By The Book

Lisa Carter has quickly become one of my must-read authors for romantic suspense. With its definite fall-ish vibe, its Blue Ridge setting, and its intriguing characters, The Sound of Falling Leaves is a winner!

After aspiring opera singer Tessa loses her voice in a fire, she needs both a place to heal and a way to keep music in her life. She retreats to her aunt’s apple orchard in rural North Carolina to collect folk ballads. But amid the autumn splendor of this isolated Appalachian community, she uncovers an unnerving connection between a murder case and a long-ago disappearance. Tessa gets a glimpse into an almost-forgotten world, encounters a corrupt, small-town political dynasty, and finds superstition and prejudice at every turn.

She’s also drawn to Zeke, the handsome but enigmatic orchard caretaker, who shows her that mountain justice is neither impartial nor just. But battling a conspiracy of silence, Tessa isn’t sure if she can trust him. Yet somewhere in the mists of the Blue Ridge Mountains, evil lurks, and a killer is determined to keep the past where it belongs — dead and buried.

Multi-published, Daphne and Carol-award winning author Lisa Carter likes to describe her romantic suspense novels as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” Her latest suspense novel is The Sound of Falling Leaves. In addition, she writes contemporary romance with Love Inspired, the popular Matchmaker series, set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Lisa enjoys traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. When not writing, she loves spending time with family. http://www.lisacarterauthor.com.

A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. Follow Lisa on Amazon to receive notices about her new releases and join her newsletter mailing list for book happenings at https://bit.ly/2Rl6U2r.

My Impressions:

If you are looking for a suspense-filled novel that will keep you up wait too late at night to see just what comes next, then The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Carter is the book for you! There is so much to love about this book. It gets a highly recommended rating from me!

To begin with, Carter gets the setting of The Sound of Falling Leaves just right. I loved the way she captured the culture, the language, the superstition/wives tales, the beauty of nature, and even the poverty and despair that lives within the Appalachians. Set in the North Carolina portion of the Blue Ridge mountains, I felt like I could see the mists and smell the crisp air of autumn. There’s a malignancy that permeates Roebuck county, though, that Carter has captured as well. Ancient beauty and traditions and ancient evil are all part and parcel of the small community in the wilds of western North Carolina. The plot centers around the Cozart family and their nefarious doings. Zeke Sloane is undercover trying to ferret out all of their criminal activities. As orchard manager as his cover, he comes into contact with Tessa Goforth, the owner’s great-niece. She has past troubles she longs to escape. There’s definite chemistry between the two — sometimes triggering explosions. 😉 Their relationship is rocky! Both struggle with faith and carry burdens of brokenness and guilt. The faith message is very strong in The Sound of Falling Leaves, and it beautifully unfolds. For those who love music, this novel has many references that will be a treat. I am musically-challenged, but I spent some time googling coloratura and contralto Youtube videos, as well as the folk music that defines the Appalachians.

While The Sound of Falling Leaves is romantic-suspense (and does it very well), I feel this book has a depth not often found in the genre. The characters are very well-drawn, the plot complex, puzzling, and multi-layered. It’s one of the best I have read in some time. I think the themes of justice vs revenge and nature vs nurture would lend themselves to great discussions — so grab some friends and read this one together!

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: adults. 

(Thanks to Kregel for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: Lisa Carter, romantic suspense fiction

Secrets and danger hide deep in the canyons and arroyos of the Navajo Nation When federal agent Aaron Yazzie is assigned to protect the only witness to a drug cartel execution, he hides Kailyn Eudailey in the safest place he knows . . . the vast, untamed wilderness of the Navajo Reservation. Transporting Kailyn to New Mexico may not be as easy as Aaron would like. Kailyn is a high-maintenance Southern belle who is determined to assert her independence at every step. Though Aaron works to protect her from the dangers that could get them both killed, Kailyn is getting to him. Although, she doesn’t know the real him. As an undercover agent, Aaron has grown adept at playing many roles. But will he be able to embrace his true identity and God’s plan for his life in order to keep Kailyn alive?

Lisa Carter is the bestselling author of seven romantic suspense novels, four historical novellas and a contemporary Coast Guard series. The Stronghold won the 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Sky won the 2015 Carol Award for Romantic Suspense. Beyond the Cherokee Trail was a 4 1/2 star Romantic Times Top Pick.

As a Southern romantic suspense writer — Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder — Lisa Carter has definite opinions on serious issues like barbecue, ACC basketball and the whole Pepsi vs. Coke controversy.

She and her husband have two daughters and make their home in North Carolina. When she isn’t writing, Lisa enjoys traveling to romantic locales. She also enjoys quilting and researching her next exotic adventure.

My Impressions:

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 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.)

Tags: Lisa Carter, romantic suspense fiction