Cara C. Putman's Blog, page 81

Gothic Romance set in Jane Austen’s England

Love #JaneAusten? Need a new book? Try latest from @Julie_Klassen. #amreading
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Julie Klassen is a master story-teller, one who brings Regency England to life with her deft pen. The Secret of Pembrooke Park is yet one more addition to her delightful story-telling. Most of her books are hits with me…The Secret of Pembrooke Park definitely was.

In this story, Abigail Foster’s family has suffered a financial set-back when unexpectedly they are offered the use of a distant relatives manor home, which has been essentially abandoned for almost 20 years. With no where else to go, the family makes plans to move to the estate. Abigail takes over the preparation of the home…and finds the place filled with mystery and questions.

This book is about the hunt for a treasure and learning what treasure really and truly is. It’s about learning to break free of the past, and being willing to walk into the future. It’s also about the desire to be loved for who we really are. It’s about the importance of family and loving despite the bumps and set-backs in life. And it’s about a romance (actually two romances) that seems impossible. And perseverance to find the truth.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park is a engrossing read for those who adore Jane Austen England and love a richly layered, multi-faceted book.

Media Mail & Books

The longer I write the more I get asked to read books for endorsement. It’s something I love to do…especially when it’s for a writer that I know I’ve enjoyed their prior books. I still get a little giddy thinking anyone really cares what I think about a book.

Because of this, I receive a couple books a week.  Last week I received Courtney Walsh’s new book, Paper Hearts. I A.D.O.R.E.D. this book. You can read my review here.

What I found interesting this time was that the post office had opened the package. Now anytime I ship something Media Mail, I know that it is subject to search, but I don’t think any have been opened. So this struck me as interesting. Fortunately for me, the package fit the media mail requirements.

Has anyone else received something via media mail that was opened by the USPS?

Beyond All Dreams: A Gilded Age Romance with More

Elizabeth Camden became a go-to author for me with her book With Every Breath. This book is even better!

Beyond All Dreams is a historical novel set in Washington, D.C. during the Gilded Age. It has romance, mystery, and a story I couldn’t leave. There’s political intrigue, naval shenanigans, and so much more. I loved this look into 1897 D.C. It was also fascinating to have a large part of the story set in the Library of Congress.

The hero and heroine are so real, the conflict separating them so vast that I literally wondered how they could end up together –even as I wanted it for them. Each had strengths and foibles…that worked in perfect opposition to them. And the spiritual thread of forgiveness resonated in a strong way. And I love this — she taught me something about American history that I didn’t know in a way that made it enjoyable. This novel is perfect for every historical reader who enjoys Gilded Age, more than a romance, yet a romance that is sigh-worthy.

I can’t wait for her next book!

Looking for a Quick Read?

Sometimes we don’t have a ton of time to read. I know! Perish the thought! But it’s true. Life gets to going so fast, it’s hard to snatch windows of time to read. That’s when I like to pick up a well-written novella.

In A Brush with Love, Rachel Hauck has crafted a story of a deeply scarred woman who has it all — when it comes to making other women beautiful. However, she will never see herself as beautiful, let alone desirable to a man. She’s walled her heart and life off, even as a piece of her longs for more. Enter the hero who walked out on her 12 years earlier when his family fled town in the middle of the night.

Looking for a Quick Read? I enjoyed A Brush with Love by @rachelhauck. Strong story. Great…
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He’s always found her beautiful, but knows she has to accept that truth for herself. This novella is one that I wish had been longer. There was so much truth to be explored as Ginger steps into seeing her beauty first through Tom’s eyes and then through God’s. A quick read that I enjoyed!

4 Easy Steps to a Helpful Review

Periodically, I’m asked to give tips on writing reviews. I’m always glad to help people feel more comfortable spreading the word about books they love. I love to tell everyone about books that I love…and now that I’m an author, I know just how much a well written review — even if it’s a few sentences can help authors.

Many readers use the number of reviews as one way to decide whether or not to try a book or a new to them author. It’s really easy to write reviews! Really.

I’ve never taken a course on book reviews, and actually fell into writing them almost by accident.

Love books? Want to review, but don’t know how? @Cara_Putman shares 4 easy paragraphs to a #review.
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So after I started a blog more years ago than I want to think about, it made sense to have books be a large part of that blog.

You can read the rest of this post over at Inspired by Life and Fiction where I’m blogging today.

7 Years Ago…

Seven years ago my life changed when I experienced my first miscarriage. It was about this time of January that I lay in an ultrasound suite with my husband, both of us expecting to see a heartbeat and meet our new little one through the wonders of ultrasound technology. Instead, with each passing moment, the tech’s persona became more solemn. Then we were ushered to the doctor’s office — something that hadn’t happened in my earlier pregnancies.

Instead of walking out with a CD of images of our baby, I walked out knowing this was a child I would not meet this side of heaven.

I can still feel the overwhelming sense of loss and disbelief.

My life was changed. Today, I want to share with you a post I wrote two months later about a special service held in our community…maybe it will inspire you to seek something similar in yours.

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(March 2007) Ever go through a season in life where you just know that God is teaching you something. And part of that is opening your eyes to the pain in other peoples’ lives.

I have been blessed beyond measure. My life has been sheltered from so much pain.

Then at the end of January I had a miscarriage.

Even typing those words hurts.

It’s not until you experience it that it really sinks in just how many baby things exists in this world. I can’t even get milk from our local Wal-Mart without passing the diapers and adorable baby outfits. Try walking through a mall without wincing when you see Motherhood Maternity or the cute clothes at Children’s Place, Old Navy, or Kohls.

I am blessed with two beautiful children. Wonderful children. But my arms still feel very empty right now.

Saturday our local hospital partnered with a parish and funeral home to hold a beautiful memorial service for families who had suffered a perinatal loss. They do this three times a year and have a permanent memorial for these little ones. What a wonderful way to acknowledge the grief and begin the process of moving on. It also provides a place for families to return to on those hard days like due dates, anniversaries, etc. And it acknowledges the real pain that people feel when they walk through this process.

As I’ve thought about it and talked to others, I’ve realized just how unique this service (and all the other support the hospital provides) is. Yet around 25% of pregnancies end prematurely from miscarriage. What an opportunity for churches and crisis pregnancy centers to step in and reach out to another subset of women who are deeply wounded by pregnancy loss.

So this isn’t my typical kind of post. But it’s where I am right now. And who knows, maybe this will help ignite a dream or ministry in your heart to reach out to women in pain.

Because as we know, Jesus provides hope and healing. But sometimes He chooses to work through us.

You’ve Got Mail meets Letters to Juliet in the best possible way!

Happy, happy sigh. This reader was swept away by Courtney Walsh‘s delightful Paper Hearts. It is one of those sweet romances that just has it all!

Abigail Pressman has a dream to expand her bookstore set in a tourist town in the Colorado mountains. All she needs to do is scrape together the funds to buy the building. Before she can do that a new doctor swings into town with the cash to buy her building. Before she really meets him, she knows he could threaten her future plans and happiness…not to mention her livelihood. Jacob didn’t intend to destroy her life, he just wanted to create a new one for himself and his daughter. But then the Valentine Volunteers get involved — think a Greek Chorus ala Letters to Juliet, and all kinds of shenanigans happen.

This book is rich with secondary characters who beg to have books of their own, yet keep from stealing the show. Abigail is the kind of heroine I would love to sit down with and share cups of her special Love Peak brew. And the paper hearts are an excellent reminder to keep an eye on my personal romance and ways to keep it alive through good and bad times.

This is a romance perfect for those who love a contemporary story filled with heart, characters you’ll adore, and a romance laced with enough angst and ahhhs to keep you reading.

Which Hat Today?

I am many things. I play many roles. Maybe you can relate… This week, I will be a wife (well, every day for 19 years!), I will be a mom, I will homeschool my kiddos, I will teach graduate level classes, I will prepare for the MBA classes I’m taking, I will write, I will lawyer, I will be a friend, a mentor, a house painter, a box packer. I will be many things, but most of all I am a Christ follower.

Yet, if I don’t, everything else I do is meaningless. It’s easy in the rush of life to say I’m a Christ follower, but not take the moments to pause. To read my Bible. To pray. To pick up the phone and encourage a sister who needs it. To ask God to help me see the world as He sees the world.

Do you rush through life changing hats constantly? Join @Cara_putman on the journey to authentic…
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A waste of effort.

A puff of hot air that will disappear without notice.

So today, I sit next to you (go ahead, imagine I’m in the room with you). Maybe I have a white latte. Maybe you have a mug of exotic tea. Maybe a candle burns in the corner, scenting the air with spice. Either way, I’m with you. As your peer. As your friend. As a fellow Christ-follower who doesn’t get it all right. But as someone who wants to.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Faith: Live in His Presence

Live in His presence.

That was the command that God gave to Abram in Genesis 17. This was after God has promised Abram at least twice that he would have more descendants than he could count. It’s after Sarai interjects herself into God’s plan and tells Abram to build a family through Hagar.

Basically Abram has walked with God for YEARS. Let that sink in.

Abram had already walked with God for YEARS.

And now God is issuing the challenge when Abram was 99 years old. “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless.”

Wow!

And what a challenge to me personally.

It doesn’t matter how long I’ve lived for God. How long I’ve followed Him. How long His desires have been my heart’s cry.

His call is to live in His presence.

I don’t.

I let so many  other things distract me and pull me away. And remember my heart’s cry is to do His will.

Today this challenge strikes me anew. “Come away, my child, and live in my presence. In the midst of your days. In the midst of your chaos. Live with me.

“Live in My presence.”

My response?

“Yes, Lord. Once again, I accept the call to live in Your presence. Help me in my weakness.”

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On a sidenote, don’t forget to enter the January giveaway.

 

If you love romances set in the west: 5 authors you should read

Love cowboys? A romance set in Texas or the West? Then I have a few authors you should definitely check out. These women write great Christian romance that also contains a cowboy hat or two.

Karen Witemeyer is a master of the romantic comedy set in the 1850s forward in Texas. Her books are a hoot! The quick repartee between the hero and heroine often has me in stitches — me! The one born without a funny bone (according to one of my brothers). All you have to do is look at the covers to get a sense of heroines who are strong, independent women, and heroes who can stand up to them…sometimes with a little help. And some of the books, like Full Steam Ahead, also teach me a little bit about something new to me. I love that! And don’t worry, it doesn’t slow down the story one wit — instead, it keeps each one feeling new and fresh. So I highly recommend her award winning books to you!

Next up is my friend and fellow Nebraskan Mary Conneally. Her books are all about cowboys and the women who tame them. I haven’t been able to keep up with all of her books — this woman is prolific! But I can tell you I have enjoyed many of them. There’s a strong sense of humor, but there’s also a sweetness to the stories — don’t tell her I said that because she might not agree. Often that sweetness comes from the very strong spiritual thread. A great example is Gingham Mountain, the best example of God’s adoptive love for us that I’ve read. Her books take place across the wild West: Colorado, Montana, Texas, etc. And if you want cowboys, you will find all kinds in her novels. White hats, black hats, confused hats. Her books are fantastic and well-worth your time.

Next up is Regina Jennings. Regina’s books have a fun sense of humor (hmmm, are you sensing a theme?) Her four books are set in the 1860s-ish and have a heroine who is often trapped in some way and there’s an impossible situation she has to overcome. Sound like life? Then there’s a hero who isn’t sure he wants to be the hero and often is in direct conflict with the heroine. Add in a great cast of supporting characters and enough conflict to keep the pages turning, and I think her books will fill your love for the 1860s and cowboys…

Pam Hillman also writes books with cowboys. You knew she had to because this post is all about cowboys. Her books are also set in the late 1800s and have characters that will work their way into your mind even when you’re not reading. With a swoon worthy hero and a heroine who stands on her own, these are titles you should check out.

My friend Colleen Coble has also written a couple series set in Texas — one contemporary and one historical. Each series has a romantic mystery/suspense thread to keep the characters hopping. These books often, but not always, have a marriage of convenience angle, and the contemporary series has a definite romantic suspense feel. The historicals have a mystery, but not quite the same suspense level. Still, you can’t go wrong with either of her series — it just depends on whether you like historicals or contemporary novels.

So here are a few Christian fiction authors you should definitely try if you like your romances with cowboys in them. Who would you add to this list?

And don’t forget to join my January giveaway here.