Books and Brews Podcast Episode #44: Christina Courtenay

Books and Brews Podcast

Christina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. Hidden in the Mists (timeslip/dual time romance published by Headline Review 18th August 2022) is her latest novel. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety). Christina Courtenay

Christina's Readings:

• Battle at Orkneyjar, 883 AD – 15:04
• Skye Sees a Ghost, present day – 28:40
• Ottarr Catches Asta Burying Treasures, 880 AD – 45:10

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

• Camelot Mead, Oliver Winery & Vineyards (paired to Battle at Orkneyjar) – 11:52
• First Call, Modist Brewing Company (paired to Skye Sees a Ghost) – 25:29
• Empty Rowboat, Lake Monster Brewing Company (paired to Ottarr Catches Asta Burying Treasures) – 41:47

Interview Highlights:

• Genealogy and wonky family lines! – 9:55
• The appeal of time travel and dual time stories – 21:17
• Vikings and Old Norse – 24:30
• Life on a farm – 32:32
• Sheep and trombones?! – 33:47
• Our judgments on others – 49:17

COMING NEXT MONTH: Jen Gilroy, author of romance and women's fiction

UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology

Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.