This week fellow Choc Lit / Ruby Fiction author Ella Cook is joining me to reveal three little known facts about herself. Ella has just released Summer’s Christmas. Over to Ella …
One – I’m a big supporter of mental wellbeing
I was diagnosed with bipolar when I was a teenager. It was one hell of a diagnosis to be given – at a point in life when most people’s biggest concerns are getting to lectures on time and not looking too hungover! – and it could have been the end of my career long before I’d even started. But I got really lucky: My parents – and especially my Mum – were incredibly pragmatic: asking me how I wanted to handle things, and what I wanted to do about it. And for me, giving me back that control when everything could have spiralled, was incredibly powerful and motivating.
I did get the degree, and part of my job now includes helping develop and get funding for emotional health and wellbeing services for young people. It’s really nice for everything to come full circle.
Two – I’m really creative
As well as writing, I’m quite crafty and am learning to enjoy upcycling and DIY – which happens when you buy a 1950s house. With the help of the two men in my life (hubby and Daddy) we’ve turned an old, damaged dressing table into an impressionist-style writing desk, re-worked an old sofa to fit the conservatory when we moved house, and more recently a set of rainbow drawers for all those odds and ends that otherwise end up floating around the house.
Our most recent project has been in the garden, where we’ve turned an unloved corner of the garden into a reading nook. It needs a bit more time for mother nature to work her magic and for the plants to cover it further.
Three – My house is ruled by 4 oz of feathers
Their names are Sammy and Bluey.
Sammy is an 11-year-old Fischer’s lovebird who we have had since he was a few weeks old. Bluey is a 10-year-old English budgie who we inherited from my Nan. While they have their own cages and space, they get on really well and like to play, racing around the living room and using ‘their humans’ as climbing frames.
Bluey talks up a storm and likes to sit on the top of my screen, chasing the cursor and mouse back and forth as I write, while Sammy prefers to sit on my shoulder, or snuggle up with us. Or try and steal the letters from my keyboard!
They have playstands that often sit on my desk, or the sofa, or conservatory, or wherever else I’m writing that day.
About Ella Cook
Ella describes herself as a bid writer by day, and author by night. She’s been obsessed with books since before she could walk (apparently books in her crib were the only way her parents could ensure they got a decent night’s sleep).
Her newest novel Summer’s Christmas (Choc Lit, 31 Aug 2021) Is a unique and moving summer/Christmas romance which brings the magic of the festive season to a summer’s day – hoping to provide a Christmas miracle for a little girl.
You can contact Ella on
Twitter @Ellacookwrites
Or find out more about her on her website/blog: here
About Summer’s Christmas
This is what is says on the back of the book:
“Summer by name and summer by nature – that’s how people describe Evelyn’s happy, outgoing daughter. Even if her favourite time of year is actually Christmas!
But Summer has gone through more than any eight-year-old ever should, and that’s part of the reason Evelyn is leaving everything behind to return to her childhood home in the village of Broclington; just her, Summer and Summer’s best friend – a Shiba Inu dog called Tilly. Unsurprisingly, Evelyn is hesitant to let anyone else in, although local vet Jake Macpearson seems intent on winning her trust.
When Evelyn receives the news that every mother dreads, it’s Jake who comes to the rescue. With the help of the Broclington community, could he be the man to bring festive magic to August, and make all of Evelyn and Summer’s Christmases come at once?”
To buy the book you can use the following links:
Amazon or for other buying options Choc Lit
To read more reviews check out Goodreads
Thank you for visiting my blog Ella. I found your facts fascinating and I have owned many budgerigars over the years too. I hope you have great success with Summer’s Christmas. Mx
And don’t forget the Choc Lit / Ruby Fiction authors’ summer charity anthology Sunny Summer Treats which contains stories from both Ella and myself. Purchase link here
Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
International Bestseller Summer at Lucerne Lodge was published as an eBook on 20 April 2021 and now available as a paperback and audio download too – Amazon Check on my Choc Lit author page for other purchasing options here
International Bestseller Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe published as an eBook, audio and paperback – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Nook Books, Google Play and Choc Lit for other options.
Bestseller Sunny Days at the Beach is now available as an eBook, audio and paperback – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Nook Books, Google Play and at Choc Lit for other options.
Christmas at Borteen Bay is available as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.
The Truth Lies Buried is available from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks and also as a paperback and audiobook.
The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms –Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.
Morton S. Gray - Author 