The Recommended Reading Paths
Because C.A. Szarek writes across distinct genres, your best starting point depends entirely on what kind of story you are in the mood for. She has structured her work into three primary universes: gritty contemporary romantic suspense, historical time-travel fantasy, and traditional epic fantasy romance. Here is how to choose your path:
- For Romantic Suspense Fans: Begin with the Crossing Forces series. The best entry point is the first full-length novel, Collision Force, or the holiday prequel novella, Cole in Her Stocking. This path is perfect for readers who enjoy high-stakes FBI and police investigations mixed with intense, steamy romance.
- For Time-Travel and Scottish Romance Fans: Begin with the Highland Secrets series. Start with the prequel, The Princess and the Laird, or dive straight into the first main novel, The Tartan MP3 Player. This path features modern heroines who find themselves transported back to 17th-century Scotland, encountering Fae magic, clan rivalries, and passionate warriors.
- For Epic Fantasy Romance Fans: Start with The King's Riders series. You can begin with the prequel novella, Fate's Call, or start with the first full-length novel, Sword's Call, which introduces the core conflict of the magical kingdom and features a fierce heroine seeking vengeance alongside a half-elfin empath.
What to Know Before You Start
C.A. Szarek's writing is known for its high emotional intensity, explicit romance (steamy scenes), and fast-paced external plots. Her background in criminal justice brings a realistic grit to her contemporary thrillers, while her love for classic fantasy authors like Anne McCaffrey shines through in her world-building.
While her fantasy and time-travel series can often be read as standalone novels because they focus on different couples in each book, the Crossing Forces series is highly serialized. The central relationship between FBI Agent Cole Lucas and Detective Andi MacLaren develops across multiple books, meaning it is highly recommended to read that specific series in chronological order to avoid spoilers and appreciate their relationship arc.
Crossing Forces Series Reading Order
The Crossing Forces series is set in Antioch, Texas, and follows the intense partnership and growing romance between FBI agent Cole Lucas and local detective Andi MacLaren. The series mixes dangerous criminal investigations with deep relationship development. Below is the recommended reading order, including the main novels and supplemental holiday or happily-ever-after (HEA) stories:
- Cole in Her Stocking (2013) - A Christmas-themed prequel novella that sets up the chemistry between the main characters.
- Collision Force (2013/2016) - The first full-length novel in the series where Andi and Cole are forced to work together on a high-stakes case.
- Chance Collision (2014) - Book 2, continuing the team's investigations as the romance between Cole and Andi deepens.
- Calculated Collision (2014) - Book 3, raising the stakes with new criminal threats and emotional hurdles.
- Collision Control (2014) - Book 4, following the characters as they try to maintain control amidst chaos.
- Weekend Collision (2018) - Book 4.5, a shorter HEA story focusing on the main couple's relationship.
- Superior Collision (2018) - Book 5, which continues the romantic suspense saga in Antioch.
Highland Secrets Series Reading Order
Merging the historical romance of the Scottish Highlands with time travel and Fae magic, the Highland Secrets series is one of Szarek's most popular fantasy romance collections. The books follow modern women who cross through time to find their destinies. Although the main novels are self-contained romances, reading them in order helps track the overarching magical lore of the Fae:
- The Princess and The Laird (2017) - Book 0.5, a prequel novella that establishes the historical and magical backdrop of the series.
- The Tartan MP3 Player (2014) - Book 1, introducing the time-travel concept when a modern device is found in the past.
- The Fae Ring (2014) - Book 2, focusing on the magical rings and the transportive powers of the Fae.
- The Parchment Scroll (2014) - Book 3, concluding the main trilogy with a high-stakes search for ancient documents.
- Highlander's Portrait (2017) - A companion story expanding the lore and focusing on a new couple.
- Highland Valentine (2017) - A romantic holiday companion story set in the Highland Secrets universe.
Highland Treasures Series Reading Order
The Highland Treasures series is a spiritual successor to the Highland Secrets books, continuing the theme of historical Scottish romance, time travel, and deep family secrets. While it exists in a similar thematic space, it features a new cast of characters and can be read independently of the original Highland Secrets books:
- Highland Oath (2018) - Book 1, where a solemn promise binds the characters across time.
- Highland Essence (2022) - Book 2, continuing the historical romance and adventure.
- Highland Skies (Book 3) - The third installment in the series, expanding the timeline and family dynamics.
The King's Riders Series Reading Order
This series represents Szarek's foray into traditional epic fantasy romance. Set in a world of magic, elf-human relations, and wolf-bonding, the books focus on the elite fighters known as the King's Riders. The series is best read in the following sequence:
- Fate's Call (Book 0.5) - A prequel novella that sets up the magical conflict and the origins of the Riders.
- Sword's Call (2014) - Book 1, following Cera's quest for vengeance and her bond with the half-elf empath Jorrin.
- Love's Call (2014) - Book 2, continuing the struggle for the kingdom's safety while exploring a new central romance.
- Rogue's Call (2015) - Book 3, focusing on a rogue character within the kingdom's borders finding love and redemption.
Anthologies and Collections
In addition to her primary series, C.A. Szarek has participated in several multi-author anthologies, which are great for readers looking to sample her writing style before committing to a full series. Her anthology work includes:
- Deep in the Hearts of Texas (2013) - A contemporary romance anthology featuring stories set in the Lone Star State.
- Blame It On Fate - A historical romance collection containing her novella Highland Oath before its standalone release.
- Swept Through Time - A multi-author boxed set focused on time-travel romance, highlighting her Highland stories alongside other authors.