Monday, August 23, 2010

Giveaway and Author Interview: Stars in the Night

I have been so excited to post this interview. My friend and one of my favorite authors, Cara Putman is here today giving away a copy of Stars in the Night her first trade paperback book, woo-hoo!! Be sure and read to the end to find out how to enter. : )

Welcome back to Writing for Christ, I am excited to have you here for a second time.
Thanks so much for having me, Casey. I love coming by.

What has changed in your writing life since you were last here?

My first trade novel, Stars in the Night has released. I am so excited about this book because it marries my loves: World War II and romantic suspense. The result is a book set in Hollywood during World War II (think glamour and glitz) with a hint of Murder on the Orient Express.

What recent read stood out to you as truly spectacular?

You like asking the hard questions, don’t you :-). A truly spectacular read? It would half to be one that I couldn’t anticipate the ending or if I could, I didn’t care because I loved the characters so much. Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones was excellent. Jenny has a delightful way with humor that had me laughing out loud through the whole book. But the spiritual thread was so strong that she also had me in tears a few times. I basically sat down and read the book in one setting, putting the world on hold for a night. My husband kept asking what was so funny. But don’t get me wrong. There is a depth to that book that I was willing to go to because I knew Jenny wouldn’t leave me in the dumps. It is truly a beautiful book. Christa Parrish’s Watch Over Me was similar without the humor.

Do you have favorite authors?

This is a tough question because I read so much. Good writers have to read almost voraciously. See what’s working and doesn’t work. I loved Terri Blackstock’s newest release Predator. Great book that’s ripped from the headlines. I am also reading Cynthia Ruchti’s They Almost Always Come Home as well as Marybeth Whalen’s The Mailbox. Both of these are very different from my traditional historical or romantic suspense reads. Other authors that I will always read are Colleen Coble, Brandilyn Collins, Christa Parrish and Deeanne Gist. They’ve earned the right to have me always buy their books since they always write a read I can’t put down.

What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing or connecting with readers?

Honestly? I love meeting people. Even if it’s over the internet, I love the community of readers and writers. The chance to minister to people, but frankly God surprises me with the way I am ministered to as well. That’s a benefit I never anticipated but has definitely occurred. I love breathing life into other people’s dreams. And connecting readers with books that I’ve loved – especially those that aren’t mine. Though I love it when readers find my books, too!

What do you find the most ideal atmosphere for writing? Do you ever get those surroundings?
I do a lot of writing at home in my office and at Panera. I find I can’t write days on end in the same environment. That’s why I love escaping to Panera or McAllisters for a few hours. There’s activity but not enough to distract me. Last night I wrote for two hours while at the gym waiting for my daughter at team practice. I’ve basically learned how to turn on and off and focus when I need to so I can make my word count.

Okay, something fun for those writers out there: In what point of your writing career did you surprise yourself by writing the most words ever in the shortest amount of time?

Wow! I think I had one day with over 8000 words this spring. I had two books due, one February 1st and the second March 1st, and both contracts arrived in the middle of October. That was a lot of words without a lot of time. But I have a wonderfully supportive husband and family and was able to escape a couple times to rack up high word counts. I’m very goal driven, so I knew I had to have a couple of those. Fortunately, I knew where the stories were headed.

Thanks for being here again! It has been a joy and we wish the very best with your novels.

Thanks so much, Casey! And if people want to read the first chapters of any of my novels, be sure to stop by my website: http://www.caraputman.com/ .


Okay readers, here is your chance to win Cara's latest book, Stars in the Night!!

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 my friend Cara's blog HERE

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! Contest ends on September 4th.

74 comments:

  1. Please enter me! Sounds great!

    God bless!

    ~Katie G.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  2. I am a follower.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  3. I am a subscriber.

    katiegalyean (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  4. Sounds like a great book, I'd love to be entered! :-)

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Great interview! :) I, too, love the "community of readers and writers" here on the Internet, and I find that I have been blessed so much, as well!

    I would love a chance to win this book! And I must say, that cover is simply gorgeous! ;)

    -I'm a follower of this blog.
    -I'm a follower of Cara's blog.

    Thanks, Casey and Cara!

    ~Amber

    stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

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  6. Yay!!! Another chance to win Cara's new book!!! Thank you so much for entering me, Casey. : )

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  7. This is one of my favorite covers! I'm looking forward to reading it, so I would love to be entered.
    I'm a follower.
    Subscriber
    i now follow Cara's blog.

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  8. thanks for the chance to read cara's fabulous novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  9. Hey Casey and Cara! Great interview! I've read The Mailbox by Marybeth and I really loved it too, I haven't read anything by those other authors but they sound interesting I just may have to look into those ;-)

    I would love to be signed up to win Cara's latest too!

    Thanks so much!
    +1 I'm a follower
    +1 I'm a super subscriber
    +1 I'm already a follower of Cara's blog YAY!

    XOXO~ Renee
    steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com

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  10. Please enter me!

    I am a follower.

    I am a follower of Cara's blog.

    pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com

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  11. Oh I've seen this book before but have not read it. Seems like it will be a great book. Thanks for giving away a copy.
    plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  12. I would love to win this book. I like books about World War II and romance/supense are my favorites, too. Great combination for a book. Thanks for the chance to win it. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  13. I subscribe by e-mail ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  14. I follow on Google Friend Connect. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  15. I also follow Cara's blog, Thanks for all the extra entries. ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  16. I've been wanting to read this one. It sounds terrific and I'd love to win.

    I follow in Google Reader.

    je2kids(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  17. Should be an interesting read!

    Please enter me in the drawing.

    Doreen
    priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

    I'm also a follower and a subscriber.

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  18. I am a follower! Thanks for the extra entry!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  19. I am a subscriber. Thank you for the extra entry!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  20. I am following Cara's blog. Thank you for the extra entry!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  21. Sounds like a great book!

    Amy S.
    artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

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  22. Casey, as always, your interviews are wonderful! Cara, I've heard so much good about "Stars in the Night" ~ thank you both for a chance to win the book.

    Casey, I'm a follower of Writing for Christ and Operation Encourage an Author. I am also an email subscriber and follower of Cara's blog.

    Blessings to you both!

    Beverly
    bgrider2@cox.net
    bgrider2[at]cox[dot]net

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  23. I would like to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  24. email subscriber :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  25. i would love to read this book!

    sheree
    booknroll.blogspot.com

    neednspace at aol dot com

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  26. Stars in the Night is on my wish list. Would love to win this one. I need to go shopping this weekend to fill more of my desires for certain books. Thank you. Juanita W
    whisper97304@yHoo.com

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  27. I am a follower of your blog. I would love to win the book.

    Blessings,
    Kim Thorne msjmom@msn.com

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  28. I am a subscriber to your blog. I would love to win the book.

    Blessings,
    Kim Thorne msjmom@msn.com

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  29. I also follow Cara's blog. Thanks for the Blessings,
    Kim Thorne msjmom@msn.com

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  30. Thanks for some more book recommendations, Cara! I'd love to read this one...

    janemaritz at yahoo dot com

    We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/08/stars-in-night.html

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  31. Hope to win this!
    cparkins14 AT teancum.net

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  32. I am an e-mail subscriber.
    cparkins14 AT teancum.net

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  33. Please enter me. Thanks!

    hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  34. Carman sent me to your blog. I would love to win a copy of Stars in the Night. I've read several reviews of it.
    Thanks.

    pmk56(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  35. Please enter me. I'm a follower. :)

    Can't wait to read this book!

    booklovercb[at]yahoo.com

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  36. This book looks like an excellent one. Thanks!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  37. I am a follower of your blog.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  38. I follow Cara's blog
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  39. I'm so happy I stopped by Casey's blog! I've been wanting to win this intriguing book and haven't yet. I like stories like Cara has written about WWII. I was only 4 years old at the time, but I remember a lot of how we lived with rations, and saying goodbye to family members who served during the war. Casey and Cara, I enjoyed your interview and thanks for offering the giveaway. Please add my name and hope I have a chance to win this time.

    Sharing Christ's Love,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  40. Great interview! I would love a chance to win this book. It sounds fantastic.

    I'm a follower of both your blog and also Cara's. :o)

    leesmithwriting at yahoo dot com

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  41. I want to read this. Thanks for the giveaway and the great interview. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  42. Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  43. It's always nice to learn something about the author. The cover of the book looks beautiful! Enter me.
    gijanechosen(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  44. It looks like a great story, please count me in! Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  45. Great interview and the book sounds great. Please enter me.

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

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  46. I am a follower

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

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  47. Hi Casey! Great interview! Please enter me! I am a follower of you and now Cara... very excited about that! And I am a subscriber.

    latawniakintz[at]gmail[dot]com

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  48. I am glad to see Cara published and look forward to reading Stars in the Night. It went on my wish list when I first saw it publicized.

    We like the same authors, Cara!

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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  49. I'm a follower on Google Friend Connect.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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  50. I also subscribe to your blog, Casey.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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  51. And I've followed Cara's blog for a long time.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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  52. I love to sit outside and look at the STARS IN THE NIGHT, even though the mosquitos will bite sometimes. This book sounds like a great read. Love the interview!
    I am a subscriber,a follower, and follow Cara's Blog.

    rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  53. I'm a follower of Cara's blog.
    cparkins14 AT teancum.net

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  54. 8,000 words in one day!? Yowza! Please enter me.
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

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  55. I follow on GFC
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

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  56. Would love to read this. Thanks for the chance.
    bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Please enter me. I'm a follower of this blog, and of Cara's.

    Thank you!
    stinarose(at)bell(dot)net

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  58. It sounds like a book to read! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  59. Stars in the Night sounds so cool :) Enter me, please!

    drgnfly1010(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I would love to win a copy of this - thanks!
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

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  61. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  62. I follow on GFC
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

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  63. I follow Cara's blog on GFC too!
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

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  64. Thanks for this giveaway!

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  65. Blog follower

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Please enter me in the drawing.

    pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  67. It is always interesting to learn about how other writers write. I'll look for the book by Jenny B. Jones.
    wildamorris.blogspot.com

    wildamorris {at] ameritech [dot] net

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  68. This sounds like a wonderful book.
    wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

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  69. I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance!

    **Carman sent me! :)

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  70. Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  71. email subscriber

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  72. email subscriber

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  73. I follow Cara's blog

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete

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