Laguna Lights by Kaira Rouda Interview

Title: Laguna Lights
Author: Kaira Rouda
Publisher: Real You Publishing Group
Pages: 180
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Laura Kinkaid’s glamorous Hollywood life is falling apart. After years of reality television stardom beginning in high school on Laguna Nights, her career and relationship with her long-term boyfriend Scott are fizzling out. Laura decides to go home to Laguna Beach for the weekend to attend a baby shower for her high school friend. That decision – and a car accident – will lead her to a new future, if she’s ready to take a chance at love.

Paul Dorn’s former life in New York City is far behind him and he’s working in a popular Laguna Beach surf shop when fate brings the most beautiful woman he’s ever met into his life. The attraction is instant and he has an overwhelming desire to protect her. While Paul’s retail sales career is a short-term job for market research purposes, his focus on Laura is long-term.

Will Laura allow a handsome stranger to help her create a future unlike her past, or will the bright lights of Hollywood pull her back to LA?

For More Information

• Laguna Lights is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

Book Excerpt:

Laura Kinkaid stared across the table at Scott, her on-again-off-again lover, wondering why she had wasted a decade of her life with him.

     They’d met in high school, and Scott had been infatuated with her. He was the new kid on the reality TV show they’d appeared on together, Laguna Nights. Fame hadn’t changed him. Yet. And back then, he’d had a full head of thick brown hair.

     Today, he was a cocky, bald television star who was ignoring her. How things changed, she realized with a sigh. Maybe she was jealous, or maybe – she decided with a feeling that she realized could almost pass for hate— she was angry.

    She looked out the window to the lights of LA stretching out 35 stories below. If they hadn’t been seated at the most visible, most desired table at the hottest new restaurant in LA, she would have thrown something at him. She surveyed the table to see what she could throw. Her fork? Maybe. Her full glass of expensive red wine? No, that would be a waste of good wine. Maybe even one of the pieces of intricately designed sushi taunting her from the plate of appetizers on the table. This had to be it. The proverbial last straw, she told herself. She smiled at the image she conjured -  his bald head glistening with sushi debris, the smirk wiped off of his handsome face.

     Why am I so obsessed with someone who is so obsessed with himself?

About the Author

Kaira Rouda is a bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary women's fiction and sexy modern romance novels that sparkle with humor and heart. Her women's fiction titles include HERE, HOME, HOPE, ALL THE DIFFERENCE and IN THE MIRROR. Her bestselling short story is titled, A MOTHER'S DAY. Kaira's work has won the Indie Excellence Award, USA Book Awards, the Reader's Choice Awards and honorable mention in the Writer's Digest International Book Awards. Her books have been widely reviewed and featured in leading magazines.

Her sexy contemporary romance series set on INDIGO ISLAND includes: WEEKEND WITH THE TYCOON, Book 1; HER FORBIDDEN LOVE, Book 2; THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS, Book 3; and THE BILLIONAIRE'S BID, Book 4. Each of these novellas can be read as a stand alone, or enjoyed as a series. Her new series is set in LAGUNA BEACH and includes: LAGUNA NIGHTS, Book 1; LAGUNA HEIGHTS, Book 2; and LAGUNA LIGHTS, Book 3 coming winter 2015. She also helped launch Melissa Foster's The Remington's Kindle World with her bestselling novella, SPOTLIGHT ON LOVE, and is part of Carly Phillips Dare to Love Kindle World with THE CELEBRITY DARE.

Her nonfiction titles, REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, and REAL YOU FOR AUTHORS: 8 Essentials for Women Writers (available for free download on her website) continue to inspire. 

She lives in Southern California with her husband and four almost-grown kids, and is at work on her next novel.

For More Information

• Visit Kaira Rouda’s website.
• Connect with Kaira on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Kaira at Goodreads.
• More books by Kaira Rouda.
• Contact Kaira.

Interview:

Where are you from?

I currently live in Laguna Beach, California. I was born in Chicago, and have lived in Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin, Boston, Malibu and Columbus.

Tell us your latest news?

Lately, I’ve been writing, writing, writing. I’m having a blast writing the Laguna Beach contemporary romance series because inspiration is all around me in this beautiful, artistic town I’m so fortunate to call home. I also write women’s fiction and I’m excited to have a new title coming out next May, THE GOODBYE YEAR.

When and why did you begin writing?

My earliest memory of knowing my career would be in writing was in third grade and we had to pick a person who we would like to be when we grew up. I picked Robert McCloskey of MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS fame. My favorite author at the time – although he wrote me back and told me he actually was an illustrator and story came second. Ha!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

My first byline, for a city magazine in Dallas, Texas. That was the first time I was published outside the yearbook and school publications.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I’d always wanted to write a novel, but somehow life got in the way. After a career in marketing, followed by a career speaking across the country about my nonfiction book for women entrepreneurs, I found myself living in Malibu and jobless for the first time. I decided to put my passion into action, as I’d been advising women across the country to do. It’s the only way to make your dreams come true – by doing.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I am not an outliner, if that’s what you’re asking. Seat of the pants all the way!

How did you come up with the title?

I’m beginning to think the rhyming names of the books in this series may have been a bad idea! I keep mixing them up!! Laguna Nights, Laguna Heights, Laguna Lights! Ha. Next up, guess…. Laguna Sights. Seriously though Laguna Lights is a reference both to the lights that make Laguna Beach sparkle during the holiday season, and to the difference between the bright lights of Hollywood that had always drawn Laura to them, and the softer, natural light of Laguna Beach, her home.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

It’s never too late to start over and to believe in the power of love.

How much of the book is realistic?

I think it’s very realistic.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Nope. That’s the beauty of writing fiction, right? I will say the businesses that Paul and Laura start are inspired by my friends, the founders of COVA, and my friend Treva Noriega a beachwear designer.

What books have most influenced your life most?

There literally are too many to name. I love books. Right now, for instance, I’m reading 10^th December by George Saunders. Brilliant.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

In the world of romance, Jane Porter. She’s both a mentor and an inspiration.

What book are you reading now?

See answer above…I literally have a stack next to my bed and on my eReader, too.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

So many authors grab my attention. I know that sounds trite, but it’s true. Writers rule!

What are your current projects?

My WIP is a contemporary fiction work, with an unreliable first person male narrator. I’ve always wanted to try that, so I am. Next up is City of Love, for the Remington’s Kindle World and then I’ll be working on the Laguna Beach series and a new series I’m excited to talk about soon.

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?

My friends. They make the world a better, happier, loving place.

What would you like my readers to know?

That I’m so happy to be here. Oh, and that if you do read Laguna Lights, you’ll meet Tucker, Laura’s tiny dog and sidekick. He is based on my little dog of the same name and it makes me smile that readers are enjoying his part in the story. Oh, also, Laguna Nights has the holidays and a wedding – what could be more romantic? Thanks again for having me here!

xoKaira