Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Stars in the Night by Cara Putman

June 19, 2022

Book: Stars in the Night

Author: Cara Putman

Genre: WWII Romantic Suspense

Release date: February 1, 2022

Hollywood 1942. When attorney Audra Schaeffer’s sister disappears, Audra flies to Hollywood to find her but instead must identify her body. Determined to bring the killer to justice, Audra takes a job with the second Hollywood Victory Caravan. Together with Robert Garfield and other stars, she crisscrosses the southern United States in a campaign to sell war bonds. When two other women are found dead on the train, Audra knows the deaths are tied to that of her sister. Could the killer be the man with whom she’s falling in love?

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New to me author and Christian Historical Fiction Mystery genre, I was really intrigued to read this book. Stars in the Night by Cara Putman is the most recent book that I have read and enjoyed.

The time is 1942 and Attorney Audra Schaeffer is having a difficult time reaching her sister. She decides to fly to Hollywood to check on her sister. Audra arrives in Hollywood to find out that her sister was killed and must identify the body. Audra is determined to find the Killer and bring justice for her sister. She decides to take a job with the Hollywood Victory Caravan. She travels across the Country with Hollywood stars, including Robert Garfield, selling war bonds. Robert and Audra take an instant liking to one another. Two women are found dead on the train and Audra knows their deaths are somehow connected to her Sister's death. Will Audra discover who killed her sister? Will Robert and Audra connect and have a relationship?

I will admit the book started out a bit slow, so it took me a while to catch on to the storyline. I did enjoy the book once I got into the 3rd chapter and beyond. Audra is a determined woman who seems to take on a lot in life, especially when she decides to find her sister's killer. Robert Garfield is a charming man who seems to be a gentleman. I really like the connection the 2 of them feel, but also the cautiousness from Audra when she thinks Robert could be the killer of all 3 women. The book was not predictable and I appreciate that when reading a Mystery/Suspense novel! I have never read anything by Cara Putman before, but I am looking forward to reading many more books from her. The author researched the time period and history very well. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who likes Christian Historical and Mystery! GREAT BOOK!

Since the time I could read Nancy Drew, I have wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 I attended a book signing at my local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, is history. There I met Colleen Coble. With prompting from my husband, I shared my dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, I’ve been writing award-winning books with the count currently at 35 published and more in the works.

In addition to writing, I am a mom of four, attorney, clinical professor at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, my husband, and my kids. I graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!), George Mason Law School, and Purdue University’s MBA program. You can learn more about my books at http://www.caraputman.com. And if you’d like a copy of my legal suspense novella, Dying for Love, simply connect with me here (http://www.caraputman.com/contact/), and I’ll send you the link.

More from Cara

One of the things I loved about writing Stars in the Night, set during World War II, is that I learned so many things. As a World War II history nut, that keeps the writing fresh and exciting. Here are a few of the things I learned while writing Stars in the Night:

1) There really was a Hollywood Victory Caravan. The Hollywood Victory Caravan traveled by train Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., then north through cities like Chicago and Minneapolis.

2) If something had happened to the train, Hollywood would have been ravaged. The real caravan was filled with stars like Abbott and Costello, Desi Arnez, Bing Crosby, and Groucho Marx. The papers at the time said the stars would have gone out in Hollywood if anything had happened.

3) The first train entertained the President and Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House. What a great way to launch the tour. And Mrs. Roosevelt had a staff member standing immediately behind her to help her “remember” everyone who came by so she could say something personal to them.

4) The Winecoff Hotel, where I have my stars stay while they’re in Atlanta, was the site of the worst hotel fire in American history and has recently been restored and renovated.

5) I initially considered having the tour appear at Ford’s Theater, but it was essentially abandoned during the World War Two era – and was used as storage. Hard to believe if you tour that beautifully restored theater today.

6) The National Theater has had continuous shows running since December 1835. Fortunately for my story, it had a hole the summer of 1942, which fit perfectly with when I wanted my caravan to have a show there.

7) The Hollywood Canteen didn’t open until later in 1942. Since my first book involved a canteen, I really wanted to include the Hollywood Canteen. Besides, what’s more romantic than movie stars mixing with and entertaining servicemen? Unfortunately, it was in the planning stages during Stars in the Night. Maybe in the next book…

As you can see, I love the details of history. I hope Stars in the Night sweeps you away to a time that was rich in service, glamour, and conflict.