Where to Start with Anna Blakely
For readers diving into Anna Blakely’s high-octane romantic suspense universe, the best starting point is Taking a Risk, Part 1, the book that launches the foundational R.I.S.C. Alpha Team series. This book introduces the central Rescue, Intel, Security, & Capture (R.I.S.C.) organization and establishes the core relationships, operational protocols, and stylistic tone that define the rest of her books. If you prefer a darker, more procedural-focused thrill ride centered on serial killers and forensic science rather than military-style black ops, you can also start separately with Marked for Death, the first book in the standalone Marked series.
What to Know Before You Start
Before jumping in, it is helpful to know that Anna Blakely's books are written in a shared, interconnected universe. The majority of her work focuses on elite, former military operatives who have transitioned to private security, or law enforcement professionals dealing with intense, life-or-death investigations. Her stories consistently feature protective, alpha-male leads and highly independent, intelligent heroines who actively participate in solving the crisis. While almost every book features a complete, self-contained romance with a satisfying Happily Ever After (HEA), the overarching subplots, friendships, and recurring villains span across multiple books and series. Reading them out of order won't ruin the romance, but it will expose you to minor spoilers regarding which characters end up together and how previous missions were resolved.
The Core Universe: R.I.S.C. (Rescue, Intel, Security, & Capture)
The R.I.S.C. organization is the crown jewel of Blakely’s bibliography. The books are structured around different operational units, starting with the original Alpha Team and branching out into Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo teams. Because these teams operate in the same timeline, the author often released books from different series in parallel. While you can read team-by-team, following them by publication date allows you to watch the security agency grow organically.
R.I.S.C. Alpha Team
This is the core series that started it all. Following the primary operators of the R.I.S.C. agency, these books set the stage for all future spin-offs:
- Taking a Risk, Part 1 (2019)
- Taking a Risk, Part 2 (2019)
- Beautiful Risk (2019)
- Intentional Risk (2019)
- Unpredictable Risk (2020)
- Ultimate Risk (2020)
- Targeted Risk (2020)
- Savage Risk (2021)
- Undeniable Risk (2021)
- His Greatest Risk (2021)
- Her Risk to Take (2022)
R.I.S.C. Bravo Team
Focusing on a secondary unit of R.I.S.C. operatives, the Bravo Team series runs nearly parallel to the Alpha Team releases, dealing with protective details and hostage rescues:
- Rescuing Gracelynn (2019)
- Rescuing Katherine (2020)
- Rescuing Gabriella (2020)
- Rescuing Ellena (2020)
- Rescuing Jenna (2021)
R.I.S.C. Charlie Team
Based out of the Richmond, Virginia office, the Charlie Team series shifts the action to a specialized black ops division. Note that some book-tracking databases occasionally swap the labels of Charlie and Delta teams, but the official roster features Kellan McBride and his crew first:
- Kellan (2021)
- Asher (2022)
- Greyson (2022)
- Rhys (2022)
- Parker (2023)
R.I.S.C. Delta Team
The Delta Team operates with a fresh set of alpha guards tasked with shielding targets from high-profile threats:
- Christian (2023)
- Brody (2023)
- John (2024)
- Cade (2025)
The Marked Series
If you enjoy forensic science, FBI investigations, and serial killer hunts, the Marked series is Blakely's darker, more intense line of thrillers. The series begins with a forensic pathologist and an FBI agent matching wits with a killer, and continues with different law enforcement and security professionals:
- Marked for Death (2021)
- Marked for Revenge (2022)
- Marked for Deception (2022)
- Marked for Obsession (2022)
- Marked for Danger (2023)
- Marked for Disaster (2023)
- Marked for Vengeance (2024)
Eagle's Nest Securities vs. Tactical Operations
Many online cataloging websites frequently confuse or merge these two standalone series because they both feature Navy SEALs and elite security setups. However, they are two separate series with different rosters of characters:
Eagle's Nest Securities
This series follows a squad of former Navy SEALs whose military team was abruptly disbanded, prompting them to reunite in the private sector to form their own security and protection agency:
- Keeping His Promise (2023)
- Playing With Fire (2024)
- Flirting with Danger (2024)
Tactical Operations
A smaller, focused series that highlights intense, specialized tactical rescues and protective missions:
- Garrett’s Destiny (2021)
- Ethan’s Obsession (2023)
The Phoenix Agency Universe Connection
Readers looking at database lists for Anna Blakely will often see the Phoenix Agency Universe listed among her works, showing an extensive list of books like Valentine Steel Heart or Lord Protector dating back to 2017. It is important to know that the Phoenix Agency Universe is a multi-author shared world. Anna Blakely did not write the entire series; the older titles were penned by other romance authors such as Jordan Dane and Kate Richards. Anna Blakely’s sole contribution to this shared universe is the novel Fatal Connection, published in 2020. You do not need to read the other books in that universe to understand her novel, though doing so offers a broader look at the collaborative project.
Charity Anthologies & Co-authored Works
In addition to her main series, Anna Blakely contributed to the 2024 multi-author romance anthology The Trouble With Bad Boys. This charity collection, which donated 100% of its proceeds to support Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R. Rescue) in combating human trafficking, features a standalone story written by Blakely alongside other prominent contemporary romance authors. It functions as a completely independent read outside of the R.I.S.C. universe continuity.
Practical Reading Order Advice
If you want the ultimate, spoiler-free experience of the entire Anna Blakely catalog, the safest route is a hybrid publication order. By reading the books in the order they were published, you will naturally jump between R.I.S.C. Alpha, R.I.S.C. Bravo, and the early Tactical Operations releases, preserving the exact timeline of crossover appearances. If you prefer to stick to one storyline at a time, you can safely read through the entire R.I.S.C. Alpha Team series first, then tackle Bravo Team, followed by Charlie and Delta teams, and then enjoy Marked as a separate experience.