HERE, HOME, HOPE: AUTHOR INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

 GIVEAWAY ENDED
HERE, HOME, HOPE

BY KAIRA ROUDA

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly’s own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.

From page one, Kelly’s witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan—she places Post-it notes all over her house and car—will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.

Here, Home, Hope will surely appeal to readers of chick lit and other women’s fiction titles who are ready to transition into something new in their own life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kaira Rouda is a former newspaper columnist, reporter, contributing magazine editor, and freelance writer for numerous regional and national publications. The previous author of Real You Incorporated, Kaira created Real Living Real Estate, the first national women-focused brand in real estate and now the fastest growing international brand.

She is the recipient of Best Entrepreneur of 2008 from Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and Entrepreneur magazine placed Real Living on its “Top 50 Fastest-Growing, Women-Led Companies” list. During her twenty-year career in marketing, Kaira has received multiple ADDY, Webby, Telly, Communiator, Prism, WebAward, and W3 awards. She is one of Forbes’ top 30 women to follow on Twitter.

For more about Kaira Rouda visit www.kairarouda.com or follow Kaira on Twitter: www.twitter.com/KairaRouda   

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: 
1. Welcome, and thank you for agreeing to an interview for BOOKIN‘ WITH BINGO. Is there any personal information you would like to start out with today?
Thanks for inviting me here Karen!

My website is http://www.kairarouda.com/and I’m always online on Twitter -@KairaRouda – and Facebook – Kaira Rouda Books. I have four kids, a husband of 21 years and two great dogs. Life is very wonderful and I’m blessed.

2.  Where did you get the inspiration or idea for this book?
The inspiration for HERE, HOME, HOPE is my fascination with what lies just beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. My characters tend to be ordinary women who are pushed to the limit – who are restless for more. The story popped into my head during a trip to the dentist, and that is captured in the opening scene.

3. How did the title of your book come about?
Titles come first for me. I know that’s weird as many authors talk about their struggles with finding the perfect title. I love titles – I have the title in mind before the story is fully formed.

4. Do you see yourself in your characters? Which characters are easiest or more difficult to write?
I do see myself in my characters – I hope in all of them. To be able to write believable characters I have to find at least one component of each character that I can relate to, believe in. Even in my less than perfect characters, I try to find a redeeming characteristic. None of us are all good – or all bad. That’s life.

5. What books would you say have made the biggest impression on you, especially starting out? What are you currently reading?
I devoured all types of books  – from Nancy Drew to anything written by Susan Isaacs to my all time favorite, The Great Gatsby. Currently I’m reading The Murder’s Daughters, The Postmistress and Don’t Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training (Yes, we just got a new puppy!).

6. What is the next or current book/project you are working on?
My next novel is set in the same fictitious suburb of Grandville. Some of the characters from HERE, HOME, HOPE will make an appearance, but the star of the story is a different character. I like the setting – there are many stories to tell there.

7. What is something about you that you would want people to know about you that we probably don’t know?
I would want people to know that I’ve been dreaming of being a novelist since 4th grade. I’d want them to know that I didn’t give up – and they shouldn’t either, no matter what the dream is you only have this one life!

8. Do you own an eReader of any kind and how do you feel about their impact on books, as well as you as an author?
I own an iPad, a Kindle and I just tried out the Nook at a Barnes & Noble and loved it, too. This is ridiculous as it leads to excessive book purchases…and at the end of the day, what do I do? Curl up with my printed books! ...This has to be a favorite answer for me, Kaira, probably because I do the same thing!

9. What is your advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?
Write. Write. Write. And then, start over. Believe in yourself. It will happen. 

GIVEAWAY 
THANKS TO JESSICA AT BOOKSPARKS,
I HAVE ONE COPY OF HERE, HOME, HOPE
TO GIVE AWAY TO A LUCKY WINNER 
HERE IS MY REVIEW LINK
SO YOU CAN EARN BONUS ENTRIES! 

 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO 
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE INTERVIEW AND IF YOU COULD, WHAT QUESTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK KAIRA ROUDA, AUTHOR OF HERE, HOME, HOPE 

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE AND LEAVE ME YOUR LINK

+1 MORE ENTRY: "LIKE" KAIRA ROUDA BOOKS ON FACEBOOK HERE AND COMMENT THERE ABOUT ENTERING TO WIN HER BOOK HERE, HOME, HOPE ON BOOKIN' WITH BINGO

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANOTHER GIVEAWAY OF MINE YOU ARE CURRENTLY ENTERED IN. YOU CAN COMMENT ON EACH ONE YOU ENTERED BUT MUST DO IT SEPARATELY TO COUNT

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MAY 23!