"..enchanting and extremely well written…the author successfully portrays the magickal world of 15th century Brittany and Nova Scotia…she obviously knows her subject matter." ~ Bruce McQueen - Magical Blend
"Rated #25 on Amazon.com Romantic Fantasy Bestsellers" - January – June 1999
"..immensely gripping, the vivid imagery heightened my awareness, not only of the plot, but of life around me, which came to be viewed in a much more reverent way." ~Brigit’s Feast: The Journal (Beltane Issue 1999)
"Song of the White Swan is a meticulously researched and superbly recreated background of European turmoil and New World discovery. Highly recommended." ~~Midwest Book Review, http:www.execpc.com/~mbr/bookwatch/
Do you love priestess fiction? Druids? Native American lore and myth? Ever wanted to know what kind of man would become a Templar Knight? Does your most secret self yearn for spiritually romantic quests? This first novel by one of the most talented new authors of the decade serves up all these ingredients. Song of the White Swan is one simmering, smoldering bronzed cauldron of myth, history and fantasy, guaranteed to re-delight you with each re-reading. Devotees are impatiently awaiting the sequel.
Cyndie Dennis-Greer, Romantic Times Review
"Blend together the best romantic Arthurian writers like Lady Mary Stewart in her Merlin series; Katherine Neville like she writes in The Eight, and add the mystique of a Lynn Andrews and you have a fantastic stay in your seat writer like Ms. Boudreaux."
"Song of the White Swan is a well woven web of magic, power, history, myth and sensual writing. So reluctant to come to the last page, this reader was pleased to see that a sequel is in the works, titled By Compass and Square."
"This story begins in 1491 and follows the life of a Priestess. Her Goddess and the Christian's God test her as she fights for her life, her love, and her country. Aleta Boudreaux has succeeded in bringing together the history of France with the early years of the New World."
"For history buffs, this book is a MUST! For the ones who love Historical Romances (that do not make the reader want to shake both the main characters for stupidity) Song Of The White Swan is a KEEPER!"
harrietklausner@paintedrock.com , 01/22/98, rating=10:
A joy to read. Finally something different
"Aleta Boudreaux writes a tremendous historical romance that could easily sell as a romance or a historical fiction. SONG OF THE WHITE SWAN is a great alternate historical romance filled with non-stop action and suspense. Antoinette and her two men are all great characters, with traits that should be admired and emulated by twentieth century people. In the end, it is Ms. Boudreaux’s obvious talent that shines throughout every page of this great book. Her skills allow her to paint an alternate but believable discovery of the New World (before Columbus) that should make this novel appear on everyone’s top ten lists."
"Tomes of Lore", Renaissance Magazine, January/February 1998 issue
"Fans of historical romances will thoroughly enjoy the Song of the White Swan, the story of a pagan priestess' journey to the New World and her relationship with an American Indian Shaman...White Swan makes for good reading and explores an often ignored part of the Renaissance: the relationship between Europeans and New World indians."
Review by David Carl O'Neal
Author of What Goes Around (3/98) and the Pact With Bruno (9/98).
Both books published by Pacific Coast Press.
Ancient gods reigned among the people's hearts in Brittany, but the dawning of the 16th century and the growth of the Church of Rome threatened the old ways. This classical quest reveals an unlikely heroine, Antoinette Charboneau, and blends deceit with the search for love and truth into a mythical adventure.
Antoinette's spiritual gifts and closeness to the throne of Brittany give her attainment of faith, plus power and influence in European Courts, but suddenly the threats are immediate, personal and deadly. Seeking to aid Brittany and her Queen, she is swept into an unexpected journey that challenges her friendships, family ties and personal faith. Filled with romance, magic, rivalry and exploration, this novel builds toward a precarious future.
The Song of the White Swan is a well-crafted story, filled with magic, history and adventure. It is a compelling read.
Review by Lady MK
High Priestess, Circle of The Sidhe
Once in a triple moon, a book comes along that brings new breath and understanding to lovers of things magical and literary. Song of the White Swan, set in fifteenth century Brittany and Nova Scotia, is such a book.
It is an heroic tale of a young Druid priestess confronted by the power of the Catholic Inquisition and forced into flight from everything she holds sacred: her religion, her position as spiritual advisor to the Queen of Brittany, and the safety of her family.
In her quest to keep the old religion alive in Brittany, Antoinette Charboneau clashes with Templar Knights and high Church officials who see her as a threat to their plans for infiltrating the New World with the teachings of the Christ.
Her journey takes her across an uncharted ocean to the land of Nova Scotia, where the gods and goddesses are called by different names in an unknown language. As she adapts to the life of the Micmak Indians, Antoinette also comes face to face with the destiny she has seen for herself: the vision of a man of power who summons her to a new, yet strangely familiar sacred dance.
But the Knights Templar do not surrender their interest in the fate of the young priestess, and Antoinette discovers that perhaps even an ocean is not wide enough to keep the warmth of the Inquisitors’ fires from troubling her. Her challenges peak to an undeniable contest of wills, wherein she must use all her power as a priestess and her gift for ritual as well as her mental cunning and physical strength just to stay alive.
Author Aleta Boudreaux has researched her subjects well, and displays an intriguing knowledge of the Old Religion without giving away any of the secrets. Her use of ceremony and ritual is impeccable; her description of the intrigues of the courts of France, vivid and commanding.
An epic heroine’s quest, stirred with a soupcon of romance and a dash of magic. Brava!
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