• Home
  • Our Authors
  • Blog
  • Events & Giveaways
  • Privacy Policy

Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Creating a town and other brainstorming fun

September 24, 2020 By Cara Putman

I'm in the midst of planning and scheming my next book series. In fact that's what I'll be spending the bulk of today doing. There is so much that goes into that process. I have to create characters. Heroes. Heroines. Supporting characters. Pets. Churches. Jobs. Places they work. And towns. Sometimes I use real places. Other times I've used fictional. Both work and can be fun. But for this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: cara putman, giveaway, Name a Town, Proposal

The Reality of Romance

September 10, 2020 By Cara Putman

Romance is hard work. In our novels, we often stop at the point that a couple is discovering and leaning into their new love -- unless it's a marriage of convenience, and then they have to learn to love each other as newly married strangers. They go through struggles to reach that point, real barriers, but then the book closes with an acknowledgment that life won't necessarily be easy, but as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tagged With: marriage, romance

Books I’ve Loved this Month + Giveaway

August 27, 2020 By Cara Putman

I think because classes started this week at Purdue, I've been in a race to read some good books. The above are just a few of them that I've inhaled and recommended. Here's why I loved them: The Price of Valor is Susan May Warren at the top of her writing game. Susie is a master of creating characters and plot that will not let me go as a reader. This book is no exception. From the opening … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Reading Tagged With: cara putman, fiction, giveaway, Lynn Blackburn, rachel hauck, Susan May Warren, Team of Five, Toni Shiloh

Books to Encourage in Chaotic Times

August 13, 2020 By Cara Putman

In our hourse we're preparing for the kids to return to school and for me to return to face-to-face classes at Purdue. We all came home in mid-March, and I'd say we're largely ready to see what the fall has in store. This year has been the year of Flexible Chaos, and I'm certain it's not over yet! Those who know me well would be quick to confirm that I don't do chaos well...at all. In fact I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Beth Moore, cara putman, Chasing Vines, Get Out of Your Head, giveaway, Jen Wilkin, Jennie Allen, Jess Connolly, None Like HIm, Rebekah Lyons, Rhythms of Rest

Books, Puppies, and Fun oh my!

July 23, 2020 By Cara Putman

One of the things I've done bit by bit through our time at home these last months is organizing different corners of the house. I had to laugh when each bookshelf I was working through had a copy of the same Lisa Scottoline book. The top one Lisa autographed for me at International Thriller Writers conference a couple summers ago. Now to make the time to read the book all the way through. I've … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Reading Tagged With: books, cara putman, puppy, reader

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • …
  • 51
  • Next Page »

Search Site

Monthly Archives

Blog Categories

Recent Posts

  • Books and Brunch – Accomplished! April 24, 2026
  • Falling in Love with Falling in Love April 22, 2026
  • Glimpses from Dollywood April 21, 2026

Disclosure

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the pages on this site may be "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, someone will receive an affiliate commission. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Copyright © 2026 Inspired by Life & Fiction | Website Design by Robin