IN THE MIRROR book release whirlwind of fun!

It's been such a blast watching IN THE MIRROR arrive in the world - and I'm so excited about the positive reviews the novel has been receiving! I thought I'd give you a little roundup of where you can find me this week, some cool contests you can enter to win a copy and a couple of reviews that made me smile! So here you have it...the week (almost) in review! And please, if you have read IN THE MIRROR, let me know! And if you liked/loved it, please leave a review on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! It really means a lot, and helps other people find the novel!! Blog appearances and contests:

I had the honor of kicking off International Chick Lit Month with a post about a day in the Life of Me! You might find it fun to read! Over on Jane Porter's Blog, Jane is offering a big grand prize just for commenting on the post! Head there now! For a great Mother's Day brunch recipe and a special excerpt of IN THE MIRROR, visit Debra Salonen's blog! I'm so happy to be there!

Chick Lit Goddess gave IN THE MIRROR a glowing 5-star review! Thank you Isabella! While Jennifer Vido named IN THE MIRROR a Top 5 Book Club pick for May!

Visit Jera's Jamboree for a fun interview and a list of more of my blog tour stops in May! Connie at Random Book Muses wrote  a lovely review of IN THE MIRROR, even though it was a personally tough moment in her life with the loss of her father to cancer. Thinking of you, Connie.

Book Mama Blog's Marlene Engel welcomed me with an interview about the tough subject the novel deals with - a young mom with cancer - and wrote a fabulous review! She's hosting a giveaway right now!

Some of my very favorite reviews of IN THE MIRROR can be found at Barnes & Noble, and of course on Goodreads (sort by 5 stars - those are my favorite ;-)

The Midwest Review of Books' review is great! And I'm really excited to reveal the IndieReader review - but it isn't up yet! Stay tuned!

Thank you all for helping to make these past few days fabulous! To those of you who clapped my Thunderclap, thank you!! And if you are in the Southern California area, my first signing for IN THE MIRROR is this Thursday, May 8th, at Laguna Beach Books! 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. I'd love to see you there!

Real You: Down to the wire and out to the world

     Have you ever worked on something for a decade or more? Something so important to you that your dreams, hopes and wishes are one with the project. I have. It happened as we created and built Real Living Real Estate, and it's happening again, now, as I launch my debut novel into the world.      Just like Real Living, my novel isn't for everybody. But I hope most people who pick it up and give it a read will like it. But all I can do is send it out to the world, knowing I did my best.

HERE, HOME, HOPE Giveaway on Goodreads starts today!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Here, Home, Hope

by Kaira Rouda

Giveaway ends April 30, 2011.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Real You: New Year, Real You

How's the first week of the New Year been treating you? If you're like a lot of people, you started the week with the best of intentions and resolutions. And by now, perhaps, you're feeling as if you've failed. Maybe you didn't stick strictly to the diet or perhaps you didn't quit smoking. But you know what? It's ok. Defining yourslf - and your self worth - by New Year's Resolutions is a dangerous and ultimately, for most people, a negative exercise. Instead, let's tackle this year by defining your unique personal brand. The you who you are - who you always have been - and putting that to work in the world. You are unique. But you knew thaat. Did you also know you are uniquely marketable? You just need to learn how to express your unique personal brand as a Real marketable business brand. Unabashedly. Powerfully. You can do it. As an entrepreneur, you occupy a special position. If you can capture your essence, and express it through everything you do in your personal and business life, you will bring a richer, more sincere, and sustainable message to the business community.

That's the premise of the first three chapters of my book, Real You Incorporated. Once you can discover and love your personal brand, you can launch it as a real brand, one that is powerful and different. There is an 8-step process I've created, and at its heart: it all starts with you.

The Real You. Not the New Year's resolution you. Not the 10, 15, or 30 pounds lighter you. The you inside. The you bursting with potential. This is your year. Seize this decade as your own. Step into your power.

"At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you re and you know what you want." - LaoTzu

Happy 2010!