A Wild Heart is the sequel to the story Wild Swan, and after reading and loving the first instalment in this series I had very high hopes for this book – and I am so glad to say that it certainly didn’t disappoint.

In this book we continue to follow the life of Alexandria Carrington Falconer and her family. The Falconer family continue expanding their line of Thoroughbred Horses at their farm Wild Swan, working now alongside Rane and his ship building enterprise. Their children are now adults and all have children of their own.

Meanwhile, tensions are rising between the North and South over the ever growing issues of slavery. Gincey, who is Alex’s much loved Granddaughter, now works with the Underground Railway. During one of their missions, which has unfortunately goes awry, she ends up meeting Travis Culhane, who is Virginian. As soon as they meet sparks begin to fly between the pair, but how can their relationship possibly survive these very uncertain, troublesome times. The Falconer’s continue to struggle throughout the book, and we learn how their lives are all entwined with the absolute devastation of the Civil War and the devastation it has left behind.

I absolutely adored this book from start to finished. It truly captured my attention, and my heart and kept hold of it throughout. I loved the way the author so perfectly set the scene. I could picture it vividly in my mind and this added that extra depth to the story for me. The Characters are also so wonderfully described, you can also picture them clearly and I particularly like the complexities of them all, how they are all so unique and have their individual strengths and weaknesses.

I truly didn’t want this book to end. It was such a devastating, yet heart-warming read with a fascinating storyline that captivates you completely. A book I will remember for a long time.

I'm sorry I didn't finish this book.. it was not really my 'cup of tea' although well written and beautiful descriptions.. I thought I would have a change but no it didn't work for me. Would be loved by horse lovers.

Best wishes to everyone.

A lush, sweeping and atmospheric saga full of passion, intrigue and adventure, Celeste de Blasis’ A Wild Heart is an epic saga of love and loyalty from a master storyteller.

Wild Swan, her extraordinary horse farm built in the border state of Maryland, is Alexandria Falconer’s pride and joy. Alex cannot help but look upon her beloved sanctuary with pride and love. Peace might reign supreme at Wild Swan, but the gathering clouds of the Civil War are fast approaching and Alex’s serenity will be shattered forever as she finds herself forced between protecting her family and the land that means the world to her. As turmoil and anguish begin to gather momentum all over the country, Alex will need to make harsh sacrifices and difficult choices, but will she ever experience happiness again? Or will her future be marked by tragedy and heartache?

When her beloved son dies, Alex’s world collapses. She is completely bereft and grief-stricken, but she finds comfort in caring for her adopted daughter Gincie. Her beloved husband Rane is a pillar of strength and his love and support help Alex in her hour of need. But just when she feels like life is getting back to some semblance of order, tragedy strikes again when Rane is called away to aid the war effort. What will Alex do now? Having lost so much already, she is not sure whether she can bear any more heartache and upheaval. Will Alex find the strength to go on?

As the war edges ever closer, Alex needs to put her beloved adopted daughter first. Gincie needs her and Alex will do whatever she can to protect her. When a charming soldier arrives at Wild Swan, Alex feels it is her duty to offer him shelter. Thrust in close proximity by circumstance, the two of them quickly form a strong bond, but when news of Gettysburg reaches them, it looks like Alex can no longer stay at Wild Swan and with Gincie by her side, she undertakes a dangerous journey to save her family, her principles and the man who holds her heart.

A rich, sumptuous and engrossing saga, A Wild Heart is an exceptional historical novel that tells the story of a courageous, resilient, brave and flawed heroine whose story will keep readers on tenterhooks and mesmerized throughout. Readers will feel every single emotion which the characters in A Wild Heart go through and the period detail and redolent atmosphere is so exquisitely rendered that they will feel as if they are experiencing the story alongside the protagonists.

Written straight from the heart, Poldark and Outlander fans will not want to miss Celeste De Blasis’ A Wild Heart.

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.

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.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Celeste De Blasis wrote this epic historical story about the intriguing Alexandria Carrington Falconer in her novel A Wild Heart. There are so many dramatic elements with family, perseverance, slavery, civil war conflicts, and of course romance. Alex is unapologetically herself through the adventures of life and love. The characters were rich and well developed. Overall, I enjoyed the novel.

A WILD HEART
By Celeste De Blasis

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.

I didn’t realise until I started reading that this was Book # 2 of Celeste De Blasis‘ The Wild Swan Trilogy. Although this book can be read separately, I do wish I’d read book #1 fir

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.

This is the second book in a trilogy and I must say it was as good as the first book. I love the continuation from the first book. The author bridges the two stories together so well.

When Alexandria tragically looses her young son, and her husband is called up to serve in the Union, it is her two year old daughter that helps her through her grief. As you get pulled into the story, you will have an immediate connection with the Alex. The choices she makes and the experiences she endures with have you cheering her on and reaching for the tissues at the same time. The historical background is so well written, that you will feel like you went back in time.

This well written engrossing novel is sure to be a favorite. I look forward to the next book in this series.

First I’d like to say that I had never heard of this series before or the author for that matter despite having been written over a decade ago, this is not the typical book that I would choose to read however I am known to love the occasional historical fictions – I thought I’d give this a go.
The book revolves mainly around Alex and Rane, husband and wife, and their children who then grow to have their own children. De Blasis obviously put a lot of thought and heart into each of her characters, all were given depth and time to be introduced and most are all through the story.
Being written around the time of the American civil war era I found was good, it was nice to see how people’s views affected their actions and the ways in which the family were involved were many – it gave us a multitude of views through the various characters.
For me the book could have been heavily edited to make it more enjoyable – far too many main characters for me! I also was not too keen on all the horse racing business – I can see why it was repeatedly featured however I found myself skipping over these parts. I also did not see the need for so many sex scenes – one or two i could forgive but due to the number of characters who fall in love in this book De Blasis seemed to make a point that each had to have a scene of their own.

Having said this I did find the book to be beautifully written, I liked the glimpse into the American civil war era and the beginnings of the end of the slave trade. I did enjoy some of the characters but found myself getting confused with who was who at times. Unfortunately this one for me was too full of characters, quite repetitive with themes and just too long for the type of book.
I am glad I read it but will give myself a break from the genre for a while before trying again.

I would love this book to be a mini-series! I have now read all of them and they are each outstanding!
The Falconer Family is guided by matriarch Alexandria and her husband Rane! They have a horse farm and a ship building business.
The Civil War is looming closer and Alex is extremely vocal in favor of freeing slaves and has actually been helping with the Underground Railroad. Alex has two sons currently serving in the war efforts.
Tragedy comes to Wild Swan Farm in various ways and Alex & Rane has to be stoic and try and not only keep themselves together, but their respective families.

Come follow the Falconer family as the author Celeste De Blasis develops this family and takes us on a journey that will keep us turning the pages for more. The author has a writing style that draws you in and that is why I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a mesmerizing storyline!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions!

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.

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 charater 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.

This is a story that is in fact the second title in a trilogy written by Celeste De Blasis who sadly died in 2001.It stands on its own as a sweeping saga that spans the years leading up to the American civil w.ar.
Read together the books follow the history of a family over three generations up the story of the Alex and Rane Falconer This book starts in 1836 an d we meet their children and grandchildren as time goes by..
Slavery and its cruelty are well covered but the Civil War is told at a distance, which is unfortunate. Family losses do come from this though.
This is an enjoyable saga and makes you want to read all three of them. Celeste De Blasis was an excellent writer and sadly died young so didn’t publish more books which is a great loss.It is well worth reading all the trilogy.