Saturday, April 16, 2011

Here Come the Ohio Brides!

[Ladijo WON OHIO BRIDES by Cara C. Putman! Thanks for all the comments! ]

Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite books to read are historical romances. I love other genres, too, but it's the historical romance I will pick up when I have the choice. Cara C. Putman's books are among my favorites. Cara has a great love of history and this is what makes her books so real and her characters pop out of the pages of our past.

Her many hats include wife, mother, attorney, speaker, college instructor, volunteer with ACFW and now author. And with so much to do you'd think she would toss aside people asking her questions or her many friends--after all, there are only so many hours in a day! But I can count on her when I need help with my own writing, and I trust her judgment. When I first met her through ACFW, I thought I would encourage her in writing, but she ended up being an encouragement to me, too.

Since Cara has three of her past releases coming together in a new book, now is your chance to get all three stories in one book, Ohio Brides. Travel back to WWII and the people involved during that time in America's history in these three historical romances. Cara also agreed to give us a glimpse into her writing life so you can see that below with the answers to my questions.

Ohio Brides by Cara C. Putman
Ohio Brides
by Cara C. Putman
Step into 1940s Ohio when dreams are challenged by a climate of war. Newlyweds, Josie and Art are struggling to begin their life in a new city where war refugees are seeking shelter. Evelyn joins the WAVES to be of assistance, but Mark, an engineer, feels she is a distraction. Kat makes the All-American Girls Professional Softball League, but Jack, a reporter who wasn’t physically qualified to serve his country in war, takes his bitterness out on her. Where are God’s promises of peace and love during World War II?


Crystal: What’s your favorite part of writing a book?

Author Cara C. Putman
Cara: I love discovering the characters and what makes them tick. Then creating the places they live and work and the people they know is a lot of fun, too. Especially when I get to add in all kinds of ready made conflict. Like a mothering assistant who won’t leave the heroine alone.

Crystal: When the well runs dry, how do you recharge your creative energy?


Cara: Pick up a book written by someone who writes at a whole other level than I do. This week it was Lisa Gardner’s latest suspense. Wow! That girl can write a suspense that twists all around. And Dan Walsh’s new book, Deeper Waters. He writes a love story like Nicholas Sparks only better. I can learn much from both of them. 

Crystal: Do you keep regular hours in writing? What’s a typical day when you’re writing?

Cara: I do. When I’m on deadline, I usually write sometime from 9 p.m. to midnight. It’s based more on total words for the day than hours. A typical day is homeschooling the kids in the morning/early afternoon. Shuttling them to activities in the afternoon and evening. And then somehow squeezing in time to write and read. Often that means I’m sitting at the back of the gym with my laptop while my daughter turns flips and handsprings.

Crystal: My writing world would be perfect if only….

Cara: I had a maid and cook. Someone to keep the details of my house up because I can’t let it slide into total chaos. Not when my kids are here 24/7.

Crystal: My best ideas come from or when…..

Cara: Come from reading nonfiction or dreaming and praying for inspiration.

Crystal: What three things can you not write without?

Cara: My trusty laptop, lots of water bottles or other drinks, and a wee bit of peace and lots of support from my family.

Crystal: Any advice to the readers who wish to write a book?

Cara: Join ACFW. If you’re serious about learning the craft and improving, then you have to join ACFW.




Info on Ohio Brides:

Publisher:Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Category:Romance Collections,New Releases
ISBN:9781616261184
Paperback, 368 pages
Price: $7.99

To Get the Ohio Brides Book Click Here

More about Cara C. Putman Click Here

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like it will be a good book.

Christine Lindsay said...

Cara is right about joining ACFW. A wonderful organization that I belong to. And it was Crystal who suggested I join 4 years ago. A decision I have never regretted.

Cara Putman said...

Thanks so much for hosting me, Crystal. Knowing you has been a great benefit of this writing journey. Lunch soon okay?

rbooth43 said...

I loved Cara Putman's Stars In The Night. I'm sure Ohio Brides is another great read! I also love reading Lisa Gardner's and Dan Walsh's books.

Anonymous said...

Great advice on writing. Can't believe you can write while watching kids at gymnastics.Talk about multitasking! Good luck on your book.

Unknown said...

Can't wait to read the new book. I've enjoyed her other books! Cara has inspired my daughter to be an author and homeschooling mom.

Cathy Shouse said...

I enjoyed reading this interview.

I loved reading Cara's "Canteen Dreams" and have lost track of all her other titles. lol

Would like to see "Ohio Brides" on my shelf. Add me to the drawing, please. :)

Rick Barry said...

I, too, have found the 1940s and the war years to be fertile ground for producing both novels and short stories. It's also interesting how Cara Putnam, or Sarah Sundin, or a male adventure writer can focus on the same basic time period, yet develop vastly different types of tales. Blessings to you, Cara! Keep pushing through that time barrier!

Crystal Laine said...

Yes, LUNCH, Cara! LOL.

ACFW is THE organization to belong to if you write fiction. It has many aspects to help you on your journey. Thanks, Cara, for mentioning that.

Thanks for coming by to comment, everyone. Be sure I have your contact info for the book drawing. :)RBooth, I LOVED Stars in the Night, too.

And Cara is the master of multi-tasking, or maybe tasking at all!

Cara Putman said...

Y'all make me smile. I've learned I have to snag those snatches of time. Otherwise, I'd never get anything written. But I love life. Even when it's crazy insane :-)

Linda said...

I love Cara's books on WWII! I made sure my future husband was through the service before I married. I don't think I was cut out to wait til he came home. Ohio Brides would be genuinely interesting to read. Please enter me.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Rose McCauley said...

I agree with all of Cara's writing ideas especially the one about wishing for a cook and maid! LOL And also to join ACFW if you are serious about writing. I'd love to read this book. crmcc at setel dot com

Giveaway Lady said...

I would love to be entered for Cara's new book! It looks lovely:) Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Jo said...

I would love to be entered in the drawing for this book. I was born right at the end of WW11.

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

Pegg Thomas said...

I'd love a chance to win the book, it sounds like a good read, but I also have to tell you that I laughed at the title of your blog. We have a cafe actually called the "Chat N' Chew" in the little town of Glennie, Michigan. I smile every time I pass by.

twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com