In today's episode of Book Talk, I get to introduce you to my friend Emily Conrad who writes wonderful contemporary romance filled with depth, faith, and small town. In Risking His Heart, she's woven together tropes like best friends to love with a small town setting. But Emily's also wrestling with the very real life issue of what happens when one door gets shut. With this book she found that she had the plot, but not the emotional content, which is very different from what usually happens, and forced her to dig really deep in the edits. I can tell you from the Emily Conrad books I've read, her characters wrestle with real life issues while finding love.

I loved hearing how Emily knew she was a writer — she wrote poetry before she knew her letters. That's some serious early talent! But it also shows an early inclination for words — something that many of the authors I chat with talk about — but not all! She'd also tell others that it's okay if the process takes a long time. Things are still happening in the background.

Connect with Emily Conrad

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In this episode of Book Talk with Cara, I get to chat with historical fiction author Michelle Shocklee about her new novel, The Women of Oak Ridge. Shockley shares her background, inspiration for the book, and insights into the historical context of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, during World War II. Our discussion delves into her research process, the dual timelines of the novel, and the challenging technical subjects involved. Michelle discusses her writing routine, research joys, and her journey to becoming a published author, including the importance of support from mentors like Tracy Peterson. The episode wraps up with some fun questions about Michelle's writing habits and how she celebrates a book release.

Connect with Michelle Shocklee

Facebook | Instagram | X | Blog

Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

Do you ever meet someone and just click? That's what happened when I hopped on the call with Sheila Roberts. She writes novels that are contemporary mysteries set in a larger community. You can tell from the cover that they have humor and fun. It only takes a few minutes of chatting with Shelia to see how much that fun comes from her personality and perspective on life.

The Man Next Door is her most recent novel, and the idea dropped into her mind like so many do. It's a twist on Alfred Hitchcock with an unreliable narrator and multigenerational family dynamics. She wants to tell a good story that pulls readers in with its cast of characters and layers. This book does exactly that. She's been creating stories since she was a child, telling herself bedtime stories.

I hope you enjoy our conversation and learning more about her books and writing process.

Connect with Sheila Roberts

Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

In this episode of 'Book Talk with Cara,' I interview Nicole Baart about her newest book, Where He Left Me. Nicole shares insights into her background, inspiration for the book, and her writing process. The conversation reveals Nicole's melding of personal experiences and creative what-ifs that shaped the suspenseful, nature-versus-man story set at a remote cabin. We discuss the challenges older women face, highlighting the protagonist Sadie's mid-life turmoil and struggle for survival. Nicole also touches on the balancing act between writing and family life, sharing how she finds time to write among her responsibilities as a mother of five. I loved talking with Nicole about research, inspirations from astronomy, and the intricacies of writing mystery and suspense.

We concluded our chat with a light-hearted conversation about our favorite sparkling water flavors and Nicole’s social media presence, where fans can connect with her.

Connect with Nicole Baart

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Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

In this engaging episode of Book Talk with Cara, host Cara Putman welcomes author Ann Swindell to discuss her latest novel, Love in the Castle Library, the second book in her Christmas series. Anne shares the joys of transitioning from non-fiction to fiction, creating the imaginary kingdom of Leathersby, and blending this fictional world with the real-life charm of Oxford, England. They delve into the challenges of writing dual perspectives and developing rich, believable characters. Anne also talks about her process and gives hints about the upcoming third book in the series. Topics include character development, integrating real-world inspiration into fiction, and tips for writing a compelling series.

Connect with Ann Swindell

Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram

Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

Some people are such fun to have a conversation with, and today's Book Talk guest is one of those. Amanda Wen is the author of multiple books, and today we're talking about her latest novel, Echoes of a Silent Song. What I love is that she brings elements of her day job -- working as an accompanist for school choirs to this book. Yet she's also diving into a slight mystery with mental health aspects as she explores the role of music in our lives.

Like many of my guests, Amanda has always been a writer, but she would tell herself to be patient and not give up. It's great advice for all of us on this writing journey. We all have a role to play, and God will use us. As you read Echoes of a Silent Song, that's one aspect you hope she'll take with you. Find a few minutes and dive into this episode as we talk books, writing, and so much more.

Connect with Amanda Wen

Facebook | X | Instagram | BookBub

Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

In this episode of Book Talk with Cara, I get to interview my friend, author Kate Angelo, about her latest book, Girl Lost. Together, we delve into the book's innovative use of cutting-edge technology, such as 3D-printed organs, and its deep ethical issues. Kate shares her journey from a tech-loving nerd to an inspired writer, discussing her background, her engagement with scientific innovation, and her ethical considerations influenced by personal experiences and a strong Christian perspective.

We also explore the themes of second-chance romance and the concept of 'found family' within the novel. Throughout the discussion, Kate reflects on her rapid ascent in the literary world, attributing her success to divine guidance and hard work. She also gives insights into her writing process and approach to blending structured plotting with character-driven storytelling. Listeners learn about Kate's unique perspective on adolescent love, her deliberate decision-making in her writing career, and her upcoming events and book-related content available on her website.

Connect with Kate Angelo

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Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

Robin Pearson is one busy woman, as you'll quickly learn in today's episode of Book Talk. An author who writes in North Carolina, she incorporates her southern roots into her stories. In our conversation, we got to talk about our shared love of bookstores and dream of owning one... for her that led to her latest novel, The Stories We Carry, which focuses on a woman working in a bookstore and confronting more than the stories on her shelves. There are layers inspired by the Count of Monte Cristo and the idea of can there be righteous Vengeance. Robin loves to think of her stories as syrup — they develop slowly and are filling.

There's so much life in this interview. I can't wait for you to meet Robin and learn more about her books and writing.

Connect with Robin W. Pearson

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Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

In this episode of Book Talk, I interview Ash Clifton, a debut author from Gainesville, Florida, about his intense thriller, Twice The Trouble. I like to compare this novel to works by Michael Cane, Tom Clancy, and Daniel Silva. Ash shares his journey of becoming a writer, inspired by his father's role as Chief of Police and Ash's exposure to former football players on his college team. He discusses the creation of his complex protagonist, a former cop and football player. Ash also talks about the challenges he faced, including cutting characters and scenes based on his agent's recommendations, and how he managed to keep the story engaging.

He emphasizes the importance of a hero being both good at heart and having a sense of humor. Additional topics include the writing process, dealing with self-doubt, and his aspirations for a movie adaptation of the book.

Connect with Ash Clifton

X | Facebook | Instagram | BlueSky

Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!

In today's episode of Book Talk, I have the pleasure of bringing my friend Kelly Goshorn onto the show to talk about her latest novel The Undercover Heiress of Brockton. I loved writing in a novella collection with Kelly a couple years ago, so I loved getting the chance to read this full-length novel. It's set in the very real events that happened when a shoe factory in Brockton exploded and the ensuing fire devastated the plant in mere minutes. I was fascinated to talk with Kelly about how she created her story around these very real, historical happenings.

Lest you think this book is all heaviness, the heroine is an heiress who goes undercover as a man so she can report on the day's important events. That leads to all kinds of madcap events and happenings. Kelly's a pantser, so the way these true events and a couple characters wove together into this moving story is fascinating to me. I know you'll enjoy meeting Kelly and learning more about her books and her writing process.

Connect with Kelly Goshorn

Facebook | Instagram

Want to watch this interview? You can see this episode as well as multiple others on YouTube! Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app and leave me a note below letting me know who you would love to see on the show!