Book Talk with Cara Putman

Shelley Shepard Gray has been writing her award-winning Christian novels since 2000. Today I'm delighted to have her on Book Talk to discuss her latest, Unforgiven. Like many, when she started writing, it was a new hobby. She wanted to be a principal, but one day forgot a book to read at a break, so decided to start writing one. She soon found that the stories and characters wouldn't let her go. Something that Shelley loves is the freedom of the first draft. They're messy, but around page 300 she discovers that she likes these people and knows readers will, too. With Unforgiven as with many of her books, she starts with a theme and the story flows from that.

This chat has gems like that and so many more. It was such a fun conversation. I can't wait to hear what you think of today's episode of Book Talk.

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Nicole Deese is one of those people I would love to hang out with. Our two extroverted selves would have too much fun catching up on all things life and writing. Until we can actually do that, recording Book Talk episodes is a fun way to connect and welcome you into the fun. Today's chapter of Book Talk is a delightful way to let you experience all the joy and delight that is Nicole Deese.

Nicole's latest novel, The Roads We Follow, is a contemporary romance with a cross-country flair. We talked about everything from when to share the truth to how hilarious it is that someone so bad at directions was plotting a road trip book. We also talked about how it's a gift to our writing selves to give our author selves an outline to the midpoint so that we can write fast. She shares so much wonderful wisdom as she pulls back the curtain on writing, that I had a hard time stopping the episode. This episode will fly by and you'll walk away encouraged to focus on the things and people who fill your cup so you can show up refreshed and ready to do the work in front of you.

I can't wait to hear what you think of today's episode of Book Talk.

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Jaime Jo Wright is no stranger to Book Talk or to award-winning fiction, so it is delightful to have her back for a conversation about her latest novel Night Falls on Predicament Avenue. We talk about everything from how she comes up with her spooky ideas. I love how she pulls ideas from newspaper stories and so much more. We also talked about whether the contemporary or historical thread tries to take over when she's writing her split-time novels.

This was one of her most difficult books to write for many reasons. One was the challenge of connecting the internal and external journeys of the characters. As she talks about the process, she'd tell her younger writing self to not get caught up in the mechanics of writing. And unpopular opinion: Jaime watches TV or she stops being productive. Let that give you the freedom to do what works for you.

You'll love this interview and getting to know Jaime in a new way.

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In today's episode of Book Talk with Cara, it's a delight to introduce you to Sarah Loudin Thomas and take you behind the scenes of her latest book These Tangled Threads. I so enjoyed chatting with her because we talked about a novel set at one of my favorite locations, the Biltmore Estate. What I didn't know before our conversation was that Sarah had worked at the Biltmore for about six years, and that love and passion for the history of America's castle comes through loud and clear.

She also works with youth, and her experience working with children who have overcome trauma and abandonment is woven through These Tangled Threads as well. Her passion for uncovering and weaving these Appalachian-based stories is so real and captivating. There is an energy that comes through in the way she talks about them. Each evening she writes one thousand words as she builds to her story. And that rhythm leads to the book. Her advice to new writers. Just do it. You'll get to your book.

I hope you enjoy this look at the story behind Sarah's latest novel These Tangled Threads.

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Sometimes there's an episode where there's just a depth that comes out, and this is one of them. Today I'm delighted to introduce you to my new writing friend Heather Kaufman. There are some books that you can't walk away from writing and Up From Dust was one of those books for Heather. The story of Martha, it's a book that she felt a strong sense of stewardship when she was writing it. Martha was the recipient of one of the seven I am statements from Jesus, and I loved digging into the challenges and joys of taking a piece of the Bible and expanding it beyond the verses while also being very aware of the solemn responsibility. Heather is so delightful and we had such fun talking about writing and the joy that comes in getting a sentence just written and the challenge of not getting stuck in perfectionism. The way she writes from broad strokes. And how she writes around a very busy, young family. You're going to walk away from watching or listening to this episode encouraged and eager to read Up From Dust. I can't wait to hear what you think!

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Do you love a novel that incorporates the Edwardian period, romance, and mystery? Then you will love the latest novel and series by Roseanna White. In this episode of Book Talk, I loved chatting with Roseanna about her latest novel A Noble Scheme, and her writing in general. Roseanna and her husband run a small publishing house while she also writes full-time, so Roseanna brings a unique perspective to the writing world. I have to tell you I have been aching to get my hands on this book since I read the first in this series, and she surprised me with some of the twists.

A Noble Scheme is a beautifully told story of wrestling with grief and trust. It invites us into a high-stakes gambit to find a kidnapped boy, but also welcomes us to explore deep themes in a wonderfully hope-filled way. This book starts with a dream, and it's woven so wonderfully that it's hard for me to imagine it starting with that sort of what-if. It honestly makes me jealous. I know you're going to love this opportunity to learn more about Roseanna, her books, and her writing process.

Y'all, this was such a great conversation, the time flew by and I know you'll love meeting Roseanna. I can't wait to hear your thoughts about our conversation. And if you haven't read either book in this series do so -- and stay tuned for a giveaway of the first. I truly adore it!

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I've never considered myself a cowboy romance person, but I do consider myself an avid Karen Witemeyer book reader. Her books launch to the top of my TBR pile with each release, so it's a delight to welcome her back to Book Talk. Today we are chatting about where she found her inspiration for cowboy romance — and it goes deeper than living in Texas, y'all.

I loved digging into her latest series, based on retellings of fairy tales. But these fairy tales have all kinds of twists — and not just from being set in Texas on a ranch. She wants to redeem traditional villains, add in some booted fun and so much more. It's fun because Karen always knew she wanted to be a reader, but she didn't realize she also wanted to be a writer until later in her life. Since then she's written so many award-winning novels, that I had to ask what her advice to her younger self (or new authors) would be. Her words? Try to take the pressure off. So good!

There's so much gold and fun in this chapter of Book Talk. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Connect with Karen Witemeyer

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From the moment I read my first Patrick Bowers novel, I've been a huge fan of Steven James' books. Then I met him at ThrillerFest. Since then we've interacted through ACFW and other organizations, and I've come to admire Steven as a master writer and teacher of writing. That's why I'm excited to introduce you to Steven in this episode of Book Talk. In his latest novel, Broker of Lies, Steven has created a hero who isn't an action hero. Unlike Patrick Bowers, who is a profiler in the FBI, Travis Brock is an attorney who is a redactor of FOIA requests for the Pentagon. In Fatal Domain, Brock and the rest of the Red Team are back and on a hunt that leads Travis deeper into a collision with his past. One of the things I love about Steven's books is the way they twist and turn, and this one is no exception. He's showing us what might be possible with tech and taking us to a place where we might feel uncomfortable. In this episode, Steven and I talk about the books, but we also talk about his writing process. For Steven, it's always about the characters first and then the story emerges as he writes. He calls story a collision of desires. What is pursued? and What setbacks and desires occur along the way? What would make an honest response for the character in that situation? I also love how Steven talks about wanting the climax to be a moment where he has written himself into a corner and has to find a way out. He wants to play to readers' expectations and then twist them. These are just a few of the techniques Steven shares with us in this chapter of Book Talk with Cara. I can't wait to hear what you think and if you've read any of his books.

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Today it is such fun to introduce you to my friend and debut author Angela Bell. There is something so sweet about that first, full-length book, and when you tackle something that blends Around the World in 80 Days with Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies you get the wonder and magic of A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventures. Y'all, I loved this novel. It was such fun with Victorian whimsy and a hint of steampunk. Historical romance, heavy on wonder and fun. Mystery with a tinge of suspense. Romance with a dollop of travel. There is unexpected depth to the hero and heroine as they both wrestle with the demons of feeling isolated and alone. The fantastical journey they embark on is a wonderous race around 1860 Europe, but it's also an exploration to learn about themselves. I so loved this carefully constructed, intricately timed journey of exploration and fun with hints of suspense and fun. Wait! I'm gushing. In our chat, we explored how her desire to travel shows up in this novel as well as how her love for the hero's war injury impacts him. We explore how she knew she was an author and the advice she would give her younger writing self. It was such fun to connect over this fun story, and I can't wait to hear what you think. Have you read it yet?

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For more episodes, and to learn more about the authors I interview, visit https://caraputman.com/podcast

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Do you love a novel that incorporates the Gilded Age, romance, and mystery? Then you will love reading novels by Elizabeth Camden. In this episode of Book Talk, I loved chatting with Elizabeth about her latest novel While the City Sleeps, and her writing in general. As a former university business librarian, Elizabeth brings a unique perspective to her research and books. She's incorporating the emerging technology of the Gilded Age, with business and strong women to create a different type of tension. All of that comes together in While the City Sleeps, a novel in which the heroine is a dentist -- love that!

When you're weaving a story with three strands (romance, history, and mystery), sometimes one wants to take over. You'll learn which one wanted to take over in While the City Sleeps as well as why a writer might knowingly have to make a mistake in the history for the sake of the story or readers. We also talked about my favorite books of hers as well as how rejection was a process that taught her to be a better writer. Y'all, this was such an enjoyable conversation, the time flew by and I know you'll love meeting Elizabeth and getting to know her and her books.

Connect with Elizabeth Camden

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For more episodes, and to learn more about the authors I interview, visit https://caraputman.com/podcast

If you enjoyed this conversation, I would be thrilled if you left a rating and review on your favorite podcast app!

Get the free novella, Dying for Love, when you ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign up for my newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!