Monday, April 5, 2010

Author Interview and Book Giveaway: A Promise Born

Cara C. Putman has written professionally since 2005 when God’s call firmly took root. Since then joys of publication have fallen quickly on the heels of her hard work. Her first book, Canteen Dreams, was the 2008 winner of American Christian Fiction Writer’s Book of the Year. Her second book, Sandhill Dreams, was a Book of the Year finalist. Along with writing about the home front during World War 2, she has written two mysteries for Love Inspired Suspense. Today I am honored to share an interview I had with her. Cara has graciously offered to give away a copy of her book...A Promise Born to one fortunate winner!




Cara, thank you for taking the time to visit us today! I appreciate you taking the time to answer these few questions, letting us get to know you better.



Thanks so much for having me, Casey.

1: How long did you write before you were published?

My story is a bit unique in that from the time I felt God give me the go-ahead to chase the dream of writing books to the time I had my first contract was about 15 months. Add another year to holding that first book in my hands and now five years later, I’m waiting for books ten and eleven to release this summer and fall. It’s more normal for it to take 7 to 9 years from first sitting down to write to landing that first contract. Publishing is all about perseverance and discipline.

2: When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

That God was amazing. It was a beautiful book – from cover to story. And readers responded well to Canteen Dreams. But that first thought was definitely that God had blown me away.

3: What do you find the hardest part about writing?

The isolation. I’m an extrovert, so it is truly hard to spend so much time alone – just me and my computer. But, I’ve found ways to still connect with people and developed deep friendships with other writers and readers through ACFW, facebook, etc.

4: How do you coordinate time between writing and other responsibilities?

When I have a deadline, I am very disciplined. I will get the writing done. Sometimes that means I don’t get a lot of sleep, and my kids have a knack for getting sick and needing more of me during those peak times. But I’ve also learned to ask for help earlier in the process. To not wait until I am buried and it’s almost impossible to catch up. So when I’m under deadline, I’ll have a babysitter come at least one afternoon a week. The kids like the break from mom, and I can go through the other days knowing I have a pocket of time for uninterrupted writing.

5: What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on edits to Stars in the Night, my World War Two romantic suspense that releases in July, and dreaming up new ideas for future books.

6: Where can readers find out more about your books?

It’s easy to learn more about them at http://www.caraputman.com/  or at http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/ . I update my blog, which can be found at both sites as well as on my facebook page, at least three times a week.

7: What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

That no matter what is going on in our lives, God will never leave us or forsake us. That we can have hope in the darkest night because He is there. And whether my novel is a historical romance or a romantic suspense, readers will find a variation on those themes.

8: Why did you chose this profession?

Because I love to research and create. And I knew this was one area where I could never learn all there is to know. There is no threat of boredom when there is no way to ever become the perfect writer. I can always push myself to be better.

Thank you for being with us today. Any final words for readers?

Thanks so much for having me, Casey.

What an honor to share an interview with you, Cara! I wish you all the very best in your writing, it's some of the best! :-)

Readers to enter to win A Promise Born, PLEASE LEAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS! If I draw your name and there is no email, YOU WILL NOT WIN!

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

And a NEW one:
~Follow Cara's blog.

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter!

53 comments:

  1. I would really enjoy this book. Thanks.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please add me Casey this book looks great!! And I am a subcriber:)
    Lindsey
    lindseypa89(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Please enter me in the giveaway! The book looks great!

    I am a follower of yours!

    and I just became a followers of Cara's blog!

    katie M

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please add me :) shawnawilliams@allegiance.tv

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful book I would love to win, I follow you on google, bookreads and have you button on my blog http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/

    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful cover.
    I am a follower.
    csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love reading your reviews and interviews. I am a follower. kimkvpathotmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  8. Greetings,
    I've read many of Cara's books and love them.
    I'm a follower of yours and want to be one of Cara's, but can't find it on her page. I sent her a comment and told her I want to be a follower.
    Thanks so much,
    Trinity Rose

    wandaelaine at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Casey. I am a subscriber & follower of your blog as well as Cara's. Please enter me into your giveaway and thank you so much for the opportunity.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a interesting interview and I have enjoyed reading some of Cara's books. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    I'm a follower and a subscriber and now I am following Cara's blog.

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

    ReplyDelete
  11. By the way, I've made it easy for folks to follow me now. Thanks for letting me know that wasn't easy, Trinity Rose.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Please enter me! Thank you!!
    Carman sent me and by the way I really just had to take your button hope you dont mind!
    glenda.a.silva@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Im a follower of yours via google friend connect!

    glenda.a.silva@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would love to read this book.
    debp
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am a email subscriber.
    debp
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, I love Heartsong books. Please enter me. This book looks good.

    Thanks
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm a follower of your blog

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm a subscriber too.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I subscribed to Cara's blog too.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sounds like a good book! I'm a follower and a suscriber:)

    parisakins@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Casey, please enter me for this book....sounds so good! I am a folllower of your blog and also of Cara's. Thanks!!!
    jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  22. would love to read Cara's latest...thanks for the opportunity.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would really love to read this book.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I follow your blog.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I subscribe via email.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I follow Cara's blog via GFC.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow Clara's blog via Google Friend Connect

    glenda.a.silva@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh, this book looks great! Count me in!
    plhouston@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'd love to win this book! Thank you! :)

    hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm a blog follower.

    hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm following Cara's blog.

    hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks for having this giveaway! It'd be fun to win!

    Maria Delgado
    mariadelgado32302@yahoo.com
    http://mariasgiveawaylistings.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  33. i follow!

    Maria Delgado
    mariadelgado32302@yahoo.com
    http://mariasgiveawaylistings.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  34. i subscribe to emails.

    Maria Delgado
    mariadelgado32302@yahoo.com
    http://mariasgiveawaylistings.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  35. i follow the authors blog

    Maria Delgado
    mariadelgado32302@yahoo.com
    http://mariasgiveawaylistings.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  36. I would love a chance to win! Thanks

    hmahan_0529 @ yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am a follower. Enter me in I'm looking forward to read this book

    robinribbit at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I hope I am not too late. Please include me.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Please count me in. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a great cover and interview! Makes me want to read and review this book for Good Reads and Library Thing. I am a follower and a suscriber. Hope I win. God has been with me throughout my life. God bless you and all Writing in Christ followers.

    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. We posted about your giveaway at Winning Readings.

    inspiredbyfiction[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anything Cara's writes! Please enter me. Thanks!

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I follow by Google Friend connect.

    desertrose5173 at mail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. This looks interesting. Please enter me, thanks!

    ~Melissa
    hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Please enter me.

    Wendy
    ebeandebe at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Please enter me!! winnieayala (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love Cara's books! She is a talented writer! Thanks for this chance!
    Mollydawn1981 AT aol DOT com

    Extra Entries:
    ~I follow your blog
    ~I subscribe to your blog
    ~ I follow Cara's blog too

    ReplyDelete
  48. Would love to win! I follow your blog and am subscribed to your newsletter.

    blessings,
    Doreen
    priviesandprims@yahoo.com
    www.PriviesAndPrims.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  50. Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  51. E-mail subscriber

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  52. I follow Cara's blog

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  53. I would enjoy reading this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by, I love to hear from those who traffic my blog! Have a wonderful day. :)