Tag Archives: Christina Courtenay

WRITERS ON THE ROAD: CHRISTINA COURTENAY

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I write stories about the Vikings, and being half Swedish, it would have been easy to just set all of them in Sweden as it’s a place I know well. But where would be the fun in that? The Vikings were intrepid travellers and explorers, and journeyed far and wide. I had a wealth of places to choose from, and as I’ve been working on a series, I decided early on that each book would feature a different location. That hopefully makes it more fun for both the readers and myself!

Book five, Promises of the Runes, (out this month) is set in Norway, and I’d previously used Sweden, Russia, Iceland and England. For book six, therefore, which I’m working on at the moment, I turned my sights on the Orkney Islands. It was a place Scandinavians had traded with for centuries, and no one really knows exactly when they began to settle there rather than just visit occasionally. By the 9th century, when my book takes place, they were well established and had integrated fully with the previous occupants, the Celts. Most of the islands have Norse names – any that end in ‘ey’, for example, as that means ‘island’.

There is nothing better for an author than to actually visit a place we are writing about. It helps with descriptions, catching the essence of a place – its scents, sounds, nature and people. So I dragged my husband along on an epic road trip. A twelve hour drive up to Scrabster, followed by 90 minutes on a ferry, and suddenly there they were – the gorgeous Orkney Islands.

We were incredibly lucky with the weather and had beautiful sunshine and blue skies interspersed with fluffy clouds. The air is so clear and I found myself wishing I could paint the landscape just because the light was so brilliant. There’s a huge amount of history, going back to Neolithic times, but I was concentrating on anything remaining from the Viking era. We headed first to the Brough of Birsay, a tidal island that can only be reached by a causeway during low tide. Here are the remains of a large Viking settlement, the outlines of the houses clear on the grassy site. I could definitely see why they’d wanted to live in such a beautiful location! It was also perfect for use in my story.

We visited several other Viking sites – one at Orphir called Earl’s Bu and another at Deerness. To reach the latter, we had to walk along spectacular cliffs that were part of a nature reserve. The Vikings had a settlement on top of a 30 metre high sea stack on a promontory sticking out into the North Sea – an isolated place, but again, stunning. Nearby was a beach and cove, perfect for longships.

In Kirkwall, the main town, the historical museum had lots of Viking items, among them a bear tooth carved with runes. It might have been worn as protection against magic or to imbue the wearer with a bear’s strength.

The most poignant reminder of the Vikings, however, was in the Neolithic tomb at Maeshowe. Shaped sort of like a beehive buried inside a huge earth mound, it is reached via a 10 metre long tunnel only a metre high. A thousand years ago a group of Vikings had apparently taken shelter there and scratched graffiti all over the walls. There were more than 30 messages written in runes. It really made these people come alive for me and I could see them sitting in there, bored and restless. The connection was almost visceral and I was so pleased I got to experience this.

If you get the chance, do visit the Orkneys!

Buy link for Promises of the Runes – https://geni.us/ExsdDss 

 

 

JANE CABLE’S BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2022

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Books of the year are always so hard to choose, aren’t they? Sometimes I really don’t know why I put myself through it, but as an author I do know how good it feels when a book appears on such a list, so here goes.

This year I have two. They are so very different I couldn’t put a piece of paper between them.

 

A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe

What a stunning book. I was drawn to it because it starts at Aberfan, and which cast a long shadow for any child growing up in South Wales in the 1960s and 70s, and because it wasn’t screaming a genre at me. It intrigued me and I wanted to dive in.

William Lavery is a newly qualified embalmer who volunteers his skills to help in the immediate aftermath of Aberfan. It is a part of disaster recovery we rarely consider and the flavour of the book is quickly revealed as it focuses just a little on the mechanics and a great deal on the emotions. You learn just enough of the nuts and bolts to be drawn into William’s world but perhaps it isn’t for the over-squeamish.

William’s is not a world shaped only by the terrible nightmares and flashbacks born from his experiences working on those children’s bodies and we soon learn his past holds its own mysteries and traumas. Piece by piece they are cleverly revealed, building William into one of the most fascinating fictional characters I have come across in recent years, always on a knife edge between genuine happiness and self-destruction.

It is a remarkable debut, full of clever intricacies and memorable characters, but never so over worked that William’s story is not centre stage. I hesitate to use the phrase ‘must read’, but I think losing yourself in this book would be time well spent.

 

The Echoes of Love by Jenny Ashcroft

Where do I begin with this incredible book? With the sweeping love story at its gripping heart, or the impeccable historical research, or the phenomenal sense of place and time that had me living and breathing Crete in 1936 and during the Second World War? Or shall I just cut to the chase and tell you this will most likely be my book of the year.

In 1936, eighteen year old Eleni Adams returns from England to Crete to spend the summer with her Greek grandfather, something she has done every year since her mother died when she was a baby. But this summer is different; this summer she falls in love with Otto, the German boy staying in the villa next door, and I was as captivated by the breathlessness of young love, the intensity of feeling, as I was by the setting that made me feel as though I was really sitting above that cove near sun-drenched Chania.

But we all know our history, and in 1941 Crete was captured by the Germans. By that time Eleni is an SOE agent based in the country, and rather than leave she goes underground in the bombed out ruins of the port, to help to support the resistance. Meanwhile Otto was one of the first wave of fighters to be parachuted in; a reluctant Nazi, a man against cruelty and reprisals, and of course their paths cross once again.

Also running through the book is the transcript of an interview from 1974, given by the man who, it becomes apparent, betrayed Eleni. A man who knew her well. A man who she trusted.

This book transported me absolutely, haunted my dreams, tore me apart, and put me back together again. An absolute triumph.

 

Honourable mentions:

The Postcard from Italy – Angela Petch
Hidden in the Mists – Christina Courtenay
Lifesaving for Beginners – Josie Lloyd

 

 

PUBLICATION DAY SPECIAL: HIDDEN IN THE MISTS BY CHRISTINA COURTENAY

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It’s a very long time since a book has gripped me as much as this one. There was a time, close to the end, when it was genuinely hard to put down. I was so invested in the characters and their future happiness (or not!) that I didn’t want to leave them.

The setting on the Argyll coast is atmospheric and incredibly well drawn, as is the way of life but now and in the Viking age. Christina is the mistress of the Viking romance and personally I preferred the ghostly dual timeline story to time travel, which although popular I struggle a little to buy into.

For me, a sign of a great dual timeline is when I enjoy both stories equally and it was certainly the case with Hidden in the Mists. In the Viking era Asta’s world collapses when her father dies and her cousin steals her birth right and takes over the settlement, but help – and love – come from an unexpected quarter. In the present day narrative Skye is struggling to keep together the modern crofting existence she loves following her husband’s departure but then Rafe arrives out of the blue. Although the attraction between them is electric, both have secrets. And they’re both seeing ghosts.

The only other thing I’m going to say about this book is please do read it. Few writers pull off ghostliness as effectively as Christina and, coupled with an evocative setting, richly rounded characters, and a cracking plot, it’s one of the best romance novels I’ve read this year.

Given she writes ghosts so well, I asked Christina if she has ever encountered one:

“No, I have never had the honour of meeting/seeing a ghost myself, but I know people who have. People I trust implicitly, and who I’m sure would not lie about something like that or make things up. I used to spend a lot of time with friends in a 600-year old manor house which was definitely haunted. You felt it the moment you stepped inside – there was a certain atmosphere, as if the house itself was watching you and waiting for something. The owners told me all about their various experiences with their resident ghost. It changed my perception of ghosts as theirs seemed to be mischievous rather than trying to scare them. He (it was a man, dressed in chainmail the few times they saw him), used to sabotage all sorts of modern machinery, as if he didn’t like such newfangled things in his house – the lawnmower was forever breaking down, as were all the electrical appliances. It was hilarious, although obviously a bit of a pain for the poor owners who had to keep having things fixed or replaced. He would also open and close doors so that you’d think someone was arriving when there was no one there, or walk around upstairs when everyone was downstairs. At the time, I was actually terrified of possibly meeting him, but I’m braver these days and now I’m sorry I didn’t get to see him. I really do feel it would have been an honour!

“No one likes to think that death is final, that there is nothing else afterwards but a black void. The possibility that we can live on in some form or other is comforting, and with the amount of people who have come across ghosts, it is clear that there are plenty of unexplained things in the world. Therefore, I prefer to believe they exist, although I do think someone would have to have a very strong reason for lingering and it won’t happen to everyone. As for how I write about them, I just try to imagine how I would like my ghostly encounters to be if I had a choice and what possible reason they had for hanging around.”

 

 

 

CARIADS’ CHOICE: NOVEMBER BOOK REVIEWS

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Patricia Feinberg Stoner’s At Home in the Pays d’Oc, reviewed by Jessie Cahalin

I sniggered, I cackled and my belly ached as I travelled through the adventures in France.  What a treat!  Feinberg Stone presents her memoirs of life in France as an expat, and the dream of living in France is contrasted with the reality.

Patricia Feinberg Stoner has a unique flair for writing comedy.  She will make you laugh at stories involving: ironing boards, party planning, trips to the second-hand shops, renovation and every day incidents. Les Dawson, Dawson’s poodle and Mighty Mouse feature in the escapades.  If you are confused then you will have to learn the ‘gallic shrug’ and say ‘alors’.

Patricia’s witty observations will instruct you in French way of life. However, it is refreshing to view British culture through French eyes and laugh at our own idiosyncrasies.  Despite the culture gap, Patricia and her husband charmed the locals.  In turn, you will also be charmed by: Henri, Loony Tunes, P’tit Gui and a comedy of wonderful people and a dog.

 

Glynis Peters’ The Red Cross Orphans, reviewed by Jane Cable

I honestly think Glynis Peters’ books are getting better and better. Although this time she has the familiar trope of three very different girls who become friends through their wartime choices, it is clear from the beginning that this story won’t necessarily follow the conventional pattern.

The orphans in this story are not the three girls, but one woman and one man, and it becomes very clear that this wonderful wartime romance is all about them. Kitty and Michael are rich and rounded characters with frailties and flaws that make the issues they encounter and their sometimes conflicted feelings for each other all the more convincing.

Coupled with the incredibly drawn background of a country at war, rich with historical detail, this book is definitely a must read for fans of World War Two fiction – or, indeed, those who adore a great love story.

 

Nicola Cornick’s The Last Daughter, reviewed by Evonne Wareham

A new and original slant on the eternal mystery of the fate of the Princes in the Tower, for those of us who think that Shakespeare got it wrong about Richard III. The book is a clever time slip that alternates between the life of Anne, growing to womanhood in the fifteenth century and witnessing the Wars of the Roses first hand, and Serena in the present day, whose life has been overshadowed by the mysterious disappearance of her twin sister and her own inability to remember the events of the night when Caitlin vanished. When a body is finally discovered, in seemingly impossible circumstances, Serena returns to her grandfather’s home in Oxfordshire in an attempt to make sense of the past. Throw in a handsome old flame who might not be all he seems, a mysterious talisman and a heavy sprinkling of the supernatural and you have an enthralling story.

 

Christina Courtney’s Tempted by the Runes, reviewed by Natalie Normann

Maddie thinks she knows everything there is to know about Viking life, having taking part in Viking festivals since she was little. That is, until she finds herself in the 9th century, with real life hitting her in the face. Waking up in a proper longship on it’s way to Iceland will do that to you.

Having read the three other books in Christina Courtney’s Viking series, I’m happy to report that this is every bit as good. It’s gripping from the start, filled with daring adventure and lovely romance – and all the details of Viking life you ever wanted to know. You can’t help fall in love with Maddie and Geir as they try to figure out what’s between them. The story is well-written and so well researched it’s pure joy to read it. I didn’t want it to end!

 

 

 

CARIADS’ CHOICE: MARCH BOOK REVIEWS

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Carmel Harrington’s My Pear Shaped Life, reviewed by Kitty Wilson

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Greta Gale, the highs and lows of trying to learn to value yourself. The author wrote empathetically about addiction, body issues and familial relationships. As a reader I was willing Greta on and particularly loved her travels across The States. We could all do with an Uncle like Ray. The author weaves the story of The Wizard of Oz throughout which is exceptionally deftly done, beautifully illustrating the light and the dark within us all.

 

Christina Courtenay’s Echoes of the Runes, reviewed by Kitty Wilson

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, both narratives kept my attention and made me want to keep reading. It was fascinating reading the contemporary storyline and the archaeological detail. The romance kept me hooked and the little bit of jeopardy (no spoilers!) had me willing Mia and Haakon on.

However, it was Ceri and Haukr who captured my heart. I loved this storyline and could have read so much more about them. I rarely find a captive and captor romance convincing but Christina Courtenay writes these characters with such empathy it is impossible not to fall a little in love with them and their story. Am greatly looking forward to the next in the series.

 

Kate Johnson’s Death on the Aisle, reviewed by Evonne Wareham

This is the third book in the Molly Higgins amateur sleuth series from award winning author Kate Johnson, who confidently mixes romance with cosy crime. It can be read as a stand-alone but there are recurring characters and story lines so reading the series in order would be beneficial, and all are enjoyable. The first, Death Comes to Cornwall, was a recent nominee for the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller of the Year Award. In this third book Kate takes some classic ingredients for romance – hunky hero, capable independent heroine, a Cornish fishing village and a cupcake café and mixes in a celebrity wedding, a film set, a virtual reality show, the wedding planner from hell and a couple of fairly gruesome murders. If you like romance with a hefty dash of crime and sleuthing, it’s an enjoyable read.

 

Carol Lovekin’s Ghostbird, reviewed by Jan Baynham

This is a magical tale that kept me spellbound until the end. I was able to marvel at the figurative language and poetic nature of the prose without it detracting from the pace of the story. The characters are very well drawn, displaying deep emotions, and I was particularly fond of Cadi. Secrets unravelled and the reader journeyed with all the characters to a satisfying conclusion. I loved the interaction between Cadi and the ghost. With its beautiful cover, Ghostbird is a book I thoroughly enjoyed, a book I kept returning to in my thoughts long after I’d finished reading it. Highly recommended.

 

Maisie Thomas’s Secrets of the Railway Girls, reviewed by Jane Cable

I loved the first Railways Girls saga, and the second book in the series did not disappoint. Set in World War Two in Manchester it vividly portrays the lives of women from vastly different backgrounds thrown together to help keep the country’s rail network running.

Although this book focuses on Dot, a working class forty-something grandmother, other stories are woven around hers so cleverly you just have to keep turning the pages. From the horrors of the Christmas blitz to cosy chats in the station tea room, all human nature is here and the writing is so wonderful it draws you in completely. I’m definitely having withdrawal symptoms having finished this one – luckily the next book is due out in April.