Kiera Cass is the best-selling American author behind several hugely popular young adult novels. She’s best known for her critically acclaimed fantasy sci-fi series, The Selection. But this popular author also has another series and two standalone novels to explore.
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So, if you’re looking for some inspiration for your TBR list this spring, read on and learn everything you need to know about the world of Kiera Cass.
Kiera Cass Books in Order
Kiera Cass has multiple exciting novels and novellas to explore, but knowing where to begin is challenging. So, in this post, I’ll give you a full rundown of her work, including her popular series and standalone titles, so you can start your reading journey immediately.
The Selection series is set in the dystopian land of Illéa. This fictional country was once a part of the United States. But now, in this post-apocalyptic world, the land of the free has long been dismantled, and a new, darker society has formed.
Illéa’s population is segregated into eight castes. The higher a person’s caste, the more wealth and prosperity they will receive. But those in the lowest castes live in poverty. Their fates are sealed, and every day is a struggle to survive.
The series has been described as a dystopian version of the smash hit reality TV show, The Bachelor. ‘The Selection’ is a TV dating show which invites thirty-five young women from across Illéa to compete against each other. Each girl must do her best to win the heart of the show’s star, Prince Maxon. Whoever he chooses to be his bride will become the crowned Queen of all of Illéa and live a life of luxury. Those who fail will return to the lower castes and continue their struggle for survival.
The Selection Books in Reading and Publication Order:
The Selection series comprises five novels and four novellas. When it comes to the ideal reading order, you have three choices.
Option 1: Many readers prefer reading the main novels first, then exploring the shorter ones for further context.
Option 2: Others prefer to compile the main novels and the novellas and read them in the order they were published.
Option 3: Some fans insist that following the chronological order is the best way to go. This reading order will give you an accurate timeline of the series. However, the first two novellas center around supporting characters. You will get to meet the famous protagonist once you’ve finished those.
Below, I’ll list all three reading options so that you can decide the best one for you.
In 2015, Kiera Cass compiled all The Selection novellas into one volume, entitled Happily Ever After. The book also features exclusive extras, including never before published epilogues and bonus scenes from the main Selection series. So it’s the perfect compendium for any die-hard Kiera Cass fans.
Reading Order Option 2
The Entire Selection Series (Novels and Novellas) in Publication Order
The two Betrothed books form an epic royal romance duology that transports us into a captivating world of medieval courtship.
In book one, we meet the series protagonist, Hollis Brite. Hollis comes from a noble family and has spent her life growing up on the wealthy grounds of Keresken Castle. She and the other daughters of the nobility all share the same goal; to win the affection of the most eligible bachelor in the land, King Jameson.
So, when the King chooses Lady Hollis as his bride, she’s over the moon. Soon, she’ll be crowned Queen, and all her wildest dreams will come true.
At least, that’s what she thought. But the more she immerses herself into her new life as royalty, the more disillusioned she becomes. And when she meets a mysterious commoner who can see right into her soul, the deepest secrets of her heart comebubbling to the surface.
Soon, the future she thought she wanted feels more like a prison, and she’s falling in love with someone she never expected she would.
The Betrothed Books in Reading and Publication Order:
The two Betrothed books are interconnected. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
Kiera Cass penned this YA fantasy romance novel in 2009, three years before her hit series The Selection was born. The book was originally self-published, but following her rise to prominence, she revisited this early work and redesigned it for print.
The story follows a sea siren named Kahlen and a mortal boy named Akinli. Kahlen is bound to her duty as a siren at sea, luring humans to their peril using her magical yet deadly voice.
But despite her servitude to the ocean, Kahlen has always dreamed of joining the human world. So, when she meets the handsome and kind Akinli, she quickly falls in love. But one word from her lips can kill, so she must remain silent in his presence.
Yet her chance encounter with Khalen offers her hope. She’s spent her whole life following the rules, obeying the waves, and ignoring her heart. But now, she’s ready to live by her own rules, on land, hand in hand with a boy who makes her soul sing.
In 2022, Kiera Cass published her second standalone title, starring a privileged princess who finds love in the most unlikely places.
As the daughter of a King, Annika has lived a life of luxury. But the love her father once showed her has disappeared, and now, she faces a future that is out of her control. Annika will be wed to a man she does not love
if the King has his way.
Meanwhile, Lennox is living a life of servitude in a distant land, fighting alongside the Dahrainian army to reclaim a kingdom that was taken from his people long ago.
With such a noble mission, there’s no time for romance, but his heart begins to melt when he meets Princess Annika, the daughter of his arch-enemy.
This pair of star-crossed lovers know they can never be together. But the passion between them is growing by the day, and fate has a way of making even the most impossible dreams come true.
Conclusion
Since her critically acclaimed novel The Selection hit the shelves, Kiera Cass has become one of today’s most beloved YA authors. Her page-turning tales of forbidden romance have captivated the hearts of millions of readers, young and old, and she’s showing no signs of stopping any time soon.
I recommend checking out Kiera Cass’s work if you’re looking for a new YA romance with a dystopian or fantasy twist.
Are you already a fan of this popular author’s books? If so, I’d love to hear your reviews and recommendations. Please drop me a comment in the box below!
Beatriz Williams is an internationally best-selling historical fiction author.
Before she became a writer, Williams was a high-flying corporate strategy consultant working in New York and London. But in 2012, her debut novel, Overseas, was published, and since then, she’s become one of today’s most celebrated authors.
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Beatriz Williams is a perfect choice if you’re a historical fiction fan looking for a new author to add to your reading list. Her critically acclaimed books have sold millions of copies worldwide. They regularly feature on the New York Times and USA Today bestsellers lists.
Beatriz Williams Books in Order
Beatriz Williams has written two series and several standalone novels, but knowing where to begin with her work can be challenging.
So, in this post, I’ll give you a complete list of every book the author has published so that you can decide where to begin your reading journey.
The Schuyler Sisters Series
This captivating three-part series follows the fascinating lives of Vivian, Christina, and Pepper. These three sisters were determined to forge their way in the world at a time when women were expected to live by a strict set of rules.
In all three books, each sister tells her own intriguing story as she navigates challenges and triumphs in the ever-changing world of the 20th century.
The Wicked City Books
The Wicked City books take us back to the golden age of the Roaring 20s and New York City’s prohibition era.
Tucked away under an unassuming Greenwich Village apartment building is a speakeasy hideaway dubbed the Christopher Club. Here, flappers and gangsters mingled, away from the prying eyes of law enforcement.
Throughout the series, the story of the club, and its revelers, intertwines with the present-day. And bit by bit, captivating secrets that history forgot come bubbling to the surface.
The Schuyler Sisters Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each book in the Schuyler Sisters series tells a different story. So, you can read them in any order you choose.
This story is set in the 1960’s. Defiant and determined Vivian Schuyler has gone against her wealthy family’s wishes and set her sights on a career at New York’s Metropolitan magazine. But despite her talent and ambition, the editor is unwilling to give a young woman a chance.
Yet fate brings Vivian a gift from the heavens when a mysterious suitcase lands on her doorstep containing secrets about an aunt she never knew. Could this be the story to kick-start her career?
Viv’s aunt was Violet Schuyler Grant. In 1912s, she broke society’s rules and left America to study physics in Europe. There, she married a fellow scientist, but she disappeared as the continent exploded into war. We never know her ultimate fate.
So now, more than half a century later, Vivian is determined to discover what happened to Violet and discover the real story behind a woman who bucked convention and followed her dreams.
Unlike her two rebellious sisters, Christina “Tiny” Hardcastle has always followed the rules. She played all her hands correctly, and now, she’s married to the handsome, wealthy, and ambitious Frank Hardcastle.
Nothing is stopping this power couple from achieving their dreams. On the surface, their lives look picture-perfect. Frank is gearing up to win a U.S. House of Representatives seat.
But underneath all the glitz, glamor, and success, Tiny and Frank’s grand plans crumble around them. Both harbor secrets that could destroy their reputations, and now, someone is determined to expose those secrets to the world.
Pepper Schuyler has found herself in the unfortunate position of carrying the illegitimate child of a high-powered, married politician. So, she sells the rare and expensive vintage car she restored at auction, hoping to finally find a way to support herself and her unborn child.
Yet, like Pepper, the car’s new owner, the fabulously wealthy and enigmatic Annabelle Dommerich, has her secrets to hide. Annabelle takes the young mother-to-be under her wing and reveals the shocking history of the vintage Mercedes.
And as Annabelle’s fascinating past collides with Pepper’s uncertain future, the father of her baby is about to re-enter her life and turn it upside down.
The Wicked City Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Wicked City books are interconnected, and the characters and their lives intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
It’s the late 1990s, and Ella Gilbert has left her cheating husband and moved into a studio in Greenwich Village.
But her new neighbor, Hector, has warned her about some ghostly goings-on down in the basement of the building. The long abandoned underground speakeasy has been empty for years. Yet after midnight, it explodes into a crescendo of music, laughter, revelry, and the occasional scream.
Back in the Village hideaway’s heyday, free-spirited flapper Geneva “Gin” Kelly was a regular at the speakeasy. But after getting caught up in a raid, she struck a bargain with a Prohibition enforcement agent. And suddenly, she found herself at the heart of a dangerous plot to bring down her notorious bootlegger stepfather.
Now, decades later, newcomer Ella is determined to unravel the puzzling pieces of Geneva Kelly’s past.
It’s 1924s, and Gin Kelly has fled to the safety of Cocoa Beach, Florida, alongside Prohibition agent Oliver Anson Marshall. But their respite is cut short as Gin is forced into a rescue mission that sees her backed into a corner with no way out.
Meanwhile, almost a century later, Ella Dommerich is settling into her new Greenwich Village apartment above the old speakeasy. In the very same apartment Geneva Kelly lived all those years ago.
She’s cut ties with her cheating ex-husband, left her morally bankrupt job, and struck up a steamy romance with her neighbor, Hector. But she can only concentrate on her insatiable curiosity about the mysterious Gin Kelly. She and Gin share a secret connection, and she’s determined to unravel the mystery of her life.
It’s the summer of 1925, and free-spirited Gin Kelly is marrying straight-laced Prohibition agent Oliver Anson Marshall.
But shortly after their nuptials are signed, Marshall’s sworn enemy, a notorious rum runner, turns dead. Now, Gin’s new husband is forced undercover yet again. But his mission leads him into the heart of danger, and Gin has no choice but to follow him into a deadly web of deceptions and coverups.
Meanwhile, in the summer of 1998, Ella Dommerich’s aging aunt railroaded her into uncovering secrets about Presidential candidate Franklin Hardcastle. Pregnant Ella would instead be settling into domestic bliss with Hector and preparing for the arrival of her new baby. But instead, she finds herself uncovering a conspiracy that stretches back the decades.
And now, the secrets of some of America’s wealthiest families are finally about to come tumbling dramatically to the surface.
Beatriz Williams’s Standalone Novels
Beatriz Williams has also penned several bestselling standalone novels alongside her popular series listed above. Here they are in the order they were published.
In World War I, Amiens, British officer Captain Julian Ashford is approached by a beautiful American woman named Kate, who has tracked him down to share crucial information about his mission.
Meanwhile, in modern-day New York, a high-flying Wall Street analyst, also named Kate, finds herself falling for the lavishly wealthy Julian Laurence, a man with a mysterious past that stretches back almost a century.
Lily Dane is back in the familiar town of Seaview, Rhode Island, trying to mend the pieces of her broken heart.
She’s been coming here with her family for years. But this summer, the friendly embrace of the beachside community is tarnished by the uneasy addition of her former best friend and ex-fiancé, Budgie and Nick Greenwald.
And now, a hurricane is approaching on the horizon, and it’s about to churn up some long-buried secrets that will change Lily’s life forever.
3. The Forgotten Room (2016) (with Karen White and Lauren Willig)
The year is 1945, and Captain Cooper Ravenel has arrived at a private hospital in the Upper East Side with life-threatening injuries. Treating him is Dr. Kate Schuyle, a young woman with a strange connection to the captain’s past.
Cooper and Kate are about to be drawn into a multigenerational mystery leading them to explosive secrets buried for decades in the Forgotten Room.
Mrs. Theresa Marshall is married to a well-respected high, society gentleman. They have an unspoken agreement in these modern times of the Jazz Age. So, when Teresa falls in love with a young war hero, Captain Octavian Rofrano, there’s no need for divorce.
But when her brother, Ox, announces his upcoming marriage to the young and beautiful Miss Sophie Fortescue, it triggers a chain of events that see Teresa, Octavian, and Sophie embroiled in a twisted love triangle.
The year is 1917, and Virginia Fortescue has turned her back on convention and joined the war effort in Northern France.
As she rescues dying men from the trenches, she meets a charming British doctor, who declares his love for her, despite his loyal wife waiting at home in England.
Fast forward five years, and Virginia is in Florida dealing with the aftermath of a catastrophic fire that killed her estranged husband and desecrated the plantation house they once called home.
But as she cleans up the mess left behind, she begins to uncover shocking secrets about her husband, secrets that could put her in grave danger.
It’s 1951, and schoolgirl Miranda Schuyler is spending her summer on the exclusive and secluded Winthrop Island.
Suddenly, Miranda must navigate a captivating and terrifying new world of status, riches, and luxury. But this is an island of two clans; the wealthy elite and the working class laborers who earn their living on land and sea.
It’s 2012, and Sarah Blake has opened her great-grandmother’s large wooden chest. She embarks on a mission to England to unravel the secrets of the past. She makes a discovery that could change history.
Her search takes her back to the spring of 1915, to the story of young Caroline Telfair Hochstetter, a woman desperate to save her failing marriage.
But as Caroline boards a luxurious first-class cruise with her husband, she bumps into her old friend, Robert Langford. Suddenly, her hopes of reconciling her relationship are replaced by the promise of a new adventure.
The year is 1941, and society reporter Leonora “Lulu” Randolph has been sent to the Bahamas. She’s there to investigate the infamous Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who call the island paradise their home.
But as she digs for dirt on the power couple, she inadvertently uncovers a dark, dangerous secret beneath the glitz and glamor of their Nassau life.
Suddenly, Lulu is embroiled in a world of conspiracy.
9. All the Ways We Said Goodbye (2020) (with Karen White and Lauren Willig)
Three women, three generations apart, find shelter and sanctuary at Paris’s iconic Ritz hotel. And in doing so, their fates are sealed together for eternity.
The first, Aurelie, is caught up in the chaos of World War I as the Germans invade her family’s ancestral home. Before long, she strikes up a forbidden relationship with the German Major’s assistant officer. But their love affair puts them both in an impossible position. Soon, she has no choice but to return to Paris, to the safety of the Ritz hotel, where her estranged mother resides.
More than two decades later, Marguerite “Daisy” Villon, a woman born and raised at the Ritz, has reluctantly joined the World War II Resistance effort.
Acting as a courier for an English forger known as Legrand, she helps provide identity papers to Jewish refugees and fellow members of the Resistance. But as she enters Legrand’s world, she uncovers an earth-shattering secret that will lead her to commit the ultimate act of betrayal.
And finally, twenty years later, in 1964, grieving widow Barbara “Babs” Langford is approached by an American lawyer searching for a mysterious World War II Resistance fighter known as ‘La Fleur.’
It’s something that has been buried and forgotten over time. A curious Babs joins him on his quest to uncover a series of fascinating multigenerational secrets. They head to the Ritz.
The year is 1947, and war correspondent Janey Everett has arrived on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. She’s there to investigate the life of a long-forgotten aviation pioneer, Sam Mallory. But her search unexpectedly leads her to a woman named Irene, who Janey believes could be Mallory’s legendary student, Irene Foster.
Foster disappeared during a groundbreaking round-the-world flight a decade prior, and she’s believed to be dead. But Janey is convinced she’s alive and well and hiding out in the safety of this island paradise.
It’s 2019, and Andie Figueroa has just realized her lifelong dream of becoming a T.V. producer on the popular reality show Mansion Makeover.
Rhode Island’s Sprague Hall is the next mansion to be featured on the show. This breathtaking building is a former luxury summer resort for the rich and famous. Now, it’s slowly crumbling back into the sea.
But as Andie’s debut episode commences filming, dark secrets from the Sprague family’s past begin to surface.
In the fall of 1948, Iris Digby, her husband, and her two children disappeared without a trace.
People’s speculation about their fate threw the world’s media into a frenzy. But four years later, they’re still to be found.
Then one day, Iris’s twin sister, Ruth, receives a cryptic postcard from Moscow, signed by Iris. And so she embarks on a dangerous mission to find Iris and bring her back home to safety.
But when she discovers the truth about her sister’s disappearance, she wonders if she’s making the right choice.
13. The Beach At Summerly (expected to be published in June 2023)
In the summer of 1946, Winthrop Island native Emilia is swept away by newcomer Olive Rainsford. Olive is glamorous, worldly, and tenacious, and her adventurous spirit opens up many possibilities for Emilia.
As the summer rolls on, Emilia and Olive grow close, and Emilia sparks a romance with Olive’s handsome young nephew. But then, an FBI agent arrives on the island, shattering their hopes of happiness and turning their lives upside down.
Eight years later, Emilia finally managed to rebuild her life. She’s forced to revisit the pain of the past and confront the consequence of her actions.
Conclusion
You’ll adore Beatriz Williams’ books if you love historical fiction novels packed with intricately detailed plots and captivating characters.
Have you already read this bestselling author’s work? If so, I’d love to hear your reviews and recommendations. Please drop me a comment in the box below!
Molly Harper is the bestselling American author behind several critically acclaimed paranormal and contemporary romance novels.
Her career began in 2009 with the publication of her debut book, “Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs.” Since then, she’s joined the ranks among the Romantic Writers of America and become one of the most celebrated authors of today.
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Her sexy, spine-tingling tales of vampires and werewolves have earned her an army of loyal fans, and her books have sold millions of copies around the globe. And this year, she’s working on a brand new title. So, there’s never been a better time to explore Molly Harper’s Work.
Molly Harper’s Books in Order
Molly Harper has more than thirty tantalizing novels to explore, but knowing where to begin isn’t easy. So, in this post, I’ll list every book the author has published to date, including her series and standalone titles, so that you can get started on your reading journey right away.
This witty and sensual paranormal romance series stars Jane Jameson, a former children’s librarian who is transformed into a vampire.
In the first book, Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs, Jane is fired from her job at the library, and so she heads to the local bar to drown her sorrows. During her reckless drinking spree, she meets a mysterious stranger, and before she knows what’s happened to her, she wakes up with an insatiable thirst for human blood.
Now that she’s a vampire, Jane has a few adjustments to make. She no longer needs to breathe, the sun is her enemy, and all that southern food she used to love has to be replaced with bags of red stuff. Oh, and her new roommate is the ghost of her recently deceased aunt.
However, things are about to get a whole lot worse for Jane when she’s accused of a series of murders she didn’t commit.
The Jane Jameson/Nice Girls Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Jane Jameson/Nice Girls novels are interconnected, and the characters and their lives intertwine. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read the books in the order they were published, listed below:
The Naked Werewolf books take us on a journey to Grundy, Alaska, a small town with a big werewolf problem.
In the first book, How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf, we meet Mo Weinstein. Mo has recently moved to Grundy from the lower 48, and she’s just getting to know her neighbors. But one day, Cooper Graham, the surly guy from next door, turns up on her porch, butt naked, with a bear trap attached to his ankle.
At first, she’s confused, but when he turns into a werewolf, everything begins to make sense. Cooper is an alpha wolf who has gone rogue. But despite his bloodthirsty wolverine ways, when he’s in his human form, he’s more concerned for the welfare of his fellow man.
And after hearing reports of a series of wolf attacks in the local area, he begins to worry if he could be the beast behind the bloodshed. After all, he doesn’t remember anything after the full moon rises, and he makes his beastly transformation.
But Mo is sure that Cooper isn’t responsible for the attacks, so she embarks on a mission to find the real culprit.
The Naked Werewolf Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Naked Werewolf novels are interconnected, and the characters and their lives intertwine. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read the books in the order they were published, listed below.
This heartening and hilarious contemporary romance series centers around the Kentucky Tourism Commission and the people who work there.
In the first book, My Bluegrass Baby, we meet Sadie Hutchins, who has been a valued member of the Kentucky Tourism Commission for years. She loves her job, and she’s in with a chance of becoming director when her boss retires in a few months. But then, the slick and sophisticated Josh Vaughn muscles his way in and puts himself forward for the position.
Josh and Sadie couldn’t be more different, and now, with their boss putting them against each other for the director’s post, they’re both ready for an all-out war. But while they’re willing to fight dirty to get what they want, soon, their rivalry is transformed into romance.
The Bluegrass Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Bluegrass books are interconnected by a common theme, but each one tells a new story and features a new set of characters. So, you can read them in any order you choose.
The Half-Moon Hollow books are a spin-off from Molly Harper’s hugely popular Jane Jameson/Nice Girl series. The stories are set in the close-knit Kentucky community of Half-Moon Hollow, where humans and vampires live side by side.
In the first book, The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires, we meet Iris Scanlon, the town’s resident daytime vampire concierge. Iris knows all about vampire life, as every day, she runs around town doing errands, fetching bags of blood, taking out the trash, and all the other unglamorous vampire jobs that they don’t tell you about in the movies.
But one day, she finds her handsome new client, Cal, lying on the floor of his kitchen. Someone has poisoned him, and now, he needs a safe place to hide until he can figure out his next move. Iris reluctantly agrees to let him stay at her house for a while, but having a sexy vampire at home is more distracting than she first imagined. And suddenly, their business relationship begins to take on a new dimension.
The Half-Moon Hollow Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Half-Moon Hollow books each tell a different story, so they can be read as standalones. That being said, several characters appear in multiple books, and their stories intertwine. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to follow the publication order listed below.
This six-part contemporary romance series is set in the quaint little community of Lake Sackett, Georgia.
In the first installment of the series, Save a Truck, Ride a Redneck, we meet high school sweethearts Carl and Marianne. When they were young, they were inseparable, and they both thought they’d be together forever. But then Marianne, terrified of being stuck in this small town for the rest of her life, left Carl and ran off to college to chase her dreams.
Now, years later, Marianne has returned to Lake Sackett to visit her family, and she and Carl are immediately drawn to each other. And just like in the good old days, sparks begin to fly. Now, this once-happy couple will have to decide if it’s finally time to give true love a chance.
The Southern Eclectic Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Southern Eclectic books each tell a different story, and they can be read as standalones. That being said, several characters appear in multiple books, and their stories intertwine. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to follow the publication order listed below.
This collection of young adult fantasy novels stars Sarah Smith, a fourteen-year-old girl who is forced to live a double life.
Ever since she joined Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies, she’s been masquerading as some called Cassandra Reed. Nobody knows her secret, and if they did, her time at the institution would be over. That’s because Sarah is a Snipe, bound by duty to serve the magical Winter family. And that’s exactly what she has done her whole life up until now.
Snipes aren’t supposed to have powers, but one day, she was caught levitating a vase in the parlor, and her secret was exposed. And now, she’s embarking on her magical training as her alias, Cassandra. But if Sarah doesn’t figure out how to keep her secret under wraps, her hopes for the future could come crashing down around her.
The Sorcery and Society Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Sorcery and Society novels are interconnected, and the characters and their lives intertwine. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read the books in the order they were published, listed below.
The Mystic Bayou books were published as Audible exclusives, meaning they’re only available as Amazon audiobooks or as ebooks independently published by the author. Each story in the collection is set in the tiny remote swamp town of Mystic Bayou, a place where supernatural creatures live side by side with their human counterparts.
In the first book, “How to Date Your Dragon,” anthropologist Jillian Ramsay is sent to Mystic Bayou on behalf of the League for Interspecies Cooperation. Her mission is to find out how the town’s supernatural and human residents have coexisted in harmony for so long.
But when she arrives, she has a hard time getting any information from the locals. They don’t take kindly to outsiders, especially ones asking so many questions. The town’s sheriff, Bael Boone, is particularly frosty at first. Jillian isn’t even sure if he’s human, but the more she gets to know him, the more she can’t get him out of her mind.
The Mystic Bayou Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Mystic Bayou books are interconnected by a common theme, but each one tells a new story with a new set of characters. So, you can read them in any order you choose.
In 2022, Molly Harper began a brand new series, Starfall Point, with the debut title Witches Get Stuff Done. The story centers around Riley Denton-Everett, a lost and lonely young woman who has always felt like she was missing a piece of herself.
One day, Riley gets a mysterious message beaconing her to Starfall Point. According to the message, she’s a Denton, Starfall Point is where she belongs, and all will be explained to her once she arrives on the island.
It turns out that she’s inherited a crumbling old mansion from her recently deceased aunt, and it’s packed to the rafters with haunted artifacts. And within the house lies the secret truth: she’s more powerful than she ever could have imagined.
Riley comes from a family of witches, and now, it’s time for her to take her rightful place on Starfall, and continue the legacy that her forebearers left behind.
The Starfall Point Books in Reading and Publication Order
Lisa Williamson, better known as Sister Souljah, is a world-famous political activist and the author of several bestselling books.
Her thought-provoking works focus on themes of racial disparity, social injustice, and cultural identity, and they’ve inspired millions of readers around the globe to take action and create a positive change in their communities.
If you’ve never read Sister Soljah’s books, I highly recommend trying them. In this post, we’ll learn more about this prominent activist’s life and career and explore her critically acclaimed work.
Who is Sister Souljah?
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Sister Souljah was born in the Bronx in 1964. Her early years were marred by poverty, but at age 10, she and her family relocated out of New York City and into the suburb of Englewood, New Jersey.
She became disillusioned with the lack of African American influence in the public school system. From an early age, she began calling out for reform. Her activism led her to win the American Legion’s Constitutional Oratory Contest. In return, she received a full scholarship to the prestigious Cornell University’s Advanced Summer Program.
She enrolled at Rutgers University, where she had the opportunity to travel the world. Her experiences abroad reinforced her desire to fight for justice. And so, she began by launching a successful, high-profile campaign to halt her university’s controversial financial investments in South Africa, which was still in the grips of apartheid.
But she and her fellow students didn’t stop there. They joined forces with other young people across New Jersey to divest more than a billion US dollars previously being siphoned into apartheid-supporting projects, and their campaign was a success.
During her senior year at Rutgers University, Sister Souljah secured a job at the United Church of Christ’s Commission for Racial Justice. She stayed there for the following three years, championing outreach and education programs for African American youths. During this time, she also took a leading role at the National African Youth-Student Alliance. There, she used her prominent position to speak out against racially motivated violence and hate crimes across the United States.
Over the next few years, her profile grew substantially. In 1992, she switched from campaigning and public speaking to releasing the 360 Degrees of the Power rap album. That same year, she made headlines after clashing with President Bill Clinton over handling the LA uprising. And in 1994, she solidified her status as a household name with the publication of her memoir, No Disrespect.
Five years later, Sister Souljah made her fiction debut with the bestselling novel, The Coldest Winter. Since then, she’s penned several other bestselling titles.
Her books echo elements of her life’s work, with frequent themes of love, faith, racial injustice, and redemption.
Today, Sister Souljah is still campaigning to make America, and the wider world, a safer and fairer place for people of color. And fans of her work will be glad to know that this prominent activist is still penning fascinating works of fiction. Recently, she released a follow-up to her bestselling debut, The Coldest Winter Ever, entitled A Life After Death. And hopefully, this captivating author has plenty more work up her sleeve for us yet to come.
Sister Souljah’s Books in Order
So, now that we know more about Sister Souljah let’s explore her bibliography.
Below, I’ll list every book the activist turned-author has written so that you can start your reading journey immediately.
This fiercely candid retelling of her early life reads like a survival guide for young Black women growing up in a rapidly changing America.
Packed with gritty details of love affairs gone wrong and seemingly impossible hurdles overcome, Sister Souljah walks the reader through her extraordinary life as a powerful, fearless visionary who, above all, knows her worth.
The Coldest Winter Ever Books
Sister Souljah’s first foray into fiction was the 1999 novel, The Coldest Winter Ever. Since the publication of that debut book, the author has added two more novels to the collection to make The Coldest Winter Ever trilogy.
The books center around the chief protagonist Winter Santiaga, the daughter of one of New York’s most notorious and powerful drug lords.
The Coldest Winter Ever Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Coldest Winter Ever novels are interconnected, and the characters’ lives intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, follow the publication order listed below.
As the daughter of a criminal kingpin, Winter Santiaga has learned that the only way to stay on top is to cultivate an intimidating demeanor and use her god-given sex appeal to her advantage. And so far in her life, it’s worked.
But now, she’ll need more than just street smarts and killer curves to overcome the challenges that stand in her way. With her father’s empire in peril, and a drug war unfolding on her doorstep, Winter must discern between her allies and her enemies if she will survive the cold.
Winter Santiaga’s fiery younger sister, Porsche, idolizes Winter, and she’s cultivated the same fierce and fearless attitude that has seen her sister succeed. But now, the Santiaga family is falling apart, and the wealth they once enjoyed has disappeared.
Yet Porsche refuses to give up. So, rather than accept her fate, she decides to use every ounce of her tenacity to fix her family’s plight and reclaim their status as the top dogs in town.
Finally, Winter Santiaga is out of prison and back on the mean streets of New York, where she belongs. And even after all this time, she still has the same fearless, jaw-dropping presence she always had.
Now, with a vengeance on her mind, she’s hell-bent on tracking down her enemies individually. But she’s not the only one with payback on her mind. An old friend and business partner has her sights set on Winter, and she’s ready to get her retribution, no matter how much blood is shed.
The Midnight Books
This three-part series tells the story of a young Islamic African American man named Midnight. As the son of a prominent underground businessman, Midnight has led a privileged life so far. Still, as the series unfolds, he faces hurdles that will test his mettle and honor like never before.
The Midnight Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Midnight novels are interconnected, and the characters’ lives intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, follow the publication order listed below.
Midnight is accustomed to a life of privilege and protection. Still, his father’s empire is in jeopardy, and he and his mother are forced to flee to the United States.
On the streets of Brooklyn, New York, Midnight wastes no time in building an empire of his own. Now, it’s down to him to protect and provide for his family, and he’s determined to do whatever it takes, by Allah’s will, to make it work.
As a handsome, intelligent, and skilled Ninjutsu-trained ninja warrior, Midnight can pick the ladies. But as a devout Muslim, he’s committed to his new wife, Akemi, who has come from Japan to join him in America.
But when Akemi’s father kidnaps her and takes her back to her homeland, Midnight is suddenly forced to fight for his marriage in a way he never saw coming.
And so, he embarks on a deadly international mission to find his wife and bring her back to the US. And he’s determined to succeed, no matter what challenges are put in his way.
Midnight is envied by all those who know him. This handsome, tenacious, and fiercely intelligent young man is wise beyond his years. And as a Ninja-trained fighter, he can defend himself against any enemy who tries to get in his way.
But here on the streets of Brooklyn, one moment of rage can change a life forever, and that’s what Midnight is about to discover.
Can he keep calm in a new world of gangs, guns, prison cells, and police corruption? Midnight knows he can, not because he wants to, but because he has to. Otherwise, everyone he’s ever loved, and everything he’s ever believed to be true, is in danger of being lost forever.
Conclusion
Sister Souljah has spent decades campaigning for the rights and freedoms of African Americans. And thanks to her thought-provoking books, she’s inspired millions of readers to follow in her footsteps and create a positive change in their communities and the wider world.
Are you already a fan of Sister Souljah’s books? If so, I’d love to hear your reviews and recommendations. Please drop me a comment in the box below!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the recent uproar surrounding the censorship of Roald Dahl’s work. But the classic children’s author isn’t the only literary legend to fall victim to the so-called ‘sensitivity readers’.
This week, publisher HarperCollins has come under fire for editing several portions of Agatha Christie’s books. Her beloved Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series have both fallen victim to the editor’s fine tooth comb, and anything deemed unsuitable for today’s more delicate 21st-century readers has been changed, or deleted completely.
According to a report in the Telegraph, insults, references to ethnicity, and even some benign seeming descriptions of characters’ physiques have all been eliminated in favor of more politically correct alternatives.
Examples include removed references to “Nubian people” in the 1937 Poirot novel “Death on the Nile,” as well as the altered description of a servant in the short story collection “Miss Marple’s Final Cases and Two Other Stories.” Christie had depicted the character as “black” and “grinning,” but the edited version eliminates all reference to race, and wipes that grin right off his face, replacing it with a simple “nodding” action.
These are just a tiny handful of subtle yet pervasive changes scattered across the newest editions of Christie’s works, and needless to say, many readers are furious.
They argue that Christie’s books, which were written between 1920 and 1976, act as a time capsule. All literature does, and the fact that publishers like HarperCollins can’t see the importance of that is disappointing, to say the least.
Books are a record of the time in which they were written, and to tamper with that record is nothing short of an attempt to rewrite history.
Sure, many of us might cringe at the way that Christie, Dahl, and other novelists of their day display their prejudices so unashamedly across the page. But their character dialogue and prose reflect the attitudes and culture of that period and teach us much more about the past than any history book can.
And so, I’m standing firmly in the camp of outrage on this one. Censoring classic works of literature to avoid offending modern-day readers is more offensive than any insult or racial slur found within the pages of said books.
After all, how can we build a better society for future generations, if we don’t even have a clear picture of the one that went before?
Lisa Unger is an award-winning American author behind numerous critically acclaimed psychological thrillers.
She began writing in the early 2000s under her maiden name, Lisa Miscione. Since then, she’s built up an army of loyal fans and become one of the leading names in contemporary fiction.
Image Credit:thestoryblender.com
Her bestselling books have been translated into more than thirty languages and sold millions of copies around the globe. And even today, more than two decades since her career began, she’s still penning jaw-dropping, heart-pounding novels and keeping her readers on the edge of their seats.
Lisa Unger’s Books in Order
Lisa Unger has several series and standalone novels to explore, but knowing where to begin is challenging. In this post, I’ll give you a full rundown of all of her books in reading and publication order so that you can start your reading journey immediately.
Lisa Unger published these early works under her maiden name, Lisa Miscione, and recently they’ve been rereleased, much to the delight of her fans.
The series follows a true crime writer named Lydia Strong. When she was young, Lydia came home from school one day to find her mother’s lifeless body on the floor, her throat cut from ear to ear. In the aftermath of the murder, Lydia helped the police to solve the crime, and from that moment on, her life changed forever.
Fifteen years later, still bearing the scars of grief, Lydia makes her living writing about murder. And in her spare time, she works as an investigative consultant, helping to bring justice to some of the evilest killers in America.
In book one, Angel Fire, Lydia becomes obsessed with the mysterious disappearance of three reclusive adults. Each lived alone with no family, and no one was around to notice they were gone.
The police don’t think the cases are connected, but Lydia isn’t so sure. And when another victim vanishes, leaving behind an empty, blood-stained apartment, it’s clear that something is very wrong in this once quiet and safe community.
And so, Lydia joins forces with former FBI agent P.I. Jeffrey Mark, the same agent who brought her mother’s killer to justice all those years ago. Together, they embark on a desperate mission to track down the killer before another victim falls.
The Lydia Strong Books in Reading and Publication Order
While the Lydia Strong books can be read as standalone, the characters and their lives evolve and intertwine from book to book. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
This two-part series stars Ridley Jones, a freelance writer in New York City.
At the start of book one, Ridley lives a privileged life with doting parents and a great job. But one day, everything changed. On her morning commute, she spots a young boy in the street. Seeing that he’s about to get hit by a car, she jumps in to save his life.
But this single good deed sets off a chain of events that will lead Ridley to question everything she ever knew about herself, her family, and her life.
The Ridley Jones Books in Reading and Publication Order
The two books in the Ridley Jones series are interconnected. So, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
This chilling five-part series is set in the charming, close-knit community of The Hollows.
In book one, Fragile, we meet Maggie, who was born and raised in this small town. And now, as a wife and mother, she’s returned to raise her kids in the safety of its familiar embrace.
But one day, the girlfriend of her teenage son vanishes into thin air. Maggie’s husband, Jones, is the lead detective in the investigation. And as a psychologist, Maggie has her theories on the case. Yet with their lives so deeply embedded in the young woman’s disappearance, the truth may be more devastating than they could ever have imagined.
The Hollows Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Hollows’ books are all connected by a common theme, but each tells a new story with a new set of characters. So, you can read them in any order you choose.
The Whispers series is a collection of three short stories starring a reluctant psychic named Eloise Montgomery.
Eloise was a normal wife and mother until tragedy descended on her family one day. After a horrifying accident killed her husband and oldest daughter and almost claimed her own life, Eloise is forced to hold it together for the sake of her surviving daughter.
That’s when the psychic visions begin. This newfound gift appears seemingly out of nowhere and leads to a new calling.
The Whispers Books in Reading and Publication Order
The short stories in the whispers series are best read in the order they were published. They’re available as separates, or you can purchase all three together in the compendium The Whispering Hollows.
The House of Crows series is a four-part series of short stories that can each be read in a single sitting.
It tells the tale of four friends who, many years ago, witnessed a series of strange and terrifying events that none of them could explain. In the years that have passed, they have grown up and left the town where their dark memories lie. But none have escaped the dark shadow that still clings to each of them, and sooner or later, they will have to return to the haunting place where it all began.
In the first installment of the series, All My Darkest Impulses, Matthew Merle’s career as a professor has come crashing down around him. And so, when he inherits his grandfather’s grand old mansion, it offers him the escape he craves.
And he’s not the only one in need of an escape. His childhood friend, Claire, is in danger, so they return to the crumbling Marle House together.
But waiting for them inside those old walls is a darkness they’ve been running from their entire adult lives. And now, it’s finally time to face it head-on.
The House of Crows Books in Reading and Publication Order
The House of Crows stories are interconnected. Reading them in the order listed below is the best to get the most out of the series.
Lisa Unger is a modern-day master of suspense. Her bestselling books are among the most beloved contemporary thrillers of the 21st century. So, if you’re looking for a chilling read to keep you up all night, try her work.
Are you already a fan of Lisa Unger’s work? If so, I’d love to hear your reviews and recommendations. Please drop me a comment in the box below!
Jasmine Guillory is a best-selling American romance novelist most famous for her smash hit Wedding Date series. She began writing in 2015 when she joined the National Novel Writing Month project. Three years later, her debut book hit the shelves, and since then, there’s been no stopping her.
Further, she’s released seven critically acclaimed novels, gained an army of loyal fans, and Vogue has crowned her ‘the undisputed queen of the modern day romance.’
So if you’re looking for a steamy love story to get stuck into this summer, look no further than Jasmine Guillory’s work.
Jasmine Guillory’s Books in Order
Jasmine Guillory has written one series and two standalone novels to date, and in this post, I’ll list them all in reading and publication order.
In 2018, Jasmine Guillory released her debut novel, The Wedding Date, and romance fans around the world immediately fell in love. In the years that have followed, the author has penned several more heart-stopping books to create this captivating series.
Each novel tells a brand new love story, packed with likable, multidimensional characters, plenty of humor and charm, and a heavy helping of sensual and steamy storylines. Enjoy!
The Wedding Date Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Wedding Date novels are loosely connected, and several characters reappear throughout the series. That being said, each book acts as a standalone, so you can read them in any order you choose.
When Alexa Monroe gets stuck in an elevator with a guy she doesn’t know, she never expects it to lead to romance. But Drew Nichols is a dreamboat, and when he asks her to be his plus one at his ex’s wedding, she can’t help but take him up on his offer.
And to her surprise, sparks fly. She and Drew have an incredible time together, but the next day, it’s time for them to return to their normal lives. Drew, a pediatric surgeon, heads back to LA, and Alexa, the Mayor of Berkeley’s chief of staff, travels north to her home in the Bay Area.
But despite the distance, they can’t stop thinking about each other. Are they on a fast track to a long-distance dating disaster? Or can they make their far-flung new love work?
Nikole Paterson has only been dating her actor boyfriend for five months, and they’re still in the getting-to-know-you phase. But that doesn’t stop him from proposing to her at a Dodgers game in front of thousands of excited fans.
The saying no part is easy, but facing the hoards of disappointed spectators who saw the scoreboard proposal on the big screen is another story.
Thankfully, she’s rescued from the camera crew by the handsome and helpful Carlos Ibarra. And he stays by her side when the story blows up on social media, and she’s left looking like the bad guy.
Nik quickly ditches her overly eager boyfriend and begins getting to know Carlos a little better. Soon, they’re in the throes of passion, and their ‘just good friends’ romance ignites into a full-blown love affair.
Maddie and Theo both adore their best friend Alexa, but they cannot stand one another. Yet one night, after a few too many drinks, they hook up, and from that moment on, everything changes. Soon, these one-time frenemies are sneaking off to steal a passionate moment together whenever they can.
With Alexa’s wedding just around the corner, Maddie and Theo have a lot to organize. But how can they focus on the bride-to-be’s big day when all they can think about is their next secret rendezvous?
Vivian Forest has only left the US once in her life, so when her daughter Maddie invites her to England for a Christmas trip of a lifetime, she jumps at the chance to hop over the pond.
Maddie is a stylist for the Royals, so Vivian soon finds herself rubbing shoulders with Britain’s elite, including the handsome and charming private secretary to the Queen, Malcolm Hudson.
The usually uptight Malcolm can’t help but fall for Vivian’s American charms, and she’s blown away by this devilishly charming English gentleman. And it’s not long before this unlikely couple is sharing more than just a kiss under the mistletoe.
Olivia Monroe is a career-driven woman with no time for romance. But when she moves to LA to set up her own law firm, she meets the handsome junior senator Max Powell, and suddenly, she begins to think twice about her self-inflicted vow of celibacy.
Normally, she’d wince at the thought of dating a politician, but something about Max is irresistible. Unlike most politicians, he’s honest, sweet, and humble. But thanks to his high-profile position, their blossoming relationship can’t remain a secret for long.
Soon the media are hounding Olivia, digging into her past, looking for any dirt they can smear all over the front pages. And now, she’s beginning to wonder if their new love can survive the scrutiny of the spotlight.
Ben Stephens is more of a serial dater than a long-term lover, and he’s never had a serious relationship before. But when he meets gorgeous movie star Anna Gardiner at work, all of that changes.
Anna is beautiful inside and out, and despite trying to keep it professional, neither of them can resist the other’s charms. And when Ben comes to Anna’s rescue during a family emergency, they get to know each other on a deeper level, deeper than either of them ever expected to go.
Jasmine Guillory’s Standalone Novels
Alongside her popular Wedding Date series, Jasmine Guillory has also penned two standalone novels. Here they are in the order they were published.
When Margot Noble meets a handsome and charming stranger called Luke, sparks fly, and a one-night stand ensues.
After a reckless evening of fun, Margot is happy to go about her business running her family’s Napa Valley winery, safe in the knowledge that she’ll never see him again. But the very next morning, the winery’s new employee shows up, and it’s none other than Mr. One Night Stand, Luke.
Despite her best efforts to keep it professional, Margot and Luke share an undeniable chemistry, and it’s proving impossible to concentrate on work with him around.
Meanwhile, Luke is stuck in a dilemma of his own. After quitting his high-flying career in Silicon Valley, he’s looking for a fresh start. But he knows his family will be horrified to hear he’s ditched his six-figure salary job to work in a winery.
He has no idea where life will lead him next, but one thing is for sure, he’s smitten by his new boss, Margot.
2. By the Book (2022) (part of the Meant To Be series)
In 2022, Jasmine Guillory published this tantalizing contribution to the Meant to Be series; a collection of contemporary novels based on classic and beloved fairy tales.
This particular fairy tale rom-com mash-up stars a twenty-five-year-old editorial assistant named Isabelle. Isabelle joined the publishing world right out of college, but now, several years into her career, she’s still living at her parent’s house, earning a measly salary despite working all hours under the sun.
As the only Black employee in her company, she feels like the odd one out, always treading a fine line between being assertive and submissive to her senior colleagues.
But one day, she overhears her frustrated boss grumbling about a big-shot author who still hasn’t turned in his long-awaited manuscript. Could this be her opportunity to finally get noticed at work? All she needs to do is visit the author at his lavish mansion and give him some gentle encouragement to finish his book. With her confidence and charm, she’s sure she can deliver the push he needs.
But when she meets Beau Towers in the flesh, she realizes her mission is going to be a little more difficult than she first anticipated. He’s cold, resentful, withdrawn, and suffering from a crippling case of writer’s block.
Still, Isabelle knows what she has to do, and slowly, she begins to coax Beau out of his funk, and back into a place of creativity. Soon enough, he reclaims his mojo, and the words begin flowing out of him and onto the page.
But meanwhile, both Isabelle and Beau are starting to feel unexpected pangs of attraction to one another. And as the deadline for the manuscript approaches, Isabelle is thinking less about getting that promotion she craved and more about where this new romance might lead.
Conclusion
Jasmine Guillory is a relatively new name in the romance world, but since her first book hit the shelves in 2018, she’s become one of the most popular and beloved writers in the genre.
She’s now one of the reigning queens of rom-coms, and her tantalizing tales of modern-day love have struck a chord with readers around the globe.
Are you already a fan of Jasmine Guillory’s work? If so, I’d love to hear your reviews and recommendations. Drop me a comment in the box below!
Richard Paul Evans, an American author, unexpectedly shot to fame with his captivating debut novel, The Christmas Box.
Since then, he’s written more than thirty-five internationally bestselling titles, spanning fiction and non-fiction. He’s become one of the most celebrated authors of the 21st century, and his critically acclaimed books have earned him multiple accolades, including the American Mothers book award, The Romantic Times Best Women’s Novel of the Year Award, and several awards for his smash hit Michael Vey children’s book series.
Image Credit:richardpaulevans.com
So, if you’re looking for a brand new author to explore this year, why try Richard Paul Evans?
Richard Paul Evans Books in Order
Richard Paul Evans has many page-turning works to explore, from emotionally charged novels about traditional family values to breathtaking young adult science fiction and captivating non-fiction books. But with such a vast bibliography, it can take time to figure out where to begin.
So, in this post, I’ll give you a complete list of every book by this popular author, including his series and his standalone titles, so that you can start your reading journey immediately.
In the early 1990s, while working as an advertising executive, Richard Paul Evans began penning his first novel, The Christmas Box. He wrote the story as a gift to his children, printing a few dozen additional copies to share amongst his family and friends. But as word of his captivating story spread far and wide, demand began to grow, so he decided to self-publish his work on a larger scale.
Soon, The Christmas Box was selling out bookstores around his hometown of Salt Lake City, and before long, it had become a global phenomenon. It reached number 2 on the New York Times Bestsellers list, and publishers worldwide were desperate to snap up the rights to the book.
In 1995, Richard Paul Evans sold his smash hit surprise to publisher Simon & Schuster. The official re-release became the first book in history to reach number one on the New York Times Bestsellers list in hardback and paperback editions.
The incredible success of this holiday classic prompted Evans to pen two follow-up stories, completing The Christmas Box trilogy.
The series debut tells the emotionally charged story of a widow who opens her home to a young family. Together, they celebrate a Christmas unlike any other they’ve known before.
The Christmas Box Books in Reading and Publication Order
It’s best to read the books in the order they were published, as listed below, to get the most out of the Christmas Box Trilogy.
The Locket trilogy begins with the story of Michael Keddington, who, after the death of his mother, begins working at a nursing home.
There, he meets an elderly blind lady named Esther, who is consumed by regrets about the things she never experienced and achieved. Michael has regrets, and he and Esther soon form a close bond.
But when he’s falsely accused of abuse at the nursing home, he faces his greatest challenge. He’ll need Esther’s hard-earned wisdom, encased inside a precious locket, to see him through some of his darkest days.
The Locket Trilogy Books in Reading and Publication Order
The second book in the Locket trilogy, The Looking Glass, can be read as a standalone title, but books one and three, The Locket and The Carousel, are interconnected. So, it’s best to read them in the order they were published, listed below.
This five-part series tells the extraordinary tale of Alan Christoffersen, who lost everything only to find himself again on the walk of a lifetime.
In book one, Alan is on the brink of suicide, with nothing to live for. But rather than succumb to the bottle of pills in his hand, he decides to put one foot in front of the other and walk.
His destination is the farthest point he can find on the map; Key West, Florida. And so, he embarks on an epic journey that will heal his broken heart, one step at a time.
The Walk Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Walk books are a continuous story of Alan Christoffersen’s journey across America. So, to get the most out of the series, you should read them in the order they were published, listed below.
The Michael Vey series is a collection of popular young adult science fiction novels starring a seemingly ordinary 14-year-old boy with secret special powers.
In book one, Michael makes a life-changing discovery when he realizes that a cheerleader named Tanya shares his secret electric abilities. And so, he, Tanya, and his best friend Ostin join forces to discover how and why they got their powers.
But their search leads them to a dark and dangerous group who seek to control Michael, Tanya, and others like them. And now, they must use every ounce of their human and superhuman abilities to defeat their enemy.
The Michael Vey Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each Michael Vey book tells a different story, but the characters and their lives are interconnected. So, to get the most out of the series, it’s best to read the books in the order they were published, listed below.
This collection of three holiday-themed love stories begins with book one, The Mistletoe Promise, where we meet Elise Dutton, a woman who has lost everything.
Three years ago, the husband she thought loved her cheated on her with her best friend. What followed was a bitter divorce, a broken heart, and a distrust of anyone who tried to get close to her.
But one day, at the start of November, Elise is confronted with her life’s most bizarre and intriguing offer. A lonely man from her building approaches her in the mall and proposes that, for the next eight weeks, right up until Christmas Eve, the pair pretend to be a real-life couple. After all, they’re both lonely; maybe it’ll even be fun.
And so, they draw up a contract with some simple rules; no drama, deep, personal questions, and no telling anyone about their agreement. And when December 24th rolls around, their contract becomes null and void.
And so, the unlikely pair embark on their fake relationship, and as the weeks pass, their broken hearts slowly begin to mend. But they both have secrets that threaten to unravel the romance that has just started to blossom between them.
The Mistletoe Collection Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each book in the Mistletoe Collection tells a separate story so they can be read in any order.
This collection of heartwarming Christmas-themed stories begins with book one, The Noel Diary, where we meet successful romance author Jacob Churcher. Jacob hasn’t returned to his childhood home in almost two decades after his estranged, mentally ill mother kicked him out at just sixteen.
But now, in the run-up to Christmas, he’s received news that his mother has passed away, leaving all of her earthly possessions, including her house, to him. And so, he returns to where he grew up to settle the estate and face the long-buried demons from his past.
But he finds more than painful memories back at the old house. He discovers the diary of a young woman named Noel, who stayed with Jacobs’s family when she was pregnant. Jacob has no memory of Noel, but now he has her diary. He’s determined to figure out who she is and what happened to her.
And someone else is on the same quest. Thirty-year-old Rachel is searching for the mother she never knew, so she joins forces with Jacob, and the pair embark on a mission to discover the truth about Noel. But their search brings them much more than just family revelations. It gets them a second chance at happiness and another shot at love.
The Noel Collection Books in Reading and Publication Order
Each book in the Noelle Collection tells a separate story, so they can be read in any order you choose.
The Broken Road series tells the story of a famous Chicago native named Charles James. Deep down, Charles is a broken man despite being at the pinnacle of his career. His lavish lifestyle and soaring success can’t fix the pain of his past, which still haunts him daily. And now, he’s beginning to wonder if he’s made the right choices in life. Does he really like the man he’s become?
Then, in a twist of fate, Charles is given a chance to reinvent himself. When the plane he was supposed to be on crashes, killing everyone on board, the world presumes he’s dead. But Charles never boarded that plane, and now, he can start his life again.
So, he embarks on an unforgettable journey on foot, down the famous route 66, on a pilgrimage that will finally bring the healing and redemption he’s always craved.
The Broken Road Books in Reading and Publication Order
The Broken Road books are a continuous story of Charles James’ journey across America. So, to get the most out of the series, you should read them in the order they were published, listed below.
Alongside his popular series listed above, Richard Paul Evans has penned several bestselling standalone titles. Here they are in the order they were initially published.
Richard Paul Evans began his incredible writing career with a children’s story, and in the years that have followed, he’s penned several more books for younger readers. Here they are in the order they were initially published.
Richard Paul Evans is best known for his fiction works, but he also has several hugely successful non-fiction books about life, love, faith, and family. Here they are in the order they were initially published.
Richard Paul Evans has a vast and varied bibliography packed with breathtaking standalone series and fiction and non-fiction titles. He’s written books for all ages, and his captivating work has inspired millions of readers around the globe. So, if you’re looking for a new author to explore this year, I recommend trying his work.
Are you already a Richard Paul Evans fan? If so, I’d love to hear about your favorite books. Please drop me a comment in the box below!
Donald Patrick Conroy, better known as Pat Conroy, was a critically acclaimed American author.
Hailed as one of the giants of late-20th-century Southern literature, his bestselling novels, memoirs, and non-fiction reads have had a profound impact on the literary world. Many of his books have been adapted for the silver screen, and two of them, The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, have been nominated for an Oscar.
Pat Conroy sadly passed away in March 2016, but his incredible legacy continues to live on to this day. His writings have touched the hearts of millions of readers around the globe and made him a celebrated cultural icon.
So, if you’ve still not explored this extraordinary author’s work, you’re in for a real treat! Read on to find out everything you need to know about Pat Conroy’s books.
Image Source:theguardian.com
Pat Conroy’s Books in Order
Pat Conroy penned multiple standalone novels and several non-fiction works during his long career, but knowing where to begin with his work can be a challenge.
So in this post, I’ll give you a full list of every book the author published during his lifetime. I’ll also include a summary of each one so that you can decide where to begin your reading journey.
Pat Conroy’s debut title is inspired by his own experiences as a young man studying at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston.
The novel follows the story of Lt. Col. Nugent Courvoisie, nicknamed “the Boo,” who served as the Assistant Commandant of Cadets at the prestigious academy throughout most of the 1960s.
Conroy describes The Boo as a strict disciplinarian with a kind heart, who guides the young men in his care to greatness. One of those young men is Cadet Peter Cates, a talented all-rounder who excels in his studies at the academy. But no matter how hard he tries, and how much success he achieves, Cates fails to get the approval from his abusive father that he so desperately craves.
And so, seeing the young man’s talent and determination, The Boo takes Cates under his wing. But when violence erupts across campus, their close bond comes under fire.
In 1976, Conroy published The Great Santini, which tells the story of Colonel “Bull” Meecham, a Marine fighter pilot who psychologically abuses his family, particularly his teenage son, Ben.
Bull’s character is based on the author’s own father, Donald, and according to his later work, Donald was even more of a menace than this book would suggest.
For years, The Great Santini caused a huge rift in Pat Conroy’s family, and it eventually led to the breakdown of his first marriage. But decades later, the author made amends with his father, who set out to prove to his son, and himself, that he was a better man than the fictional Colonel “Bull” Meecham.
This acclaimed 1980 bestseller has been dubbed “an American classic,” and for good reason. This powerful novel tells the story of an Irish Catholic boy named William McLean and his fellow cadets at a strict Southern military academy known as The Citadel.
As a cynic and a liberal, Will is an outsider at The Citadel, a place famous for its brutal hazing of new freshmen recruits. And when a young black student, Tom Pearce, joins the academy, Will knows he’ll become a target of the school’s racists, who use the hazing ritual as an excuse to flex their bigotry.
And so, he signs up to protect Tom, but his act of kindness may lead him into dangerous territory, as deep inside The Citadel lies a secret society known as “The 10.” These powerful, influential students are poised to protect the academy’s code of honor however they see fit, and they’ll stop at nothing to purge the school of anything they deem to be unclean.
This classic novel has been called “A literary gem” by The Pittsburgh Press and “A masterpiece that can compare with Steinbeck’s East of Eden” by the Detroit Free Press.
The story is a decade-spanning family saga that follows the life and times of former football player Tom Wingo.
Tom has just lost his job as an English teacher and high school football coach when he learns that his twin sister, Savannah, has attempted suicide again. Ever since she was a little girl, Savannah has been plagued by terrifying hallucinations and voices that tell her to end her life. And it all stems from the trauma that both Tom and Savannah were subjected to throughout their childhood.
And so, Tom decides to travel to New York to take care of his sister. There, he meets her psychiatrist, Susan Lowenstein, who convinces him to stay in the city and walk her through his and Savannah’s shared dysfunctional childhood.
Over the weeks and months they spend together, Susan and Tom grow close. Despite being very different people, they learn to help each other in unexpected and life-changing ways.
The San Francisco Chronicle hailed this 1995 bestseller as “Magnificent . . . clearly Conroy’s best,” and the LA Times Book Review called it “Blockbuster writing at its best.”
This classic tale centers around a Southern gentleman named Jack McCall who is living in Italy with his daughter. After his wife’s recent suicide, Jack is struggling to come to terms with his loss. However, his attempts to find solitude are shattered when he’s summoned back to America to care for his ailing mother.
But his return to his homeland sparks a brand new journey for Jack as he sets out on a painful, revelatory, and cathartic exploration of his and his family’s fractured past.
In 2009, Pat Conroy published his novel South of Broad, which follows the fascinating life and times of a man from Charleston, South Carolina named Leopold Bloom King.
The story is told in five separate parts, beginning when Leopold is a paper boy for Charleston’s South of Broad delivery area.
His family has been shattered by the tragic suicide of his older brother, Steve. But in June 1969, Leopold meets a group of friends who give him hope. These friends will stay with him throughout his life, through the hardships and the triumphs, proving that family is what you make it.
Pat Conroy’s Non-Fiction Books
Alongside his classic works of fiction listed above, Pat Conroy also has several non-fiction books to explore.
Here they are in the order they were originally published.
In his extraordinary memoir, Pat Conroy takes us back to the year he spent as a teacher, working with the children whom society had all but given up on.
In a tiny, two-room schoolhouse, he and one other educator were responsible for transforming the lives of a group of impoverished Black children on the beautiful, haunting, and forgotten Yamacraw Island.
At one time, the families on Yamacraw were proudly independent, living off the ocean’s natural resources. However, damage and pollution from nearby industry led to the desecration of the oyster beds these families relied on, and their existence became a day-to-day struggle.
These forgotten children were largely illiterate and wholly uneducated, and some of them couldn’t even write their own names. But over time, Conroy introduced them to a brand-new world they never knew existed, and to his surprise, the children did the same thing for him.
This is Pat Conroy’s landmark, coming-of-age memoir, where he recounts an unforgettable season spent with his ill-fated basketball team during his time as a Citadel cadet.
As a military brat, Conroy spent his childhood moving from place to place, from school to school. But the steady sanctuary of the Citadel Bulldogs provides support and stability unlike any he has ever known. It also offers him a much-needed escape from his psychologically abusive father who, up until now, has dominated his life.
As captain of the Bulldogs from 1966 to 1967, Conroy learns to ride the wave of success and endure the crippling disappointments of defeat alongside his tight-knit group of comrades. And all the while, he’s learning valuable lessons that would stay with him for the rest of his life.
In 2004, Pat Conroy blended his passion for storytelling with his passion for good food, bringing us this unique collection of recipes from the American South and beyond.
Each recipe is paired with tantalizing tales from the author’s fascinating life. It reads like an autobiography punctuated with some of the most classic and inspiring cuisines that have left a lasting impression on the author. After all, as Conroy himself says, “A recipe is a story that ends with a good meal.”
This 2010 memoir is Pat Conroy’s heartfelt celebration of the profound impact that books have had on his life.
From his childhood passion for reading to his travels around the world as an adult, the author shares anecdotes about the books, authors, and fellow readers who have shaped him over the years.
He also explains the power he discovered in language and the joys of exploring new worlds through literature.
Conroy is a firm believer that books can shape and enrich a person’s life. And so, this is his own tribute to the transformative power of reading that is available to us all.
5. The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son (2013)
This powerful memoir delves into Pat Conroy’s complicated family history and his turbulent relationship with his father.
As the oldest of seven children and the son of a Marine Corps fighter pilot, Conroy bore the brunt of his father’s abusive and often violent behavior, something he wrote about extensively in his novel “The Great Santini.”
While the novel brought him critical acclaim from readers around the globe, it also caused a deep rift within his family. But in the final years of his father’s life, he discovers that even the meanest of men can be softened by love and that a fractured family can heal, no matter how much water has passed under the bridge.
6. A Lowcountry Heart: Reflections on a Writing Life (2016)
A Lowcountry Heart is a celebration of the life of the iconic Pat Conroy, told through a collection of his essays, interviews, speeches, and letters.
Published upon his death in 2016, the book is a heartfelt compendium of his final words to the world. Each page offers up fascinating insights into the life of this legendary Southern writer, from his triumphs and tragedies to the people he held most dear.
The Florida Times Union called the book “a moving and proper tribute to a true Southern icon,” and The Clarion-Ledger praised it as a “fascinating look into the mind of one of the South’s greatest authors . . . something to remember him by and cherish for years to come.”
Conclusion
Pat Conroy’s iconic books have left a lasting mark on the literary world, and his incredible legacy looks set to live on for generations to come.
Even today, this fascinating author continues to inspire countless readers around the globe with his masterful storytelling, profound insights, and memorable words of wisdom.
Are you already a fan of Pat Conroy’s work? If so, I’d love to hear about your favorite books. Drop me a comment in the box below!
