Author Spotlight: Lisa Carter

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Lisa Carter! Everyone, say hello to Lisa! Without further ado, let's get to know Lisa and her book The Christmas Bargain.

Author Bio:
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, The Sound of Falling Leaves, released in October. In addition, she writes contemporary romance with Love Inspired, the popular Truelove Matchmaker series, set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Lisa enjoys traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball. In the interests of full disclosure, she's also the kind of person who licks off the icing before she eats the cupcake. Just so you know.


Here's Lisa!

Behind the Scenes of The Christmas Bargain

Thank you so much, Sally, for hosting me and The Christmas Bargain today. This was such a fun book to write and research. I always enjoy working on the Christmas novels in the Truelove Matchmaker series. The Blue Ridge Mountains, the setting for fictional Truelove, is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Chapter 1 opens with Lila awakening to a loud crash on the roof of her Arts and Craftsman bungalow. She rushes outside to discover gorgeous Sam Gibson, owner of a paint contracting company, climbing down a ladder leaning against her house. As part of settling the estate, her father has hired Sam to paint the house Lila just inherited from her recently deceased grandmother. Clad in Christmas cat jammies and with bane of her existence extremely curly red hair in its usual early morning frizz, she’s mortified to be seen this way by her long ago, unrequited, secret high school crush.

This initial scene when Lila and Sam meet again after so many years came as a result of having my house painted at the time I was writing The Christmas Bargain. Art imitates life! I’ve included a photo of my inspiration for Lila’s newly painted house.

I especially loved writing the sweet chemistry and banter between artistic, socially awkward, Lila and totally-unaware-he’s-a-heartthrob, Sam. Since high school, Lila has become a successful landscape artist. Struggling to build his company and reputation, Sam has become the guardian to his five-year-old niece, Emma Cate.

Lila is in a bit of a predicament—she’s soon to be a maid of honor at her best friend’s upcoming winter resort wedding to Lila’s one-time college boyfriend. If that’s not embarrassing enough, all her college friends will be there with their significant others. Lila is super desperate not to attend this wedding weekend alone.

A heart-in-your-throat desperation that forces Lila beyond her fear into asking the oh-so-out-of-her-league Sam (or at least that’s how Lila perceives herself) into going as her plus one. They strike a bargain, hence the title. Their relationship and the situations that result are oftentimes hilarious and yet also poignant. It’s an eye-opening weekend for both Lila and Sam because each of them are so much more than the other ever dreamed.

While writing this story, I listened to a lot of Christmas music and had a blast exploring winter wedding activities like snowman and gingerbread house contests. This research has really paid off as my youngest daughter just got engaged in early October—on top of a mountain in the Blue Ridge! I’m looking forward to putting all of this bridal info to good use as we plan her wedding together in the future.

The Christmas Bargain Blurb

All she needs is a date for the holidays…

She needs a date for a wedding.

But a fiancé wasn’t part of the plan…

Unwilling to attend a wedding alone, artist Lila Penry makes a deal with Sam Gibson—art lessons for his adorable niece in exchange for being her date. But their Christmas agreement becomes a nightmare when everyone thinks they’re engaged. All Lila wants is to leave town for her dream job…so what happens when Sam steals his way into her heart?

Purchase Link:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gDgSsI

Connect with Lisa:
Lisa loves to hear from readers. To connect visit—
Amazon
Website
BookBub
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Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Lisa Carter and The Christmas Bargain.



Thank you so much for joining us, Lisa!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
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