The Secret Swan [Mass Market Paperback]

Shana Abe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2001

Shana Abé has captured the imagination of readers everywhere with her superbly sensual tales of forbidden love. Now she weaves the exquisite story of a man and woman torn apart by fate — who realize years later that love's second bloom is the one that matters most.

At fifteen Lady Amiranth St. Clare became the bride of Tristan Geraint. She thought all of her dreams had come true — until she learned on her wedding day that Tristan had married her only for her bloodline.

A week later Tristan deserted her for the glories of battle. Heartbroken, Amiranth felt she'd been abandoned, not knowing that Tristan had become a prisoner of war — nor that he would one day return to the life he didn't know he wanted until it was taken away.

Eight long years pass before Tristan finally comes home. A beautiful woman greets him in the garden, claiming to be Amiranth's cousin. Yet somehow she seems hauntingly familiar, with an ethereal radiance that stirs him deep within his heart. Is she really his wife, grown into a lady of breathtaking beauty — or another woman who has awakened within him a passion he has never known?

To discover the truth, Tristan must reveal the secrets of what happened those years he was away — and find the love that was closer than he ever imagined....

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: England 1349

Sensuality: 7

With one look, 9-year-old Lady Amiranth St. Clare fell hopelessly in love with Tristan Geraint, while Tristan never gave the girl a second glance, that is until her family agreed to an arranged marriage. At 15, Amiranth thinks her dreams are coming true until she overhears Tristan tell a friend that he is marrying her only for her impeccable bloodlines. His words cut her to the bone, and when he leaves her a week after the wedding to fight for his king in France, she feels betrayed and abandoned. Neither of them know that Tristan will be wounded, imprisoned, and absent from England for eight long years--years that teach Amiranth bitter lessons about men, life, and trust.

The memory of his young wife has kept Tristan sane during torture and isolation. He returns to find a beautiful, hauntingly familiar woman who claims to be Amiranth's cousin, Lily, and she tells him that his young wife has died in the plague that has decimated England.

Both Tristan and Amiranth (posing as Lily to escape her former life) have deep secrets they refuse to share, and both are drawn inexorably to each other. Now Tristan must not only accompany Amiranth to safety, but he must find a way to retake his position as Earl of Haverlocke, a title now claimed by his younger brother. He needs Amiranth's help to do so, and the two strike a bargain, working together in a castle filled with intrigue and treachery. They can't trust the nobles that surround them, but can they trust each other when eight years apart have taught them to rely on no one but themselves?

The Secret Swan is a tale of two people wedded as youthful strangers, separated, and brought together again as adults who have been tested by time and heartache. This deeply emotional and intense story not only has superb characterization, but also features a terrific plot, a complex villain, and a wonderful setting. Author Shana Abé just keeps getting better and better with each new novel, so if you love fine historical romance, don't miss The Secret Swan. --Lois Faye Dyer

Review

"Shana Abé has created an unforgettable pair of star-crossed lovers caught in an age-old feud, while beautifully evoking the misty isle and the historical backdrop. She truly makes us believe we are part of this wondrous tale."— Romantic Times

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (April 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553582003
• ISBN-13: 978-0553582000
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #908,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Shana Abé is the author of Queen of Dragons, The Dream Thief, and The Smoke Thief. She lives in Denver, Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb medieval romance, April 3, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret Swan (Mass Market Paperback)

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

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A d*** good read!, April 11, 2001

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Swan (Mass Market Paperback)

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! *****

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was a very engrossing story!, May 12, 2001

By 

Mary Carol Stanton - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Swan (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't usually read romances. Honestly I usually find them trite and superficial. I hate stupid plot lines and shallow characters, and it's just a shame that so many romances are like that. But my mother told me about this book, and then a friend mentioned it as well, so I picked it up.Well, I am so impressed! This was nothing like those other romances I read. I am so glad there are a whole other kind of romance novels out there for those of us who like deeper books.The heroine was not shrill or unbelievable. The hero was not dense or blind to her faults. They were both wonderful and rich characters who really grew over the course of the book to become such great people. Like you would want to know them in real life.I really enjoyed the twists and turns to the plot. I liked how Amiranth pretended to be someone she was not, and then pretended to be herself again while still the other person. I loved when Tristan realized that she was his wife. That scene brought me to tears.I am going to buy more books by Shana Abe. Great job, Mrs. Abe!