A.C. Arthur Books in Order

Where to Start Reading A.C. Arthur

With a massive catalog of contemporary romance, paranormal romantic suspense, and cozy small-town stories, A.C. Arthur has built several beloved book universes. Because her work spans multiple genres, your ideal starting point depends on what you enjoy reading most:

• For Contemporary Family Sagas: Start with Love Me Like No Other (2006). This introduces you to The Donovans, a wealthy, influential African-American family whose romantic lives and secrets span dozens of books across multiple generations.
• For Paranormal & Shifter Romance: Start with Temptation Rising (2012). This kicks off the Shadow Shifters series, which features a secret society of feline shapeshifters, high-stakes action, and intense mate bonds.
• For Heartwarming Small-Town Romance: Look up her pseudonym Lacey Baker, under which she writes cozy, feel-good romances such as the Sweetland series and Hallmark Channel novelizations like A Gingerbread Romance.

The Donovans Universe Reading Order

The crown jewel of A.C. Arthur's contemporary romance bibliography is the sprawling Donovan family saga. This world is divided into three distinct series that track the original family members, their close circles, and the next generation. For the best experience, you should read these in publication order, as characters reappear and overarching family secrets unfold over time.

1. The Donovans (Main Series)

This is the core series following the siblings and extended family of the Donovan clan. Read these in order of publication:

1. Love Me Like No Other (2006)
2. A Cinderella Affair (2007)
3. Defying Desire (2009)
4. Full House Seduction (2009)
5. Touch of Fate (2011)
6. Holiday Hearts (2011)
7. Desire a Donovan (2012)
8. Surrender to a Donovan (2012)
9. Pleasured by a Donovan (2012)
10. Heart of a Donovan (2013)
11. Embraced By A Donovan (2015)
12. Wrapped In A Donovan (2015)
13. The Donovans: Uncovered (2016)
14. In The Arms of a Donovan (2016)
15. Falling for a Donovan (2017)
16. Destiny Of A Donovan (2017)
17. A Legacy Is Born (2023)

2. The Donovan Friends

This companion series focuses on the close friends and associates of the Donovan family. While technically standalones, they are best read alongside or immediately following the main series:

1. Guarding His Body (2008)
2. Summer Heat (2010)
3. Winter Kisses (2011)
4. Under the Mistletoe (2013)
5. Always My Valentine (2015)
6. Always In My Heart (2016)
7. For Always (2018)
8. The Winter Wedding (2018)

3. Donovan Dynasty

This series acts as a next-generation spin-off, focusing on the younger generation of the family and their UK-based relatives. It should be read after completing the original Donovans books:

1. Dane (2018)
2. Roark (2020)
3. Ridge (2022)
4. Talaya (2023)
5. Suri (2023)
6. Cade (2024)

The Shadow Shifters Paranormal Universe

If you prefer paranormal romance, A.C. Arthur's feline shifter universe is highly detailed and features a rigid hierarchy, rogue factions, and destiny-driven romance. The universe is split into three parts that should be read in chronological order.

1. The Shadow Shifters (Main Series)

The main series establishes the shifter lore and the concept of "joining."

1. Temptation Rising (2012)
2. Seduction's Shift (2012)
3. Passion's Prey (2013)
4. Shifter's Claim (2014)
5. Hunger's Mate (2015)
6. Primal Heat (2015)

2. Shadow Shifters: Damaged Hearts

This spin-off trilogy focuses on emotionally wounded shifters finding their paths. It runs parallel to the later parts of the main series but is best read right after Shifter's Claim or after completing the main run.

1. Mine to Claim (2014)
2. Part of Me (2014)
3. Hunger for You (2014)

3. Shadow Shifters Rebellion

Set roughly 20 years after the events of the original books, this series takes place in a world where the existence of shifters has been revealed to humanity (an event known as "The Unveiling").

1. A Lion's Heart (2017)
2. A Cougar's Kiss (2019)

Understanding Multi-Author Collaborative Series

A.C. Arthur frequently participates in collaborative, multi-author romance series. When reading these, it is important to know that A.C. Arthur did not write all the books listed. Instead, she contributed one specific book to each project, while other romance writers penned the remaining titles. Here is how they break down:

• The Draysons: Sprinkled With Love: A.C. Arthur wrote the opening book, Decadent Dreams (2013). The remaining books in the series were written by Farrah Rochon, Yahrah St. John, Jamie Pope, and Pamela Yaye.
• Distinguished Gentlemen: A.C. Arthur contributed book 4, Lover's Bid (2019). The rest of the bachelors in the charity auction are written by authors like Suzette Riddick and Joy Avery.
• New Year Bae-Solutions: A.C. Arthur wrote Six More Minutes (2020), which is book 3 of this holiday novella series.
• Baes of Christmas: She wrote the concluding novella, One Snowy Seduction (2021).
• Baes of Juneteenth: She contributed book 8, Mr. On Your Knees (2023), as part of a series honoring Black love.
• Four20 Bae: A.C. Arthur wrote book 8, Touch of Smoke (2024), in this series centered around the cannabis industry.

Other Contemporary Series & Standalones

After Hours Books

1. Office Policy (2004)
2. Corporate Seduction (2007)
3. Laws of Attraction (2019)

The Carrington Chronicles Books

1. Wanting You (2007)
2. Needing You (2014)
3. Having You (2015)

Fabulous Golds Books

1. A Private Affair (2020)
2. At Your Service (2020)
3. The Last Affair (2021)
4. Give Me More (2021)

Legion Books (Dragon Shifters)

1. Awaken the Dragon (2019)
2. Claim the Dragon (2020)
3. Tempt the Dragon (2021)

The Royal Weddings Books

1. To Marry a Prince (2017)
2. Loving the Princess (2017)
3. Prince Ever After (2017)
4. Taming The Prince (2018)

Rules of the Game Books

1. Rules of the Game (2011)
2. Revelations (2012)
3. Redemption (2012)

The Taylors of Temptation Books

1. One Mistletoe Wish (2016)
2. One Unforgettable Kiss (2018)
3. One Perfect Moment (2018)
4. One Christmas Song (2018)
5. One Perfect Night (2022)

Braddocks: Secret Son Books

1. Her Lover's Legacy (2008)
2. Sex and the Single Braddock (2008)
3. Second Chance, Baby (2008)
4. The Object of His Protection (2008)

Love in the Limelight Books

1. Star of His Heart (2010)
2. Sing Your Pleasure (2010)
3. Seduced on the Red Carpet (2010)
4. Lovers Premiere (2010)

Wintersage Weddings Books

1. Falling into Forever (2014)
2. A Mistletoe Affair (2014)
3. Eve of Passion (2014)

Rumors Books

1. Within the Shadows / Rumors (2007)
2. Revealed (2015)

Platinum Ryders MC Books

1. Come Ride With Me (2024)

Standalone Novels

• Love Me Carefully (2006)
• Heart of the Phoenix (2007)
• Object of His Desire (2008)
• Indecent Exposure (2009)
• Unconditional (2010)
• Indecent Proposal (2011)
• Back to Love (2021)
• The After Party (2021)
• Happy Is On Hiatus (2022)
• Leave It to Us (2023)