About the Book

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 death are tied to that of her sister. Could the killer be the man with whom she’s falling in love?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed the setting of Hollywood in 1942. Some of the most famous stars were just rising in popularity and it was nice to see some names I recognized mentioned in the  story. Many during that time period glamorized Hollywood and wanted  so much to make it big there. Rosemary had this dream of bring a famous movie star and waited everyday for her big break.I wonder how many fell victim to the dark side of Hollywood? 

With the arrival in Hollywood of Rosemary’s sister Audra, there was a hint of danger lurking for her. Where would Rosemary  disappear to? We do find out quickly in the story that Rosemary was murdered but with little details. I did find it strange that Audra would not return to be at her sister’s funeral with family. Her reason was to investigate on her own the  death  of her sister. To me that just didn’t seem believable and I thought her devotion to her sister wasn’t as strong as we are led to believe.

I have never heard of the Hollywood Victory  Caravan and decided to look it up on the internet. The author definitely has her facts correct that it was designed for stars to travel cross country on a train in order to help raise money for the Army and Navy Relief Society. This really fascinated me and I liked learning which stars were on board the train. It must have been a great time and for  a good cause while the stars traveled from city to city.

I liked how the author incorporated the caravan in her story where Audra joins to help deal with the stars. One star  in particular caught her attention because  he knew her sister. Robert Garfield was a star who many admired and he had a connection to Audra’s sister. I wonder how long it will take for Audra to figure out exactly what Rosemary did in Hollywood? Perhaps a little black book will have answers. I’m not sure Audra knew what she was getting herself into, but she was determined to find answers  about her sister.

The only way I can describe the train as it traveled to each city was chaos. Stars who thought they were better than others were always stirring up trouble. Audra was completely out of her element and I wasn’t sure that her motive for being there made me want to root for her. She gives up a chance to try her first case before the  court and decides not to attend her sister’s funeral just so she can play junior detective. I didn’t really like her much and felt her character was hard to believe. 

What I did find  refreshing was that Robert was a Christian and made sure that Audra knew it. She had started having  suspicions about him but he made it perfectly clear that “he submits every decision to Christ’s authority.” I loved that he was passionate about God and tried to reassure Audra that he had nothing  to do with what happened to her sister. 

The action does pick  up at the end when another tragedy happens on the train. Audra is not sure who to trust anymore and begins to wonder why bad things keep happening around her. The story does have a good faith element which made me like Robert so much. The mystery was good and even though I wasn’t  surprised at the outcome it was still a nice story.  

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 13

Rachael’s Inkwell, June 13

Texas Book-aholic, June 14

Labor Not in Vain, June 14

Splashes of Joy, June 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 15

For Him and My Family, June 16

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 16 (Author Interview)

Inklings and notions, June 17

CarpeDiem, June 17

Betti Mace, June 18

deb’s Book Review, June 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 19

Book Looks by Lisa, June 20

Connie’s History Classroom, June 20

All-of-a-kind Mom, June 21

The Sacred Line, June 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 22

Simple Harvest Reads, June 22 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

By the Book, June 23

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 23

Bigreadersite, June 24

The Christian Fiction Girl, June 24

Blossoms and Blessings, June 25

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 25

Blogging With Carol, June 26

Rebecca Tews, June 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Stars in the Night!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1eb7a/stars-in-the-night-celebration-tour-giveaway