Kaira Rouda | Kaira Rouda

1 09, 2012

Real You: Transitions

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:05:14+00:00September 1, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Transitions

Labor Day weekend is such a bitter-sweet time, at least for me. I find myself lamenting the upcoming structures of fall and winter. With the kids' school and sports and activities schedule back in full swing in less than a week, those sweet sleep-in days of summer will be just a memory.But, with every seasonal transition comes that time for growth and renewal. It's also a great time for me to recommit to projects I've pushed aside and to reconnect with friends. It's also - ironically - when my book tour begins for my latest novel, ALL THE DIFFERENCE. And that is exciting! I'll post the tour soon, but here I come Columbus (September 20th), Cincinnati (September 21st) and Laguna Beach (September 30th). Transitions are tough sometimes. Make sure you have things to look forward to - like a book tour, or a new project. [...]

1 08, 2012

Real You: The power of outside approval

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:05:19+00:00August 1, 2012|authenticity, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The power of outside approval

It's funny. Whenever I talk to groups about empowerment or personal branding, writing or publishing, I focus on the basic fact that belief in yourself is the key ingredient of success. The ability to know your REAL YOU, to define it - and what you're conveying to others - authentically - is crucial whether you are selling yourself, widgets, books or teaching your kids an important life lesson. Too often we find ourselves caught up in what other's think - waiting for a five-star review, a pat on the back, a promotion. But really, that waiting and hoping for outside approval moves us far away from our purpose and dangerously close to the snark infested waters I write about in Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. Relying on outside approval turns your power over to others - and often, unfortunately, those others are snarks who's jealousy or [...]

10 07, 2012

Real You: Passages

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:05:27+00:00July 10, 2012|family members, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Passages

My father-in-law, Harley E. Rouda Sr., died last Thursday. He lived a great life, accomplished so much, raised four kids, started a business that still survives today and, he loved to laugh. What's more, he was a trailblazer who welcomed women into management positions in the real estate industry long before most others. My husband and his dad were incredibly close - a type of bond you hope for between a father and son, a kid and a parent. But you know what else? He also was incredibly close to my children. He was a great grandfather to our four kids. Present, loving, giving, teasing, laughing. He was there and they knew it. Unfortunately, my children were too young to remember their great grandparents before they died. So this, their beloved grandpa was the first person they loved who passed away. First funeral. First memorial service. [...]

1 06, 2012

Real You: Great summer reads!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:05:39+00:00June 1, 2012|authors, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Great summer reads!

I just love it when authors work together to support each other and that's the case with a new Facebook women's fiction writers group I'm involved with! The women are all amazing - and amazing story tellers. So, if you're looking for a great read this summer, consider one of these! You won't be disappointed! Available NOW: Lisa Wingate's BLUE MOON BAY Kaira Rouda's ALL THE DIFFERENCE (yes, that's by me) Heather Barbieri's THE COTTAGE AT GLASS BEACH Camille Noe Pagán's THE ART OF FORGETTING (paperback) Coming Soon! Claire Cook's WALLFLOWER IN BLOOM Mia March's THE MERYL STREEP MOVIE CLUB Amy Hatvany's THE LANGUAGE OF SISTERS (w/sneak peek of HEART LIKE MINE) Margaret Dilloway's THE CARE AND HANDLING OF ROSES WITH THORNS Laurie Frankel GOODBYE FOR NOW Sarah McCoy's THE BAKER'S DAUGHTER (paperback) Marisa de los Santos's FALLING TOGETHER (paperback) You really cannot go wrong [...]

11 05, 2012

Real You: My mom

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:02+00:00May 11, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: My mom

It's not like the only time I think of my mom is on Mother's Day. I'm lucky, I think, because we talk at least every other day on the telephone. I hope you have a great relationship with your mom. It's a blessing, I know, because I also know so many people who don't, or can't. If you want to know more about my mom, here's how I would describe her: My mom has a smile that lights up a room. She is able, with a single grin, to make babies stop crying (it’s true), disarm a grumpy teenager, comfort a friend who is feeling down and – this isn’t proven – but I think her smile is what fuels her green thumb. You should see her garden. Growing up, I watched her smile in action and reflected in its comfort and glow. Today, because of my mom, I [...]

9 05, 2012

RealYou: A Mother’s Day Gift for You

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:16+00:00May 9, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off on RealYou: A Mother’s Day Gift for You

To celebrate Mother's Day - and our mutual love of books and reading - I am giving away 10 copies of my first short story, A MOTHER'S DAY. To enter, all you need to do is email me - Kaira - at - KairaRouda.com - and let me know you're interested. The contest is open until Monday, May 14! Good luck! And, as a bonus, ALL THE DIFFERENCE - eBook version - price is now $2.99 in celebration of moms, summer and all things wonderful and bright. (But remember, this book is sexy, suburban, suspense - so not as bright as HERE, HOME, HOPE!) Good luck to all! And if you're a mother, please have a wonderful Mother's Day!

7 05, 2012

Real You: Author Bonnie Trachtenberg’s inspiration for her new novel

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:23+00:00May 7, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Author Bonnie Trachtenberg’s inspiration for her new novel

I'm pleased to welcome Bonnie back for her second appearance on my blog. Here, she shares the heart-wrenching and heartwarming tale behind her new novel, Neurotically Yours! When you’ve been battling your way through the dating scene for almost two decades, it’s comforting to know that your many hellish experiences weren’t in vain. In fact, as a writer, they rarely are. I think I subconsciously knew that with each disappointment, each humiliation, I was building a valuable reservoir of material, or depending on how you see it, a goldmine of garbage! With some distance, I sensed that those ill-fated experiences could be converted—not just into great copy, but into humorous entertainment. Although I began writing my second novel, Neurotically Yours, only two years ago, these indelible events had long been burned into my memory like branding on a cow. Despite the fact that six years [...]

2 05, 2012

Real You: The treasures that matter in the vaults of life

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:25+00:00May 2, 2012|aha|Comments Off on Real You: The treasures that matter in the vaults of life

The truth is, I'm not having a great time with this move. We were relocated due to my husband's job - suddenly - over Thanksgiving and picked a place to live quickly, and for a short-term lease. Now, it's up and we're off. Two things. It's hard to move - for a short-term - a family of six with two dogs and piles of stuff. It's even harder to move - again - five months later. Second, I've found I'm practicing for empty nesting. I am letting go. I am a natural pack rat, and when the vaults - yes they call them vaults - of stuff we had in storage from two moves ago pulled up on a semi-truck in front of the new house, I wanted to tell them the driver he had the wrong address. Clearly, I didn't need the vault contents [...]

16 04, 2012

Real You: The 7-7-7 Challenge! How fun!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:39+00:00April 16, 2012|author interview, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The 7-7-7 Challenge! How fun!

I was tagged by the delightful author Cathleen Holst to participate in the 7-7-7 Challenge which gives readers a sneak peek at some of their favorite authors' latest works! Here are the rules: 1. Go to page 77 of your work-in-progress or latest book. 2. Count down 7 lines. 3. Copy 7 sentences that follow and post them. 4. Tag 7 other authors Here are the seven lines from page 77 of ALL THE DIFFERENCE: "Lyle, Janet called." "Cool. Is she OK?" "She's fine." "So great. I'm sort of in the middle of something, um, do you want me to call you back later or -" Maddie hung up on him, imagining him turning his attention back to whatever was more important than her. "Lyle has the depth of a rock. A flat skipping rock," Maddie said to Ellen, who answered Francis's line. "Forget about [...]

9 04, 2012

Real You: Authors in Bloom Blog Hop – your clue is here!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:47+00:00April 9, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Authors in Bloom Blog Hop – your clue is here!

I am so excited to be a part of the Authors in Bloom event - and I hope you will find it fun, too. My part of the Authors in Bloom giveaway is a digital copy of both my new novel, ALL THE DIFFERENCE, and my short story, A MOTHER'S DAY. I'd love for you to win those prizes, and of course, to win the grand prize of the blog hop! As part of this blog hop, you could win a Kindle or a Nook. That's awesome, but what's even better... if you hop on over to all of the participating bloggers, you will find fun tips and recipes. Here's mine: Vegetable Flower Snack Cucumber Cherry Tomatoes Red apple or Kiwi Celery Carrots Leaf Lettuce Dip (yougurt, ranch, peanut butter) What to do: Cut the cucumbers in slices and make a circle, filling the inside. [...]

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