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Paul Strom has the perfect life: a glittering career as an advertising executive, a beautiful wife, two healthy boys and a big house in a wealthy suburb. And he’s the perfect husband: breadwinner, protector, provider. That’s why he’s planned a romantic weekend for his wife, Mia, at their lake house, just the two of them. And he’s promised today will be the best day ever.

But as Paul and Mia drive out of the city and toward the countryside, a spike of tension begins to wedge itself between them and doubts start to arise. How much do they trust each other? And how perfect is their marriage, or any marriage, really?

Forcing us to ask ourselves just how well we know those who are closest to us, BEST DAY EVER crackles with dark energy, spinning ever tighter toward its shocking conclusion.

USA Today bestselling author Kaira Rouda spent some time with The Big Thrill discussing her latest thriller, BEST DAY EVER:

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

I hope they’ll be surprised, and a little scared that there are probably a lot of Pauls out there.

Was there anything new you discovered, or that surprised you, as you wrote this book?

I was surprised by how much I loved spending time writing the main character, Paul, and looking at the world through his eyes. It’s my first novel with a first-person male narrator in charge.

No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?

My family used to own a cottage at Lakeside, where much of the story is set. In reality, it’s a beautiful, family-centered place. Promise.

What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

I am an English major who has read widely since I was young. One of my favorites is Robert McCloskey (my first author crush in 3rd grade). As for mystery and suspense, I greatly admire Carolyn Keene, Lee Child, Agatha Christie, John Le Carre, Patricia Highsmith, and well, there are so many more. I haven’t stuck to a genre since I began my writing career officially six years ago, but I’ve always loved mystery and suspense and I’m thrilled to be writing in this arena for the foreseeable future.

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Kaira Rouda is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction, including Here, Home, Hope, and The Goodbye Year. Kaira is also the author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs and the creator of Real Living, one of the nation’s most successful real estate brands and the first national women-focused brand in real estate. She now lives in Southern California with her family, where she’s lucky enough to write full time, and enjoys the beach whenever possible. Kaira’s latest novel, BEST DAY EVER, is one of the major launch titles for Harlequin’s new imprint Graydon House, available September 2017.

To connect with Kaira, visit her website, and connect with her on Facebook and on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter – @KairaRouda.

ITW