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.