Judith D Collins
May 69 min
Series: The Kingsleys #2
By: Kaira Rouda
ISBN: 978-1662511936
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication Date: 05/21/2024
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
COVER REVEAL
MAY FEATURED #AuthorElevatorSeries
During a weekend retreat, a powerful family plays a dangerous game of dark secrets and cold-blooded ambition in a novel by Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of Beneath the Surface.
Under the direction of the Kingsleys’ new president, Paige, the family has gathered for a weekend retreat at a luxurious Laguna Beach resort.
Still clinging to the hope of succession are the sons of Richard Kingsley, the family patriarch and CEO: John, the oldest, who’s clawed his way back from a dark tragedy, and Paige’s estranged husband, Ted, the golden boy. When Richard’s ex and his wayward daughter join the fray, Paige finds herself with two fast allies. They know a secret that could shatter the family legacy. Call it leverage, call it revenge, the Kingsley women believe they have the upper hand.
But as the power games begin, greater threats than the howling Santa Ana winds are coming.
Kaira Rouda is 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. Her novel, The Next Wife, won two Silver Falchion Awards for Best Suspense Novel and runner up to Best Book of the Year. To date, her noels have been translated into a dozen languages.
A former magazine editor and society columnist, Kaira won the Stevie Award for Women in Business for creating the first female-focused residential real estate brand, Real Living, and growing the brand to more than 22 states before its sale to Berkshire Hathaway. Her first book, Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs led to a national speaking tour where she inspired thousands.
Active in the areas of homelessness, food security, and empowering women and girls, in her twenties, as a volunteer, she created the first emergency walk-in shelter for homeless families in Central Ohio. Kaira has received numerous awards for her community service including the national Kiwanis Service to Mankind Award, and most recently was named a Kickass Woman of Orange County by Orange Coast Magazine. Kaira was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsome to the California Volunteers Commission.
She lives in Southern California with her husband, Congressman Harley Rouda, and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.
If you'd like to host Kaira at your book club, in person or virtually, connect with the author, visit KairaRouda.com.
Kaira also belongs to the following writing organizations:
Sisters in Crime | Mystery Writers of America | International Thriller Writers (ItW) | California Writer’s Club | Killer Author Club / founding member | Author’s Guild of America | Women’s Fiction Writers Association
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.
"Behind the Book & The Author"
Welcome to the second May 2024 #AuthorElevatorSeries —and joining us for the third time, a personal and fan favorite, special guest bestselling author Kaira Rouda, with her eleventh novel— the popular Kingsley series #2, UNDER THE PALMS.
Join us as Kaira shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes exclusives from the book and up-close and personal fun moments from this mega-talented superstar author!
Behind the Book
OK, here you go! Under the direction of the Kingsleys’ new president, Paige, the family has gathered for a weekend retreat at a luxurious Laguna Beach resort.
Still clinging to the hope of succession are the sons of Richard Kingsley, the family patriarch and CEO: John, the oldest, who’s clawed his way back from a dark tragedy, and Paige’s estranged husband, Ted, the golden boy. When Richard’s ex and his wayward daughter join the fray, Paige finds herself with two fast allies. They know a secret that could shatter the family legacy. Call it leverage, call it revenge, the Kingsley women believe they have the upper hand.
But as the power games begin, greater threats than the howling Santa Ana winds are coming. Because this weekend, amid so much greed and betrayal, no Kingsley is safe. It’s family. Watch your back.
It’s family.
Thank you, Judy! I hope so, too. Stay tuned. I’ll let you know if there will be a book 3. The Kingsleys aren’t finished yet, that’s for sure!
I’ve enjoyed the Kingsley series especially because of the settings. It’s a little like White Lotus in that respect. Book 1, Beneath the Surface, is set on a luxury yacht. And Book 2, Under the Palms, is set at a fabulous resort in Laguna Beach. It’s fun to “be on location” in my mind as I write, almost as if I’m there.
I love writing about what’s beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. It’s the theme that keeps my imagination fueled.
Coming next for me are two sequels to BEST DAY EVER! I’m so excited to have the character Paul Strom back in the world. The first titled, THE SECOND MRS. STROM, is out August 16th and features Paul and his new young wife, Cecilia, on a romantic anniversary trip to Paris. On November 13th, ONLY THE NANNY continues Cecilia and Paul’s twisted love story.
Thank you! It is so exciting. Upcoming director and producer Alosono Alvarez-Barreda picked up Beneath the Surface at a bookstore, and read it in one night. He reached out and said he loved it and wanted to make a movie. I mean, that’s a novelist’s dream truly. He has partnered with Good Fear Content and the screenplay is underway. Exciting!
THANK YOU JUDY – YOU ARE THE BEST!!
Behind the Author
BIRTH STATE? or (Country)
Illinois
CURRENT STATE?
California
ZODIAC SIGN?
Taurus
FAVORITE THING ABOUT WHERE YOU RESIDE?
The Beach
FAVORITE COLOR?
Blue
MORNING/NIGHT PERSON?
Night
DOG/CAT LOVER?
I have three dogs :-D
YOUR FAVORITE LIFE LESSON QUOTE?
A smile confuses an approaching frown.
DESCRIBE A PERFECT DAY?
Writing in my office, with breaks to walk on the beach in the sunshine with my husband and my dogs.
FAVORITE SONG OR ARTIST?
My son, Dylan Rouda
THE FIRST BOOK YOU REMEMBER READING THAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME AN AUTHOR—THE ONE YOU CANNOT STOP THINKING OF.
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey (I was in third grade)
FAVORITE TV SERIES? (Or Movie/Video) binge-watch, series, etc.?
I really enjoyed Succession and White Lotus, thus the inspiration for Beneath the Surface and Under the Palms
THANK YOU, Kaira, for spending time with us today!
Thank you Judy! xoxo
BENEATH THE SURFACE #1 (5 Stars)
UNDER THE PALMS #2 (5 Stars)
“Rouda keeps the complications coming…Fans of lethal soap operas will be happy to know that a third season is on the way.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Kaira Rouda writes with such a fresh, engaging voice—she pulled me into this story from page one! I loved everything about Under the Palms: the secrets, power games, over-the-top luxury and complex characters. If you're looking for a delicious read, you need to pick up this book!”
—Sarah Pekkanen, New York Times bestselling author of House of Glass
“The Kingsleys’ are back and just as devilishly devious as before. Under the Palms is a single-sitting, binge-worthy page-turner. I didn’t think this family’s behavior could get any more appalling, but Kaira Rouda delivers with whip sharp banter and morally gray characters bent on doing their worst, even if it’s murder. For anyone feeling a dry spell after Succession, snap up this book. It’s pure fun.”
—Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal bestselling author
“In Under the Palms, the endlessly entertaining Kaira Rouda has created a high-octane whodunnit as unpredictable as the Santa Ana winds. Rouda brings back the notorious Kingsley crew, dropping them at an exclusive resort with a hidden, dangerous underbelly, tosses in corporate intrigue, plenty of backbiting, and a shocking murder. This heart-stopping page-turner will leave readers begging for more time with the Kingsleys in all their dysfunctional glory.”
—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest and Everyone Is Watching
“Calling Hollywood—this is your next big thriller! It’s so much fun to watch rich people behaving badly, and this riveting plot and immersive settings had me turning the pages as fast as I could. But be warned: on the outside, it’s a frothy delicious vacation book, but the wonderful Kaira Rouda also reveals a deep understanding of psychology, business, passion, and power. Not to be missed!”
—Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of One Wrong Word
“Dive into a riveting tale of power, secrets, and betrayal in Kaira Rouda's latest novel, where the opulent world of the Kingsley family becomes a battleground for dark ambitions. With Paige, the new president at the helm, the family's weekend retreat at a luxurious Laguna Beach resort unravels a perilous game. This gripping, propulsive novel is pure entertainment from beginning to end. A delectable read that I couldn't put down!”
—Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author of The Leftover Woman
“The Kingsleys are back, once again fighting for control of the family business—and fortune—this time at an exclusive seaside resort. Rouda plops readers into the heart of this dysfunctional family, where the battle for power quickly turns ugly…and darkly comedic. A propulsive, unputdownable tale and an incredibly fun ride.”
—Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Paris Widow
Stay tuned for my #AuthorElevatorSeries Chat with Kaira where we go behind the scenes of the book and this mega talented favorite superstar author and long time favorite. (pub day May 21).
Kaira Rouda (favorite author) is back following Beneath the Surface, where we were introduced to (The Kingsleys #1), with her latest scandalous thriller, UNDER THE PALMS (The Kingsleys #2).
When the family is invited to a weekend retreat, the knives come out in her latest devilish and witty installment of greed, dark secrets, revenge, power, betrayal, and MURDER.
No one does dark humor and scandal better than the queen, Kaira Rouda! The Kingsleys are keeping the funeral director busy!
Let the power plays begin! There is a lot of girl power in UNDER THE PALMS, and the Kingsley women are here to stay! The women have joined forces, putting aside their past differences to TAKE DOWN their greedy opponents. The pressure is on. Watch out.
DELECTABLE! Some will do anything to WIN, ATTAIN, or KEEP the power at Kingsley Global Enterprises.
Picking up for the last book with Paige, the new president, she has invited the family to the weekend Kingsley Corporate Retreat at the posh and luxurious Twin Palms Resort in Laguna Beach.
She has been on the job for eight months and is well-received by the media, touting fresh female leadership at one of Orange County's most influential companies. But the Santa Ana winds and more are coming to threaten the upcoming weekend retreat.
"The winds are not what we need this weekend. The winds remind you of how tentative everything is and how fast it can all be lost." —Paige
Of course, the sons are unhappy with Richard Kingsley's (the family patriarch's) decision to give Paige control of the company.
This includes John, the oldest son (accused of murdering his lawyer wife during the weekend mega-yacht trip to Cataline Island), and the golden boy, Ted, Paige's estranged husband.
Things get juicy when Richard's ex-wife, Serena, is back, his estranged daughter, Sibley, a delicious new Southern witty character, Krystle Carrington (John's latest squeeze, HILARIOUS) and Paige's new sexy assistant, Justin.
Even Richard threatens Paige due to a bad land deal that Ted approved. Some big juicy secrets and allies will keep the suspense high with nonstop action and another MURDER.
Told from alternating POVs:
~Richard
~Serena
~Paige
~Ted
~John
~Sibley
~Krystle
~OC Scoop
Everyone is hiding something, and there are shared SECRETS that can bring down the company. Who will survive?
🌴 From backstabbing, power plays, greed, corruption, and ambition to howling Santa Ana winds and wildfires exploding around them, UNDER THE PALMS is riveting, soapy, and drama-filled with dark humor, thrills, and twists you do not see coming, with divine commentary from OC Scoop, keeping you entertained until the last page is turned, awaiting the next in the series!
"The worst thing for a Kingsley man is for a Kingsley woman —or two—to outshine him."
Buckle up, fans, and get ready for a wild ride! If you enjoyed the soaps of the 80s, Falcon Crest, Dynasty, Dallas, and daytime Young and The Restless, you need to board the train. The Kingsleys are here to stay. Except if they keep getting murdered, I'm not sure how many family members will be left.
Highly entertaining. I loved #2 even more than #1! I cannot wait for the next in this sizzling series! Get the popcorn ready.
Congrats! Movie News - THE KINGSLEYS ARE COMING TO THE SCREEN.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: May 21, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars