About the Book

 

Book Title: A Promise Forged

Author: Cara Putman

Genre: World War 2 Romance

Release date: Originally released in 2010, Re-released in 2017

Kat transformed in front of him. Her chin came up, her fingers stopped twitching with the fabric of her gown, and a real sparkle bubbled in her eyes. It was like watching Snow White come to life when the prince kissed her.

A heartwarming WWII historical from award-winning author Cara Putman:

Kat Miller has dreamed of playing baseball her entire life. When she earns a spot on a team in the All-American Girls Professional Softball League, she finds that things aren’t as glamorous as she imagined. She struggles with long road trips, grueling practices, and older teammates who are jealous of her success. And to top it all off, an irritating reporter is constantly getting under Kat’s skin.

Events in Jack Raymond’s career have left him cynical and distanced from God. He never wanted to write at a small paper, and he certainly didn’t want to be assigned to something as inconsequential as a women’s softball team. Then Kat walks into his life. The fiery, young softball player somehow climbs the walls around his heart and makes him want to hope again.

When lies fly and the league appears to fail, will Kat and Jack’s new love survive?

 

Click here to purchase your copy!

 

My Perspective

Before I dive into my thoughts about this story, I have to make a small disclosure. I live in Cooperstown NY, home of baseball. Part of the movie A League of Their Own was filmed here, back when I was in school. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was such a big deal for our village. Some of my classmates were extras in the crowd at Doubleday Field. My aunt is actually seen in the end of the movie – it’s where the ladies are visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame exhibit (which is a real exhibit). She’s a blond with some humongous hideous glasses (as was the style back then). I have watched this movie probably a billion times, and I still love it to this day. This story transported me back to those days! Okay….now for my thoughts 🙂

As an avid baseball fan and A League of Their Own fan, I knew I was going to love this book. First of all, there was the sports aspect. What a cool look into the life of a female ball player during WWII! You got a glimpse of what these women truly went through – the rough job of playing ball every day, while maintaining the composure and looks of a “true lady”. I really don’t know how they did it. Much like some of these characters, I am far from being called a “lady” and to be honest it doesn’t bother me. Had I been there alongside Kat and the others, I probably would have dropped out of their little salon sessions and gone home! But Kat? She surprised me. More than once she was quick to point out that she was no one special. And in her quiet time she was frequently looking to the Lord for guidance. What really got me, even though it was a very small portion of the book, was the love and support from her own family. I imagine many of these ladies did not have the support from family, especially from their mothers. I enjoyed reading about a family who was a little bit against the norm for the time period.

I do have to admit that sometimes Jack really bothered me. I think the thing that bothered me was the way he only wrote about Kat and tended to be very forceful in their conversation. It really was just his nature, and it sort of grew on me over the course of the story, but at first I found it very annoying. Just my own preference by the way, nothing to do with the writing ability of the author! About midway through the book my perspective on him changed a little bit, and I found myself almost drawn to him, looking to see what he’d do next. He surprised me every now and then too which was unexpected – I thought I had his character down!

Overall I thought it was great story. Baseball fans will love it for sure, but don’t let the fact that it’s a sports book scare you away. There is tons of other stuff (romance, friendship, history and fun) for you to enjoy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

About the Author

 

Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met a fellow Indiana writer Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing award-winning books. She is currently working on book 30 and 31.

Cara Putman is an active member of ACFW, and currently serves on its Executive Board. She has also been the Indiana ACFW chapter president and served as the Area Coordinator for Indiana.

Cara is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School, and Krannert School of Management. You can learn more about Cara at www.caraputman.com<http://www.caraputman.com/>.

 

Guest Post from Cara

 

Each of my books starts with a hook that engages my interest, and then as I play with it, I think it will engage readers. A Promise Forged was no different. For this book I was writing a series of three World War II novels for Barbour. I already had two historical hooks that fascinated me: children evacuated from London to Ohio, a top secret project to break Engima in Dayton, but I needed one more. I knew the lead characters were going to be siblings, but I wasn’t sure what to do with the kid sister. Then I remembered the All-American Girls Professional Softball/Baseball League.

And I started thinking.

What would it have been like to desperately want a chance to play a sport you loved professionally?

And to be part of the nascent league when no one was sure whether it was a good or bad idea?

I decided that was the perfect place for Kat. She was the kid sister with fire and passion. She wanted a chance to prove herself, and this would be the perfect place. Then she needed a hero worthy of her. One who could go toe-to-toe with her and still see who she could be.

He came in the form of Jack, a cynical reporter who is disappointed to be assigned to cover girls’ baseball. But then he gets to know Kat and some of the others. And he sees something in her that she doesn’t see in herself. It’s the beginning of fireworks that he doesn’t think can go anywhere because she has to go home to her senior year of high school.

As I began researching the history of the league, I learned that the AAGPS/BL archives were kept at a small museum in South Bend, a couple hours from where I live. I spent a day there talking with the curator and exploring all the records. Because the league wasn’t expected to last there weren’t many records from the first year. That meant I had to guess about some things like schedules based on what happened in the years after.

A Promise Forged became a book I loved writing. Kat was feisty, Jack was cynical, and baseball provided a great setting. I can’t believe this football loving woman can admit that!

 

 

Blog Stops

 

History, Mystery & Faith, August 4

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 4

Among the Reads, August 4

The Power of Words, August 4

C Jane Read, August 5

The Christian Fiction Girl, August 5

Christian Bookaholic, August 5

Texas Book-aholic, August 5

Reading Is My SuperPower, August 6

Genesis 5020, August 6

lady ansel book vibes, August 6

Kat’s Corner Books, August 7

Carpe Diem, August 7

proud to be an autism mom, August 7

Janices book reviews, August 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 8

A Baker’s Perspective, August 8

Blossoms and Blessings, August 8

Mary Hake, August 8

By The Book, August 9

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, August 9

Simple Harvest Reads, August 9 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, August 10

Lighthouse Academy, August 10

Remembrancy, August 10

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 10

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, August 11

100 Pages per Hour, August 11

Luv’N Lambert Life, August 11

Bigreadersite, August 11

Godly Book Reviews, August 12

Cafinated Reads, August 12

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, August 12

A Reader’s Brain, August 13

a good book and cup of tea, August 13

Book by Book, August 13

All-of-a-kind Mom, August 14

Maureen’s Musings, August 14

Daysong Reflections, August 14

The Morning Chapter, August 15

amandainpa, August 15

Inklings and notions, August 15

Connie’s History Classroom, August 16

All 4 and About Books, August 16

Bibliophile Reviews, August 16

Pause for Tales, August 17

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 17

For the Love of Books, August 17

 

Giveaway

 

 

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize that includes the movie League of Their Own, a box of cracker jacks, M&Ms and a $20 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d2ac/a-promise-forged-celebration-tour-giveaway