Review by Marlene Engel
If you knew
your days were limited, how would you spend them? Would you spend more time with family and
friends? Go on the trip you always
dreamed of? Do something crazy and
unexpected like get your first tattoo? Or
would you go about your life as usual?
Jennifer
Benson has resigned to the fact that her cancer is going to prematurely end her
life. At 34, the thought of people
seeing her for the last time at her funeral isn’t the way she wants to be
remembered; so she’s planning a party to celebrate her life. But when her ex-boyfriend, Alex, comes to
town he makes it known that his feelings for Jennifer are still strong. With the disconnect she has been feeling with
her husband and dealing with a terminal illness, the attention that Alex gives
her is not only welcome, but something she starts to look forward to. But when Alex shows a different side of him,
one that Jennifer has never seen, she realizes the mistake she made getting
close to him again. She fears she may
have gone too far and potentially jeopardized her marriage.
In The Mirror is a powerful book about life, love
and forgiveness. The way the author
addressed such sensitive topics as illness and infidelity was done in such a
flawless way. This book will make you
laugh, cry, and reevaluate what’s truly important in life. I absolutely recommend this book and am
keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel!
Purchase the book at:
Amazon * Barnes&Noble * IndieBound
Interview by Marlene Engel
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been reading and writing for as long as I
can remember. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t surrounded by books and
words. Being an author is all I’ve ever wanted to do - but it took me until my
40s to actually go for it!
When did you know that you
wanted to become an author?
Like I said, I knew I wanted to be a writer,
specifically a novelist, but I took a circuitous route! I started my career as
a journalist, moved into magazine writing, went on to work at advertising
agencies and help rather “big” jobs at a couple companies in marketing. All of
that was great and I learned so much along the way. But when the opportunity
arose to start living the life I’d always imagined, I took the plunge with the
support of my friends and family. I wouldn’t have believed in myself if they
hadn’t.
In The
Mirror touches on the serious topics of Cancer and infidelity. What made you choose these topics to write
about?
My novels do tend to delve
into painful, tough topics,while also – I hope – making readers feel
enlightened and entertained. Here, Home,
Hope dealt with infidelity and eating disorders while being wrapped in an
empowerment message. All the Difference
also deals with darker issues: murder, deception. In the Mirror is the most emotionally charged of my novels to date
because of its subject – cancer striking a young mother in her prime. That to
me is the primary antagonist, that dreaded, omnipresent disease. The infidelity
question heightens the reflection in this novel. Infidelity always heightens
the stakes.
What can your readers
expect from you in the future?
My next novel, Lines in the Sand, will be published by
Tule Publishing in August! I’m so excited. Much like All the Difference, this
novel is a romantic suspense although the setting is unique and special. This
story takes place on a remote barrier island off the coast of South Carolina, a
place I’ve named Indigo Island. I hope you’ll enjoy it! If the pattern
continues, I’ll follow Lines in the Sand with a chick lit/women’s fiction
title! I’ve also enjoyed being part of some amazing writing groups, and even
collaborated on my first box set just in time for Mother’s Day: The Mother’s
Day Romance Bundle. It’s a great deal at just 99 cents for a bunch of amazing
stories!
Thanks again for having me
here – and I’m so glad you loved IN THE
MIRROR!!
I want to thank Kaira for taking the time out of her busy schedule
to chat with us. It was a pleasure! Please stop by Book Mama Blog anytime! She has graciously offered to give away a
print copy of In The Mirror to one
lucky U.S resident.
About the Author:
Kaira Rouda is a multiple
award-winning author of three novels including HERE, HOME, HOPE, ALL THE
DIFFERENCE and IN THE MIRROR. Her nonfiction title, REAL YOU INCORPORATED: 8
Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, continues to inspire women internationally.
She lives in Southern
California with her husband and four children and is at work on her next novel.
Connect with the author
at:
