The Recommended Reading Order
While each book in Beverly Jenkins' acclaimed 19th-century frontier trilogy features a standalone love story, the lives of the characters are deeply intertwined. To fully appreciate the growth of the characters and the evolution of the Carmichael family, you should read the books in their official publication order:
- Forbidden (2016) – Set in Virginia City, Nevada
- Breathless (2017) – Set in Paradise, Arizona
- Tempest (2018) – Set in Paradise, Wyoming
The Carmichael Family and Crossover Connections
The trilogy centers around the Carmichael family. In Forbidden, we meet Eddy Carmichael, a determined cook trying to make her way to California who ends up stranded in Nevada. Her path crosses with Rhine Fontaine, and their journey forms the foundation of the series. By the time the second book, Breathless, begins, Eddy's nieces—Portia and Regan Carmichael—have found safety, love, and a home under the wings of Eddy and Rhine.
For fans who love a shared literary universe, the Old West series does not exist in a vacuum. Jenkins has cleverly connected this trilogy to both her older and newer works:
The Cameo That Started It All: Through the Storm
Rhine Fontaine, the wealthy saloon owner passing for white in Forbidden, actually made his very first appearance as a minor cameo character in Jenkins' 1998 historical romance Through the Storm (part of the Le Veq family saga). Readers were so fascinated by Rhine that they petitioned Jenkins for years to write his story, which ultimately led to the creation of Forbidden nearly two decades later.
Branching Out: The Women Who Dare Connection
The final book of the trilogy, Tempest, features Dr. Colton Lee. Colton has a sister named Spring Lee, a headstrong rancher who stars in her own story, Wild Rain (2021). Wild Rain is the second book in Jenkins' Women Who Dare series. Reading Tempest first provides excellent context for Wild Rain, as Colton and his wife, Regan, also appear as supporting characters in Spring's book.
Detailed Book Breakdown
1. Forbidden (2016)
Set in the Nevada territory during the late 1870s to 1880s, Forbidden follows Eddy Carmichael as she works to escape the dangers of the post-Civil War South. When she is rescued from the desert by Rhine Fontaine, the owner of Virginia City's most successful saloon, sparks fly. However, Rhine has a massive secret: he is a light-skinned Black man passing as white to navigate the racial hierarchies of business and society. Their love is passionate but dangerous, as the laws and social norms of the era forbid their union.
2. Breathless (2017)
The action shifts to the desert town of Paradise, Arizona, focusing on Eddy's fiercely independent niece, Portia Carmichael. Having established herself as a skilled hotel manager, Portia is dedicated to her career and has little time for romance. Enter Kent Randolph, a rugged drifter and family friend who has loved Portia from afar. As Kent tries to convince Portia that he is ready to settle down, Jenkins weaves in subplots about the early American West's multicultural communities and the burgeoning movement for women's suffrage.
3. Tempest (2018)
The trilogy wraps up in Paradise, Wyoming, with Portia's high-spirited sister, Regan Carmichael. Regan travels west to become a mail-order bride to Dr. Colton Lee, a widowed physician in need of a mother for his young daughter. The marriage gets off to a rocky start when Regan accidentally shoots Colton upon arrival. The resulting marriage-of-convenience is full of humor, tenderness, and strong family values, while highlighting the struggles and triumphs of Black professionals on the frontier.
What to Know Before You Start
Beverly Jenkins is renowned for her meticulous historical research, drawing on primary sources to highlight the diverse reality of the post-Civil War West. When reading the Old West trilogy, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Can they be read as standalones? Yes. Each book has a self-contained romance with a satisfying resolution. However, the background plot details and family dynamics develop sequentially, making chronological reading much more rewarding.
- Historical Context: Expect rich, educational history. Jenkins does not shy away from the harsh realities of Reconstruction-era racism, colorism, and the disenfranchisement of Black and Indigenous peoples, but she balances these struggles with joy, community, and romance.
- The Lee Family Universe: If you plan to read Wild Rain, make sure to read Tempest first. It introduces Paradise, Wyoming, and gives you a great look at Colton before you meet his sister Spring.