Historical fiction author Lee Swanson will be
launching the fourth novel in his thrilling No Man is His Master series, She Serves the Realm" at The Book
Dragon in Staunton,
Virginia, 12-2 PM on June 22, 2024.
She
Serves the Realm is the fourth book in the historical fiction
series No Man is Her Master. The saga takes place in early
14th century England and follows the exploits of Sir Frederick
Kohl, Hanseatic master merchant and English knight, who is in
reality Christina Kohl, a woman in disguise. She returns to London
to discover her beloved Lady Cecily’s abusive husband is dead. They
now only need the king’s permission to fulfill their dreams of
marriage. But in the turbulent times of Edward II’s reign, he is
much more concerned with making use of Christina’s considerable
talents than in bringing happiness to her life.
In She Serves the Realm,
Christina is torn from her merchant trade and the woman she loves
to become an officer of the king. She is placed in ever-growing
danger as civil war seems all but inevitable; the rebellious barons
demanding the banishment of the king's favorite, Piers Gaveston,
while King Edward is just as adamant to retain him by his side.
Complicating matters further is the always present peril of
Christina’s disguise being discovered.
Can Christina succeed in the tasks
King Edward sets before her, winning the right to claim Lady Cecily
as her bride? And what of Gaveston; can Christina somehow save him
from his enemies, and even himself? Rein your palfrey beside
Christina’s mare Pearl and join Lee Swanson at The Book Dragon
on Saturday, June 22nd.
Autographed copies of all Lee's books
will be available, as well as giveaways and a chat about all things
medieval. Don't miss this opportunity to whisk yourself back to
England in the Middle Ages, if only for a day.
About the author: Lee Swanson
has enjoyed a lifelong interest in medieval history. He lived in
Germany and England for over twenty-five years, first as a soldier
and then as a teacher before returning to live in the United
States.
Graduating summa cum laude from the
University of North Florida with a master’s degree in European
History, Lee’s thesis centered on the Hansa, a confederation of
merchants from primarily northern German cities. Many of the
colorful characters who populate his novels are drawn from the
lives of these resolute wayfarers who traveled the waterways of
Europe in search of profit and prestige.
Lee, his wife Karine, and their dog
Banjo now split their time between Staunton, Virginia and San
Miguel de Allende, Mexico.