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Carolina Heirlooms #1-3
The Carolina Heirlooms Collection: The Prayer Box / The Story Keeper / The Sea Keeper's Daughters
This collection bundles 3 of Lisa Wingate’s contemporary/historical Carolina Heirlooms series together in one e-book, for a great value!
The Prayer Box (ECPA 2014 Christian Book Award Finalist!)
When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola’s rambling Victorian house.
Running from a messy, dangerous past, Tandi never expects to find more than a temporary hiding place within Iola’s walls, but everything changes with the discovery of eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola’s youth to her last days. Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper—the hopes and wishes, fears and thoughts of an unassuming but complex woman passing through the seasons of an extraordinary, unsung life filled with journeys of faith, observations on love, and one final lesson that could change everything for Tandi.
The Story Keeper (2015 Christy Award winner! 2015 Carol award winner!)
When successful New York editor Jen Gibbs discovers a decaying slush-pile manuscript on her desk, she has no idea that the story of Sarra, a young mixed-race woman trapped in Appalachia at the turn of the twentieth century, will both take her on a journey and change her forever. Happy with her life in the city, and at the top of her career with a new job at Vida House Publishing, Jen has left her Appalachian past and twisted family ties far behind. But the search for the rest of the manuscript, and Jen’s suspicions about the identity of its unnamed author, will draw her into a mystery that leads back to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains . . . and quite possibly through the doors she thought she had closed forever.
The Sea Keeper’s Daughters (2016 Christy Award Winner!)
From modern-day Roanoke Island to the sweeping backdrop of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Roosevelt’s WPA folklore writers, past and present intertwine to create an unexpected destiny.
Restaurant owner Whitney Monroe is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of a decaying Gilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks may provide just the ray of hope she needs. But things at the Excelsior are more complicated than they seem. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is entrenched on the third floor, and the downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. Searching through years of stored family heirlooms may be Whitney’s only hope of quick cash, but will the discovery of an old necklace and a Depression-era love story change everything?
The Prayer Box (ECPA 2014 Christian Book Award Finalist!)
When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola’s rambling Victorian house.
Running from a messy, dangerous past, Tandi never expects to find more than a temporary hiding place within Iola’s walls, but everything changes with the discovery of eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola’s youth to her last days. Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper—the hopes and wishes, fears and thoughts of an unassuming but complex woman passing through the seasons of an extraordinary, unsung life filled with journeys of faith, observations on love, and one final lesson that could change everything for Tandi.
The Story Keeper (2015 Christy Award winner! 2015 Carol award winner!)
When successful New York editor Jen Gibbs discovers a decaying slush-pile manuscript on her desk, she has no idea that the story of Sarra, a young mixed-race woman trapped in Appalachia at the turn of the twentieth century, will both take her on a journey and change her forever. Happy with her life in the city, and at the top of her career with a new job at Vida House Publishing, Jen has left her Appalachian past and twisted family ties far behind. But the search for the rest of the manuscript, and Jen’s suspicions about the identity of its unnamed author, will draw her into a mystery that leads back to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains . . . and quite possibly through the doors she thought she had closed forever.
The Sea Keeper’s Daughters (2016 Christy Award Winner!)
From modern-day Roanoke Island to the sweeping backdrop of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Roosevelt’s WPA folklore writers, past and present intertwine to create an unexpected destiny.
Restaurant owner Whitney Monroe is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of a decaying Gilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks may provide just the ray of hope she needs. But things at the Excelsior are more complicated than they seem. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is entrenched on the third floor, and the downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. Searching through years of stored family heirlooms may be Whitney’s only hope of quick cash, but will the discovery of an old necklace and a Depression-era love story change everything?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
1143 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2016
322 people are currently reading
1058 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Wingate
57 books13.4k followersLisa Wingate is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Before We Were Yours, which remained on the bestseller list for over two years. Her award-winning works have been selected for state and community One Book reads, have been published in over forty languages, and have appeared on bestseller lists worldwide. The group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa and six others as recipients of the National Civics Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. She lives in Texas and Colorado with her family and her deceptively cute little teddy bear of a dog, Huckleberry. Find her at www.lisawingate.com, on Facebook at LisaWingateAuthorPage, or on Instagram @author_lisa_wingate
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 14, 2020
A beautiful collection
This 3 part novel series pulls history together through its characters. Lisa Wingate introduces us to several strong women determined to push through boundaries and barriers to live out the lives they have been given. On many occasions, she uses family history to show the contemporary women just how strong their past generations were. That same strength can give them the future they are looking for but hard decisions have to be made in order to gain that future...
These beautiful stories can be read as stand alone novels; however, I enjoyed reading the entire 3 novel, 3 novella series in order. I still have the postlude Christmas story to read to complete this series. Lisa Wingate writes beautifully with clean language and clean intimacy that pulls at your heart every time.
For the names and order of the complete series, go to Lisa Wingate’s author page.
This 3 part novel series pulls history together through its characters. Lisa Wingate introduces us to several strong women determined to push through boundaries and barriers to live out the lives they have been given. On many occasions, she uses family history to show the contemporary women just how strong their past generations were. That same strength can give them the future they are looking for but hard decisions have to be made in order to gain that future...
These beautiful stories can be read as stand alone novels; however, I enjoyed reading the entire 3 novel, 3 novella series in order. I still have the postlude Christmas story to read to complete this series. Lisa Wingate writes beautifully with clean language and clean intimacy that pulls at your heart every time.
For the names and order of the complete series, go to Lisa Wingate’s author page.
November 10, 2020
I listened, or rather tried to listen, to the story keeper. Whomever read the male part in the past sequence was awful, I could not understand his/her attempt of a southern accent. I was only able to understand the present day part of the story, such a shame. Hopefully that narrator is NEVER used again.
October 6, 2020
Great ending of the trilogy
Every story by Lisa Wingate impresses me more. She has such a wonderful way of weaving a tale. This book is the third in the Carolina Heirlooms series. Not only is it a story unique in itself, it ties back to the first two books completing the woven image.
In this book, readers are introduced to one of FDR’s alphabet agencies whose mission was to record the stories of the people living in each state. The focus of these characters was North Carolina Appalachia. We learn about their travels through letters written and discovered years later. As the main character reads the letters, it takes her on a journey of self-discovery. This is a story of building, restoring, and realizing relationships.
I enjoyed the elements of faith and trust in God found in this trilogy of books. They were interesting and refreshing reads!
Every story by Lisa Wingate impresses me more. She has such a wonderful way of weaving a tale. This book is the third in the Carolina Heirlooms series. Not only is it a story unique in itself, it ties back to the first two books completing the woven image.
In this book, readers are introduced to one of FDR’s alphabet agencies whose mission was to record the stories of the people living in each state. The focus of these characters was North Carolina Appalachia. We learn about their travels through letters written and discovered years later. As the main character reads the letters, it takes her on a journey of self-discovery. This is a story of building, restoring, and realizing relationships.
I enjoyed the elements of faith and trust in God found in this trilogy of books. They were interesting and refreshing reads!
April 8, 2024
I liked the overall story. The history of the old woman truly made this book worth the read, however, Tandy Jo was so deep in her lack of self worth she almost appeared dumb, and yet she clearly isn’t! I found her character to be so annoying, I really just wanted to tell her to put those big girl panties on and go for it!! You CAN do this! The whiny behavior combined with tone of voice for narration made it hard to listen to at times. I know I shouldn’t have given it a 4 star, I just appreciated Ms Poole’s story. The love she has from her father and for her Father is very encouraging and honest and raw, and for that, I gave the 4 stars.
May 27, 2020
I really enjoyed The Prayer Box. Five stars for it. I wish I had not bought the whole series. The Story Keeper not quite as much. I’m a fast reader and I get bored easily if the story is too broken up. By the time I got to The Sea Keeper’s Daughters, the switching back and forth from the letters to the present story was boring.
November 12, 2022
Love, love, love!
I love The Carolina Collection: The Prayer Box, The Story Keeper, & The Sea Keeper’s Daughters! Although I’ve read all three books before, they, again, kept me captivated & I, again, found them nearly impossible to put down. I also didn’t want them end! Well written & creative stories! I so enjoy Lisa Wingate’s books!
I love The Carolina Collection: The Prayer Box, The Story Keeper, & The Sea Keeper’s Daughters! Although I’ve read all three books before, they, again, kept me captivated & I, again, found them nearly impossible to put down. I also didn’t want them end! Well written & creative stories! I so enjoy Lisa Wingate’s books!
October 22, 2023
This was a very interesting story about people in Appalachia. The story goes back and forth between modern day and days when the Melungeon people lived in the mountains. You will like it if you like stories about raising yourself up above family and cultural expectations and stories about relationships amongst people of different races/classes.
February 26, 2024
This book ties the Carolina Heirloom books together
Another GREAT book by this author! The characters are wonderful, and the storyline is unique and interesting. I love how the author weaves past letters with the current events. I wanted the novel and characters to go on with the story!
Another GREAT book by this author! The characters are wonderful, and the storyline is unique and interesting. I love how the author weaves past letters with the current events. I wanted the novel and characters to go on with the story!
January 9, 2018
I love all of this series. Each book is a story on its own. Lisa adds in true history which enhances the stories and makes them more realistic. She is a sweet storyteller that keeps you turning the pages.
February 10, 2018
Wonderful!!!!
I love, love,love these stories! Lisa Wingate is my new favorite author. Her stories are spell binding and I found myself wanting to know the ending while not wanting the story to end.
I love, love,love these stories! Lisa Wingate is my new favorite author. Her stories are spell binding and I found myself wanting to know the ending while not wanting the story to end.
September 27, 2018
Excellent read
Lisa Wingate writes with fluidity and magnetism that Mary Alice Monroe and Nora Roberts writes. This series of books invokes the imagination to flow with all kinds of "what ifs". It truly was captivating!
Lisa Wingate writes with fluidity and magnetism that Mary Alice Monroe and Nora Roberts writes. This series of books invokes the imagination to flow with all kinds of "what ifs". It truly was captivating!
June 16, 2019
All three books were very intriguing and held my attention.
The Prayer Box was fantastic. I could hardly put it down to do things around the house!
I loved the details, descriptions of the mountains and the sea. Honestly, at times I felt like I as part of her stories.
The Prayer Box was fantastic. I could hardly put it down to do things around the house!
I loved the details, descriptions of the mountains and the sea. Honestly, at times I felt like I as part of her stories.
July 21, 2019
Excellent collection of stories!
Lisa Wingate has an incredible way of drawing you into each story. The characters are real and her descriptions of the settings are powerful. She is an excellent story teller. I absolutely love the twist she adds at the ending of each book.
Lisa Wingate has an incredible way of drawing you into each story. The characters are real and her descriptions of the settings are powerful. She is an excellent story teller. I absolutely love the twist she adds at the ending of each book.
March 25, 2020
Stunning!
I love to read, but am hard to please. Four stars are generally my top rating. However, these stories are so compelling, and so beautifully written, they earned all five stars. I simply loved every page of all three books.
I love to read, but am hard to please. Four stars are generally my top rating. However, these stories are so compelling, and so beautifully written, they earned all five stars. I simply loved every page of all three books.
March 29, 2020
Beautiful Dual Narrative
Beautiful story with a dual narrative from the past and the present intertwined. Wholesome read, great series; I’d recommend reading all of the books. Well worth the purchase, you will enjoy!
Beautiful story with a dual narrative from the past and the present intertwined. Wholesome read, great series; I’d recommend reading all of the books. Well worth the purchase, you will enjoy!
May 3, 2022
Compelling in SO many ways!
I so did not want this book to end! Compelling stories. Great characters. I could not put down this book. Lisa Wingate is a marvel. Such skills and heart!
I so did not want this book to end! Compelling stories. Great characters. I could not put down this book. Lisa Wingate is a marvel. Such skills and heart!
October 15, 2023
It's a wonderful story. It's a beautiful story about a blue room filled with prayer boxes that share a story of a woman. This story can inspire you to keep your own prayer box. Put your troubles on paper and into your prayer box and . . . Let. Them. Go.
May 24, 2018
I reviewed these stories individually.
July 28, 2019
Loved all 3 stories! I agree with other readers, Lisa Wingate is a wonderful storyteller. I spent hours fully enthralled with the characters and plots!
December 5, 2019
Read like a made for tv Hallmark movie. Just not my thing.
May 2, 2020
Beautiful heartwarming story with a dual narrative from the past and the present intertwined. A truly feel good Christian family story.
February 4, 2021
When I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. As I got further into it, it couldn’t hold my interest. I finished it but I figured out the plot.
June 25, 2021
loved this story. unique plot.
October 18, 2021
fabulous
I loved these stories, enthralled by each book. Enjoy the journey of these three stories, I know I did. Can’t wait to read more of Lisa Windgate’s books.
I loved these stories, enthralled by each book. Enjoy the journey of these three stories, I know I did. Can’t wait to read more of Lisa Windgate’s books.
December 7, 2021
This was a great story.
February 4, 2023
I finished the first 2 in this collection and really enjoyed them. I still have to read the last one but marked this as finished for now.
January 3, 2024
Sweet story
September 20, 2024
Very good and was very emotional at times
November 3, 2025
the prayer box. I found it trite and predictable. I decided not to read the other two.
March 21, 2021
Outstanding Collection
Loved the stories and the way Lisa Wingate tied all the stories together. Great introduction to the Federal Writer’s Program. I look forward to exploring provided links to learn firsthand stories of people of different eras.
Loved the stories and the way Lisa Wingate tied all the stories together. Great introduction to the Federal Writer’s Program. I look forward to exploring provided links to learn firsthand stories of people of different eras.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews