Ruth Kvarnström-Jones

British/Swedish Award-Winning Author

Born and raised in the UK, I've lived in Stockholm for the past forty years thanks to studying "Scandinavian Studies" at University College London in the early eighties. That's when I fell in love with this city and developed a nerdy interest in its rich history. My four books to date — fifth on its way — reflect this interest and my love of most things Swedish.

NB: None of my books are available in English. (Dare I say, yet?)

Represented by Linda Altrov Berg @NorstedtsAgency

Kindred Spirits at Nordiska Kompaniet

It is 1912 in Stockholm and war is rumbling on the horizon. But Joseph Sachs has made up his mind — he is going to build Northern Europe's grandest department store: Nordiska Kompaniet.

Märta's joy at the new department store turns to fear when war breaks out and her German fiancé Wilhelm must return home. How will he cope? How will she cope? Torun, Beda, Ottilia and Karolina do their best to comfort her, but Torun carries a secret and sadness of her own in the midst of all the misery war entails.

At the same time, new ties and friendships are being forged. NK's renowned French Couture Atelier is a hive of gifted, diligent seamstresses  — and insider gossip! Ellen Sachs ensures that the new, shy head cashier Maria is welcomed into the gang and they are soon joined by young Victoria Ekman who wants nothing more than to leave the quiet life in Rättvik for the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Set against the background of a breathtaking emporium in the heart of Stockholm, friendships among the women see them through the men’s war nobody wanted and into the swinging 1920s. Kindred Spirits at Nordiska Kompaniet spans fifteen years and is based on the fascinating history of Josef Sachs and his fabulous Nordiska Kompaniet at Hamngatan 18 where the customer is king and the King is a customer.

 

Grand Hôtel Sweden cover

2023

https://www.ruthkj.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/282235571_10224053436542543_7069460987586387543_n-1-220x360.jpg

2022

Front Cover Halleholm 2

2021

Bokomslag med hus, fika och kaffe. Danmark.

2020