Laguna Nights - Review & 12 Things About Kaira

Review by Marlene Engel

After being humiliated by her high school boyfriend on national television, Madison left Laguna Beach the first opportunity she got.  But with her mother’s failing health, she was forced to return.  Working at one of the best resorts, she is determined to keep her past behind her and move on from the days she was on the popular TV show, Laguna Nights.

Josh was known as the heart throb of Laguna Nights.  But now that his two minutes of fame is over, he’s doing everything he can to keep his star shining bright.  When he gets an offer to host a travel show, he jumps at the opportunity.  But it’s when he finds out that the first location will be at his hometown of Laguna Beach that mixed emotions arise.  And, out of all of the places to shoot the first episode, it ends up being at the same resort that his ex, Holly (who now goes by the name Madison), works.

Emotions run high when the two reunite.  Madison is no longer the girl she once was in high school.  In fact, she has tried very hard to keep that person in the past.  Whereas Josh is doing all he can to keep his celebrity for as long as he can.  The sparks are still there, but can Madison get past the pain Josh put her through?  And is Josh more interested in getting two more minutes of fame than making right out of the wrong he did to Madison in the past?

Growing up with the MTV shows: Laguna Beach and the Hills, I immediately fell into this story.  I felt like I walked onto an episode of one of the shows.  The author did a great job making the characters feel relatable and the story believable.  The perfect book to read while laying out on the beach!

Purchase the book at:

Amazon * Barnes&Noble

“12 Things About Kaira Rouda”

1. I snort when I laugh

2. My childhood was spent moving, a lot. I’ve lived in Chicago, LA, Austin, Boston and finally Columbus, Ohio. My father was a business school professor so I like to say I have a home-schooled MBA. 

3. My first book, Here, Home, Hope, came out in May of 2011. It was one of the most exciting days of my life! I’ve dreamed of being an author since I can remember.

4. My dogs, Tucker and Frankie, can be found quite often on top of my desk as I write. Yes, they’re little!

5. I’m gearing up for empty nesting - and I’m not liking it. 

6. My favorite activity is yoga, and I’ve been practicing for more than fifteen years.

7. My new sport is Pickleball. If you haven’t tried it, you really should! Google it! It’s the fastest growing sport in the US!

8. I’m lucky to be married to my best friend. We just celebrated 25 years of marriage.

9. My kids are my life. I’m so proud of them and the adults they’re becoming. Three boys, one girl. They make my heart sing.

10.  My first book published was a book for women entrepreneurs called Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. What I learned from promoting that book was that writers can’t just create a book and hope for the best. Having a book published is just the first step of the process to finding your readers. My next nonfiction book, Real You for Authors: 8 Essentials for Women Writers comes out next week, just in time for my workshop I’m leading at the RWA conference in New York.

11. Writing has been my passion since I can remember. Whenever I needed to express myself, my deepest real truths, I’ve always found it easier to write it out than to speak it. Sometimes, as we all know, that isn’t possible. But when it is an option, it’s the one I’ll choose. 

12. I’ve had a blast learning the ropes of romance over the last year, and I’m so excited for Laguna Nights. I think it’s a fun story, a wonderful setting, and I love that my son’s photograph is the cover. The book was inspired by my hair stylist, Ashley, who is married to one of the former stars of Laguna Beach, the groundbreaking MTV reality TV show. Whether you were a fan of the series or not, I hope you’ll give it a read. Happy summer!

About the Author:

Kaira Rouda is an Amazon #1 bestselling, multiple award-winning author of three women's fiction novels including 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. 

Don't miss her sexy contemporary romance series set on INDIGO ISLAND: 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 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 almost-grown kids, and is at work on her next novel. 

Connect with Kaira at:

Website * Facebook * Twitter