Removal Act. Political tension between the North and the South continues to escalate and despite attempts to avert it, war is inevitable.

This brings us to the second part of the book: the years of the American Civil War. Alex's sons and grandsons are determined to do their duty. However, it is not only the males that risk their lives in the conflict. Gincie, the daughter of Alex's youngest son, risks her life on the Underground Railway and the other females of the family find their own ways of helping, whether it be nursing the wounded or teaching literacy to the newly freed slaves.

Although tragedy comes to Wild Swan, and the family suffers heartbreaking loss as the war rages, it still remains a place of refuge. Alex's presence there acts as a magnet, drawing the family back where they can heal from physical and emotional trauma secure in the love and sanctuary she offers so freely.

I loved the first book and can wholeheartedly say that I loved this one even more despite the emotional roller coaster it took me on. With the American Civil War and so many of the males of the family at the right age to be involved, it was always going to be a heartrending read, but I wasn't expecting the role that Gincie played. Her love and bravery took her away from the relative safety of the family and Wild Swan into the Confederacy.

I have truly fallen under the spell of this superb trilogy. As in A Wild Hope, love, resilience, sacrifice and heartache combine once more in A Wild Heart to continue the enduring love story of Alex and Rane.

Although I know the final book will be just as emotional as the previous two with Alex and Rane passing into old age and the inevitable happens, I can't wait to see what becomes of Wild Swan and the family in the post Civil War years.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as a participant in a blog tour.

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wild Heart is wonderful sage of intrigue and adventure, love and passion and so beautifully descriptive.

With the Civil War almost upon them, Alexandria Falconer is torn between protecting her family and the her beloved horse farm in Maryland. As the country goes through so much turmoil she is called to make difficult choices and a much sacrifice.

She finds solace and strength in her beloved husband, Rane and her adopted daughter, Gincie, when her son dies. But then Rane is called up to serve and Alex is bereft and wonders how she will face any more heartache and turmoil. Then a charming soldier arrives at her door and they form a bond. Now she must worry about men on both side of the battlefield! The choices she makes and the action she takes form the rest of this story.

I found A Wild Heart to be an absolutely engrossing read and that brought the atmosphere of the Civil War to life. A beautiful, strong, romantic heroine whose character is flawed and yet who manages to put love and principles before all makes this a riveting read.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is 100% not for everyone. It's an old epic/romance; it's the middle book of a trilogy. However, it's definitely aged NOT so badly. Which was a surprise, as the other book by Celeste De Blasis that I loved as a teen was abhorrent.

There's something about the combination of family saga, horse racing, and romance that really works for me in this book. I just love it. And it felt weirdly timely to be reading this during a crisis, as the book is shot through with crisis--the Civil War.

Anyway, I adored the re-read.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about this series that is deeply compelling on an emotional level. Reading this second book felt like coming home. I can't describe how much I love Celeste De Blasis's writing, her character development, and her scene-setting. Everything is so real, so solid, so comforting. This is a beautiful series that I recommend for everyone who enjoys feeling a book and not just reading it.

My thanks to the author (RIP), publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second instalment in this epic saga crossing the period of the American Civil War. It was fascinating to read the continuing ups and downs of the family life of Alexandria Carrington Falconer, and as before it’s an emotional read.
The historical elements are well researched and interesting, but it’s the story of the characters in Alex’s life that are the true emotional backbone of the story, together with her continuing relationship with Rane.

[Lydia Mears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love historical novels! I read this trilogy many years ago and remembered that I liked it a lot. I decided to reread it and had forgotten a lot of the details. Loved the Reread and still have to read the 3rd book in the series.

I could identify with many of the characters. The Trilogy was a history refresher also. The author really knows how to tie all the scenes together. Really enjoyed the first two and am looking forward to the last book!

[Veronica Bareman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historically accurate and so so so well-written. This is the perfect novel of civil war written without “taking sides,” but rather showing the ugliness of war and the love that holds people together through brokenness. This is my all-time favorite author and favorite series! Yay for bringing it to Kindle and Audible!

Now please bring “The Proud Breed” to Kindle and Audible as well!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the Wild Swan Trilogy- Gets better every time I read it. Following the Carrington/Falconer families through the years up to, during and just after the Civil War, this book had me ugly crying and laughing out loud. I will never not recommend this historical fiction book.

[Mrs.J.C.Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Hesitate.....

This book is an absolute joy to read, a wonderful gift to an avid reader. Beautifully written, it transports you to another time, another life and surrounds you with another family where you share their joy and their sorrows. Enjoy.

[Kate H · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic sweeping story that covers many years but also makes the story feel close and intimate without feeling small. I highly recommend pretty much everything this author writes because she has a wonderful style.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read the Wild Swan trilogy years ago as a teenager and I loved reading it all again. If you love sweeping sagas, you will love this set. The amazing characters along with so much of the rich history of the United States will have you riveted.
I highly recommend the series!

[Sally Brandle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner.

[Rachel Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pacing isn't the best, but, all in all, this was a good read.

[Jennifer Deutsch]

Very good