Books On Board

Barbara Ovstedal Books in Order

  • 39 Books
  • 1969 – 1984 Published

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Reading order
2 of 2 reading orders shown

Where to Start Reading Barbara Ovstedal

For readers new to Barbara Ovstedal (most famous under her pen name, Rosalind Laker), the best starting point is her signature family saga, The Warwyck Trilogy. Unlike the majority of her novels which are standalone stories, this series offers a continuous narrative that follows the fortunes and secrets of the Warwyck family across several decades in the nineteenth-century English seaside town of Easthampton.

If you prefer a standalone introduction to her work, we highly recommend beginning with To Dance with Kings (1988), a sweeping epic set in the court of Versailles, or The Golden Tulip (1991), which explores the Dutch Golden Age and the world of art alongside Johannes Vermeer. Both showcase her signature style: meticulous historical research, strong-willed heroines who defy societal limits, and high-stakes romance.

The Warwyck Trilogy in Reading Order

This multi-generational saga should be read in its strict publication and chronological sequence. The trilogy details the development of the resort town of Easthampton and the passionate, often turbulent relationships of the Warwyck family. Note that some titles differ between their UK and US editions.

  1. Warwyck's Wife / Warwyck's Woman (1974): The trilogy opens with a dramatic auction at a Brighton market where Kate, an unwanted wife, is sold by her husband. Bidden on by the brothers Harry and Daniel Warwyck, she is taken to Easthampton. Daniel's grand plans to build the resort town and the growing tension over the family's legacy form the core of this powerful opening volume.
  2. Claudine's Daughter (1978): Set approximately twenty years later, this installment follows Lucy di Castelloni, the daughter of Claudine Clayton. Raised by Italian nuns, Lucy travels to Easthampton to unlock the mysteries of her parentage, only to find herself pursued by three vastly different suitors.
  3. The Warwycks of Easthampton / Warwyck's Choice (1980): The final volume centers on a forbidden romance in the style of Romeo and Juliet. Tom Warwyck and Nicolette Radcliffe fall in love despite a generations-long family feud and the explicit family warnings to never trust a member of the Radcliffe family.

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

The vast majority of Barbara Ovstedal's bibliography consists of standalone historical novels. While they do not share characters or plot continuities, they are listable by publication date. Reading them in order allows you to see how her detail-oriented research and character construction evolved from Regency romances to rich international settings.

  • Sovereign's Key (1969)
  • Ride The Blue Riband (1970)
  • Far Seeks The Heart (1970)
  • Sail A Jewelled Ship (1971)
  • The Shripney Lady (1972)
  • Valley of the Reindeer (1973)
  • Red Cherry Summer (1973)
  • Fair Wind Of Love (1974)
  • Souvenir from Sweden (1974)
  • To Dream Of Snow (1974)
  • The Smuggler's Bride (1975)
  • Seventeenth Stair (1976)
  • The Marlows (1977)
  • The Frenchwoman (1977)
  • To Love a Stranger (1978)
  • Devil's Fire, Love's Revenge (1978)
  • Banners Of Silk (1981)
  • Gilded Splendour (1982)
  • Jewelled Path (1983)
  • What The Heart Keeps (1984)
  • This Shining Land (1985)
  • Tree Of Gold (1986)
  • The Silver Touch (1987)
  • To Dance With Kings (1988)
  • Circle Of Pearls (1990)
  • The Golden Tulip (1991)
  • The Venetian Mask (1992)
  • The Sugar Pavilion (1993)
  • Portrait Of Eliza (1994)
  • The Frenchwoman [Rosalind Laker reprint/re-edition] (1994)
  • The Fortuny Gown (Also published as Orchids And Diamonds) (1995)
  • The Fragile Hour (1996)
  • New World, New Love (2002)
  • Brilliance (2007)
  • Garlands Of Gold (2009)
  • The House By The Fjord (2011)

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Barbara Ovstedal's historical romances, there are a few important details regarding her publishing history and identity to keep in mind:

The Pseudonym Shift

Ovstedal began publishing under her own married name (Barbara Ovstedal/Øvstedal) and the pen name Barbara Paul. However, when an American mystery and science fiction writer also named Barbara Paul (Barbara Jeanne Paul, author of the Marian Larch series) gained popularity, Ovstedal's agent suggested adopting a new pseudonym to avoid confusing readers. She chose Rosalind Laker, taking the name of her great-grandmother. Under this name, she achieved international bestseller status.

Varying Titles and Dates

Several of her books were retitled for different regional markets. For instance, the first Warwyck novel was published as Warwyck's Wife in the UK but became Warwyck's Woman in the US. Similarly, The Warwycks of Easthampton is known as Warwyck's Choice in American editions. Additionally, The Fortuny Gown was widely distributed in some markets under the title Orchids and Diamonds. Minor discrepancies in publication years also exist in bibliographies due to differences between original UK releases and subsequent US editions.

Setting the Scene: Immersive Research

A hallmark of Ovstedal's work is her atmospheric, accurate setting design. Married to a Norwegian airman, she spent significant time in Norway, which inspired the Nordic settings of books like Valley of the Reindeer, This Shining Land (focused on the Norwegian Resistance during WWII), and her final novel, The House by the Fjord. For other books, she traveled extensively to ensure accurate details—visiting Quadra Island in Canada for What the Heart Keeps, researching historical dressmakers for Banners of Silk, and studying Johannes Vermeer's painting methods for The Golden Tulip.

Frequently Asked

What is the recommended order for reading the Warwyck series?

You should read the Warwyck series in chronological order: start with Warwyck's Wife (also published as Warwyck's Woman), follow with Claudine's Daughter, and conclude with The Warwycks of Easthampton (also published as Warwyck's Choice).

What names did Barbara Ovstedal write under?

She wrote under her married name, Barbara Ovstedal (or Øvstedal), as well as the pseudonyms Rosalind Laker, Barbara Paul, and Barbara Douglas.

Is she the same author as the Barbara Paul who wrote mystery novels?

No. The British historical romance writer Barbara Ovstedal briefly used the name Barbara Paul but changed it to Rosalind Laker to avoid confusion with the American mystery writer Barbara Jeanne Paul (author of the Marian Larch mysteries).

Which Rosalind Laker book is set in Versailles?

To Dance with Kings (1988) is set in Versailles, tracing four generations of women at the French royal court from the reign of Louis XIV to the French Revolution.

What was Barbara Ovstedal's final published novel?

Her final novel was The House by the Fjord, published in 2011, which draws on her personal connections to Norway and its post-WWII history.

Can Rosalind Laker's standalone books be read in any order?

Yes. Except for the Warwyck Trilogy, all of her novels are independent standalones with unique characters and settings. You can read them in any order depending on which historical era or setting interests you most.