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Immortals of New Orleans Books in Order

14 Books
2012 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

While Kym Grosso has written each installment in the Immortals of New Orleans series to feature a standalone romance with a resolved happily-ever-after (HEA), we strongly recommend reading them in publication order. The series features a rich, overarching plot involving complex supernatural politics, ancient curses, and recurring enemies. By reading in order, you will witness the evolution of the supernatural community, watch the couples from earlier books return as supporting characters, and avoid major spoilers regarding alliances, deaths, and character origins.

Here is the recommended reading path for the series, including the essential novellas that bridge major novels:

  1. Kade's Dark Embrace (2012) – Book 1. Introduces detective Sydney Willows and vampire Kade Issacson in Philadelphia before the action shifts to New Orleans.
  2. Luca's Magic Embrace (2012) – Book 2. Centers on vampire Luca Macquarie and novice witch Samantha Irving as they hunt for a powerful, mystical amulet.
  3. Tristan's Lyceum Wolves (2013) – Book 3. Introduces Alpha shifter Tristan Livingston and veterinarian Dr. Kalli Williams.
  4. Logan's Acadian Wolves (2013) – Book 4. Follows Logan Reynaud and human investigator Jessi Hancock in a story that expands on werewolf pack dynamics.
  5. Léopold's Wicked Embrace (2014) – Book 5. Focuses on vampire Léopold Devereoux and antiques dealer Laryssa Theriot.
  6. Dimitri (2014) – Book 6. Features the deadly wolf shifter Dimitri LeBlanc and paranormal researcher Jillian Milford.
  7. Lost Embrace (2015) – Book 6.5. An essential novella focusing on the rescue of a captured pack member, serving as a direct bridge to the next major novel.
  8. Jax (2015) – Book 7. Centered on vampire Jax and hybrid shifter/witch Karen Miller.
  9. Jake (2017) – Book 8. Features wolf shifter Jake and witch/shifter hybrid Coleen.
  10. Quintus (2018) – Book 9. Takes readers into the ancient history of the vampire Quintus and his fated mate, human physician Cassandra.
  11. Hunter (2019) – Book 10. Focuses on the lethal vampire Hunter and the telepathic witch, Chloe.
  12. Christmas Embrace (2020) – Book 11. A holiday novella that brings back the entire cast and offers a cozy, steamy check-in with the couples.
  13. Viktor (2021) – Book 12. Focuses on the ancient, powerful vampire Viktor and his fated bond.
  14. Julian (2024) – Book 13. Explores the story of Julian, a high-ranking vampire, and his complex romantic destiny.
  15. Rafe (2026) – Book 14. Follows the rare hybrid wolf-vampire Rafe Beaumont and human Skylar Hemlock as they confront an ancient rising evil.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

For the Immortals of New Orleans, the chronological timeline runs almost completely parallel to the publication order. The main chronological adjustments involve placing the novellas in their exact story positions rather than reading them at the end. For example, Lost Embrace takes place directly between the events of Dimitri and Jax, and contains crucial plot points regarding the safety of the Acadian and Lyceum packs. Reading it out of order will result in a confusing jump in the timeline during Jax.

Similarly, the holiday-themed novella Christmas Embrace fits best directly after Hunter, acting as a transition into the events of Viktor. Reading it earlier or later disrupts the timeline of the couples' lives. For the absolute best narrative flow, stick to the timeline order listed above, keeping Lost Embrace as Book 6.5 and Christmas Embrace as Book 10.5 or 11 depending on how retail platforms index them.

Subseries and Local Pack Divisions

As the series has expanded, distinct sub-groups and factions have emerged within Grosso's universe. Understanding these factions helps readers navigate the shifting focus of the books:

  • The Lyceum Wolves: Centered around the New Orleans wolf pack led by Tristan Livingston. These stories have a strong pack-loyalty theme and often feature the pack's nightclub, which serves as a sanctuary and operational base.
  • The Acadian Wolves: Based primarily in the bayous and surrounding areas of Louisiana, this group features shifters like Logan and Dimitri. Their stories delve deeper into regional folklore, swamp mysticism, and the unique challenges of defending their territory from rival packs and ancient vampires.
  • The Ancient Vampires: Books like Quintus, Hunter, Viktor, and Julian shift the focus from local pack politics to the global, centuries-old hierarchy of vampire rulers. These stories tend to have higher stakes, exploring ancient curses, blood bonds, and magical relics that threaten the entire supernatural ecosystem.

Spin-Offs, Crossovers, and Anthologies

Readers often wonder if Kym Grosso's other works connect directly to the Immortals of New Orleans. Grosso writes a contemporary romantic suspense series called Club Altura (beginning with Carnal Risk). While Club Altura matches the high-stakes danger and intense heat level of the Immortals books, it is set in a strictly contemporary, non-paranormal world. There are no supernatural creatures or crossovers between the two worlds.

Additionally, Grosso has written a paranormal short story titled Second Chance Hex under the series name The Witches of Willistown. While it features magic, it is set in a separate narrative universe and does not cross over with the New Orleans cast. Grosso is the sole author of the Immortals series and has not co-authored any novels in this universe, though she has contributed individual stories to various multi-author paranormal anthologies like Alphas of Danger.

What to Know Before You Start

Before stepping into Kym Grosso's New Orleans, readers should be prepared for a highly sensual experience. The series sits firmly in the erotic paranormal romance subgenre, featuring explicit, high-heat romance alongside its suspenseful action plots. The setting itself acts as a primary character—Grosso utilizes the atmospheric, voodoo-infused history of New Orleans, the French Quarter, and the Louisiana bayous to build a rich backdrop of Creole culture, jazz music, and local legends. If you enjoy authors like Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole, or J.R. Ward, this series will be right up your alley.

Frequently Asked

QCan the Immortals of New Orleans books be read as standalones?

Yes. Each book features a complete romance with a Happily Ever After (HEA). However, because there is an overarching suspense plot, recurring villains, and character growth across the series, reading them in order is highly recommended.

QWhere is the best place to start reading the series?

The absolute best starting point is Kade's Dark Embrace (Book 1). Starting here introduces you to the core world-building, the vampire hierarchy, and the main characters who recur throughout the rest of the series.

QAre the novellas like Lost Embrace required reading?

While you can skip them, it is not recommended. Lost Embrace (Book 6.5) bridges the events of Dimitri and Jax, resolving a critical kidnapping subplot that impacts both the werewolf packs and vampire factions.

QAre there any crossovers with Kym Grosso's Club Altura series?

No. Club Altura is a contemporary romantic suspense series with no paranormal elements. It is set in a completely separate universe from the Immortals of New Orleans.

QWhat types of supernatural creatures appear in the series?

The series features a diverse cast of supernatural beings, including vampires, werewolves (shifters), witches, and rare entities like hybrids and naiads.