Where to Begin: The Recommended Reading Path
Step into the heart-pounding world of the Kings of Guardian series, where elite military alpha heroes, sizzling romance, and high-stakes suspense collide! Written by USA Today bestselling author Kris Michaels, this romantic suspense saga follows the elite operatives of Guardian Security, blending military precision with emotional depth. With exotic locales and intricate plots, it is a rollercoaster for fans of love and danger.
Because the books in the broader Guardian Security universe feature interconnected storylines, crossover characters, and an overarching narrative, reading them in order is highly recommended. The absolute best starting point for the series is the very first book, Jacob (2015). This novel sets the foundation for the entire Guardian Security team, introducing the key family dynamics, operational structures, and high-stakes style that define Michaels' work.
If you read only the core Kings of Guardian series, you can follow either the publication order or the chronological order. However, because Kris Michaels has built an extensive, connected universe, fans who want the full experience often weave in the novellas and the spin-off series, such as Guardian Security Shadow World and Guardian Defenders, to avoid missing character cameos and overlapping plotlines.
Publication Order of Kings of Guardian Books
For readers who prefer to experience the series exactly as it was released and watch the author's world-building expand naturally, the publication order is the most straightforward route. It starts in 2015 with the release of Jacob and follows the main titles as they hit the shelves:
- Jacob (2015)
- Joseph (2015)
- Jason (2016)
- Chief (2017)
- Jewell (2017)
- Jade (2017)
- Adam (2018)
- Jasmine (2018)
- Jared (2018)
- Justin (2018)
- Drake (2018)
- Dixon (2019)
- Passages (2019)
- Promises (2020)
- The Siege - Book One (2022)
- The Siege - Book Two (2022)
Chronological Reading Order
If you prefer to follow the timeline of events within the story, the chronological order shifts the placement of a few key books. Most notably, the events in Adam and Jared take place earlier in the timeline than their publication dates suggest. Here is how to read the core series chronologically:
- Jacob (2015)
- Joseph (2015)
- Adam (2018)
- Jason (2016)
- Jared (2018)
- Jasmine (2018)
- Chief (2017)
- Jewell (2017)
- Jade (2017)
- Justin (2018)
- Drake (2018)
- Dixon (2019)
- Passages (2019)
- Promises (2020)
- The Siege - Book One (2022)
- The Siege - Book Two (2022)
The Essential Novellas
In addition to the main novels, Kris Michaels has published several companion novellas that expand on the lives of the King family and the Guardian Security team. While these can technically be read as side stories, they provide valuable context and fill in character updates that fans of the series will appreciate:
- A Backwater Blessing (2015)
- Montana Guardian (2018)
- Christmas with the Kings (2021)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the world of Guardian Security, there are a few practical pointers to keep in mind. First, Kris Michaels utilizes her background as a military veteran to bring an exceptional level of realism and detail to the tactical operations and close-knit camaraderie of her operatives. This gives the books a gritty, authentic feel that balances the intense romance.
Second, while each book focuses on a primary couple and resolves their romantic arc by the final page, the underlying conflict, political intrigue, and family dynamics carry over from one book to the next. Reading them out of order is possible, but you will encounter significant spoilers regarding which characters end up together and how the overarching operations of Guardian Security evolve.
Finally, keep an eye out for the spin-offs. The *Guardian Security Shadow World* (featuring operatives like Anubis, Asp, Lycos, and Thanatos) and *Guardian Defenders* series run parallel to the main line, and the author's official master reading list integrates them directly. If you find yourself hooked after the first few books, looking up the combined master list on the author's official site will help you seamlessly navigate the entire 70+ book universe.