Anita Stansfield Books in Order

Where to Start with Anita Stansfield

As the pioneer of modern LDS romantic fiction, Anita Stansfield has built an expansive library of more than 70 books spanning historical drama, contemporary romance, and faith-centered family sagas. For newcomers, the sheer volume of her work can be daunting. The best starting point depends on whether you prefer historical or contemporary settings:

• The Historical Route (Recommended): Start with The Gable Faces East (1999). Although it was published sixth, it represents the chronological beginning of the massive Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga. It introduces the foundational history of the families that define her most famous fictional universe.
• The Contemporary Route: Start with First Love and Forever (1994). This was Stansfield's debut novel and the book that originally launched her career, introducing readers to her trademark emotional depth and relationship drama in a modern setting.
• The Standalone Route: If you want to sample her style before committing to a multi-book family saga, Passage on the Titanic (2012) is a highly recommended historical standalone that showcases her ability to blend real-world tragedy with themes of resilience and faith.

The Gables Universe: Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga & Gables of Legacy

Stansfield’s signature achievement is the interconnected family saga centered around the Byrnehouse, Davies, and Hamilton families. This universe is split into two sequential series: the Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga and the Gables of Legacy series.

Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton Saga: Chronological vs. Publication Order

Readers are divided on the best way to tackle this foundational eight-book saga. While the publication order introduces the modern descendants first and flashes back to their ancestors later, the chronological order allows the history to unfold naturally across centuries.

The Chronological Reading Order (Recommended):

1. The Gable Faces East (1999)
2. Gables Against the Sky (2000)
3. The Three Gifts of Christmas (1999)
4. First Love and Forever (1994)
5. First Love, Second Chances (1995)
6. Now and Forever (1996)
7. By Love and Grace (1996)
8. Home for Christmas (1997)

The Publication Reading Order:

1. First Love and Forever (1994)
2. First Love, Second Chances (1995)
3. Now and Forever (1996)
4. By Love and Grace (1996)
5. Home for Christmas (1997)
6. The Gable Faces East (1999)
7. The Three Gifts of Christmas (1999)
8. Gables Against the Sky (2000)

Gables of Legacy: The Sequel Series

Once you finish the initial saga, you should move directly to the six-volume Gables of Legacy series. This sequel series should be read in publication order, as it continues the overarching story of the family lines:

1. The Guardian (2002)
2. A Guiding Star (2002)
3. The Silver Linings (2003)
4. An Eternal Bond (2003)
5. Full Circle (2005)
6. The Miracle (2011)

Historical and Contemporary Sagas

Beyond the Gables universe, Stansfield has penned several other popular series. Each should be read in its respective publication order to preserve character arcs and family continuity.

Trevor Family Saga

A contemporary series focusing on second chances, healing from trauma, and the strength of family bonds. It begins with a woman trying to rebuild her life after escaping an abusive relationship.

1. Return to Love (1997)
2. To Love Again (1997)
3. When Forever Comes (1998)
4. A Christmas Melody (1998)
5. For Love Alone (1999)

The Buchanan Saga

A historical romance series following maritime themes, duty, and romance on the high seas and coastal towns.

1. The Captain of Her Heart (2004)
2. Captive Hearts (2004)
3. The Captain's Angel (2004)
4. Hearts Crossed (2005)
5. The Captain's Rose (2022)

Keane-Morrison Family Saga

This four-book series weaves emotional family struggles with music and dance elements.

1. Timeless Waltz (2005)
2. A Time to Dance (2006)
3. Dancing in the Light (2006)
4. A Dance to Remember (2006)

Barrington Family Saga

A historical saga exploring faith, pioneer journeys, and romantic commitments.

1. In Search of Heaven (2007)
2. A Quiet Promise (2007)
3. At Heaven's Door (2007)
4. Promise of Zion (2008)

Jayson Wolfe Series

A contemporary drama series featuring emotionally heavy themes of tragedy, rehabilitation, and finding hope.

1. The Sound of Rain (2008)
2. A Distant Thunder (2008)
3. Winds of Hope (2009)
4. Shelter from the Storm (2009)
5. The Silence of Snow (2009)

Dickens Inn Series

A cozy, emotionally resonant contemporary series centering around the lives, secrets, and relationships of people connected to the Dickens Inn.

1. The Best of Times (2009)
2. A Far, Far Better Place (2010)
3. A Loving Heart (2010)
4. Tranquil Light (2010)
5. Every Graceful Fancy (2010)

Shadows of Brierley Series (with Prequel)

Set in the 19th century, this series follows the trials and triumphs of the MacBrier family. While the main series was published starting in 2011, the standalone novel Towers of Brierley (2000) acts as a direct prequel and should be read first.

1. Towers of Brierley (2000) - Prequel Novel
2. The Wanderer (2011)
3. A Far Horizon (2011)
4. Shadows of Brierley (2011) (Also published under the title A Distant Shore)
5. In the Valley of the Mountains (2011)

The Horstberg Saga (Writing as Elizabeth D. Michaels)

To reach a broader, general-market audience outside of the LDS market, Stansfield published the historical Horstberg Saga under the pseudonym Elizabeth D. Michaels. This series focuses on clean royal romance, honor, and intrigue in a historical European setting.

1. Behind the Mask (2013)
2. A Matter of Honor (2014)
3. For Love and Country (2014)
4. The Tainted Crown (2015)
5. Through Castle Windows (2015)

What to Know Before You Start

Anita Stansfield's work is characterized by deep emotional honesty. Unlike typical light romance novels, she frequently addresses heavy, real-world struggles such as domestic abuse, loss, mental health issues, and spiritual crises. However, these elements are always handled within a clean, faith-promoting, and chaste framework.

While reading in chronological or publication order is highly satisfying for tracing family lineages, Stansfield herself has noted that her books are written to stand on their own. If you happen to pick up a mid-series book, the narrative is structured so that you can enjoy the story without feeling completely lost, though reading in the recommended orders will maximize your appreciation of the character development and overarching plots.