A Q&A WITH ELLA COOK
Please briefly introduce yourself:
Hi, I’m Ella Cook. An English writer of uplifting fiction. I love finding the little sparks of magic in everyday life and writing about them. Life isn’t always easy, but I like to believe there’s always hope — and that love can heal most wounds — so that’s what I write about. I wrote the Broclington series, and I have a standalone novel (Life After Me) that is due out at the end of this month. I also won the Floella Benjamin Award for Fiction from the Society of Women Writers and Journalists.
Describe your novel in 3 words.
Love, magic and self-discovery.
We know crystals are an important part of Midnight Rainbows Over the Little Village. Do they symbolise something deeper about your main character Imogen’s journey?
Crystals and gems have been viewed as a source of power and wonder for centuries across many cultures: we all know the image of the wizard with his crystal staff, or the symbolism of an unbreakable diamond engagement ring. So the crystals in Imogen’s story are very much tied to magic and tradition — and helping her find the strength to overcome her challenges.
They also become important to Kim, and help her understand who she really is, much like the image of the fortune teller’s crystal ball that helps them see the secrets of the universe.
Your series of books take place in a small town called Broclington. What makes it such a special setting for this romance?
Broclington is such a lovely place: it’s an old English village where community and friends become family and create something really special that verges on magical at times. It’s also a place of healing and second chances. The village has ancient ties and wishing wells dating back many centuries. Even the name comes from the old Celtic word for badger!
The residents in Broclington have experienced some amazing coincidences that seem almost magical in how everything works out right. And Summer and Sarah (two of the youngest characters) are convinced that the fairy tales are true. As Evelyn (from book 1, Summer’s Christmas) would put it: “I think if there is anywhere in the world that magic like that really does still exist, it’s probably here.”
What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from Kim and Imogen’s journey?
It’s funny that you should use the word hope in your question, because for me, this journey really is about that: hope and healing. This is particularly true because of Imogen’s (and mine!) health challenges. And I’m so thrilled our advance readers like that part of the story!
And, of course, with it being a Broclington book, I hope readers come away feeling uplifted, filled with hope and knowing that, sometimes, the best adventures are the ones we don’t plan.