Where to Start Reading Angela Elwell Hunt
Given the sheer size of Angela Elwell Hunt's bibliography, choosing a starting point can be daunting. Her books span multiple genres, meaning the best place to begin depends entirely on your reading preferences:
- For fans of Biblical & Historical Fiction: Begin with Esther: Royal Beauty, the first book in the Dangerous Beauty trilogy. It showcases her signature blend of meticulous historical research and deep emotional reimagining of biblical women. Alternatively, you can start with Egypt's Sister, which kicks off her acclaimed The Silent Years series, covering the historical period between the Old and New Testaments.
- For fans of Contemporary Drama & Mystery: Start with The Note. This gripping novel about an advice columnist investigating a message left behind in a plane crash was adapted into a highly successful Hallmark Channel movie. If you prefer lighthearted, humorous stories, start with Doesn't She Look Natural, the opener of the Fairlawn series set inside a small-town Florida funeral home.
- For Younger Readers: Start with the Nicki Holland Mysteries (for tweens/middle-grade readers looking for wholesome mystery) or the Cassie Perkins series (for teens dealing with real-world issues like family dynamics, friendship, and faith).
Biblical and Ancient History Series
Hunt is widely celebrated for her biblical fiction, which is divided into several self-contained series. While the books within each series should generally be read in order, the series themselves can be tackled independently.
Dangerous Beauty Books
This trilogy focuses on famous biblical women, exploring their lives with historical accuracy and dramatic depth. The books can be read as standalones, but publication order is recommended.
olThe Silent Years Books
This series covers the "silent" intertestamental period—the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. These books are best read in publication order to trace the historical progression of the era.
- Egypt's Sister (2017) – Follows the story of Cleopatra's associate Chava.
- Judah's Wife (2018) – Explores the Maccabean Revolt.
- Jerusalem's Queen (2018) – Focuses on Salome Alexandra.
- King's Shadow (2019) – Centers on the reign of Herod the Great.
Jerusalem Road Books
Set during the New Testament era, this series follows the early followers of Jesus and their families. They should be read in chronological and publication order.
- Daughter of Cana (2020)
- The Shepherd's Wife (2020)
- A Woman of Words (2021)
- The Apostle's Sister (2022)
The Emissaries Books
Her latest biblical series follows the expansion of the early Christian church into the Roman world.
- The Woman from Lydia (2023)
- The Sisters of Corinth (2024)
Legacies of the Ancient River Books
An early biblical series focusing on the story of Joseph and his brothers in ancient Egypt.
- Dreamers (1995)
- Brothers (1997)
- Journey (1997)
Historical and Multi-Generational Series
Heirs of Cahira O'Connor Books
This series follows the descendants of Cahira O'Connor, an Irish princess, across different historical eras. Note that while some commercial listings switch the order of the first two volumes, they are traditionally read in the following progression:
- The Golden Cross (1998)
- The Silver Sword (1998)
- The Velvet Shadow (1999)
- The Emerald Isle (1999)
Keepers of the Ring Books
A historical fiction series exploring the early colonization of America, tracing the lives of women who carry a symbolic ring across successive generations.
- Roanoke (1996)
- Jamestown (1996)
- Hartford (1996)
- Rehoboth (1997)
- Charles Towne (1998)
The Theyn Chronicles Books
Set in medieval England, this trilogy explores faith and romance against the backdrop of castle life and crusades.
- Afton of Margate Castle (1993)
- The Troubadour's Quest (1994)
- Ingram of the Irish (1994)
Contemporary and Collaborative Fiction
The Note Books
A contemporary series starting with her hit novel The Note. The books follow Peyton MacGruder's journey of faith, relationships, and column writing.
- The Note (2001)
- Nola's Meat 'n Three (2008) – A companion short story.
- Taking a Chance on Love (2009) – Also known in movie adaptations as The Note II.
The Fairlawn Series
A heartwarming, comedic trilogy about a single mother who unexpectedly inherits a funeral home in Mt. Dora, Florida.
- Doesn't She Look Natural (2007)
- She Always Wore Red (2008)
- She's in a Better Place (2008)
Heavenly Daze Books (Co-authored with Lori Copeland)
Co-written with Lori Copeland, this humorous, cozy series is set on a fictional island off the coast of Maine where local angels watch over the eccentric residents.
- The Island of Heavenly Daze (2000)
- Grace in Autumn (2001)
- A Perfect Love (2002)
- A Warmth in Winter (2002)
- Hearts at Home (2003)
Harbingers Series (Collaborative Supernatural Suspense)
Created by Bill Myers, the Harbingers series is a collaborative project structured like a TV show, focusing on a team of individuals investigating supernatural events. Hunt contributed specific novellas to the multi-author cycles, which should be read in sequence with the other authors' installments. Her specific entries are:
- The Sentinels (2015) – Cycle 1, Book 3
- Infiltration (2015) – Cycle 2, Book 7
- Hybrids (2015) – Cycle 3, Book 11
- Fairy (2016) – Cycle 4, Book 15
The Portrats Series (Multi-Author Collection)
Hunt contributed to Bethany House's multi-author Portraits line of standalone inspirational novels. She wrote Gentle Touch (1997), while other entries in the series list were penned by authors such as Melody Carlson, Lynn Morris, and Judith Pella. They can be read in any order as they are completely independent standalones.
Children's and Young Adult Series
The Nicki Holland Mysteries
A series of mystery novels for pre-teens following Nicki Holland and her friends as they solve local secrets.
- The Case of the Mystery Mark (1991)
- The Case of the Phantom Friend (1991)
- The Case of the Teenage Terminator (1991)
- The Case of the Terrified Track Star (1992)
- The Case of the Counterfeit Cash (1992)
- The Case of the Haunting of Lowell Lanes (1992)
- The Case of the Birthday Bracelet (1993)
- The Secret of Cravenhill Castle (1993)
- The Riddle of Baby Rosalind (1993)
Cassie Perkins Books
A classic young adult series that follows Cassie Perkins as she navigates her parents' divorce, high school, and personal growth.
- No More Broken Promises (1991)
- A Forever Friend (1991)
- A Basket of Roses (1991)
- A Dream To Cherish (1992)
- The Much Adored Sandy Shore (1992)
- Love Burning Bright (1992)
- Star Light, Star Bright (1993)
- The Chance of a Lifetime (1993)
- The Glory Of Love (1993)