Beth Ciotta Books in Order

Where to Start with Beth Ciotta

Beth Ciotta is a remarkably versatile romance author whose career spans multiple subgenres, including contemporary, historical, paranormal, and steampunk romance. Because her series vary significantly in tone and setting, the best place to start depends on your personal reading preferences:

• For Cozy, Small-Town Romance: Start with the Cupcake Lovers series. Beginning with Fool for Love (2012), this series is set in the charming town of Sugar Creek, Vermont, and is perfect for readers who love sweet romance, tight-knit communities, and confectionery themes.
• For Classic Chick-Lit & Cozy Mystery: Start with the Chameleon Chronicles. The first book, All About Evie (2007), won the RT Reviewers Choice Award and features a fun, lighthearted style with a heavy dose of humor and self-discovery.
• For Steampunk Adventure: Start with The Glorious Victorious Darcys. The series begins with Her Sky Cowboy (2012) and transports readers to an alternate-Victorian world filled with airships, clockwork gadgets, and historical fantasy.
• For Romantic Suspense & Comedy: Start with her debut series under her own name, the Friends and Lovers Trilogy, beginning with Jinxed (2004).

Publication Order of Beth Ciotta's Series

To help you track your progress, here is the complete publication order of Beth Ciotta's series, including works written under her pseudonym C.B. Scott.

Scandalous Spirits (As C.B. Scott)

Before publishing under her own name, Ciotta co-authored this early paranormal romance series with Cynthia Valero under the pen name C.B. Scott.

1. Scandalous Spirits (2002)
2. Kindred Spirits (2003)

Friends and Lovers Trilogy

This lighthearted romantic suspense series follows the lives and loves of a close group of friends, starting with a superstitious socialite in Las Vegas.

1. Jinxed (2004)
2. Charmed (2004)
3. Seduced (2005)

Wild West Series

Ciotta's foray into historical Western romance brings humor and high-stakes adventure to the American frontier.

1. Lasso the Moon (2006)
2. Romancing the West (2007)
3. The Fall of Rome (2008)

Chameleon Chronicles

Centering on the quirky and beloved protagonist Evie, this contemporary series blends family dynamics, romantic comedy, and mystery.

1. All About Evie (2007)
2. Everybody Loves Evie (2008)
3. Evie Ever After (2009)

The McGraws

A contemporary romantic duology that explores love, survival, and deep emotional connections in rugged environments.

1. Into the Wild (2010)
2. Out of Eden (2010)

Cupcake Lovers Series

Set in Sugar Creek, Vermont, this is Ciotta's most popular contemporary romance series, combining delicious baking with heartwarming romance.

1. Fool for Love (2012)
2. The Trouble with Love (2013)
3. Anything But Love (2013)
4. Some Kind of Wonderful (2013)
5. In the Mood for Love (2014)

The Glorious Victorious Darcys

This alternate-history Victorian steampunk romance series is filled with high-flying airships, time travel elements, and mechanical marvels.

1. Her Sky Cowboy (2012)
2. His Clockwork Canary (2013)
3. His Broken Angel (2013)

Impossible Dream Series

A contemporary romance series with a 'fairy tale' or whimsical twist, featuring modern characters finding magic in unexpected places.

1. Beauty & the Biker (2014)
2. Enchanting Christmas (2014)
3. Marry Poppins (2016)

Starstruck & Elite Society Series

These individual series starters showcase Ciotta's continued interest in romance combined with suspense, thriller, or paranormal elements.

• Starstruck: Obsessed (2015)
• Elite Society of Character Assassins: The Assassin's Prodigy (2019)

Standalones, Anthologies, and Shared Worlds

Ciotta has written standalone works, including a novel under her C.B. Scott pen name, and has contributed to James Patterson's shared-world novella line.

• Standalone Novel: Knight of My Dreams (2002) — Published under the pseudonym C.B. Scott, co-authored with Cynthia Valero.
• Anthology Contribution: Dream Quest (2003) — A multi-author paranormal romance anthology.
• BookShots Flames: The Weekend Wife (2017) — Ciotta's standalone contribution (Book 14 in the overall shared line) to James Patterson's fast-paced romance project.

Reading Order Caveats: Chronological vs. Publication Order

For the vast majority of Beth Ciotta's works, publication order is the easiest and most logical way to read. However, there are two important exceptions where chronological reading order differs from publication sequence:

First, in The Glorious Victorious Darcys steampunk series, the novella His Broken Angel was published last in 2013, but its events take place chronologically between the first and second novels. For the best narrative flow, read Her Sky Cowboy, followed by the novella His Broken Angel (often numbered 1.5), and finish with His Clockwork Canary.

Second, in the Cupcake Lovers series, the novella Some Kind of Wonderful is chronologically positioned as Book 3.5. It was published in 2013, right after Anything But Love, fitting perfectly between the third and fourth full-length novels. Reading it in this order ensures you do not miss the transitional character dynamics before starting In the Mood for Love.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Ciotta's library, it helps to understand her unique background. She is a former professional performer (singer, actress, and emcee), and this theatrical experience shines through in her writing. Her books are highly character-driven, featuring snappy dialogue, lively pacing, and a signature 'sparkle' that keeps the tone fun and upbeat even when addressing deeper topics.

Additionally, keep in mind that her earliest works—specifically Knight of My Dreams, Scandalous Spirits, and Kindred Spirits—were published under the pseudonym C.B. Scott (co-authored with Cynthia Valero) and lean heavily into paranormal romance. If you transition from her lighthearted contemporary novels like the Cupcake Lovers to her early work, expect a shift toward ghosts, past-life regressions, and medieval knight themes.