Carole Mortimer Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Carole Mortimer

With a career spanning over four decades and nearly 300 novels, diving into Carole Mortimer's library can feel overwhelming. However, her work is neatly organized into distinct genres and series. To find your ideal starting point, choose your preferred subgenre:

• For Historical Romance Lovers: Start with the Regency Unlaced series. Beginning with The Duke's Mistress (2015), this series showcase Mortimer's signature blend of high-society scandal, intense chemistry, and richly detailed historical settings.
• For Contemporary Suspense Fans: Begin with the Kingston Security series, starting with Kingston's Ransom (2021). It features protective alpha heroes, bodyguard dynamics, and modern romantic intrigue.
• For Paranormal Romance Readers: Start with the Dragon Hearts series, beginning with Nathaniel (2017), which introduces a world of ancient shape-shifting protectors and fated mates.
• For Classic Harlequin / Mills & Boon Nostalgia: Start with her historic debut standalone, The Passionate Winter (1978), which launched her career at age 18 and set the template for her emotionally intense, taboo-tinged style.

Major Historical Series and Reading Orders

Carole Mortimer is widely celebrated for her historical romance, particularly her Regency eras. The books within these series generally follow a thematic link or family tree, meaning they are best enjoyed in order of publication.

Regency Unlaced Series

This series centers around scandalous liaisons and passionate power dynamics in Regency England. While the novels work as standalones, minor characters recur across books. Readers recommend reading Captured by a Gentleman (Book 6) after Taken by the Earl (Book 3) for the best narrative continuity.

1. The Duke's Mistress (2015)
2. Claimed by the Marquis (2016)
3. Taken by the Earl (2016)
4. Pursued by the Viscount (2016)
5. Desired by a Lord (2016)
6. Captured by a Gentleman (2016)
7. Seduced by a Marquis (2016)
8. Tamed by the Earl (2017)

Regency Sinners Series

This series follows the lives and loves of historically scandalous nobles, blending heavy romance with mystery elements.

1. Wicked Torment (2017)
2. Wicked Surrender (2017)
3. Wicked Scandal (2017)
4. Wicked Deception (2017)
5. Wicked Captive (2018)
6. Wicked Temptation (2018)
7. Wicked Sinner (2018)
8. Wicked Christmas (2018)

Ruthless Regency Dukes Series

One of Mortimer’s more recent historical series, focusing on powerful dukes and the strong-willed women who challenge them.

1. The Wager (2022)
2. The Mistress (2022)
3. The Widow (2022)
4. The Guardian (2023)
5. The Hero (2023)
6. The Ghost (2024)

The Notorious St. Claires

Focusing on the turbulent love lives of the St. Claire family, these historical romances are filled with scandalous bargains and secrets.

1. At the Duke's Service (2009)
2. The Rake's Wicked Proposal (2009)
3. The Duke's Cinderella Bride (2009)
4. Lady Arabella's Scandalous Marriage (2010)
5. The Rogue's Disgraced Lady (2010)

Contemporary Suspense & Security Series

In her later career, Mortimer moved into self-publishing and indie romance, allowing her to write edgier, contemporary stories with a heavy dose of suspense.

Kingston Security Series

This series centers around the employees and operatives of an elite private security firm. The stories are fast-paced and highly connected, making publication order crucial.

1. Kingston's Ransom (2021)
2. Kingston's Captive (2022)
3. Kingston's Redemption (2022)
4. Kingston's Enigma (2023)
5. Kingston's Salvation (2023)
6. Kingston's Obsession (2023)
7. Kingston's Rival (2024)

Knight Security Series

A predecessor to the Kingston series, following alpha bodyguards who find themselves falling for the clients they are hired to protect.

1. Resisting Alexandre (2016)
2. Defying Asher (2016)
3. Challenging Gabriel (2016)
4. Capturing Caleb (2016)
5. Tempting Zander (2017)
6. Enticing Ian (2017)
7. Seducing Ethan (2017)

Paranormal Romance Series

For readers who enjoy a supernatural element to their romance, Mortimer has built a dedicated paranormal universe featuring shifters and dragons.

Alpha Books Series

An eight-book werewolf shifter series featuring dark alpha heroes and intense fated mate connections.

1. Christmas Alpha (2014)
2. Dark Alpha (2015)
3. Shadow Alpha (2015)
4. Midnight Alpha (2015)
5. Renegade Alpha (2015)
6. Warrior Alpha (2015)
7. Rogue Alpha (2015)
8. Savage Alpha (2016)

Dragon Hearts & Russian Dragon Heat Series

These companion series focus on dragon shifters finding their fated mates in the modern world. The stories are best read chronologically starting with the primary Dragon Hearts series.

Dragon Hearts:

1. Nathaniel (2017)
2. Deryk (2017)
3. Bryn (2017)
4. Dylan (2018)
5. Grigor (2018)
6. Garrett (2018)
7. Aeran & Rhys (2018)
8. Dragon Reunion (2019)

Russian Dragon Heat:

1. Vladimir (2020)
2. Vaughn (2021)
3. Viktor (2021)

Reading Caveats and Continuity Details

While the vast majority of Carole Mortimer's contemporary and historical series are published in chronological order, there are minor discrepancies to look out for. For instance, in the multi-author or linked Do Not Disturb series, the chronological timeline shifts slightly from the publication dates. Specifically, An Enigmatic Man (published in 2003) is recommended to be read before Nathan's Child (also 2003) for the best character progression, and the 2004 release Hot Spot is placed chronologically after 2005's Private Relations in some comprehensive fan order lists.

Furthermore, because Mortimer has written several multi-author series for Harlequin Mills & Boon—such as the Balfour Brides or the International Billionaires—you may encounter books by other authors in the same universe. However, Mortimer's individual contributions can always be read as standalone stories without losing the core plot thread.