Lisa Wingate is an award-winning journalist, magazine columnist, popular inspirational speaker and a national bestselling author of 16 books. Her first mainstream novel, Tending Roses, is in its fifteenth printing from Penguin Putnam. Tending Roses is a staple on the shelves of national bookstore chains as well as in many independent bookstores.
Recently, Lisa’s Blue Sky Hill Series, set in Dallas, received national attention with back-to-back nominations for American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award for A Month of Summer (2009) and The Summer Kitchen (2010). Pithy, emotional, and inspirational, her stories bring to life characters so real that readers often write to ask what is happening to them after the book ends.
Lisa is one of a select group of authors to find success in both the Christian and mainstream markets, writing for both Bethany House, a Christian publisher, and NAL Penguin Putnam, in mainstream fiction. Her bestselling books have become a hallmark of inspirational southern fiction. Her works have been featured by the National Reader's Club of America, AOL Book Picks, Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, American Profiles and have been chosen for numerous awards.
When not busy dreaming up stories, Lisa spends time on the road as a motivational speaker. Via internet, she shares with readers as far away as India, where her book, Tending Roses, has been used to promote women's literacy, and as close to home as Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the county library system has used Tending Roses to help volunteer mentors teach adults to read. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life.
Moses Lake was a constant place, on the surface. But you can't always tell by looking, what might be brewing underneath...
After surviving the worst year of her life, Andrea Henderson moves home to sleepy little Moses Lake, Texas, to recover her shattered faith and build a new life for herself and her son.
Game Warden Mart McClendon finds himself in Moses Lake for a different reason: to forget a tragedy for which he can't forgive himself.
But when a mysterious little girl is suddenly seen with the town recluse, these two unlikely allies are drawn together in a search for her identity. As wounded pasts collide, will their quest bring the redemption and hope they need--or consequences neither of them expected?
My Review
Lisa brings memorable characters to life with the written word. Take a trip to Moses Lake, Texas, a place that captures the cadence of small-town life, where time stands still. Blending mystery, romance and a lot of hope, you will be captivated by all and will not want to put this one down!
This is the first book I have read by Lisa Wingate, but it won't be the last! I became so engrossed in the story that I would find myself talking out loud to the characters, especially Andrea and her son. But, I know when this happens that I am reading a great book. I also thoroughly enjoyed the way the chapters alternated between Andrea and Mart's POV. Included at the beginning of each chapter are some charming quotes.
Through Lisa's writing skill you will experience a myriad of emotions and a depth of spiritual awareness that can only be communicated by someone who is truly using their gift from God.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Contemporary Fiction.
I was provided a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.
To read an excerpt click here.
To purchase a copy click here.
You are so right. Wingate's books are very compelling, but not preachy. Just great stories with characters you won't forget. I've read all of her books and wait anxiously for new releases. Have read the blurb for Dandelion Summer and preordered. Can't wait until July!
ReplyDeleteArgh! This book is sitting on my shelf, looking daggers at me. I need to pick it up and get reading!
ReplyDeleteSharon- I can see my TBR pile getting bigger by the minute!
ReplyDeletePegg- You won't regret picking it up and reading it! Makes a great summer read :)
Anne, thanks for the great review. Gorgeous blog, too! I'm so glad you enjoyed Larkspur Cove. It's hard to believe summer is already here. When I was working on that book, summer at the lake seemed a long time away ;o)
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, Thanks for stopping by and commenting! The seasons pass all too quickly :) Hope you have a great summer!
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