Tuesday, April 10, 2012

A WEDDING TRANSPIRES ON MACKINAC ISLAND - Cara Putman - Free Book


Why did you become an author?
Because I love stories. I’ve grown up with a book in one hand and a pen in the other. Then as I started a career, marriage, family, the writing dream took a back seat until God told me to step back into it. Now I write to provide an entertaining escape for readers, but one that is laced with God’s truth and hope.

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?
Appellate attorney. I love pulling together complicated ideas, breaking them down, and forming an argument that I have to defend. I get an energy from not knowing what I’ll be asked next.

If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
World War II hands down. There was such a uniform commitment that pulled our country together. We were all fighting for the same cause. It was also a time of new opportunities for women. It doesn’t hurt that I adore the movies and music.

What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?
Someday – hopefully in the next year or two – I’ll visit Yellowstone. I would love to see that corner of the country. Mountains have always been a place where I can see and worship God.

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
Europe. A whole continent counts surely J I have a proposal circulating that is set during World War II in Europe. I would love to visit the locations that will star in the books. And I absolutely want to visit the Normandy beaches. If I couldn’t do anything else, I’d love to do that.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
I was at a women’s retreat a couple weeks ago, and God just reminded me how much He delights in me. Delights is such an unused word. I think about how I delight in listening to my three year old talk and spin stories. I can enjoy time in her presence. And that’s the way He feels about me. It’s such a humbling thought!

Tell us about the featured book.
Attorney Alanna Stone vowed long ago to avoid Mackinac Island. Although it may seem the perfect place to heal, for Alanna it holds too many memories of a painful past.

But an exhausting high profile case and an urgent plea from her parents have brought Alanna home. Moving into the house next to Jonathan Covington doesn’t help her. Jonathan may have been her first love, but he was also her first lesson in betrayal. Now Alanna must protect her privacy and her heart. Then secrets and a murder intersect, and she’s thrust into controversy again as tragedy turns public opinion against her and potentially her family.

For years, Jonathan has stubbornly resisted the urging of his family and friends to date, believing he’s already found the perfect woman. With Alanna’s return, he begins to wonder if he’s waited too long for someone who isn’t the right one after all.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Don’t do it.

The refrain beat a steady tempo through Alanna Stone’s mind as she dragged up the gangplank to the ferry where it rocked in the early morning light at the St. Ignace’s dock. She avoided gazing to her right in the direction of Mackinac Island. A place of beauty and peace to many, it symbolized all the harshness that could shimmer beneath the surface in a small town. She’d sworn never to return and honored that vow for eleven years.

Now? Now she abandoned her firmly held avoidance to help her parents. A wave rocked the boat, and she bobbled as she struggled to stay steady on more than her feet.

A man in the green polo that bore the Arnold Transport Company logo steadied her with a smile. “You’ll find your sea legs in no time.”

“Good thing, since the trip’s so short.”

He laughed and nodded. “About fifteen minutes.”

How could she tell him she wished it lasted fifteen months or years? That time would freeze, and she’d stay on this side of the lake?

Seagulls cawed as they took to the air and swooped around the boat.

Fifteen minutes. That’s all it took to start a new life.

Diesel fumes rolled around her as the ferry’s engines roared into gear. With a grinding stop and jerk, the boat eased away from the dock and powered across the lake. Alanna sucked in a deep breath then coughed as fumes settled in her lungs. She clenched her jaw and pivoted until she faced east as the boat pushed through the water toward the sun. She needed to face her new reality and the hidden embarrassment. All represented by one tiny spot on the map.

Mackinac Island.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Readers can find me all over the web J
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caraputman

Thank you so much, Cara, for sharing your first trade-sized novel with us.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island - paperback
A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (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 4 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 if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOULD LOVE TO WIN!!!

ANGELA AND TACO FROM KY

Cara Putman said...

Thanks so much for hosting me, Lena.

Patty said...

I visited Mackinac once back in my college days, would love to read this story set on the island.

Patty in SC

karenk said...

would love to read cara's latest novel...thanks for the chance :)

karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yaho dot com

Unknown said...

Don't you HAVE to go to the places you write about, Cara, for research purposes? i would love to win your novel, so thanks, Lena and Cara for the opportunity!

Marianne from Arizona

mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

Coolestmommy said...

Sounds like a great book. I'd love to visit Mackinac Island someday!

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Cara Putman said...

Mackinac Island is a great place to visit during the summer. Haven't been in the fall yet...but can't imagine all the snow in the winter!

Unknown said...

Mackinac Island sounds delightful!

Brenda from hot & humid Lake Worth, Florida. brendon8 at bellsouth dot net

Nancee said...

I would love an opportunity to win a copy of this book. I'm a lifetime resident of Michigan and am very familiar with Mackinac Island. This is one of my "must reads!" Thank you for offering this contest!
Nancee
quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

scottsgal said...

mackinaw is such a beautiful island for a long weekend getaway - thanks for the chance
cheryl in il
msboatgal at aol.com

Diana Flowers said...

I would love to visit Mackinac Island, even if it is via Cara's book! I'll take that! lol Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Diana from SC

dianalflowers@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great book...would love to win it!

Gail Mundy

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win/read this book. It sounds terrific.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Pam K. said...

I've read reviews of this book and would love to win a copy. I like the mix of mystery, faith, and romance.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

Jo said...

I have heard about Mackinac Island but never been there and would love to go some time. Would also love to win a copy of this book.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Joanna Richmond said...

it looks like a great book, I would also love to win copy of this book
God Bless
Joanna Richmond
Blanch NC

Kandra said...

Please enter me!
kandrajane@bellsouth.net
Tennessee

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book it sounds and looks like a great story!! Thanks and God bless.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Katie said...

Sounds great! Please enter me! I'm from NC.

Katie G.

Krista said...

Oooh... sounds like a good book. Please enter me!

Krista in Oregon

Abigail Mitchell said...

I have been wanting to read this book for sometime now. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
God Bless!
Abigail
Blanch, N.C.

apple blossom said...

Thanks for the chance to win

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Maggie Carr said...

I just indulged in Mackinaw Island Fudge Ice Cream now this book sounds amazing maybe a trip up north is in my future???
maggie in northern indiana

Kandra said...

MMMM...this sounds great!
kandrajane@bellsouth.net
in Tennessee

Nancye said...

Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

Nancye in Kentucky
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Mary Preston said...

Delight is a wonderful word. Thank you for the first page. Such a great beginning.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

holdenj said...

I would love to win this! The cover is very appealing and I enjoyed Cara's comments. Thanks!
Julie in MN

Mona/from Michigan said...

Would love to win this book,been to Mackinac Island many times when I lived in Michigan.....the Movie "SOMEWHERE IN TIME "with Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour was filmed on Mackinac Island in it's entirety except for (4) days filming in Chicago.....so if you get a chance, watch this movie to see more of Mackinac Island.....a very lovely place to visit...no automobiles are allowed on the island, only horse & carriage and bicycles......what a wonderful experience there, you won't soon forget :) Thanks, Mona from Michigan :)

LINDA-KY said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS BOOK.LINDA FROM KY.

Shirley /Illinois said...

Would like to win this book, sounds great.....thanks Shirley/illinois

Angela C./Ohio said...

Used to live in Michigan,have been to Mackinac several times, very very beautiful place...would love to win this book.....thanks, Angela C./Ohio

Mama Cat said...

I love all things Michigan, my home state! Thank you for sharing, and thank you for a great new book about the UP, with intrigue and Christian values! I would love to read it, have read your Patchwork Mysteries book also. Blessings to you as you continue to show Jesus' love to the world! Mama Cat in Arizona

Merry said...

Mackinac Island has always sounded like a wonderful place to visit. I'd love to travel there via Cara's book. Please include me in the drawing, thanks.
Merry in TX

Michelle said...

Would love to read this one!

Michelle in CA