The Recommended Reading Order
Shirlee McCoy’s Heroes for Hire series is a collection of nine thrilling novels that blend high-stakes suspense, clean romance, and deep-seated faith. While each book can be read as a standalone story featuring a unique couple and a self-contained mystery, they exist in a shared universe with recurring characters, families, and organizations. To fully appreciate the character arcs and background connections, we highly recommend reading the series in publication order.
Heroes for Hire in Publication Order
- Running for Cover (2010): The series begins with Morgan Alexandria, who is forced to flee her dangerous past after her ex-husband's shady dealings put a target on her back. When she lands in Virginia, private investigator Jackson Sharo becomes her protector. As they work to evade relentless threats, they find themselves fighting a growing attraction.
- Running Scared (2010): Teacher Maggie Tennyson finds herself in the crosshairs when she helps reunite a young boy with his father, Kane Dougherty. Maggie's own dark past catches up with her, and Kane must step up to protect the woman who saved his son. This book introduces the Dougherty family, establishing key dynamics that carry over into subsequent stories.
- Running Blind (2010): Leukemia survivor Jenna Dougherty—Kane's sister from the second book—is on a mission trip in Mexico when she is targeted by kidnappers. Her rescuer, Nikolai, is a rugged protector who vows to keep her safe. The high stakes and emotional depth make this a fan-favorite entry in the series.
- Lone Defender (2011): Former NYPD officer turned private investigator Skylar Grady travels to Cave Creek, Arizona, on a routine skip-tracing assignment that quickly turns deadly. After being left for dead in the desert, she is rescued by Jonas Sampson, a former patrol agent fighting his own inner demons. Together, they must solve the mystery behind the target she was tracking.
- Private Eye Protector (2011): Rayne Sampson—Jonas's sister from the fourth book—is a single mother suffering from amnesia after a traumatic accident. Haunted by fractured memories of a dangerous stalker, she turns to Chance Richardson, a private investigator and former army chaplain, for protection.
- Undercover Bodyguard (2012): Bakery owner Shelby Simons finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, attracting a dangerous stalker in Spokane, Washington. Former Navy SEAL Ryder Malone is determined to keep her safe, going undercover to guard her bakery and identify her stalker, even as Shelby tries to guard her own heart.
- Navy SEAL Rescuer (2012): Catherine Miller seeks peace in an isolated farmhouse after serving four years for a crime she didn't commit. When a predator begins targeting her, her neighbor Darius Osborne—a former Navy SEAL and security expert—intervenes to shield her from the escalating danger.
- Fugitive (2013): Widow Laney Jefferson returns to her hometown to sell her late husband's cabin. During a severe snowstorm, she is shocked when Logan Randal, a wrongfully convicted deputy sheriff on the run, shows up at her door. Remembering how he helped her years ago, Laney risks everything to help him clear his name.
- Defender for Hire (2013): The final book in the series follows physical therapist Tessa Camry, who has been hunted by a mysterious stalker for five years. Bodyguard Seth Sinclair steps in to help her stop running and finally face her past, leading to a high-octane climax.
What to Know Before You Start
Shirlee McCoy is a bestselling author known for her contributions to Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. This imprint is famous for clean, faith-based romantic suspense novels that deliver quick, intense reads without graphic violence or explicit content. Each book in the Heroes for Hire series is roughly 220 pages long, making them perfect for quick weekend reads.
Readers should expect high-stakes situations—such as stalkers, kidnapping rings, and corrupt law enforcement—balanced by themes of redemption, second chances, and reliance on God. The characters are typically strong-willed individuals who have endured past trauma and must learn to trust both a romantic partner and their faith to survive.
Hidden Connections and Crossovers
Although the novels feature different couples, McCoy weaves threads between them. Sibling relationships form the strongest links in the early half of the series: Kane Dougherty’s sister Jenna is the protagonist of Book 3 (Running Blind), and Jonas Sampson’s sister Rayne takes center stage in Book 5 (Private Eye Protector).
The final book, Defender for Hire, offers an exciting crossover connection for longtime fans. The hero, Seth Sinclair, is actually the fourth brother from Shirlee McCoy's popular Sinclair Brothers trilogy (consisting of The Guardian's Mission, The Protector's Promise, and The Defender's Duty). McCoy has noted that she left Seth overseas during the original trilogy, saving his romance and homecoming to wrap up the Heroes for Hire series.
What to Read Next
If you've finished the Heroes for Hire series and want to stay in a similar world of fast-paced romantic suspense, here are your best next steps:
- The Sinclair Brothers Trilogy: Start with The Guardian's Mission to see the origins of Seth Sinclair's family and enjoy the same signature blend of action and faith.
- Mission: Rescue Series: This eight-book series by Shirlee McCoy also features security specialists, former military personnel, and high-intensity protection details, offering a similar vibe and tone.
- Multi-Author Continuity Series: McCoy frequently contributes to multi-author series for Harlequin. Check out Texas Ranger Justice, where she wrote the action-packed final book, Out of Time.