Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in A Sunrise in Rio?

Sure! Jayla Mitchelson is an optimistic, driven, eager photographer who gets the chance of a lifetime to do a job in Rio, thanks to her mentor, Donna. That puts her in contact with Eric Jansen, a wealthy businessman looking to build some developments in Brazil, but he needs to impress the investors. Eric has some secrets that keep him closed off and a bit stoic, but Jayla naturally loosens him up a little! Honestly, one of the fave things I loved writing was their banter and their moments where they tease each other and just have fun. In some scenes, Jayla shares her love for photography, and Eric really sees how much of her passion shines through her work and admires her for it. I’m hoping their quiet scenes together really make the journey of their relationship fun to follow.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?

I usually get inspired by movies I see, and I saw one that was popular when I was younger that definitely wasn’t wholesome, but it was shot so beautifully with an amazing soundtrack. It had scenes of Brazil that really made the location stay in my head, and I wanted to write my own story with a female lead who looked more like me, who gets whisked away by her mentor and falls for the stoic businessman. The story came alive from there. An early iteration had open-door love scenes, but I felt like the story worked better when the sensuality was more understated yet apparent in the characters’ everyday interactions rather than for love scenes. This version is for the clean and wholesome fans but definitely leans into the chemistry, tension, and yearning between Jayla and Eric.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Besides the character interactions, I loved the research. I knew a little bit about Brazil and Rio itself going in, but I wanted to make sure I brought it to life the best way I could next to visiting, which sadly wasn’t possible at the time I wrote this. I watched a ton of videos, studied some of the cuisine, the city, and culture, and it was like taking a mini vacation in my head. I hope it’s the same for readers. :-)

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

Copacabana Sunrise for sure. I think it would have notes of white sandy beaches, cool ocean waves, and tropical sunsets. Maybe with a little Bergamot undertone.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins of the story?

I think I start out having the reins because I have an idea for what I’d like to write. But eventually, the characters take over and lead the story in some cool ways I didn’t expect. Mostly, they’re little character scenes that add to their journey based on their personalities and past. I love it when that happens.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

The main characters, for sure. My ideas usually pop up with that great ‘what if’ revolving around characters in certain situations. When I was a kid writing, I was always inspired by the movies I saw, and I’d wonder about different types of characters in different situations. From there, the story takes off because of the characters’ personalities, professions, and life experiences that would form the story for me. A lot of my stuff is character-driven, so it makes it easier for the story to follow after.

What makes a good story?

For me, it’s a story that keeps me guessing and keeps pulling me along through the characters’ journey. No matter the genre, if I’m into what the characters are going through, if they have an arc I want to see them fulfill or an obstacle to get over, and they are engaging, endearing characters, I’m rooting to see them get their goal by the end!

Have you written any other books that are not published?

Oh, a whole bunch! I have a series planned for later this year with a surfing theme called the Summer Hearts series. The first book, Summer Hearts Ashore, is done, but it’s in late first draft/early refining draft mode. I’m hoping to get it done for a summer release. I also have a small town fall series planned that may or may not have a release this year. Also. two sequels to my other fall book, One Fall Day (Two Winter Hearts & Three Spring Weddings) is in my head but not written yet. Last November, for novel writing month, I finished an amnesia-themed romance with a football hero called Snow-Kissed Memories that I really loved writing. It’s been in my head for many years since I saw one of my now-fave Hallmark movies, and it was a kinda inspired by it. So, to finally get it on the page after so long was a long time coming! I’m hoping to release it this November/December.

Now, whether or not I can get them out when I plan to is another question! I have tons of ideas and edits, and it’s a matter of juggling it all before time gets away from me. Each day is a challenge! Especially with all the other books in various genres that pop up like little plot bunnies begging to be written. :-D

What can we expect from you in the future?

Lots, for sure! Across my pen names, I have a ton of ideas and books in various stages! Usually, I draft them to get them out of my head, then let them sit before I really refine and edit them. A lot are in the post-draft phase, where they need my reread to make sure they are the stories I want to tell. Writing them down into drafts is the easier part (still tough and a process in itself), but taking them through the publishing process takes a lot more time and effort for an indie. I try not to rush the process because I want every book to be its best when it gets in the hands of readers.

For my Rachel Matthews books, I write mainly clean contemporary romances that have a light and breezy sweet tone to them. With my other pen names, I write in a variety of genres like fantasy, paranormal romances, sci-fi, and soon-to-be romantic suspense thrillers. I wish I could share some of the cool ideas I have swimming around, but I hope readers will get to read them firsthand in the near future.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!

Empathetic. Introverted. Dreamer. Listener. Observer.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I wrote my first story at ten, but I don’t think I ever considered myself a writer even then. It was just something I did. I got ideas, and I wrote them down and explored them because it felt like second nature. I even wrote stories in middle school and high school, but it wasn’t until my high school English teacher complimented me on my storytelling and said I should pursue it as a career that I truly thought of myself as a writer. I went on to do different kinds of jobs like being a small-time journalist, an animator, a movie critic, even. Writing has always stuck with me.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

Believe it or not, I’m a TV movie addict! I love the old school thrillers and romantic dramas. I grew up watching Lifetime and Hallmark. The 90s Lifetime movies with Meredith Baxter, Patty Duke, Kellie Martin, and other dramatic actresses are the best, with some of the juicy acting I miss in movies today. Plus, they took time to really establish the characters and their situations before amping it up later. I’m talking movies like ‘Betrayed: A Story of Three Women’, ‘A Killer Among Friends’, ‘Mother, May I Sleep With Danger’, ‘Death of a Cheerleader’, and so many others that really bring the emotions with the drama and what the characters go through. A lot of these have been popping up on YouTube’s catalog, so I’ve been having the time of my life with my weekend watches.

Most of the newer movies jump right into it, and I feel like they move too fast to let the characters and story breathe.

Anyway, couple a good movie with some crochet projects, and I’m having a good time. I usually spend my weekends like this since the weekdays are a bit of a grind.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Oh gosh, I love all three! I’m nostalgic for pen because I loved writing my first drafts in pen and then writing and refining them via computer. I also used to write my early stories on a typewriter when I was just a young writer back in the day. Hmm, if I had to choose nowadays how I mainly write, computer. But I do love making my notes via pen. I’m a note fiend. If I don’t write it down, my brain deletes it like it never existed!