[Blog Tour] Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda - Q&A

Today we have Kaira Rouda, author of Best Day Ever, here answering some questions about herself and her new book!

About the Book:

In BEST DAY EVER, Paul Strom has the perfect life: a glittering career as an advertising executive, a beautiful wife, two healthy boys and a big house in a wealthy suburb. And he’s the perfect husband: breadwinner, protector, provider. That’s why he’s planned a romantic weekend for his wife, Mia, at their lake house, just the two of them. And he’s promised today will be the best day ever.

But as Paul and Mia drive out of the city and toward the countryside, a spark of tension begins to burn between them and doubts start to arise. How perfect is their marriage, or any marriage, really? How much do they trust each other? Is Paul the person he seems to be? And what are his real plans for their weekend at the cottage?

1. Hi Kaira! Thank you for having us today. Why don't you start off with something about yourself?

Hi! Thank you for having me. Let’s see. Something about myself. I’m an author. Oh, you probably want something different. My life is crazy busy these days, which is interesting because my youngest just moved out to begin his career. But with BEST DAY EVER now out and my husband running for congress, I feel like we’re as busy as when the four kids were small. I’m not complaining, though. It’s wonderful.

2. What was your inspiration for Best Day Ever?

The character, Paul, was inspired by a series of bad bosses. I think. He popped into my subconscious one day just demanding his story be told. So I did.

3. Did you have to do a lot of research for this? What were some of your favorite research topics?

I didn’t do much research for this novel. I’ve been a reporter for a long time and have worked closely with charities serving victims of domestic violence. And I’ve known my fair share of narcissists (see bad boss answer above). I did visit a couple chat rooms dedicated to helping survivors who had escaped their narcissists, and it was chilling to encounter the narcissists themselves posting in defense of their type.

4. You have written many books in the past - was the writing process behind this one different? How? 

In many ways it was the same as my other novels. The primary difference was that he came along unexpectedly. I was working on the first book in a women’s fiction series, awaiting input from my agent, when Paul popped into my head. I dropped everything to write his story. And I’m glad I did!

5. So now that Best Day Ever has been released, what's next for you? :)

Another book! This is the career I love and it’s a dream to be doing it. I hope I get to keep writing novels for a very long time. I’m loving being a part of the crime fiction/thriller, psychological suspense community of authors. I’d like to stay a while.

About the Author:

Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, Here, Home, Hope, was the Winner of the Indie Excellence Book Award in Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Winner of the USA Book Awards in the Women’s Fiction category and received Honorable Mention in Mainstream/Literary Fiction for the Writer’s Digest Book Awards. Her novel, The Goodbye Year, which was released in May 2016, was Redbook Magazine’s “20 Best Books You Absolutely Must Read This Spring.”  Kaira’s latest novel, Best Day Ever, is one of the major launch titles for Harlequin’s new imprint Graydon House, and will be available on September 19, 2017.

Kaira is also the author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs and the creator of Real Living, one of the nation’s most successful real estate brands and the first national women-focused brand in real estate. She has given speeches to both women and men’s entrepreneurial conferences and programs across the country on the power of women as consumers and in the world. Kaira was named Best Entrepreneur from the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and was also recognized in Entrepreneur magazine’s inaugural Top 50 fastest-growing, women-led companies list.

In addition to her many entrepreneurial and literary accomplishments, Kaira is very active in both her native Ohio community and in her community in Southern California, where she now resides. Her philanthropic pursuits began when she founded Central Ohio’s first homeless shelter for families when she was twenty-five years old, and Kaira has since received numerous awards for her civic service.

Kaira’s family includes her husband of 28 years, her four kids, and her two spoiled dogs. She lives in Southern California and is at work on her next novel. After living in Columbus, Ohio, for most of her life, she now enjoys the beach whenever possible.