Author Cara Putman Interview

Posted on April 17, 2012 by StrongWomen

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing an intriguing author Cara Putman (NOT PutNAM). She is a sweetie AND  a powerhouse! Quite a combination. Here’s a few interesting Q & A’s.

LYN:      Tell us a little about your writing and your real life.

I love writing stories that draw people to a deeper realization that God is real and that His hope overlays our lives, even when we can’t see Him. Some of those stories have contemporary settings and involve women confronted with situations filled with mystery or suspense. The other half are set during World War II, a time-period filled with little, known stories I love to use as part of a larger romance.

LYN: Was there a time in your life when you think God challenged you to become stronger? Please share.

Because I was blessed to grow up in a Christian family, I’ve had faith in God and Jesus from a young age. My heart’s cry from my earliest memories was to serve and please God. My life was also pretty easy for the most part—though I’m sure there are times I would have told you it was anything but. Then in 2007 I had my first miscarriage. That experience shook me to the core. I say now that it stripped the candy-coating from my faith and made me examine whether I really believed everything I claimed. This trauma and a second miscarriage forced me to dig deep and determine whether God was who He said He was and I still believed Him. My faith is stronger and I have an area of ministry to other women who suffer this pain, that I wouldn’t have had without the miscarriages. I still have questions for God, but my faith survived and the roots sunk deeper.

LYN-In what ways does your heroine show strength? And where does she draw this strength?

Alanna Stone has spent the last eleven years running from a painful experience in her past. She’s adopted the philosophy that avoidance and busyness are the ways to deal with a pain she can’t change. As the story opens, she’s forced to return home and confront the past and the people and situation that brought her pain. In the process she learns that uncovering the truth is where she can find the freedom from the past she’s longed for. She gains the strength to push to the truth from her deep faith.

LYN-Share one fun fact about your life or books.

I have a passion for World War II and uncovering its unique stories. This is illustrated by the way I find links to WWII stories just about everywhere I travel. I may be the only writer who visits places like the Biltmore in Ashville, NC, and uncovers World War II stories.”–Cara

BIO:

Cara C. Putman lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. She’s an attorney and a teacher at her church as well as lecturer at Purdue. She has loved reading and writing from a young age and now realizes it was all training for writing books. She loves bringing history and romance to life.

An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska and George Mason University School of Law, Cara left small town Nebraska and headed to Washington, D.C., to launch her career in public policy.

Cara is an author chasing hard after God as she lives a crazy life. She invites you to join her on that journey.

Links:

Website: http://www.caraputman.com

Blog: http://blog.caraputman.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/caraputman

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cara_putman

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caraputman

Have any of you ever been to Mackinac Island? Or Upper Michigan? Or to Lake Michigan? I grew up in Waukegan IL on the shores of Lake Michigan and I remember when our family took a summer ride all around it. Do any of you know what jam-jelly company is BIG in Michigan? You may get a surprise for the correct answer!–Lyn

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Lyn Reviews Author Debby Giusti’s The Captain’s Mission

Posted on April 12, 2012 by StrongWomen

The Captain's Mission (Love Inspired Suspense) (Military Investigations, #2).The Captain’s Mission (Love Inspired Suspense) (Military Investigations, #2). by Debby Giusti

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Captain’s Mission is the first book I’ve read by Debby Guisti. I really like Debby so I was pleased that I enjoyed her book too! This is book 2 in her “Military Investigations” series. Her heroine CID Agent Kelly McQueen has the unpleasant task of investigating the death of a solider during a tranining exercise. The soldier was killed was under the command of Captain Phil Thibodeaux. The mystery of whether the soldier was killed by accident or murdered soon begins to threaten Kelly in particular. And what about the aging mother of the dead soldier? Why isn’t she getting the care Kelly thinks she needs. Both Phil and Kelly have to get past their pasts to figure out the truth of this death and what’s keeping them from a love they both deserve. Good book!



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If you’d like to win my once-read copy of this book, leave a comment about whether you enjoy stories about the military. Or is there a TV show based on militray justice system you’ve enjoyed?

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Author Gayle Roper & How to Handle A Journey Most Women Face

Posted on April 10, 2012 by StrongWomen

My guest today is a longtime acquaitance and author of many novels. Today author Gayle Roper shares a new venture of hers, The Widow’s Journey website and blog. Here’s Gayle:

“Two women stand out in my life, my mother and my mother-in-law. They were very different in personality and temperament, but I was blessed that they both loved me.

What fascinated me about them in their later years was the way they handled their widowhoods. My mom, a very strong woman I always admired, dealt with her widowhood very poorly. Mom Roper, on the other hand, was an excellent widow, spunky and lively.

Now that I’m a widow, I’ve thought a lot about what made the difference.

My normally active and opinionated mother sat for five years in an ugly green chair she loved and stared across the room at a picture of my father. I do not exaggerate. It broke my heart that she so completely gave up on life. I know my father’s long illness took the starch out of her, but still, such apathy!

My mother-in-law was a homemaker of the old school who kept a spotless house and showed her love by cooking us wonderful meals. Even after Dad died, we went to her house every Sunday after church for a full pot roast dinner with glasses of V-8 for appetizer. She continued to play the piano and be involved in her church and civic activities.

Three things have become apparent as I consider the two women, and these three things are vital for any woman to know if she wants to survive her widowhood with grace (and since most of us will be widows, we all need to consider them carefully).

First, my mother was very private and my mother-in-law was very social. When friends were needed to help with the loneliness and the sorrow, my mother had very few. She thought groups of women were catty and wasn’t involved in any women’s organizations. My mother-in-law had her civic and church women’s groups to go to and to draw friendships from.

Secondly, my mother did not go to church and my mother-in-law did and was active there. When my father died, my mom had no spiritual support beneath her. By contrast my mother-in-law had a strong faith to cling to and lots of church people to watch over her.

Thirdly, these two precious women differed in what they had in life that was theirs. I don’t mean material things; there they were similar. I mean activities and interests. My mother had lost all interest in what was happening around her. When she wasn’t staring at Dad’s picture, she was reading novels, not to enjoy a good story or meet interesting people in another world but to escape reality. My mother-in-law had church, music, contacts—things that kept her vital.

Friends, faith, and personal interests. As I move through this difficult time in my life, I have come to realize I need people about me, my faith within me, and my interests to spur me. I exercise the latter by writing Widow’s Journey, www.widowsjourney.com where I explore the emotions and truths of being alone.”–Gayle

Thanks, Gayle. You have described two completely different approaches to widowhood. I also had a mother in law and mother who were widowed and unfortunately both of them faced widowhood similar to your mother.

Are any of you widowed? How have you handled this? Do you think a woman should prepare for widowhood?–Lyn

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Why Didn’t They Believe Women Who Went to the Tomb?

Posted on April 5, 2012 by StrongWomen

Here’s the story of the women who went to the tomb.

Luke 24

1Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8And they remembered his words,

9And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

10It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

11And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.”

I always sympathize with the women who went to the tomb and found it empty. Here’s more about that:

I recall the scene in the Franco Zefirelli film “Jesus of Nazareth” where Ann Bancroft playing the part of Mary Magdalene, tells the disciples she’s seen the risen Lord and they won’t believe her no matter how empassioned she speaks. What a scene. I believe her. Do you?

Hope your Easter is joyful!–Lyn

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The Fruits of the Spirit–Are You Prepared for Easter?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by StrongWomen

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Earlier this year I asked if you would like to discuss the fruits of the spirit. In January, we had a lively discussion on love and forgiveness. In February, the discussion was less spirited on the topic of “joy.”

I decided that perhaps instead of doing one a month as planned, doing all of them now the week before Easter might engender more discussion. (After all, I don’t write these blogs just to talk to myself. :-)

One point that occurred to me is I believe there are two different types of fruits. The active “doing” fruits.

And the fruits we receive as a testimony of our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

For example, love is something we do–it’s active. Joy, on the other hand, is something we receive. Joy is an evidence of God’s working in us and joining with us. We receive it.

What do you think of that idea? Perhaps that’s why love is more of a concern to us. That’s what we are supposed to be doing. But joy we experience through nearness to God.

If we take this approach, which are the fruits that are “active?”

Which of –love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance?

Or do I have it wrong? What do you think? And how are you preparing for Easter-spiritually? (Though I love coloring eggs too!)–Lyn

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Two Winners & Fruits of the Spirits To Come!

Posted on April 1, 2012 by StrongWomen

Hi Thanks to our two authors from last week, Janet Chester Bly and Jane Myers Perrine, we have two winners to announce!

Peggy Clayton won Jane’s book!

SC Mitchell won the book Janet offered!

Coming Tuesday we’ll wrap up our discussion of the fruits of the spirit and prepare for Easter!

Happy Palm Sunday!–Lyn

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Author Jane Myers Perrine & The Strongest Women She Ever Met

Posted on March 29, 2012 by StrongWomen

My guest today is Author Jane Myers Perrine. Her latest books have taken a turn toward Jan Karon’s type of story–a small town of interesting and special characters. BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR THE BOOK GIVEWAY DRAWING. Here’s Jane:

“The Strongest woman I’ve ever met was Hazel Myers, my father’s younger sister.

My father was one of six children.  Their father died when they were all young.  One-hundred years ago, there were no safety nets.  All my grandfather left the family was a house he’d built.  No insurance, no company benefits for my grandmother to raise six children.

This was made even more difficult because Aunt Hazel had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.   She couldn’t go to school because all the buildings had many flights of stairs.  My grandmother Jennie—for whom I’m named—took a job cleaning a school so she could take her youngest daughter with her, but the cold concrete floor caused Aunt Hazel’s joints to ache terribly.

But with no education, a body filled with pain, and twisted fingers, she taught herself to type.  For many years as an adult, she worked as secretary at the Christian church the family attended.

I never noticed her handicap.  She had an odd little battery-powered vehicle she used to get around:  a three-wheeler with a bench seat.  She used to take her nieces and nephews on rides around the neighborhood.  She lived a life of caring for others and optimism even while in terrible pain all of her life.

After her death in her fifties, my father gave me her Bible in which he’d written, “She bore her thorns in the flesh bravely.”

When I want to complain about my back hurting or pain in my wrists from writing, I think of Hazel Myers.  She would have rejoiced to have a computer with soft keys instead of using a manual typewriter.

I never heard Aunt Hazel talk about her faith, but it shown from her every minute of her life and was the source of her strength.

The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek is the interwoven story of many people.  One of the heroines is Birdie MacDowell, a pillar of the church who helped found the thrift shop and the food pantry.  At nearly seventy, she’s still working to support  her granddaughters.  She’s weathered storms in her life:  the death of her husband, the addiction of her daughter, and the rearing of two girls from their births.   She endures and serves because she knows her strength comes from her faith.”–Jane

Jane, it sounds to me like Hazel was the inspiration for your heroine, Birdie. (Love that name!)

Please leave a reply to this question to qualify for the book drawing.

Question: We have so many labor-saving devices today. Which one do you depend upon the most? Which one do you wish you could have “sent” into the past for your grandmother?–Lyn

facebook  Jane Myers Perrine
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Author Janet Chester Bly & Do You Know What the Most American Thing in America Is?

Posted on March 27, 2012 by StrongWomen

My guest today is Janet Chester Bly, the wife of late Western author Stephen Bly. She is offering a BOOK GIVEAWAY TO A COMMENTER. I love the photo of the two of them above since it shows Janet’s love for her husband shining through–also her sweet-nature. Janet is going to tell us about

Narcissa Kinney, Sponsor Of “The Most American Thing in America.” Here’s Janet:

“Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot is full of adventure and humor and most of it happens in or near Gearhart, Oregon in 1905.

The railroad opened up more tourists for the seacoast village of Gearhart, tucked between crashing surf and Pacific forests. Narcissa Kinney insisted that the city council proclaim this a ‘dry town,’ which it remained for more than seventy years after her death.

I was intrigued in my research with the Chautauqua movement of the times and Narcissa’s sponsorship that brought culture to Gearhart. She organized the forming of 200-acres of prime forest land set aside for Gearhart Park, that included an auditorium with arched entrance, belfry, double hip roof and clerestorey, used for traveling circuit speakers and entertainment. She made sure the development scheme protected the Ridge Path, a principal byway grande promenade through the area’s dune meadows, as well as many other natural features as possible.

Because of Narcissa, Gearhart became the first planned coastal resort community in the state of Oregon.

Gearhart residents and visitors enjoyed classic plays, Broadway hits, opera stars, glee clubs and bands such as John Philip Sousa’s. Fiery orators and activists, crusaders and preachers took advantage of this forum. More than four hundred other cities across the country sponsored these same events. President Theodore Roosevelt called them, “the most American thing in America.” This movement thrived in the day before movie theatres and TVs.

Narcissa is the background real-life character important to the setting of Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot. She inspires the fictional Lady Harriet Reed-Fletcher to sponsor her own benevolence project in the city of Gearhart. Lady Harriet and Narcissa compare in strong will, leadership and influencing the men in their lives to get involved in their causes.

Gearhart is where Stuart Brannon and his friends solve the mystery of finding his U.S. Marshal friend and the ‘whodunnit’ of several murders.

Not what Narcissa had in mind at all for Gearhart, I’m sure. But her husband, Marshall, founder of the local golf course, would approve the celebrity tournament Lady Harriet instigates and in which Brannon participates. And Narcissa would be pleased with the mission: raising money for the Willamette Orphan Farm.”–Janet

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BIO:  Janet Chester Bly has authored 30 nonfiction and fiction books, 18 she co-authored with Christy Award winning author, Stephen Bly. Titles include The Hidden West Series, The Carson City Chronicles, Hope Lives Here, and The Heart of a Runaway. She resides at 4200 ft. elev. on the Idaho Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Her 3 married sons, Russell, Michael and Aaron, live down the mountain with their families.

“Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot delivers and reminds us what we’ll miss most about the beloved author.” Jerry B. Jenkins, NYT Bestselling novelist & biographer

“Bly throws his readers into the fray from the first page and never lets up….” Award-winning author Kathleen Y’Barbo

Michael Ehret, CWG editor-in-chief: “…unusual experience… I found it a fascinating look into the process (of the writing of Stuart Brannon’s Final Shot).”

website: http://www.BlyBooks.com
blog: http://BlyBooks.blogspot.com

I love when authors visit and tell me about strong women  like Narcissa Kennedy I’ve never heard of. WOW-Just think of a woman who had a vision of the future and wouldn’t let men talk her down. 1905 is 15 years before women won the right to vote and Miss Kennedy left a lasting treasure for the people of her town.

Janet is offering a copy of this book to a commenter. Here’s the question:

Question: What do you suppose some of the things people –male and female–said to her idea of how the town should prepare for the future. Can you hear the nay-sayers? Go ahead and post what they might have said to her.–Lyn

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Two Winners! And Special Guests this Week!

Posted on March 26, 2012 by StrongWomen

Angie won Debbie Kaufman’s book!

And Rebecca won Winnie Griggs’ book!

Congratulations & those who didn’t win–I will be giving away more books this year when I post the reviews. So drop by when you see “Lyn Reviews…”

This week  I have two “J” guests–Author Janet Chester Bly and Author Jane Perrine.

Don’t miss their stories of strong women. You’ll love them–Lyn

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Lyn Reviews Author Winnie Griggs’ Second Chance Family

Posted on March 22, 2012 by StrongWomen

Second Chance FamilySecond Chance Family by Winnie Griggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Winnie Griggs has found her voice–a strong, sweet one, ready to find the humor in every situation and endearingly hopeful in her characters. I enjoyed meeting Cora Beth Collins, a charming widow who runs a boarding house in Texas and loves children (both hers and strays) and Mitch Hammond, the sheriff. Mitch doesn’t think he’s the marrying kind–we’ve heard that before! But Winnie uses such subtle changes that his transforming into a husband and father feels believable and very satisfying. If you enjoy a sweet historical romance written with deft charm, you’ll enjoy Second Chance Family!
To purchase on Amazon, click this link- Second Chance Family (Love Inspired Historical)
Leave a comment and enter a drawing for a once-read copy!–Lyn




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