
Dr. Lisa L. Dorsey is an Award-Winning author with extensive experience in business and ministry. She is also accomplished in academia with two earned doctorates. She developed a passion for reading, writing, theater, and the arts in early childhood.
She now combines her expertise, experience, and passions to write compelling stories that reveal the saving grace of Jesus Christ, building a spiritual legacy grounded in God’s Love, Word, and Wisdom. She resides in California with her husband and has four children, one daughter-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren.
INTERVIEW:
How long have you been writing? How many books or series have you published?
I’ve been writing since Jr. High School when I fell in love with writing for stage plays and writing poetry. I have published academically and I’ve also published two collaborative non-fiction books. Most recently, I’ve published a Biblical (historical) fiction novel, “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy.” And, I’m currently working on my second Biblical fiction novel titled, “Bloodline Promises.”
What inspired you to write? How does your faith impact your writing?
I’m an avid reader, and I love the power of words. The Bible has been my handbook for writing meaningful stories. I study it to learn how to write to help heal broken hearts. Jesus’s words transform lives. He is the master weaver of words. He is the living Word. I desire to weave words that will draw people to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and bring healing and wholeness.
Do you have a favorite author or book? Why is that your favorite?
My favorite book of all time is the Bible! For my favorite literary book, I’m torn between “A Tale of Two Cities” and “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” for different reasons that tug at my heart. I love historical fiction because it blends fictional elements with historical settings, events, and people. Identifying with real-life events and people helps the reader relate to the story on a personal level. Historical fiction also teaches us about our history and allows us to cultivate its best parts while learning from its mistakes. I love Christian fantasy because it uses literary devices such as allegory, symbolism, and imagery to convey Christian themes that mirror biblical stories. I personally relate to stories that carry embedded messages, like the ones Jesus taught through parables, as well as to the apocalyptic and wisdom literature in the Bible.
What is your favorite genre to read/write?
My favorite genre to read and write is biblical (historical) fiction written with a dual timeline.
What do you like most about what you do? What are your biggest challenges?
What I like most about what I do is helping people through storytelling—whether they’re grieving, suffering from imposter syndrome, experiencing anxiety, or struggling with depression. I strive to present the saving grace of Jesus Christ and offer them hope. One of my biggest challenges is staying focused while writing. What I mean is not getting lost in either the story’s big picture or its details. Instead, I outline and then let my creativity flow. My outline serves as a means to reel me in when I’ve lost sight of what really matters—the message and the reader. That’s what I’ve come to define as writing in the middle.
Do you have a favorite character in your most recent release?
Yes, Issa is my favorite character in my novel, “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy.” She is smart, witty, and adventurous, but she struggles with what most women do—insecurity and imposter syndrome. While Issa struggles with doubts and fear, she leans on her faith in Jesus to overcome insurmountable obstacles and draw closer to Him.
What are you working on now? What can we expect in the future?
I’m currently working on my second fiction novel, “Bloodline Promises.” My next project will be a Bible Study on “The Making of a Deborah,” followed by a Christian Fantasy novel. Here is the book description for my upcoming novel, “Bloodline Promises.” A forgotten scroll. A lost scepter. A legacy worth protecting—at any cost. When archaeologists Issa and Kasim Ma’an unearth scrolls believed to be written by the Apostle Paul, they uncover more than ancient words—they stumble upon a clue pointing to the lost Scepter of King David, an artifact believed to carry proof of the Messiah’s royal bloodline. The discovery sets off a wave of political unrest and spiritual controversy across the Arab world. Philcol, a reluctant protector and descendant of the Cherethites—King David’s ancient mercenaries, is bitter about his past and dismissive of his legacy. When he is suddenly thrust into the center of a conflict he can no longer ignore, he is faced with truths he’s not ready to embrace. Assigned to protect Issa and her family, he finds himself battling internal doubts, rising danger, and an inexplicable pull toward the woman and child he’s sworn to defend. As tensions mount and hidden truths surface, Kasim begins to question Philcol’s intentions, straining his marriage and trust. Meanwhile, Issa must confront the possibility that she herself is a descendant of David—making her role in the mystery more vital than she ever imagined. But they are not the only ones searching. The Arab government, fearing the consequences of the relic’s revelation, will stop at nothing to destroy it. The hunt leads them to the Temple Mount, the most contested ground in history, where the lines between faith, legacy, and power blur in a race against time.
Do you have any fun facts to mention? (what is your go-to snack when writing/reading? Daily habits…)
My go-to snack when writing or reading is barbecue potato chips.
What would you like to say to readers? (What do you hope readers take-away from your book?)
My goal is to create captivating stories that connect generations and cultures. I want to bring the timeless truths of the Bible to life in ways that resonate with readers on a personal level, helping them navigate through seasons of disruption and find hope in God. Additionally, I aim to inspire a genuine love for the narratives of faith so that the stories of the Bible leap off the page and into the reader’s soul, transforming the heart, mind, and will.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
357 pages
Released June 7, 2024
Hope Books
Available in Kindle and Paperback
Book Blurb: “Petra: An Unbroken Legacy” is a gripping tale of intrigue, adventure, and romance, set in a dual timeline that transports you to a realm where history and destiny collide in the heart of Petra. Follow the compelling journey of Kasim and Issa as they navigate a world of ancient secrets, where faith, love, and legacy intertwine to create an epic saga with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Kasim, the inheritor of a profound heritage steeped in first-century Christian tradition, holds the keys to ancient secrets that need protecting. Issa, a renowned archeologist, joins Kasim on a quest to unveil centuries-old mysteries.
Kasim bears the weight of his family’s destiny, wrestling with the conflicting demands of duty, faith, and love. Issa grapples with loss, loneliness, and insecurity and struggles to find her place in Kasim’s world of wealth, power, and prestige. Some in Kasim’s family see Issa as a threat, yet they need her expertise to unearth the lost letters written by the Apostle Paul to the Arab Christians to validate their legacy.
As their journey unfolds, danger and hardships test their love and faith. Issa must have faith in God’s love to sustain her and trust His will for her life. Kasim must learn that trusting in the Lord means leaving Issa in God’s care, even if it means losing her. Together, their journey through biblical narratives and personal trials will resonate with the reader’s own experiences of adversity, disappointment, resilience, and hope.

DEVOTIONAL
When the Words Went Silent: Finding Grace in the Ashes by Lisa L. Dorsey
Tragedy has a way of silencing even the most familiar parts of our lives. When our church burned to the ground—the place my husband and I had pastored, prayed, and built memories alongside our congregation—it felt as though time itself had stopped. The fire took more than a building. It took a sense of home, rhythm, and community that had shaped us for Years.
In the weeks that followed, I lived in a fog. Everything around me was still smoldering, and so was my spirit. I stopped writing completely. The rhythm that once brought clarity and joy suddenly felt unreachable. Then came the guilt—how could I not write? Writing had always been how I processed life, how I prayed, how I found meaning in the chaos. At first, I tried to fix it. I told myself I could journal the experience for a future book. I tried to return to the fiction project I’d been working on. I set timers, planned my writing hours, even carved out “snatches of time” to stay committed. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t concentrate. My creative spark had gone out, replaced by exhaustion and a deep sense of loss.
It wasn’t just my writing that suffered—I was drained in every way. Each day ended in exhaustion. Each attempt to regain normalcy left me more depleted. I could barely keep up with my social media engagement, my book club, my new blog, or even daily responsibilities. I felt lost in a storm of my own making, trying to keep everything moving when what I truly needed was to stop.
Then, slowly, a realization began to take root, I was never meant to “push through” grief. It was okay to take a break. It was okay to rest. It was okay to not “produce” or “push through.” I needed to give myself permission to grieve—to sit with what had been lost, and to let God meet me there.
In that space of quiet surrender, I began to remember what I knew but had forgotten: rest is not failure. Rest is sacred. It’s the pause that allows healing to begin. Now, I’m easing back into writing—not with rigid schedules or high expectations, but with grace. I’ve started writing again, just thirty minutes a day, sometimes less. I’m contributing as a guest blogger here, rediscovering my love for words without the pressure of performance. What I’ve learned is simple but profound: life doesn’t always move in a straight line. Sometimes it’s a slow exhale. Sometimes it’s silence. Sometimes it’s just breathing in and out, letting the oxygen of God’s presence fill what feels empty.
If you’re in a season of loss, burnout, or creative drought, take heart. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to be still. You don’t have to rush your healing. Sometimes the most important thing we can do as writers—and as believers—is to be present with the Lord in the moment, trusting that when the time is right, He’ll breathe life into our words once more. Even in the ashes, grace has a way of finding us.
