Books On Board
series Reading Order

Cordina’s Royal Family Books in Order

4 Books
1986 – 1992 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

How to Read Cordina’s Royal Family: The Recommended Order

If you want to experience the Bisset family's adventures as Nora Roberts intended, the recommended reading path is simple: follow the publication order. Because characters from previous books pop up in subsequent stories, reading them in order lets you watch the family grow and see how past events ripple through the palace corridors.

  1. Affaire Royale (1986) – Focuses on Princess Gabriella Bisset and her bodyguard Reeve MacGee.
  2. Command Performance (1987) – Focuses on Crown Prince Alexander Bisset and theater director Eve Hamilton.
  3. The Playboy Prince (1987) – Focuses on Prince Bennett Bisset and Lady Hannah Rothchild. (Also published as Starlit Winter Nights)
  4. Cordina's Crown Jewel (2002) – Focuses on Prince Alexander's daughter, Princess Camilla Bisset.

Publication History & Timeline Caveats

While the chronological order matches the publication order, readers should be aware of a couple of key details:

  • The 15-Year Gap: The first three books were published in quick succession between 1986 and 1987. Roberts did not return to Cordina until 2002 with Cordina’s Crown Jewel, which shifts focus to the next generation (Alexander's daughter, Princess Camilla).
  • Anthologies and Reissues: Since the books are relatively short category romances, they are frequently repackaged into two-in-one omnibus collections (such as A Royal Affair or simply Cordina's Royal Family). Keep this in mind when shopping so you don't buy duplicate copies.

Fascinating Crossovers & Nora Roberts Universe Connections

Nora Roberts is famous for weaving subtle threads between her different books. If you are a completionist, look out for these fun cameos and connections:

  • The O'Hurleys Connection: Chantal O'Hurley, the famous actress from Roberts' beloved O'Hurleys series, makes a brief cameo appearance in The Playboy Prince as a friend of Prince Bennett.
  • Unfinished Business: Princess Gabriella (the heroine of Affaire Royale) makes a guest appearance in Roberts' contemporary novel Unfinished Business.
  • The MacGregor Confusion: Because Princess Gabriella’s bodyguard is named Reeve MacGee, many fans mistake him for a member of Roberts' famous MacGregor clan. While the names are similar, they are separate families.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended reading order for Cordina’s Royal Family?

We recommend reading the series in publication order: Affaire Royale, Command Performance, The Playboy Prince, and finally Cordina's Crown Jewel.

QIs Cordina’s Crown Jewel set in the same generation as the first three books?

No, Cordina's Crown Jewel jumps forward in time to follow Princess Camilla Bisset, who is the daughter of Crown Prince Alexander from the second book, Command Performance.

QAre there any cross-series character connections?

Yes. Chantal O'Hurley (from The O'Hurleys series) makes a cameo in The Playboy Prince, and Princess Gabriella appears in the contemporary romance Unfinished Business.

QIs the bodyguard Reeve MacGee related to the MacGregor family?

Despite the similarity in names, Reeve MacGee is not part of the MacGregor family saga, though the confusion is common among readers of Nora Roberts.

QCan I read these books as standalones?

While each book features a self-contained romance, they are best enjoyed in order due to recurring characters and ongoing family storylines.

QWhat is the alternate title for The Playboy Prince?

The third book, The Playboy Prince, has also been published under the title Starlit Winter Nights.