LETHAL INTENT - Cara Putman - One Free Book

Welcome back, Cara. How did this book come about? This book was a combination of curiosity and weaving in a journey I had watched a friend take with her son. I work at a world-class university that has cutting-edge research happening on every corner of campus. But I also wanted the human element of what would it be like to watch a child who was very sick. What would you be willing to do to protect that child? The confluence is Lethal Intent.

Tell us about the book’s cover and what makes it unique. I love the pop of red on her coat. It’s so eye-catching and gorgeous!

Please explain and differentiate between what’s fact and fiction in the book. The book is a blend of fact and fiction. I spent a lot of time doing research on CAR t-cells to figure out the science and how to interpret it in a way that doesn’t stop the story. The research on that is as accurate as I can make it for the state of the science and research as the book went to print. There’s also a lot of research that went into the foster care system and the flexing of the laws related to them.

How much research did you have to do for this book? So much! I’m committed to making sure that the book is as accurate as possible – with the understanding that I am not a scientist. So I rely on experts who can help me get on the right track and stay there. I also incorporate the search for a second line of immortal cells like the HELA cells. As far as I know, there isn’t a second line, but it would be something scientists are searching for. Any mistakes are mine!

I’m with you. I work very hard to make all my novels authentic to the subject and the time period. What are some of the most interesting things you found about this subject that you weren’t able to use in the story? There’s so much research that can’t go into a book and shouldn’t. I spent so much time trying to make sure I was getting the FDA trial process right, without slowing down the plot. What’s in the book is a fraction of what I learned, but I think it’s the right balance. Readers don’t want to know who qualifies for a Trial 0 versus a Trial 1. J

What inspired and surprised you while you were writing the book? I was inspired by a friend who I prayed with through a similar medical trial. The way she handled the years-long crisis for her son’s health was something I wanted to capture on the page. It was gut wrenching and an impossible trial, but they made it by doing anything that was needed to give their son the best chance to live. That’s the spirit I wanted to capture.           

What do you hope the reader takes away from the story? I hope the reader understands that.

What is the next project you’re working on? I’ve developed another series in the greater DC-area. I’m excited to start writing these as they lay around the larger legal community. It will have a close group of women friends who are in different aspects of the legal field. One’s a college professor, another is in a small firm. That’s one thing I love about writing books set in the law. There is so much opportunity for differences in work.

What do you do when you have to get away from the story for a while? I read…a lot. I’ve already read eleven in the month of January. I also walk and binge good TVs or movies to pick up tips on dialogue, character development, or story. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s important to give myself space to step away for a bit and then come back with fresh ideas and perspective.

That is important. Please give us the first page of the book.

Caroline shifted in the high-backed chair. The massive conference room table made her feel more petite than usual. Quentin Jackson, the man propelling Praecursoria through its rapid growth, vibrated with energy as he studied her.

“We are on the cusp of amazing developments and a transition from the lab to trials. We have a few CAR T-cell therapies in early stages now with more in our pipeline.”

She racked her mind for the importance of T cells, and he gave a hearty laugh.

“Don’t worry if the science overwhelms you. We’ll have you up to speed in no time. All you need to know right now is that T cells are one of the two cells that make up white blood cells. The treatments we’re working on could be the difference between life and death for young cancer patients. We need your legal expertise and quick mind to synthesize the science with the map to market.”

“I’ve overseen several court trials related to patents, which should help with that process.” It had been an unforeseen aspect of her days clerking for Judge Loren. She swallowed against the lump in her throat that still welled up when she thought about his untimely death from

pneumonia. A month ago she couldn’t imagine interviewing for a job somewhere else, even if a part of her knew that she should stretch her wings.

“When can you start? Today?”

She felt rooted to the chair. Everything was moving so fast. Could she really transition her experience managing clerks for a judge into managing patents and contracts for a start-up?

While Praecursoria had been around for a decade as a cancer research lab, about eighteen months ago Quentin sold off its lucrative genetic testing branch to focus exclusively on the development of cutting-edge CAR T-cell therapies. Starting over that way was a bold if risky move.

How can readers find you on the Internet? I love connecting with readers in many ways. If you have a book club that reads one of my books, I’d love to join via Skype or Zoom. But here are the other ways we can connect:

http://caraputman.com: if you join my newsletter on my webpage, you will receive my novella Dying for Love as my gift to you.

Twitter: @cara_putman

Instagram: @caracputman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cara.putman

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cara-putman

Thank you, Cara, for sharing this new book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it. I’ve loved every book of yours that I’ve read.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3rAdi7N - Paperback

https://amzn.to/39PeSN2 - Kindle

https://amzn.to/3jjTLFv - Audio Book CD

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