Books On Board

Women Who Won the West Books in Order

  • 8 Books
  • 1982 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Reading Order

Published entirely in 1982, the Women Who Won the West series consists of eight historical Western novels. Because each book is a standalone story featuring a different heroine in a distinct frontier town, there is no strict narrative continuity connecting the volumes. You can read them in any order without worrying about spoiling major plot threads. However, reading them in publication order remains the most popular and satisfying path for most readers.

Publication Order of the Series

  1. Tempest of Tombstone (1982) – Written by Richard Laymon. Set in the volatile atmosphere of Tombstone, Arizona, following a saloon keeper caught in the conflict leading to the O.K. Corral.
  2. Dodge City Darling (1982) – A story of a resourceful woman transforming a rugged Kansas outpost.
  3. Duchess of Denver (1982) – Follows a determined heiress battling greed and betrayal in Colorado.
  4. Lost Lady of Laramie (1982) – Written by Robert Vaughan. Focuses on survival and resilience in Wyoming.
  5. Flame of Virginia City (1982) – Centers on a fiery journalist exposing corruption in a Nevada mining town.
  6. Angel of Hangtown (1982) – Tells the story of a brave woman carving a life in a California gold rush town.
  7. Belle of Fort Smith (1982) – Set on the border of the Indian Territory in Arkansas.
  8. Princess of Powder River (1982) – The concluding volume set in the ranching country of Wyoming.

What to Know Before You Start

The series was released by Dell Publishing and packaged by the Stratemeyer Syndicate (famed creators of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys). Rather than being written by a single author, the books were penned by a rotating group of authors using the house pseudonym Lee Davis Willoughby. Notable contributors to the series include renowned horror novelist Richard Laymon (who penned the first book) and prolific Western and historical novelist Robert Vaughan (who authored the fourth book), alongside other syndicate regulars like William L. DeAndrea and Richard Deming.

By shifting the lens of the traditional Western away from typical male outlaws and lawmen, this series highlights the agency, grit, and business savvy of pioneer women. Whether they are running businesses, fighting for family legacies, or reporting the news, these heroines redefine the classic Western narrative.

Practical Reader Advice

If you are looking for the absolute best starting point, we recommend beginning with Tempest of Tombstone. Written by Richard Laymon, it is widely considered the strongest entry in the series and showcases the formula at its finest. From there, feel free to hop to whatever location or premise appeals to you most, whether that is the high-stakes mining boom of Virginia City or the gold rush chaos of Hangtown.

Frequently Asked

Can the books in this series be read as standalones?

Yes, all eight books in the series are completely standalone novels with their own self-contained plots and characters, meaning you can read them in any order.

Who actually wrote the Women Who Won the West books?

The books were written by a team of authors under the shared house pseudonym Lee Davis Willoughby. Known authors include Richard Laymon (who wrote the first book) and Robert Vaughan (who wrote the fourth book).

When were these books published?

All eight novels in the series were published in quick succession during the year 1982.

Which book is the best starting point for new readers?

We recommend starting with the first book, Tempest of Tombstone, which sets the tone perfectly and was written by horror icon Richard Laymon early in his writing career.

Are these books still in print?

No, these books are currently out of print, but they can be easily found via online secondhand retailers, libraries, and book-trading platforms.