Beverly Jenkins Books in Order

Where to Begin Your Beverly Jenkins Journey

Beverly Jenkins is a master of historical romance, often referred to as a "kitchen table historian" for her meticulous research into 19th-century African-American life. While her extensive catalog can seem daunting, there are three primary entry points depending on your preferred sub-genre:

• For Classic Historical Romance: Start with Indigo (1996). Widely considered a masterpiece in the romance genre, this standalone novel follows Underground Railroad conductors and is the perfect introduction to her style, emotional depth, and historical detailing.
• For Western Historical Romance: Start with Forbidden (2016). This book kicks off the Old West series and introduces readers to the vibrant frontier communities Jenkins excels at portraying.
• For Contemporary Fiction: Start with Bring on the Blessings (2009). If you prefer modern-day community dramas with a strong cast and sweet romance, the long-running Blessings series is the ideal path.

The Interconnected Universe: Crossovers & Family Trees

One of the greatest joys of reading Beverly Jenkins is realizing that her characters do not live in isolation. While almost all of her historical novels can be read as standalones, many characters belong to expansive family trees that cross series boundaries. Here are the major connections to watch out for:

The Fontaine & Le Veq Connection

The historical series are closely tied through siblings. Sable Fontaine, the heroine of Through the Storm (Book 1 of the Le Veq Family series), is the sister of Rhine Fontaine, the hero of Forbidden (Book 1 of the Old West series). Because of this sibling bond, you will see family members cross over, making it highly rewarding to read these series in close succession.

The Le Veq Legacy & The Women Who Dare

The Le Veq family presence spans several decades. Drake Le Veq, whose story is told in Rebel (2019), bridges two worlds: he is a member of the beloved Le Veq family and his story serves as the first entry in the Women Who Dare series. This crossover links the historical New Orleans setting to the broader themes of female agency and courage explored in her later works.

The Historical Series in Reading Order

If you want to read Jenkins' historical novels within their specific family arcs, follow the series orders below. Each series focuses on a specific family or community, carrying thematic continuity across the books.

The Le Veq Family Books

Focusing on a prominent and wealthy New Orleans family during and after the Civil War, these books are best read in publication order:

1. Through the Storm (1998)
2. Winds of the Storm (2006)
3. Captured (2009)

Note: Drake Le Veq's story, Rebel, is categorized under the Women Who Dare series but acts as a chronological extension of this family's history.

The Grayson Family Books

A charming historical duology set in the all-Black town of Grayson Grove, Michigan:

1. Vivid (1995)
2. Jewel (2008)

Destiny Books

Set in 19th-century California, this trilogy features the fortunes and love stories of the Yates family:

1. Destiny's Embrace (2013)
2. Destiny's Surrender (2013)
3. Destiny's Captive (2014)

Old West Books

Set in the post-Civil War American frontier, this series follows the lives and loves of characters building new lives in the West:

1. Forbidden (2016)
2. Breathless (2017)
3. Tempest (2018)

Women Who Dare Books

Focusing on strong, independent historical heroines who defy societal norms:

1. Rebel (2019)
2. Wild Rain (2021)
3. To Catch a Raven (2022)

Belle / Josephine Books

Two closely linked historical romances that capture the resilience and passion of their titular heroines:

1. Belle / Belle and the Beau (2002)
2. Josephine (2003)

The Contemporary & Suspense Series

In addition to historical romance, Jenkins has penned highly popular contemporary series. Unlike the historical books, these feature strong overarching storylines and are best read strictly in order.

The Blessings Series

This heartwarming contemporary series centers on Henry Adams, Kansas—a historic town bought by a wealthy divorcée to save it from ruin. Reading these in order is essential to follow the town's growth and the lives of its residents:

1. Bring on the Blessings (2009)
2. A Second Helping (2009)
3. Something Old, Something New (2011)
4. A Wish and a Prayer (2012)
5. Crystal Clear (2013)
6. Heart of Gold (2014)
7. For Your Love (2015)
8. Stepping to a New Day (2016)
9. Chasing Down a Dream (2017)
10. Second Time Sweeter (2018)
11. On the Corner of Hope and Main (2020)
12. A Christmas to Remember (2021)

The Edge Books (Detroit/NIA Suspense)

A thrilling contemporary romantic suspense series involving covert operations and government agents:

1. The Edge of Dawn (2004)
2. The Edge of Midnight (2007)

Standalone Novels & Reading Advice

Beverly Jenkins has written numerous standalone historical romances that require absolutely no background knowledge. If you want to sample her writing without committing to a series, you can pick up any of the following standalone novels:

• Night Song (1994) – Her groundbreaking debut.
• Indigo (1996) – A fan-favorite Underground Railroad romance.
• Topaz (1997)
• The Taming of Jessi Rose (1999)
• Always and Forever (2000)
• Before the Dawn (2001)
• A Chance at Love (2002)
• Something Like Love (2005)
• Black Lace (2005)
• Sexy/Dangerous (2006)
• Wild Sweet Love (2007)
• Deadly Sexy (2007) – Later adapted into a movie.
• Midnight (2010)
• Night Hawk (2011)
• Hawaii Magic (2019)
• One Masked Night (2019)
• I'll Be Home for Christmas (2019)

For completionists, she also has several novellas and short story collections (such as Gettin' Merry and Once Upon a Holiday) that expand on the themes of love and family, perfect for seasonal reading or quick getaways into her worlds.