How to Read The American Heroes Series
Kathryn Le Veque, widely known as the "Queen of Medieval Romance," stepped outside her typical historical settings to write a contemporary romantic suspense series known as The American Heroes. Published under her contemporary pen name, Kat Le Veque, these stories trade castles and broadswords for modern-day law enforcement, international espionage, Navy SEAL missions, and ancient relics.
Because the series has undergone significant rebranding over the years, finding the right reading order can sometimes confuse new readers. Most notably, the series was rebranded and reorganized as The Eagle Brotherhood, expanding the core lineup from the original five books to seven by integrating two closely related romantic suspense novels. Whether you know them by their original names or their newer "Hour" titles, they offer a thrilling escape filled with strong heroines and brooding, duty-bound heroes.
The Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, readers are generally advised to follow the Publication Order. While each novel is a standalone adventure focusing on a different couple, reading them in the order they were released allows you to experience the author's writing progression and catch any minor background details. Below is the recommended publication order featuring both their original titles and their current Eagle Brotherhood titles:
- Resurrection (Rebranded as The Unholy Hour) (2011)
- Fires of Autumn (Rebranded as The Secret Hour) (2012)
- Purgatory (Rebranded as The Devil's Hour) (2012)
- Evenshade (Rebranded as The Burning Hour) (2013)
- Sea of Dreams (Rebranded as The Sunset Hour) (2014)
The Expanded Eagle Brotherhood Additions
When the series was consolidated under the Eagle Brotherhood banner, two other standalone contemporary novels by Le Veque were added to the lineup. To read the complete seven-book universe, you should integrate these titles:
- Lady of Heaven (Rebranded as The Ancient Hour) (Originally published 2011)
- Darkling, I Listen (Rebranded as The Killing Hour) (Originally published 2012)
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
While the publication order is the most straightforward way to tackle the series, some readers prefer to follow a chronological layout. Fortunately, Kathryn Le Veque has stated that there is no strict continuity binding these novels together, meaning chronological deviations will not ruin your enjoyment of the plots. However, if you are looking to read them based on internal chronological timelines, the order shifts slightly:
- Resurrection (2011)
- Fires of Autumn (2012)
- Evenshade (2013)
- Sea of Dreams (2014)
- Purgatory (2012)
In the chronological sequence, Purgatory is placed last. This is because the story centers on Nash Aury, a police commissioner dealing with the dark legacy of his ancestor—the pirate Louis-Michel Aury. The narrative pacing and thematic elements fit well as a concluding chapter to the original five-book run. Meanwhile, the expanded books (Lady of Heaven and Darkling, I Listen) can be inserted at any point as they are entirely self-contained stories set in the United Kingdom.
Deep Dive into the Books
Resurrection / The Unholy Hour (2011)
The series begins with a high-stakes adventure reminiscent of a contemporary relic-hunting thriller. The story follows archaeologist Dr. Kathlyn Trent as she embarks on a dangerous quest for an ancient Vatican artifact. She crosses paths with Ethan Serreaux, a brilliant and protective FBI agent. Together, they must navigate global conspiracies and deadly threats while resisting their growing attraction.
Fires of Autumn / The Secret Hour (2012)
Stepping into the world of political intrigue, this novel centers on Casey Cleburne, a dedicated presidential aide who finds herself caught in a web of secrets and danger. She is forced to work closely with Secret Service agent Colt Sheridan. As they work to expose a conspiracy, the professional boundaries between them quickly dissolve in a passionate, high-stakes romance.
Purgatory / The Devil's Hour (2012)
Set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Louisiana bayous, this story blends romantic suspense with gothic elements. Elliot Jentry, a grieving romance author and mother of two, moves to Louisiana to renovate a derelict, 250-year-old plantation home named Purgatory. She crosses paths with Nash Aury, the local police commissioner and descendant of the pirate who built the estate. As Nash tries to keep his family's dark history buried, he finds himself drawn into Elliot's fight to start anew.
Evenshade / The Burning Hour (2013)
This entry introduces supernatural and paranormal undertones. Dr. Alix Hendry, a divorced mother, buys a historic home in Salem, Massachusetts, only to discover it is haunted by a dark history tied to the Salem Witch Trials. She seeks the help of Cord Trevor, a local firefighter who is also a warlock and a descendant of Abigail Williams. Together, they must break a historic curse while finding love in the process.
Sea of Dreams / The Sunset Hour (2014)
Considered one of the author's personal favorites, this military romance features a modern-day "knight." Blakesley Thorne moves to San Diego with her daughters to escape a traumatic past involving divorce and a murder investigation in Los Angeles. She meets Navy SEAL Commander Beck Seavington after he saves her daughter from a dangerous ocean current. As they heal from their respective past heartbreaks, they must also face mysteries surrounding a rumored curse on an old family homestead.
What to Know Before You Start
Do I need to read them in order?
No. Each book in the series is a complete, standalone romance with its own resolution and happily-ever-after. Crossover elements are very minor, so you can pick up any book that catches your interest without feeling lost.
The Pen Name Variant
Because Kathryn Le Veque is famous for historical medieval romance, she originally published these contemporary novels under the name Kat Le Veque to help readers distinguish between her historical and modern catalogs. Depending on which edition you purchase, you may see either name on the cover.