Behind the Scenes: A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island

I often start my books by thinking about a setting that I think readers will enjoy escaping to through the pages of a book. A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island was no exception.

I didn't grow up aware of Mackinac Island. I wasn't even sure what I was getting into the first time we drove the ten hours from Lafayette, Indiana, to the tip of Michigan's mitten. I knew is it took a long time to reach this tiny dot on the map. It didn't take me long to learn the island had worked hard to preserve a feel of days long ago. It took even less time to fall in love with this retreat. We've stayed at the Grand, in B & Bs and in Mackinaw City. Each time, I couldn't wait to reach the island and explore its roads, shops, and Fort. It was only natural that it became the perfect place to set a contemporary romance. 

A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island Video

While I was at ACFW, Novel Crossings invited authors to talk about their books. You know me...I am not shy in front of a camera. So it was fun to get to share about my book and Mackinac Island. Here's the snippet:


Cara Putman Talks About A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island on Novel Crossing from novelcrossing on GodTube.

Do you like watching authors talk about their books? I've considered trying vlogs. Are there any things you'd like me to share? Inquiring minds (mine) would love to know!

Congratulations to the Mackinac Island Tour Winners!

Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Authors Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson teamed up for a tour of the island, now and then.


I'm delighted to share the winners with you. This list will be updated as I hear from the bloggers:

Robin Lee Hatcher                         Kathleen with Lane Hill House

Cara Putman                                   Lauren Miller
Melanie Dobson                             Carol Gehringer

Casey Herringshaw                        Dawn Crandall

Colleen Coble                                Karen Schultz
Tracey Bateman                             Laura Jackson
Leslie Gould                                  Linda Letsom

Nancy Mehl                                   Cathy Richmond

Ashley Clark                                  Lindsey Harrell

Jill Nelson                                      Paula Osborne
Tamera Alexander                         Stacey Daniel
Nicole O'Dell                                 Pam K
Jill Eileen Smith                             Judy Burgi

Jenny B Jones                                Robin Stevens

Janna Ryan                                    Cherie Kasper Hamby

And the Grand Prize winner, selected by random.org from 435 entries, is Laura Jackson, commentor 240 as we worked our way through the tour. 

All winners, please contact me at cara at caraputman dot com so we can get your books to you. And a big thank you to all who joined us on the tour.

Mackinac Island Blog Tour & Giveaway: Day 5

Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Join us this week for a tour of the island, now and then, with authors Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson. Comment at each stop for a chance to win a copy of one of their books set on Mackinac Island. You’ll find the list of stops here. Share the tour on twitter, Facebook, pinterest and other places, and you’ll gain extra entries for the grand prize of a copy of each of their books and a 5 slice box of Murdick’s Fudge, straight from Mackinac Island. Just be sure to email Cara at cara@caraputman.com, so she can record your entries.
Today be sure to visit these stops:

Friday Rachel Hauck http://rachelhayeshauck.blogspot.com/2012/08/blog-tour-mackinac-island-with-cara.html Jill Eileen Smith http://www.jilleileensmith.com/blog/new-releases/new-in-christian-fiction-a-visit-to-mackinac-island/ Jenny Jones http://www.jennybjones.com/2012/08/24/mackinac-island-giveaway/ Janna     Ryan   http://cornhuskeracademy.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-trip-to-mackinac-island-with-cara.html

Mackinac Island Blog Tour & Giveaway: Day 4

Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Join us this week for a tour of the island, now and then, with authors Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson. Comment at each stop for a chance to win a copy of one of their books set on Mackinac Island. You’ll find the list of stops here. Share the tour on twitter, Facebook, pinterest and other places, and you’ll gain extra entries for the grand prize of a copy of each of their books and a 5 slice box of Murdick’s Fudge, straight from Mackinac Island. Just be sure to email Cara at cara@caraputman.com, so she can record your entries.
Today be sure to visit these stops:

Jill	Nelson	http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/artisticblogger.html
Tammy	Alexander	http://www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com/2012/08/mackinac-island-books-and-fudge.html
Nicole	O'Dell	http://nicoleodell.com/2012/08/be-transported-mackinac-island/

Mackinac Island Blog Tour & Giveaway: Day 3

Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Join us this week for a tour of the island, now and then, with authors Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson. Comment at each stop for a chance to win a copy of one of their books set on Mackinac Island. You’ll find the list of stops here. Share the tour on twitter, Facebook, pinterest and other places, and you’ll gain extra entries for the grand prize of a copy of each of their books and a 5 slice box of Murdick’s Fudge, straight from Mackinac Island. Just be sure to email Cara at cara@caraputman.com, so she can record your entries.
Today be sure to visit these stops:

Leslie	Gould	http://www.lesliegould.com/2012/08/two-mackinac-island-novels/
Nancy	Mehl	http://nancymehl.blogspot.com/2012/08/fort-mackinac-now-then-giveaway.html
Ashley	Clark	http://ashleyclarkwrites.blogspot.com/2012/08/mackinac-island-giveaway.html

Mackinac Island Blog Tour & Giveaway: Day Two

Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Join us this week for a tour of the island, now and then, with authors Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson. Comment at each stop for a chance to win a copy of one of their books set on Mackinac Island. You’ll find the list of stops here. Share the tour on twitter, Facebook, pinterest and other places, and you’ll gain extra entries for the grand prize of a copy of each of their books and a 5 slice box of Murdick’s Fudge, straight from Mackinac Island. Just be sure to email Cara at cara@caraputman.com, so she can record your entries.
Today be sure to visit these stops:

Tuesday Casey Herringshaw http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2012/08/special-post-return-to-mackinac-island.html Colleen Coble http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com/2012/08/meet-our-good-friend-cara-putman.html Susan Meissner http://susanmeissner.blogspot.com/2012/08/mackinac-island.html Tracey Bateman http://traceybateman.blogspot.com/2012/08/blog-tour-melanie-dobson-and-cara-putman.html Elizabeth Luwig http://theborrowedbook.blogspot.com/2012/08/guest-blogger-cara-putman.html

Mackinac Island: Now & Then + Giveaway

Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Authors Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson have teamed up for a tour of the island, now and then. Comment at each stop for a chance to win a copy of one of their books set on Mackinac Island. You’ll find the list of stops here. Share the tour on twitter, Facebook, pinterest and other places, and you’ll gain extra entries for the grand prize of a copy of each of their books and a 5 slice box of Murdick’s Fudge, straight from Mackinac Island. Just be sure to email Cara at cara@caraputman.com, so she can record your entries.

Mackinac Island Blog Tour & Giveaway: Day 1

Mackinac Island. It’s a magical place that allows you to step back in time from the moment you first step off the ferry. Join us this week for a tour of the island, now and then, with authors Cara Putman and Melanie Dobson. Comment at each stop for a chance to win a copy of one of their books set on Mackinac Island. You’ll find the list of stops here. Share the tour on twitter, Facebook, pinterest and other places, and you’ll gain extra entries for the grand prize of a copy of each of their books and a 5 slice box of Murdick’s Fudge, straight from Mackinac Island. Just be sure to email Cara at cara@caraputman.com, so she can record your entries.
Today be sure to visit these stops:

http://writespassage.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-tour-of-mackinac-island-with-cara.html
Robin Lee Hatcher  http://blog.robinleehatcher.com/i_was_just_thinking_/2012/08/a-tour-of-mackinac-island.html Cara Putman http://blog.caraputman.com/2012/08/mackinac-island-now-then-giveaway.html Melanie Dobson http://www.melaniedobson.com

Where's Cara? Mackinac Island

 This weekend my family made the drive to Mackinac Island. We made the trip so that I could sign A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island at the Island Bookstore.

The last time we visited the island, it was so I could do some research for A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island. That time, while my family visited the Fort, I spent time with the police chief. My kids were just grateful he didn't throw me in jail for asking the questions I did!

I absolutely love the island. It is a place that the moment we step on the ferry to transport us across the lake, I begin to relax. And then we arrive! It's truly like stepping back in time. Quaint. Slow-paced. Relaxing. Love it!

Can you name the long building?

After returning, it's easy to remember the charm of Mackinac Island and why I set a book there. Look for more photos later this week. But until then, where do you like to get away? Is there a place that is a peaceful escape?

My oldest posed this photo :-)

3 Things to do on Mackinac Island

My family and I adore Mackinac Island. We've made two trips there and hope to head back up there in July for a booksigning.

With A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island releasing April 1st, my thoughts keep wandering back to Mackinac and why we like it. Maybe you've heard of the island. Maybe you're planning a trip there yourselves. Either way, here are a few things we love to do on the island.

1) The first is to slow down and relax. There's something peaceful about a place that has no cars. Instead, you hear the steady clop-clop of horses hooves and the ring of bike bells.

2) We love to rent bikes and take at least one ride around the island. It's about eight miles so takes around an hour. Most of the bike shops rent burley carts or bikes with an add on for younger kids. It makes for a very relaxing afternoon. And you can stop and take photos or dip your toes in the lake as often as you like.

3) We enjoy stopping in all the little shops. From fudge to unique restaurants to your typical shops selling t-shirts, it's fun to stop in places you don't find in your local downtown.

So if you're ready to step back in time to a place that has held on to a slower pace of life, then consider slipping away to Mackinac Island. I think you'll enjoy it!