Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from the last Author Spotlight giveaway of A Promise Kept is Sharon Holweger! Please email info@suzannewoodsfisher.com with your mailing address to claim your prize.
This week we are featuring Cara Putman! To enter to win a copy of her book, Shadowed by Grace (B&H Books), leave a comment on this post.
Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
I am married (18 years this month – my husband robbed the cradle ;)) and we have four children ages 13 to 3. It’s a fun and crazy time at our house. I homeschool our kids, teach graduate classes at Purdue University, and do a bit of law. Then I write.
And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…
I’ve split my writing between WWII romances and contemporary romantic mysteries/suspense. I love bringing little known stories from the war to life for readers, and I love contemporary books with more than romance, which is why I write romantic suspense/mysteries.
How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?
I’ve wanted to write since I was a teenager. I tried writing books at that time, then started college, got married, and life got busy. But the dream never died. God blew fresh life into it in April 2005 when I met Colleen Coble. Two years later my first book released, and Shadowed by Grace will by my 17th novel.
After you started writing seriously–how long was it before you were published?
I received my first contract a year after I started seriously writing and saw that book release in October 2007.
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write?
Almonds. Peppermint Hershey kisses. Peanuts and M&Ms.
How many hours a day do you spend writing?
When I’m deadline, I’ll spend 1-4 hours a night writing. When I’m not on deadline, it’ll be on the lower end of the spectrum.
What was one of the best moments in your career and what was one of the worst?
The biggest moment was when I received my first contract at the ACFW conference at the opening session. AMAZING! Worst moment was when I learned B&H was closing their fiction line, so Shadowed by Grace would be a stand-alone instead of the first in a series.
Pretend I’m a customer at a bookstore looking for a good book. Give me a one or two sentence promo to convince me to buy your book.
Rachel Justice is searching through war-torn Italy for her father. Scott Lindstrom, a Monuments Man, is searching for lost art stolen by the Nazis. Where will their search lead them.
What’s on the book horizon for you?
After Shadowed by Grace releases January 1, I’m looking forward to a WWII collection that will release in October 2014. Tricia Goyer, Sarah Sundin and I are writing a collection.
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads
[Tweet “Get to know @cara_putman, author of #ShadowedByGrace, on @SuzanneWFisher’s blog!'”]
More About the Author: Cara C. Putman graduated high school at 16, college at 20, and completed her law degree at 27. An award-winning author of seventeen books with more on the way, she is active in women’s ministry at her church and is a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. Putman is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at Krannert. She serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization she has served in various roles since 2007. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana.
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Looking forward to reading to reading something by Cara Putnam, and her new book Shadowed By Grace seems like a great place to start. Thanks for writing about her and thank her for sharing her comments.
Thanks, Joanne. I’m so glad I had a chance to come by!
Shadowed by Grace sounds like an excellent book. I enjoyed reading this blog entry.
I’ve really been looking forward to this book, thanks for the interview and chance to win.
Sounds great!
Always love a good family story and to include a bit of history is wonderful in my opinion. Looking forward to this particular book.
My goodness, you are such an awe inspiring woman, Ms. Putman,homeshooling children,professor, writer, I would struggle to keep up with any two of those let alone managing to write 17 books! Thank Suzanne for this interview what a great glimpse into a previously unknown to me author. I look forward to each of these that you do. Because of your blog, I have stretched my literary wings and grown.
Thanks, Mindy. I love meeting new authors, too.
I enjoyed Cara’s interview. Such a busy lady she is!! Thanks for interviewing her. I would love to win Shadowed By Grace. Judy F
This sounds like a breath of fresh air. Some of the war love stories are the best.
Can’t wait to read Shadowed By Grace.
Lovely post with Cara! Thank you!
Great interview! I really enjoy Cara’s books and this latest one is on my TBR list! 🙂
Thanks, Cyndi. It’s fun to see you over here!
Shadowed by grace is on my want to read list. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this book.
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself–you sound like one busy lady! I enjoy reading novels that include unknown/little known historical facts! THANKS for doing the research!
I love research — probably too much by the state of my buckling bookshelves.
I just visited Italy and visited my Grandmother ‘s village. I would love to read this book. I hope I win!❤️
Linda, after writing this book, I really want to take a trip to Italy. So many places I wrote about that I want to see for myself.
I would love to win this book. I am recuperating from a total shoulder replacement and would love to read this book. Thank you.
Great post. Would love to win…thanks for the opportunity.
Would love to win this book; thank you!
Cara Putman sounds like a very good writer. I don’t believe I have read any of her books, but will have to change that. I would be delighted to win this book.
I would love to read this novel. Cara Putman writes novels set during my favorite era which are memorable and unforgettabl.
It is a fascinating time period, isn’t it?
I haven’t had the chance to read any of Cara Putman’s books, but I have heard wonderful things about them! Colleen Coble, however, is one of my favorite authors – I love hearing that they are friends! The world of Christian fiction seems so neat, so many people connected and encouraging each other’s talents.
Shadowed by Grace sounds so interesting and the cover is beautiful! Thanks for holding this giveaway!
I owe so much to Colleen!
What a great book! I can’t wait to read it!
chendryx(at)nctv(dot)com
I usually find myself drawn to other types of fiction…but Cara’s book really intrigues me. I am anxious to read it and widen my “reading horizons!”
Would love to win this book and read it before the movie Monument Men comes out. csaunderson123@gmail.com
thanks for the chance to read this beautiful story 🙂
I love Cara & Suzanne’s books!!!Love to win!
would love to win.
Haven’t read any of Cara’s books yet. Would love to!
Shadowed By Grace sounds intriguing. I enjoy WWII stories and the search for stolen art makes it a must read. Thanks for a chance to win it!
When I stumbled on the Monuments Men, I knew I had to learn more.
Suzanne, Great post about Cara and her book Shadowed By Grace.
I have seen great reviews for this and would love to read it !
This is a new author for me and sounds like a very interesting book. I need to look into other things that she has written as well. She definitely leads a very full life. Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve read at least one of Cara’s books and have read her blog for a year or two. Shadowed by Grace sounds like a fantastic book. I’d never heard of the Monuments Men until I started reading about her book (and then seeing previews for George Clooney’s movie). I think reading historical fiction is a great way to learn more about history, especially books by authors like Cara who I know do lots of research so their details are accurate. I’m also looking forward to the World War II novella collection Cara is writing with Sarah Sundin and Tricia Goyer since they are authors whose books I also enjoy reading.
Pam, I’m so excited about that novella collection, too!
Looks interesting!
Can’t wait to read this book.
I love historical fiction, especially the WW2 era.
Thanks for sharing with us. Would love to read one of your books!
Thanks for having me, Suzanne! Appreciate you!
I love historical fiction. I would love to read and win your book. I enjoyed the interview. Thank you for the giveaway.
Thank you for sharing this lovely interview with Cara Putman and for the opportunity to win a copy of SHADOWED BY GRACE. It is on my TBR list and I would love to win!
Great interview! Looking forward to reading Shadowed by grace.
Would love to win this book. Enjoyed the interview! Glad she finds time to write!
Can’t wait to read. Hope I win.
I would love to win “Shadowed by Grace”. I too am inspired by Colleen Coble.
This book by Cara has been on my TBR list now for several weeks – I would so love to win a copy – thanks for the chance 🙂
I’ve had so much going on lately (that’s not good) I will admit it’s been awhile since I’ve been able to really spend some time on your blog! Not to mention reading your Author Spotlights 🙁 I will have to say, I truly enjoyed this interview with Cara Putnam.. I’ve never read any of her books, (I’m a huge Amish book fan)! I found this interview to be so encouraging… Do I wanna win? Of course lol, but I got more out of this interview and inspiration in a long time!! She’s seems like a very sweet person and BUSY!! Ok sorry didn’t mean to write a report, lol 🙂
Sounds like a great book. Another one to add to my “to be read” list. Thanks for the giveaway.
Not saying I don’t read other books, lol just that I am a huge fan of Amish books! I read a lot of different books! Suzanne’s books rock, can’t wait to read some of Cara’s!! ❤️
I am widowed and love reading
Sounds like a book I would love!