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
An
impossible choice:
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…
Amazon UK Amazon US
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).
https://twitter.com/ellamattauthor
www.ellamatthews.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/ella.matthews.524381
