In this episode of Book Talk with Cara, I welcome author Jayna Breigh to discuss her new book, The Appearance of Impropriety. The discussion covers Jayna's writing journey, her experience collaborating on a Christmas novella, and the intricacies of her latest novel. Jayna elaborates on the story's themes of character judgment and the appearance of impropriety in the legal world. The conversation delves into the challenges of writing realistic legal suspense and balancing romance within the storyline. This episode also highlights Jayna's inspiration from real-life incidents, her process of developing characters, and the significance of setting in her narrative.

You can learn more about Jayna and her books at her website: https://www.jaynabreigh.com

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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!

In this episode of Book Talk with Cara, I welcome Deborah Clack to discuss her debut novel, Even After This, a book 13 years in the making. Deborah shares her journey of perseverance in the face of countless rejections, the heartfelt and humorous elements within her story, and the challenges she encountered bringing her characters to life. The novel revolves around a widow's unexpected encounter with a Hollywood actor at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, blending romance, comedy, and deep emotional healing. Deborah reflects on her growth as a storyteller, the importance of certain scenes, and offers insights into what readers and book clubs might find engaging. Follow Deborah on her website, Instagram, and join her newsletter community for more behind-the-scenes content.

You can learn more about Deborah and her books at her website: https://www.deborahclack.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

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In this episode of Book Talk with Cara, Cara interviews debut author Kristine Delano as she launches her novel, The Lies We Trade. Kristine shares her journey from a 20-year career on Wall Street to becoming an author. They discuss the inspiration behind her book, including the complexities of female mentorship, the intriguing dynamic of high-stakes finance, and how personal experiences shaped her characters. Kristine delves into her writing process, the importance of accurate research, and balancing plot development with authentic character engagement. They also touch on Kristine's influences, her favorite childhood book, and insights into the publishing journey.

Order The Lies We Trade everywhere books are sold! Learn more about Kristine and her books at her website: https://kristinedelano.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 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 Conrad

Facebook | Instagram | X

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, I get to chat with historical fiction author Michelle Shocklee about her new novel, The Women of Oak Ridge. Shockley shares her background, inspiration for the book, and insights into the historical context of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, during World War II. Our discussion delves into her research process, the dual timelines of the novel, and the challenging technical subjects involved. Michelle discusses her writing routine, research joys, and her journey to becoming a published author, including the importance of support from mentors like Tracy Peterson. The episode wraps up with some fun questions about Michelle's writing habits and how she celebrates a book release.

Connect with Michelle Shocklee

Facebook | Instagram | X | Blog

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!

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 Roberts

Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

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!