How to Read The Nightshade Guild
The Nightshade Guild is a unique collaborative urban fantasy and paranormal romance project launched in 2021 by Celtic Hearts Press. Spanning multiple chapters, each book in the series is penned by a different author, focusing on a unique mage and their romantic partner, while contributing to a larger overarching narrative. Because the books were released in a structured monthly sequence that corresponds directly with the in-universe timeline, the best way to experience the story is in publication order.
By reading the books in order, you can follow the continuous character development, the growing threat to the Elven Princess Ameria, and the shifting magical rules of the universe without spoiling key plot points.
The Nightshade Guild Reading Order
Here is the recommended reading path for the core books of the series, detailing how they transition from the initial protection arc into the high-stakes sequels:
Chapter One: The Elven Princess Arc
The first chapter introduces the Nightshade Guild's core mission: twelve mages must take turns guarding the orphaned Elven Princess, Ameria, from dark forces while her powers mature.
- Mated to a Mage (2021) by Cassidy K. O'Connor: Mage Isla Ryan is paired with Killian, a traumatized veteran, to protect Princess Ameria from the supernatural underworld.
- Mage You Blink (2021) by Gracen Miller: Nicoletta Dean, a fierce mage, fights off deadly assassins alongside her vampire lover.
- Mage You Look (2021) by Abigail Kade: Grumpy mage Finnegan and a delivery driver named Henry are forced to hide out in a remote mountain cabin.
- Shadow Mage (2021) by Lia Davis: Focuses on Jemma Blackwood, a half-dark fae witch confronting her history while standing guard.
- Mage Crafted (2021) by Cherron Riser: A magical crafter steps up to defend the princess while dealing with unexpected romance.
- Mage of Misfortune (2021) by Lily Winter: A story of bad luck, high stakes, and survival against mounting magical threats.
- Mage in Hell (2021) by Sheri Lyn: Takes the guardian mages into deep, dark territory as they fend off demonic adversaries.
- Sunny Mage (2021) by Renee Hewett: Offers a brighter setting but no less danger, balancing warm romance with high-octane fantasy action.
- Half-Blood Mage (2021) by Landra Graf: Explores the difficulties of mixed heritage and identity in the midst of a magical war.
- Sea Mage (2021) by Louisa Bacio: Shifts the action to aquatic realms, introducing underwater kingdoms and oceanic magic.
- You Mage Me (2021) by Jennifer Wedmore: Builds toward the climax of the first chapter as the guild's bonds are tested to their limits.
Chapter Two: Magic Undone Arc
The second chapter (often subtitled The Year the Magic Disappeared) deals with the catastrophic fallout after the guild's powers are stolen. The mages must find new ways to survive and restore their abilities.
- Mage Mishap (2022) by Lily Winter: The inciting incident of the second arc, where magical malfunctions begin to disrupt the mages' efforts.
- Magic Exposed (2022) by Lia Davis: Jemma Blackwood must tap into her dark fae heritage to save the guild after their core powers are stripped away.
- Magic Masque (2022) by Kerry Adrienne: High society, masquerades, and hidden identities clash in a world devoid of easy magic.
- Magic Malfunction (2022) by Abigail Kade: Focuses on the chaotic attempts to bypass the magical dampening affecting the guild.
- Magic Burned (2022) by Cassidy K. O'Connor: The dramatic conclusion to the magic-loss arc, setting the stage for future guild struggles.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, it is helpful to understand the structure of this shared world. The Nightshade Guild is built on a collaborative framework where each author writes a self-contained paranormal romance featuring a specific couple. However, the overarching plot—protecting Princess Ameria in Chapter One and resolving the loss of magic in Chapter Two—progresses from book to book.
While it is possible to read individual books as standalones due to their romance arcs resolving within each volume, reading them out of order will make the background plot highly confusing. We highly recommend starting with Mated to a Mage and following the publication sequence to fully appreciate the world-building and character cameos.
Chronological Caveats and Expanded Universe
Because the series was written by a large team of authors, there are occasional minor discrepancies in tone or pacing between books. However, Celtic Hearts Press coordinated the releases so that the publication order acts as the official chronological timeline. Beyond the 16 core books tracked in our database, the authors have also published a third chapter, Broken Time (or Lost in Time), which sees the mages scattered across different historical eras after the destruction of the Time Scythe. If you complete the core 16 books, Chapter Three is your next destination.