Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Cara Putman to talk about her latest release, Lethal Intent (12 January 2021, Thomas Nelson, 336 pages), a Mystery Suspense.
“I loved Cara Putman’s LETHAL INTENT and rooted for her heroine Caroline Bragg through every twist and turn.
This legal thriller perfectly captures what it’s like to grow from law clerk to lawyer, and when Caroline finds herself faced with a heartbreaking ethical dilemma that leads to the corporate battle of her life, she confronts the challenge with strength and resources she never knew she had. Putman seamlessly blends the story with a wonderfully inspiring romance, too. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of LETHAL INTENT!” - Lisa Scottoline, #1 Bestselling Author of Eternal
A very warm welcome to Cara Putman; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!
What was the inspiration for Lethal Intent?
"Each of my books has some genesis of an idea that inspires the what-if that initiates the story. For Lethal Intent I wanted to build on the idea I’d started in Flight Risk (How do we find truth in a fake news world?), only turned to the cutting edge areas of medical/pharmaceutical research.
We live in a world that is so complicated, and only getting more so as technology advances and that’s definitely at play in medical research. I teach at a university engaged in world-class research, so I’m constantly seeing updates on AMAZING research. But I’ve also watched a friend navigate a multi-year battle fighting for her son, part of which included him being involved in medical trials.
Add in the idea of immortal cells à la Henrietta Lacks, and my mind began spinning with ideas. Then the hero started a group foster home which is threatened by legislative changes, and I had the layers for a lot of conflict and suspense."
How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?
"I’m an attorney and clerked for a judge for a year, so that experience definitely bleeds into Carolyn’s character.
I also lived in the Northern Virginia area of D.C. for eight years, so that also heavily influences my writing of the setting.
Fortunately, many of the other elements are not pulled from my life, like facing down someone with a gun!"
The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Lethal Intent - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.
"My publisher works with an incredibly talented team of in-house graphic designers, one of which is art director Halie Cotton who created this cover!"
Why should we read Lethal Intent and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?
"There are two things that make my books unique.
I’ve lived in the area I write about, so there are layers of detail that keep those who live there or have visited deeply embedded in the place. As a reader, I always hate it when details that are wrong jerk me out of the story.
I also am an attorney who has worked in many of the contexts my characters do, so I can bring a layer of authenticity to the work.
And a bonus: the heroes are real life men. They aren’t super alphas, but the kind of men my readers are married to or want to find. When I surveyed my readers, that’s what they told me they wanted, and it’s made for some really interesting backgrounds for the heroes. I’ve been told I have quite the hero factory!"
Can you tell us something quirky about Lethal Intent, its story and characters?
"Caroline is actually named after one of my writing buds, Carol Moncado, who helped me brainstorm some early layers to the series this book stems off from. And Brandon’s cat, Frodo, adds some moments of levity when needed."
Who would you recommend Lethal Intent to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?
"This book is perfect for readers who love romance with a lot more. It’s heavy on the mystery/suspense, but the romance is one that grows throughout the pages.
This book is perfect for readers who love a romance with serious challenges, a book with heart, and one that looks at current issues with an eye on how we should respond. Add layers of suspense and friendship, and it will keep you reading long after your bedtime!"
If you could / wished to turn Lethal Intent into a movie, who would be your dream team?
"Oh I would love to have this turned into a movie! I think it is perfect for an action based suspense movie!
I’d love to cast Emma Watson as Caroline and if I can dream big, Chris Evans as Brandon. Why not reach for the stars 😀!
What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?
"I love to write characters and stories that will pull readers in. I want readers to feel like my main characters are people you would choose to spend time with and that when the pages end, you’re sad to see them leave.
I write two genres: romantic suspense and WWII historicals. Some of my favorite books are when those two overlap.
I love to read just about anything but fantasy and sci fi. My very linear left brain struggles with worlds I haven’t seen/experienced. However, I love a good historical that has threads of intense suspense."
What is your writing process?
"I do most of my writing in the evenings, late into the night. That’s when things calm down enough with my day job and family to find the time to focus and re-enter the story. I use software that’s in the cloud, so that I can catch stolen pockets of time from anywhere as long as I have a computer and WIFI."
What is in store next?
"I’m working on my next series idea which will be located in Northern Virginia, but a slightly different context. It will again have a group of women attorneys but confronting all new challenges and situations."
And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?
"We have a cat (Simba) and puppy (Peggy). We got Peggy in May and she’s actually been published in the New York Times, well, a list of the things she ate in a day that my husband compiled as part of the paper’s logbook of daily life during the pandemic. She’s fun and a challenge!"
Simba
Peggy
Hello beautiful Simba and Peggy! Lots of head-scratches to both of you from all of us at BooksChatter :-)
Cara, thank you for sharing Simba and Peggy with us (I cannot believe she is not even a year old!); we hope you are having a great tour and look forward to reading Lethal Intent.
If you want to break the law, it is best to do it without an attorney looking over your shoulder.
Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Cara Putman to talk about her latest release, Lethal Intent (12 January 2021, Thomas Nelson, 336 pages), a Mystery Suspense.
If you want to break the law, it is best to do it without an attorney looking over your shoulder.
With what is going on in DC, I would love to know the author's thoughts about it since she lived there.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this interview. It was such fun to dream about the stars to play my characters :-)
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