Every week we feature a Q&A with one of our Crime Cymru authors so that they can tell us a little bit about themselves. This week, we get to know Cheryl Rees-Price better.

Give us a brief introduction to you.
Hello, my name is Cheryl Rees-Price. I am the author of the Winter Meadows series and standalone thriller Blue Hollow. In my safe quiet village in Wales, where nothing interesting happens, I like to make up stories of murder and mayhem. My surroundings of mountains, rivers, a castle, and old quarry inspire the locations in my books.

What’s your connection to Wales?
I was born in Cardiff and lived there until the age of 7 then moved with my parents to a small village on the edge of the black mountain. I returned to Cardiff to work but later moved back to raise my two girls. With Welsh parents, grandparents, and great grandparents I guess Wales is in my blood.

Do you have any tattoos?
Yes, I have a small colourful elephant on my left ankle. I always wanted a tattoo so three years ago, without telling my daughters, my sister and I got one each. I sent pictures to my daughters to get my own back for the times that they did the same to me.

If you were not an author, what would your chosen career be?
I trained as an accounting technician and still work full time in finance. Ideally I would like to be a full-time writer.

How would you describe your personality?
I’m a little shy but quirky which is reflected in colourful clothes I like to wear.

Are you a winter or summer person?
I’m definitely a winter person. I like wrapping up and walking in the crisp air, lighting candles, and snuggling under a blanket to watch a movie. I find the howling wind and lashing rain lulls me to sleep. Mostly it’s the time when I get most of my writing done. It’s an excuse to stay indoors.

What are you scared of?
Spiders and birds. I live in an old stone house and I always dread the end of summer when the spiders appear. They are enormous hairy beasts with fangs that creep up on you. I usually arm myself with hairspray, it works well to keep them in one spot until I can get someone to remove the offending beastie.

Do you read other novels while you are working?
While writing my first draft I tend not to read any crime novels as I don’t want to get distracted. I read YA or family saga’s during this time. Once I’ve finished with the first draft I return to crime, my preferred genre.

Where you good at English at school? Did you like it?
I didn’t like school at all and struggled through most subjects. I did get some good marks for creative writing and I wish now that I had been given some encouragement to write. It was only when I left school and started work that I worked hard to gain a better education. I went to evening classes and later university. It was much later in life that I started to write.

What is your favourite?
Holiday destination: Isle of Man.
Perfume: Channel no.5
Food: Chocolate or anything sweet.
Film: Parenthood.
Nightwear: Harry Potter pyjamas.

To find out more about Cheryl, visit her website 

To buy some of Cheryl’s books, visit her Amazon page. 

6th March 2020