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Copper Lake Books in Order

12 Books
2007 – 2014 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Copper Lake Series

Marilyn Pappano's Copper Lake series is a collection of interconnected romantic suspense novels published by Harlequin. While each book features a standalone romance with its own main couple, the stories share a persistent setting and recurring characters—especially members of the law-enforcing Calloway family.

Because characters reappear, minor subplots carry over, and the town's dynamics shift over time, we highly recommend reading the series in publication order. This ensures you do not encounter spoilers for previous couples' relationships or resolved mysteries.

Copper Lake Books in Publication Order

Here is the complete order of the books as they were published, including the rare online-only tie-in:

  1. One Stormy Night (2007)
  2. Forbidden Stranger (2007)
  3. Intimate Enemy (2008)
  4. Scandal in Copper Lake (2009)
  5. Passion to Die For (2009)
  6. Criminal Deception (2009)
  7. Protector's Temptation (2010)
  8. Hostage in Copper Lake (2010) – A free online serial read published by Harlequin.
  9. Copper Lake Secrets (2011)
  10. In the Enemy's Arms (2012)
  11. Copper Lake Confidential (2013)
  12. Copper Lake Encounter (2013)
  13. Undercover in Copper Lake (2014)

Understanding the Connections and Calloway Brothers

The beating heart of the series is the fictional town of Copper Lake, Georgia, located between Atlanta and Augusta. The Calloway brothers (including Rick and Robbie Calloway) serve as recurring pillars of the community, often working as attorneys, deputies, or local business owners who get drawn into dangerous investigations alongside the town's strong-willed heroines. While you can pick up any individual title and enjoy the romance, starting with One Stormy Night gives you the best foundation for the town's geography and key families.

Frequently Asked

QWhere is the best place to start reading the Copper Lake series?

You should start with the first novel, One Stormy Night (2007). It establishes the setting of Copper Lake and introduces the community dynamics that persist throughout the rest of the series.

QCan the Copper Lake books be read as standalones?

Yes. Every book has a self-contained romance with a definitive happy ending. However, because recurring characters like the Calloway brothers populate the background of each story, reading them in order provides a richer experience.

QWho are the main recurring characters in the Copper Lake series?

The series frequently revolves around the Calloway family, particularly the Calloway brothers (such as Rick and Robbie Calloway), who often work in law enforcement, legal, or investigative capacities in the town.

QWhat is 'Hostage in Copper Lake' and is it necessary to read?

Hostage in Copper Lake is a free online short story serial released by Harlequin in October 2010. It is a fun extra featuring Libby Maxwell and her former fiancé during a bank robbery, but it is not strictly necessary to understand the main novels.

QIs the Copper Lake series finished?

The last published book in the series was Undercover in Copper Lake in 2014. No new titles have been announced since, suggesting the series is currently complete at 12 novels and one online serial.

QWho published the Copper Lake series?

The entire series was published under the Harlequin Romantic Suspense line (formerly Harlequin Intrigue / Silhouette Romantic Suspense depending on printings).