De Lohr Dynasty Books in Order

The De Lohr Dynasty: Medieval Romance at Its Finest

For lovers of medieval historical romance, Kathryn Le Veque's De Lohr Dynasty stands as a towering achievement. Spanning generations of the powerful, fictional de Lohr family—descended from the Earls of East Anglia—this series blends meticulous historical research with emotionally intense romance. From the battlefields of the Crusades to the courtly intrigues of King John, the de Lohr family is constantly at the center of England's historical turning points. However, with books published out of chronological sequence and characters crossing over into spin-off series, figuring out how to approach this epic family saga can be daunting. This guide outlines the best reading paths so you can fully appreciate their legacy.

Where to Start: The Two Best Reading Paths

Because Kathryn Le Veque designs her historical romances to be read as standalones, there is no single mandatory path. However, most fans choose one of two distinct routes depending on what kind of reading experience they prefer:

• The Chronological Route (Highly Recommended): Starting with While Angels Slept allows you to follow the de Lohr family tree linearly from the very beginning. You will witness the rise of the dynasty during the Anarchy and trace the family line down through generations. This is the most rewarding path for readers who enjoy seeing family trees grow and watching children inherit the legendary names and traits of their ancestors.
• The Publication Route: Starting with Spectre of the Sword lets you experience the series exactly as the author wrote it, beginning in 2008. While you will jump around the timeline, this is how original fans fell in love with the series, gradually discovering the family's origins in later prequels.
• The Flagship Entry: If you want to sample the very best the series has to offer before committing, start with Rise of the Defender. This book introduces Sir Christopher de Lohr, Richard the Lionheart's champion. Christopher is the ultimate hero of the franchise and serves as the benchmark for every de Lohr knight who follows.

Chronological Reading Order

Here is the chronological order of the De Lohr Dynasty books based on internal timelines and historical settings. Reading the series in this order provides the smoothest linear progression of the family history:

1. While Angels Slept (Set in 1139 A.D.): The historical starting point of the dynasty, set during the English civil war known as the Anarchy. It tells the story of Lady Cantia du Bexley Penden finding love and safety amidst the chaos of a divided England.
2. Rise of the Defender (Set in 1192 A.D.): The iconic heart of the series. This novel follows Sir Christopher de Lohr, champion of King Richard the Lionheart, as he fights enemies from the Crusades in the Levant back to the borders of London, all while forging a legendary love.
3. Steelheart (Set in 1192 A.D.): Set concurrently with Rise of the Defender, this book shifts focus to Christopher's fiery brother, David de Lohr, whose intense passions and political entanglements showcase a different side of the family's strength.
4. Spectre of the Sword (Set in 1203 A.D.): Originally published first in 2008, this story jumps forward to the reign of King John, following the next generation of the de Lohr family through political intrigue and forbidden passions.
5. Archangel (Set in 1204 A.D.): Set during the height of medieval conflict in the early 13th century, this book continues the family's saga of loyalty, chivalry, and intense romantic devotion.
6. Unending Love (Set in 1234 A.D.): Spanning a generation later, this installment tracks the family's survival and romantic journeys through the mid-13th century.
7. Shadowmoor (Set in 1236 A.D.): Set during the turbulent early reign of Henry III, this novel combines dark medieval mysteries with the passionate romance of the de Lohr descendants.
8. Silversword (Set in 1266 A.D.): Diving deep into the Barons' War, this book follows Chad de Lohr as he balances family loyalty, the rebellion of Simon de Montfort, and a love that challenges his duty.
9. A Blessed de Lohr Christmas: A heartwarming holiday novella that brings the family together, offering readers a festive look at the domestic lives of their favorite medieval knights.
10. The Earl in Winter: A winter-themed novella that continues the romantic adventures of the de Lohrs, focusing on the cold winter season in medieval England.
11. Lion of Twilight (Sons of de Lohr Book 1): This book begins the Sons of de Lohr subseries, focusing on the sons of Christopher de Lohr. We follow Richard "Roi" de Lohr as he navigates a marriage of convenience that blossoms into a passionate romance.
12. Lion of War (Sons of de Lohr Book 2): Continuing the stories of Christopher's sons, this action-packed historical romance explores the trials of love on the medieval battlefield.
13. Lion of Hearts (Sons of de Lohr Book 3): Another thrilling installment in the subseries, showing that the next generation of de Lohr men are just as fierce in battle and vulnerable in love as their fathers.
14. Lion of Steel (Sons of de Lohr Book 4): A gripping romance that balances intense political danger with the deep, passionate bonding typical of the de Lohr legacy.

Publication Reading Order

If you prefer to read the books in the order they were written and released to the public, follow this sequence. This path reveals how the author expanded the world over time, creating prequels and sequels to fill in the gaps of the de Lohr family history:

1. Spectre of the Sword (2008)
2. Archangel (2011)
3. While Angels Slept (2012)
4. Unending Love (2013)
5. Rise of the Defender (2013)
6. Steelheart (2016)
7. Shadowmoor (2016)
8. Silversword (2016)
9. A Blessed de Lohr Christmas (2020)
10. The Earl in Winter (2020)
11. Lion of Twilight (2023)
12. Lion of War (2023)
13. Lion of Hearts (2024)
14. Lion of Steel (2024)

The Sons of de Lohr Subseries and Spinoffs

As the original series drew to a close with the 2020 novellas, fans clamored for more of the de Lohr legacy. Kathryn Le Veque responded by launching the Sons of de Lohr subseries, starting in 2023 with Lion of Twilight. These books follow the direct descendants—specifically the sons—of Sir Christopher de Lohr. The subseries maintains the exact same blend of high-stakes historical action and sweeping romance, ensuring that the de Lohr name lives on through new heroes like Roi de Lohr.

Connecting to the Larger Le Veque Universe

One of the most exciting aspects of reading Kathryn Le Veque's novels is discovering her interconnected universe. The de Lohrs do not exist in a vacuum; they frequently interact with other major families in Le Veque's catalog. The most notable connections are with the de Wolfe Pack series and the Executioner Knights series. Characters from these series regularly cross paths at royal tournaments, fight side-by-side in wars, and form strategic political alliances. Reading the de Lohr books will give you a deeper appreciation for the cameos and family alliances that crop up throughout Le Veque's wider medieval library.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the de Lohr dynasty, here are a few practical tips to keep in mind. First, don't worry too much about strict continuity. While the family connections are satisfying, each novel functions perfectly as a standalone romance with a resolved happily-ever-after. Second, expect a high level of historical detail. Le Veque does not shy away from the harsh realities of medieval warfare, political betrayal, and religious conflict, giving her romances a grounded, gritty atmosphere. Finally, look out for the holiday novellas like A Blessed de Lohr Christmas, which are best read after you have built an emotional attachment to the main characters in the earlier novels.