The local author shares a glimpse into her recent and upcoming books and some of her favorite places in town.
By Sharon Stello
Laguna Beach author Kaira Rouda says she likes to write about grown-ups behaving badly. And she finds abundant inspiration all around. Once she has an idea, she runs with it.
“I write by the seat of my pants,” she says. “No outline, no idea where the story will go. I start with a character and, usually, a title. And the story builds from there.”
The prolific novelist released “The Second Mrs. Strom” in August and “What the Nanny Saw” is slated to come out Nov. 13, both published by British publisher Bookouture.
“[They] are stand-alone sequels to my first big breakout book, ‘Best Day Ever,’ ” Rouda says. “I’m so excited for people who have read ‘Best Day Ever’ to reconnect with Paul Strom again, and his new wife, Cecilia, on their romantic … trip to Paris. Even if you haven’t read the first book, you can jump right in.”
The telling tagline for “The Second Mrs. Strom” is: I don’t want a perfect marriage—I want revenge. “I love to write stories about what is beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives,” Rouda says.
Rouda and her husband, Harley, a former Congressman, live in Laguna’s Emerald Bay neighborhood. They moved to town 14 years ago from Malibu. While Rouda’s family goes back five generations in California, she moved around a lot as a child due to her father’s job as a professor at various universities. Meanwhile, her husband and his family have deep roots in Ohio, so they lived there for 20 years before making it out to California.
Rouda pursued several different careers before becoming a novelist. She and her husband started Real Living—a lifestyle real estate brand that recognized the significant role of women in making or influencing home purchases—which was franchised and expanded into 22 states. That led to her first book, “Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs,” later followed by her first novel.
Now, Rouda is on track to have four books come out in a little over a year. “Last September, ‘Beneath the Surface’ came out and was quickly optioned for a feature film, which is exciting,” Rouda says.
“ ‘Beneath the Surface’ introduces the ruthless Kingsley family of Newport Beach,” Rouda explains. “I like to describe it as ‘Succession’ meets ‘White Lotus.’ ‘Beneath the Surface’ takes place on a mega yacht trip to Catalina Island. Book two, ‘Under the Palms,’ published in May of this year, … features the same family—at least those who survived the yacht—on a weekend retreat to The Twin Palms, inspired by the Montage Laguna Beach.
“Both novels were so fun to write because it was like being on vacation in my mind. I had no idea that the next two books would be slated so soon after, but they are, and I can say I’ll likely not ever have four books in a year again. It’s been a bit exhausting, but fun.”
Laguna Beach Magazine: What do you like about living in Laguna Beach?
Kaira Rouda: What’s not to like, truly? After spending so many years in Ohio, I never take for granted the sparkling views, the ocean breeze, the soft sand beneath your feet. I love our town, and how special it is. I love everything about living in Laguna Beach.
Any favorite spots in town?
KR: I love Heisler Park … and then walking to the Laguna Art Museum and seeing the latest exhibit, and then heading into town. There are so many special places. … [Some are] Brussel’s Bistro for mussels, GG’s [Bistro] for the meze platter, 230 Forest [Avenue] for french fries—a publication day tradition—and Alessa [by Chef Pirozzi] for great Italian food.
What genres do you like to read?
KR: I read widely, but because I’m a domestic suspense/psychological fiction writer, I read a lot in that genre. I also founded and co-host a show called “Killer Author Club,” where we interview the top-selling suspense authors in the business, live, every other Tuesday. Check out killerauthorclub.com for more.
You also do a lot of volunteer work.
KR: It’s an old adage, but it is true: The more you give back, the more you grow as a person. I’ve never regretted spending time volunteering and wish I was doing more—always.
