Picture a North Carolinian storyteller sipping sweet tea on a wraparound porch, spinning tales of romance, suspense, and faith—meet Lisa Carter! A Publishers Weekly bestselling author, Carter crafts novels she playfully dubs 'Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder,' blending heart-pounding thrills with heartfelt moments. From the red rocks of Navajo country to the lush trails of Raleigh, her stories captivate readers with complex characters and plots that keep you guessing until the final page.
A native of the Tar Heel State, Carter’s work is steeped in Southern charm, yet her narratives soar beyond regional borders, exploring universal themes of love, redemption, and resilience. With over thirty books to her name, including award-winners like Under a Turquoise Sky and The Christmas Bargain, she’s carved a unique niche in Christian fiction. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life and legacy of this remarkable author.
The Making of Lisa Carter
Born into a family of storytellers, Lisa Carter grew up in North Carolina, where summer evenings on porches fueled her imagination. Her mother’s epic road-trip tales cast young Lisa as the heroine, planting the seeds for her future as a writer. By her teens, she was penning her own stories, inspired by everything from Star Trek to Little House on the Prairie. A love for mysteries and romance shaped her voice, but it was her Christian faith and Southern roots that gave her stories their soul. After working as a docent at an antebellum house, Carter began weaving her signature blend of suspense and sweetness, debuting with Carolina Reckoning in 2013.
Lisa Carter’s Unforgettable Stories
Carter’s romantic suspense novels, like Under a Turquoise Sky (2015 Carol Award winner), transport readers to the Navajo Nation, where cultural anthropologist Erin Dawson and tribal policeman Adam Silverhorn unravel a drug cartel’s secrets. The novel’s vivid setting and gritty faith-driven narrative showcase Carter’s knack for blending danger with devotion. Similarly, Beneath a Navajo Moon dives into the heart of Navajo culture, pairing a strong heroine with a brooding hero in a tale of love and survival.
Beyond suspense, Carter shines in contemporary romance with her Truelove Matchmaker series, set in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The Christmas Bargain (2021 Carol Award winner for Short Novel) follows artist Lila Penry’s holiday romance, weaving faith and forgiveness into a cozy, uplifting story. Her historical novellas, like those in The Lassoed by Marriage Romance Collection, add a playful twist, proving her versatility. Carter’s style—rich with Southern idioms, intricate plots, and music-inspired rhythms—creates stories that feel like a warm hug with a side of adrenaline.
Why Lisa Carter Matters
Lisa Carter’s impact lies in her ability to craft stories that resonate with readers seeking hope amid chaos. Her unapologetic faith threads, as seen in reviews praising Beneath a Navajo Moon’s bold Christian message, offer a refreshing counterpoint to mainstream romance. By setting her tales in diverse locales—from Cherokee trails to coastal Virginia—she bridges cultural gaps, inviting readers to explore new worlds. Her workshops and mentorship also inspire aspiring writers, emphasizing discipline as the key to success, a lesson she credits to Elizabeth George.
Carter’s legacy is one of connection—between readers, characters, and the divine. Her stories remind us that love and faith can triumph over even the darkest mysteries, making her a beloved voice in Christian fiction.
- Key Works: Under a Turquoise Sky, Beneath a Navajo Moon, The Christmas Bargain, The Stronghold
- Awards: 2015 & 2021 Carol Awards, 2017 Daphne du Maurier
- Hobbies: Gardening, quilting, traveling
- Fun Fact: She’s a die-hard ACC basketball fan with strong opinions on barbecue!
Snag Under a Turquoise Sky or The Christmas Bargain and dive into Lisa Carter’s thrilling, faith-filled world of Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder!