Lisa Wingate Books in Order

Below is the complete list of Lisa Wingate books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series.

Tending Roses Books in Publication Order

1. Tending Roses (2001)
2. Good Hope Road (2003)
3. The Language of Sycamores (2005)
4. Drenched in Light (2006)
5. A Thousand Voices (2007)

Blue Sky Hill Books in Publication Order

1. A Month of Summer (2008)
2. The Summer Kitchen (2009)
3. Beyond Summer (2010)
4. Dandelion Summer (2011)

Texas Hill Country Books in Publication Order

1. Texas Cooking (2003)
2. Lone Star Cafe (2004)
3. Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner (2005)

Moses Lake Books in Publication Order

1. Larkspur Cove (2010)
2. Blue Moon Bay (2012)
3. Firefly Island (2013)
4. Wildwood Creek (2014)

Daily, Texas Books in Publication Order

1. Talk of the Town (2008)
2. Word Gets Around (2009)
3. Never Say Never (2010)

Carolina Chronicles Books in Publication Order

1. The Sea Glass Sisters (2013)
2. The Prayer Box (2013)
3. The Tidewater Sisters (2014)
4. The Story Keeper (2014)
5. The Sandcastle Sister (2015)
6. The Sea Keeper’s Daughters (2015)
7. Sisters (2016)

Standalone Novels Books in Publication Order

1. Before We Were Yours (2017)
2. The Book of Lost Friends (2020)
3. Shelterwood (2024)

Short Stories/Novellas Books in Publication Order

1. A Sandy’s Seashell Shop Christmas (2014)
2. The Last Father-Daughter Dance (2026)

Non-Fiction Books in Publication Order

1. Before and After (2019)
   (With: Judy Christie)

About Lisa Wingate

Lisa Wingate is an American author widely known for writing emotionally rich historical and contemporary novels that explore family, identity, and the hidden stories of the past. Her work often blends historical research with deeply personal narratives, bringing overlooked chapters of history into focus through compelling fictional characters. Over time, Wingate has developed a reputation for crafting stories that resonate with readers seeking both historical insight and heartfelt storytelling.

Lisa Wingate was born on August 29, 1965, in Germany, where her father served in the U.S. military. Her family later settled in Texas, and she spent much of her childhood there. Growing up in a rural environment surrounded by strong family connections and local traditions had a lasting influence on her writing. Many of her novels reflect small-town life and the importance of community and heritage.

Wingate studied journalism at Texas A&M University. Her background in journalism helped shape her research skills and narrative clarity, both of which are evident in her novels. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a journalist and magazine writer, developing a storytelling style grounded in observation and human experience.

Her early novels were primarily contemporary women’s fiction, often centered on family relationships and personal transformation. Books such as Tending Roses introduced readers to Wingate’s ability to portray everyday lives with warmth and emotional depth. These early works established her as a writer skilled at exploring the connections between generations and the quiet struggles individuals face.

Reading Lisa Wingate’s books in publication order shows how her writing gradually expanded from contemporary settings into historical fiction with broader themes. While her earlier novels focused on modern family life, later works increasingly explored real historical events and their lasting impact.

One of the most influential moments in her career came with the publication of Before We Were Yours in 2017. The novel was inspired by the real-life scandal of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, where thousands of children were illegally taken from their families and adopted out across the United States during the mid-twentieth century. Through the intertwined stories of two women from different eras, Wingate explored themes of identity, resilience, and the search for truth.

Before We Were Yours became a major bestseller and brought widespread attention to the historical events that inspired it. The book remained on bestseller lists for an extended period and introduced many readers to Wingate’s work for the first time.

Wingate continued exploring historical themes with novels such as The Book of Lost Friends, which examines the experiences of formerly enslaved people searching for family members after the American Civil War. Like much of her work, the story blends carefully researched history with deeply personal journeys of the characters.

A defining feature of Wingate’s writing is her ability to weave historical research into emotionally engaging narratives. Rather than presenting historical facts alone, she focuses on individual lives shaped by those events. This approach allows readers to connect with history through the experiences of relatable characters.

Her novels frequently explore themes such as family legacy, identity, belonging, and the resilience of individuals facing difficult circumstances. These themes appear consistently across both her contemporary and historical works.

Lisa Wingate’s books have received numerous awards and recognitions, including honors within the Christian fiction and mainstream literary communities. Her novels have been translated into many languages and continue to attract readers worldwide.

Following Lisa Wingate’s books in publication order highlights the evolution of a writer who moved from intimate contemporary stories to sweeping historical narratives, while maintaining a consistent focus on family bonds, hidden histories, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.