Cara C. Putman | Remembering to Hope When Life is Hard
May 22, 2015
Seventy years ago this month, the world celebrated VE day – the end of World War
II in Europe. This weekend, we pause to remember Memorial Day. The two events
are perfectly tied in my mind. Why? Because I write novels centered on
remembering the stories of the Greatest Generation…the generation that fought
and won World War II. 75 years ago, the United States was not yet in the war. We were still relying on
neutrality to avoid the war. Then on May 26, 1940, the British Army was dealt a
devastating blow with the evacuation of the army at Dunkirk. Two days later
Belgium surrendered to the Germans. All seemed lost. Life is often like that, isn’t it? Something happens and we’re dealt what feels like a mortal blow. Our job is cut.
Our car rattles and steams. A loved one is desperately ill. All seems lost. That’s why I write inspirational fiction. Because as I’ve walked through life,
I’ve experienced ups and downs. The mountaintops have been glorious and the
valleys devastating canyons. Yet through it all, I have never walked alone. God
has always been by my side, a single prayer away. In the middle of the valleys,
I couldn't always talk about it. I didn’t always feel like someone else would
understand. But through prayer, my Bible, and fiction – yes, fiction – I was
always reminded that I was never truly alone. How does this tie to Memorial Day and WWII? That lesson that we are never truly alone is exactly the road many of my
heroines walk. In SHADOWED BY GRACE, Rachel Justice believes her only hope is
somehow identifying and locating her earthly father in war torn Italy. In
reality, God has much more in store for her. Audra Schaeffer believes that all
is lost when she searches for her sister in STARS IN THE NIGHT, yet she learns that in the darkest
moments God is there. In White Christmas in WHERE TREETOPS
GLISTEN, Abigail Turner is convinced that is she opens her heart to love,
she will only lose that person. Yet God shows her that’s not truth. I believe many of us can relate to these fears and beliefs that my heroines
have. Yet I believe even more firmly the truth that God will not leave us or
forsake us. That He is but a breath away. And that’s why I write inspirational fiction set during WWII. So we can always
remember the Greatest Generation and the truths that their lives and service so
vividly illustrate. GiveawayReaders, what brings you hope? Leave a comment below to be entered to win a
signed copy of SHADOWED BY
GRACE. About Cara C. PutmanCara 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 is also a finalist in the
Christian Retailing BEST awards and HOLT Medallion. 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 | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads About SHADOWED BY GRACESHADOWED BY
GRACE is a dramatic story inspired by the Monuments Men of World War II by
acclaimed author Cara C. Putman. Desperate to save her dying mother, Rachel
accepts her newspaper’s assignment to travel to Italy to capture images
dangerously close to the front lines of WWII. Her real motive – to find the
father she never knew -- an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support
both she and her mother need to survive. It’s an unlikely situation for love and
faith to flourish, but soon Rachel not only finds herself, but also her
long-lost earthly father, and ultimately, the man her Heavenly father created to
cherish and provide for her.
Comments
14 comments posted.
Re: Cara C. Putman | Remembering to Hope When Life is Hard
Watching little kids playing & learning new things gives me hope. (Kristine Murphy 9:25am May 22, 2015)
Being around young people - babies to teenagers. (Deb Philippon 9:58am May 22, 2015)
My wonderful grandchildren give me hope, love and inspiration. (Sharon Berger 11:50am May 22, 2015)
What gives me hope is that there are people such as you that write wonderful books that keep History alive. In schools today, these facts are not being taught, and this way, the younger generations can read books such as yours, and learn the truth about what our Ancestors went through to make this great Country truly free, and give them the freedoms they have today. I have hope that this great Country will soon turn around for the better, and our Country will be strong and respected once again. I have hope about so many things, but I know that after reading your book, you will keep the hopes I have in my heart glow even stronger!! Thank you again for writing Historical fiction books. Since my late Father served in WWII, this book will have a deeper meaning for me!! Congratulations on your book!! The cover is outstanding!! (Peggy Roberson 1:37pm May 22, 2015)
I enjoyed this wonderful post! God and His Word give me hope. "I know who holds tomorrow And I know who holds my hand." Thank you so much for the chance to win a signed copy of Shadowed by Grace! (Britney Adams 12:52pm May 23, 2015)
This looks like a very interesting story (Barbara Semeraro 8:02am May 23, 2015)
My faith in God brings me hope. When things may seen hopeless with no answer or no end in sight I know there is a rock and an anchor I can cling to. A lighthouse who's Light shines brightly. During my cancer journey I always liked seeing babies and the cute little ones and toddlers.They are just so life affirming and full of so much joy! (Maryann Skaritka 4:00pm May 23, 2015)
Hope can be found in the simple things.A baby's precious smile.A beautiful butterfly.A puppies kiss.Your spouse reaching for your hand while walking.A lovely flower.Rainbows. (Jackie Preas 7:01am May 24, 2015)
What gives me hope is seeing good deeds people do for each other (Jean Benedict 2:14pm May 24, 2015)
Babies and toddlers, their joy in life and innocence (Lesley Walsh 4:10am May 25, 2015)
Just about everything can give you hope . We need to stop and think about the wonderful things that surrounds us . If we don't have our hopes are dreams ,then we have nothing . (Joan Thrasher 11:04am May 25, 2015)
It's difficult for me to say exactly what gives me hope. Something unexpected happens and suddenly there is great hope for the future. Just being around my grandchildren gives me a wonderful outlook on life. (Anna Speed 12:32pm May 25, 2015)
My grandmother would have been 116 today that gives me hope because she was a hero to me and I live through her everyday! (Denise Austin 3:38pm May 25, 2015)
If I really think about it hard, and I did, there are so many things that gives me hope but I think the top 2 are 1. Jesus Christ and 2. My mother.
Talking to my mother every day gives me hope to go on everyday. Just to hear her voice calms me down when I am upset or angry. Living so far away from her is so hard and having skype, seeing her when on the computer makes me that happiest when I am the sadest. (Renae Kelly 5:27pm May 25, 2015)
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