Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Interview: Knowing Vera by Rachelle Ayala


Knowing Vera
Chance for Love Book Three
By Rachelle Ayala


BLURB:

Vera Custodio has never fallen in love, though she has strong feelings for her friend and sometimes lover, Zach Spencer. Long-forgotten memories resurface when Vera discovers Zach’s mother was the woman her father supposedly murdered many years ago.
After losing his leg, former triathlete Zach Spencer reevaluates his life—and realizes he’s falling in love with Vera. When she ends their relationship, Zach is determined to prove his love and follows her to Australia in search of the killer.
Caught between a web of family secrets and a deranged adversary, Vera and Zach must depend on each other for survival. Love blossoms, but the truth explodes everything Vera knows about herself. Will she close her heart forever or risk it all for a shot at happily-ever-after?
Knowing Vera is a suspenseful, cross-cultural romance mixing an unsolved murder, action and adventure, and hot, steamy love scenes.

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Interview with Rachelle Ayala


Is being an Author all you dreamed of, or did it just happen? The best and worst thing about it?
I’ve always had being a author in the back of my mind, but life got in the way with job, family, and kids. Now that my kids are grown, I’m able to pursue my dreams. It’s great being an author. Not only do I get to make up stories and create chaos for my characters, I’m also meeting a lot of interesting people online and in real life while doing research.
The best thing is the freedom I have to exercise my imagination. I love thinking of all the “what if’s” and bringing stories to life.
I can’t really think of anything negative, except maybe forgetting I have a pot on the stove and burning my dinner or running a red light because I’m thinking about my characters.

What made you create Knowing Vera?  How did it come to you?
Zach and Vera are already characters in an earlier novel, Hidden Under Her Heart. When Zach is injured and loses his leg, I knew there would be a story for him. Vera’s the perfect woman for Zach because she’s tough to love, has a convoluted family history, but is in a caring profession as a nurse. The story grew naturally when I explored Vera’s backstory and discovered her missing father was suspected of killing Zach’s mother many years ago.

Who is your literary hero?
I don’t know if I have one particular hero. When I was young, I read a lot of Stephen King. I was such an avid reader that I even read the long gigantic novel, The Stand. I next became enamored with cozy mysteries and read every Agatha Christie book published. I also read a lot of classics, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, and Jane Austen.

How much of your characters are based on your traits or someone you know personally?
Not much. My characters are an amalgamation of my life experiences combined with people I’ve known or read about. They are formed in my imagination as I try them in various story situations. Mostly they spring to life without much preplanning.

Describe your main character in six words.
Vera Custodio: Vibrant, gutsy, sexy, caring, sentimental, tough.

What scene was your favorite to write?
Definitely the deserted island scenes where Vera and Zach discover the layers of feelings they have for each other while fighting to survive.

What scene was the hardest for you to write?
When Vera believed the worst of herself and drove in the middle of the night to meet someone on the Golden Gate Bridge who said he knew what really happened.

What are you working on now?
Whole Latte Love - A lighter romance about an investment banking intern whose all-business outlook is shaken by a sexy barista who believes life is about having fun and making people happy. It is set in Berkeley and San Francisco and will provide contrast of the gold plated lifestyle of investment bankers versus the homeless living on the streets.

What's your favorite thing to do when you're not writing?
Researching and experiencing life so I can write about it. Ever since I became an avid writer, I’ve been taking field trips, talking to people, and stretching myself to do more activities I wouldn’t normally do.


“Thank you for having me on your blog. I do appreciate this opportunity to share with your readers and welcome any questions and comments.” -Rachelle



 Author Info:
Rachelle Ayala is the author of dramatic fiction crossing genres and boundaries featuring strong but flawed characters. She writes emotionally challenging stories and is not afraid of controversial topics. However, she is an optimist and laces her stories with romance and hope.
Rachelle is an active member of online critique group, Critique Circle, and a volunteer for the World Literary Cafe. She is a very happy woman and lives in California with her husband. She has three children and has taught violin and made mountain dulcimers.
Visit her at: Website: http://rachelleayala.me Blog: http://www.rachelleayala.com or follow @AyalaRachelle on Twitter. Subscribe to mailing list for upcoming books and giveaways. http://eepurl.com/lR5kv

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6 comments:

  1. This book sounds intriguing looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

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    1. Thanks Anna for stopping by. I had fun writing Vera's story.

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  2. Briana, thanks so much for the interview! Anna, thanks for your kind comments. I truly enjoyed writing this book. I do miss Vera and Zach now that I'm working on something else.

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  3. I've already read, and loved, Knowing Vera. Can't wait for Rachelle's next book!!

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    1. Thank you Chantel. It'll be different, for sure. :)

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