Q. We're currently in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. What five things are helping to improve your quality of life at this difficult time?
My family have been essential in getting through the dark times of this pandemic. The joy my young children are still experiencing, despite the restricted life they are living, is inspirational.
We’re lucky enough to live close to several beaches. When things are getting a bit bleak, there’s nothing like a blustery walk along the coast to make me feel better.
We’re all in this together, so it’s been really important to keep in touch with my friends and wider family through Zoom and WhatsApp. Having said that, I’m not a huge fan of Zoom. It’s great to see people but I’m not so keen on seeing my own face whenever I speak. It’s made me realise I look like a potato!
Is it wrong to say that a lovely glass of wine at the end of the day has helped enormously? It’s especially delicious after a day of working and homeschooling!
Finally, I think it’s really helped to have my writing. I’ve had a goal and that’s made me focus on something outside of my home life. It also means, that while I can’t actually leave the house to travel anywhere other than work, I can go quite far and wide in my imagination.
Q. Do you have pets, if so, what?
As a family, we have two guinea pigs. They’re girls and are called Lotus and Bliss but they are my children’s rather than mine. I do find watching them graze in our garden relaxing, especially when they start popcorn jumping; it’s very cute.
Q. Who in the writing world is your greatest influence?
I’d say that almost every writer I’ve read has an influence on my writing. I read a lot and I think that everyone can learn something from a well-written novel.
The one author who has made the greatest impact on my writing career is probably Katie Fforde. I saw her give a talk about six years ago and she spoke about how she received rejections for eight years but she’d kept on going. I remembered that when I had my very first rejection (which was pretty soul destroying!) and I was able to pick myself up and keep going. She also suggested joining the Romantic Novelists Association, which I did three years ago. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The Association has helped my writing career in too many ways to count and I will always be grateful for the opportunities they have given me.
Q. Describe your perfect day.
It’s spring and I’m on a long walk with my family. Ideally, the walk will include a beach and some castle ruins. There will definitely be a cafe that sells delicious cakes involved. Later, we’ll come home and have a BBQ with lots of food and good wine.
Q. What project are you working on currently?
I’m working on a new four-book medieval historical series for Mills and Boon. The series begins in the year 1331. King Edward III has only recently taken control of the country from his mother, Isabella, and her lover, Mortimer. Intent on shoring up his control across his kingdom, he forms a band of loyal knights. These four, very different men, are elite warriors who swear an oath of loyalty to the king. They are as tight as brothers and dedicated to their common cause. Each story follows a different knight and the women they fall in love with.
The Warrior’s Innocent Captive by Ella Matthews
His family or love
As steward to the Earl of Borwyn, Erik Ward had only admired sheltered noblewoman Linota Leofric from afar – until he has to escort her on a dangerous journey. When she’s kidnapped, he rescues the courageous beauty, revelling in finally having her in his arms. But Erik has a secret plan to reunite his family – now he’s forced to choose between that and his growing feelings for Linota…
Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).
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