In this episode of Book Talk with Cara, host Cara Putman catches up with longtime friend and bestselling author Deborah Raney! Deb drops in to discuss her new release, Who Names the Stars?, the third standalone novel in her God Who series exploring different attributes of God's character.

Deb opens up about her life on the road traveling in a camper van with her husband, her joy in grandparenthood, and what it’s like having five different editors look at a manuscript before her husband catches the final typos. She shares the heartwarming behind-the-scenes story of writing this novel with her 93-year-old father as her chief Kansas ranching researcher, the challenge of writing a realistic modern-day "marriage of convenience", and why redemption remains the central thread of her storytelling.

Plus, stick around for our signature Lightning Round, where Deb reveals her secret "Easter egg" word hidden in every single one of her novels!

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, host Cara Putman sits down with first-time guest Christina Suzann Nelson! Known for her poignant women's fiction and her signature motto, "Hope in a world of trauma," Christina drops in to discuss her novel Orange is the Color of Goodbye.

Christina shares the powerful real-life inspiration behind the book—a video from a hospice worker about realistic expectations during end-of-life care—and how her own experience as a mother of six (including five adopted children) fuels her perspective on healing and resilience. They dive deep into the emotional weight of writing through dark themes, how Christina balances writing heavy women's fiction alongside fun cozy mysteries, and her unique pre-order surprise for readers!

Plus, don't miss our signature Lightning Round, where Christina reveals her favorite word, her TV show counterpart, and her go-to audiobooks!

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, host Cara Putman sits down with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne! Currently working on her 80th book, RaeAnne drops in to discuss her latest release, The Rainy Day Bookshop—a charming intergenerational story blending women's fiction, small-town warmth, dual romances, and family restoration.

RaeAnne shares her transition from high school drama and ten years as a newspaper editor into full-time fiction writing, how journalism taught her that "everyone has a story," and why writing only gets harder the more experienced you become. She and Cara explore the dynamics of four generations of women living under one roof, the rise of reader culture and bookshop settings, and the story behind the book’s perfect cover design.

Plus, stay tuned for our signature Lightning Round, where RaeAnne reveals her favorite word (coincidentally shared with guest Deb Raney!), her top books of all time, and what cheers her up on a rainy day!

Learn more about RaeAnne and her books at: https://www.raeannethayne.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!

Join host Cara Putman for a delightful sit-down with New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen! Known for her beloved Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy series, Rhys drops in to talk about her gripping historical standalone novel, The Castle in the Glen.

In this episode, Rhys shares how a terrifying personal hiking mishap on Scotland’s Isle of Skye inspired the novel’s stark, gothic atmosphere. She also breaks down the tricky creative challenge of crafting a "book within a book," navigating character self-doubt, and how writing from home and using Google Earth brought the wild Scottish Highlands back to life.

Plus, stay tuned for our signature Lightning Round, where Rhys shares her top three books of all time, her ultimate writing community, and her favorite power word! Readers, look for The Castle in the Glen in August, and find Rhys online at RhysBowen.com, Facebook (Author Rhys Bowen), Instagram, and don't forget to sign up for her bimonthly newsletter at her website.

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, host Cara Putman welcomes back romantic suspense author Natalie Walters. They discuss Natalie's new book, Spies, Lies, and Alibis, which takes a thrilling turn blending romance and high-octane suspense. Natalie shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her latest novel, and her experiences, including a daring skydiving adventure in Dubai. They also delve into the themes of espionage, the moral dilemmas faced by her characters, and how she balances the romantic and suspense elements in her storytelling. With anecdotes about writing challenges and character development, this episode offers a fascinating look into the creation of a gripping and fun-filled book.

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!

Cara welcomes author Nancy Naigle to Book Talk to discuss her upcoming novel Home No Matter Where, the third of the Shell Collector books that can be read as standalones. Nancy shares how her career as a Bank of America senior vice president and a difficult season inspired her to write uplifting small-town love stories designed to help readers through hard days. She explains how The Shell Collector was born from grief after losing her husband in 2014 and a real story about shells with scripture found on a North Carolina beach, later becoming a Fox Nation movie and a Bible App devotional. Nancy previews Home No Matter Where as a coastal community story about Nina, a divorced mom dealing with her daughter Kendra’s difficult teen struggles, found family, and a gentle friends-to-lovers romance with Fisher, and she highlights themes of trust, belonging, and healing.

You can learn more about Nancy and her books at her website: https://www.nancynaigle.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!

On Book Talk with Cara, Cara interviews author T.I. Lowe about her new novel South of Somewhere, a redemption story following Juniper as she starts over and takes small, realistic steps through addiction recovery and rehabilitation. Lowe discusses the responsibility of researching addiction, including reading memoirs and working through a 12-step-based study, to honor real experiences and build empathy. She explains how the Southern setting—Sullivan’s Island and a grandmother’s beach house—functions as a character while challenging stereotypes about who addiction affects. They explore the importance of recovery community and “found family,” Juniper’s search for the right group, and Henry’s role as a model of healthy, consistent connection. Lowe also shares how she keeps faith elements organic rather than preachy, and previews her upcoming grief-focused novel A Southern Goodbye (planned for fall 2027).

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!

Rachel Hauck guest-hosts Book Talk to interview regular host Cara Putman about her May release, The Targeted, book three in the Secrets to Keep series, available for pre-order. They read the back-cover blurb and discuss the story of Chloe Ainsworth, a gymnastics coach whose estranged sister returns after 14 years with news that Chloe’s abuser is back, prompting Chloe and law student Dare Shepherd to pursue help through a legal clinic while the stakes escalate. Putman explains the book’s blend of legal suspense and romance, its “ripped from the headlines” focus on abuse in youth sports, and the fractured sister relationship shaped by silence and trauma. She describes using Dare’s law-student limitations to balance legal tension with character-driven emotional stakes, explores truth-telling and its cost, and weaves a lighter faith thread centered on endurance, God’s presence in suffering, and forgiveness, aiming to leave readers with hope and greater empathy.

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!