Cara C. Putman's Blog, page 121

October New Releases

October is the month where fall makes me want to curl up with a blanket, cup of hot chocolate, and a great book. Publishers seem to understand that because there is a long list of great fiction releases coming this month. Read below more a hint of what's releasing. More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.



Garters for Lace by Brandi Boddie --

Engrossed in Tuscany

I'm at that delightful and terrifying stage of writing a book. The one where I wonder if I can do it. The story is so much bigger than I am. But the contract is on the way, so I get to write it.

This book is one where I want to emphasize I. Get. To. Write. It. I first discovered the idea and started talking to editors about it in the fall of 2010. The conversations - at least in my head - also

Interview with Susan Meissner and a Giveaway

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The Trouble with Cowboys Review

Denise Hunter is one of my go-to authors for contemporary romance. Her Big Sky Romance series has been a lot of fun to read, and The Trouble with Cowboys is no exception. Annie Wilkerson is just trying to keep it all together, and that means staying as far away as possible from cowboys. She learned from watching the string her mother kept around that cowboys bring a load of hurt with them.

Christmas Roses: Review

The calendar has just turned to October, but today I'm thinking cold thoughts. Dreaming of a White Christmas. The pages of this book transported me to Christmas with a story of love and roses.

I'm not usually one to read novellas. The word count can make it tricky to tell a full story. There was something about the idea of this historical where a widow isn't looking for a husband -- unless

Fun on Friday: Glamour Video from the 40s

If you thought we were the only ones who were concerned with beauty and fashion, you are wrong. Today I'm sharing a vintage glamour how-to video that I found on Glamour Daze. Enjoy! And let me know what you think of the advice. Is there any you would change?

To brand or not to brand…

A brand.

That’s what every author needs.

At least that’s what we’re told as authors almost from the moment we first tap out a word on a keyboard. From some perspectives, people take it to mean you need a tagline. A pithy phrase that defines you to readers and publishers. Others say it means identifying those elements that are consistent in every book you write. The general experience a reader

With Every Letter Review & Giveaway

Today, I'm delighted to share my friend Sarah Sundin's new book with you. With Every Letter is the first book in her new Wings of the Nightingale series. While watching Shop Around the Corner, she began wondering what it would be like to fall in love through letters at a soul connection. As she noodled on that idea, With Every Letter was born. Mellie is a woman who's never quite fit in and as a

3 tips for using PicMonkey

One of the things I love about conference is learning about new tools and techniques. My friend Tricia Goyer is brilliant at making social media easy. While we were at ACFW, she told me about a website that lets you turn photos into postable images with text. I've always wondered how people did that. I've just started playing with it, but wanted to share it with you and add a few tips.

1) Go

Writing, Dreaming, or Scheming

Here's another post. Life is still the same. Only now I'm balancing writing a WWII novel with a contemporary mystery. Oh and spent a lot of time the last couple weeks trying to beat another WWII proposal into submission. Amazing how the more I write, the more the process stays the same.

One of the challenges of the writing life is how to balance the need to write contracted books with the need