About the Author

Christina Courtenay lives in Herefordshire and is married with two children. Although born in England, she is half Swedish and was brought up in Sweden. In her teens, the family moved to Japan and she had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Far East and other parts of the world. Her debut novel Trade Winds, a historical romance and adventure story, was short-listed for the Pure Passion Award for Best Historical Fiction 2011. Her second novel, The Scarlet Kimono, received the Best Historical Fiction prize for the Big Red Read 2011. Her novels Highland Storms and The Gilded Fan both won the Historical Novel of the Year award (Highland Storms in 2012 and The Gilded Fan in 2014), while The Silent Touch of Shadows (time slip) won the Festival of Romance award for Best Historical in 2013. Christina also writes contemporary YA and New England Rocks was shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year award in the YA category in 2014. Her hobbies include genealogy, archaeology (the armchair variety), listening to loud rock music and collecting things. She loves dogs, reading and chocolate.

Reviews

Set in 1754, "Highland Storms is the sequel to "Trade Winds." While not awash with historical detail, the plot of the story itself, along with descriptions of the people and surrounding countryside, are captivating. Add treachery and romance to the mix, and you find yourself with a well written, fast-paced, enjoyable read.

A fabulous setting - Scotland - coupled with some vivid characters that provide romance and heartache in equal measure. As with many of the books published by Choc Lit, this one is a real treat."

Author Courtenay s investment in Highland history pays off big time. Brice s reclaiming Rosyth as its laird, especially as he is a stranger and potential adversary to the clansmen, illuminates a dark and struggling period in Scottish history, as well as provides evidence for the emotions and reaction Brice s return elicits. Good historical romances allow readers to romp around and experience bygone days, allow you to sympathize and relate to the characters via past events and often gives a budding relationship that extra oomph of tension. Great historical fiction builds on all of those things while grounding each and every character s motivations in the long past events. For the record, Courtenay s Highland Storms is a great historical romance."

This sequel to "Trade Winds" is passionate and engaging, with some amazingly evocative descriptions of the rugged Highlands. A great winterread."

Like Diana Gabaldon, Courtenay brings the Highlands, following the Battle of Culloden, to life. Readers will almost smell the heather and feel Brice's emotional pain, and they will be swept up by the atmosphere and held captive by the quick pace and tense moments. Courtenay's gift for untangling threads, so that good will triumph, is what makes this a winner. 4 1/2 stars!

Shortlisted for Historical Romantic Novel by the Romantic Novelists' Association's Awards 2012