LB Swanson
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New Release
Pursuit of Power
In a world where women experience the absence of power, they must create their own.
In Masunbria, a land of calculating royals and imperial politics, any daughter born with royal blood is presented as a child bride—an offering to a cruel culture that waged war in the land for centuries. Upon the birth of their first child—a daughter named Magdalena—the King and Queen of Masunbria resolve to keep her gender a secret and raise her as a prince they call Haluk. For twenty years the truth remains safe, and Haluk is celebrated as heir to the throne. That is until their second born, a son, Niklaus, discovers the true nature of Prince Haluk.
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Enraged at the betrayal and the loss of a throne that rightfully belongs to him, Niklaus reveals the treachery to his uncle Henrick — a mercurial tyrant with delusions of world domination. Henrick, with his force-of-nature wife, Thea, and his enchanting mistress Catrain by his side, convinces Niklaus to murder the king and queen and use Magdalena as a pawn to gain an alliance with the fiercest warriors ever to exist – the Typhans.
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Magdalena, on the run and without the respect and protection her male identity had once provided, begins to learn the truth—her brother and uncle will stop at nothing for greed and glory, even at the cost of innocent lives. Together with an aging military man, a barkeep and an escaped Typhan whom she finds herself inexplicably drawn to, Magdalena soon discovers that Haluk can’t save her people —but she can.
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This book is full of power, love, betrayal, suspense and action. It’s a fiction adult-low fantasy-romance. I would recommend to even the older side of YA. It’s packed full of drama and twists on every page. The dual narrative between Magdalena and Henrick was perfectly woven together throughout the storyline. I was captivated from the very first page by Magdalena. While finding who she is, Magdalena shows her strength in the many obstacles she faces, difficult decisions she has to make for her people and for herself after facing great losses and betrayal from her family. This is a must read if you’re looking for something that keeps you guessing!
Heather
Praise & Reviews
It is so wonderful when you find a book that completely pulls you in and make
you fall in love with the characters and demands that you sit on the edge of your seat wanting for more! This book is all of that and so much more! I know Pursuit of Power will be one of my favorite reads of 2023! So many twists and turns and very unpredictable… Truly amazing and well written debut novel! Hopefully much more to come!
Margaret
​Pursuit of Power by L.B. Swanson was just an amazing book published by this first time author. Before I even began reading, the beautiful cover caught my attention. The book itself was very well written, I loved each of the characters, and the book was filled with twists and turns and surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to read more! Everyone should read this book!
Abby
About LB Swanson
LB Swanson lives with her husband and three kids in the Heart of Illinois. When she’s not writing, you can find her going on hikes, working in the garden, sipping wine while doing a puzzle, or cheering her kids on from the bleachers. She is a foodie who loves antiques, old buildings, sports, and fairytales.