Friday, February 14, 2014

SHADOWED BY GRACE

BY

CARA C. PUTMAN

WITH DETAILS ABOUT A FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY




AUTHOR CARA PUTMAN

She found peace in a time of war.

Desperate to save her dying mother, an American woman accepts her newspaper’s assignment to travel to Italy where she takes photographs dangerously close to the front lines during World War II. 

But Rachel’s real motive in this journey is 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 at such a desperate time.

In her quest, Rachel becomes involved with what will become the Monuments Men effort to save great monuments and works of art from the Third Reich. Soon enough she will find more than she ever imagined—in war, in love, and in God.

MY REVIEW

5 Stars

The morning after I finished reading Shadowed by Grace, the daily newspaper had a front page article about the movie Monument Men, and I immediately flew to my computer and wrote an excited note to Cara Putman that went something like this:

Hello Cara, Just last evening I completed reading your wonderful book Shadowed by Grace. This morning I picked up today's edition of the Ft Worth Star Telegram and my eye immediately fell to the lower left column on the first page. There was a picture of Robert Edsel above the words “Dallas man drove movie on WWII art rescue”...and went on to talk about the movie made about Monument Men, based on his book about the group’s heroic efforts. Of course, my attention was caught immediately because I had just read his name in your personal notes at the back of the book.  Just wanted to let you know....your story made quite an impression on me...imagine finding this article this morning!! Best of God's Blessings, Barb Shelton

Not only did reading this article put real faces to the imaginary names in Cara’s story, it enlightened me to the thorough research she immersed herself within to write this fascinating story. Now, I could see Lieutenant Scott Lindstrom as George Clooney (instead of Gregory Peck) and had already imaged Anne Hathaway as Captain Rachel Justice.

Cara Putman’s story is indeed based on cultural affairs….and I do not mean that word loosely regarding Rachel and Scott!  Each, the epitome of respectable ethics in an ungracious period of history. Some of the characters in the story rank as unscrupulous and conniving, while other’s exhibit bravery and faith in God to grace them with safety and daily provisions of which there was little.  It was dangerous to lose direction while traveling by jeep, especially if the driver had already lost his way spiritually
.
This is a love story surrounded by treacherous conditions of war.  Ms. Putman’s exclusive subject on saving historical art masterpieces was literally unknown to me and I reverentially appreciate learning how this world has been able to continue the study and enjoyment of historic art because of a few military men  assigned their duty as Monument Men..  God is our eternal guardian and brings about good from the worst of circumstances through his children and angels
.
If you have noticed the absence of story details in this review, that is on purpose.  You can read those in other fine reviews of Shadowed by Grace and on the back cover of the book. The uniqueness of this story is complimented by the unusual civilian career as an art museum curator held by Scott Lindstrom; and the fact that a woman photographer, Rachel Justice, assigned to the war zone during that time in history was not a common happening. Will the mystery of finding the father in Italy Rachel never knew be “wrapped up?”  Will Scott be allowed to understand why Rachel is so afraid of falling in love?  Why is Rachel’s ill mother so unwilling to offer Rachel the answers to her birth?  This story is about war, peace, love, culture, fear, bravery, searching, redemption, and God’s grace fulfilled.  Oh, by the way, Cara Putman graciously replied to my note, and my respectful regard for her as an author and friend is sincerely touched.  Her writing fulfilled my expectations because it taught me something important about history I did not know. I eagerly anticipate reading her next book.  You need to read this story!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received.



THE MOVIE - MONUMENT MEN
Having just released Shadowed By Grace, a novel about the Monuments Men, Cara Putman was eager to see the new blockbuster about this untold story. Cara shares her reactions to the movie below—will this be the perfect movie date for you this weekend? Make sure to enter for the chance to win tickets to see The Monuments Men and a copy of Shadowed By Grace! 
(details below)




WHAT CARA SAID ABOUT THE MOVIE "MONUMENT MEN"
Last night, Eric and I got a chance to watch The Monuments Men on opening night. This is a movie I have anticipated since learning George Clooney was in production in the fall of 2012. That’s a long time to anticipate the movie!

I wasn’t disappointed.

This movie captures the tone of The Monuments Men. It grasps what this small group of men was trying to do and honors their memories. It also communicates their sacrifice and devotion. It visually portrays a piece of what was at stake during WWII — and the balancing act. Yet it did this without becoming dark and maudlin. Eric and I saw the 9:15 p.m. showing — in a theater filled primarily with college students — students who laughed out loud multiple times. The humor never detracted, but in enhanced the movie because it didn’t become slap-stick.

The Monuments Men has an A cast: Matt Damon, George Clooney, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Cate Blanchett, Hugh Boneville and more. They all fell into their characters and became the Monuments Men they portrayed. The movie is a war movie, but the violence is limited and at a level I can take my 13 and 10 year-olds to see. There was some language, but not heavy . . . I didn’t count, but it wasn’t a distraction.

There is also only mild innuendo and the outcome to that was PERFECT. I literally bounced in my chair because it mirrored history!

There were a couple twists to the story. Nothing major — the key one being the kid who interpreted didn’t show up as early as they portrayed, but he did play a role later in the process. This is a movie I will see again — and enjoy.

Enter to Win Movie Tickets to The Monuments Men and a Copy of Shadowed by Grace

Monuments Men Giveaway


ABOUT AUTHOR CARA PUTMAN.....

Ordinary Mom, Amazing God

Cara C. Putman is an award-winning author of seventeen books with more on the way.

Cara C. Putman graduated high school at 16, college at 20, and completed her law degree at 27. An award-winning author of seventeen books with more on the way, she is active in women's ministry at her church and is 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 is currently pursuing 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.

My writing journey started in 2005 when I decided to write my first novel. People say I’ve accomplished a lot and that I must have life by the proverbial tail. Hardly! I grew up as a homeschooled kid when homeschoolers were misunderstood and oddities. I struggle with balancing my writing and law career, plus being a good mom and wife. I often fear people won’t like my books. I’ve walked through the deep pain of miscarriage. Really, I’m just like you – I don’t have it all together and have gone through tough times. But in His strength, I’ve discovered a strength I never knew I had. A strength I want you to discover, too. In the end I’m just an ordinary mom who has seen God do some wonderful things as I’ve been obedient to step into the calling He’s led me into.

You can connect with Cara online at her website (www.caraputman.com), Facebook, Twitter(@cara_putman), Pinterest, and Goodreads. 

Favorite BooksThe Bible
Gone with the Wind
Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
Anything by Colleen Coble, Lynette Eason, Lisa Wingate and many more great Christian fiction authors.




Saturday, February 1, 2014

Blast banner



Today, February 1, 2014 
The Naomi Chronicles, Book One,

Beginning Anew

will release on Amazon.

***


Beginning Anew Cover
ABOUT THE BOOK

Naomi and Chaz know that miracles really do happen for at a friend’s wedding they reaffirmed their love and are Beginning Anew!


Yet there are consequences that the couple must face. Will Chaz love and protect his wife? Will Naomi learn to trust Chaz?


Find out in the first novel of Paula Rose Michelson’s four-book saga e Naomi Chronicles.




Available at:

***

The Naomi Chronicles: Book One
Authored by
Paula Rose Michelson
Naomi and Chaz know that miracles really do happen, for at a friend's wedding they reaffirmed their love and are Beginning Anew! Yet there are consequences that the couple must face. Will Chaz love and protect his wife? Will Naomi learn to trust Chaz? Find out in the first novel of Paula Rose Michelson's four-book saga, The Naomi Chronicles.




Previously, in Book 2 of Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing 
Naomi's journey from pain to faith where she dealt with her husband's rejection of her, and Chaz discovered that secrets were kept from him, and began his own journey of discovery that enthralled readers. While their friends planned to use Nicco and Lucinda's wedding to bring Chaz and Naomi together again, God had His hand on this star-crossed couple.

EXCERPT FROM MY REVIEW

Naomi fled, full of shame, pain and deeply confused. She huddled underneath the blankets in the backseat of her friend Alex’s car not wanting to be detected by those she felt shunned her just hours before at what should have been a surprise celebration blessing her by new husband Chaz and their friends. Her lifelong secret revealed by a vindictive girl seeking revenge for no reason but to steal the love of Naomi’s life. Naomi intended to tell Chaz herself that night,, but forced to admit her secret in front of Chaz and her friends – Chaz hollered at her “Why did you deceive me?” and walked away.

As Alex sped her away from the Barrio, she showed no curiosity of where he was taking her. He explained he was taking her to a safe place at Wawayanda State Park in New Jersey, part of the Appalachian Trail. From here on Naomi was in strange territory with people like none she had never known. Her closest friend was Ruth – can it be God’s own humor that He would put another Ruth and Naomi together? Will you see the parallels in their lives? Will Naomi believe the truth that Ruth and even Marvin; a little child will tell her when she meets him on the Blessings Rock?




to read the rest of review



Before that, Book 1 of Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing
let readers experience Naomi's journey from adolescence to womanhood, from frightened isolation to heiress with a mission, and responsibility many would shirk placed upon her shoulders, and kept them guessing especially when they realized that Naomi guarded two secrets. When Naomi married and fell in love with Chaz, she decided to tell him about herself. Before she could, Lola, a teenager she rescued from immigration, revealed her secrets. Hearing Chaz's hate-filled words, and seeing many in Spanish Harlem turn away from her, Naomi fled.


EXCERPT FROM MY REVIEW


Paula Rose Michelson wrote with brilliance her story of Naomi. To better understand the Spanish mind-set toward those of Jewish birth and faith, I recommend emphatically the reader peruse the Preface regarding Sephardic Voices as well as Historical Notes. This stunning historical information revealed intense research and study on Ms Michelson’s part that distinguish her talent and story above some others.

Naomi, being forced to live a lie by omission of who she really is, we meet as a young teenage girl beginning a peculiar lonely life in a strange new world. Her former world in Spain created about her grievous conditions for all of Jewish heritage and faith. This cruel and fearful prejudice against their religion forcing them to join the Catholic Church or face persecution, possibly death was a historical fact unknown to me in my naivetĂ© that I find despicable, however vital to Naomi’s story all inclusive in Spanish Harlem.

Go to

to read the rest of review

***


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Casa Series 001-1


Paula Rose Michelson is the wife of Lutheran Pastor, and Chosen People Ministries field Missionary, Ron Michelson. Paula Rose Michelson is not only an author but also a mother of two married daughters, and the grandmother of seven. She authored the Casa de Naomi Series.

This Messianic author of faith books founded LAMB Ministries in 1988, which helps women recover from trauma and abuse through the effective use of Scripture and prayer. She asked God to give her a unique work, and while praying about the lost tribes of Israel, she believed the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) called her to write about the hidden Jews. She wrote the Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing and The Naomi Chronicles Books because of her heart response to that commission. 

While awaiting the copyright for the first LAMB recovery book titled, "Why Did We Become Angry?"

She wrote a series of politically incorrect articles that will be published under the title, "The Purple Pitch Seduction of America." These will release in 2014.


Paula can be found online on:


***

For this release blast Paula has decided to do a giveaway.

The prizes are:

Prize pack Anew Blast

1st:
3 sets of the previous Casa de Naomi Books (digital format)

and

2nd:
3 x Casa de Naomi: Book One (digital format)