Books On Board
series Reading Order

ACRO Books in Order

8 Books
2007 – 2014 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with ACRO

The best way to experience the ACRO series is by starting with the very first book, Riding the Storm. Because the series features a continuous subplot centering on the agency's war against the villainous ITOR Corporation, reading the novels out of order will spoil major plot twists and character developments. While each book spotlights a different central romance, the overarching narrative binds them together into a single, cohesive saga.

ACRO Chronological Reading Order

If you want to read the series exactly as the events unfold, follow this chronological order which integrates the short stories and novellas directly between the main novels:

  1. Riding the Storm (2007) – Introduces Remy Begnaud and Haley Holmes.
  2. Code Word: Storm (also published in the Deadly Desires collection) (Chronological #1.5) – Follows Creed McCabe and Annika Svenson.
  3. Unleashing the Storm (2008) – Follows Tom “Ender” Knight and Kira Donovan.
  4. Shadow Play (from the Hot Nights, Dark Desires anthology) (Chronological #2.5) – Follows Hex and Brenna.
  5. Seduced by the Storm (2008) – Follows Wyatt Kennedy and Faith Black.
  6. Taming the Fire (2009) – Follows Trance and Rik.
  7. Tempting the Fire (2010) – Follows Sela Kahne and Logan Mills.
  8. Taken by Fire (2011) – Follows Stryker and Melanie.
  9. Three the Hard Way (2014) – Chronological #6.5 (or publication order #7), focusing on Taggart Brody, Justice McKinney, and Ian Bridges.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For most readers, the publication order and chronological order are nearly identical. The main difference lies in the placement of the novellas and anthology contributions:

  • The Main Novels: The six primary books (running from Riding the Storm through Taken by Fire) were published in chronological sequence and should definitely be read in that order.
  • The Novellas: Story elements from Code Word: Storm and Shadow Play introduce or flesh out characters before their major appearances in the main books. However, if you skip them, you can still follow the main storyline without getting lost.
  • Deadly Desires: This 2013 ebook is not a new novel but rather a digital package containing the standalone release of the novella Code Word: Storm alongside a story by Shiloh Walker.

The Two Main Eras: Storm and Fire

The series is structurally divided into two major thematic halves:

The Storm Trilogy (Books 1–3)

The first three novels focus heavily on weather-controlling abilities and the introduction of ACRO’s top agents. It establishes the rules of the agency, the nature of their superhuman powers, and their initial clashes with the ITOR Corporation.

The Fire Trilogy (Books 4–6)

The latter half of the series shifts focus to fire and psychic abilities, raising the stakes in the war against ITOR. The tension builds continuously through Sela’s mission in the jungle and culminates in a final showdown in Taken by Fire.

Frequently Asked

QWho is the author behind the Sydney Croft pseudonym?

Sydney Croft is the joint pen name of bestselling authors Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler, who combined their talents to write erotic paranormal romance.

QWhat is the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO)?

ACRO is a secret government agency that recruits individuals with superhuman abilities—such as telekinesis, storm control, and animal telepathy—to defend the nation against global threats.

QWhere should I start reading the ACRO series?

You should begin with Riding the Storm, the first novel in the series. Reading the main novels in order is highly recommended due to the continuous plot involving the ITOR Corporation.

QWhat is the relation between Code Word: Storm and Deadly Desires?

Code Word: Storm is an ACRO novella (numbered #1.5). In 2013, it was digitally packaged and released under the title Deadly Desires alongside a novella by author Shiloh Walker.

QIs the ACRO series complete?

Yes, the main conflict against the ITOR Corporation wraps up in Taken by Fire (Book 6), with the M/M/M novella Three the Hard Way serving as a final standalone addition to the universe.

QWhat is the story 'Shadow Play' and where does it fit?

'Shadow Play' is a short story published in the 2008 anthology Hot Nights, Dark Desires. It is chronologically book #2.5 and follows the medium Hex and supermodel Brenna.