The Recommended Reading Order for Savage Secrets
Written by the late bestselling author Cassie Edwards, the Savage Secrets series consists of 12 historical romance novels published between 1987 and 1995. Known for their evocative settings in the American wilderness and the passionate, often taboo romances between white pioneer women and noble Native American warriors, these books offer a classic "bodice-ripper" escapist experience.
Because every single book in the Savage Secrets lineup is a standalone romance featuring different characters and distinct tribal backdrops, there is no overarching storyline connecting them. However, reading them in publication order remains the most popular and satisfying way to experience the evolution of Edwards' writing style. Here is the recommended publication order for the 12-book series:
- Savage Surrender (1987)
- Savage Eden (1988)
- Savage Splendor (1988)
- Savage Bliss (1990)
- Savage Whispers (1991)
- Savage Persuasion (1991)
- Savage Dance (1991)
- Savage Dream (1991)
- Savage Promise (1992)
- Savage Mists (1992)
- Savage Sunrise (1993)
- Savage Pride (1995)
The 12 Savage Secrets Books in Detail
Each installment in the series transports readers to a different frontier region and introduces a new tribe. Below is a closer look at each story:
1. Savage Surrender (1987)
Set against the lush forests of early Minnesota, this debut novel follows Brenda Pfleugger, a seventeen-year-old pioneer’s daughter who suffers a tragic loss on the trail. She is rescued and taken in by Striped Eagle, a noble Ojibwa warrior. Despite the deep cultural divide and the prejudices of the era, Brenda and Striped Eagle develop a fiery, forbidden bond that must withstand external threats.
2. Savage Eden (1988)
This story moves the action to the dense wilderness of early Kentucky. The heroine, Pamela, is a young settler who finds herself irresistibly drawn to a virile Miami chief named Strong Bear. When tragedy strikes Pamela's family, suspicion falls upon Strong Bear, forcing the star-crossed lovers to fight for their survival and their love amidst escalating racial tensions.
3. Savage Splendor (1988)
Set in Minnesota in the early 1900s, this installment centers on Jeanine, a young woman fleeing the cruelty of a tyrannical uncle. Seeking refuge in the wilderness, she encounters Lone Wolf, a Chippewa chief who holds her captive. While Jeanine initially fears her captor, the two soon develop a passionate romance that is tested by Lone Wolf's own quest for vengeance against the settlers.
4. Savage Bliss (1990)
Heading to the Pacific Northwest, this book features Amelia, who falls deeply in love with Gray Wing, a magnificent Squamish chief. The two are cruelly separated by Amelia's disapproving family. However, years later, destiny brings them back together, prompting them to fight for their second chance at happiness and vow to never let anything pull them apart again.
5. Savage Whispers (1991)
This novel features Marilla, the daughter of a frontier military lieutenant, who develops a forbidden attraction to a Native American warrior named Kohanah. Kohanah is held as a prisoner in her father's fort, and as Marilla spends time near his cell, a passionate relationship ignites. The lovers are eventually torn apart by military conflict, but Marilla vows to find her way back to him.
6. Savage Persuasion (1991)
This entry centers on a young woman named Brietta who is captured by a Cherokee brave named Brave Eagle. Drawn into his territory, she is captivated by his smoldering presence. As cultural clashes and tribal tensions threaten to tear them apart, Brietta must navigate her feelings for the man who holds her destiny in his hands.
7. Savage Dance (1991)
Featuring a unique plot within the series, Savage Dance stars Kiriki, a woman of mixed-race (half-Indian) heritage. When she is chosen to be a ritual sacrifice by the Pawnee, a powerful warrior named Sun Eagle intervenes to save her from a tragic fate. Their flight from danger transforms into a deep, consuming love.
8. Savage Dream (1991)
Set in the rugged Southwest, this story features Maria, a woman forbidden by her strict father from interacting with the local Navajo. She finds her defenses crumbling when a charismatic Navajo leader named Shadow abducts her. Their mutual hostility melts into an intense chemistry against the backdrop of the desert plains.
9. Savage Promise (1992)
Taking readers to the cold wilderness of Alaska, Savage Promise follows Letitia, who is rescued from a deadly polar bear attack by Kanuga, a Tlingit warrior. Letitia falls for Kanuga, but her feelings are tested when she learns of his vow to drive all white trappers out of Alaska, placing them on opposite sides of a brewing conflict.
10. Savage Mists (1992)
In this dramatic tale, an Omaha chieftain kidnaps a beautiful, innocent woman in retaliation for the government's mistreatment of his tribe. Initially resistant to her captor, the heroine slowly begins to see the noble heart beneath his gruff exterior, leading to a passionate romance born of conflict.
11. Savage Sunrise (1993)
Set in New Orleans and the surrounding frontier, this story features Yellow Thunder, an Osage brave who travels to the city to stop a slaver from selling his people. Along the way, he crosses paths with Ashley Bradley, the stepsister of his primary enemy. A forbidden love blooms between them, forcing them to choose between family loyalties and their hearts.
12. Savage Pride (1995)
The series concludes with the story of Red Wing, a proud Choctaw warrior, and Malvina, a strong-willed, red-haired pioneer woman. Red Wing is instantly captivated by Malvina's fiery spirit, but he faces a major challenge in winning her trust and heart, leading to a passionate battle of wills.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Because the Savage Secrets books are self-contained romances with entirely different protagonists, there is no overarching continuity. You can read them in any order you choose. The publication order matches the chronological order of writing, but since the books take place in different historical settings (such as the early 1900s in Savage Splendor or the Alaskan frontier in Savage Promise), they do not form a sequential timeline. For the best experience, start with Savage Surrender to get a feel for Cassie Edwards' storytelling formula, and then read whichever tribal setting or plot summary appeals to you most.
What to Know Before You Start: Tone and Controversies
Cassie Edwards' books are highly representative of the 1980s and 1990s historical romance genre. Readers should expect melodramatic plots, intense passion, alpha male leads, and highly romanticized portrayals of Native American cultures. Edwards, who claimed Cheyenne heritage through her grandmother, sought to highlight different tribes in her work, though modern readers may find the cultural depictions dated and formulaic.
It is also important for new readers to be aware of the author's publishing history. In January 2008, the romance review blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books exposed that Edwards had lifted numerous descriptive passages from non-fiction reference works without attribution, notably in books like Shadow Bear. Following an internal review, her publisher Signet Books parted ways with her in April 2008. While this controversy marked the end of her mainstream career, her earlier books, including the Savage Secrets series, remain popular among collectors of vintage romance novels.
Practical Reader Guidance
Since the Savage Secrets series ended in 1995, many of these titles are currently out of print and unavailable in digital ebook formats. If you want to collect or read the physical paperbacks, your best bet is to look for used copies on sites like ThriftBooks or eBay, or check local secondhand bookstores and library sales. They are highly sought after by collectors of classic "bodice-ripper" romance novels.