Lisa Carter (1)

When a fire damages Tessa's singing voice, putting a halt to her opera career, she retreats to her aunt's apple orchard in Appalachia to research folk ballads. But danger lurks in this clannish community, and Tessa doesn't trust Zeke, the orchard's caretaker in The Sound of Falling Leaves by author Lisa Carter.

I'll admit this novel first caught my interest because I thought the heroine lost her voice completely, which isn't the case. Still, a couple of years ago, I was moved by the way this show more ChristFic author tackled several important issues in one of her other books, so I was happy to try this one.

Now, while the suspense is usually what draws me to this genre, there are certain times when I find the romance to be just as enjoyable. With this story, unfortunately, I struggled with the combination of the testy romance side and the novel's heavy sense of gloom. I can find a couple's emotional scars to be interesting (if they're well-contrasted with something else compelling about the characters), but bad attitudes are another issue. Two unhappy people inwardly dwelling on each other's physical attractiveness while speaking sarcastic and disrespectful words to each other isn't my idea of chemistry. Because I wasn't clicking with either the hero or heroine, it was hard to get into the suspense. I pushed through a third of the book before deciding not to continue.

Even so, for anyone else who may want to check this novel out, I'd recommend getting a paperback copy if you can. It isn't something I always do, but the smooth-as-silk book cover and heavenly smelling pages here are well worth the mention.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. show less

This is my first Lisa Carter book but it certainly won't be my last! She quickly drew me in to her story of corruption, murder, and cover-ups, and the drama and suspense kept me invested until the very end. I felt totally at home in Buckthorn, North Carolina and part of this was due to the Appalachian dialect that Carter used. I've known the feeling of being "jittery as a June bug" or hanging on to something "like a dog with a bone" and I've even had "my hackles raised".

The Sound of Falling show more Leaves is a fascinating study of broken people. Some of them are victims, some are truly evil, but most of them are hiding secrets that are about to be revealed. Danger and intrigue are in abundance but there is also overwhelming love and redemption. Zeke and Tessa both deserve a chance at happiness but can they find it together? Will Zeke's efforts to solve the recent murder of his foster-sister Kaci point him to a disappearance that happened many years ago? Is it possible for Zeke and Tessa to place their full trust in God?

Appalachian superstitions play an important role but it is the strong faith element that increased my appreciation. When Zeke questions his family connections, Tessa's very wise Aunt Dicy reminds him that "In the end, the only blood that will matter is the blood of Christ...Not the blood that runs through our veins, but the blood that washes our heart."

I can't say enough good things about The Sound of Falling Leaves and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy Christian romantic suspense!

I received a copy of this book from Kregel Blog Tours but there was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts. show less

Under A Turquoise Sky is one the author’s favorites, and I can see why. An early book by Lisa Carter, this one is full of sass. I loved main characters Aaron and Kailyn as they dodged the bad guys and resisted attraction to each other. Romance is a main ingredient in this suspenseful tale and makes it a recommended read!

Kailyn Eudailey is a southern belle with all the trimmings, but she is one down-to-earth cookie with grit. She and FBI undercover agent Aaron Matthews are on the run to the show more Navajo nation to escape a very powerful Mexican cartel. These two main characters are great together — sarcasm and sass cover the sweet romance they long for. Aaron carries childhood scars — both physical and emotional, while Kailyn longs for a true home. Their fake marriage is a means to escape detection, but it just emphasizes what each of them dreams of. The setting of the Navajo nation is perfect. I loved the inclusion of Navajo traditions and the way they worship God. While a good bit of the book is dedicated to Aaron and Kailyn’s relationship, danger is never too far off. Accidents take on new meaning and no one can be trusted as the cartel gets closer and closer. And there are some big twists that caught this reader by surprise.

While Under A Turquoise Sky is a standalone novel, Beneath A Navajo Moon has the same setting and has some overlap characters and is now on my TBR list! If you are a fan of romantic suspense, you need to check out both of these books.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

Author Lisa Carter has a unique way of creating characters that we'd all like to know, placing them in realistic situations, and then, throwing in a plot complication that grabs our hearts and won't let them go! This is certainly the case with her newest book, Finding Her Way Back. After five years, Juliet Newkirk still grieves for her late husband Josh, and she believes that opening her heart to a former classmate would dishonor Josh's memory. Well, it's one thing to resist a swoon-worthy show more hero, but how do you say "no" to a sweet little girl who's already lost her mother and fears that she'll lose her daddy also?

This book covers so many emotions, and many of them revolve around grief, and how each person handles it differently. Finding Her Way Back shows the value of love and understanding, and the joy and healing that comes when we can finally let go of the past. Their 'second chance at love' is sweet, but there's also a thrilling chemistry between Juliet and Rob Melbourne, and I couldn't believe that she could resist this special man! Throw in an adorable little girl, a pint-sized therapy dog named Moose, and a group of knitters who are more than willing to share their "purls of wisdom for unsnarling the tangles of life", and you have a story that you can't put down.

I thoroughly enjoyed this touching visit to Laurel Grove and I recommend Finding Her Way Back to all who enjoy Christian romance.

I received a copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts. show less