Wednesday, June 16, 2010

STARS IN THE NIGHT - Cara Putman - Free Book

Welcome back, Cara. I love your new picture. Now tell us about your salvation experience.

Wow. I think you’re the first person who’s asked this question. I grew up in the church, and made an official decision at a family camp when I was about nine years old. In some ways that was the official date, since I grew up in a home where worshipping God and serving Him was an absolute priority. My parents did a phenomenal job of leading us kids to Him and showing us why we would want to serve Him and dedicate our lives to Him. Something I’m trying very hard to do with my own children. I love it when my six-year-old boy assumes that everyone’s best friend is God and that we should all love Him first and best.

How did you and your spouse meet?

We met at a Christian leadership conference for teens and college students in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Both sets of our parents had heard about Summit Ministries on Dr. Dobson’s show, and “happened” to send us to the same session. I say it’s the only way God could have connected a boy from Indiana and a girl from Nebraska in Colorado!

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?

Man, another tough question. I’m in a small group of seven authors that formed in December, and it has been incredible. We encourage each other, pray for each other, and kick each other in the rear when we need motivation. So I would invite those gals to my house for a long weekend of brainstorming. We all write different genres, but man do we have a good time online, I can only imagine the fun we’d have brainstorming in person.

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.

I love to speak, but it is difficult to do with small children. So primarily right now, I lead Bible studies at church, and speak to MOPS groups, writing groups, and things like that.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?

Hmmm. Embarrassing. Really? I’m always doing things that could be embarrassing, but usually shake it off and move on.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?

The most important thing you can do is sit down in the chair at the computer and write. Even 500 words a day leads to a book at the end of an year. That’s how you write a book and that’s how you eventually have something to show an editor. But writing is all about discipline. You have to be consistent and accountable to yourself if you’re going to write a book.

Tell us about the featured book.

Stars in the Night is a historical suspense with lots of romance set in Hollywood during1942.

When Audra Schaeffer¹s sister disappears in Hollywood, Audra flies there to find her, but has to identify her body instead. Determined to find the killer and bring him to justice, Audra takes a job with the second Hollywood Victory Caravan. Together with Robert Garfield and other stars, she crisscrosses the southern United States as the stars sell war bonds. When Robert¹s ex-wife and another woman are found dead on the train, Audra knows the deaths are tied to her sister¹s. Is the killer is the man she¹s falling in love with? And can she identify the killer before he targets her?

Sounds intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.

“Well, well, Audra. I do believe you’re ready to take this matter to trial.”

Audra Schaeffer soaked in the atypical praise. While Roger Clarion was a good man and fair boss, he did not toss praise around for any and all to hear. A well of satisfaction pulsed through her. After seven years of school and two years where the only job she could find after law school required her to serve as a paralegal, Mr. Clarion had given her a chance. If everything went well, she’d litigate her first case in Superior Court Two in one month. A simple case, but it was hers.

He pulled reading glasses low on his bulbous nose and examined her over the rims. “Don’t let me down, or we’ll both be the laughing stock of the Indianapolis legal community.”

“Yes, sir.” The image of her standing at the podium in front of counsel table, a legal pad resting on it, filled her mind. She’d finally done it! She’d earned the right to try a case.

He smiled then shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day where I’d have a woman working for me as an attorney of all things.” After a twist to his bow tie and a tug on his sweater vest, he stood and grabbed the wool jacket hanging on the coat tree in the corner behind his oak desk. “Now get out of here. I understand you have an important call to get back home.”

Audra couldn’t hide the smile that tugged at her lips. “Fortunately, Rosemary’s usually a few minutes late.” Rosemary couldn’t be hurried to join the rest of the world from the day she was born a week late. Audra stood and walked to the doorway. “You can’t believe how hard it is to wait for her calls. But it is a blessing her landlady allows Rosie to call us regularly from her phone. I don’t think Mother could handle it if we didn’t have our weekly report on all things Hollywood.”

Mr. Clarion chuckled. “Off with you. Can’t stand in the way of that.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is located at http://www.caraputman.com/  and my blog is at http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/ . I’m also on facebook, shoutlife, and twitter. And they can find first chapters of all my books on my website or at http://www.fictionfinder.com/ .

Thank you, Cara, for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using this link when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)


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.

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45 comments:

Cindy W. said...

Very enjoyable interview. I love to hear peoples testimonies and also how they met their spouses.

Stars in the Night sounds like a wonderful read. I love stories during the WWII era and besing a suspense novel makes it all the better. I will definitely need to add you book to my MUST read list. Hopefully I'll win a copy! :)

Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

kathy taylor said...

I'd love to read Stars in the Night. Manitou Springs is so beautiful, an idyllic place to fall in love.

Laney4 said...

There's nothing like a good mystery. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to reading your book!

(BTW, I too like your new picture. It can't be easy "posing" for pictures, but it apparently is a necessity for writers!)

Katrina said...

Sounds like my kind of book!

A J Hawke said...

Intriguing story premise. I've never read about the Hollywood caravan tours.

Thanks for an opportunity to win a copy.

A J Hawke

Cara Putman said...

Thanks for stopping by, y'all. I have to say that when I read about the real caravan, I knew I had to develop my own. It was perfect for a romantic suspense novel. Can we say Murder on the Orient Express meets the glamor and glitz of Hollywood during WWII?

Carrie Turansky said...

I enjoyed learning more about Cara and her new book! It sounds great.
Blessings,
Carrie
carrie (at) turansky (dot) com

grannyvon said...

Wow, What an great interview, It is great that you are teaching your children young. It is important to do this from birth on to adult. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance. My "Need to read List" gets longer
ybutler@oppcatv.com

apple blossom said...

please include me thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot]com

Merry said...

I can't wait to read Stars in the Night, it sounds like it would make a wonderful mystery movie!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Mark said...

I'd like to enter
marcus802001(at)yahoo(dot)com

karenk said...

a great interview...would enjoy reading cara's latest novel...please count me in...thanks :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

runner10 said...

Sounds like an interesting story. Would love to read your book.

Lou Ann said...

I loved the interview and "Stars In The Night" sounds like a very interesting and good book. I would love the opportunity to win a copy. Thank you.

louann@carolina.rr.com

Michelle said...

Would love to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win!

Michelle T.
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Nancye said...

This sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview. I pre-ordered Stars in the Night from Barnes and Noble. Can hardly wait for it to come! They tell me it will ship July 1st.

Michelle said...

Wonderful interview. I've had this book on my wishlist for several months. Would love to win it.

mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

Linda Kish said...

I would enjoy reading this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the interview. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

Cara Putman said...

Thank you to those who have pre-ordered. You don't know how much that means to me! And I do think this would make a great film noire :-)

Sheila Deeth said...

Certainly sounds intriguing. Great setting and time.

ceemee said...

Looks like an exciting story is waiting to unfold!

rbooth43 said...

By the review, Stars In The Night sounds like a great read. My brothers were in World War II, one a Marine and the other a Navy officer.
Winning would be amazing.
In God We Trust!

Coolestmommy said...

Love suspense and love WWII books. Sounds like a winning combo.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

Diane said...

Love books with old Hollywood. Thanks for the review! :O)

Anita Yancey said...

A book I'd very much enjoy reading. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Wendy said...

I love historical suspense!

Kristen said...

I love Cara's Books!
Please enter me:)

Marla said...

Really sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thank you for the interview and giveaway.

Marla

Kameko said...

Wonderful interview - thank you so much for sharing with us.

"Stars in the Night" sounds like a can't-put-down-til-finished book that I really want to read. Winning would be the icing on the cake, so to speak.

Blessings to you ~
Beverly
bgrider2[at]cox[dot]net bgrider2@cox.net

holdenj said...

What a super interview and it sounds like a great book. I really like the time it is set in.
Thanks for the chance to win!

Cara Putman said...

Isn't there something magical about the WWII era? It was an incredibly tough time to live, but I think we can all see the wonder in the nation pulling together to work toward a common goal.

I truly hope the book is one that keeps the pages turning. One where you keep thinking...just one more page!

Anonymous said...

The book sounds great I would love to win this. Love the way you meet your husband. Thanks
trishbazin@yahoo.com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Great interview! would love to win the book!

dancealert at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this. Thanks for the chance to win it.

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Hi, Lena.

I would love to win this book.

cyndelouwho22(at)gmail(dot)com

Have a blessed day.

Sincerely,
Cynde

MaureenT said...

Love Christian mysteries!! Please consider me!
Maureen

Megan (Inspired by Fiction) said...

This sounds good.
We're talking about starting a MOPS group or something like it at our church.

Tammy S. said...

I love the cover! Please enter me. Thanks!

wmmahaney said...

This sounds like a great book. Please enter me.

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

oooh, this one looks great! reminds me of 40's film noir :) Thanks for the contest!

Sarah said...

I'm looking forward to reading this book. Please enter me in the drawing.

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

I absolutely love WWII novels and can't seem to get enough of them! I'm glad to see that there's another new to me author writing it! Please sign me up!

XOXO~ Renee

Carman said...

Please enter me! I've wanted to read this book ever since I first saw it. :)

booklovercb[at]yahoo.com