Thursday, October 08, 2009

TRIAL BY FIRE - Cara Putman - Free Book

I'm really happy to welcome Cara back to my blog. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

Now that I’ve written eight novels, I guess the theme would be that God sees us and cares about our day to day lives. In Sandhill Dreams that took the shape of the heroine coming to accept that God would never leave her or forsake her no matter what her circumstances. In Canteen Dreams, the theme centered around the idea of laying down our lives for others and sometimes that doesn’t mean being willing to actually die but serve in the way placed in front of us. In Trial by Fire, it involved the idea of seeking justice and mercy as God commands, when our human instinct is to want revenge.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

In addition to Trial by Fire, which releases this week, A Promise Born is going on wide release later this fall and Cornhusker Dreams releases in November. A Promise Born is the first book in my Ohio World War Two series for Heartsong Presents. And Cornhusker Dreams is the repackaging of my three Nebraska World War Two novels: Canteen Dreams, Sandhill Dreams, and Captive Dreams. You can learn more about all of my books at www.caraputman.com .

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Wow! That’s a great question, Lena. I think I would choose Margaret Thatcher. I have admired her for a long time. A woman who broke stereotypes, but did it with grace. And a woman who changed the dynamics of the world in a positive way. I know there is much I could learn from a woman like her.

How long have you known that you wanted to be novelist?

I started writing in third grade – still have that journal. But I don’t think I knew I wanted to write books until I was about 14. I started writing novelists then asking them what it took to write books. I have letters that my mom collected into a scrapbook for me from authors like Janette Oke, Sandy Dengler, Michael Phillips, Frank Peretti and more. It was so fun to look through those letters a couple Christmases ago when my mother gave me the scrapbook. To see the eagerness to learn from the writers that I respected – and their willingness to correspond with me! The thrill came when my sister tracked down Sandy Dengler and connected us again after all these years. I was horrified to realize that Sandy had actually read some of my teenage writings, but so thrilled to be able to send her a copy of my first book and let her know how her kindness to me back then encouraged me to keep the dream. Wow, sorry for that long answer. It just makes me realize how God has blessed me with mentors from the inception of this dream.

What can you tell authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

Hand your dream to God and ask Him what He wants you to do. I have been blessed to receive many acceptance letters from houses, but they have been mixed with “this isn’t quite right for us at this time” letters, too. Ask God whether to continue to pursue the dream. If He says yes, then get back in that chair and write. Many of the published authors are the ones who persevere and work for years. So find another craft book, hunt through the rejection for any hints on what to work on, and keep writing.

Tell us about the featured book?

Trial by Fire is my next book for Love Inspired Suspense. It is a loose sequel to Deadly Exposure, but you don’t need to have read the first to enjoy the second.

Here’s the blurb: Her mother's house was first. Then her brother's. County prosecutor Tricia Jamison is sure she's next on the arsonist's list. But who is after her family? And why does every fire throw her in Noah Brust's path?



Noah can't forgive Tricia. Her failure to protect him on the stand the previous year meant his father's reputation was ruined. Yet every time the firefighter is near her, he's drawn to her again. The vulnerability she hides under her confident veneer surprises and moves him. Torn between Tricia's safety and his own bitterness, Noah belatedly remembers the first rule of firefighting: don't get burned.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Another broken fairy tale sat on her desk.

The phone ringing on her desk pulled deputy county attorney Tricia Jamison from her work. She glanced at her watch. The afternoon had evaporated while she flipped through new case files and absorbed the dashed hopes each one represented. She’d taken the job as deputy county attorney because she’d wanted to help people. But each time another domestic violence case crossed her desk it was hard not to grow discouraged. Too many times the hope of fairy tales and happily-ever-afters had gone horribly wrong. She shook her head and grabbed the phone.

“Tricia Jamison, deputy prosecutor.”

“Trish, this is Caleb. There’s a fire at Mom’s.” Her brother’s voice had an edge of tension she hadn’t heard in awhile. As a police investigator, he usually kept his emotions tightly controlled. He hadn’t sounded so rattled since last year when a stalker set his sights on Caleb’s girlfriend Dani Richards.

Her breath caught in her chest as she shut the file on her desk. “How bad?”

“Don’t know. I heard it on my scanner before Mom called.”

“I’ll leave now.” Her jaw clenched. Images of flames lapping at her mother’s home raced through her mind. The home encapsulated so many memories, both good and bad.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can find me at my website: http://www.caraputman.com/;
at my blog http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/;
or at facebook: www.facebook.com/caraputman.

Thanks so much for having me, Lena. It’s always a pleasure to stop by and visit with you and your readers.

And we love having you, Cara.

Readers, Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

27 comments:

Mark said...

enter me please. Thanks!

JJ said...

I would like to enter as well. lol
Thanks,
gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Linda said...

I love Cara's WWII books. I would love to win one of her mysteries. Please add me to the contest. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Cheryl Wyatt said...

Cara, I've heard so many great things about this book.

Don't enter me because I plan to buy it. Just wanted to drop by and say hey.

Hugs
Cheryl

Cherie J said...

Wonderful interview! Would love to be entered in the drawing.

Cíntia Mara said...

Love Inspired Suspense... looks great!

Anonymous said...

Would love to win Cara's book. Please enter me. Thanks.
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

Sheila Deeth said...

Quite a start. I'd love to read more.

Anonymous said...

Please enter my name in this wonderful giveaway...thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Virginia C said...

Wow, sounds very suspenseful! Please enter my name in the drawing. gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Cara Putman said...

Thanks so much for having me, Lena. And thanks for the comments! It's fun to read your impressions of the first chapter -- in the writing and editing process we spend so much time with the book and characters it can be hard to keep any sense of perspective on them. Good luck to y'all!

Tonya said...

Please enter me as well!! I love Cara's books!!!!

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Edna said...

Great interview with Cara, please enter me for the book,

Thanks

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Julie said...

This sounds like a great book! I am being exposed to so many great authors through your blog. Thank you!

Please enter me.

Julie =)
sweetpea.hull@gmail.com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me in the contest!

dancealert at aol dot com

Nancye said...

Looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Rose McCauley said...

Cara is a sweetie, but she can write killer books! I'd love to win!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. Sounds great.
tarenn[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the opportunity.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cara Putman said...

Rose, thanks for the kind words. Appearances can be deceiving :-)

Tonya, can't wait to read your books someday.

Good luck all!

Merry said...

Trial By Fire sounds like a great suspense filled story. Add me to the drawing please. Thanks!

Marla said...

I love the Love Inspired Suspense series of books. Please enter me in this drawing. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me!!

dance alert at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Lovely interview. Please add me to this fabulous giveaway. thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Susan Quintman said...

Would love to read this book. Enter me in the contest please!

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. It sounds great.
~Abby


abster(dot)rose(at)yahoo(dot)com