Kaira Rouda interviews Richard Kingsley from her latest novel, BENEATH THE SURFACE

Kaira Rouda interviews Richard Kingsley from her latest novel, BENEATH THE SURFACE, the Kingsley family book 1. Book 2 in the series, UNDER THE PALMS, is out May 21, 2024

 On a weekend voyage, the power-hungry children of an aging billionaire are unprepared for a storm of deceptions in a novel about ruthless family ambition by USA Today bestselling author Kaira Rouda.

You are cordially invited to an overnight voyage on the Splendid Seas.

An invitation to Catalina Island from billionaire CEO Richard Kingsley. For his sons, Ted and John, and their wives, it’s an opportunity to curry favor, gain control of a real estate empire, and secure their family’s futures. For the controlling patriarch, succession is a contest. He and his newest wife won’t make it an easy win.

Then Richard’s estranged live-wire daughter, Sibley, crashes the party. She’s the least of the night’s surprises. As the stakes for the inheritance of the Kingsley legacy are raised, the beautiful waters of the Pacific look more like a menacing illusion.

Let the games begin for a family who has everything money can buy, and has used lies, deception, and more to keep it. This weekend one of them will be crowned heir. One is in line to lose everything. That’s the plan. But in the coming storm, so much can go dangerously wrong.

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KR: Thank you for giving me some of your time, Mr. Kingsley, I know how very important you are, running a global conglomerate and all.

Richard Kingsley: Yes, well, what do you want? Make it quick. I only have a couple of minutes.

KR: I think the point of this is for me to interview you, learn a little more about what makes Richard Kingsley tick.

RK: I believe you might have an inside track on that (laughs) but I am fueled by success, and money, and winning. That’s what I’m all about. I hate losers. 

KR: You have three grown children, three potential heirs to the Kingsley Global Enterprises fortune. Are any of your children what you would call a loser? Or are they all under consideration?

RK: You’ll have to read the book to find out, but I always do say, when it’s family, you need to watch your back. 

KR: How do you watch your back when you’ve invited them onto your yacht for the weekend?

RK: (Laughs) Don’t worry about me. Besides, they’ll all be on their best behavior, my two boys, Ted and John, and my daughter Sibley, if she shows up? Who knows with that one. (He checks his very expensive watch.) Oh, look at the time. I’ve got to get to the marina, check on the yacht, make sure things are ready for the voyage. If you’ll excuse me.  My wife will kill me if I’m late. 

KR: Of course. You do know the forecast is for some stormy seas this weekend right?

RK: My yacht’s state of the art. Don’t you worry about that. Nothing could possibly go wrong this weekend. I’m in charge. Not mother nature. Ha.

BUY BENEATH THE SURFACE HERE

Kaira Rouda is a multiple award–winning, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her novels of domestic suspense include Somebody’s Home, The Widow, The Next Wife, The Favorite Daughter, Best Day Ever, and All the Difference. To date, Kaira’s work has been translated into more than twelve languages. She lives in Southern California with her family and is working on her next novel. For more information, visit www.kairarouda.com.

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Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing