Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY and #1 Amazon and Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary fiction that delves beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her psychological suspense novels include Best Day Ever, The Favorite Daughter, All the Difference, The Next Wife, Somebody's Home, The Widow, Beneath the Surface, Under the Palms, The Second Mrs. Strom, What The Nanny Saw, and Jill Is Not Happy. Her forthcoming novel, We Were Never Friends, is set to be released in February 2026.

Although Kaira's journey to authorhood marks her fourth career path, she has made significant contributions to the fields of marketing and real estate. She began her career in marketing, receiving several awards for her work, and later founded Real Living, a female-focused residential real estate brand. This venture earned her the Best Entrepreneur award from the Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and she has received numerous accolades, such as Amazon Editor’s Picks for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, and Zibby’s Book Award for Best Beach Read. Beneath the Surface has been optioned for feature film.

In addition to her writing, Kaira is active in community service, having created the first walk-in emergency shelter for homeless families in Central Ohio. She has received numerous community service awards, including the national Kiwanis Service to Mankind Award. Recently, she was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsome to the California Volunteers commission.

Kaira is a founding member of the Killer Author Club and is involved in various organizations such as Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the International Thriller Writers (ItW). She frequently appears on panels at conferences and continues to inspire through her talks and novels.