Below is the complete list of Lisa Wingate books in order. For this series, the chronological reading order is the same as the order of publication.
Publication Order of Tending Roses Books
- Tending Roses (2001)
Tending Roses was published in 2001 and is listed as book #1 in the Tending Roses series. - Good Hope Road (2003)
Published in 2003, Good Hope Road is listed as book #2 in the Tending Roses series. - The Language of Sycamores (2005)
The Language of Sycamores is a 2005 release and appears as book #3 in the Tending Roses series. - Drenched in Light (2006)
In the Tending Roses series, Drenched in Light is book #4 and was published in 2006. - A Thousand Voices (2007)
A Thousand Voices was first published in 2007; within the Tending Roses series, it is listed as book #5.
Publication Order of Texas Hill Country Books
- Texas Cooking (2003)
Texas Cooking was published in 2003 and is listed as book #1 in the Texas Hill Country series. - Lone Star Cafe (2004)
Published in 2004, Lone Star Cafe is listed as book #2 in the Texas Hill Country series. - Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner (2005)
Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner is a 2005 release and appears as book #3 in the Texas Hill Country series.
Publication Order of Blue Sky Hill Books
- A Month of Summer (2008)
A Month of Summer was published in 2008 and is listed as book #1 in the Blue Sky Hill series. - The Summer Kitchen (2009)
Published in 2009, The Summer Kitchen is listed as book #2 in the Blue Sky Hill series. - Beyond Summer (2010)
Beyond Summer is a 2010 release and appears as book #3 in the Blue Sky Hill series. - Dandelion Summer (2011)
In the Blue Sky Hill series, Dandelion Summer is book #4 and was published in 2011.
Publication Order of Daily, Texas Books
- Talk of the Town (2008)
Talk of the Town was published in 2008 and is listed as book #1 in the Daily, Texas series. - Word Gets Around (2009)
Published in 2009, Word Gets Around is listed as book #2 in the Daily, Texas series. - Never Say Never (2010)
Never Say Never is a 2010 release and appears as book #3 in the Daily, Texas series.
Publication Order of Moses Lake Books
- Larkspur Cove (2010)
Larkspur Cove was published in 2010 and is listed as book #1 in the Moses Lake series. - Blue Moon Bay (2012)
Published in 2012, Blue Moon Bay is listed as book #2 in the Moses Lake series. - Firefly Island (2013)
Firefly Island is a 2013 release and appears as book #3 in the Moses Lake series. - Wildwood Creek (2014)
In the Moses Lake series, Wildwood Creek is book #4 and was published in 2014.
Publication Order of Carolina Chronicles Books
- The Sea Glass Sisters (2013)
The Sea Glass Sisters was published in 2013 and is listed as book #1 in the Carolina Chronicles series. - The Prayer Box (2013)
Published in 2013, The Prayer Box is listed as book #2 in the Carolina Chronicles series. - The Tidewater Sisters (2014)
The Tidewater Sisters is a 2014 release and appears as book #3 in the Carolina Chronicles series. - The Story Keeper (2014)
In the Carolina Chronicles series, The Story Keeper is book #4 and was published in 2014. - The Sandcastle Sister (2015)
The Sandcastle Sister was first published in 2015; within the Carolina Chronicles series, it is listed as book #5. - The Sea Keeper’s Daughters (2015)
The Sea Keeper's Daughters was published in 2015 and is listed as book #6 in the Carolina Chronicles series. - Sisters (2016)
Published in 2016, Sisters is listed as book #7 in the Carolina Chronicles series.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels Books
- Before We Were Yours (2017)
Before We Were Yours was published in 2017 and is listed as book #1 in the Standalone Novels series. - The Book of Lost Friends (2020)
Published in 2020, The Book of Lost Friends is listed as book #2 in the Standalone Novels series. - Shelterwood (2024)
Shelterwood is a 2024 release and appears as book #3 in the Standalone Novels series.
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
- Before and After (2019)
(With Judy Christie)
Before and After was published in 2019 and is listed as book #1 in the Non-Fiction series.
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas Books
- The Last Father-Daughter Dance (2026)
The Last Father-Daughter Dance was published in 2026 and is listed as book #1 in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
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.