Christer Botéus, is a local Swedish author and gallery owner, who lives in Carvoeiro, Algarve, Portugal, for 8 months of the year and spends his summers in Sweden. He told me “I feel very at home in the Algarve, it is an inspirational place to write and I enjoy the solitude here.”

Originally Christer’s father bought land in Benagil, in the Algarve, back in the 70’s and Christer converted it into a successful guest house called “Vila Linda Mar”, which he ran for 15 years. Following “Vila Linda Mar”, Christer always felt connected to art and he decided to open Gallery Art Veritas in Onsala, Sweden. He has been running the Gallery most of his life, but in the last 10 years he has also been writing and has published four books.

He has written two beautiful travel and art books called “The Journey of the Senses; A journey through the senses” and “Nissan Engel – A Harmony of Colour & Music” which are illustrated with photographs by photographer, Petra Björstad as well as a spiritual book called “In Contact with the Inner World”.

Christer has most recently published his first fictional novel called “My time is now”, which is the first novel in the feel-good series about Gabriel’s mid-life transformation, set in a hotel in the Algarve.

The light-hearted novel includes romance, spirituality and sensuality. A short synopsis of the story is: “A few months before Gabriel turns forty, he decides to change direction in life. He is offered to help a small hotel in Portugal (near Albandeira and Praia da Marinha) with business development. Gabriel accepted that offer immediately. In the Hotel courses with a spiritual focus are held. Together with spirituality of Sara, who is the owner of the hotel, he finds new ways of relating to life. He adopts the puppy Leia and Gabriel finally begins to feel that he has found the right way of living. In the middle of the Portuguese idyll, devastating news comes from Sweden and Gabriel’s new mentality is put to the test. He goes back to his Swedish hometown Gothenburg and an encounter with the past turns out to be off great importance.”

Additionally, Christer hopes readers will recognise many locations in the novel, as it is based in the Algarve. Adding that it is a “love song for the Algarve” and a book “full of joy, which I hope will make people happy and will show readers that it is never too late to change your life.” Christer has used his knowledge from running “Vila Linda Mar” and his own spirituality as a basis for this novel. Christer has finished writing the sequel to “My time is now”, which is called “The sacred fire”, and he is currently working on his third novel. Asides from being a part time author, he is starting spiritual courses and workshops under the name “Lighthouse Portugal” at his home in Carvoeiro. The first one is planned for May, with three of the most famous mediums from Sweden.

“My time is now” has been published in Sweden and is available in lots of book shops there and as well as an audiobook version and Christer is in the process of getting the book translated to English and German. For the time being, you can purchase his book directly on his website www.studioboteus.com. You can also keep updated with when his debut comes out in English and German by checking out his Facebook page @studioboteus. For more information about Christer Botéus and his gallery please see www.gallerytartveritas.com.

Author

Following undertaking her university degree in English with American Literature in the UK, Cristina da Costa Brookes moved back to Portugal to pursue a career in Journalism, where she has worked at The Portugal News for 3 years. Cristina’s passion lies with Arts & Culture as well as sharing all important community-related news.

Cristina da Costa Brookes