A Season of Swans

The Wild Swan Trilogy #3

by Celeste De Blasis

Now on the land for which so many have fought and some have died, a season of healing begins, as a new generation flourishes. The grand dreams of a dynasty will be carried forward by Gincie, Alex's fire willed granddaughter, as she and her husband, Travis Culhane, work to restore Wild Swan's fortunes. It is the Culhanes, their sons Tay and Kace, and their daughter Lexy, a woman as headstrong and rebellious as her mother, who stand at the heart of A Season of Swans.

As a new era of struggle and sacrifice, of ambition and passion, unfolds, some of the Falconer clan will defy the dreaded night riders of the South; others will brave the teeming cities to bring the promise of health and a better life; some will struggle for women's rights. Lexy Culhane will face grave danger as a crusading reporter determined to uncover the truth, and she will find enduring live with journalist Hawk Mackenna, the enigmatic, irresistible man who shares her impassioned vision.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical, Family Saga, Roman

676 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1989

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]

I'm crying because it's over, but I'm trying to smile because it happened. This series will stay with me for a very long time, it's one of the best ever written.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading Season of Swans, I find that I am emotionally exhausted. The ending to this epic tale left something to be desired for me at least. It was sad, thought provoking, and while I understand the need to delve into the history aspect of things, I felt that the story itself was sometimes lost due to all the historical facts jammed in here.

The loss of Alex and Rane was a heartbreaker. I understand that over a span of 80 or so years, it was bound to happen, but it was sad none the less. But with that being said, the death of Morgon Falconer was worse in my opinion. After their deaths, the continuation of the story with Gincie and Travis Culhane was great, but I still found it lacking in comparison to everything with Alex and Rane.

I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't do it again.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all the books in this epic Wild Swan trilogy and family saga. This was the perfect end of the series. My heart is quenching, swooning and everything else in between.

What I loved about this book is the readability and how De Blasis draws you in to every character in the story and feel so immersed into the details of their lives. De Blasis certainly knows how to write a dramatic and epic family story with all the characters you will love and some you will love to hate. I also love the historical references of the time and I love reading about all that turbulence that affect families I also love that the women are strong, and do carry out the legacy of the family. But most of all, I enjoyed this series for the emotional and heartwarming feel I get after reading each of the books.

If you say you enjoy reading historical fiction, you absolutely cannot miss this amazing series.

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series! These stories were such a good mix of historical and romantic fiction. I actually wish these were non-fiction because I would love to have met this family and go to Wild Swan! Even though the ending with Lexy and Hawk was appropriate to finish up with, I would be curious to read more about this family up to the present day.

[Kim Wagoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good wrap up to series

[Misfit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Season of Swans begins in 1870 and the focus of the story shifts from Alex and Rane Falconer to their granddaughter Gincie and her husband Travis Culhane and their three children. Now happily settled in California, a surprise return from the Gincie's past leads her to a drastic move that has unexpected consequences and the Culhane family must leave California and return to the family's farm in Maryland, Wild Swan. Eventually the couple learns to overcome their problems resettling and the aging Alex and Rane turn over the running of the farm and the raising of the Thoroughbreds to the Culhanes. The story then shifts to that of their three children as they reach adulthood and settle into careers of their own.

There's a whole lot more to the story than that but it's really hard to put it all into words without writing a book report so I'll skip that. What De Blasis excels at is putting her characters into the events and politics of the day, which provides a highly entertaining way to retell the nation's history. From a Klan raid in the old south, to the events following Little Big Horn, to labor riots in Chicago and more as the author weaves her characters in to real events from our nation's history. My only complaint is that this book is a bit too long and should have finished it up about 200 pages sooner. After three books there's just one too many coming back from the edge of death recovery leading to another overly happy marriage that it got a bit old after a while, and a little too busy. Four stars. The first two books in the series (in order),

Wild Swan
Swan's Chance

[Bonita Clifton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the ARC of A Wild Legacy. Celeste De Blasis is an amazing author with a graceful style that flows seamlessly and draws you in quickly. This is Book 3 of a Trilogy and I wish I would have read the first two before I read this one. I understand they are standalone, but it takes quite a bit of patience to get through the initial chapters with all the character history and background descriptions. I found it difficult to keep track of who was who, and it became tedious and dragged in several spots. I was struck by the impression that it reads somewhat like a letter to a cherished friend, and am undecided if I like that style. That said, the author has a knack for encapsulating her characters in the turbulent history of the era, the frontier wars, and the beautiful east coast and the horses....oh yes, the horses! This book follows Lexy Culhane from a young girl caught in the aftermath of a murder her mother committed, to her blossoming into a rebellious and independent woman, falling in love and facing some very difficult choices. I would definitely recommend this read to anyone who loves emotional and sweeping historicals but do yourself a favor and read the first two in the Trilogy beforehand. You will thank yourself!

[LemonLinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very satisfying end to a great trilogy/saga. This one follows mostly the descendants of Alexandra and Rand from the years of Reconstruction and beyond. Although a true romance as such, it also gives a great commentary on the history of the day from Indian policies and resulting tragedies to early labor disputes and the resulting casualties to the politics of the day which during this era involved corruption and assassination.

New characters come in as love interests and bring with them relevant new issues. Themes of horse racing, shipbuilding, the medical profession and early attempts at education reform from the first books of the trilogy continue. In other words, it is a comprehensive commentary on late 19th century American society across the nation from the middle Atlantic states to the South to the Southwest to the Northeast. I truly enjoyed the entire series.

[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. 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.

[Tracy Sandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read. I read the entire Swan series when it first came out in the 1980's and had to read it again this year. Unfortunately it is out of print but if you can find it online you must pick it up. Great saga spanning the civil War era. Truly enjoyable.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit more history in this one. Same beloved characters.

[ANGELIA · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm sure others won't agree, I'll have to say that this was the only book of the trilogy that I liked and read through, without skipping. The others didn't hold my interest and I almost didn't attempt this one, but I'm glad I did.

I liked the historical background as much as I did the relationship between Lexie and Hawk, which beats Alex and Rane any day of the week! It was refreshing to see a couple work through their differences rather than arguing, being stubborn, and having temper fits, which happens all too often in HR novels. While they separated for a time (when they had differences over Hawk's wanting to claim his son (and his feelings for his son's mother), they managed to work through it without a lot of nonsense. (And no way could I believe Lexie would ever have married that insipid Michael; she'd have died of boredom during the honeymoon!)

They both have careers that mean the world to them yet would never put them before their love. They each went through a lot, yet managed to be supportive even when they disagreed, as when Hawk got so involved with the Native American cause and Lexie did the same with workers' rights.

It wasn't always easy, but they got the happiness they deserved.

Worth reading, and you can skip the first two.

[Rachel Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending to the Wild Swan Trilogy was not as good as the other 2 books in the series. I love these family sagas written in the 80s more than most, but this book could have stopped at chapter 23 and left us panting. Instead, it wallowed on for another 300 pages. The Falconer family, moreso than any other family since the Mains and Hazard, brushed up against history and were perfect in their response. To the detriment of the story. I skimmed a lot of the "history" parts at the end, but managed to finish it. It's not the worst book Ive read, but it's not the best part of this series and it wouldnt hurt the reader who loves the series to skip this one

[Charlotte A. Mathis · Rating 4 out of 5]

a different view of history

This was a very long trilogy covering several generations. At first it was hard to remember all of the characters names. I sometimes felt that the stories, political views and repetative sexual scenes reflected the present day views of the author rather than the way people would have thought or spoken then. One example was referring to native americans rather than Indians. The use of "native americans came about in the 1960s. Having said this, I continued on to the very last page which would have required remembering what had happened in the beginning, so these are not stand alone stories.

[Melissa Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this whole series. However this particular book it was hard to stay into it after Alex and Rane died. I have loved their relationship and watching it grow. Though they were elderly I was still sad when they passed. Without them, to me it was hard to stay with this book. I did stay with it until the end. A coworker recommended this series to me since I love
Civil war history and I used to live in Maryland. Great story and a lovely read.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell in love with Alex and Rane in the first book of this trilogy and a book without them (sorry, spoiler) is just not the same. The grit and determination and love and loss for the Carrington/Falconer families are still there. Well Worth capping off a great trilogy.

[Cyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books but this one was boring. There was some "preachiness" that had me rolling my eyes. Euthanasia? Really? I can understand wanting to die together but it felt like emotional manipulation.

[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]

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!

[Thora S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild swan triligy

I thoroughly enjoyed this triligy! I'm sorry its finished! I quickly checked to see if there was another book in the set. Unfortunately, there wasn't. I would like to read it over again!

[Margaret Belanger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading the Trilogy and besides well-developed characters, vivid settings, and great plots I learned so much history spanning the mostly Southern 19th century. De Blasis researches the topic of slavery and horse-breeding meticulously. I was sorry that the story came to an end.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the previous books in this series, I loved it! It had a bit of everything.
there were a lot of details on horse breeding, politics of the day, the history
of the the Civil War aftermath, and the genocide of the Native American people.

[Sally Brandle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hated for the saga to end...

[Jennifer Deutsch]

excellent

[Denise]

I have all 3 books in the Trilogy and every 4-5 years I reread and go back to see Alex and Rane.

[Dixie Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes me sad to finish this trilogy cause I've loved them all.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

"(Marjorie) Excellent"

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her books are so enjoyable to read. I remember parts of this series even after all these years.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wild Heart, the previous book, ended with Alex and Rane Falconer saying goodbye to granddaughter Gincie, her husband Travis Culhane and their baby girl, Lexy, as they leave Wild Swan, the family farm and thoroughbred stud in Maryland, for a new beginning in California following the end of the Civil War.

A Wild Legacy continues the story five years later when the Culhanes and their three children, Lexy and her twin brothers Kace and Tay, flee to Wild Swan when Gincie shoots and kills a man.

The next fifteen years focuses on Gincie and Travis, and the repercussions of Gincie's actions. At first, Travis finds it hard to adjust to the loss of his dreams and having to leave the Californian ranch he loves so much. But once again, the tranquility of Wild Swan and the support of a loving and non-judgemental family works its magic and he comes to love Wild Swan as much as Gincie. A decision by an ageing Alex and Rane to hand over the responsibility of Wild Swan to the Culhanes is welcomed by all concerned.

With Wild Swan in good hands, the focus shifts from Gincie and Travis to their three children, Lexy, Kace and Tay, now young adults. However, it is Lexy's story that dominates the next ten years. With no plans for marriage or motherhood, she pursues her journalistic career and, like Hawk MacKenna, is witness to some of the most significant events in American history.

At first, given her background, Lexy reports on horse racing, but then writes pieces that she feels most passionately about: women's rights and “the injustices suffered by the poor and helpless”. Her determination to expose the plight of so many sees her go undercover undertaking low paid jobs with appalling conditions and, to help a friend, even infiltrating a lunatic asylum for women. She is also present in Pullman, Chicago, during the strike and riots of 1894.

When Lexy's interference in Hawk's personal business causes a rift between them, Lexy goes to visit relatives in England and Hawk heads West to report on the decimation of the 7th Cavalry at Little Bighorn and its repercussions. The plight of the Indians and their treatment by the U.S. Government is of personal interest to Hawk and he continues to follow the dissolution of the Sioux and other Indian tribes. Years later, in 1890, he interviews Sitting Bull a few days before the Chief's death and the massacre at Wounded Knee. Both of which events have a profound effect on him.

And throughout the years, Wild Swan still remains the place where minds and bodies heal.

Like the previous two books, A Wild Legacy is an emotional roller coaster ride, spectacularly weaving together the lives of the Carrington-Falconers and American history. It has the added sadness of Alex and Rane's love story finally coming to an end. Although the manner of their deaths is tragic, it is also poignant and fitting.

The following generations continue to make their mark on an ever changing world, especially the women of the family, who balance their careers with being wives and mothers. For Lexy comes the realisation that she too can overcome her fears to strike the same balance and embrace whatever life brings her way.

A Wild Legacy brings to a satisfactory close this epic trilogy and, as the first two books, it is a powerful story of sacrifice, resilience, loss and love. This is one of the best family sagas I've ever read and, with its re-release, I'm sure many other readers will now get to enjoy the amazing talent of Celeste De Blasis.

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

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master storyteller Celeste de Blasis concludes her Wild Swans trilogy with a heartfelt, emotional and beguiling tale of love, loss and hope: A Wild Legacy.

Lexy Culhane’s life changed forever when she had witnessed her gentle and kind-hearted mother shoot a man in cold blood. Her desperate father had bundled her and her brothers onto a train in the middle of the night where they had gone to live at Wild Swans, their grandmother’s grand horse farm in Maryland. Lexy – just like her grandmother Alexandria – is a young lady of great courage and ambition. Fiery and impulsive, she is by no means quiet or biddable and has had a rebellious streak deep within her for as far back as she can remember. A young girl who always chafed at the stifling conventions that decree that a woman’s place is in the home, Lexy dreams of broadening her horizons and seeing the world and it is this desire that leads her headlong into a world rich in adventure, intrigue and danger when she becomes a reporter during the last few days of the frontier war. Lexy’s life will be forever altered by this decision – especially as it propels her into the path of enigmatic reporter, Hawk McKenna…

The mysterious Hawk McKenna is a man Lexy finds herself unable to stop thinking about, but still haunted by her mother’s actions from so long ago, Lexy has always found it difficult to trust a man. Hawk is a man tormented by old sins and past ghosts and it is Lexy’s insatiable curiosity about his secrets that compels him to leave her behind and go to the battlefields in the West, leaving her with no other choice but to try and put him behind her once and for all by accepting an invitation from her relatives in England. However, Lexy soon realizes that regardless of how far you go, the truth will always find you – even on the other side of the world. When she is given the opportunity of settling in England, Lexy wonders whether she might make a new life for herself for good in this foreign land…or whether she will go back home and be constantly reminded of the love she had left behind.

Celeste de Blasis is an exceptional writer who had this marvellous gift for sweeping the reader back in time and creating full-bodied emotional dramas where the pages simply turn themselves. In A Wild Legacy, she wrote a captivating and poignant historical tale full of romance, action, intrigue and adventure that has at its centre a bold, courageous and brave heroine who was strong, valiant and simply inspirational.

A fantastic page-turner epic romance fans will not want to miss, Celeste de Blasis’s A Wild Legacy is perfect for losing oneself in on a cold winter day.