here home hope | Kaira Rouda

21 03, 2013

Real You: A moving experience

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-06T23:51:02+00:00March 21, 2013|aha, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: A moving experience

We all have certain talents - and certain, shall we say, challenges. Well, I'll readily admit one of my biggest deficits is organization - or lack thereof! So, the fact we've moved as a family four times since the fall of 2009 is remarkable. Remarkable that we've stuck together and remarkable that I can find anything, anywhere. And, why am I writing about this you ask? We're moving AGAIN! So with the impending, looming process I thought I'd take a moment to share the top five things I've learned during my last four years of a very moving experience: Lesson 1: You cannot control anything. You can plan, make checklists, plan some more - but when the big day comes, it arrives with all the mistakes, broken dishes and chipped treasures that are part of being human. Lesson 2: Moving is a great time for reflection. I [...]

21 12, 2012

99 authors, 99 books, 99 cents! Plus, a $500 prize! Today only!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-06T23:51:31+00:00December 21, 2012|giveaway|Comments Off on 99 authors, 99 books, 99 cents! Plus, a $500 prize! Today only!

These prices are available on Amazon only. I'm so happy ALL THE DIFFERENCE is included in this fun selection of books. Happy shopping and don't miss your chance to win some of the $990 worth of prizes! For a listing of books offered and to enter to win, click here!!

11 12, 2012

Naughty or Nice Holiday Giveaway! Winner Announced!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-06T23:51:42+00:00December 11, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Naughty or Nice Holiday Giveaway! Winner Announced!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And to celebrate, we've asked two of our favorite leading ladies - Kelly from HERE, HOME, HOPE - and Ellen from ALL THE DIFFERENCE - to select prizes they'd love to receive. Ellen, representing the devious women of Grandville, selected some Naughty gifts - Arsenic perfume, a Black Swan Ornament, a Journal to write about her secret lives, a Swarm of Bees candle and more. Kelly, representing the happier women of Grandville, selected an assortment of Nice presents for you including Rosewater perfume, a handblown White swan ornament, a journal to record your good deeds, a pure white soy candle and more. To enter, leave a comment or enter via Rafflecopter here or on my Facebook Author Page! UPDATE: WINNER ANNOUNCED! Emerald Barnes is the winner of the Naughty & Nice Giveaway! Thank you to all of you who entered! More exciting giveaways and events are coming - as [...]

21 11, 2012

Real You: So much to be thankful for, especially you!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:04:53+00:00November 21, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: So much to be thankful for, especially you!

It's that time of year, when we all reflect on our blessings. As an author, finally putting my passion into action and having the career of my dreams, I am sure of one thing - your support makes all the difference. With each book or short story, I've been thrilled by the response from long-time friends, and new friends alike. I'm so grateful my novels have resonated with you, and that you are looking forward to the next. Who could ask for anything more? But there is more. Always. My family. A week ago, my daughter's college house burned down. She lived there with 8 other girls, and thankfully, none of them were home when the fire started. It moved quickly and the damage was enormous. She lost everything - possessions, clothes, computer, photos - but she is safe. And really, that's what matters as [...]

17 03, 2012

Real You: Are you pinning yet?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:06:49+00:00March 17, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Are you pinning yet?

I have to admit - I'm hooked on Pinterest. I bet, if you try it, you will be, too. It's such a fun way to visualize your dreams, share quotes, favorite things, and still connect. What Pinterest offers is a a lot of smiles, and a huge opportunity to spend/waste more time online, if you look at it that way.What it also offers is a business opportunity. For your personal brand. For your product or service, whether it's books or cupcakes, consulting or jewelry. For each of my books, I've pinned story clues, character profiles, and more. For my upcoming release, ALL THE DIFFERENCE, I've had fun pinning Ellen's good luck sea beans and Francis' favorite product, Squeaky Clean Soap. The possibilities are endless, and I smile as I bring my characters to life visually. Think about it and then, if you haven't, start exploring [...]

29 10, 2011

Real You: Authors, writing and the power of community!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:08:11+00:00October 29, 2011|authors, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Authors, writing and the power of community!

The writing life can be very lonely. Especially for a first-time novelist who is naviagating a new industry of bookstores, bloggers, online sites, events all the while trying to pursue a dream. The dream? Quite simply: having a book in the hands (or on the screen) of a reader who it's perfect for. The reader who will love the story, be swept up by it, smile/laugh/cry/cheer. That's the ultimate goal and the biggest thrill. There are a lot of steps between my words and those hands. Along the way, I've met an astounding number of supportive authors. From the women who grace the cover of HERE, HOME, HOPE, to the many writers I've been blessed to have blog about the book and me, to the other writers who are friends in social media. It truly has been the unforseen blessing of the entire process. And [...]

6 10, 2011

Real You: Lessons learned from a really bad cold

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:08:30+00:00October 6, 2011|aha, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Lessons learned from a really bad cold

1. Instead of being in denial, go to doctor right away.2. Juice bar "get well" shot with cayenne pepper and the like hurts going down, so must be doing good? 3. When cough medicine bottle says 2 tsp - that is teaspoons not tablespoons. Oops. 4. Whatever you are writing after 2 tbsp of cough medicine seems better than it really is once medicine-fog clears. 5. It's great to have understanding dogs. They are bored, in need of a walk, but yet, still stick by me. 6. Remember, good health is a blessing. Repeat daily. 7. People do not want to talk on the telephone to someone who cannot speak without coughing. Those of us who cannot speak without coughing should stay off the telephone. 8. I would rather be sick when it's raining. 9. Thank goodness for antibiotics. 10. When a cold forces you [...]

21 09, 2011

Real You: Time to shine your own light?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:08:38+00:00September 21, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Time to shine your own light?

Sometimes, in the flurry of life, and especially in the business of books (yes, it is mostly a business, I'm afraid), the light, the vision, the creative spirit can be dimmed. Certainly, even extinguished for those bleak periods of time most commonly called "writer's block". For me - and a lot of folks I know - this writing life, full of rejections, and almosts, can be dimming. Trust me, I know of many other businesses where folks are having the light squeezed out of them, too. So what to do? Giving up is not a choice, certainly not when your livelihood and your dreams are dependent upon success. It's time to shine your own light, whatever that means for you. Grab a cup of coffee with a friend who is one step ahead of you and find inspiration. Pick up the telephone and ask for [...]

6 09, 2011

Real You: Getting started, staying motivated

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:08:46+00:00September 6, 2011|attitude|Comments Off on Real You: Getting started, staying motivated

So here I sit. My debut novel Here, Home, Hope has been in the world for four months. It's been going great - but in the marketing and book tour push I've been single-mindedly focused on, I've been neglecting my passion. Writing. So I need to get started. Get back to it. Sure, since the publication of Real You Incorporated, I spend a lot of my time motivating others to pursue their passion and get going. I love working with entrepreneurs and I truly believe we need to be the country where everybody is starting something. That's the magic of our history. Anything is possible if you are a doer. You can never dream too big or set your sights too high. Not here. Not now. The hardest person to get to hear that advice? You guessed it - me. So, today I'm [...]

7 08, 2011

Real You: Expecting the unexpected

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:09:01+00:00August 7, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Expecting the unexpected

One of the lessons I've learned during the three-plus months I've spent promoting HERE, HOME, HOPE is that you can never predict book events. Sometimes there is a great crowd, other times, it's crickets. Just me, a stack of my books and my trusty signing pen. Those events tend to feel the longest, but looking back, I may have made the best connections. I know I had the most laughs. And ultimately, I hope I've made friends for life. The smaller the crowd, the deeper the potential for connection. Yes, this is the bright side speaking but it's true. As I wrote in Real You Incorporated, you always learn more from the hurdles, once you jump them. In Louisville, at the Anchorage Barnes & Noble, my signing was at 5:30 p.m. When I arrived, posters adorned the doors and walls promoting an event that night, but not mine. [...]