Where to Start Reading Anna Markland
With a sprawling catalog of over 60 books, deciding where to start reading Anna Markland can feel daunting. Because her stories are deeply rooted in family history and generational progression, the absolute best place to begin is at the foundation of her fictional family tree: The Montbryce Legacy. Specifically, you should start with the first book, Conquest (originally published as two separate novellas, Conquering Passion and Defiant Passion). Set against the background of the 1066 Norman Conquest, this book introduces the Montbryce brothers and establishes the lineage that defines her entire medieval universe.
While every book features a standalone romance with a satisfying happily-ever-after (HEA), they are closely interconnected. Reading them in chronological order allows you to watch children grow, alliances form, and secrets unravel across generations. If you prefer to jump between different historical eras, you can read individual subseries as standalones, but following the genealogical timeline provides the ultimate reading experience.
The Core Montbryce Universe: Generational Sagas
The heart of Markland’s work is the massive, multi-generational saga of the Montbryce family. This universe is divided into three distinct subseries that follow the family's lineage over several centuries:
1. The Montbryce Legacy
This is the flagship 13-book series that begins with the Battle of Hastings in 1066. It follows the three Montbryce brothers—Rambaud, Antoine, and Hugh—as they claim their places in a conquered England. The series spans several generations of descendants, detailing their struggles for power, land, and love. The reading order for the core legacy books is:
- Conquering Passion / Conquest (2010)
- A Man of Value / Defiance (2010)
- Passion In the Blood / Vengeance (2012)
- Crescendo (2012)
- Vengeance (2013)
- If Love Dares Enough / Redemption (2018)
- Hearts and Crowns / Birthright (2018)
- Star-Crossed (2018)
- Allegiance (2018)
- Infidelity (2019)
- Jeopardy (2019)
- Forbidden (2019)
- Finale (2019)
2. Montbryce: The Next Generation
This trilogy bridges the gaps between different eras of the family tree, focusing on the immediate descendants of the original legacy characters and their adventures across Ireland, England, and Wales. It includes:
- Dark Irish Knight (2013)
- Haunted Knights (2013)
- Dance of Love (2013)
3. The Montbryce Dynasty
Focusing on the later medieval generations of the Montbryce family, this series continues to showcase how the family's influence and bloodline adapt to a changing medieval Europe. The order is:
- Becket (2021)
- Roland (2021)
- Adrien (2022)
Direct Spin-Offs: FitzRam and Sons of Rhodri
Because of Anna Markland's passion for family trees, she has written several series that branch off from the main Montbryce line through illegitimate children or political alliances. These series can be read alongside the main saga or enjoyed on their own:
The FitzRam Family Books
This trilogy is directly connected to the Montbryce family. It centers on Caedmon FitzRam, who is revealed to be the illegitimate son of a Montbryce war hero. This series explores secret family ties, redemption, and honor. The reading order is:
- The Black Knight's Captive (2012)
- Love's Sweet Sting (2012)
- Wild Viking Princess (2012)
Sons of Rhodri
This series focuses on medieval Wales during the turbulent years of the Norman invasion. It showcases the Welsh resistance and the diplomatic efforts of Rhys ap Rhodri as he tries to navigate survival under Norman rule. The sequence is:
- Defiant Passion (2017)
- Conquest (2018)
Predecessors and Medieval Dynasties
If you want to explore the history that came before the Norman Conquest, or look at other European dynasties during the same medieval era, Markland provides several avenues:
Viking Roots Books
This trilogy explores the Norse ancestors and Viking bloodlines that would eventually settle in Normandy, laying the groundwork for the families featured in the Montbryce series. The chronological reading order is:
- The Rover Bold / Viking Bold (2014)
- The Rover Defiant / Viking Defiant (2014)
- The Rover Betrayed / Viking Betrayed (2015)
The Von Wolfenberg Dynasty Books
Moving away from England and Wales, this trilogy follows the trials and romances of German knights in the Holy Roman Empire, offering a fresh continental perspective on the medieval period. The order is:
- Loyal Heart (2016)
- Courageous Heart (2016)
- Faithful Heart (2016)
The Anarchy Books
Set during the historical civil war in England known as The Anarchy (1135–1153), this series captures the political intrigue and passions of noble families caught on opposing sides of the conflict. The sequence is:
- Hearts and Crowns (2013)
- Fatal Truths (2014)
- Sinful Passions (2014)
The Scottish Highlands and Clan Sagas
For readers who love highlanders, castles, and clan rivalries, Anna Markland has written several highly popular series set in medieval and early modern Scotland. While they feature new families, they carry the same signature focus on ancestry and clan honor:
Caledonia Chronicles
Following the proud chieftains of the Scottish Highlands, this series explores intense clan loyalty and forbidden love across the heather. The reading order is:
- Pride of the Clan (2015)
- Highland Tides (2015)
- Highland Dawn (2015)
- Roses Among the Heather (2016)
Clash of the Tartans
A fun, adventurous, and passionate series of highland romances filled with family secrets, forced marriages, and sudden alliances. The books are:
- Kilty Secrets (2017)
- Kilted at the Altar (2018)
- Kilty Pleasures (2018)
- Kilty Party (2019)
- Kilts in the Wind (2020)
- Kilts Ahoy! (2020)
The House of Pendray
This series blends highland romance with political betrayal and dynastic struggles, following a noble family fighting to protect their ancestral lands. The reading order is:
- Highland Betrayal (2017)
- Kingslayer's Daughter (2019)
- Highland Jewel (2019)
- Highland Rising (2019)
- Highland Swan (2021)
Highland Whisky Kings & Ruff Wooing
Markland's newer Scottish historical series continue to capture the romance and charm of the north. The order for these shorter series is:
Highland Whisky Kings:
- Tavish Seeks A Wealthy Bride (2024)
- Payton And The Passionate Partisan (2024)
Ruff Wooing:
- Ruffled Feathers (2022)
- Ruff Justice (2022)
- Diamond In the Ruff (2022)
Venture to Later Eras: Regency, Victorian, and World War II
While medieval romance is her signature style, Anna Markland has successfully written in later historical eras, applying her character-driven, family-oriented romance style to the 19th and 20th centuries:
Earls Are Wild & The UnDukes
These two series capture the elegance, societal pressures, and romantic escapades of the Regency and Victorian eras, focusing on wild lords and rebellious dukes who refuse to conform. The reading orders are:
Earls Are Wild:
- Every Earl Has a Silver Lining (2021)
- Wild Earl Chase (2021)
- Slow and Steady Wins the Earl (2021)
The UnDukes:
- Unkissable Duke (2023)
- Unforgivable Duke (2023)
- Uncouth Duke (2023)
Badass Heroes of World War Two
A departure from her historical royalty settings, this modern historical romance focuses on the dangerous lives and passions of wartime operatives. It begins with:
- The Hellraiser and The Spy (2021)
Shared Universes and Collaborative Worlds
Anna Markland is an active participant in collaborative historical romance worlds, writing stories that cross over with other popular authors under publishers like Dragonblade. The most notable is the Pirates of Britannia series, a connected world created by Kathryn Le Veque. While the series lists dozens of books by various authors, Markland's specific contribution to this pirate universe is The Marauder (Book 11, published in 2018). She also contributed The de Wolfe of Wharf Street (2022) to the shared de Wolfe Pack universe.
What to Know Before You Start
The Renaming of Titles: Because Markland has reissued and revised her works over the years (often in special collections or anniversary editions), some books are known by multiple titles. For example, the first book of the Montbryce Legacy is sold as Conquest but contains the stories Conquering Passion and Defiant Passion. Similarly, Hearts and Crowns is also published as Birthright, representing Book 5 of the legacy. If you encounter title discrepancies, they are usually due to these updated editions.
Standalone Compatibility: Every single novel features a complete romance arc. You do not need to worry about cliffhangers. However, because characters from previous books frequently make guest appearances as parents, rulers, or allies, you will get the most out of the world-building by keeping to the publication or chronological series orders.