Joanna Courtney has wanted to be a writer ever since she could read. After spending endless hours entertaining her siblings with made-up stories, it was no surprise when Joanna pursued her passion for books during her time at Cambridge University - where she combined her love of English and History by specialising in Medieval Literature. Joanna continued to write through her first years of work and then, married and living in Derbyshire, in the sparse hours available between raising four children. She teaches creative writing across the country and for the Open University. Joanna is fascinated by defining moments in history, of which the Battle of Hastings is certainly one. The outcome of that momentous day is one of the big 'what-ifs?' of England's past and she has loved being able to immerse herself in the world of the Anglo-Saxons, Normans and Vikings whilst writing The Queens of the Conquest trilogy.