Anne R. Bailey Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Anne R. Bailey's Novels

If you are new to Anne R. Bailey's historical fiction, the best entry point is her flagship series, the Royal Court Series. Starting with The Lady Carey (2017) allows you to experience her signature blend of meticulous Tudor research, political high stakes, and slow-burn romance. This series sets the tone for her other works, establishing her focus on women who navigated dangerous positions near the throne.

For readers who prefer chronological variety over a single continuous setting, the Forgotten Women of History Series is another excellent starting point. Because each book in this series is set in a completely different historical era—ranging from Ancient Greece to 10th-century Denmark and 14th-century England—they function as standalone biographical novels. You can easily start with the first publication, Joan (2015), or jump straight to whichever historical figure fascinates you most.

If you want a quicker, more self-contained romance, the two-book Bluehaven duology offers a lighter Regency-style historical romance setting, making it a great weekend read.

The Royal Court Series: Tudor Scandals and Ambition

The Royal Court series is Bailey's most popular body of work, focusing on the women of the Tudor court during some of its most volatile periods. Although the books are written to be read as standalones, reading them in order helps trace the shifting political landscape of the Tudor dynasty.

Publication Order of the Royal Court Books

1. The Lady Carey (2017) – Follows Catherine Carey, daughter of Mary Boleyn, as she navigates the perilous court of Henry VIII and the reign of Elizabeth I.
2. The Lady's Ambition (2020) – Centers on Margaret Douglas, the niece of Henry VIII, and her ambitious quest to secure her family's legacy.
3. The Lady's Crown (2020) – Follows Lady Frances Grey (Frances Brandon), mother of Lady Jane Grey, and her dangerous ambition to secure the crown.
4. The Lady's Defiance (2021) – Features Mary Howard, Duchess of Richmond, navigating the fallout of Anne Boleyn's downfall.
5. The Lady's Gamble (2022) – Focuses on Elizabeth Seymour, sister of Queen Jane Seymour, and her survival in the cutthroat political arena.
6. The Lady Ursula (2023) – Centers on Ursula, exploring the legacy and survival of a family haunted by past executions and royal blood.

Chronology and Reading Caveats

While the publication order is widely recommended, some readers prefer to read chronologically based on the historical settings. For example, The Lady's Defiance is set during the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn in the 1530s, whereas The Lady Carey and The Lady's Gamble focus on the later mid-Tudor and Elizabethan transitions. Because the characters are all real historical figures who interacted with one another, reading out of order will not ruin the plot, but reading in publication order provides the most natural flow of the author's narrative style.

Ladies of the Golden Age: Spies and Elizabethan Romance

Moving into the Elizabethan era, the Ladies of the Golden Age series offers a more closely connected set of stories. Unlike the Royal Court books, which can easily be read out of order, this series has a stronger continuity, particularly leading into the final novella.

• Countess of Intrigue (2021) – Focuses on Frances Walsingham, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, as she navigates complex marriages and court conspiracies.
• The Pirate Lord's Wife (2022) – Follows Bess Throckmorton, her secret marriage to Sir Walter Raleigh, and the wrath of the Virgin Queen.
• The Lady of Fortune (2023) – Tells the story of Lady Dorothy Stafford, a woman of royal blood fighting to restore her family's standing after her grandfather's execution.
• The Lady's Season (2023) – A Christmas novella set in 1602 that reunites Frances and Bess as they face the impending end of the Elizabethan era. Note: This novella should not be read as a standalone and requires reading the prior books first.

Forgotten Women of History: Across the Ages

This series is a collection of biographical fiction novels that celebrate historical women whose stories have been overshadowed by their male counterparts. Because of the massive jumps in time and geography, these books can be read in any order.

• Joan (2015) – The story of Joan de Geneville, a wealthy heiress married to the notorious marcher lord and traitor Roger Mortimer in 14th-century England.
• Fortuna's Queen (2016) – Follows Thessaloniki, the half-sister of Alexander the Great, navigating the bloody struggles for power after Alexander's death.
• Thyra (2020) – Follows Thyra, daughter of Edward the Elder, who negotiates her way to becoming the "Pride of Denmark" alongside her Viking husband.

Ladies of Valor: Medieval Struggles

The Ladies of Valor series shifts focus to the high medieval period, spotlighting princesses caught in succession crises and looming civil wars.

• The Saxon Princess (2024) – Set in 1093, following Edith (later Matilda), Princess of Scotland, during a bloody succession crisis that forces her into exile.
• The Lady's Battle (2024) – Set in 1259, following Eleanor of Castile, Princess of Spain, as she marries the future King Edward I of England and navigates political rebellion.

Bluehaven & Standalone Novels

For readers looking for lighter historical romances without the heavy weight of real-world political tragedies, Bailey has written a small collection of romances and standalones.

Bluehaven Books

• The Widowed Bride (2021)
• Choosing Him (2021)

Standalone Novels

• The Stars Above (2015)
• Intrigues of the Heart (2021)