Caroline Warfield Books in Order

Where to Start with Caroline Warfield

For readers new to Caroline Warfield’s expansive historical romance universe, choosing where to start depends on whether you prefer to follow characters across generations or jump straight into a self-contained family saga. There are three recommended entry points:

• The Chronological Route (Dangerous Series): Start with Dangerous Works (2014), the book that launched her career. This path introduces the primary characters and families who establish the foundation for her interconnected universe.
• The Next-Generation Setup: Start with the novella A Dangerous Nativity (2016). Though published later, this prequel introduces three young boys who grow up to become the main protagonists of the Children of Empire series.
• The Village Family Saga: Start with The Wayward Son (2021), the first book in The Ashmead Heirs. This series focuses on inheritance, family duty, and redemption in a small English village, making it an excellent standalone starting point.

The Dangerous Universe and Children of Empire

Warfield’s early series are deeply interconnected, sharing a cast of recurring family members and friends. The stories transition from the battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars to the far-flung corners of the British Empire.

The Dangerous Series

Set during the Regency era, this series follows veterans and strong-willed individuals rebuilding their lives and finding love amidst societal intrigue.

• Dangerous Works (2014) – Andrew, a scarred veteran, returns to find Georgiana, the woman he left behind.
• Dangerous Weakness (2015) – The story of Lilias Thornton and Richard Hayden, the Marquess of Glenaire. Note: This book was later revised, expanded, and re-released as "Inconvenient Honor" in the Honor at Heart series.
• Dangerous Secrets (2015) – Features Major Jamie Heyworth and Nora Haley in a sham marriage of convenience.
• A Dangerous Nativity (2016) – A prequel novella that bridges the gap between the original series and the next generation.

Children of Empire Series

This series follows the characters introduced as children in A Dangerous Nativity as they travel across the British Empire, including the wilds of Canada and the shores of India.

• The Renegade Wife (2016) – Follows Rand Wheatly navigating family conflict and love in Canada.
• The Reluctant Wife (2017) – Follows Fred Wheatly as he faces duty and romance.
• The Unexpected Wife (2018) – Explores Charles’s story as he steps into his responsibilities.

The Ashmead Heirs

This four-book series shifts the focus to a small English village, exploring the complex dynamics of inheritance, social expectations, and redemption among the heirs of the Earl of Clarion. While characters from other series occasionally make cameo appearances, these books can be enjoyed comfortably on their own.

1. The Wayward Son (2021)
2. The Defiant Daughter (2021)
3. The Forgotten Daughter (2022)
4. The Upright Son (2022)

The Entitled Gentlemen

A smaller, focused series that delves into noble titles, hidden identities, and the heavy burdens of aristocratic expectations.

• Duke in All But Name (2022)
• Duke in Name Only (2023)

Multi-Author Collaborations & Shared Worlds

Caroline Warfield is an active member of the Bluestocking Belles, a collaborative group of historical romance authors. Together, they write interconnected novellas and charity collections where characters cross over between stories.

Lords and Ladies of St. James

This collaborative Regency series features themed monthly collections. Warfield contributed the story Dukes & Diamonds (featuring the Duke of Rockwell and Miss Joanna Howard) in January 2024.

The Marriage Maker Series

A massive multi-author project centered on a matchmaker who helps characters find love. Caroline Warfield contributed the novel Music on the Waters (2020), which is widely indexed as Book 35 in the overall series.

The Bluestocking Belles Charity Collections

Warfield has contributed stories to several holiday and themed anthologies, with proceeds often benefiting charities like the Malala Fund. Notable collections include:

• Valentines From Bath (2019)
• Fire & Frost (2020) – Set during the historical London Frost Fair of 1814.
• Storm & Shelter (2021)
• Desperate Daughters (2022)
• Christmastide Kisses (2023)

What to Know Before You Start

Warfield’s writing is celebrated for its emotional depth and historical accuracy. Rather than high-steam melodrama, her books focus heavily on family relationships, societal challenges, and personal redemption. She is also known for highlighting underrepresented historical groups, such as her inclusion of Jewish characters in the novella An Open Heart (2017).