The Recommended Reading Order
To experience the Wyoming Western series at its best, we highly recommend reading the books in their original publication order. While each novel focuses on a distinct romantic couple and can technically be enjoyed as a standalone, a significant familial connection ties the first two books together, making sequential reading far more rewarding.
- Brave the Wild Wind (1984) – Featuring Jessie Blair and Chase Summers. Set in the Wyoming Territory in 1876.
- Savage Thunder (1989) – Featuring Jocelyn Fleming and Colt Thunder. Set in the 1880s, primarily during a journey through the Arizona Territory.
- Angel (1992) – Featuring Cassie Stuart and the gunslinger known as Angel. Set on a ranch in Texas during a long-standing family feud.
Understanding the Timeline and Settings
Although widely known as the "Wyoming" series, the trilogy actually covers a broad expanse of the 19th-century American West, moving from the windswept northern plains down to the arid deserts of the Southwest and the dusty ranches of Texas.
Brave the Wild Wind (1984)
The series kicks off in 1876 in the Wyoming Territory. Jessie Blair is a fiercely independent young woman who has been raised to run her family's ranch like a tomboy. When she finds herself in a passionate clash with Chase Summers, a rugged Westerner and drifter, their fiery chemistry unfolds against a backdrop of land disputes, family pride, and frontier hardships.
Savage Thunder (1989)
Set a few years later in the 1880s, the second book shifts its focus to Colt Thunder, who is established as the half-Cheyenne half-brother of the first book's heroine, Jessie Blair. Colt is a lone scout and bounty hunter who is hired to guide Jocelyn Fleming, a wealthy young English duchess traveling across the American West. The setting shifts heavily toward the Arizona Territory, where the characters must navigate cultural boundaries, dangerous terrain, and intense personal attraction.
Angel (1992)
The final book in the trilogy takes place on a Texas ranch. Cassie Stuart is a well-meaning but meddlesome heroine who is determined to resolve a decades-long feud between two neighboring families. To protect herself and her property, she hires a notorious, lethal gunslinger known simply as "Angel" (Angel O'Roarke). While Cassie hopes he will act as a buffer, the explosive tension between them soon rivals the danger of the ongoing family war.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the Wyoming Western series, there are a few important details to keep in mind regarding Johanna Lindsey's style, the era in which the books were written, and how they fit into her larger bibliography:
- Standalone Appeal: Each book wraps up its central romance completely. If you only want to read one of the books, you will not be left with a cliffhanger. However, reading Brave the Wild Wind before Savage Thunder provides helpful context regarding Colt Thunder’s family background.
- Historical Context and Sensitivities: Published between 1984 and 1992, the books reflect the romance tropes of their time. Modern readers should note that the series, particularly Savage Thunder, has drawn criticism for its portrayal of Native American culture and its handling of sensitive topics typical of vintage historical romance.
- Separation from Other Series: The Wyoming Western books are completely self-contained. They do not cross over with Johanna Lindsey’s famous Regency-era Malory-Anderson Family Saga or her medieval-themed Sherring Cross books.
- Publication Year Discrepancy: While some online databases list Brave the Wild Wind as being published in 1980, official publisher catalogs and copyright records verify its original publication year as 1984.