Recommended Reading Order for the Valentine Shepherd Series
For the optimal reading experience, the Valentine Shepherd series must be read in publication order. The books form a continuous, character-driven story arc that traces the evolution of Valentine’s psychic gifts and her relationship with billionaire Max Carressa. Chronological order is identical to the publication order, meaning you should start with the first novel and read straight through to the third. Jumping in out of order will result in major plot spoilers and significant confusion regarding the overarching conspiracy.
The Valentine Shepherd Books in Order
- Vengeance (September 6, 2016) – The series opener. Ex-Army sergeant turned private investigator Valentine "Val" Shepherd uses her psychic ability to glimpse the future to track down the murderers of her fiancé. Her quest leads her to Max Carressa, a billionaire heir accused of killing his father, who possesses his own future-glimpsing talent. A bonus prequel novella detailing their initial flirtatious background is included at the end of the print and digital editions.
- Retribution (February 21, 2017) – The second installment. Valentine investigates the disappearance of a young woman while coping with heartbreak and mounting threats from a shadowy group known as "Alpha," which seeks to control individuals with psychic abilities.
- Reckoning (July 6, 2017) – The final book in the trilogy. The stakes escalate to an apocalyptic level as Valentine and Max must unite their abilities to protect their family and Seattle from a devastating conspiracy.
What to Know Before You Start
Shana Figueroa's series stands out in the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres due to its gritty, noir-inspired tone and complex character dynamics. Valentine Shepherd is a deeply flawed heroine struggling with trauma and the burden of psychic visions that show her grim details of deaths she cannot always prevent. Her partner, Max Carressa, is a billionaire who has survived severe abuse and processes his own future-glimpsing gift as sequences of numbers.
Prospective readers should be aware that the series features explicit erotica, including steamy romance scenes with diverse configurations (M/F, F/F, M/M) and dark themes surrounding abuse. It is structured as a romantic suspense or paranormal noir "love story" rather than a traditional romance, meaning the narrative does not strictly adhere to typical genre expectations and delivers high-stakes drama where survival is never guaranteed.
The Seattle Backdrop and Authorship
The soggy, conspiratorial atmosphere of Seattle plays a vital role in setting the tone for Valentine's investigations. Author Shana Figueroa, a U.S. Air Force veteran with two decades of service as an aerospace engineer and commander, brings a grounded realism to Valentine's tactical thinking and ex-Army background. Figueroa, who later transitioned into professional filmmaking after earning an MFA from Emerson College, structured the trilogy to read like a fast-paced thriller, emphasizing action, psychological depth, and dark humor.