Cara C. Putman Books in Order

Recommended Reading Paths: Where to Start?

Cara C. Putman is a prolific author, practicing attorney, and university lecturer who excels in two distinct genres: high-stakes legal romantic suspense and rich historical WWII romance. Because her books span different settings, tones, and time periods, the best place to start depends entirely on your reading preferences.

• For Legal Suspense Fans: Start with the Hidden Justice series. Beginning with the prequel novellas or the first full-length novel, Beyond Justice (2017), this series showcases Putman's real-world legal expertise through gripping courtroom drama, ethical dilemmas, and clean romance. Alternatively, you can dive into her newer Secrets to Keep series starting with the prequel novella Art of Deception or the novel The Vanished.
• For Historical Romance Lovers: Start with the Cornhusker Dreams series, beginning with her debut novel, Canteen Dreams (2007). Set in Nebraska during World War II, these books focus on resilience, patriotism, faith, and romance on the home front.
• For Cozy Mystery Enthusiasts: Dive into her contributions to the Guideposts continuity lines, such as Secrets of Mary's Bookshop or Patchwork Mysteries. These are collaborative, multi-author series where each book works as a standalone, but following Putman's specific volumes offers a delightful mystery experience.

The Legal Romantic Suspense Universe

Hidden Justice Series

This is Putman's signature legal thriller series. The main trilogy follows strong female attorneys in high-pressure cases. While the novels are self-contained stories, they feature overlapping characters and are best read in order. Two standalone novels, Flight Risk and Lethal Intent, are set within the same legal suspense world and feature cameos or references to characters from Hidden Justice, but can be read entirely on their own.

1. Dying for Love (Prequel Novella, 2017)
2. Hidden Love (Novela, 2018)
3. Beyond Justice (Book 1, 2017)
4. Imperfect Justice (Book 2, 2017)
5. Delayed Justice (Book 3, 2018)

Secrets to Keep Series

This series blends deep family secrets with legal drama and romantic tension. Although the first novel, The Vanished, was initially published in early 2024, Putman subsequently expanded this into a fully realized series with prequels and sequels.

1. Art of Deception (Prequel Novella, 2024)
2. The Vanished (Book 1, 2024)
3. The Accused (Book 2, 2025)
4. The Targeted (Book 3, 2026)

Deadly Exposure Series

An early romantic suspense duology focusing on danger, investigative journalism, and law enforcement.

1. Deadly Exposure (2008)
2. Trial by Fire (2009)

Historical Romance & WWII Fiction

Cornhusker Dreams Series

Inspired by the real-world WWII canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, this trilogy explores the faith and trials of everyday people supporting the war effort back home.

1. Canteen Dreams (2007)
2. Sandhill Dreams (2008)
3. Captive Dreams (2008)

Buckeye Promises Series

Set in Ohio, this series tracks historical romance, family expectations, and community life. The fourth volume, Ohio Brides, is a collection of the stories.

1. A Promise Kept (2009)
2. A Promise Born (2009)
3. A Promise Forged (2010)
4. Ohio Brides (Compilation, 2011)

Story of Monuments Men

Putman's historical standalone novel, Shadowed by Grace (2013), earned the Holt Award of Merit. It follows a female photojournalist who searches for her father in WWII Europe and gets caught up in the monuments protection efforts.

Guideposts Shared-World Cozy Mysteries

Cara C. Putman has been a major contributor to Guideposts' popular continuity mystery series. These books are written by a team of authors under a shared universe. While the publisher lists them in a master order, you do not need to read the entire series to enjoy Putman's contributions. However, for completists, here is where Putman's books fall in the respective series lineups.

Secrets of Mary's Bookshop

Set in a cozy bookstore in New England, Putman contributed two specific volumes to this series:

• Book 15: Work in Progress (2013)
• Book 24: Mixed Motives (2014)

Patchwork Mysteries

Centered around a fabric shop and quilt-related mysteries, Putman wrote two books in this collection:

• Book 4: Timeless Treasures (2010)
• Book 11: Squared Away (2011)

Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries

Co-written in part with Tricia Goyer, this series explores mysteries in a peaceful Amish community. Putman contributed the following installments:

• Book 10: Mason Jar Mayhem (2016, with Tricia Goyer)
• Book 17: Blessed are the Cheese Makers (2016, with Tricia Goyer)
• Book 24: To Have and to Hold (2017, with Tricia Goyer)
• Book 30: Till We Meet Again (2018)

Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard

Set on the historic island of Martha's Vineyard, Putman wrote several books in this series, sometimes collaborating with Tricia Goyer:

• Book 5: Making Waves (2017, with Tricia Goyer)
• Book 13: Shark Bait (2018)
• Book 21: Sail Away Home (2019)

Standalone Novels, Anthologies, and Non-Fiction

In addition to her series, Putman has published several standalone thrillers and contributed to themed historical romance collections.

Standalone Suspense & Historicals

• Stars in the Night (2010) - A historical novel set during the early days of Hollywood and WWII.
• A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island (2012) - Also published under the title Deadly Secrets on Mackinac Island, this is a romantic mystery.
• Flight Risk (2020) - A legal thriller focused on search and rescue, featuring characters from the Hidden Justice universe.
• Lethal Intent (2021) - A legal thriller about corporate pharma whistleblowing, also set in the Hidden Justice universe.

Novella Anthologies

• Where Treetops Glisten (2014) - A Christmas collection featuring Putman's novella "White Christmas," alongside stories by Colleen Coble and Sarah Sundin.
• Across the Shores (2023) - A multi-generational historical collection tied together by a gold pendant, featuring novellas by Putman, Carolyn Miller, Kelly J. Goshorn, and Angela K. Couch.
• We Three Kings (2023) - A Christmas historical collection following three generations of the Weise family, featuring novellas by Putman, Crystal Caudill, and Angela Ruth Strong.

Non-Fiction

• The Enneagram for Writers (2022) - A practical guide helping authors use the Enneagram personality framework to develop complex, realistic characters.