I’m so happy to call Cara a friend, and I’m thrilled to have her stop by today. Cara’s latest release is a novella collection call Where Tree Tops Glisten with Sarah Sundin and Tricia Goyer. I had the privilege of endorsing this book, so I know you’ll love it. Let’s get to know Cara a bit better.
So why write books set during the WWII time period?
There is something special about that time. I love the classic black and white movies. I adore the swing music. I am captivated by all that the Greatest Generation endured during the war. But I also think life was simpler then. TVs hadn’t been invented. Cars were still “classic.” Social media and the Internet weren’t even a sparkle in someone’s mind. Traveling the country by train was still the norm. And in a day and age where everything is so busy and intense, it’s nice to step back in time and imagine what it was like. The issues were the same, but the noise and clutter wasn’t as loud.
What do you hope readers take away from any of your books?
The reminder that God will never leave them or forsake them. That no matter how hard life gets, He is there. Even in the darkest moments, He is there.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
I’ve known I wanted to write since I was a young teen. Because I was homeschooled, one of my English assignments as a 14 year old was to write a bunch of my favorite authors and ask them for advice. It was so fun to get letters from authors like Madeline L’Engle, Janette Oke, Michael Phillips and Sandy Dengler. Then I started college at 16, a career at 20, and got married at 21. Life sped up, but every couple years the desire to write would rise within me. In 2005 God opened the door, I received my first contract in 2006, and in 2007 that first book released. Just a few weeks ago, my 19thbook released. It’s been an amazing journey.
Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
It’s so hard to pick a favorite book. I love my first book, Canteen Dreams, because it combines my grandparents’ story with what my hometown did during WWII. I love Stars in the Night because it allowed me to write a full length WWII novel that combined Hollywood with a body count. And Shadowed by Grace will always be special because it was a journey to writing a story about the Monuments Men but really a story about a woman’s journey to find her earthly and heavenly fathers.
If published, what was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
The hardest thing about publishing is learning to trust God in the process. I can’t control where my next contract comes from. So I have to lean into Him, and leave this journey to Him while doing what I’m called to do.
Okay, speed round. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite sport to watch: football or gymnastics
Sport you competed in: Swimming
Hometown: North Platte, Nebraska
Favorite beverage: Dr Pepper or well-flavored coffee
Favorite food: Runza…Yummy!
School: Homeschooled
College: University of Nebraska Lincoln
Letters after your name: J.D., with the addition of MBA in May
Favorite TV Show: Castle
Favorite Music: Praise and Worship with a sprinkle of Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift (Shake it off…)
Favorite city: Washington, D.C.
Favorite getaway: Mackinac Island or Highlands, NC
One Word Description: Passionate
One more word: Tired
Career: Author, attorney, university lecturer
Where can people connect with you?
I love to connect with readers! You can learn about me and read first chapters of my books on my website: Http://www.caraputman.com.
Cara C. Putman, the award-winning author of 19 books, graduated high school at 16, college at 20, and completed her law degree at 27. FIRST for Women magazine called Shadowed by Grace “captivating” and a “novel with ‘the works.’” Cara is active at her church and a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. Putman is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at Krannert. She serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization she has served in various roles since 2007. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana. You can connect with her online at