Rachelle Ayala is a bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her foremost goal is to take readers on a shared emotional journey with her characters as they grow and become more true to themselves. Rachelle believes in the power of love to overcome obstacles and feels that everyone should find love as often as possible, especially if it’s within the pages of a book. Her book, Knowing Vera, won the 2015 Angie Ovation Award, and A Father for Christmas garnered a 2015 Readers’ Favorite Gold Award.

1. Which three people (famous or otherwise) would you most like to invite to a dinner party?

First, I would like Agatha Christie, because I love her mysteries and whenever she’s at a dinner party, something interesting happens. I’ll make sure not to have a locked room. Ha. Ha.

Second, I’d love to invite Lucille Ball. I’ve always loved Lucy ever since I was a little girl. I especially remember that episode where she worked at a cookie factory and tried to eat up all her mistakes. She would be real fun to have.

Last, I’d invite Sable Hunter, because instead of a dinner party, I’d have an outdoor barbecue, and I’m betting we’ll have a rootin’-tootin’ time with the cookout and the McCoys, Sauciers, SEALs, and Cajuns.

2. Who has inspired you in your life and why?

My mom and dad, because they always believed that I could do whatever I put my mind to. They also backed me up whenever I needed support, and they never talked down my hobbies or interests.

3. How would your best friend describe you? Creative, kind-hearted, and loyal. I’m also a pushover, so that’s been brought to my attention.

4. How do you handle criticism? It rolls off like water over a duck’s back. I had a lady email me saying one of my books was the worst ever. I felt sorry for her that she didn’t get my jokes or enjoy my story.

5. What three things do you need to be successful in this industry? 

Telling an honest story and being unafraid to be authentic

A sense of humor and ability to laugh at yourself and your characters. Don’t take things too seriously.

Social skills. Being friendly.

6. What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Is this a job interview? My strengths turn into weaknesses. I’m a good organizer, but I also tend to take on too much work and instead of delegating, I do it all myself. I also start too many projects and hardly ever turn down an invitation to do something fun.

7. What type of writing environment do you prefer? 

I can write anywhere. I have kids and whether I’m taking one to swimming, another to tennis or sitting under a tree waiting for their activities, or in the bleachers, I can pull out my laptop and write. Oh, you asked what I preferred? In my easy armchair with my feet propped up on an ottoman.

8. What was the first romance you read that stuck with you and why?

Finding Forever by Melisa Hamling. The yearning for love, despite not knowing who she is or where she is, or even if Ben is a figment of her imagination or a real man in a shadowy world entirely captivated me. Ben was everything caring and loving, a man of dreams, but even in paradise, evil lurks and there’s a mysterious force that might cost Morgan not only her heart, but her sanity. Mostly, it was the feels that got me, the way Morgan and Ben interacted gave me the chills.

9. Other than writing, what do you like doing in your spare time? 

Oh gosh. I’m not sure if I have any spare time. However, when I’m not writing, I like to take walks and talk to my friends. I used to play musical instruments, but now I love to read.

10. What is the title of the last book you wrote? Tell us how you relate to one of the characters.

My most recent book is Bad Boys for Hire: Ken, newly released on Friday, June 24.

Jilted bride, Jolie Becker, goes on her honeymoon without her groom, but unbeknownst to her, her best friend hires former surfer Ken Cassidy to be her honeymoon date. How do I relate to Jolie? She’s hemmed in by her allergies and wonders how anyone could put up with her and her OCD. I have allergies, but am not OCD. Instead, I should wonder whether anyone would put up with my messiness and disorganization, but I don’t. What we do have in common is the ability to recognize that you can’t find true love until you love and accept yourself.

I haven’t gotten around to posting the book anywhere other than Amazon. That’s because Book #1, Bad Boys for Hire: Ryker is in Kindle Unlimited.

Bad Boys for Hire: Ken http://smarturl.it/Ken_Az