How to Enter the Interconnected Lost River Universe
Calle J. Brookes has built a massive, deeply interconnected web of romantic suspense novels set primarily in Texas and Indiana. Her series—including PAVAD: FBI, Finley Creek, Masterson County, Small-Town Sheriffs, and There is a Season—share characters, settings, and overlapping events. While each novel is designed to stand alone with a complete romance and mystery, characters frequently cross over. For the ultimate reading experience, the author recommends reading them in a combined chronological order so you can watch relationships develop and spot recurring faces from other departments.
The Core Starting Point: PAVAD: FBI
The Prevention & Analysis of Violent Acts Division (PAVAD) series is the anchor of Brookes' contemporary romantic suspense universe. It follows elite FBI profilers, agents, and local law enforcement solving high-stakes cases while finding love. The best place to start is with the prequel novella Beginning, followed by the first full-length book, Watching. The PAVAD Case Files run parallel to the main series, offering shorter, case-focused prequels that introduce characters before their main books.
PAVAD Main Series & Case Files Order
- Beginning (PAVAD #9 / Prequel)
- Waiting (PAVAD #10)
- Watching (PAVAD #1)
- Knocked Down (PAVAD Case Files #2 - Prequel for Wanting)
- Wanting (PAVAD #2 - Features Finley Creek crossover)
- Second Chances (PAVAD #3)
- Hunting (PAVAD #4)
- Running (PAVAD #5 - Features Finley Creek crossover)
- Redeeming (PAVAD #6)
- White Out (PAVAD Case Files #4 - Prequel for Revealing)
- Revealing (PAVAD #7 - Features Finley Creek crossover)
- Knocked Out (PAVAD Case Files #1 - Prequel for Her Best Friend's Keeper)
- Stalking (PAVAD #8)
- Ghosting (PAVAD #11)
- Burning (PAVAD #12)
- Knocked Around (PAVAD Case Files #3)
- Gathering (PAVAD #13)
- Falling (PAVAD #14)
- Hiding (PAVAD #15)
- Seeking (PAVAD #16)
- Searching (PAVAD #17)
- Buried Secrets (PAVAD Case Files #5)
Expanding into Finley Creek
Set in a fictional Texas town, the Finley Creek series shifts focus to the Texas State Police, local hospital staff, and search and rescue teams. It is divided into thematic sub-trilogies but maintains a continuous timeline that intersects directly with PAVAD. To understand the full history of the town, you can also read the historical prequel series Finley Creek: Vintage, which takes place in 1910 and lays the foundation for the town's prominent families.
Finley Creek Vintage Prequels
- Jude & that Barratt Man (Set in 1910)
- If You Remember When (Set in 1910)
Finley Creek Modern Order
- Her Best Friend's Keeper (Finley Creek #1)
- Shelter from the Storm (Finley Creek #2)
- The Price of Silence (Finley Creek #3)
- If the Dark Wins (Finley Creek #4)
- Wounds That Won't Heal (Finley Creek #5)
- Hope for Finley Creek (Finley Creek #6)
- As the Night Ends (Finley Creek #7)
- Before the Rain Breaks (Finley Creek #8)
- Lost in the Wind (Finley Creek #9)
- Walk Through the Fire (Finley Creek #10)
- We All Sleep Alone (Finley Creek #11)
- Stand Next to Me (Finley Creek #12)
- Hurt in Her Eyes (Finley Creek #13)
- Day of the Storm (Finley Creek #14)
- The Secrets She Keeps (Finley Creek #15)
Masterson County and Small-Town Romance
If you prefer a slightly lighter, small-town romance tone with police officers, sheriffs, and ranchers, the Masterson County and Small-Town Sheriffs series are excellent additions. These stories began as writing exercises for the author and evolved into a beloved saga. The Masterson books focus on the tight-knit community of Masterson County, while Small-Town Sheriffs highlights law enforcement officers handling local crises.
Masterson County Order
- Seeking the Sheriff (Masterson County #1)
- Discovering the Doctor (Masterson County #2)
- Ruining the Rancher (Masterson County #3)
- Denying the Devil (Masterson County #4)
- Facing the Fire (Masterson County #5)
- Trusting that Tyler (Masterson County #6)
- Meaning in Masterson (Masterson County #7)
- Standing the Storm (Masterson County #8)
- Feeling Like Forever (Masterson County #9)
- Defining their Destiny (Masterson County #10)
Small-Town Sheriffs Order
- Holding the Truth (Small-Town Sheriffs #1)
- Hearing her Cries (Small-Town Sheriffs #2)
There is a Season... Order
This lighter contemporary romance series offers a change of pace, focusing on emotional relationships without the heavy procedural suspense elements.
- Just Loving Gerald
- Forever Holding Phil
- Not Kissing Nick
- Never Chasing Charlie
- Going with Gavin
The Dardanos, Colorado Paranormal Saga
Separate from the contemporary romantic suspense books is the Dardanos, Colorado series. This is a pure paranormal romance saga featuring vampires, shifters, demons, and ancient mythology. There are no crossovers between the PAVAD universe and Dardanos, making it a distinct reading experience that can be enjoyed entirely on its own.
Dardanos Reading Order
- The Seer's Strength / Fated to Her Vampire
- The Blood King / Taken By The King
- Captured by the Hunter / Live or Die / The Blood Hunter
- The Warrior's Woman / Stolen by the Warrior
- Awakening the Demon's Queen / Bound to the Demon
- Cursed by Her Blood / The Healer's Heart
- Mated to the Wolf
What to Know Before You Start
Because Calle J. Brookes is an indie author, she frequently updates her book covers and titles to fit new branding. Many of the Dardanos books, for instance, have two or three alternate titles (e.g., The Seer's Strength is also published as Fated to Her Vampire). Don't accidentally buy the same book twice! Additionally, the author maintains a comprehensive, master printable reading order checklist on her official website to help readers track crossovers between Finley Creek and PAVAD as the series continue to grow.