A Thrilling Time with Author Kaira Rouda

Books and big smiles at the OC Library sponsored literary event featuring author Kaira Rouda.

One of my top-tier favorite pastimes is attending OC Library's hosted literary events featuring best-selling authors. A few days ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Kaira Rouda, an award-winning USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Yeah! Bring it on, Kaira!! "Let's talk murder. The fictional kind, of course." That's her tagline. And I love it.

Accompanying me to this terrific author-event, my wonderful Super Pal (also a lover of thrillers and fictional murder) didn't waste time investigating Kaira's collection of thriller novels. We learned Kaira favors "marriage thrillers" and the kind of problematic characters creating the illusion of perfection----never mind that their lives are dark and filled with secrets and lies. Hmmm. Could this be your neighbor Kaira's writing in about?

In her newest book, Jill Is Not Happy, Kaira shares that Jill builds the life she wants any way she can get it. Hell-bent, is what I heard. Who doesn't love-hate a fictional character that won't stop at getting everything and anything they want? No matter how much flesh is sliced and diced. No matter how much blood fills the bathtub or kitchen sink or empty milk jugs buried in the backyard. Yeah, bring it on! Okay, I made up that last part about the blood.

Anyway, we also learned that Kaira, along with two local OC friends who are also thriller authors, host a show featuring guest authors, such as:

• Peter Swanson

• Anthony Horowitz

• James L'Etoile

and ... coming August 19 ... Karin Slaughter! Whoo-hoo!!

Check out their Killer Author Club website here: KillerAuthorClub.com.

I've already joined the killer club and can't wait to see Karin Slaughter (yes, I already have one of her signed books and a photo from meeting her at the LA Times Book Festival last year).

Another top-tier favorite of mine ... author Karin Slaughter at the LA Times Book Festival.

In addition to recognizing Kaira, I always enjoy thanking our wonderful librarians and library system for bringing joy into my heart and soul by simply encouraging the pleasures and life-long impact of reading books, books, and more books. Long live our libraries and librarians!!

It's a happy day when the library opens its doors and welcomes each and everyone of us!