Coming November 1st:
Where There’s a Will

A grandpa and grandson spend one hot summer spilling the secrets of their youth, and discover it takes a few dangerous turns to become a war hero…or a rock star.

“Where There’s a Will is the best contemporary coming of age novel of the year…you won’t put this one down. Bravo to Mark Dumas and Cara Lopez Lee.”
—Ken Campbell, author and former Navy Special Operations Officer

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Cara, The Author

Cara Lopez Lee is the author of the memoir They Only Eat Their Husbands (Bower House). She’s coauthor of the veteran-acclaimed Unexpected Prisoner: Memoir of a Vietnam POW (with Robert Wideman, Graham Publishing Group). You’ll also find her writing in such publications as Los Angeles Times, The Manifest-Station, Slackjaw, and Writing for Peace.

An avid traveler, Cara has explored Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. She and her husband live in the beach-town of Ventura, California, where they enjoy tending their Certified Wildlife Habitat full of birds, bees, and butterflies.

Contact Cara Downloadable Media

They Only Eat Their Husbands

Love, Travel, and the Power of Running Away

This memoir recounts one woman’s journey to self-discovery with dazzling honesty and humor, taking readers with her on a year-long trek through China, Nepal, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Ireland, with reflections on her nine years in Alaska.

Cara, The Storyteller

“Telling true personal stories is the most powerful force for good I’ve found. The more we share our stories, the more we recognize our common humanity, the beauty in our differences, and the community we all yearn for. For me, storytelling is a path to kindness, which is the path to peace.” —Cara Lopez Lee

Cara is a winner of The Moth StorySLAM, and a featured performer for many live storytelling shows, both in-person and online, including Unheard L.A., Turbine Arts Collective, Strong Words, The Otter Story Hour, and Storytellers Project. You’ll find her most anticipated shows in the Events section, but to keep up with all her events, please follow @CaraLopez Lee on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Blog

Cara’s Storytelling Videos, Published Writing, and Thoughts

Sparklers Are Giant Matches – Cara’s Childhood Tale for StoryMasters

Jul 30, 2022 | Community, Funny Quips, Live Storytelling, Spirit of Adventure

I’ve been excited to appear in many in-person storytelling shows that have returned to the stage, but I’m also grateful for the virtual shows still online. They create opportunities for storytellers and audiences to share stories when they can’t get out, make friends in far-flung communities, and stretch our creativity. Below is a video of a fun tale from my less-than-model childhood, which I shared recently at a Zoom meeting of StoryMasters, a Southern California offshoot of Toastmasters. Whether you’ve never told a story for an audience or are an old hand, I recommend checking out this delightful, supportive club.

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Events

2022

Sunday, October 30, 3:00 p.m.
What’s Your Story, California?
Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tickets: $20 at Eventbrite (Link coming soon)

Award-winning playwright and actress Debra Ehrhardt hosts this delightful storytelling competition. Cara is one of eight contestants invited to perform personal stories for points, but mostly for the joy of sharing with an audience again.

Wednesday, November 2, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Where There’s a Will—Book Release Party
The Crow
Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Ave #F4, Santa Monica, CA 90404
(Behind Building E)
Free but limited tickets, so please register at CrowComedy.com (Link coming soon)

Celebrate the release of the new historical coming-of-age adventure, Where There’s a Will, by Cara Lopez Lee and Mark Dumas. Come enjoy readings and performances from L.A. storytellers, music, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and free books!