Beyond Justice by Cara Putman | Re:View

Beyond Justice takes me back to the beauty of Washington, D.C. while sending me on a thrilling mission for justice fraught with twists, turns, and duplicity.

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Not only have I had the pleasure of getting to know Cara Putman through her work with ACFW, but I've also had the chance to do her headshots. Let me tell you - she is the sweetest! When I heard about this book I was sooo excited to read it and let me tell you, it delivered.

Hayden McCarthy is a character that I instantly fell in love with. I could easily picture her walking the streets of Arlington after a long day at work just as I could see her seeking out the truth through the justice system. Alternatively, I loved Andrew Wesley's character. He was multi-faceted and I appreciated his perspective juxtaposed with Hayden's.

@CreateExploreRead

The stakes of the book are obvious from the beginning and I liked how Cara was able to tie Andrew's work in with Hayden's case. I also appreciated the difference this book represents for the romantic suspense genre. I really enjoyed the fact that neither of their professions are 'typical' for a current romantic suspense. I feel like it was a fresh take on this genre and drew me in immediately.

I would point out that (at times) I felt a little ignorant of our justice system *cringes* and couldn't follow along on all parts. Cara did a great job explaining, but maybe I'm just too far gone to grasp some of the legal ideas and the court system. Still, wherever possible, I felt like she slipped in explanations that were not far fetched in the context of the conversation and made the "technical side" easily readable.

Lastly, the setting. OMG I miss D.C. so much and this book was like taking a walk along the Tidal Basin or seeing the Washington Monument in the sky line. It was beautifully portrayed and I felt like I was back there as I read this.

I'd definitely recommend this to those who like legal and suspense reads. It's not "high octane" action, but there's enough suspense to really grip you. The romance is wonderfully done as well and will really hold you to the end.

My rating: 4.5*
Purchase: Beyond Jusice

Book Description 
(from Amazon)

Hayden is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious DC law firm . . .

If the case she’s just been handed doesn’t destroy her first.

Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain that follows when justice is not served. It’s why she became an attorney and why she’s so driven in her career. When she’s assigned a wrongful death case against the government, she isn’t sure if it’s the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there.

Further complicating matters is Andrew Wesley, her roommate’s distractingly attractive cousin. But Andrew’s father is a congressman, and Hayden’s currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?

The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to kill the case—or her. Logic and self-preservation indicate she should close the case. But how can she, when justice is still just beyond her reach?

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Cara Putman | Spread the Christmas Joy

Christmas is the season of family and with that deep emotion.

As a child, we would split Christmas and Christmas Eve between both sides of the family. As a mom, we spend time with my extended family in Nebraska and then spend time with Eric’s family in Indy. The time together as a family is so precious and special. Something I treasure.

It seems fitting. Christmas is about Jesus becoming part of the earthly family. He didn’t have to. He could have descended on earth in His heavenly glory and destroyed Satan. Yet He chose to become fully human even as He is fully God.

What a great mystery.

What great sacrifice.

It’s something I don’t want to lose in the hustle and bustle and general craziness of a season that doesn’t slow down. That when He could have chosen to avoid human experience, He instead became fully part of us.

No matter what we’re experiencing, the Bible tells us Jesus experienced it, too.

I find great comfort in that.

He experienced intense joy. Deep grief. Maudlin days. Ecstatic nights. Days of dancing at weddings, weeping at funerals, feeling deep empathy for the sick and afflicted.

Friend, there is nothing you are feeling that Jesus didn’t feel, too. He knows. He knows.

May that comfort you in this season that often brings intense emotions with it.

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Cara C. Putman, the award-winning author of 20 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.’” It received the Christian Retailing BEST award for Historical Fiction and the HOLT Award of Distinction. 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 recently received 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:
Website: www.caraputman.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caraputman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cara_putman
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/caraputman
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/CaraPutman
Purchase: Where Treetops Glisten

The Grove | New Novel News

I love talking about the writing community! Actually, I just like talking about community in general (like this post, and this one). But, one thing I've found is that readers and writers share a special bond. And it's not books.

Wait, what? Yes, you read that right. It's not about what writers are writing or readers are reading, it's a bond that goes beyond that...

It's story. 

The Grove is a place for those of us with a story. You have one. I have one. God even has one - and it includes all of our stories.

If you haven't heard about The Grove let me give you the straight up facts:

8 Women: 

Beth K. Vogt
Cara Putman
Courtney Walsh
Katherine Reay
Katie Ganshert
Kristy Cambron
Melissa Tagg
Sarah Ladd

The point: 

Welcome to The Grove, where story finds a home.

This is their tagline and I love it! Don't you?

The Grove is comprised of these eight women (all authors - and yes, you need to check them ALL out) who want to share their lives, not just their writing. Their focus is: Grow, Rest, and Prayer. I don't know about you, but I could use a lot more of each of those things!

I'll leave it to you to check out their awesome website and read through their encouraging posts. I mainly want to point this out as a resource. I've had the blessing of getting to know some of these women personally and--seriously--they are amazing! They have genuine hearts for the Lord and want nothing more than to inspire, encourage, and entertain with their writing.

I hope you get a few minutes to spend at The Grove. Say hi, join the community there, and be blessed by these women.

Go check it out:
The Grove website
The Grove Instagram
The Grove Twitter
The Grove Pinterest
Connect on Facebook:

Post by The GROVE.

Cara Putman {Writer Wednesday} + GIVEAWAY

First off, did you like the start to my "NaNoWriMo Prep" series on Monday? [Click here if you missed it]. I'm *so* excited to hear from authors and want-to-be writers who are taking the plunge and starting their Nano prep now. I myself have been vacillating between a few ideas. Make sure you come back next Monday for part 2. I'll be talking about the best part of NaNoWriMo. What's that, you ask? Come back Monday and see >insert evil laugh<.

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And now, on to more fun stuff! I'm so excited to introduce you to the lovely and ambitious Cara Putman. I had the pleasure of meeting her at last year's ACFW conference when I took her headshots, and then I got to catch up with her a bit at this year's conference. She has such a sweet heart and a "go get 'em" attitude.

Enter to win a copy of Where Treetops Glisten  with Cara Putman, Tricia Goyer, and Sarah Sundin by leaving a comment below!

A little bit about Cara...


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. 
How to connect with Cara...


Website: www.caraputman.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/caraputman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cara_putman
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/caraputman
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/CaraPutman

Author Interview | Cara Putman

You and Writing

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 19th book 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.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book. Why did you write it?
...The book that released a few weeks ago is Where Treetops Glisten. It was such fun to write because it’s a novella collaboration with my good friends Sarah Sundin and Tricia Goyer. We had such fun developing and writing this collection of stories that follow the Turner siblings through WWII and in their stories of finding healing and love.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...I love Abigail because she has a heart to help others. She doesn't always know how to do it, but she sees needs and wants to help meet them. She also becomes willing to open her heart over the course of the story…an endeavor which is really hard for her after all the loss she’s experienced.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...That God is there in our darkest moments, and He wants us to reach a place of full healing. Not that we’ll ever forget those we have lost, but that we don't have to live mired in the past.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...With my historicals, I often find the inspiration in real life events. Or I’ll pick a setting and work backward to a story. That’s what happened in A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island. In Shadowed by Grace I really struggled with the heroine, because I needed her to have a job that would put American women right behind the line. Once I landed on war photojournalist, the rest of her came easily.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I want to encourage people to trust God in new ways.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Join ACFW. It is an organization that will help you learn the craft and meet people who can help you on your writing journey.

You

In honor of the fall, what’s your favorite fall treat?
...Apple cider. It just tastes like fall to me.

When you were a child, what did you dream of growing up to be?
...An author, journalists, or elected official. I had lots of dreams :-)

Will you participate in National Novel Writing Month? If so, what’s your plan to keep your writing on track?
...Probably not this year. I have many years, but this year, I’m working on my MBA classes primarily.

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Thanks again for stopping by, Cara. I'm so happy to be offering a giveaway of this lovely book - what better way to bring in the holiday's? I love ambitious you are as well, working on your MBA and being a teacher and lawyer and author...whew. It's amazing!

Thinking Thoughts readers - make sure you leave a comment to enter the giveaway and check back next Tuesday to see who wins!

Spread the Christmas Joy with Cara Putman and Giveaway | Day 16

 Joy from Cara Putman

"It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

Christmas is always a special time of year, one I look forward to each year. Over the years, it has been a time filled with family. As a child we would spend Christmas Even with my dad’s family, Christmas Day with my mom’s family, and then swap the next year. The time would be filled with food, cousins, laughter, and games. Lots and lots of games.

My favorite Christmas memories involve both of set of grandparents.

My Dad’s parents were deeply in love until the day my Grandpa died. One of the things that was fun to watch year after year was them receiving gifts from Santa. It didn’t matter their age, each year Grandma would receive a gift from Santa. Grandpa would, too. All of us knew the gifts were really from each other, but they kept up the illusion to the very end.

My mom’s parents had a quieter love. Several years ago, Grandpa asked me to help him hind a rose. It was a single white rose, beautiful in its stark simplicity, each petal pristine and pure. As we were sharing gifts with the great-grandchildren (my kids and their cousins), Grandpa stopped everything and nodded that I should get the rose. He then presented it to Grandma in front of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was a precious moment as he told us it was the first flower he had bought her in almost 60 years of marriage.

The scene was so touching I used it as the epilogue in my novel Captive Dreams. Just as Grandpa looked back and celebrated a lifetime with his wife, my hero celebrated. If you read it, you can substitute my Grandma and Grandpa and our family and you will know who I based Sid and Anna’s life on.

Our family Christmas celebrations have evolved as our family has grown and we’ve added people our family. But the key is that spending time with family remains a priority. I can’t wait to see what memories we make this year at our Christmas celebrations.

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Cara Putman is the award winning author of 16 novels. You can learn more about her and her books at www.caraputman.com. You can read the first chapters of all her books (including Captive Dreams) there. Her next novel, Shadowed by Grace, releases on January 1st just in time for Christmas gift cards. You can connect with Cara on

Facebook: www.facebook.com/caraputman
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cara_putman
Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/caraputman
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/CaraPutman

And yet another CD giveaway! I'm so excited for this one because it incorporates all of my favorite things - music, vintage artists, and Christmas songs! You'll want to win this CD which has songs by The Andrew Sisters and Dean Martin and even the ever-classic Bing Crosby! Don't forget to leave a comment below for your chance to win this wonderful Christmas CD.

**Giveaway rules: To enter, comment on each the post (or posts) in the month of December that offer giveaway items you wish to win. One entry per person per giveaway item is permitted. All winners will be drawn in January (after the holiday craziness) and will be notified shortly thereafter.