Ali Vali Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Ali Vali

For most readers, the undisputed starting point for Ali Vali’s bibliography is the Cain Casey (Devil) Series. This series is her most popular and defining work, blending high-stakes crime family drama with intense romantic suspense in the heart of New Orleans. If you want to experience Vali’s writing at its most gripping and signature level, start with The Devil Inside.

However, if you prefer standalone romance over serialized crime syndicates, Vali has written several highly praised standalone novels. A great starting point there is Love Match or Calling the Dead (which later spawned a sequel), both of which were Lambda Literary Award finalists and highlight her ability to write deep, emotional connections without requiring a multi-book commitment.

Cain Casey / Devil Series Reading Order

The Cain Casey series follows the life of Derby Cain Casey, a powerful and protective New Orleans crime boss, and her romance with Emma Verde. The books in this series form a continuous, highly serialized story where the characters grow, family ties shift, and ongoing criminal investigations unfold. Reading them out of order is not recommended because you will miss critical character development and plot progression.

When it comes to reading order, readers have two options: Publication Order or Chronological Order. The main difference involves the prequel, Heart of the Devil (published in 2018, but set before the events of the first book), and the novella Hell Fire (which introduces Riley Abbott and Dr. Abigail Eaton before they cross paths with the Caseys).

Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended for First-Time Readers)

First-time readers should follow the publication order. Reading the prequel Heart of the Devil later in the series adds valuable context and backstory to the Casey family's history after you have already grown attached to the characters in the main storyline.

1. The Devil Inside (2006)
2. The Devil Unleashed (2006)
3. Deal with the Devil (2008)
4. The Devil Be Damned (2010)
5. The Devil's Orchard (2013)
6. The Devil's Due (2017)
7. Heart of the Devil (2018) – Prequel Novel
8. Hell Fire (2018) – Novella (originally featured in the Girls with Guns anthology)
9. The Devil Incarnate (2021)
10. The Devil You Know (2024)

Option 2: Chronological Reading Order

If you want to read the events in the exact order they occur in the timeline, place the prequel first, and insert the novella Hell Fire right after The Devil's Orchard to bridge the gap into The Devil's Due and the later entries.

1. Heart of the Devil (2018) – Chronological prequel detailing the Casey family background.
2. The Devil Inside (2006)
3. The Devil Unleashed (2006)
4. Deal with the Devil (2008)
5. The Devil Be Damned (2010)
6. The Devil's Orchard (2013)
7. Hell Fire (2018) – A side story that introduces characters who become vital to the main plot later.
8. The Devil's Due (2017)
9. The Devil Incarnate (2021)
10. The Devil You Know (2024)

Sept Savoie & Keegan Blanchard Series

This duology offers a mix of paranormal intrigue, mystery, and romance, set against the atmospheric backdrop of post-Katrina New Orleans. Unlike the sprawling mob wars of the Cain Casey series, this focuses on Sept Savoie, a woman who can communicate with the dead, and Keegan Blanchard, a skeptic. They must be read in order.

• Calling the Dead (2008)
• Answering the Call (2018)

Blue Skies Series

If you enjoy military romance, pilot dynamics, and high-flying drama, this two-part series follows the relationship between Commander Berkley Levine and Captain Aidan Sullivan. There is a ten-year publishing gap between the two books, but the story follows them consecutively.

• Blue Skies (2009)
• Stormy Seas (2019)

Genesis Clan Series

For readers who enjoy a supernatural twist mixed with action and romance, the Genesis Clan series ventures into speculative fiction. It centers on forces, family bloodlines, and paranormal abilities.

• Balance of Forces (2011)
• Battle of Forces (2013)
• Force of Fire (2018)

Ali Vali’s Standalone Novels

If you are looking for standalone contemporary romances that can be read in any order, Vali has a large library of individual releases. These books range from executive-employee romances to ranch-themed dramas and second-chance love stories.

• Carly's Sound (2006)
• Second Season (2007)
• Love Match (2012) – Lambda Literary Award Finalist
• The Dragon Tree Legacy (2012)
• The Romance Vote (2014)
• Beneath the Waves (2016)
• Beauty and the Boss (2017)
• The Inheritance (2020)
• Face the Music (2020)
• One More Chance (2020)
• A Woman to Treasure (2021)
• Calumet (2021)
• Turbulent Waves (2021)
• Writer's Block (2022)
• A Good Chance (2022)
• Never Kiss a Cowgirl (2023)
• Rivals for Love (2023)

What to Know Before You Start

Ali Vali’s stories are deeply influenced by her own life experiences. Born in Cuba and having lived in Louisiana for decades, she frequently injects the culture, traditions, and language of both locations into her novels. The sultry, atmospheric streets of New Orleans are almost a character themselves in the Cain Casey series and the Sept Savoie books.

Additionally, because of the crime syndicate themes in the Cain Casey books, be prepared for morally gray characters, high-intensity action, and themes of intense family loyalty. While romance is a key element, the overarching plot features significant mystery and thriller aspects that are uncommon in standard contemporary lesbian romance.