Book Talk with Cara Putman

Cara welcomes author Nancy Naigle to Book Talk to discuss her upcoming novel Home No Matter Where, the third of the Shell Collector books that can be read as standalones. Nancy shares how her career as a Bank of America senior vice president and a difficult season inspired her to write uplifting small-town love stories designed to help readers through hard days. She explains how The Shell Collector was born from grief after losing her husband in 2014 and a real story about shells with scripture found on a North Carolina beach, later becoming a Fox Nation movie and a Bible App devotional. Nancy previews Home No Matter Where as a coastal community story about Nina, a divorced mom dealing with her daughter Kendra’s difficult teen struggles, found family, and a gentle friends-to-lovers romance with Fisher, and she highlights themes of trust, belonging, and healing.You can learn more about Nancy and her books at her website: https://www.nancynaigle.com/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!

Rachel Hauck guest-hosts Book Talk to interview regular host Cara Putman about her May release, The Targeted, book three in the Secrets to Keep series, available for pre-order. They read the back-cover blurb and discuss the story of Chloe Ainsworth, a gymnastics coach whose estranged sister returns after 14 years with news that Chloe’s abuser is back, prompting Chloe and law student Dare Shepherd to pursue help through a legal clinic while the stakes escalate. Putman explains the book’s blend of legal suspense and romance, its “ripped from the headlines” focus on abuse in youth sports, and the fractured sister relationship shaped by silence and trauma. She describes using Dare’s law-student limitations to balance legal tension with character-driven emotional stakes, explores truth-telling and its cost, and weaves a lighter faith thread centered on endurance, God’s presence in suffering, and forgiveness, aiming to leave readers with hope and greater empathy.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!

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Book Talk with Cara. Today, I'm excited to have award-winning author Melanie Dobson on the show to discuss her latest novel, The Lost Story of Via Bell. Known for her compelling World War II time slip stories, Melanie shares the inspiration and challenges behind her new book, which weaves together narratives from the 1940s and 2006. We delve into Melanie's writing process, the historical accuracy required for such tales, and the characters' emotional journeys. Don't miss this fascinating conversation about storytelling, history, and the intricacies of writing dual timelines.You can learn more about Melanie and her books at her website: https://melaniedobson.com/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!

Cara welcomes author Joanna Politano back to Book Talk to discuss her upcoming novel The Life She Forgot (out April 21), the first in a new reverse-chronology series centered on an imaginary house built into Cornwall’s cliffs, where each book reveals new hidden rooms and tunnels. Joanna shares life updates, including homeschooling her three kids and teaching her oldest to write, and explains why she chose to publish indie for flexibility, creative control, and to learn marketing. They tease the story’s amnesia-driven conflict as a woman begins remembering a past life after three years and a marriage of convenience, alongside a split timeline featuring a PTSD-haunted veteran rebuilding after war. Joanna highlights Cornwall’s scent as a key memory trigger, a mosaic motif of broken pieces forming a whole, and reflects on how memory shapes identity.You can learn more about Joanna and her books at her website: https://jdpstories.com/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!

On Book Talk, Cara interviews author Heidi McCahan about her new inspirational romance, The Other Side of Goodbye, in the Welcome to Redemption Alaska series. McCahan, an Alaska native living in North Carolina and former certified athletic trainer, discusses writing five books in a year using full-draft dictation in Evernote, multiple self-edits, and working from an editor-approved synopsis. She explains how the series grew from a prior novella and was rapidly plotted with editor Susie, centering on two widowed single parents whose children clash as they navigate grief, faith, and the question of finding love again while honoring lost spouses. McCahan shares personal grief from her father’s 2020 death, craft lessons from Sunrise Publishing, pie-driven banter, a natural-disaster subplot, and favorite lines, plus where to find her online, and that the book is available now on Kindle Unlimited.You can learn more about Heidi and her books at her website: https://heidimccahan.com/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 Putman, Cara invites author Rachel Hauck to discuss her latest book, To Win a Crown, part of the True Blue Royals series. Rachel provides an in-depth look into the fictional world of Lauchtenland, the beloved characters, and the compelling plotlines that have fans eagerly awaiting the book. The conversation covers the inspiration behind the series, the challenges Rachel faced while writing, and the themes of identity and royalty that are central to the story. Rachel also shares insights into her writing process and the elements that make her royal-themed stories both realistic and enchanting. Listeners can learn about the new book and where to find it, along with Rachel's other works.You can learn more about Rachel and her books at her website: https://rachelhauck.comWant 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, the host reconnects with author Katherine Reay after three years. Katherine updates listeners on her move from Chicago to Montana, her new rural life, and her children who are now spread across the country. The conversation centers on her latest novel, The English Masterpiece, an art forgery caper set in 1973. Catherine discusses her inspiration from the Cold War era and famous art forgery cases, as well as the complexities of developing her characters. She also shares insights into the challenges and joys of writing the book, including her unique strategy to flesh out her protagonist, Lily Summers. Additionally, Catherine touches on how her readers have responded to the novel's dual perspectives and the rich art world backdrop. Finally, she teases her next project, a spy-adjacent caper set in 1950s England, revolving around a young shopkeeper who uncovers a Soviet spy in her village.You can learn more about Katherine and her books at her website: https://katherinereay.com 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!

Show Notes: Exploring 'The Broken Weathervane' with Laura DeNooyer In this episode of Book Talk with Cara, host Cara Putman interviews Laura de Noyer about her latest novel, 'The Broken Weathervane.' Laura shares her background as an art and writing teacher from Wisconsin, her experience as a mother of four, and her journey as an author of three published novels. She explains how her latest book was inspired by her family’s history and discusses the themes and symbols present in the story, particularly focusing on mental health. The conversation also covers Laura's writing process, her interactions with book clubs, and her favorite lines from the novel. Laura encourages listeners to visit her website and sign up for her newsletter to stay connected. You can learn more about Laura and her books at her website: https://lauradenooyer-author.com/00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:18 Meet Laura de Noyer 01:06 Laura's Road Trip Adventures 02:01 The Inspiration Behind 'The Broken Weathervane' 03:38 Themes and Symbols in the Book 05:35 Leslie's Journey and Challenges 06:49 Laura's Writing Journey 09:18 Finding Inspiration for Stories 11:09 Engaging with Book Clubs 12:26 Lightning Round: Quick Questions 14:30 Favorite Line and Final Thoughts#storybehindthestory #acfwcommunity #booktalkwithcara #booktalk #booktube #booktuber #booktubecommunity #amwriting #ineedahero #romanticfiction #wherebookscomefrom #whereideascomefrom #writerscommunity #readersofyoutube #contemporaryromance #Booktour #writingadvice #writingtips #readersgonnaread #readersofig #readersofyoutube #AmandaWen #dualtimeline

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 ConradFacebook | Instagram | XWant 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 RobertsFacebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTokWant 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 SwindellPinterest | Facebook | InstagramWant 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 AngeloX | Facebook | InstagramWant 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 CliftonX | Facebook | Instagram | BlueSkyWant 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!