Welcome to Surrender, Montana
If you love rugged heroes, steamy romance, small-town family loyalty, and a strong dose of romantic suspense, Liliana Hart's MacKenzie Family series is the perfect escape. Set in the fictional, picturesque town of Surrender, Montana, this expansive series follows the tight-knit MacKenzie clan and their security associates as they navigate dangerous secrets, second chances, and passionate love affairs.
The Recommended Reading Order
To fully appreciate the character arcs and overlapping timelines, it is highly recommended to read the series in publication order. The series evolved from contemporary small-town romance into intense romantic suspense, splitting into the core MacKenzie Family series, the MacKenzie Security spinoffs, and collaborative releases in the World of MacKenzie Family. Here is the primary roadmap to reading the books in order:
- Dane (2011)
- Thomas (2011)
- Riley (2011)
- Cooper (2011)
- Captured in Surrender (2014)
- The Promise of Surrender (2015)
- Trouble Maker (2016)
- Delta (2016)
- Deep Trouble (2016)
- Desire & Ice (2016)
- Rush (2016)
- Bullet Proof (2016)
- Sweet Surrender (2016)
- Spies & Stilettos / Need (2017)
- Avenged (2017)
- Never Surrender (2017)
- HOT Witness (2017)
- Wicked Hot (2017)
- Dawn of Surrender (2017)
The Core MacKenzie Family Series
The series began in 2011 with the release of Dane, introducing readers to the MacKenzie siblings. In this opening novel, bad boy Dane MacKenzie returns to Surrender, Montana, after ten years away. He is determined to win back Charlotte Munroe, the woman he left behind, but he discovers they share a secret son, raising the emotional stakes. Hart followed this with Thomas, focusing on a doctor who saves a cat burglar named Cat Randolph, building a slow-burn romance centered on trust. In Riley, the action shifts to an artifact expert stranded in a snowstorm with Maggie Lawrence, combining survival suspense with instant passion. Finally, Cooper follows the local Sheriff Cooper MacKenzie as he goes undercover at a BDSM club, where his duty and desires clash.
These initial books established the hallmarks of the series: high steam levels, protective alpha heroes, independent heroines, and strong family dynamics. They can be read as standalones, but the constant cameos from other family members make reading them in sequence much more satisfying.
The Spinoff: MacKenzie Security
As the series progressed, Liliana Hart shifted focus toward a security firm run by the family. This spinoff, beginning with Cade (2013), features more complex suspense plots, espionage, and undercover operations. The tone is slightly darker than the early Montana books, blending high-stakes action with intense romance. Key titles in this branch include Shadows and Silk, Secrets and Satin, Sins and Scarlet Lace, Sizzle, Crave, and Scorch. It culminates with Spies & Stilettos (originally titled Need), centering on Declan MacKenzie and FBI Agent Sophia Patterson.
Expanding the World: Collaborative Novellas
In 2016 and 2017, Liliana Hart opened her fictional universe to guest authors under the 'World of MacKenzie Family' banner (often tied to the 1001 Dark Nights project). This allowed other prominent romance authors to write stories set in Surrender, Montana, featuring members of the MacKenzie Security team or original characters interacting with the family. Notable collaborative works include:
- Desire & Ice by Christopher Rice: A thrilling romance set against the freezing Montana winter.
- Bullet Proof by Avery Flynn: A fast-paced, high-stakes romantic suspense.
- Deep Trouble by Kimberly Kincaid: Blending medical drama and romantic tension.
- Delta (often published as Delta: Rescue) by Cristin Harber: Bringing military romance elements into the MacKenzie world.
- Avenged by Jay Crownover: A gritty, emotional story of second chances.
- Never Surrender by Kaylea Cross: A military-themed romantic suspense with high tension.
- HOT Witness by Lynn Raye Harris and Wicked Hot by Gennita Low: Quick, steamy reads focusing on dangerous situations and sudden attraction.
These stories can be enjoyed as optional side-reads. While they enrich the background of Surrender, Montana, they are not strictly mandatory to follow the main storylines of the primary MacKenzie siblings.
What to Know Before You Start
Liliana Hart's style blends contemporary small-town romance with high-octane suspense and explicit erotica. The heat level is very high, particularly in novels like Cooper. If you prefer sweet or clean romance, the MacKenzies might be a bit too intense. However, if you enjoy protective alpha heroes, capable heroines, and stories where family loyalty is paramount, you will feel right at home. Keep in mind that there is another famous romance series named the 'MacKenzie Family' by author Linda Howard, so make sure you search for Liliana Hart's books when building your reading list.