I’ve had quite a strong request for this “getting to know me” piece — let me first say how grateful I am for every person reading this. Whether you’re an old reader, or a curious new one, thank you for allowing each of my words into your hearts and imaginations, and my adventures as a writer into your life. I can’t always promise my stories will hit the spots of enchantment in your wanderlust, but what I can promise you is this story will be a long-lasting, authentic, sensibly aspirational reflection of my life in England and our travels in Europe, whether for novel research or holiday. I will always go to the story — for my books, for this space, for you.

Storytelling is my duty, and cherishing your trust and readership along the way is my privilege. Thank you for allowing my words into your life, and thank you for inviting me to inspire the greater story: your own.

1. My name is Kortney Gruenwald (my surname means “green forest” in German). My maiden name was Tenaglia, Italian, and traceable to my family’s village in Abruzzo, Italy.
2. I was born in (and this always surprises new readers) Arizona, USA. I was raised by a wonderful family of strong Italian women.
3. I moved to Germany after university to be with my now-husband and we lived there for four years. We moved to NYC/Charleston for my husband’s job for a short while (wasn’t for us), and have permanently settled in England. Our ever after.
4. It took me forever to be comfortable in front of the camera, or even to believe I was beautiful enough for a picture. I was born with a severe jaw deformity which required an extensive surgery when I was seventeen, including 33 titanium screws, and a long childhood of being bullied. Now I’m comfortably vain at a moderate, comical level.
5. My greatest insecurity: writing (which is the unspoken DNA commonality among writers).
6. I have one brother, Colton, who is building the most precious family. He doesn’t know it, but I have learned so much from him on rooting life in simplicity. It’s where the wealth of happiness is. Thank you, Colton.
7. We live in London, near Kensington Gardens, where I walk with great joy every morning. I fall more in love with the city with every breath taken.
8. I’ve been in love twice. Only one man had courage, which is why it’s the quality I admire most in people, and write as the most defining in my characters.
9. My husband Daniel is German. We eloped in a courthouse when I was 21 years old, and he was 23 years old (so young). Each of us feel we’ve been married to three different people by now. Allowing character growth is so essential in every love story.
10. My husband and I wrote to each other for years before meeting in person. When we did, the rest was instantly history. We shared one of our first kisses at the Fontana di Trevi in Rome, after making wishes, which I can only speak for myself, have come true.
11. We haven’t had our wedding celebration yet (working on it, after nearly seven years of honeymooning).
12. I studied Journalism & International Relations in University. While studying, I had various journalism internships in NYC and London (there was so much London foreshadowing).
13. My first job post-graduation was an international food editor for a publishing house in Hamburg, Germany.
14. I quit corporate world to focus on building my own brand and readership for my own future books about three years ago. One of the best decisions of my life.
15. Style has always been my second language. There is power, intention and statement in what one wears and purchases. I would describe my style as: classic, romantic, and English, with echoes of my glamorous Italian grandmother.
16. Following my heart hasn’t always been the easiest decision, but has 100% always been the right one.
17. The narrative of this website is life as a writer as I live it in England, with a great focus on supporting British businesses and small businesses in the European destinations we treasure as a family. I’ll never artificially create a situation, experience or preference for the sake of writing about it. Treasuring your trust as a reader is my first duty.
18. I’m a passionate reader.
19. I’m a passionate royalist.
20. My greatest education as a writer is classic literature.
21. I’m currently working on a novel series which has taken years to put on paper, inspired by historical treasures, mysteries and connections surrounding WWII and royal families discovered during my travels. I’m determined to publish entirely in the United Kingdom, so do have patience as I create the publishing path and discover the right people (publishing a book takes a village, and I want that village to always be my village).
22. I’ve started a non-fiction side project surrounding Austrian lifestyle, which I’ll piece together over next two years.
23. I speak decent English (a lifetime education, my favourite education), German and spotty Italian.
24. We have two dogs — Lupo (husky) and Ami (dachshund)— you’ll see them around.
25. I am working to make philanthropy a greater part of my life. The older and more fortunate I grow, the more I want to create the same possibilities for others.
26. I am “the upmost romantic, old soul on this planet.” – according to my husband.
27. Europe is my place on earth. The fact that I have the freedom to have my morning cappuccino in London, take a train, and have breakfast in Paris is essential to my spirit.
28. Favourite foods: pasta, kaiserschmarren (Austrian delicacy) and Medovik, a Russian honey cake.
29. My favourite destinations to visit in Europe: Italy, Austria, France and Croatia. You’ll definitely experience the magic of these destinations as a reader over the years to come.
30. I take social media detoxes once or twice a year and immerse myself in traditonal ways of inspiration off the screen: magazines, books, old films, art, classic music. For old souls and creative souls, this is self-care.
31. Things that bring me joy: foremost, my family and any note from a reader that my words or stories have touched them in some way. Then, multilingual chatter in cafes, watching countryside roll by from a train window, asking people questions, winter, alpine villages, rose gardens, learning, listening, getting lost in a book on Sunday, wartime stories, smell of a wood-burning fire, a muddy walk, the sound of snowfall, black and white films, morning air, old bookshops, windows that open wide, my husband’s relentless enthusiasm, Christmas, BBC, a chunky cardigan, making memories with friends, rainy days in museums, laughing until it hurts, cinnamon-anything, falling asleep on road trips, how the birds sing on my street, antique gemstones, flirtation.
32. Skiing is my winter sport. Brace yourselves during winters, as the rest of my identity is shed temporarily for alpine existence (sorry!)
33. My female guiding icons: my late grandmother Concetta, my great zia Rita, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling, Queen Elizabeth, Crystal Patriarche (she gave me my first publishing internship and remained a light since) and my extraordinary female friends.